January 20, 2008
Growing in Christ - Being Thankful

Steve Lane

A. Introduction/Spiritual Growth

Growth and thankfulness Colossians 2: 6 - 7
Philippians 1: 25 Progress and joy in the faith - expectation of growth and fruit.

Basics for growth: Work, fellowship, prayer and...
Input of the body in your life
These things must be in place... but growth is caused by God.

Growth is mandatory. Are you growing?
The solid Philippians needed to grow Philippians 1: 3 - 7
Paul needed to grow Philippians 3: 12 - 20
This is how you stand firm: by growing - not holding your own.
Philippians 4: 1

Growth involves conflict. Work through it
Revelation 2: 4
The area you most need growth in is the very thing you will tend to deny.

Consistent growth is not about waiting for high emotion.
Impressions are not authoritative.

Are you hungry to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus?
2 Peter 3: 18
This is where much of it happens, in the context of the body.

Philippians 2: 12 - 13

B. Thankfulness

Colossians 2: 7 Growth and thankfulness
A common thought of the self life is, "Why me? I don't deserve this!"
Be thankful
Colossians 3: 15 - 16
Hebrews 12: 28
Colossians 2: 7
1 Chronicles 16: 8

We think we did something that grace did.
If you think you deserve it (anything) you are not thankful.

A thankful attitude
Romans 12: 1

To not be thankful is to be in sync with the truly wicked.
Romans 1: 21 - 22

"I can't."
Philippians 4: 12 - 13

Following the example of Jesus.
Philippians 2: 5 - 7

Having more does not make people more thankful.

C. Conclusion

Practice: Do everything without complaining or arguing.
Philippians 2: 14

Believe
Philippians 4: 11 - 13

This week:
Psalm 100: 4
Psalm 107: 1
Colossians 3: 15
1 Corinthians 10: 16
2 Corinthians 9: 15
Philippians 4: 4 - 7
Revelation 4: 9