The church in Galatia had been growing strong but something was causing hindrance.
- Galatians 5:7,8
We need to be the light that shines and grows.
In Acts 8 we see that Saul/Paul persecuted the church.
- 1 Peter 2
First principles for Growth
God has told us that we need to grow. But, it's our choice to decide if we will be able to overcome.
- Revelation 17
- 2 Corinthians 2:11
What are Hindrances?
Attitudes, thoughts, desires..,
The heart is trained. What is your heart toward the Bible? Many today say the bible us outdated and that we need s new gospel.
- Matthew 28:18 19
They say the Bible doesn't deal with specific sins.
- 2 Peter 2:3
- Galatians 5:7
Others say its corrupted. Saying we cant have the exact word of God
- 2 Timothy 3:16 17
God breathed. We can be assured that it's the word of God. Studies in the academic world trying to disprove the Bible have shown error zero times. This Book and it alone stands up to the challenge that it is the inspired word of God.
Peter said it would endure forever. Jesus said, ye shall know the truth. Starting a job is difficult. But, if the desire is there you can learn it.
The Bible can be understood.
Another Hindering Attitude is that you can't Live the Commandments
- 1 John 5:3
If we want to go to heaven we need to walk on the narrow way. Is it hard, yes. But it can be done.
The Hindrance of I'm not Smart Enough
To think you have to have advanced degrees to understand is a false premise. When Jesus came he went to the common man. The Bible was not written in advanced Greek it was written in Koine Greek… the common language of man.
- 2 Timothy 3:15
From a babe he was taught.
- Luke 2:52
He was trained to know.
When some people look at self they play the clergy game. Clergy is a false premise showing that the one in robes are the elite group that needs to learn the word, but the common man does not.
- Acts 8:4
The command is to every one of us, Matthew 28, to preach the word of God. My responsibility is to the word.
- Romans 2:1-11
God says we each must give an answer.
Attitude Toward the World
We can love the people in our lives. But we can't love the world. We can't love God and Mammon, Matthew 6:24.
- Colossians 3:2
What is my attitude?
The idea that I can act like the world and be acceptable to God is not a valid opinion. Demas has forsaken me having loved the world, 2 Timothy 4:10.
Paul told Timothy to preach the word. Many will seek after the false teachers. But we must hold to the word.
The audience for our teaching should be those we are around.
But, we must be careful as well because we can't have fellowship with those who claim to be of the church but are not. We cannot fellowship with those and Christ. We can't join ourselves with such a group or those who teach false doctrines.
When I look for a Bible what is it teaching? Is it the truth or has it been distorted?
Those I fellowship with, do they hold to truth or teach a different gospel.
Paul says… he marvels that they are soon removed from the gospel.
Family of Self can be a Hindrance
Jesus said. I am the way the truth the life John 15… keep my commandments.
Do we hold to family more than God? A family's purpose should be to help each other go to heaven.
We can fail to train up our children. Thus, we are a family member who hinders a child from obeying the gospel.
Husbands should seek to lead the wife. Don't follow Adam's bad example.
Our Friends can be a hindrance to obedience.
Evil companions corrupt good morals, 1 Corinthians 15:33. If I'm following friends am I truly following Christ?
- Proverbs 13:20
- Hosea 4:6
The priests were not teaching. If we follow leaders who are in error...who do not know the word, they can lead astray.It's important that we follow those who teach the word.
The Actions that Hinder
Have the proper attitude toward the word, surround self with those who help.
When was the last time you opened your Bible? Or meditated on the word?Study is more than just reading it.
- 2 Timothy 2:15
Study to show self approved, give diligence, handling the word of truth. It takes work to be diligent to apply it to heart.
- Psalm 119:11
- Acts 17:11
- Matthew 7:21-23
Not everyone who says Lord lord… but he that doeth the will of the father in heaven.
- Acts 2:42
So many think they can love His word, in part, and not obey. Until we get to none of self and all of him. We're not going to grow.
- Romans 1:16
He knew God, he was persuaded and that he committed to God .
- Galatians 2:20
- Romans 6:4
Unless I make the decision that God has all of me, you play at religion. And it serves as a hindrance to Spiritual growth.
- 2 Peter 3:18
What do we do with the knowledge? We grow in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. We know what the devil wants. We have to make the decision to flee from the devil. There is no retirement for Christian growth. We have to decide that we will obey the word of God, and once we obey continue therein.
Jack Williams, Evangelist, Guest Speaker
