Pastor How to Read LukeSample

Please read the Gospel of Luke 2:39-40,

40 And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.

This should be the prayer of every parent for their children.

More than prayer, it should also be the parenting goal – not just growing healthily but also strong in spirit and filled with wisdom. I see some parents so obsessed with the health aspect, putting all their energies into the best organic brain food for their children, etc. Or fixated on the academic part, enrolling their kids for endless lessons – from ballet to horseback riding to coding. It’s like they are trying to lab grow the perfect specimen. Then both parent and child have no energy left to grow strong in spirit and wisdom. Godly parents prioritize energy and time for spiritual things too.

If you are a young person reading this verse, especially if you are a new Christian – you need to grow. Even Jesus had to grow and become strong.

Spiritual growth is not automatic. It is intentional.

Just as physical strength requires training, spiritual strength is the same.

Salvation is free but spiritual maturity requires work.

As they say: “You are only young once, but you can be immature for a lifetime.”

Sadly, many people are Christian for years but still immature.

Paul discipled the Corinthian church for being babies.

1 Corinthians 3:1–3 (NLT) Dear brothers and sisters, when I was with you I couldn’t talk to you as I would to spiritual people. I had to talk as though you belonged to this world or as though you were infants in Christ. 2 I had to feed you with milk, not with solid food, because you weren’t ready for anything stronger. And you still aren’t ready, 3 for you are still controlled by your sinful nature. You are jealous of one another and quarrel with each other. Doesn’t that prove you are controlled by your sinful nature? Aren’t you living like people of the world?

Question – are we still living like people of the world?

Let’s not live like people of the world. Let’s be different so that we can make a difference!