3 Steps to Spiritual Growth

3 Steps to Spiritual Growth
1 Peter 2:1-10

Sermon by Jack Nazary
Pleasant Hill Baptist 1981

1. Renounce Sin

2. Feed upon God's word

3. Understand and accept one's place in God's plan

1 Peter 2:5-10
* Good advice for all Christians
* Consider each step
* Check on your own life

1. Renounce Sin - 2:1
5 sins: malice, guile, hypocrites, envies, evil speakings

These should never characterize the Christian
a. Malice - often used as summary word for evil in general, but here it refers to a deep seated hatred of others coming from basic selfishness animosity. Such hatred seeks to hurt contrary to principle of love for fellowmen and especially Christian brothers and sisters.

Malice, wishing others harm should be cast off as soon as one enters God's family.

b. Guile - Clever or tricky practices to deceive, to "catch with bait"
Guilty when: misquotes someone in order to hurt him
makes statements (misleading about another)
resorts to other underhanded methods to bring him harm.
No believer should stoop to this!!
Lord's example as told by 1 Peter 2:22 "He did no sin neither was guile found in his mouth"

c. Hypocrisies
Deprivation: Men appointed to answer legal questions or render judgements - stood behind screen or wore a mask to hide identity.
*Choirs enacted dramas as soloist answered what the others chanted
*wearing masks, either comic or tragic, he became an actor
*actor playing a role, not true to himself was called a hypocrite

Hypocrite - anyone whose words and actions did not reflect his true identity or feelings. So hypocrite is seen as a man greets you with a smile when he actually hates you.

Country preacher on target when he said to congregation "Be what you are and not what you ain't; because if you ain't what you are, then you are what you think you ain't".

d. Envy - feeling of discontent and jealousy because one has greater talents, success, possessions, or receives more honors than we. "mental cancer" so called because it gradually destroys spiritual health

example:
1. Cain moved with envy toward brother Abel
2. Joseph's brothers moved with envy, sold him
3. Root of Aaron and Marian's rebellion against brother Moses
4. Pilate aware Jewish leaders were calling for death of Jesus because of envy. Matthew 27:18

Envy has: broken friendships by thousands, destroyed effective witness of churches, caused blighted lives "green eyed monster" - Proverbs 14:30 Rottenness of the bones"

Envy - No place in Christian's life

2. Feed upon God's word - 1 Peter 2:2
Hunger for Word - "As the heart panteth after"
Pure milk - Paul - nurse - 1 Thess. 2:7
Babe - 1 Corinthians 3:2
Maturity - Hebrews 5:12; 6:2
John 16:13
1 John 2:27

3. Accept God's Plan - 1 Peter 2:5-10
a. One of great company of believers
1 Peter 2:5
Romans 12:3-8
1 Corinthians 12:4-31
b. A spiritual sacrifice - 1 Peter 2:5, 9
Royal priesthood
Romans 12:1
c. Voice of praise - 1 Peter 2:9
Excellencies of God
Romans 8:17

Work, Worship, Present Self