Grows All By Itself

Early in his ministry, Jesus likens the kingdom to seed. “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain…. (Mark 4:26-28)”.

This verse implies that kingdom growth, be that in a church or in an individual, is natural – is to be expected. I have written much on why churches might not be growing at this moment. What about individual Christians?

Sadly, church surveys reveal that not all Christians sense they are growing, and in trend is away from growth. Put these two together bits together and you get one of two combinations.

Either growth is “all by itself”, and we are doing something wrong, we are missing something – or spiritual growth is not quite as simple as “all by itself”, and we need to be more intentional about helping people grow, and empowering people to make choices that result in spiritual growth. I suspect there is truth in both statements. In any case, the outcome is similar.

The next 8 weeks of the sermon series is about helping us grow. The first four weeks map out the ‘what’ and the stages of growth. The second four weeks map out the ‘how’, or the disciplines or habits of spiritual growth.

As you prepare your heart and mind for this series, perhaps I might re-ask you a question from the National Church Life Survey. In the past year, have you grown in your faith, either through this church, other groups or churches or through private activity? You might answer: Much: this local church; much: other groups; much: private activity; some growth; little or no growth.

As you think about your answer, who do you think might be responsible for your level of growth? You? The church? Other things just got in the way?

I look forward to walking with you as a fellow disciple following Jesus for the next 8 weeks.