Sermon par le Ps Philip Tse
Jesus Growth Roadmap for Beginner Christians – Strong in Spirit
Lecture : Luc 2:39-52
Introduction:
Jesus Growth Roadmap (Luke 2:40-52)
- I work to be strong in spirit.
- I fill my spirit with wisdom.
- I work to be a light among unbelievers.
- I persevere in my Christian walk in face of trials.
- I take care of my body as a temple of the Holy Spirit.
- I work on my attitude and character to produce the fruit of the Holy Spirit
(Gal 5:22-23). - I use my basic gifts to serve God and for the good of the church (Rom 12:6-8).
Personal Blessings: All along my growth roadmap, God’s grace is upon me. I receive God and men’s favour/blessings as an exchange from God.
Ultimate Personal Objective: A fisher of man.
1. Strong in Spirit.
Luke 2: 40 And the Child (Jesus before 12 years old) grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him (NKJV).
2. God was not pleased with most Children of God.
1 Cor 10: For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. 2 They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. 3 They all ate the same spiritual food 4 and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. 5 Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.
3. Common challenges for children of God
1 Cor 10: 6 Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. 7 Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry (partying).” 8 We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. 9 We should not test Christ, as some of them did—and were killed by snakes. 10 And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel.
1) Heart (desires) still on worldly/evil things.
2) Idolatry; anything that has priority over God.
Selfishness and pride (thinks for himself only) is a form of idolatry.
External Signs: Selfie, Non-servant mentality.
Psalm 10: 2 The wicked in his pride persecutes the poor; Let them be caught in the plots which they have devised. 3 For the wicked boasts of his heart’s desire; He blesses the greedy and renounces the Lord. 4 The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God; God is in none of his thoughts.
3) Focus on ‘Eat and drink’, not spiritual food.
4) Revelry: Party, Fun, Video games, Social media addiction. Difficult to pray.
5) Sexual immorality: Lust for sexual pleasure rather than seeking pleasure in God’s presence.
6) Test God: No trust in God. Demand God to prove Himself to us with a defying attitude.
Blame and Challenge God: if you really care for me, you should not have allowed such terrible things happening to me.
Matthew 4: 5 Then the devil took him (Jesus) to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.” 7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
7) Grumble: Complain, Blame God and others, often into arguments and conflicts with family members.
Results of Christians with a weak spirit:
- Easily discouraged in time of trials/troubles.
- Keeps falling into temptation and sin.
- Anger, frustration, bitterness, sickness.
- Quit church or Irregular attendance in cell/church meetings.
- Can show demonic influence/manifestation.
4. God gives strength against temptation
1 Cor 10: 11 These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come. 12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! 13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
- God gives a strong spirit to endure challenges.
5. How to be strong in spirit.
1) Our spirit is strengthened by singing to God, Proclaiming the power of God, and Asking God for a strong spirit.
Psalm 68: 32 Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth, sing praise to the Lord, 33 to him who rides across the highest heavens, the ancient heavens, who thunders with mighty voice.
34 Proclaim the power of God, whose majesty is over Israel, whose power is in the heavens.
35 You, God, are awesome in your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people.
2) Pursue holiness and developing a close relationship with God by yoking with Christians in the church and cell group.
2 Cor 6: 14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? … 17 Therefore, “Come out from them and be separate (holiness), says the Lord. … 18 And, “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”
Yoke = close friendship, doing things together.
3) Nehemiah 8:10: The joy of the Lord is my strength.
- Happiness is a good feeling from the outside world to emotion or heart feeling.
- The Joy of the Lord is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. It’s a supernatural strength from God to man’s spirit.
- Through life trials, Joy of God is ever present, whereas Happiness wanes/disappears.
- Those who seek happiness only in the church will eventually quit when they don’t get the good feeling anymore. They will hop from event to event or from place to place to get happiness. Their spirit is weak.
6. Results of being strong in spirit.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Phil 4:13)
7. Desire a Strong Spirit.
Heavenly Father, I acknowledge that the trials and tribulations of this world can be overwhelming, and more than ever, I recognize the need for a resilient and strong spirit.
I desire a spirit that is fortified with Your power, rooted deeply in Your word, and strong in the face of challenges.
I confess the moments I have felt weak and fragile, swayed by the winds of adversity and doubt.
Lord, it’s my deep desire to possess a spirit that is firm, steadfast, and deeply connected to You, drawing strength from You.
8. Embrace the Power of Prayer.
Jesus, You have gifted us the privilege of prayer, a direct line of communication to the throne in heaven. As I engage in consistent and fervent prayer, I ask that You transform my spirit, making it robust and resilient. Through intimate moments of communion with You, may I receive strength, wisdom, and insight.
In those silent moments of surrender, when I lay down my burdens and lift up my praises, shape my spirit. Empower me to face challenges with courage, understanding that when I am weak, then am I strong because of Your strength in me.
9. Ask a Strong spirit from Holy Spirit.
Holy Spirit, I acknowledge Your ever-present role in my life. You guide, comfort, teach, and empower. I yearn for a deeper reliance on You to develop a spirit that will not bend down to life’s tempests.
Fill me afresh each day, reviving every part of my being, and making me resilient against despair and doubt.
As I walk daily, may I be sensitive to Your leading, allowing You to fortify my spirit with heavenly grace and power. In every challenge, may I find comfort in Your presence, knowing that You are the force behind my fortified spirit.
Lord, as I journey through life, my deepest desire is to possess a spirit fortified by Your power and grace. With Your word as my foundation and prayer as my tool, I trust in Your process of strengthening me.
Holy Spirit, continue to mould, guide, and empower me, making me a model of divine strength in a world that so desperately needs Your touch. I am yours, now and always. In Jesus’ mighty name, I pray, Amen.
