Christian Growth
CLASS 4 ISSUES
Study Scripture: Matt 4: 18 – 20; 16: 16 – 18;
John 21: 15 – 18; 2 Peter 3: 14 – 15, 18
Background Scripture: Matt 4: 18 – 20; 16: 16 – 18;
John 21: 15 – 18; 2 Peter 3: 14 – 15, 18
Lesson #8 January 24, 2026
Key Verse
Jesus said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was hurt because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You”. Jesus said to him, “Tend My sheep”.
John 21:17
INTRODUCTION
Our Subject is about what happens when the New Birth which makes a believer a child of God occurs. Once a child is born they are expected to begin to grow and function at the different stages appropriate for a growing person.
The knowledge and ability of a growing child will change over time and everyone looks forward to this growth. So is it in the spiritual sphere.
A young believer is declared to be justified immediately and this is a legal status in the sight of God. Then will begin the process of transforming the young believer so that they will grow closer and closer in holiness and righteousness to the person God wants them to be.
Our Lesson Study is therefore on the beginning of salvation. But when salvation begins that is not the end of God’s incredibly difficult work for He has to restore His children to the likeness of the Lord Jesus Christ. That is the goal that they are destined to reach. And therefore now that God has begun this work of salvation He will begin the work of transformation and then He will complete it.
We call this continuing work in the life of the believer sanctification, for God has to make him or her actually holy, that is bearing the likeness of God.
The different passages in our Study Lesson will show you how God works on people who are not holy and begins to transform them.
We see in their cases some of the principal elements in Christian growth
Legally believers in Christ have been justified and so their legal status from their instant justification must now be brought by the process of sanctification forward from the sanctification which separated the believers who are “cut off”, separated, “out from the world of sin”.
This sanctification will now begin to completely change their moral condition so that this will fit their legal status.
Regeneration had begun and a newness of life had been given so that God the Holy Spirit will now carry out His supernatural work of applying to the believer the work done by Jesus Christ on the Cross.
The believer however is consecrated, and marching forward, for the holiness of God meant that their separation would be from anything impure.
1 Peter 2:9 would then state believers are, “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people”.
This does not mean that the believer cannot sin but since the seed of God abides in them,
they are different from sinners and the old sin nature is gone. The Book of 1 John is very clear on this point.
But this does not mean that the grace of God is not needed. There is still temptation to revert to the old life and there is a struggle inside of the man or woman toward evil.
There is therefore much room for spiritual growth and the work of the Holy Spirit is absolutely necessary.
It is theoretically possible not to sin and the goal to be “perfect as the heavenly Father is perfect” is dependent on the continuing work of the Holy Spirit.
So in 1 John the very experienced Apostle addresses as hypocrites those who say they have no sin, for by doing that he insists they make God a liar, and show that the truth is not in them.
The Apostle Paul therefore agrees with the teaching of the Apostle John and therefore prays for the Thessalonians,
“May the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly, and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ”.
As one writer states it,
The Christian life as we have seen, is not a static matter in which one is saved and then merely resposes in that knowledge. It is a process of growth and progress, lived not in the Christian’s own strength, but in the power and by the guidance of the Holy Spirit. And it is a process of challenge and satisfaction”.
Those in union with Christ, those who are the believer, are in the same vein as the Apostle and can say he or she is
“found in him. not having a righteousness of my own, based on law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith: that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that if possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead”. Philippians 3:8-11.
There are therefore images in the Scriptures which refer to believers as the people of God, the body of Christ, and the Temple of the Holy Spirit, and all these point to unity and holiness, and fellowship which are marks of the Church.
Our Study Scripture introduces us to the words of the Lord Jesus Christ as He begins His ministry.
Hr had been baptized by John the Baptist who had been preaching the baptism of repentance needed for the erring people of his nation,
Matthew 3:13-17 tells us that the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus and the voice of the Father came from heaven,
“This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased”
Jesus had been tempted by Satan. Satan was unsuccessful in this temptation (4:1-10). And in the power of the Holy Spirit Jesus went out to fulfill the prophetic word about Him, dwelling in Capernaum, which was 20 miles from Nazareth on the seacoast on the borders of Zebulon and Naphthali which the prophet Isaiah stated:
“The land of Zebulon, and the land of Naphtali, by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles.
The people which sat in darkness saw a great light; and to those who sat in the region and shadow of death, to them light has dawned”.
These errant people had to grow as God intended.
Note that three of the five tribes that had settled in Galilee, Naphtali, Asher, and Zebulon had failed to drive out the Gentiles (the pagan inhabitants) as God had commanded and had instead as Judges 1:3-34 commented, chose to live among them. They assimilated and the people of Judea held them in disdain. When Jesus approached him, the prospective disciple Nathaniel even asked Jesus, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth” thus showing the low esteem in which the people of Galilee were held.
