Growing In Grace Series - Pastor Stacey Shiflett

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Growing In Grace Series

2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

Part 1

The Emphasis

Intro: The new theme for 2026 is GROWING IN GRACE. This series will cover a wide variety of aspects dealing with this subject. This morning, will kick it off with a message on the Emphasis for growth.

I. The Means for Growth

I believe in order to understand why God puts so much emphasis on GROWTH we need to understand LIFE.

Growth is made possible by the fact that God has given us life.

Things that are dead cannot grow.

A person that is dead cannot flourish and abound and be fruitful.

The means of growth is LIFE.

The Godhead breathed into man in Genesis 2:7 the breath of life, and man became a “living soul”.

Jesus said multiple times in his ministry: “I am the life”.

·        John 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

·        John 6:51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

·        John 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

·        John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

·        John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

The world, the heathen and the unsaved were referred to as DEAD.

Before we were saved, we were DEAD in trespasses and sins.

·        Ephesians 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

The sad reality is this – many church members are not growing simply because they are still dead.

They have never been resurrected; they have never been made alive.

Look in the mirror of God’s Word this morning and honestly ask yourself this question: Am I growing?

II. The Mandate for Growth

Our spirits were dead and were quickened (made alive) when we got saved.

From that point forward, growth was emphasized.

1828 Webster’s Dictionary

·        Definition: GROWTH, noun The gradual increase of animal and vegetable bodies; the process of springing from a germ, seed or root, and proceeding to full size, by the addition of matter, through ducts and secretory vessels. In plants, vegetation. We speak of slow growth and rapid growth; of early growth; late growth and full growth

·        1. Product; produce; that which has grown; as a fine growth of wood.

·        2. Production; any thing produced; as a poem of English growth

·        3. Increase in number, bulk or frequency.

·        4. Increase in extent or prevalence; as the growth of trade; the growth of vice.

·        5. Advancement; progress; improvement; as growth in grace or piety.

One of the main purposes of the pastor is to help God’s people grow.

Ephesians 4

·        11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

·        12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

·        13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

·        14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

·        15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

·        16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

God’s perfect will for every person that has been made alive is that they would grow.

Ephesians 2

·        19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

·        20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

·        21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:

·        22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

III. The Measure of Growth

The Apostle Peter’s prayer and desire for the believer was that they would GROW IN GRACE.

I believe it is important to look at the author of 2 Peter and understand why Peter’s emphasis on growth is so relevant.  Peter was:

·        Peter was a part of the Inner Circle.

·        He knew AS MUCH about Jesus as anybody.

·        He was a key player throughout Christ’s entire ministry.

·        He was a key figure in the book of Acts in the early church.

·        Seeing people saved and integrated into the local church was his life.

But we must recognize something amazing.

The Peter we see in Acts and 1 and 2 Peter is not the same Peter we saw in the Gospels.

Peter himself grew and matured as a Christian in a considerable manner.

I believe that Peter became an excellent example of what God can do in our life if we allow Him to grow us.

Peter’s early ministry was sprinkled with embarrassing moments of immaturity and carnality.

·        Luke 9:46 - they were striving about who would be the greatest

·        Matthew 16:22 - when Peter was rebuking Jesus for going to the cross.

·        Matthew 15:15–16 – After Jesus explained defilement, Peter asked for clarification, and Jesus replied, “Are ye also yet without understanding?”

·        Matthew 16:21–23 – He wanted a crown without a cross.

·        Luke 9:33 – At the Transfiguration, Peter wanted to build tabernacles and stay on the mountain.

·        Matthew 14:28–31 – Walked on water… then panicked, was overcome with fear and sank.

·        John 18:10 – Drew a sword in Gethsemane, cutting off Malchus’s ear.

Matthew 26

·        33 Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.

·        34 Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.

·        35 Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee.

·        Matthew 26:69–75 – He denied the Lord three times.

Growth changed Peter.

·        Peter went from being MOUTHY to being a MOUTHPIECE.

·        Peter went from DENYING the Lord to DECLARING the Lord at Pentecost.

