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The stages of Spiritual Growth in God’s family – Kumuyi #MondayBibleStudy

The stages of Spiritual Growth in God’s family.
by Willam Folorunso Kumuyi

1 John 2:14-16
We are at different stages in our growth. And there are marks in the life of an individual that show that he is a child of God. Throughout the Bible, as we come to know the Lord, we come from being

babes in Christ and we continue to grow. 1 Peter 2:1 shows us the picture of the child of God.

Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your

salvation, 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. – 1 Peter 2:1-3

2 Cor 3:18 shows us that we grow as we partake of the grace of God.

And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate[a] the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

That is, we are changed from one level of glory to another level of glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord. God expects us to move from one level of attainment to another, from strength to

strength, from one level of understanding to another level of understanding.

Job 17:9

Nevertheless, the righteous will hold to their ways,
and those with clean hands will grow stronger.

Ask youself, Am I growing in the Lord?

The path of the righteous is like the morning sun,
shining ever brighter till the full light of day. – Proverbs 4:18

Prov 4:18 shows us that the path of the justified go from condemnation to justification, to the spirit’s working in them.

I pray your light will shine and you’ll move up to higher grounds in Jesus name.

Phil 3:13-14 shows Paul’s yearning for growth. He said,

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

it is not just growing old it is growing up. It is not just attaining salvation, it is being sanctified and filled with the Holy Ghost and manisfesting the Spirit’s power.

You must not be an infant all your life.

We are happy when an infant is born, and we see the wonder of the infant child. We however get concerned if that baby is still childish. The Bible is saying the wonder of childhood must move on to

the warfare of youth and then to the wisdom of the aged.

I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake. 1 John 2:12

I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye

have known the Father.

Fathers: Settled in your conviction, cannot be tossed to and fro.

Young men: have left the infancy of the Christian life. You’ll overcome the wicked one in Jesus name. When you are growing in the Lord and the strength of the Lord is visible in your life, you will

overcome the wicked one.

The stages of Spiritual Growth in God’s family.

1. The precious privilege of the children of the father.
2. The prevailing power of the young men in the family.
3. The priceless perception of fathers in the faith.

1. The precious privilege of the children of the father.

1 John 2:12

I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake.

The devil may ask babes if they are sure of their salvation. Because of the limited experience and exposure of little children in the Lord, doubts may come. John was writing to give them assurance

to know that their sins were forgiven. Not because of what they have done, but because of his glory, for his name’sake.

Also, in v. 13, he says “Because you have known the Father.”

Two things about them.
1. Their sins were forgiven them.
2. They know the Father.

Little children can easily be deceived, which is why you hear of the evil things other people do to little children. That is why John wrote again, saying:

Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. – 1 John 3:7

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. 1 John 3:10

John wanted the people to know the marks of the child of God. The mark of the initial victory is victory over the evil one.

1 John 4:4 says that even though there is immaturity in your life, he says,

Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

Little children ought to have assurance in Christ.

It also tells us in chapter 5 vs 2-3

By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

Let us come back to 1 John 2:12, you are born again, your sins are forgiven you. We see the following:

1. The assurance of forgiveness.

Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

2. The apparel after forgiveness. There is a kind of garment you wear spiritually.

Isaiah 61:10
I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom

decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.

How and when did that happen?

Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
There is no rejection.
Romans 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

The robe is salvation and righteousness.

When God gives you that at the point of conversion, he never takes it away from you.

3. The adoption into the family. Those who are born again are not left are not left at the crusade ground. You are integrated into the body of Christ.

For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

And because we belong to the family, all the privileges, inheritance of the family are yours.

v. 16: The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.
v. 17. And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

4. The abiding in the family. Someone is born again, he is a little child in Christ. God wants us to take him in. Your abode, shelter and desire is in and towards the family.
Are you born again, don’t you have the desire to be integrated into the family?

1 John 2:28. And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

5. Affection from the father and family. You love him because he first loved you and you want to demonstate that affection.

Col 3:1-3 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

6. Attachment to the family. The child knows who the parents are and can recognize them. He has attachment to the family. He doesn’t want to run around with the people of the world but wants like

precious faith. Acts 2:41-47

41. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.

44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;

45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

2. The prevailing power of the young men in the family.

1 John 2:13 – I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little

children, because ye have known the Father.

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.

These marks show in young man.

