Rehoboth Christian Assembly

ON SPIRITUAL GROWTH

2Pet.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.

1Cor.2.14 - But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

1Cor.2.15 - But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

1Cor.2.16 - For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

The believer is not ruled by the senses. That's why he understands the things of the Spirit. He's got the mind of Christ. A natural man cannot understand it cos they are sensual and worldly/carnal in their thinking. The believer is the temple of God, while the unbeliever is the temple of idols.

1Cor.3.1 - And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.

1Cor.3.2 - I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.

1Cor.3.3 - For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

Functionality is as a result of understanding your true identity.

Believers of the Spirit who eat the edible meat (sound Word) and not feeding on milk, that is, he is actively involved in Spiritual Growth. Such a believer doesn't claim "I'm of Paul", "I'm of Apollos", "I'm of this church", "I'm of this Man of God", "I'm of this Papa". Such behaviour is for babes. Believers who are not spiritually grown. There is always strife, jealousy and envy among them. There are always misunderstandings and quarrels. When they act like that, they act unspiritual, like ordinary men.

So amongst believers we've got two classes of people. The spiritual and the carnal. They all have the Spirit. The only difference is in their level of knowledge which forms their actions. Their mindset. Their heart attitude towards God.

Nonetheless, whenever Paul addressed such kind in the epistles, he did not deny who they were. Especially the Corinthian church. He didn't deny that they had the Spirit. He didn't claim they were unbelievers. He didn't say they weren't tongue-speaking. He didn't officially identify them by their conduct. No. They were still saved. Forever saved.

He rather pointed out that they were walking besides themselves. Pretending. Pertaining to the flesh. The believer is not in the flesh. He's in the Spirit. He ought not to walk in the flesh. Born in the Spirit naturally demands to walk also in the Spirit. Born in the Spirit calls for to exhibit the fruits of the Spirit.

A believer walking besides himself, needs to be corrected. Brought back into place. The Word should give us the right way to talk, to dress, to settle arguments, to speak, to settle conflicts and division. Offence surely, always comes, and there's a way to settle it via the Word. Not doing what the Word says, is where there is problem.

Let the Word guide our hearts. When a believer has the Word, it corrects his occasional abnormalities, which if left unchecked, can snowball into something monstrous.

DEVELOPING THE SPIRIT BEING 4

Josh.1.8 - This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

John.8.30 - As he spake these words, many believed on him.

John.8.31 - Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

John.8.32 - And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

The word and thoughts in your heart will always manifest without you putting much efforts.

We are to let the Word of God build a culture around us. Give us a perspective. Give us a worldview. No matter what, we are to be so Word-conscious that the first thing that comes to mind in an event is, "what does the Word of God say about this?"

Col.3.16 - Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

We are to give the Word, first place in our lives. Undivided attention. Your life will produce according to the Word of God in your heart. God tells us to attend to His Word.

Prov.4.20 - My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.

Prov.4.21 - Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.

Prov.4.22 - For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.

The Word should be in our minds, our tongues, consistently, always. All the time.

We are to put our trust in the Word. Our first trust, should be in His Word. When you're sick, medicine is good yes, but the Word should come to mind first, before medicine. Revelation has to agree and synchronize with your consciousness, making the Word a reality in your life. And this knowledge brings stability in your life.

This knowledge surpasses human knowledge. It will affect the way you think, move, act, behave. The consciousness of a man is not made, but a function of knowledge via what he sees, hears, and associates with. Consciousness has to do with what you've been exposed to, and it is a product of knowledge. And anything we expose ourselves to that exalts itself above the Word, is an idol.

1John.5.21 - Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

1Cor.8.4 - As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.

Anything that occupies our hearts and thoughts, is an idol. It is also a function of what you allow into your heart per time. We are to let the Word trample culture and triumph over our views and ideas. We should be very conscious of the Word in and about everything.

Allow the Word to control you. Instantly obey the voice of your Spirit. Reasoning is the voice of your mind. Feeling, the voice of your body. Your conscience, the voice of your Spirit.

Every man has the voice of the Spirit, whether saved or unsaved, because man is a spirit and you can tell us apart in our speech and actions. The believer who gives the Word a first place, the Voice of the Spirit becomes an authoritative guide.

Do what the Word of God says. When It tells you exactly what to do, there's no need for further prayers. The Spirit and the Word agrees. When the Word doesn't distinctly tell you what to do, then go with what your human spirit says. What your conscience says. And for that, we are to keep our conscience tender, for that is how God will speak to us. The conscience, our moral guide.

Acts.24.1 - And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul.

Acts.24.16 - And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.

Phil.1.9 - And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;

Phil.1.10 - That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;

Phil.1.11 - Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

1Tim.1.19 - Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:

Hallelujah!