1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:05,580 When Paul, our oldest, was a little boy he was concerned that his younger sister Julia 2 00:00:05,590 --> 00:00:07,390 was taller than he was. 3 00:00:07,390 --> 00:00:12,010 There was no use explaining to him that the normal growth pattern for kids their age was 4 00:00:12,010 --> 00:00:17,580 that girls grow taller more quickly but eventually boys catch up and pass them. 5 00:00:17,580 --> 00:00:23,220 He was not buying any of this and so we kept a record of his growth and measured his progress. 6 00:00:23,220 --> 00:00:28,070 This was a great way of reassuring him that growth was actually taking place and a way 7 00:00:28,070 --> 00:00:30,050 of observing it as it happened. 8 00:00:30,050 --> 00:00:36,059 Of course, measuring progress is an important factor in the success of any enterprise, whether 9 00:00:36,059 --> 00:00:42,440 it is physical growth, the development of a talent, the success of a business or organization, 10 00:00:42,440 --> 00:00:45,609 you need to be able to see and measure your progress! 11 00:00:45,609 --> 00:00:50,079 One area, however, that we tend not to do this is in our spiritual lives. 12 00:00:50,079 --> 00:00:55,039 I do not believe this is because we do not want to, I think it is because we do not know 13 00:00:55,039 --> 00:01:00,029 how to do this and there are only a few such admonitions in the Bible. 14 00:01:00,029 --> 00:01:05,939 One such encouragement is in I Corinthians 11:28 where Paul tells the Corinthians to 15 00:01:05,939 --> 00:01:11,080 examine themselves and their spiritual condition before taking communion. 16 00:01:11,080 --> 00:01:18,289 Another instance is in II Corinthians 13:5 where once again Paul tells these same Corinthians 17 00:01:18,289 --> 00:01:21,830 to "test" themselves to see if they are in the faith. 18 00:01:21,830 --> 00:01:26,290 These passages clearly state that there is a need to examine or measure ourselves. 19 00:01:26,290 --> 00:01:30,450 However, they do not provide the manner in which we can do this. 20 00:01:30,450 --> 00:01:35,469 I would like to make a few suggestions on how we can measure our spiritual growth: 21 00:01:35,469 --> 00:01:38,840 1. Compare yourself to Christ 22 00:01:38,840 --> 00:01:44,180 A disciple is not above his teacher but everyone after he has been fully trained will be like 23 00:01:44,180 --> 00:01:45,319 his teacher. 24 00:01:45,319 --> 00:01:50,409 - Luke 6:40 The big mistake we make when trying to measure 25 00:01:50,409 --> 00:01:54,289 ourselves is to measure ourselves against someone else. 26 00:01:54,289 --> 00:01:58,969 If we compare ourselves to a spiritual giant we feel depressed. 27 00:01:58,969 --> 00:02:03,780 If we compare to a backslider we feel superior and proud. 28 00:02:03,780 --> 00:02:08,959 In order to get a true "fix" on where we are in our spiritual life we should compare ourselves 29 00:02:08,959 --> 00:02:13,319 to Christ and His word who never change their position. 30 00:02:13,319 --> 00:02:15,959 By doing this, two things happen: 31 00:02:15,959 --> 00:02:21,459 We do not feel discouraged or proud because Jesus is the perfect ideal and we can truly 32 00:02:21,459 --> 00:02:27,709 know exactly where we stand when compared to Him and His teachings without feeling inferior. 33 00:02:27,709 --> 00:02:32,599 We can get a true measure of our progress from year to year because unlike human models, 34 00:02:32,599 --> 00:02:35,400 He does not change and neither will His word. 35 00:02:35,400 --> 00:02:40,459 By comparing ourselves to a fixed position, we can measure how much progress we really 36 00:02:40,459 --> 00:02:43,069 do make in different areas. 