Take your spiritual pulse and see if you have these "signs of spiritual growth" in your life (Col.1:9-14)? Ephesians 4:15 says, "But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him (Christ) in all things…"
1. Am I cultivating a deep, growing, personal knowledge of God (v. 9a)?
- Are you stagnant spiritually? Is your love for Christ growing daily?
2. Does that knowledge control my life (v. 9a)?
- Are you dominated by it? Is it producing a Christlikeness in you?
- "filled" means consumed or controlled completely
3. Does that knowledge translate into action (v. 9b)?
- Do I get defensive? Do I get angry? Do I feel slighted or worry?
- Do I respond poorly to criticism? Am I highly opinionated or critical?
- I Cor. 14:20- “Brethren, be not children in understanding..."
4. Is my conduct continually pleasing to the Lord (v. 10a)? What is not pleasing?
- Any ambitions or attitudes or music or thoughts displeasing to God?
- "worthy" means humble, appropriate, loving and pleasing
- Psa. 66:18- “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.”
5. Am I bearing fruit regularly (v. 10b)?
- Examples:
Pointing people to Christ (I Cor. 16:15)
Overcoming temptations (I John 2:14)
A deeper love for God’s Word (Ps. 119:97)
A more perfect obedience (I John 2:3–5)
A greater love for Christ and others (Eph. 3:17-19)
A strong doctrinal foundation (I John 2:12–14)
Sacrificial giving (Rom. 15:26–28)
Godly living (Heb. 12:11)
Displaying holy attitudes (Gal. 5:22, 23)
Praising God for passionately (Heb. 13:15)
An expanding faith (II Thess. 1:3; II Cor. 10:5)
Partaking of the deeper truths of Scripture (Heb. 5:14)
Memorizing more Scripture
6. Am I growing in love and understanding of God’s Word (v. 10c)?
- Is the Word becoming a part of me? (see Col. 4:16 & Heb. 5:12)
7. Is there a continuous supply of God’s power in my life to deal with difficult people and difficult circumstances (v. 11)?
8. Am I a grateful person on a regular basis (vs. 12-14)? Do I complain and have a negative attitude? Am I thankful?
Pastor John & Shawn
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Pastor's background/ministry
- New Life Bible Church
- I received my BA and MA degrees (Bible, 1983; Pastoral Studies, 1988) from Bob Jones University, and served as an assistant to the Dean of Men for four years. I then served as senior pastor at Faith Bible Church, Mt. Joy, PA for almost 14 years. At that time, I left, along with 6 seed families, to plant Harvest Bible Church in Lancaster, PA. God blessed this work abundantly, and it became indigenous in one year. HBC continued to grow numerically and spiritually. I resigned on March 25, 2007, and Pastor Jon Walters was voted in a few weeks later. We praise God for the smooth transition. I am working on my Doctorate of Sacred Ministry degree (DSM) from Northland International University, and I am also a Chaplain at a chemical dependency/mental health hospital. I have an incredible wife (Shawn), three loving children (Morgan, Meredith, & Micah), and a terrific dog (Chutney).