In the first part of the message, I taught on two ways to grow Spiritually: READ GOD'S WORD and PRAY. I begin this second part with the third way: FELLOWSHIP. This, by definition, means we are to share things in common, to have communion with and to be partners with those possessing eternal life -- salvation. The apostle John wrote: " . . .that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ" (1 John 1:3, NKJV). Fellowship is not just for Sunday, but for everyday. We declare what we have seen and heard. Fellowship helps us to be an effective witness, which is the fourth way we grow Spiritually through our WITNESS. As Jesus commanded the disciples [and us]: " . . .But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1: 8, NKJV). We receive "power" Spiritually in order to make us effective witnesses for Christ even in the face of persecution. The fourth way we grow Spiritually is through PRAISING GOD. Throughout this second part of the message, I quote numerous Scriptures which need little explanation. That we are to fellowship and witness are repeated themes. But there are so many verses about the need for and the benefits of praising God, I couldn't possibly use them all. For example, the last two verses in Luke: "And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen" (Luke 24:52, 53, NKJV). This was the pattern for the early church, to praise God continually. And Psalm 113:3, "From the rising of the sun to its going down the LORD’s name is to be praised" (NKJV). All these five ways outlined in the messages serve to increase our Spiritual growth and make us able to be used effectively.
Let me hear from you - Charles
Subscribe and share with someone you love.
Popular Podcasts
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations.
Death, Sex & Money
Anna Sale explores the big questions and hard choices that are often left out of polite conversation.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.