37 00:02:43,069 --> 00:02:46,060 Another way to measure our spiritual growth is to: 38 00:02:46,060 --> 00:02:48,060 2. Compare your purity level 39 00:02:48,060 --> 00:02:53,720 …purify your hearts - James 4:8 40 00:02:53,720 --> 00:02:58,209 Our ministry or service is not worth anything if we are not walking in purity. 41 00:02:58,209 --> 00:03:02,799 Jesus said "Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God," but the opposite 42 00:03:02,799 --> 00:03:06,970 is true also, those with impure hearts will not. 43 00:03:06,970 --> 00:03:11,780 We need to continue to tighten and refine the screening of our eyes and ears and mouths 44 00:03:11,780 --> 00:03:16,019 and hearts to filter out the dirt and sin of this world. 45 00:03:16,019 --> 00:03:21,629 Very simply put, are we talking, seeing, listening, practicing cleaner things than in the past? 46 00:03:21,629 --> 00:03:27,079 It is a difficult process but an honest self-examination will let us know if we need to change our 47 00:03:27,079 --> 00:03:31,150 filters to guarantee more purity or not. 48 00:03:31,150 --> 00:03:33,140 3. Ask others to rate you 49 00:03:33,150 --> 00:03:39,730 …I hope to send Timothy… for I have no one else of kindred spirit. 50 00:03:39,730 --> 00:03:43,549 - Philippians 2:20 Paul said there was no one else like Timothy 51 00:03:43,549 --> 00:03:46,850 to care for and be concerned for the church. 52 00:03:46,850 --> 00:03:49,540 High praise coming from high places. 53 00:03:49,540 --> 00:03:54,099 Very few people will take it upon themselves to rate you spiritually because it is a personal 54 00:03:54,099 --> 00:03:56,090 thing and a sensitive issue. 55 00:03:56,090 --> 00:04:01,180 However, if there is someone you feel is truly a spiritual person, someone you believe is 56 00:04:01,180 --> 00:04:06,060 succeeding in their spiritual growth, ask them to give you an opinion as to how you 57 00:04:06,060 --> 00:04:07,060 are doing. 58 00:04:07,060 --> 00:04:11,700 We are not to judge or criticize each other but we are allowed to give an informed opinion 59 00:04:11,700 --> 00:04:13,049 in love. 60 00:04:13,049 --> 00:04:19,690 Many times we will not do this because we know too well what the answer may be, however, 61 00:04:19,690 --> 00:04:24,480 along with the answer may come some advice or encouragement that will greatly motivate 62 00:04:24,480 --> 00:04:26,460 your spiritual development. 63 00:04:26,460 --> 00:04:32,760 We need to measure how we are doing spiritually for one very good reason: one day God will 64 00:04:32,760 --> 00:04:37,920 measure how we have done and reward or punish us for the results. 65 00:04:37,920 --> 00:04:41,920 The first thing to determine is if we are pointing in the direction of God. 66 00:04:41,920 --> 00:04:46,630 We are if we have confessed our faith in Christ, repented of our sins and been baptized for 67 00:04:46,630 --> 00:04:47,770 forgiveness. 68 00:04:47,770 --> 00:04:53,630 The next thing to determine is if we are moving towards Him by growing in faith and love or 69 00:04:53,630 --> 00:04:56,920 sliding back because of unfaithfulness and impurity. 70 00:04:56,920 --> 00:05:01,640 If your direction has been wrong and your progress is nil, you can change that. 71 00:05:03,740 --> 00:05:11,040 1. Describe a "mountain top" experience you have had in your spiritual life as a Christian. A "down in the valley" experience? 72 00:05:11,040 --> 00:05:18,340 2. If you were to rate the quality of your spiritual life in the past year, what would it be? ▢ Very Poor ▢ Poor ▢ Passing ▢ Good ▢ Great ▢ Can't wait for Jesus to Come Why the score? 73 00:05:18,340 --> 00:05:25,140 3. In your opinion, what usually causes "spiritual dryness" in your life? 74 00:05:25,140 --> 00:05:32,340 4. Explain this statement: purity is the gateway to peace. 75 00:05:32,340 --> 00:05:39,280 5. Name two things that a person can do in order to mature their spiritual life. Two things that inhibit spiritual development.