Question: What is spiritual growth?
                 What does it mean to grow spiritually?

 -It is becoming more and more like Jesus Christ.
 -It is loving him more and more each day.
 -It is loving God's people more and more each day.
 -It is reading and studying His Word more and more each day.
 -It is sharing your faith more and more each day.
 -It is saying no to sin more and more each day.
 -It is depending more and more on the Lord each day.

ILL: C.S. Lewis  'You can't stay a good egg forever.'

 This means either we grow and develop or we die, we progress or we regress.  The Christian life is one of progression NOT perfection. Regardless of where you are in your walk with the Lord, there is a long road ahead, new mountains to climb, new challenges to tackle, new worlds to explore and new goals to reach for Christ.

 There are Five Essential truths concerning Spiritual Growth.

1. Growth is personal.
     -God deals with us individually so don't compare yourself with others.
        -Phil. 2:13

2. Growth is progressive.
      -Spiritual growth takes time.
            -Deut 7:22
      -You don't have to be perfect to be loved by God.
      -You don't have anyone to please but God

3. Growth is pleasurable.
     -Spiritual growth results in joy.
            -1 Peter 1:8-9;  Lk 10:21

4. Spiritual growth is painful.
     -God uses pruning to remove areas not pleasing to Him.
            -Jn 15:2
     -God convicts us of our sin.
            -Jn 16:8
     -God disciplines those he loves
            -Heb. 12:5
     -God allows trials to come into your life
            -James 1:2-4

5. Spiritual growth is productive.
     -Our lives display the goodness of God and we do good works for God.
            -Jn 15:2,8,16a

Question: What do we need to grow spiritually?

 -Teaching in God's Word
        -Eph. 4:12
 -Love for and fellowship with the family of God
        -2 Thess. 1:3
 -A desire to know and love God more
        -1 Peter 2:2
 -Trials and testing in your life
        -Phil. 1:6
 -The presence and control of the Holy Spirit
        -2 Cor. 3:18

Question: What is the ultimate goal of spiritual growth?

     -to become more like Christ.
        -Rom. 8:29a