THE BOOK OF ACTS MARCH 23, 2025
DEVOTED TO GROWING

SCRIPTURE
And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that Jesus answered them well, asked Him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:28-31

All Christians are at different places of growth and maturity. And that is okay!

Jesus is giving us a target: Love God with your whole being!


WAYS WE GROW IN OUR LOVE FOR GOD

Each of these are intertwined, affecting one another, in positive or negative ways.

“Grace isn’t opposed to effort. It’s opposed to earning.” Dallas Willard

1/ Heart: We love the Lord with our inner spirit.

I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. Philippians 1:9

Are you acquainted with basic theological truths?

Jesus is fully God & fully man
God created all things
Jesus was born of a virgin
Heaven & Hell are actual places
Scripture is God’s word
The Bible is without error
The resurrection is a real event
Repentance is essential
People are innately sinful
Forgiveness is an unearned gift
Jesus is coming again
The Trinity is true

“When discouraged, you don’t need encouragement, but doctrine.” Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Do you practice spiritual disciplines?

Draw near to God and God will draw near to you. James 4:8

Examples: prayer, fasting, Sabbath rest, worship, Bible reading, community, etc.

Is spiritual fruit evident in your life?

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Galatians 5:22


Are you developing the spiritual gifts God entrusted to you?

clcolumbia.com/sermon/discover-and-develop-your-spiritual-gifts


2/ Soul: We love the Lord with our will and emotions.

Are you being obedient to God’s word?

Do not merely listen to the Word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. James 1:22

Are you processing your past in a healthy way?

“Forget the former things. Do not dwell on the past.” Isaiah 43:18

But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.
Philippians 3:13


3/ Mind: We love the Lord with our intellect and imaginations.

Are you reminding yourself of what God says about you?

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly. Colossians 3:16

What do you allow your mind to dwell on?

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation (turn to the Father)…Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:6-8

“Fear does not stop death. It stops life.”


4/ Strength: We love the Lord with our bodies.

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit? 1 Corinthians 6:19

This is not about body type or body image. This is about physical health.

Is there a habit of over-eating or under-eating?

Do you have intentional exercise?

How is your rest and sleep?

Are you avoiding medical care?
What is your relationship like with porn?

“The International Mission Board no longer asks if candidates look at porn. They ask: ‘How long has it been?’” Johnny Hunt, Former President of the SBC


5/ Others: We love the Lord with our relationships.

Are you practicing selflessness with your spouse?

Do you give your children too much or too little attention?

Would others consider you a good and godly friend?

Do you treat strangers well?