No Other Gods pt6-Growth

Main Point:  When Christians place other interest, desires, or priorities before God, it is referred to in biblical teaching as idolatry of the heart, which shifts the primary source of trust, affection, and worship away from God.  Having other things before God leads to diminished spiritual growth and maturity.

Foundation Scripture:  Exodus 20:1-3.  God requires us to have no other Gods because He alone is the only one Holy and Righteous, and He alone has saved us from a lost eternity.

5 Things that happen when we have other God’s/Interest before the one true God.

1. Diminished Clarity on what God’s will and plans are for you to impact His Kingdom.
2. Diminished Joy and peace
3. Diminished Focus on the most important thing
4. Diminished Anointed Impact
5. Overall Spiritual Stagnation (lack of growth and maturity)

Scriptures about spiritual growth.
1 Corinthians 3:2-8. 

• Milk signifies immaturity and meat signifies maturity. 
• Immaturity quarrels about things that don’t really matter. 
• What matters is that Jesus is Lord. 
• What matters is that our names are written in the Lambs book of life.

1 Peter 2:2-3. 

• Desire the word of God so you may spiritually grow like a baby desires milk to physically grow.

Hebrews 6:1.

• Grow beyond the basics and grow into Spiritual maturity. 

Actions that lead to Growth:

1. Run to the Cross
2. Put Yourself in situations to experience God
3. Don’t be afraid to get uncomfortable for God’s Kingdom

Run to the Cross

• 1 John 1:9-10.  God is faithful to forgive us when we repent.
• Proverbs 28:13.  Those that conceal their sin will not prosper but those that confess and forsake their sin will have mercy.
• Revelations 3:19.  Be earnest to repent.  God disciplines those he loves.

Put yourself in situations to experience God.  
Church, worship, prayer, bible reading, tithing, serving.  As you experience more of God you will grow and mature.

• Hebrews 10:24-25.  Encourage one another to Love and to good works.  Do not forsake to assemble together.
• Ephesians 5:18-21.  Be filled with the spirit and join together in song and thanksgiving to God.

Don’t be afraid to get uncomfortable for God’s Kingdom.

• John 15:16.  We did not chose God but God chose us to bear fruit, and as we bear fruit then God gives us what we ask.
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Pastor’s Thoughts:

• Look at it this way.  If you need God to intervene for you (any prayer request), then seek for opportunities to bear fruit even if it gets you out of your comfort zone.
• It is when you step out of your comfort zone that you will see signs and wonders and the supernatural hand of God move on your behalf.

Conclusion:

• Are you tired of backsliding or allowing your relationship with God to be distant or stagnant? 
  • Then run to the cross to deal with sin,
  • Then put yourself in situations to experience God,
  • Then don’t be afraid to get uncomfortable for God’s Kingdom. 
• God is not looking for perfection but God is looking to and fro for hearts willing to be perfected. 
• When God is first in your life will we grow