2. HOW WE SPEAK OF CHRISTIAN PROGRESS
When we Christians speak of our spiritual aspirations, we use language such as:
“I want to grow in Christ”
“I want to be more like Jesus”
“I want to be more of what God wants me to be”
And so on…
What is implied in these statements?
• That I am “in Christ” now, but I want to experience myself as more fully “in
Christ”
• That I am like Jesus in some ways now, but that I want to be MORE like Him”
• That I am somewhat like what God want s me to be now but I want to be more
so”

3. WHO STRIKES YOU AS A MATURE BELIEVER?
What is it about them that
gives you this impression?

4. HOW CAN WE TELL IF WE’RE GROWING?
How are we to measure Christian growth?
How are we to determine spiritual progress?
How are we to assess whether we are more like what God wants us to be?
#1 – We need a WORTHY VISION of maturity.
When all is said and done, I think most men in the church believe
that God put them on the earth to be a good boy. The problem with
men, we are told, is that they don't know how to keep their promises,
be spiritual leaders, talk to their wives, or raise their children. But if
they will try real hard they can reach the lofty summit of becoming . .
. a nice guy. That's what we hold up as models of Christian maturity:
Really Nice Guys. We don't smoke, drink, or swear; that's what
makes us men. (John Eldredge)

5. BIBLICAL LANGUAGE OF CHRISTIAN PROGRESS
“You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard
so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and
fall from your own steadfastness, but grow in the grace and
knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory,
both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
(2 Peter 3: 17, 18)
“Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and
envy and all slander, like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of
the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, if you
have tasted the kindness of the Lord.”
(2 Peter 2: 1)

6. #2 WE NEED RECOGNIZABLE RESULTS
Invisible (Interior) – Only I know…
Increasing friendship with Jesus
Private spiritual habits
Others?
Exterior (Visible) – Others can see / hear / detect… (James 2: 14 – 18)
Responsiveness to others, especially those who can’t necessarily give
back
A story that is Christ-centered
Others?

7. #3 WE NEED “REAL LIFE TESTED” GROWTH
Hothouse faith is “growth” that can only happen in a
highly-specialized, isolated, and perfectly controlled
environment. Once removed from that environment,
thriving ceases. Measuring faith by what happens in the
“hothouse” is not a worthy measure.
Real life tested growth happens where faith is applied to
the challenges and opportunities of our daily living
environment. Then we can measure: is the world
changing our faith or vice-versa? (James 1: 2, 3)