20 Years of Growth Oct 16th, 2005 morgan young
Last year I hit my mid-life crisis and after combing the Scriptures I decided that getting a motorcycle was much better idea than most of the other insane things people do when they hit forty.
MS pic
MS pic
One thing I noticed about motorcycles is they don't have 10 minute oil change places for them. So I'd have to drop it off somewhere and of course the cost would butt heads with our frugality. So I started to wonder, "Maybe I could change the oil"
You have to understand that I've changed a lot of things over the years: spiritual direction, my mind, to diet soda, from VHS to DVD, but I have NEVER changed the oil on a car or bike. If I'm under the hood it's only to nod my head in idiotic agreement with what someone smarter than me is saying.
So I start planning my attack: I read the manual I go online and find awesome websites that people have put up with step-by-step pictures, little tips that other people learned the hard way. I find out all kinds of great info about synthetic oils and who has it at the lowest price.
Looks like I needed some special tools, so I pick up this plastic thingy to catch the oil; I buy an oil filter wrench and a funnel.
I cautiously approach my iron steed and in a matter of like 20 minutes, my oil is changed. And the shocker? NO LEAKS!!
Now the amazing thing is that having learned and performed this very SIMPLE & EASY feat, I felt awesomeI was all excited--- you would have thought I had disassembled the whole bike and put it back together.
Now at this point you're wondering if this message is supposed to be called Christianity & the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance?
In my weird head this process reminded me about some truths about growth.
It reminded me that idea of "growth" when you attach it to something we like to do, is exciting!(MS) There's something about the word "growth" that on it's own (or in a title like 20 Years of Growth) conjures all the excitement of slugging through text booksit sounds like work and it doesn't sound fun.
But you and me love growth when it's attached to somethingwhen I hopped on that bike and zipped down the street & oil didn't gush out, I was jazzed! When someone shows you how to correct your slice, you're excited. When there's something you want to do and you grow in it, it's energizing.
In my case, I'm not excited about changing the oil. What I get excited about is riding my motorcycle and changing the oil simply helps me do what I like to do.
Spiritual growth isn't about reading text, or prayingit's about doing those things to open up new doors in our mysterious relationship with Christ. I change my oil so I can go down the road on my bike, and I pursue spiritual growth so I can go down the road with God.
The number one reason we pursue spiritual growth is the crux of what Mandy shared and sang about: our relationship with Christ. (NOTES) Spiritual growth is about growing closer to Christ. (MS) We don't do it for intellectual reasons, we do it for relational reasons.
2 Peter 3-18 says, (MS)
"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever! Amen." nlt
And here's a caution about spiritual growth: If we don't engage in it, we probably won't be at this church long term. Because after a while, Sunday morning services won't do it for usthey won't sustain us. (NOTES) An hour on Sunday is not designed to provide all your spiritual needs.(MS)
It's not our spiritual meal for the weekit's simply ONE course we serve-up on Sunday. If you and I don't engage in growth, outside of the Sun service, the Sunday service will lose its shine. It won't be as compelling. You'll become bored with church.
Check out this verse:
(MS) "continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purposes." Phil 2:12-13 niv
"Work out your salvation" means there's more to it than just accepting Christ. To "work out" is to grow spiritually. Paul is saying spiritual growth is not an option.
As we start to look at what spiritual growth IS, I felt a strong leading to share what growth is NOT.
In Oakbrook's 20 years, I've observed some growth myths (MS) some misconceptions
(MS) (NOTES) 1. Christianity is complicated.
Last week, Mark did a great job of laying out salvation. Salvation is how we get into a relationship with Christ. And it is SIMPLE. Too simple. A lot of us had a tough time coming to grips with salvation because of its simplicity: "What? I just believe that, pray this prayer, and I'm saved?!" Simple.
But then we wake up the next day, and are overwhelmed with how much we don't know about God and we think the Bible is harder to understand than it really is.
Check this paraphrase of Colossians 1:28 (The Message) (MS)
"We preach Christ, warning people not to add to the Message. We teach in a spirit of profound common sense so that we can bring each person to maturity. To be mature is to be basic. Christ! No more, no less."