·        Peter went from HIDING IN THE SHADOWS, to HEALING WITH HIS SHADOW. (Acts 5:15)

·        Peter grew from being IRRATIONAL to being INSPIRATIONAL.

·        He went from following afar off to leading the early church; a pillar in Paul’s words. (Gal. 2)

·        Peter went from REBUKING THE LORD to REBUKING SINNERS in the name of the Lord!

What happened?

He grew. He matured. He gained ground in his walk with God.

He gained ground in his spiritual life, and it made all the difference in the world.

He let God ADD some things into his life that made him neither barren nor unfruitful.

REMEMBER the Definition: GROWTH, noun The gradual increase of animal and vegetable bodies; the process of springing from a germ, seed or root, and proceeding to full size, by the addition of matter…

GO TO 2 Peter 1:3-8

·        3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

·        4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

·        5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

·        6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;

·        7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

·        8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

If these things be in you and abound – vs. 8

Key elements in the Christian life – let the God that gave you LIFE also ADD and ABOUND.

The same God that gave you LIFE can give you GROWTH.

Part 2

The Emphasis on Growth continued

I’ll say it again – the Peter that we see in 1 and 2 Peter is not the same man we find in the Gospels.

The things that Peter is challenging God’s people about in 1 Peter 3:18 is light-years beyond what he was concerned about early on in his life.

What happened? He grew. He matured. He allowed God to add things to his life and he abounded.

That’s why I believe Peter mentions growth several times in his epistles.

In our text, Peter’s own maturity was evident by what he was concerned about.

Notice the transformation in Peter as he points out what God’s people OUGHT TO be concerned about.

1. How they ought to be living - vs. 11 “…in all holy conversation and godliness…”

(This isn’t the same Peter that was cursing around the campfire and fishing naked!)

1 Peter 1

·        14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:

·        15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;

·        16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

1 Peter 2

·        9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

·        10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

·        11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

·        12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

2. What they ought to be looking for - vs. 12-14 “…the coming of the day of God…”

• 12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

• 13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

• 14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

3. How they ought to be found - vs. 14b “…in peace, without spot and blameless…”

• 14 … be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

Being blameless is a qualification of a bishop. (1 Timothy 3:2)

Peter is saying the exact same thing Paul said in 1 Corinthians 1.

• 5 That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;

• 6 Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:

• 7 So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:

• 8 Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

4. What they ought to know - vs. 15 (the scriptures)

• 15 …even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;

• 16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things;

2 Peter 1

• 19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

• 20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

• 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

5. What they ought not to be - vs. 16 (unlearned and unstable)

• 16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

6. What they ought not to be doing - vs. 16 (wrestling the scriptures)

• 16c …wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

WREST: to twist, turn awry; to torture, put to the rack

metaph. to pervert, of one who wrests or tortures language in a false sense

7. What they ought to beware of - vs. 17

Beware of False Doctrine - 2 Peter 2 (the whole chapter)

Beware of Falling - 2 Peter 1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

8. What they ought to be doing - vs. 18 “…growing in grace and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ…”

• 18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

Conclusion: The question remains – are you growing? If not, have you been made alive?

Everything that is healthy is supposed to grow.

If you are not growing - make no mistake – something is wrong.

Growing In Grace Series

2 Peter 3:18

Part 3

The Expectation of Growth

1 Peter 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

Intro: Over and over again throughout the New Testament, THE EXPECTATION OF GROWTH in the child of God is clearly seen.

Growing in grace is a normality; NOT growing in grace is an abnormality.

The child of God is compared to a wide variety of things in the Scriptures.

We will look at some of these in the next message or two and glean some important truths.

One thing that all of them have in common is the EXPECTATION OF GROWTH.

The first one that we will examine is the comparison of the Christian to a newborn baby.

Why does the Bible refer to a new Christian as a “newborn baby?”

There are multiple verses of Scripture that utilize this concept of a Christian being a baby and a child.

               A. Our Life

John 3

• 3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

John 1

• 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

• 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

• 1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

• 1 John 5:1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.

