COMMAND #13 - GROW
1. JESUS EXPECTS US TO GROW!
In Matthew 25:14-30, Jesus tells the story of a man who was going on a long journey. Before he left, he called his servants in and gave each of them talents or bags of gold to invest and grow. To one he gave 5 talents, to the second he gave 2, and to the last he gave 1.
The first two servants left immediately to put their talents to work, while the last dug a hole in the ground and buried it away. When the master returns, the first two servants are rewarded…
Matthew 25:21 (NIV) – “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
The last servant made plenty of excuses, but in the end, the little that he had been given was taken away from him.
Matthew 25:27-28 (ESV) – Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents.
Jesus reveals many incredible truths to us in this parable, but the first and most important is that He expects us to grow.
A. EVERY PERSON IS GIVEN SOMETHING THAT GOD EXPECTS THEM TO GROW.
God knows each person’s ability, and has an expectation of growth for each of us that is attainable.
While we don’t all have the same abilities, God expects all of us to grow with what we have.
100% investment will yield 100% return – twice as much as what you had – that’s double growth! (NOTE: Both the 5-talent and 2-talent servants invests what they are given and experience 100% increase. The 1-talent servant buries what’s he’s given and experiences a 100% decrease – it all gets taken away!)
Question: What do you think God has given you that He expects you to use wisely and grow ?
B. EVERYONE OF US RECEIVES SOMETHING, AND WE WILL HAVE TO GIVE AN ACCOUNT FOR IT.
You don’t see anyone in this parable who gets nothing. Everyone gets something.
You don’t see anyone in this parable who invests without a return. Everyone who invests receives a reward.
You don’t see anyone in this parable who avoids settling their account. Everyone has to give an account for what they received.
2. JESUS GREW!
Jesus will never ask us to do something that He himself didn’t do. Even He went through a growth process!
Luke 2:52 (NLT) – Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all people.
3 AREAS JESUS GREW:
Wisdom (sophia): learning acquired, knowledge, skill dealing with people, skill in impartation, truth, knowledge & practice of Word of God in Godly living, in decision making, in discerning right from wrong.
Stature: height and maturity
Favor (charis): grace, kindness, sweetness, loving-kindness, mercy, thankfulness, for blessing and benefits, joy, grace of speech, generosity, giving, God’s influence in a heart.
Question: Which of these areas would you most like to grow in?
3. GROWTH IS A COMMAND!
Jesus’ command to grow is repeated over and over throughout Scripture.
2 Peter 3:18 (AMP) – But grow (spiritually mature) in the grace (spiritual strength, undeserved favor, good will toward others) and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Question: What are some steps we can take to grow in our knowledge of Christ?
TWO FACTS ABOUT GROWTH:
FACT #1 – GROWTH MUST BE INTENTIONAL
Proverbs 4:7 (NCV) – Wisdom is the most important thing, so get wisdom. If it costs everything you have, get understanding.
Question: What are some intentional steps you are going to take to grow this year?
FACT #2 – GROWTH WITHOUT ACTION WON’T HAPPEN
Ecclesiastes 11:4 (TLB) – If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done.
A. WE NEED TO MAKE A CHOICE TO GROW AND THEN DO ALL IT TAKES.
“Do it without motivation and then motivation will come and make it easy to keep going.” – John Maxwell
James 2:17 (CJB) – Thus faith by itself, unaccompanied by actions, is dead