I love that! "to be mature is to be basic. Christ! No more, no less."
Christianity is a simple faithit's about ChristGod designed it so that normal everyday people like you & me can easily wrap our arms around it. Let me show you what I mean:
Think back to Mark's first message in this series---he illustrated the 5Gs across the stage with people: (MS)
Grace accept His loving gift of forgiveness then grow closer to Christ as you build grace-filled relationships with people who don't know Him.
Growthgrow closer to Christ as He speaks to you through His Word.
Group Christianity has no one-man kayaks. Christianity is a team sport, period. Grow closer with Jesus as He speaks & works through other believers.
Gifts Grow closer to Jesus as we serve Him and serve others.
Giving Grow closer to Jesus as we trust Him with our finances and give away some of the all He's given us.
If you know that, you know how Christianity works. You don't need a seminary degree to "really get it"THAT'S IT!
(carefully) But do you ever hear, "We need deeper teaching." "We need more meat."?
Look at the 5 Gs. Is that "deep?" Is that "meaty?" Is it hard to understand? Or is it profound common sensevery basic truths of how we grow close to Christ?
If you've been around here a while, when you see The 5Gs, it's easy to think, "Oh those again. That's nothing newseen it before," it's easy to tune out.
Or you may notice that after a while the same topics keep coming around every so often, and we can be tempted to think, "Yeah, yeah, I've heard this beforethis is basic. When are we gonna get to the real advanced stuff?"
Check this verse in 2 Peter 1:12-13
"I plan to keep on reminding you of these things--even though you already know them and are standing firm in the truth. Yes, I believe I should keep on reminding you of these things as long as I live."
Peter was pretty serious about being repetitive with these basic common sense teachings.
When you read the New Testament, it is NOT this MAZE of hard to follow theology and doctrine. It's the basic story of Jesuswhy we need him, how we know him, how we should respond to him and respond to life. And it's tattooed with Grace, Groups, Growth, Gifts & Giving.
The 5Gs aren't hard to understandthey aren't "deep." But they can be challenging to live. I think sometimes we want deep teaching & what God wants is depth in our character. He doesn't want followers with intellectual knowledge and no movement. He wants followers who are living out basic truths that are easy to understand.
I remember that 5Gs service. And I sat there as Mark walked through them. And on three of them I checked 'em off"I'm goodgot those goin' on." But on two of them I felt that Holy Spirit conviction"ManI've got room to grow in thatI've lost some ground there."
If you're looking for more meat---I challenge you to do a prayerful 5Gs inventory of your lifenot whether you understand them, but are you living them to the degree God desires for your life?
Our faith is about lovingly living out basic truths, not understanding complex theologies.
Which takes us to our next myth:
(NOTES) Spiritual maturity = biblical knowledge. (MS)
This is a quote from a gifted pastor, Erwin McManus about the Bible: (MS)
"God never intended the Bible to be studied for information or knowledge alone. The Bible was written so that we might respond to the truth and voice of God. Biblical interpretation must be missiological, not theological. A theological view finds success in the attainment of knowledge. The more you know, the more mature a Christian you are thought to be. And yet knowledge of the Bible does not guarantee application of the Bible. To know is not necessarily to do. When the construct applied to the Bible is missiological, you engage the Bible to discover the response required of your life. It is significant that the history of the first-century church is called the book of Acts, not the book of Truths."
Erwin McManus, An Unstoppable Force
Is it critical for us to regularly read the Bible? Yes.
Is it the cornerstone of our faith? Yes.
Is it essential to knowing God and growing closer to Him in a loving relationship? Absolutely.
But spiritual maturity is not gauged by Bible knowledge.
Spirit maturity = lovingly living out what I read in the Bible (MS)
When we buy into the myths that Christianity is complicated and spiritual maturity = biblical knowledge, the Evil One wins;
Because new believers avoid the Bible because they think it's an intimidating maze. And older believers get tracked on unlocking new biblical epiphanies or get a thirst for "deeper teaching" instead of becoming more passionate about forging relationships with people far from God or acquiring a thirst to get dirty hands helping the less fortunate.