THE TEXT
Matthew 4 18-20
Verse 17. So the ministry of Jesus, most of which was done in Galilee began.
“From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say “Repent! For the kingdom of Heaven is at hand”.
Note that repentance often means “to grieve for one’s sins” and so it has come to mean for us according to one writer: ”a change of mind, turning and facing in a new direction-in preparation for kingdom life”.
Change in mind, attitude, and thought must take place. Jesus insists on those changes.
We must note here that if within your heart you desire to know God, and you experience repentance coming, and you have even a little faith in the Lord Jesus Christ He will by His grace give the gift of repentance to you.
But note here Jesus commands the people hearing Him to repent for the Kingdom of Heaven was at hand, that is, it was near.
Today you have this simple message and many will see the disturbing ‘signs of the times” and they will be waiting on you to come to them.
The King was there and so to establish His kingdom he had to have disciples and so Jesus took the initiative and He calls them.
Verses 18-22. The Gospel of John describes the first meeting and there they came to know Him. John the Baptist standing with two of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. When he saw Jesus John told them, “Behold the Lamb of God!”. Andrew followed Jesus to see where He was staying and then he told Simon Peter that he had found the Christ, and he took Simon to Jesus..
The next day Jesus saw Philip and told him, “Follow Me”, and Philip found Nathaniel and told him he had found the One of which Moses had spoken.
James, the son of Zebedee and John his brother who worked with Peter as fishermen were all told by Jesus to follow Him, and they left their nets and followed Jesus.
One writer tells us this was an unusual invitation or call: He states:
“This account is unusual in that rabbis do not seek out students but are sought out by those who hope to study with them. Jesus however takes the initiative!
He comes looking for us!
The invitation is to become a disciple (a learner- a follower). Jesus offers these men the opportunity to observe Him at close hand on a daily basis. By doing so, they will learn more than his thinking. They will become familiar with his moods. They will unconsciously copy his manner of speaking—his gestures—his dealings with people. They will see how he solves problems and counters opposition. Slowly but surely, they will become like Jesus in thought, word and deed.
That speaks powerfully about discipleship. It is not enough to learn facts about Jesus. We must spend time with him.
Discipleship is less an affair of the head than of the heart.
Rabbinical discipleship also demands obedience. A disciple is expected to follow in the footsteps of his rabbi as exactly as possible—and to obey without hesitation or question. Discipleship is not an easy life, but a demanding life”.
Note this path Jesus followed gives us a great lesson if we are interested in evangelism. You can emphasize the passing on of invitation about the coming of the Saviour and the great things that are in store for those following the Messiah.
This is part of your Christian growth.
You will have to learn to take the initiative in evangelism. You have the Holy Spirit guiding you and enabling you to take the initiative to invite persons to come to salvation in Jesus.
You can tell them what the prophets have said about Him and what He is. The book of Isaiah spells this out for those in Israel and for you also.
You should have no hesitation to proclaim Jesus as the way, the truth, and the life. And that no one can come to the Father except through Him.
You have no need to fear for there are those who will leave all to come to follow the way of Christ for the Holy Spirit has already been working to soften them uo for your approach.
Many of them expect you to come to them with the message of salvation and many of your friends and acquaintances will wonder why you have not yet come.
So note we are looking at Christian spiritual growth and those lessons apply to you as well as to new Christians. Follow the example of the Saviour Jesus as you for spiritual growth fish for souls
- You will need patience
- Perseverance and Courage to bear the scorn, and the rejection.
Matthew 16: 16 – 18
Jesus had been led by the Holy Spirit and the disciples had seen Him, touched Him, walked with Him, observed Him and knew a great deal about who He was. They had seen the crowds that followed Jesus, the miracles He had performed, the casting out of devils, the arguments with and the questioning and attacks of the scribes and Pharisees, the unbelief of the religious rulers despite Him fitting all the requirements and fulfilling all the prophecies of what Messiah would do.
They and Jesus knew that a great gulf had developed between the religious and secular leaders in Israel and Jesus. Jesus had refused to honour their request to give them a sign from heaven and He had denied their request saying only that the only sign they would receive was that of the prophet Jonah.
Jesus had given the disciples revelations for He was a good teacher, guide and example.
But the disciples still had a lot to learn and accept about the role of the Messiah and Jesus had to
prepare them for His coming sacrificial death on the Cross.
Verse 13. So to firm up their idea as to who He was Jesus asked them, « Who do men say that I, the Son of Man am?»
This question would force the disciples to look deep within them and make sure they were fixed on identifying themselves with someone who was out of favour with the Jerusalem authorities and who those rulers regarded as an apostate.
