Revolutionary Growth
Did you ever have a Chia Pet? Wouldn’t it be cool if all we had to do was water our heads and we would automatically grow like a Chia Pet? Man, I would have camped out under a water hose if that were true!
Unfortunately growth doesn't work that way. Growth, no matter what kind - physical, spiritual, mental or intellectual, emotional, relational, numerical – takes time and effort.
Granted, some growth does come natural and is predestined by genetics…some folks are taller, some are more intellectually adept. Personally, I think I got the short end of the stick on both those counts (no pun intended).
Did you know that the Bible says that even Jesus GREW?
“And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.” (Luke 2:40)
“Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” (Luke 2:52)
REVOLUTIONARY GROWTH, however, isn’t as simple. We’re talking about growth that challenges the common idea of growth. It’s growth that makes people look twice and causes them to ask in amazement, “How did they do that?”
Revolutionary growth is EXPONENTIAL!
In microbiology exponential growth is the period of bacterial growth during which cells divide at a constant rate. Also known as logarithmic growth. One cell splits and becomes two, the two become four, four become eight, and so the cycle grows.
As young people we want to grow physically…I know I did…taller & stronger.
We want our relationships to grow…sometimes too quickly, skipping steps…
We want our money and possessions to grow…
So how do we GROW? How can we see exponential growth in our personal lives as well as within our church, and here at Altared?
Revolutionaries are more concerned about spiritual growth and building the church! Revolutionaries understand that when they focus their lives on the principle of “less of me God, and more of you” (John 3:30), everything else falls into place.
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33)
Acts 2:42-47
42They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Acts 4:1-4 says that because Peter and John were teaching and proclaiming Jesus and the resurrection, “But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand.”
Acts 9: 31, just after Saul’s conversion says, “Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.”
Here’s what we do…
1. Be discipled
- Get educated!
o Life Change, Wednesdays after service, 15 minutes!
o Sunday School, 9:30am
o PM edition, The Circuit
2. Fellowship
- Koinonia - shared common life and intimate participation
3. Pray
- NOTHING happens without prayer!
- Wednesdays @ 5pm
- Sundays @ 4pm
4. Be Generous
5. Praise God
- Thanking God, acknowleding his work in our life and our need of Him
6. Come to church
- To grow and become more like Christ we must learn about Him, His life, His teachings, from spiritual leaders (pastors, teachers, evangelist ect.)
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