The Evidence of Spiritual Life

 Pastor’s Pen,

Sunday:   The Evidence of Spiritual Life                                                      2 Peter 1:1-11                                                         

On either side of the front door of the house where we used to live were to decorative Japanese trees. One was living, thriving-- just the kind of tree you want in front of your house. The second was barren, lifeless-- just taking up space.

The difference? One tree was growing, the other wasn’t. And growth is the evidence of life.

While this is true in the realm of plants and animals and humans, it is also true in the spiritual realm. Take two individuals for example. Both profess to be Christians. They attend the same church. But one is saturated with the Word, demonstrate Christlike character and manifest the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, etc. The other seems to be going through the motions. Instead of more of the fruit of the Spirit, there's less. Instead of a hunger for the Word, personal Bible reading is a drudgery. And motivation comes not as much from pleasing Christ as satisfying the world's desires-- the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.

The first individual is obviously a genuine Christian, a Christ-follower. The second may be a believer whose growth has been stunted, or perhaps not a genuine Christian at all. The point: Spiritual growth is the evidence of genuine Christian life.

That's Peter's concern is he begins his second letter to his friends in Asia Minor.  In his first letter he encouraged them as they faced persecution. Now his concern is to remind them of the subtle danger of false teaching, and the vital importance of Spiritual growth.

*****

 

We appreciate those who help sanitize our facilities for services each Saturday morning in in in in in in in in in in in preparation for Sunday worship as well as those who make it possible for us to ‘live-stream’ on Facebook at 10:45 each Sunday morning, and to post each Sunday’s message on our website (www.fccwylie.org) on Sunday afternoons. 

 

When you enter the sanctuary Sunday, after you are given a bulletin, stop by the communion table where the offering plates are located in the rear of the worship center and pick up your disposable communion cup. Then following the service, please dispose of it in the trash can. (Mark 10:45) 

 

We continue to hold our Sunday services with all safety protocols and pre-service sanitizing in place. No Sunday school yet, and the nursery is not available.  We are now following the latest CDC guidelines which allow fully vaccinated individuals to go without masks. We use bulletins printed untouched by human hands, with songs, etc. printed therein, and pre-packaged communion elements. Offering plates are located at the rear, or giving can be done online at www.fccwylie.org.

 

If you still feel uncomfortable attending, feel free to join our live stream on Facebook, at 10:45 AM, which includes communion and the worship hymns. Or the message is available each Sunday afternoon on our website. (www.fccwylie.org)

 

T The Evidence of Spiritual Life                                                                2 Peter 1:1-11                                                    

I.               The basis for growth (1, 2)

 

a.     Growth begins with salvation through faith     

b.    Growth is based on God's provision of grace and peace

c.     Growth is rooted in a full knowledge of our Lord and Savior

      

II.             The provision for growth (3, 4)

a.     A grant of power for Godly living   

b.    A grant of incredibly valuable promises

c.     A grant that enables us to participate in a new nature

 

III.            The means of growth (5-7)

a.     Our responsibility in growth

b.    Progressive yet interrelated values

 

IV.            The results of growth (8, 9) 

a.     Growth leads to fruitful active service and full, growing knowledge 

b.     Failure to grow leads to nearsighted perspective on spiritual matters

                             

V.             The application of the principle:

a.     Make sure you have genuinely trusted Christ for salvation

b.     Be assured that if you have trusted Christ, nothing can remove your salvation 

c.     Where do you fit? 

                                               i.     Fruitful, growing?

                                              ii.     Fruit-short, stunted growth?

                                            iii.     Fruitless, no genuine life?

 

PRAYER ITEMS: Please check the Prayer list in the Bulletin!

Ukraine-Russia conflict

Glen Housewright

Tate Gorman, hospice; Dr. Bill Gorman

Bruce Moilan— continued progress dealing with multiple health issues: Also, son Drew, eyesight 

Carroll Holley – treatment for tumors

Joey Howeth-heart issues

John Royal’s father

Betty Housewright-vision issues  

Darla: health issues; she and other healthcare workers; educators, students

Viviana-health issues, further tests 

Jon Gooch--employment

Shirley’s cousin: lost his wife, heart surgery upcoming

William Martin-colon cancer

 

RADIO THIS WEEKEND:

Medicare advertising continues to flood the airwaves, and according to America’s Medicare Coach Toni King of tonisays.com, what you don’t know about Medicare will hurt you. Toni joins host Don Hawkins with practical answers to Medicare questions, this weekend on Encouragement Live.

Encouragement Live can be heard Saturday at 7:05 PM central time on American Family Radio (90.9 FM) or (www.afr.net) and on theworshipchannel.org.  Re-broadcast Sunday 9 pm on The Worship Channel.