Elements of Spiritual Growth (Part One): 1 Thessalonians 2:13-20 by Dr. Rod Mattoon

Scripture

• 1 Thessalonians 2:13–20

About this sermon

The Thessalonian church was a tremendous church. The testimony and faith of these people were known throughout the entire region for hundreds of miles as we have noted before in earlier messages. The reason for its effectiveness, eagerness, fruitfulness, fearlessness, friendliness, gratefulness, and godliness is because these people grew and matured spiritually. They were not a bunch of big babies. They had some spiritual depth to them. In this portion of Thessalonians, Paul provided for us some of the elements of their spiritual growth. These same elements are needed in our own lives too, if we are going to mature in Jesus Christ and walk close to Him each day. There are many churches today that are filled with Christians who have an outward reception of the Scriptures. They hear but what they hear is not taken to heart. What they hear does not change their lives. They claim to love the Bible, yet, they spend little time reading it, studying it, and obeying it. If your heart has become hard, indifferent, or frozen by bitterness, sinfulness, wickedness, callousness, corruptness, filthiness, or faithlessness, then the Word of God can break up your hardened heart and burn away the dross. God wants us to inwardly receive His Word. He wants us to embrace His truths and let His promises, principles, and commands transform our lives. This is what the Thessalonian church did. This message was preached on Sunday night, January 3, 2021 at Lincoln Land Baptist Church.

Topics

• Spiritual Growth