Carl Lentz - You Are Making Progress

God designs Christianity to be impossible without Jesus. This is why our relationship with Jesus should only remind us that we can’t change on our own. Progress is only visible by the help of Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

John 14:23-27
Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.


Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to advocate us and to help us be better day by day. This is why we need to live a spirit led life.

There is a purpose to our growth. The purpose is to be a blessing to others. Once we get a hold of this purpose, our locations won’t matter. You could be washing dishes for a living, but you could be blessings to your colleagues because you know that your purpose is greater than your positions.

Acts 16:6-10
6 Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia,having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. 7 When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. 8 So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. 9 During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedoniastanding and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

Paul was heading to Asia because revival is going strong in Asia, yet he was told by God to move to Europe. He was comfortable in Asia, yet he knew that his purpose matters more than his location. That was why he chose to follow God even through the unknown.

What are the locations and positions that you have planned in your life? 4 years of college then off to a steady 9 to 5 job? Getting married after 25? All of those are nice things but don’t forget that the greatest enemy to God’s plan is OUR plan.

Another purpose to our growth is to help others to grow. We need to give grace to other people in construction. The more understanding we have on grace, the more ability that we should have on loving imperfections. Our love to others shows our understanding and relationship to Christ.

Towards other people, don’t be religious. Religion says ‘fix your problem then come to God’ while Jesus says ‘I will be with you to fix your problems’. Towards other people, instead of being religious, be supportive like Jesus.

2 keys of growth:
1. Follow your convictions instead of feelings. 
Conviction holds you when feelings fail you. Convictions are concrete and rock solid. Don’t be led by feelings.

The biggest conviction will be the most tested. If you have convictions to love others, than it will be tested to finally surface and become your stronghold. Hold fast to your conviction until it shows its roots.
  
2. Trust the covenant
The death of Jesus brought upon a covenant between God and man. The covenant says He will never leave you or forsake you. Through this covenant, we are promised progress, no matter how slow.

Don’t listen to the devil’s lies that says you are not able. You are well able to grow and progress when God is with you.

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