The Early Church: Growth(4) II Peter 3:18 I. Introduction. A. The last words left by the apostle Peter: II Peter 3:18. 1.Peter, himself, is an example: from denial to martyr. 2. Had just referred to Paul and how his message could be difficult to understand. 3. Some fail because do not grow(or take advantage of opportunities to grow). B. Peter teaches us to: 1. Grow: "to increase"(Vine). a. Has to do with increase within. b. Occurs both individually and collectively. 2. Grow where? Grace and knowledge. a. Alarmed when child does not grow. b. What about Christians? Hebrews 5:12 3. There must be some attributes or characteristics that will promote growth. a. Not just numerical, but spiritual. b. Spoken on the "one another" passages. 4. True spiritual growth begins from within. C. Our growth is directly affected by our own efforts and actions. D. The growth of others is affected by our own progress. E. In order to influence others, there are some "key ingredients" essential to our success. II. Body. Each Christian needs--- A. The characteristics described in Acts 6:3. 1. Good reputation. a. Need to be respected by others. b. Live a life that nothing evil may be said of us. c. Must be consistency between faith and conduct. d. Jesus said it: Matthew 5:16. e. Do I have a good reputation with: Christians, friends, neighbors, relatives, co-workers, etc.? 2. Full of the Holy Spirit. a. Many believe this is miraculous in this passage. b. But--maybe not--perhaps it is a heart full of God's truth. c. Note: Ephesians 5:18-19 with Colossians 3:16. d. One should be filled with the word of God while believing it. e. Who controls my life? 3. Possess wisdom. a. Includes: (1 To see ourselves from God's view. (2 Ability to use our knowledge of God's word, (3 Tact, sound judgment, discernment, etc. b. How do we acquire? James 1:5 c. Not just preachers, teachers, etc.--but all of us! d. Note: James 3:17. B. To respond to the needs of those around us. 1. Have a concern for the physical and material needs of others. a. This congregation responds well to other's needs. b. Early disciples were sacrificial to this degree: Acts 4:34. c. Be a Tabitha: Acts 9:36. d. Even before becoming a Christian, this man acted: Acts 10:2. e. Paul encouraged: I Timothy 6:17-19. f. Not just the wealthy, but all: Ephesians 4:28. g. Be aware of James 1:27. (1 Individual responsibility. (2 A few dollars to a human institution will not suffice! 2. Respond to the emotional needs of others. a. We live in a world that seems distant and isolated: cold and hard; non-caring for the feelings and emotions of others. b. The closeness of previous generations seems to be absent in our society. c. The world(and worldly people) do not deal with the emptiness in many lives. d. People want those on whom they can depend--whose words are there and encouraging. e. People need for themselves and their children the "moral and ethical friendship" that helps one to face life with its burdens and woes. f. Loneliness is found, not just in the world, but in the church. (1 Some create such for themselves. (2 Let each of us never make one feel lonely among saints. (3 Too many times, people have drifted away because no one seemed to care(and someone says, "Wonder what happened to so and so?") g. Barnabas was an encouragement: Acts 4:36-37. (1 A refreshing disciple: Acts 11:23-24. (2 Worked closely with Paul: Acts 11:25. h. Another useful disciple: II Timothy 4:11. (1 Unlike: II Timothy 4:10. (2 Standing for truth, standing with those who love the truth and encouraging all to follow the truth, makes one a caring disciple. i. Nothing can be more encouraging than to have brethren share our burdens, show compassion and lighten our loneliness. j. Resolve to never, ever, be so discouraged to give up a home in heaven. C. Be aware of the spiritual needs of others. 1. Not everyone is strong in the Lord, even though: I Corinthians 16:13. 2. Not everyone is a Christian; they must be taught. 3. Jesus is an example of one who in patience, gentleness, and love, guided people to righteousness. 4. The spiritually needy include: a. The alien: Mark 16:15-16 b. The erring child of God: Galatians 6:1. c. The weak: I Thessalonians 5:14. d. The faithful: Revelation 2:10. 5. Use the proper approach: Jude 22-23. III. Conclusion. A. Let each of us grow and be spiritually strong, setting an example for all others. B. Let each of us help others: physically, emotionally--and most of all--spiritually.-jy