The Doctrine of Suffering - The Anatomy of Spiritual Growth – Part 2
July 14, 2010
OUTLINE:
The Spiritual Life
Living inside the DPG produces the spiritual life (eusebeia).
“walk”
from peripateo - means behave, conduct, lead a life; the present active infinitive indicates our purpose; the present tense means that we should keep on walking worthy.
Fertile Ground
BD can only perform its work in a fruitful setting - one ripe for growth. Your soul must be fertile ground. You must, by means of faith, present fertile ground.
“His”
from autou - an intensive, possessive pronoun used to emphasize the believer’s identity with the DPG; expanded translation: “His, you see, we are His”
“workmanship”
from poiema - means something made brand new; something produced (by God)
The Divine Recipe
Living the spiritual life means taking the ingredients given us and following the divine recipe.
Moving “from faith to faith”
- An anchor (TLJC/Cross)
- An operating envelope (DPG)
- Energy to pursue the end goal (BD + HS)
- Time (Life)
The Anchor
Moving “from faith to faith” requires a spiritual vector that is anchored to something immovable - TLJC/Cross.
“baptized”
from baptizo - means to identify with; with the connotation of change to the thing baptized.
Four Real Baptisms
- Baptism unto Moses (Israel) (1Co 10:1-4)
- Baptism of the Cross (Mat 20:20-23)
- Baptism by Fire (2Th 1:7-9)
- Baptism of the Holy Spirit (Act 1:5; 1Co 12:13; Gal 3:28; etc.)
Assurance of God’s Promises
TLJC is our Anchor to the promises of God!
Clinging To the Anchor
Every promise of deliverance related to spiritual growth is a function of our union with Christ. Our confidence in this Truth is a function of our doctrine.
The doctrine that you own ends up owning you!
In Union By Baptism
At salvation, we are baptized into union with Christ - He is our Anchor “from faith” (Rom 1:17).
“being renewed”
from anakainoo - means new in species again and again; It’s never too late to lean on God’s promises of deliverance - repentance is YOUR choice!
The Rock
We build our house of faith on the Rock, the Living Word, the Truth that sets us free!
1Co 3:11
For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
The Anchor
Moving “from faith to faith” requires a spiritual vector that is anchored to something immovable - TLJC/Cross.
Moving “from faith to faith”
- An anchor (TLJC/Cross)
- An operating envelope (DPG)
- Energy to pursue the end goal (BD + HS)
- Time (Life)
DPG
Refers to the fact that the perfect God has a perfect plan for each Church-Age believer, revealed through the mystery doctrine of the Church-Age.
DPG
A power system envelope for believers only provided by God’s grace. Power is manifest in the enabling power of God the HS and the dynamic power of BD.
DPG
This plan is well-defined in the NT by means of policy/protocol and is the basis for obedience and authority-orientation in life.
DPG
The specialized teaching ministry of God the Holy Spirit in the Church-Age believer is the basis for learning the plan.
DPG
Is the divine pathway to spiritual maturity. We are commanded to keep on walking on this narrow road. The further we get down the road, the greater the sanctification.
DPG
The purpose of that plan is to facilitate spiritual growth “from faith” (spiritual immaturity) “to faith” (spiritual maturity).
DPG
God the Holy Spirit’s work of sanctification is to conform the believer’s daily life into that which is already true positionally in Christ.
DPG
God’s grace is the provider of all things for the achievement of this end goal.
Moving “from faith to faith”
- An anchor (TLJC/Cross)
- An operating envelope (DPG)
- Energy to pursue the end goal (BD + HS)
- Time (Life)
The Energy
The spiritual energy to function inside of the DPG is by means of God the Holy Spirit working with BD.
“being perfected”
from epiteleo - (same Greek word as Phi 1:6 - “He will perfect a good work in you”); Do you think you can do God’s work?!! – silliness!