Introduction
2 Pet 3:18, 1:5-12. Grow, grew, not frequent. Luke 2:52.
Increase, Greek is auxano, means to put forth, abounding abundance, overflowing.
This is an exciting week, stupendous, Vacation Bible School, songs, loud children, enthusiasm, learning, growing, hard work...
We are entering lives, often for first time, 1 Th. 2:1...
I like VBS. One sees pure motives in VBS, not deceptive, uncertain, mixed motives, ill intentions. Want children to grow as Jesus grew.
Remember always that it is God who gives the increase.
How discouraged we become when something fails to grow--lawn, garden, bank account, retirement account, child.
I. GROWING CHILDREN
Luke 2:52, physically, socially, emotionally, intellectually, spiritually.
What does it cost to grow a child financially? Thousands of dollars.
What does it cost to grow a child spiritually? Effort, energy, VBS, Bible School teachers, parents
What does it cost to fail to grow a child spiritually? Heartache, disappointment
Paul refers to it in 1 Thess. 2. He was among the Thessalonian church s a nurse toward children, gentle, kind, cherishing. He was as a father, encouraging, comforting, and admonishing.
II. GROWING CHURCHES
What does it cost to grow a church?
III. GROWING CHRISTIANS
What does it cost to grow a person?
How do we become like Jesus?
Grow in grace and knowledge, grow in Christian virtues
What does it cost to help others grow?
Paul uses the metaphor of orphans in 1 Thess. 2:17. We desire to see each other, be with each other.
Claim one another, rejoice, glory, joy, presence of Christ.