They would have to consider the extent of the depth of their commitment to Him.
Now note that the title « Son of Man » was the title from Daniel 17 :13-14 where the Ancient of Days, God the Father, gave to One like the Son of Man, dominion, glory and a kingdom over all the peoples of the earth, with an everlasting dominion which would ensure all languages and people would serve this Son of Man forever.
Jesus loved to use this title for Himself as in Matthew 8 :20; 9 :6; 10 :23; 11 :19 and in many other passages in the Book of Matthew. The title identifies Him with human beings. So He is God. But He was incarnate and so He is the friend of people.
He is your brother. He is on your side for you are a part of His family
Verse 14. At this question the disciples disclosed that the people had a favourable opinion of Him. Some had said
- He was John the Baptist, the one who had called the people to repentance.
- Elijah, that great prophet that had called the nation of Israel to repent of their apostasy and return to Yahweh, accompanying his call with many great miracles.
- Jeremiah, the weeping prophet who had wept over the nation and wept over Jerusalem, thoroughly acquainted with sorrows and griefs. Or,
- One of the prophets.
Verse 15. But Jesus showed no interest in that and pointedly asked them who they personally thought He was.
Versess16-18. Peter, the spokesman quickly answered on behalf of the disciples,
« You are the Christ (Christos’ the anointed one),the Son of the Living God »
Israel had been long looking for a Saviour that would make Israel great again and save Israel from the many oppressing nations they had encountered. Peter was therefore saying that Jesus was the long awaited Saviour that God the Father had sent.
They had before called Jesus the Son of God when He walked on the water (14 :33). But this was a step up from that exclamation. This was a positive identification.
Verse 17. This was a great confession and Jesus acknowledged it by addressing Pater with his formal name Simon bar-Jonah (Simon, son of Jonah).
Jesus blessed him and stated that it was the Father in heaven that had revealed it to Peter. It was not something that would originate with flesh and blood.
Verse 18. Peter was now called a “rock (Petros). Scripture had called God a rock (Genesis 49:24; Deuteronomy 32:1) and had also called Abraham and Sarah as a “rock” (Isaiah 51:`1-2).
So this was an immense compliment to Peter.He was blesst for he had come to understand divine revelation.
So Peter, says Jesus, you are petras,, that’s theGreek term for ‘Peter”,” and upon this petra (a relatedword)—upon this rock—I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it”.
But this statement has generated a great deal of controversy followed Jesus’ comment. Catholics and Protestants are in total disagreement on how to interpret these words of Jesus. One writer explains:
“Well, it is evident here that Peter is being given information about the foundation of the church. But who or what is the rock? That’s the question.
Now there are those who say it is very obvious. Peter is the rock, Does he not say, thou art Peter and upon this rock I will build my church? That is the view of the Romanists. And it is the view of many Protestants. It is the view of some of the recent interpreters of this episode.
For example, David Hill… Oscar Kuhlman a respected continental scholar..who is not a Romanist, but a member of a Protestant church…. William Barclay, a Britisher, a member of the Church of Scotland, a Presbyterian Church… So obviously, there is some evidence for Peter being the rock.
The term petra, which is the Greek word translated “rock” here is a word that in the Old Testament was never used of men, always used of God…We are even told in the New Testament that Christ is the rock. But never is a man called a rock.
Furthermore, that interpretation cannot account for the change in terms, petras to petra. Thou art petras. That word incidentally means something like a stone or pebble.
And upon this petra, petra means a great mass of rock, like a cliff. Upon this petra. If he means Peter, why did’nt he say, thou art petras and upon this petras I will build my church?
So the interpretation cannot account for that change….If Peter was the foundation of the church, that can explain a lot of things. Paul tells us in Galatians chapter 2 that he was a hypocrite. And the Lord Jesus called him Satan, here in just a moment or two, and that might explain the whole thing, how the church came to be what it is and have the difficulties that it has, because it is built on a hypocrite”.
Another commentator David Guzik, has an additional comment on why he cannot accept the Catholic view. He and others feel it is impossible to conceive that Peter was the head of the Catholic Church and there was that ability to pass on this presumed authority to Popes which that church allege succeeded him.
We know that the Catholic church came about centuries after Peter’s death and there is no evidence he was anything like the “Catholic pope” and passed on any position that he had in the early church.
So this writer and commentator gives us the following reason for his belief:
“Personally, I find it significant that Peter’s leadership in the church was ascendant in Acts 12, after which we hear from him only once (Acts 15:7). Beginning with Acts 13, Paul is the ascendant. Was that because Peter had died? Not likely. We believe that he travelled to Rome, where he was martyred c. 60-64 A.D.- a full decade after the events of Acts 12.
