February 18, 2001, SM: Hindrances to Christian Growth and Maturity

February 18th, 2001, Sunday Morning

"Hindrances to Christian Growth and Maturity"
Warning signs to alert you of stunted Christian growth

OPENING: Galatians 5:7-9, KJV

Today, statistics show the average productivity of a Christian's spiritual life is less than three years.
Today's message is meant to bring encouragement to those who are side-tracked and to strengthen those who are on the right track.
1 Peter 5:8: The devil is constantly looking for victims. We get caught up in too much of the world to notice this.
The world is our adversary and our own flesh is our greatest adversary. The devil and the world work together to stunt Christian growth ... and it will continue to hinder your growth until you acknowledge GOD's grace to set you free.
2 Corinthians 6:2: You don't know what day or hour you're going to leave this world. Tomorrow is not promised. Statistics report every two seconds someone dies. It's just a matter of time before it reaches you. Therefore, that is why RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW is the accepted time of salvation.
Galatians 5:7-9: In this opening passage, we see Paul begging the saints in Galatia, "you were off to a great spiritual start! What/who caused you to stop?"
- To the teens: When you finally grow up to adulthood and move out on your own--to make your own decisions--did your spiritual growth stop? Was it a teacher? TV? a magazine?...
SIX COMPONENTS THAT HINDER GROWTH
- #1/6: Worthless, useless doctrine (1 Timothy 4:1-3)
  - It's not politics but the Word of GOD that belongs behind the pulpit. In other words, it's man's philosophy and agenda that's replacing the Bible when preachers marry homosexual couples in church, or when churches have their own specific membership requirements that are not listed in the Bible.
    - Leviticus 18:22: GOD WILL NOT BLESS A HOMOSEXUAL UNION.
  - Today, people don't want GOD's teaching but lies--and are willing to pay for them! How would someone in their right mind pay money to hear lies? Hollywood movies, soap operas, tabloid magazines, PSYCHIC HOTLINES, etc.
  - 2 Timothy 3:1-3: This doesn't need to be proven. This prophecy is already coming true.
  - It is widely accepted that just because a practice has existed for several years that it's blasphemy to change. Like heritage, it's tradition to continue a long-existing practice--it's hard to break! However, the first heritage (being a lost soul) is easy to cast off because you never had one! Once you become saved, it's tradition to BEGIN ANEW.
  - Titus 2:1: Today, we need to get back into The Book ... not into commentary or man's tradition.
  - Titus 2:2-3: Listen to the elderly people of this world. They have experience, leadership, and they set the example. For they are not easily excited.
  - Colossians 2:8: Once again, just because it's man's tradition and man-made heritage doesn't mean it's right to follow.
- #2/6: Wicked desires prevent spiritual growth
  - Galatians 5:16-18: You cannot please GOD and yourself at the same time. This is contrary.
  - 2 Timothy 4:10-11: Paul needed faithful, dependable help. We see here one of Paul's faithful servants, Demas, used to be a faithful servant but soon fell for the temporal, material things of this world.
  - While it is a good thing to save for retirement, you should not be consumed with retirement but rather where you're going to retire.
  - 1 Corinthians 10:13: No temptation you WILL EVER face will be so great you cannot withstand it. Therefore, all temptations you give in to will be your own fault and cannot be blamed on others.
- #3/6: Worldly deceptions
  - 1 Timothy 6:6-11: "For the love of money is the root of all evil". Power, money, and prestige is gain but not great gain. Just as this scripture says: we're going to exit this world the way we came in.
  - ASIDE: Back in the days of Egyptian pyramid construction, pharaohs wanted to be buried inside their pyramid with all their money because they believed they would need it when they "go to the other side of the river." In addition, they believed they needed their servants so when the pharaoh died, his servants were killed so they could be buried with him. Yet to this day, the money is still in the pyramid!
  - REFRAIN FROM ANY JOB OFFER THAT TAKES YOU AWAY FROM GOD.
  - Ecclesiastes 5:10: King Solomon of Israel tried it all... all the money, all the women, all the wealth and power. His conclusion: FEAR GOD AND KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS. No matter how much money one has, when's the last time you heard someone say, "I have enough money."
    - Many rich and powerful people are not happy while those without a dime in their savings account have not a care in the world!
  - Matthew 13:18-23: This is Jesus' parable of the sewer Key in on verse 22. This is what happens to the seed when the world is allowed to dominate.
- #4/6: Deceit in riches
  - Today, it is widely believed all you need is a bunch of money and you'll be happy.
  - 1 Timothy 6:10: Again, "the love of money is the root of all evil". Is it possible to have enough money?
- #5/6: Worldly distractions
  - Ecclesiastes 1:8: "We cannot never get enough," is what this scripture says. Gossip, romance novels, soap operas (which is just adultery with organ music), etc. When will it be enough?!
- #6/6: Dull hearing -- the greatest hindrance to Christian growth
  - Hebrews 5:11: A person who doesn't want to hear the Word of GOD stops his ears of the truth. You didn't get anything from this morning's church sermon? I wonder why!
CLOSER
Matthew 12:36: The Word of GOD applies to everyone--whether they accept it or not. For you and I will have to give an accounting of every word we speak on judgment day.
So at one time you were serving GOD and loving it! Then what took you from GOD's word? Was it a friend? Job? Child? Husband? False teacher? A more entertaining preacher?
- TV evangelists are no substitute for being in church.
  - You're not fellowshipping with real people
  - You cannot interact with the preacher
  - The only time the preacher interacts with you is when one of his support staff calls to ask you why you're slipping in your financial support!
Are you on GOD's or the world's schedule?