“knowing and encountering god through spiritual growth”

“Knowing And Encountering God Through Spiritual Growth”

Grow To Know and Encounter God More Deeply

I. Perspective On Growth

II. Grow in W__________ of God

III. Grow in O__________ to God

IV. Grow in J___________in God

V. Practical Steps For Growth

I. Perspective On Growth

A. Priority of Growth – Phil. 3:

B. Pattern of Growth – Eph. 5:25-32

C. Pace of Growth – Heb 12:1-2, 2 Pet 3:11-18

D. Position of Growth – Psalm 27:7-14

D. Position of Growth

1. Seek His Face

2. Turn From Evil Ways – 2 Chron. 7:143. Hosea 7:10 – “Pride…testifies to His face” a. Duty – Matthew 15:8-9

b. Religion – Phil 3:c. Others – Judas

d. Self confidence – Rom 12:3,

e. Selfishness – Matthew 16:24

II. Grow in Wonder of God

Rev 1:10-20Isaiah 6

Psalm 8:1-4

III. Grow in Obedience to God

Duet. 30:8-10, 19-20John 21:15-17

IV. Grow in Joy in God

Psalm 37:4Psalm 63:5-6, Psalm 42:1-2, Psalm 63:1

V. Practical Steps For Growth

Grow in Wonder Obedience Joy

III. Take A Stand By Sharing God's Truth

Daniel 3:16-181 Peter 3:15

How Can A Good God Allow Suffering?

IV. Take A Stand For Righteousness

Daniel 3:12, 15, 19-24 1 Peter 3:8

How Can A Good God Allow Suffering?

IV. Take A Stand For Righteousness

It “…Ain’t Easy!”

Daniel 3:24

Is Jesus Real?

Matthew 28:20

B. A Biblical Example – Daniel 3

Is God Real?Is Jesus Real?Is the Bible True?Secularism/HumanismDo All Roads Lead To Heaven?How Can A Good God Allow Suffering?Why Not Evolution?Does Life Have Meaning And Purpose?

V. Summary = Holiness

1 Peter 1:1-18

Daniel 1:15-21, 3:30

Does Life Have Meaning And Purpose?

V. If It Doesn’t Kill You It Makes You Stronger

A. James 1:1

B. 2 Corinthians 4:16-17

B. THE RESURRECTION!

1. Matthew 28:1-20, Luke 23, 35-49

2. I Cor. 15:3-8

3. I Cor. 15:14-19, I Peter 1:1-7

II. Is Jesus who He said He is?No Middle Ground!

A Quote From C.S. Lewis

"A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic--on the level with a man who says he is a poached egg--or he would be the devil of hell. You must take your choice. Either this was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being just a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us.

What Did He Say About Himself?

• I came from Heaven!• I am the Messiah• I am God

– Same work– Same ability to give life– Same authority– Same honor– Same will

What Did He Say About Himself?

• I am the bread of life• I existed before Abraham• I am the eternal God, Creator of the Universe• I am the door to salvation• I am equal to God• I am the resurrection and life itself• I am the way, the truth, and the life• I am the only way to God

Josh McDowell puts it this way;

• His claims are either True • or they are False

• Evidence That Demands A Verdict

Jesus: His Claims Were Either

False True

Assume they are False

• Then He either Knew they were False• Or He believed they were True


False True

He didn’t knowHe Knew

Or

Assume He Knew they were False

• Then He is not a great moral teacher• He is a liar• Hypocrite• Demon• Fool


False True


Deliberate Misrepresentation

Liar

Hypocrite

Demon

Fool

Or

Assume He believed they were true

• He was sincerely deluded• He was a lunatic


False True


He was deluded

He was a Lunatic


Fool

Demon

Hypocrite

Liar

Or

But what if He is God?

• He Is LORD• You have only two choices• Accept Him and His Lordship• Reject Him

If You Accept Him

He offers you Eternal Life

If You Reject HimYou must expect Eternal Punishment


False True

Reject

He is LORD


AcceptHe was deluded

He was a Lunatic


Fool

Demon

Hypocrite

Liar

Or

Eternal Life

Eternal Punishment

John 3:18(*)


• He Is LORD• You have only two choices• Accept Him and His Lordship

(*) His Lordship demands obedience!


• Reject Him and be forever lost!

What About A Believer?

• Can we claim He is our Savior and reject Him as our LORD?

• (*) His Lordship demands obedience!

III. How is Jesus' identity “proven” today?

A. You are His Witnesses – Luke 24:48

B. John 17:20

C. Walk Worthy of His Calling (Eph 4:1, I Thes 2:9-12, Col 1:10-12)

“knowing and encountering god through spiritual growth”

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