Growing in the Lord (Apostolic Maturity)

Transcription

1 Key Word: 2 Pt 3:18 Growing in the Lord (Apostolic Maturity) But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. Beloved brothers and sisters!! Apostolic people are PERPETUALLY IN DANGER! Where can we go to escape from peril? Where can we go to avoid temptation? If we venture into business, worldliness is there. If we retire to our homes, trials await us there. One would imagine that in the green pastures of the Word of God, there would be perfect security for God s sheep. Surely, no lion is there; surely no ferocious beast can walk there!! Even while we are reading the Bible, we are still exposed to peril. Our corrupt hearts can find poison in very flowers of paradise. Apostolic Movement for Jesus Christ 1

2 I notice that what Apostle Peter said about the writing of the Apostle Paul; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. (2 Pt 3:16) Also, note the danger to which we are exposed: 1. We can distort even the Word of God to our own destruction. 2. With the Bible before our eyes, we can still commit sin. 3. Pondering over the true words of inspired the Scripture, we can receive a deadly wound form Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. (2 Pt 3:17) Even at the horns of the altar (see Ex 27:1-2; 29:12; 1 Kings 1:50), we still need God to cover us with the shadow of His wings (Ps 17:8). G.O. Ministry family! How wonderful that our gracious Father has provided a shield to shelter us from every evil. For example, my text will help to prevent us from falling into the evil of unorthodox doctrines, for we are in danger of misinterpreting Scripture to make God say what He does not. Apostolic Movement for Jesus Christ 2

3 If Apostolic people depart from the teaching of the Holy Spirit, we are in danger of distorting the letter of the Word and lusting its spirit, and of deriving from the letter a meaning that can ruin our Apostolic soul. Apostle Cho s emphasis Beloved brothers and sisters!! How can we escape this? Apostle Peter speaking by the Holy Spirit, pointed out our safeguard in words of 2 Pt 3:18: But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. While you search the Scripture and become acquainted with them, see to it that you grow in grace. While you desire to learn and understand Apostolic doctrine, long, above all, to grow in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. However, let both your study of the Scripture and your growth in grace and in the knowledge of Christ still be subservient to a higher objective; that you may love to bring glory both now and forever to Him who has loved you and bought you with His blood. Let your heart forever say Amen to this doxology of Praise. In this way, you will be kept from all destructive errors, and you will not far from your own stedfastness (2 Pt 3:17). Apostolic Movement for Jesus Christ 3

4 Beloved brothers and sisters! I Apostle Cho see in my text two strong Words become two trumpets. One is blown from heaven to earth: Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The other resounds from earth to heaven: To Him be glory both now and forever. In other way to look at my text and the way that I will look at in this writing: We have an Apostolic divine command with a special direction. A grateful Apostolic praise with a significant conclusion. Apostolic Divine Command and Special Direction: 1. Apostolic Divine Command: A. Who can grow in grace B. Growing in every virtue C. Tree grows as a child grows D. Reason to grow in grace 2. A Grateful Apostolic Praise with a Significant Conclusion: A. Grow in the knowledge of Christ B. Grateful praise C. Significant conclusion Apostolic Movement for Jesus Christ 4

5 1. Apostolic Divine Command: A. Who Can Grow in Grace Grow in grace. What does this mean? I can see in the very outset of this verse that it was written to those who have been awakened by grace. Remember this!! This verse does not apply to the unsaved at all. Dead things cannot grow. Those who are alive unto God by the resurrection of Jesus Christ are the only ones who have power or ability to grow. The great Life (Apostolic life) Giver must first implant the seeds of life, and then, afterward, those seeds can germinate and grow. Therefore, this text does not apply to you who are dead in trespasses and sin (Eph 2:1). You cannot grow in grace because you are still under the curse of the law, and the wrath of God remains on you (Jn 3:36). Tremble, repent, believe; and may God have mercy on you. Apostle Cho s emphasis Apostolic Movement for Jesus Christ 5

6 B. Growing in Every Virtue You who are alive unto God, see to it that you grow in all the graces. Grow in your roots that is, in your faith. Seek to believe God s promises better than you do now. From that trembling faith that says, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief (Mk 9:24), grow upward to the faith that staggered not at the promise of God (Ro 4:20). Like Abraham, believe that what He had promised He was able also to perform (Ro 4:21). Let your faith increase in extent; believe more truth. Let it increase in constancy; do not allow it to be feeble or wavering, always tossed about with every wind of false doctrine (Eph 4:14). C. Tree Grows as a Child Grows Apostle Cho s emphasis I want to remind you, faithful believer in Christ, that the Bible compares you to a tree a tree of the Lord s planting (Is 61:3). Apostolic Movement for Jesus Christ 6

