ARE YOU GROWING?(4)

*WISDOM FOR TODAY.*

*ARE YOU GROWING (4)*

*Scripture Treasure.*

Acts 11 26  *And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.*

*Insight and Highlight.*

Christian growth, Christ's calling, human mentoring, followership, fellowship and teachability.

*Scripture Commentaries.*

After the championing course of Barnabas to validate and vouch for Paul, Paul further teaches us that no good Christian should be without someone to mentor them and no good Christian should be without a mentor.

The ultimate priority of a mentor is

to instruct his mentees/believers to imitate him only insofar as his life and teachings align with Jesus Christ. 

It'snot sufficient to say you have a mentor. It is important for us to identify and follow leaders who are actively following Christ and it highlights a responsibility for believers to model their lives after Christ. What one does and the fruit in one are major determinants of people's choices to follow anyone.

This is the foundation of Paul's statement in 1 Cor 11:1. He writes *Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.*

Here, Paul teaches followership.

There are some so called Christian who justify not having mentors.

There must be someone you fear and there must be someone you are accountable to.

There must be someone, people can hold responsible for your inaction (just in case).

Paul further teaches on the impact of fellowship on mentoring and teachability.

There must be someone who is your role-model, far or near and if possible you should be traceable to a community of believers, fellowship, mission with reputable and God fearing visions.

In Acts 26:11, it is recorded that all the disciples were first called Christians by the community or people around them because in a whole year *".....they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. *

Pre biblical training and proof of certification etc are often good proof of ministerial education.

Though it may not be compulsory but constant and continuous dedicated fellowship are best proof of a heart devoted to God.

People may not know your spiritual training but they can see your dedication through unwavering fellowship.

Heb 10:25 *Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.*

You should not live comfortably as a Christian without fellowshipping.

Are you growing?

*Remorse corner.*

Two things gave the disciples at Antioch the new name: 'Christians'. The first was their assembling. The second was their ability to surrender to teaching each other.

*Call to Word action.*

Notable sustainable strengths of the believer are followership, discipleship, assembling, teachability, reading, studying and meditating.

*The Christian clarion duty.*

People follow you because they see Christ in you. You grow because you follow Christ and those who are growing.

*Prayer.*

Lord, help me to grow in You, daily in Jesus name.

Good morning all and be blessed as you come into His presence today.

God bless you.

Shalom.