Each year many of us will go see the doctor for a physical check-up,most people including business owners do a financial check up every year and we get annual performance reviews at our workplace,and even evaluate our friendships and relationships, But how often do we take time to review our spiritual life?
Matthew 13 :1-9
The Parable of the Sower
1That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the sea. 2Such large crowds gathered around Him that He got into a boat and sat down, while all the people stood on the shore.
3And He told them many things in parables, saying, “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4And as he was sowing, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it.
5Some fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6But when the sun rose, the seedlings were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.
7Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the seedlings.
8Still other seed fell on good soil and produced a crop—a hundredfold, sixtyfold, or thirtyfold.
9He who has ears,a let him hear.
Meaning of the Parable of the Sower
"But other seed fell on good ground and yielded a crop that sprang up, increased and produced: some thirty-fold, some sixty, and some a hundred." (Mark 4:8)
1.First, there is the hard heart, the seed that falls along the roadside. This represents people who hear the Word of God, but never really believe.
2.Then there is the shallow heart. That is the seed that falls on stony ground. This signifies the people who hear the Word of God and receive it with joy, but because there is no root to sustain them, they wither.
3.Next, there is the crowded heart. That is the seed that falls on ground where weeds choke out its growth. Slowly and surely, these people, busy with the cares and riches of the world, just lose interest in the things of God.
4.Finally, there is the fruitful heart that receives the Word. The seed falls on good ground and the plants produce a rich harvest.
When you have received the Word , the next step is to grow spiritually. When we become Christians, we enter into a relationship with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit that will help us to grow. With the power of the Holy Spirit, we become more like Jesus and He helps us and guides us to become more holy.Every true Christian, a true believer of Jesus Christ of Nazareth wants to grow in their relationship with Him.When you give your life to Christ,it means you have caught the revelation of who Jesus Christ is and you’ve given your life to Him completely. You have forsaken your former life,you repented and you want to get to know Him truly and want to grow in your spiritual walk with Him. Colossians 2: 6-7 says 6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
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THE 5 STAGES OF SPIRITUAL GROWTH
SPIRITUALLY DEAD: People in this stage have not yet accepted Christ as Lord and Savior. They may completely reject God, they may be seeking God, they may be “spiritual”, they may even claim to know God or be a Christian, when in reality, they are their own god.
INFANT: People in this stage have accepted Christ, but haven’t moved much past that point. They can be new believers or they might be stagnant, long-time Christians. Life is generally all about them and their needs.They are focused on themselves and are not ready to change.
CHILD: People in this stage are growing in their relationship with God and are also beginning to grow in their relationship with other Christians. They are applying God’s Word in their life and allowing others to walk beside them in their journey following Christ. However, it’s still mostly about them – their needs, comfort, etc.
YOUNG ADULT: People in this stage are making a big shift from being
self-centred to more others-entered. They’re beginning to understand their role as a giver, rather than a taker ,ministering to others, putting others first and being doers of the Word.
PARENT: People in this stage have a solid understanding of God’s Word and a deep, abiding relationship with the Father. They are living out God’s Word in their daily life. They are concerned about other people's well-being and they are dependent on God alone. They are able to reproduce mature disciples of Jesus by inviting others to follow them as they follow Christ.
SELF-EVALUATE YOUR SPIRITUAL LIFE
The following questions are designed to help you examine your spiritual life and to prayerfully seek God’s help in areas where you desire to grow.(This is not an exhaustive list and there are other questions you can ask yourself,this is just a guide to help you.)The Bible says, “Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith” (2 Corinthians 13:5). In other words, are you really a Christian? Or are you just pretending? You are really a Christian when you have put your faith in Jesus Christ and Christ alone to save you, and you are trusting in Him and walking with Him. It will show itself in the way that you live.
1.How is my personal relationship with God the Father,the Son and the Holy Spirit? 2.Do I have a growing desire to spend more time with God?
3.Am I spending appropriate time praying, reading and meditating on the God's Word? 4.Am I growing in my desire to obey and please God?
5.Do I obey God out of gratitude for God’s love or from guilt or fear? 6.Have I fully surrendered to the Holy Spirit?
7.Do I ask God to fill me each day with the Holy Spirit? 8.Are there areas I am holding back from God? Which ones? Why? 9. Am I more aware of the sins in my life and do I confess them?
10.Do I repent on a daily basis and receive forgiveness and cleansing from God?
11.Have I fully, truthfully repented of all past and current sins?
12.Do I really love God?
13. Am I forgiving others?
14.Do I love Jesus Christ and try to live like Christ?
15.Do I love others like Christ loves us?
16.Am I known as a Christian where I work?
17.Do people look at me to see Christ in me or they will be disappointed?
18. Am I seeking first God’s Kingdom or my own?
19. Do I talk with others about Christ?
20. Do I give at least as much to God as I spend on my own enjoyment?
James 1:22-24 "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like."
Lamentations 3:40 "Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord."
PRAYER
Amen