January 27, 2008
Growing in Christ - Pilgrim's Progress

Steve Lane

A. Review/Spiritual Growth

Growth and thankfulness
Colossians 2:6 - 7
Philippians 1:25

Expectation of growth and fruit
Philippians 3: 12-20
Philippians 4:1
pressing on towards the goal - growing

Not about waiting for high emotion and deep conviction to deal
Philippians 2:12 - 13

"If you think you deserve it (anything) you are not thankful."

B. Pilgrim's Progress

Homework?
Philippians 2:14
Philippians 4: 11-13
Psalm 100:4
Psalm 107:1
Colossians 3:15
1 Corinthians 10: 16
2 Corinthians 9:15
Philippians 4:4-7
Revelation 4:9

Our goal: Christ-likeness / the celestial city
Christian from the City of Destruction

"You are striving to enter the narrow gate, leading to life, therefore hate his turning you out of the way, and despise yourself from being so easily led from the right way. Detest anyone's laboring to render the cross repulsive."

"...you did not count it worth the hazards of a few difficulties to reach it?"

Scriptural theme - Pilgrim, stranger, alien, soldier, run a good race, fight the good fight...

You'll surely meet Thankless who will take you down a dark and winding...
Receive the help offered from Faith and Perseverance

C. The Good Stuff

True thankfulness must recognize the source.

The lepers
Luke 17:11-19

D. The Other Good Stuff

1 Thessalonians 5: 16 - 18

Paul and Silas
Acts 16: 22 -25

2 Corinthians 1:5 - 24
2 Corinthians 2:14 - 16

Our victory is not about us... but bringing glory and honor to God.
Philippians 1:20-21
Is this your core purpose?
The journey will not make sense to you and you will be miserable at every difficulty

1 Peter 1: 13- 17 This is what God is about!
It doesn't work if your goal is not where the trail leads!!

E. Conclusion

Hebrews 6: 1
Proverbs 4:18
Hebrews 11: 39- 12:3