Jesus was not trying to make theologians. He was trying to make followerspeople who love Him and then love others in their actions, not just in their beliefs.
When we read the Gospelsthe story of Jesus' life, He kept saying to people, "Follow me." And He didn't lead them into a room where they were to study until they were learned enough to make a difference in the world. He led them into their world.
Christianity is about day 1 on-the-job training:
Hear Jesus, respond to Jesus.
Hear the Word, go do the Word.
Read the Word, go turn the word into loving actions.
When Jesus said, "follow me," there were at least two things present:
Other believers, and something to do.
What that means is, we can't look at growth separate from serving and other believers.
When we think of "spiritual growth" we must not just bring to mind a picture of us alone in a roomthat's an incomplete picturethat's not a biblical picture.
Growth in us must involve time alone in the Word & time alone in prayer with God.
But, growth must also involve the on-the-job-training of serving. And it must include other believers. We may read alone and we may pray alone. But we do not grow alone and we do not grow at a desk, we grow in real life experiences with other believers.
Sometimes I picture Christ followers trying to grow but not trying to serve people or do God's workyou know, trying to just grow alone in a quiet room.
It reminds me of someone whose never played football beforenever been on a fieldnever thrown a footballand they're sitting in a room alone trying to learn how to play by reading the Football for Dummies book. (MS)
How much more sense does that book make if you've spent ANY time on the field? TONS! How much more does the Bible come to life having spent time on the serving field? Same answer: TONS.
Like Erwin said, it's interesting it's called the book of Acts not the book of Truths.
Another myth is: (MS)(NOTES) I have to make myself change.
We often think that our growth is directly proportional to the efforts that we ourselves alone put into it. There's this vibe we feel that's like, "Wowit's all up to me to learn this stuff and figure out how it all plays out in my lifeI have to change me."
The truth is found in John:
(MS) But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. John 14:26 niv
"Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5 NLT
If you're expecting me to reel off some crystal clear explanation for how this happens, I'm afraid it's not going to happen.
THIS is one of the basic and yet mysterious truths that we live on. I can't tell you how the Holy Spirit works in you any more than I can explain how He's worked in me. But I know He does.
I know my life is 180° from what it used to be. I know I didn't do it myself. I know that over the years I love God more. I know that changes in my life aren't just "behavior modification." Mysteriously, they're inside-out transformations---God mysteriously changes my heartand I love the changes.
The truth is it IS up to us to engage in the spiritual growth process. (MS) My relationship with Christ is my responsibility to pursue, the church can't do it for me. But the CHANGES, come mysteriously by the Holy Spirit in me. (Mark teach more on this next series).
(audioCD: Morgan's Who's Who? theme)
* "I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it."
-Pablo Picasso
I love this quote, because it really captures the essence of growth. This is what I was doing when I was trying to change my oil. This is what all of us are doing as we pursue spiritual growth.
I don't think anyone in this room is a definitive expert authority on cultivating a relationship with an invisible God. No matter where we are with God, whether you're a seeker, or have logged decades of discipleship, there are always things we don't know & that we are learning how to dotrying to figure out.
So in the spirit that all of us in this room are trying to grow in developing this relationship with Christ, let's look at 5 simple things that we need, to grow lovingly closer to Christ. They are:
(MS)
1. the Man
2. the Word
3. the Family
4. the Mission
5. the Dumpster
(#1) In the traditional African American church, the question is not, "Are you saved?" but, "Do you know the Man?"
So first thing first, is being saved, knowing THE Man--God. And not only being saved, but a belief that we are in an intimate loving relationship with Him. And really believing that God is the ultimate authority in our lifewe submit to Him in love, knowing He loves us and has only our best interest in mind.
Everything in our faith hinges on us putting God at the top of our flow chart and making sure that in the landscape of our life, He is HUGE and we are small. His needs and His concerns trump our needs & concerns.
