Focal Point: Pt 5 - Jesus Grew
This powerful message confronts us with a profound truth: while people may disappoint us, God never does. The sermon draws us into Luke 2:41-52, where we witness the only recorded account of Jesus between ages 12 and 30. This passage reveals something extraordinary - Jesus grew in wisdom, stature, and favor with God and man. If Jesus, who was fully God, chose to also be fully human and grow, then we too have both the mandate and the model for spiritual growth. The hypostatic union - Jesus being both fully divine and fully human - isn't just theological language; it's the bridge that allows us who are fully human to become full of the Holy Spirit. We're challenged to stop identifying more with our old sinful nature than with our new identity in Christ. Growth isn't accidental; it's intentional. Like a child learning to walk who falls 17 times an hour, we shouldn't give up when we stumble. The sermon introduces practical tools like the SOAP method for Bible study and emphasizes three areas of growth: wisdom through applying God's Word, stature through living it out in the world, and favor through deepening our relationship with both God and people. As we face uncertain times globally, this message reminds us that our faith shouldn't change just because the world around us does.
let us pray for you: