God’s Plan for Growth

In the sixth installment of the series “Let’s Review The Plan,” the focus is on understanding and embracing God’s plan for growth in our spiritual lives. The sermon draws heavily from Ephesians 4 and Jeremiah 29:11, emphasizing that God has a divine plan for each of us—a plan that includes growth, maturity, and fruitfulness.

Key Scripture References

• Psalm 25:5: “Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.”
• Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.”
• Ephesians 4: Discusses the roles Christ gave to the church to equip his people for works of service and to build up the body of Christ.
• Mark 11:12-14, 20: The story of Jesus cursing the fig tree, symbolizing the expectation of fruitfulness.
• Luke 13:6-9: The parable of the barren fig tree, highlighting the need for repentance and growth.
• 2 Peter 3:17-18: Encourages believers to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Five Key Thoughts on Growth

1. Scriptural Expectation for Growth

   • The Bible is replete with the expectation that believers will grow in their faith and relationship with God. This growth is often symbolized by the production of fruit, as seen in the analogy of the fig tree.

2. Intentionality in Growth

   • Growth requires intentional effort. Just as a child needs nurturing to grow, so too do we need to be intentional in our spiritual practices—studying Scripture, prayer, and fellowship.

3. Provision for Growth

   • God has provided everything we need for growth through His divine power and promises (2 Peter 1:3-4). This includes spiritual nourishment through Jesus, the living water, and the Word of God.

4. Goals for Growth

   • Setting specific spiritual goals is crucial. Like the Apostle Paul, who aimed to know Christ and the power of His resurrection (Philippians 3:10-14), believers should set and pursue goals that align with God’s plan.

5. Faithfulness and Fruitfulness

   • Beyond being faithful, believers are called to be fruitful. This involves producing the fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, and more—as outlined in Galatians 5:22-23.

Conclusion

The sermon concludes with a call to action for believers to engage in a personal dialogue with the Holy Spirit about their growth. It encourages setting specific goals and being intentional in spiritual practices to ensure that one’s life is not only faithful but also fruitful. The imagery of the fig tree and the rose blooming in the snow serves as a reminder that growth and fruitfulness are expected and possible even in challenging circumstances.

In essence, the message is clear: God’s plan for us includes growth, and by aligning ourselves with His plan, we can experience the fullness of life that He intends for us.