The Importance of Spiritual Growth (Remastered)

A Sermon on Ephesians 3.16 https://www.mljtrust.org/sermon/the-i... "The intellectual lethargy of many Christians today is undoubtedly their greatest sin. They never grow in knowledge. They end where they began." Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones Sermon Description In this sermon on Ephesians 3.16 titled “The Importance of Spiritual Growth,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones seeks to answer the question of why it is so important that the Christian grow spiritually. He says that the inner self must be continually strengthened because of the continual battle against sin that all Christians experience as they live in a fallen world. There are many forces that Christians must always fight against and some of these come from within, such as sinful desires and the flesh. Others come from without, such as the world and the temptations of the devil. It is evident when Christians fail to grow spiritually and into maturity. They are beset by sins that they are unable to overcome, and they show a lack of interest in God’s word. They are often unable to understand God’s word because, as Paul says, they are babes and are not able to eat meat. This is why, Dr. Lloyd-Jones says, it is so vital that Christians continually seek and pursue Christ and His word. Christians must fight sin not only by fleeing what is evil, but by growing in Christ as mature believers who desire the holy and good things of Christ more than they desire the evil and sinful things of this world. Sermon Breakdown The apostle Paul prays that the Ephesians would be strengthened in their inner being. The inner being refers to the mind, heart, and will - the immaterial part of a person. The inner being needs to be strengthened because at first it is weak like a baby, it faces opposition from Satan, and it needs to be strengthened to receive the glorious things God offers. The mind needs to be strengthened against doubts, depression, evil thoughts, and wandering thoughts. The mind also needs to be strengthened to understand profound truths. The heart needs to be strengthened against fears, evil imaginations, and discouragement. The will needs to be strengthened against irresolution and weakness. Without God's strength, we would fail and falter in our inner being. But God grants strength according to the riches of his glory. The Holy Spirit provides the strength and power to reinforce our inner being. We can receive peace by praying to God, who will strengthen our hearts and minds. Christians should aim to be as far above ordinary Christians as ordinary Christians are above non-Christians. This is possible by having our inner being strengthened by God.