               B. Our Lineage

• Galatians 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

1 John 3

·        1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

·        2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

• Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

• Romans 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

• 1 John 3:10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

               C. Our Liberty

• Romans 8:21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

               D. Our Lifestyle

• Ephesians 5:1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;

• Ephesians 5:8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

• 1 Thessalonians 5:5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

• Philippians 2:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

I. The Development that is Intentional – “…that ye may grow thereby.”

 Growth does not happen by accident.

No one drifts into maturity.

Peter assumes growth as the normal outcome of spiritual life.

The moment you are born again, God’s intention is not stagnation, but progress.

Just as a newborn child is expected to grow physically,

A newborn believer is expected to grow spiritually.

Lack of growth is abnormal in living things.

Nothing grows unless something is being done.

·        Fields must be tilled.

·        Seeds must be planted.

·        Plants must be watered.

The Christian life requires intentional spiritual cultivation.

GROW: Greek: αὐξάνω auxano owx-an’-o - to cause to grow, augment, to increase, become greater; of plants; of infants

This word pictures:

·        Gradual progress

·        Steady development

·        Visible increase

Spiritual growth may be slow, but it should be real.

You may not be where you want to be, but you should not be where you used to be.

As I said earlier – anything that is healthy will GROW!

II. The Doctrine that is Instrumental– “…the sincere milk of the word…”

One of the key words in this verse is the last word - “thereby.”

The source of the development and the instrument that God uses is “the milk of the word.”

But starting out, and even throughout your Christian life, never underestimate the influence of the milk of the Word.

Growth does not come through:

• Emotion alone

• Experience alone

• Activity alone

• Music alone

• Fellowship alone

Growth comes by means of the Word of God.

You will not grow without a steady diet of the Word of God.

Milk is: basic, essential and life-sustaining

Milk is not inferior - it is foundational.

As you mature and grow, you can start to partake of the meat.

But we never a time when we do not need:

• Daily reading

• Clear teaching

• Sound doctrine

• Repeated truth

Many believers starve spiritually - not because the Bible isn’t available, but because it isn’t being consumed.

God has chosen one primary instrument for spiritual growth—and that instrument is Scripture.

This is told to us over and over again.

Cleansing comes from the Word.

• Psalms 119:9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

Life comes from the Word.

• Luke 4:4 And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.

Obedience comes from the Word.

• Luke 8:21 And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.

Strength comes from the Word.

• 1 John 2:14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.

Another key element is the purity of the doctrine.

SINCERE: Greek: ἄδολος adolos ad’-ol-os - guileless; in things: unmixed, unadulterated, pure

Sound doctrine; pure words – that is the key to growth.

Pure doctrine matters.

The child of God cannot grow from:

• Watered-down messages

• Compromised truth

• A mixture of scripture and modern culture

• Entertaining substitutes

Truth mixed with error does not produce growth; it produces confusion.

Error does not nourish; it weakens.

Sound doctrine is not harsh; it is healthy.

The milk of the word must be sincere – unmixed; unadulterated; pure.

III. The Desire that is Invaluable – “As newborn babes, desire…”

One of the key factors in growth is an appetite.

No one can grow without hunger.

• A child that refuses milk will weaken

• A believer with no appetite will stagnate

God supplies the food—but we must desire it.

DESIRE: Greek: epipotheo ep-ee-poth-eh’-o - to long for, desire; to pursue with love, to long after

This is not casual interest.This is deep longing; a craving for the Word of God.

It is the cry of:

• A hungry soul

• A dependent believer

• A needy child

The Psalmist David sets a tremendous example of what it means to have a desire for God’s Word.

• Psalms 119:113 I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love.

• Psalms 119:119 Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love thy testimonies.

• Psalms 119:127 Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.

• Psalms 119:159 Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O LORD, according to thy lovingkindness.

• Psalms 119:163 I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love.

• Psalms 119:167 My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.

David loved the Word because he loved the God of the Word.

Appetite for Scripture is always connected to affection for God.

Conclusion: If there is no hunger for the Word, ask:

What has replaced it?

What has dulled it?

What has crowded it out?

Loss of appetite is often a symptom, not the disease.

Growth is:

• Expected by God

• Enabled by the Word

• Energized by desire

If we want to grow in grace, we must:

• Intentionally pursue growth

• Faithfully consume pure doctrine

• Passionately desire God’s Word