February 10, 2008
Growing in Christ - Pilgrim's Progress - pt. 2

Steve Lane

A. Reviews/Spiritual Growth

Growth and thankfulness
Colossians 2: 6 - 7
Philippians 1: 25
Philippians 3: 12 - 20

Expectation of growth and fruit
Philippians 4: 1 Pressing on toward the goal - growing.
Philippians 2: 12 - 13 Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.
Philippians 1: 20 - 21 Your core purpose.
1 Peter 1: 13 - 17 Prepare your minds for action - Holiness
It doesn't work if your goal is not where the trail leads!

Often, we feel it is our right to be discouraged, or...
Preparing for the final exam
2 Peter 1: 3 - 4
2 Peter 1: 10 - 11
I want to raise your awareness of what's going on in your life, and for you to do what it takes to possess these qualities in increasing measure, and to get your eyes on the prize!

B.
An allegory - limitations
Christian - City of Destruction - burden of sin
Evangelist - Wicket Gate, Obstinate and Pliable, Slough of Despond
Wiseman from the town of Morality
Christian sees the cross - Two imposters; Hypocrisy and Formality
The Hill of Difficulty
"Is the Celestial City and the image of Christ of such little value that you did not count it worth the hazards of a few difficulties to reach it?"
Descending into the Valleys of Humiliation and Death
Critique and Self-love
A very deep ditch on one side of the road and a quagmire on the other.
"Glad God has tempered our spirits that we can walk together in this wonderful way."
Faithful recounts his journey to Christian
Miss Wanton
And the he met a very old man at the foot of the Hill of Difficulty
Met Discontent in the Valley of Humility
Visited with Talkative - Proof of the saving grace in his heart?

C. Conclusion

1 Peter 1: 1 - 2
2 Peter 1: 3 - 11