Scripture
Text: Luke 2:41 Now
every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover.
2:42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival.
2:43 When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus
stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it.
2:44 Assuming that he was in the group of travelers, they went a day's
journey. Then they started to look for him among their relatives and friends.
2:45 When they did
not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him.
2:46
After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers,
listening to them and asking them questions.
2:47 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.
2:48 When his parents saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to
him, "Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I
have been searching for you in great anxiety."
2:49 He said to them, "Why were you searching for me? Did you not know
that I must be in my Father's house?"
2:50 But they did not understand what he said to them.
2:51 Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to
them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart.
2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human
favor.
GROWING
INTO A WHOLE PERSON
Intro: This
week as we think of the life of Christ, let's tonight consider how the boy
Jesus grew into the Son of Man - follow His example.
(vs.52) Jesus increased in
wisdom, stature, with God & man.
I. Increased
in wisdom - His mental capacity - wisdom.
he continually studied the Word of God.
We should strive daily to increase our knowledge and wisdom of God.
We have had a lot of worldly knowledge, but in comparison to God's
wisdom.
II. 3
Things are needed to grow in wisdom (vs.46)
A.
Hear the teacher of the Word - listen to them
B.
Ask questions - search the Scriptures.
C.
Study & pray - look in the Word, ask for understanding.
Need people
who will teach & people who will
listen.
III. Increased
in stature - physically - bodily growth and bodily care - all of these
make up the whole man. Physical -
spiritual - emotional.
IV. Increased
in favor with man - socially - fellowship
A.
In community - Christian wholeness - outreach.
Need to reach out.
Can't
isolate from those who don't know Christ.
Two extremes:
1. Christians who isolate
from those in community.
2. Christians who
completely absorb in community.
Need a balance, but when the choice is there, choose God.
B.
Communion & fellowship in church family - finds Christian friends
in
church to fellowship with.
1. Be involved in
fellowship meetings of the church.
2. Be involved in
fellowship outside of the church.
C.
Communion & fellowship in the family - family devotions, prayer,
time of sharing feelings. Parents have fellowship with kids, etc.
V. Increased
in favor with God - revival services
A.
Grow in responsibility & commitments
B.
Public Renewal - recommitment to God.
C.
Not just spectators - grow into participants.
Participants in worship,
singing,
praying, teaching. In witness - continue inviting - enthusiasm
Be
about the Father's business.
Are you increasing daily?
Never stop.