1. The word of God abides in them. They read the word and apply the word in their lives. They do not hear from one ear and it goes out the other ear. they want to grow and make progress, in faith,

love, godliness, and resistance against the devil. they want to be overcomers. The word abides in them, stays in them, and produces fruits in their lives. And it produces faith and courage. It is

good to say, yes Lord I believe, but it is the word we believe. The word is central to the Christian life.

2. They are strong and go from strength to strength. They are strength by the strength of the abiding word.

3. They have overcome the wicked one.

What do we know about the wicked one?
1. The titles of the wicked one.
2. The temptations of the wicked one.
3. The terror of the wicked one.

Because of the word abiding in you,

1. you overpower the titles of the wicked one
2. You overcome the temptations of the wicked one.
3. You overrule the terror of the wicked one.

Matthew 13:19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed

by the way side.

Mark 4:15 And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.

Mark calls him satan; Matthew calls him the wicked one. Therefore satan is the wicked one.

We’ll overcome satan and we’ll overcome the wicked one.

Revelation 12:10, 11

And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused

them before our God day and night.

11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

Satan is here called the accuser of the brethren. Does he overcome us? NO. We overcome!
We overcome him everytime.

Adversary – 1 Peter 5:8-9
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

Devil. James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Whatever the title of the wicked one may be the word of God abides in us and that makes us strong.

God of this world. 2 Cor 4:4,6

In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

We still overcome!

If the word of God abides in you, you are going to be strong and you are goign to overcome. Greater victory is coming your way this week in Jesus name.

Luke 10:17-19

And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.

18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.

19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

You have overcome already.

Ruler of the darkness of this world – Eph 6:12

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

2. Overcoming the temptations of the wicked one.
Tempations will come but before the temptations come, a way has already been made available. In Christ you’ll overcome. By the abiding word and the Holy Ghost you’ll overcome in Jesus name.

1 Cor. 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also

make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

You’ll escape and overcome in Jesus name. Jesus overcame the devil by the word of God.

If he overcame, we will overcome in Jesus name.

3. Overruling the terror of the wicked one.

Satan does not have the last say in your life. You have the final say. If you say, I will overcome all those terrors of the enemy, you will overcome.

Psalm 91:5-7

Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

Isaiah 54:14,17

In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee.

No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their

righteousness is of me, saith the Lord.

Jeremiah 15:21

John was writing to the little children to tell them they have overcome all his titles, temptations and terror.
You will overcome in Jesus name.

3. The priceless perception of fathers in the faith.

Eperiential, experimental and empirical knowledge.

He was talking about the conviction, courage, and confidence of their knowledge. Persecution will not move them.

Him that was from the begining – Prov 8:23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.

Psalm 90:2 – Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.

Who is the one from the begining – God the Father, the Lord Jesus Christ who has been with the Father eternally.

1 John 1:1 – That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;

John 1:1-4

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

2 The same was in the beginning with God.

3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

What did they know?

1. The fatherhood of God. He is loving as a father.
The fathers in the Lord were solid and steady in the faith
2. They knew the faithfulness of God. He is a covenant keeping God.
Whatever challenge that came, they were not worried. God is faithful (1 Cor. 10:13);

Heb 10:23 – Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

3. The faultlessness of God. The ways and promises of God are faultless.
These fathers knew that God has no fault. They were sure that all things work together for good for those who are called according to His purpose. God is working everything for your good.

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Nothing will come as a shock to you.

4. The fellowship with God. there was partnership, friendship, and connection between them and God.

God knew Moses face to face and Moses knew the fellowship with God.

Heb 11:27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.

5. They knew their future with God.
They were not scared about dying, they were not confused about the future. They were so settled in their lives and convictions. They knew the fatherhood, faithfulness, faultlessness, fellowship

with God and future in and with God.

Psalm 73:24-25

Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.

25 Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.

If Jesus Christ lives in your heart, let there be assurance that in your fathers house there are many mansions. We will see one another in heaven.

He will guide you in this life, you will not fall; and when you close your eyes on earth, He’ll receive you in glory.

We will start making progress in our Christian lives; we will grow from grace to grace, from glory to glory; we’ll overcome the titles, temptations and terror of the evil one.

You will overcome. Your time of victory has come; your year of glory has come. God will preserve your life and as you go through life, you will overcome.

Prayer: You are an overcomer!

From tonight, let there be no doubt in your heart that you are an overcomer – in the day, in the dream; whatever challenge that comes you are an overcomer!

From the Monday Bible Study by Pastor Kumuyi on 8th February, 2016.