Message: “Growing in Spirit” from Rev. Ken Green

Our heavenly Father longs to see His children grow and flourish, much in the same way that any parent longs to celebrate what their child is becoming. The Holy Spirit works through the tools God has provided to bring about this growth. In all of this, our Father also longs that more and more come to know His Son, coming to worship Him in Spirit and in truth. How are you sensing the Spirit at work in you shaping you through the spiritual tools of the Word and Sacraments? As our Father seeks to draw more people to know Jesus, how is His Spirit preparing you to take part in His family business?

Scripture References: John 4:19-26, Romans 12:1-12, Isaiah 61:1-3

More Messages from Ken Green

From Series: "Grow"

Good theology loves a great paradox. God’s Word calls on us to grow — 2 Peter 3:18 “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.” And yet, God’s Word conveys that, because we are in Christ, we are already everything that we need to be — 2 Peter 1:3 “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” Both statements are true and need to be held to and purposefully lived out in the life of Jesus’ followers. During our Back to Basics for the Summer this year, we look at what it means for us to grow in faith, why God urges us to strive to grow, what His purposes are; the tools that He has given us to grow; the means by which He causes growth to come forth; how His Spirit is at work in us as we grow; and identifying some of the fruit that comes through that growth. Above all, our aim as God’s people reflects the calling God has made explicit in His Word: “Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:10-11).