Being able to grow means being able to say, "God, you lead. You determine what my priorities are. As I read your word, I am trusting that it is true and You are the ultimate authority in my life."
A cool deal is that next week Mark is going to unpack this concept in a brand new series based on the book of Colossians, so I'm not going to unpack this point more today.
2. the Word.
Listen to Leonard Sweet's words on THE Word:
(MS) "What if God means for all of Scripture to be God's love story to us?...What if the Bible instead is our shoebox full of love letters, our living library of family scrapbooks and diaries that connect us to our ancestors, helping us know them so we can know ourselves and understand what our family name stands for? What if it's our storyboard of relationships from which we learn how to form friendships and deal with the people and problems we encounter?" Leonard Sweet Out of the Question, Into the Mystery pg 73
And what if we believed the truth of Hebrews 4:12, that "the Word of God is living and active,"? And what if we read it regularly expecting to encounter, not just text on thin pages, but expecting to encounter the Holy Spirit?
When I was trying to figure out how to change my oil, the first thing I did was read the manual written by the manufacturer. When we try to grow spiritually, we cannot do it without regularly reading the manual that was written by our Manufacturer---A Manual that is alive with the Holy Spirit.
(disclaimer: if you don't know Christ, start with the Word & you're sure to run into Him)
3. the Family
After I read my motorcycle manual, I still felt a little unsure. So I went online and found sites where other guys with bikes uploaded step by step pictures and had tips based on mistakes they'd made. These guys' websites helped my owner's manual become clearer and I learned from their experiences.
That's the same way spiritual growth works. We were never intended to grow apart from other believers. The church is, you and me in little platoons in the family of God trying to learn the art of Christianity & motorcycle maintenance--together. Who is in your platoon?
4. the Mission
Growth is an on-the-job training program. We hear the Word or read the Word and respond by trying to live the Word. And please do not think our mission is confined to serving on a team in this building.
(MS) Our mission is everyplace we go (repeat). Wherever we are, whoever we're with, we should be living what we know.
We should be loving people because Jesus is loving us. We should be listening to the still small voice--curiously listening to Holy promptings in all situations.
A mission isn't just a program at a church, it's not just an organized serving opportunity. Our life, 100% of it, is a mission of loving and serving as we follow in Christ's footsteps.
Christ followers are never off the clock. Our mission is wherever we are.
(Paco story? You never know what will happen on a mission)
5. the Dumpster
Before I put my brand new shiny synthetic oil in my bike, I had to drain out the old oil. Throwing out junk is a regular part of growth. Learning is to unlearning old behaviors and belief systems. It's healthy & necessary to throw out things like:
- Incorrect views of Christianity & life (myths)
- Grudges & gripes
- unhealthy relationships or situations that pull you in to bad stuff
- sin
A huge part of spiritual growth is dumping lies we used to believe in exchanging for God's truth. Growing more like Christ is growing less like our flesh---so we regularly dump the "unclean" parts of our old self. We are always ready to drain the old oil.
(bring up Dave Dubois--My Story on his growth)
written at Starbucks 9.30.05 (setup as a picture of what learning looks like in my lifewhen I make those times to learn & grow)
"Sometimes I think life is simply about trying to live out the opening scene in the first Indiana Jones movie---that life is a huge boulder bearing down on me, sometimes on my heels, other times with more breathing room---but the whole time, I'm trying not to spill my coffee.
When I come here and read or write, God holds back the boulder, and everything slows to a freeze frame, the dust settles, and I walk out of the scene for a break. I breathe. I reflect. I look inside. I look up. I look around. I take inventory. And in the stillness of reflection I am somehow mysteriously moved from stressful to thankful. And when I finally walk out of this caffeinated bistro and back into lifeback into the scene, and everything, including me, starts moving fast again, unlike Indiana Jones who ran with terrified eyes beneath his fedora, I try to run with a mysterious confidence---with the peace that surpasses all understanding, knowing God is in charge and larger and faster than the boulder behind me. And I try not to spill my coffee."