7 Seek to grow as tree grows!! Pray that this year you may grow downward, that you may know more of your own vileness, more of your nothingness, and so be rooted in humility. Pray that your roots may penetrate below the mere topsoil of truth into the great rock that underlie the uppermost layer, so that you may grasp the Apostolic doctrines of eternal love, God s unchangeable faithfulness, complete satisfaction, united with Christ, and the Apostolic purpose of God. THESE DEEP THINGS OF GOD WILL YIELD A RICH AND ABUNDANT SAP, AND YOUR ROOTS WILL DRINK FROM THE HIDDEN FOUNTAINS OF the deep that lieth under (Gen 49:25). Apostle Cho s Emphasis I will borrow another comparison from the Scripture. Beloved brothers and sisters!! We are not only compared to trees, but also to children. Let us grow as babes do, nourished by unadulterated milk (1 Pt 2:2). Like babes, let us grow steadily, slowly, but surely and certainly. In this way, we will grow a little each day, but much through the years. Apostolic Movement for Jesus Christ 7

8 Oh, that we may grow in strength as a child does, until the little wobbling limbs of our faith are firm, muscular legs the legs a young man who runs without weariness. May we have untiring feet the feet of a strong man who walks without fainting (Isa 40:31). G.O. Ministry family! Let us develop all power. Let us ask that we may no longer be little infants, but that many inches may be added to our height until we become mature in Christ Jesus. D. Reason to Grow in Grace Do you ask why we should grow in grace? I will say that, if we do not grow in advance, it is a sorrowful sign. It is mark of unhealthiness. It is a sickly child who does not grow, an unhealthy tree that sends forth no fresh shoots. Furthermore, it may be a sign not only of unhealthiness but also of deformity. Not to grow may be, moreover, the sign of death. To the extent that you do not grow, you do not live. Apostle Cho s emphasis If you are not increasing in faith, love and grace, if you are not ripening for the harvest, fear and tremble. Apostolic Movement for Jesus Christ 8

9 Perhaps you have only a reputation for being alive, while you are actually destitute of life. The one who gave you grace must give you more of it. Where you first received grace, there you must receive the increase of the grace. The One who made the cattle and created man is the same One who afterward said, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth (Gen 1:28). Amen. 2. A Grateful Apostolic Praise with a Significant Conclusion: A. Grow in the Knowledge of Christ My beloved brothers and sisters! We must see to it that we ripen in the knowledge of Him. Apostolic people may know more of Him in His divine nature and His spiritual relationship to us. Knowledge Of Christ His finished work His death His resurrection His present glorious His intercession His future royal advent His work Apostolic Movement for Jesus Christ 9

10 To know more of Christ in His work is a blessed means of enabling us to work more of Christ. Apostolic people must study in order to know more of Christ in His character in that divine combination of perfection, faith, zeal, deference to His Father s will, courage, meekness and love. The officers answered, Never man spake like this man. (Jn 7:46) Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him. (Jn 19:4) Jesus was the Lion of the tribe of Judah, yet the man on whom the Dove descended in the water of baptism. If we can add to this a personal knowledge of His sufferings, we do well. If we can grow in the knowledge of fellowship, if we drink His cup and are baptized with His baptism, if we abide in Him and He in us, we will be blessed. This is the only growth in grace that is true growth. All growth that does not lead us to increase in the knowledge of Christ is only the puffing up of the flesh and not the building up of the Spirit. Apostolic Movement for Jesus Christ 10

11 We wish to know Christ as our Lord: All hail Jesus We salute you as Lord Lord of every thought and every desire Every word Every act Our Savior Savior from every indwelling sin Every past evil deed Every future trial B. Grateful Praise The Apostles, I must remark very frequently suspended their writing in order to lift up their hearts in praise. Praise is never out of season. It is no interruption to interrupt any task in order to praise and magnify our God. TO HIM BE GLORY Apostolic Movement for Jesus Christ 11

12 To Him : The God who made the heaven and the earth, without whom was not any thing made (Jn 1:3). Who in His infinite compassion became the Surety of the covenant. Who became a baby. Who was despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief (Isa 53:3). To Him Who on the bloody tree poured out His heart s life so that He could redeem His people. Who said, I thirst (Jn 19:28) and It is finished (Jn 19:30). Whose lifeless body slumbered in the grave. To Him be glory. Who burst the bonds of death. Who ascended up on high [and] led captivity captive (Eph 4:8). Who sits the right hand of Father and who will soon come to be the judge. To Him be glory both now and for ever. Apostolic Movement for Jesus Christ 12

13 C. Significant Conclusion: Amen Now, there is a very significant conclusion to this word: Amen. Beloved brothers and sisters! I want to work this Amen out not as a matter of doctrine, but as a matter of blessed ecstasy. G.O. Ministry family! Join your hearts with me in affirming this great praise. To Him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. (2 Co13:14) If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha. (1 Co 16:22) For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. (2 Co 1:20) Apostolic Movement for Jesus Christ 13