Protestants point out that Jesus offered his blessing to Peter, but with no suggestion that the blessing can be passed on- or that any successor is intended.
- They point out that Peter the rock almost immediately becomes Peter the Stumbling Block (16:22-23).
- They say, “The granting of authority to Simon Peter is obviously symbolic for all the Apostles (v.19), for elsewhere in Matthew (18:18) and John (20:23) this bestowal of power is on all of them” (Craddock, 417).
- They note Jesus’ prohibition against giving to people honors that rightfully belong to the Father and the Son (23:8-12).
- They point to 1 Corinthians 3:11, which says, “For no one can lay any other foundation than that which has been laid, which is Jesus Christ”.
- They note that the church is built “upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ himself being the chief cornerstone” Ephesians 2:20). In that verse “apostles” and ‘prophets” are plural, so the foundation isn’t limited to Peter.
- “I will built my assembly” (Greek: ekklesia (verse 18c). Ekklesia is a combination of ek (out) and ka;eo (called), so it means “called out”. Ekklesia can refer to any assembly, but Jesus’ ekklesia is the church.
It is Jesus who builds the church. The church belongs to him. The Apostles and other Christians play supporting roles, and these roles are important. However, Jesus has the lead role”.
Let us be careful here for the disagreement does not mean that someone who is Catholic is lost and destined for the Lake of fire. God is the only one to make that decision about the status of the souls of human beings.
John 21: 15 – 18
We are now looking at a failed night of fishing and we will now see what Jesus does with a night of failure.
There is now a breakfast of cleansing. And Jesus prepares for this and brings the truth up front. Jesus will now prepare Simon Peter for ministry.
Jesus has been resurrected. All forsook Him at the Cross. They ran away. But He met them after the resurrection and taught them.
Now at the seaside He prepares the charcoal stove, puts on the fish after telling the Apostles where to find the fish that had escaped from them all night, blesses it, breaks the bread and confronts the silent Apostles.
Remember that Jesus looks forward to the Great Banquet He will have with the saints. Isaiah 25:6-8 is one passage that describes this event.
Now let us make sure we see the Lessons that will guide us as we grow spiritually.
The scene is set for us after dinner. The silence is deafening.
Verse 15. Jesus gives Peter the opportunity to affirm his love for Him.
The word used for the charcoal fire at this scene is used only here in the New Testament and the same word for ‘fire’ over which Peter warmed himself when he denied Jesus .
Verses 16-18. Peter is given a chance to tell Jesus he does love Him even if he failed Him. So He calls Peter by his formal name, Simon son of Jonah, Do you love me more than these?
Simon tells Jesus that He knows that he loves Jesus.
So he is given a mission, a purpose, Feed My Lambs.
Note that we are like that for Jesus gives us opportunity to say to Him we love Him even when we have failed Him.
This means we are to prove our love by, Feed My Lambs.
We can do that and do themission we have been given for Jesus has defeateddeath for us. Our mission is not only to come to Church and sing for Him. That is only a small part of what we have to do as we grow spiritually.
Our great journey we have to undertake is to perform our allotted ministry.
So do we really love Jesus?
Jesus again asked Peter if he loved Him.
Peter was hurt at the questioning but Peter had to say he loved Jesus three times.
So do you love Jesus or are you hurt when He confronts you when you fail?
Note that Peter had failed Jesus by thinking his commitment was superior to others.
In addition he boasted his commitment was superior to others and though others would flee he would stay strong.
He failed three times when he disowned Jesus.
We expect we will be able to make excuses for our failures for we feel humbled for thinking we are superior. Failure will happen as we grow and mature.
Failure will become less and less as we mature and yield to the guidance of the Holy Spirit
But note Jesus does not retreat and leave when we fail. He loves us so He will use the occasion of our failures to restore and reshape us.
Surely we will fail sometimes. So ask yourself the question as to whether you will let your failures make you give up and say you are “out”.
Consider Peter.
Jesus told him his purpose, Feed My Lambs. Feed the children. Feed the young believers also. Do not wait for them to grow up. Teach them the Word
Tend my sheep. You are called to shepherd the sheep that belong to Jesus.
That means “watch over them”, “guard them’.
Feed My Sheep. You have to teach the sheep, the grown-up ones, the Word of God. Their minds have to be opened and it will be opened when they are taught the Word of God.
Note Jesus used two different words for the flock He owns.
Peter learned the Lesson from Jesus well. So in his first letter he says to the elders he wrote to;
“Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, watching out over them”. 1 Peter 5:21.
He was grieved (verse 17) when Jesus asked him if he loved Him the third time. He would blurt out, Jesus, you are divine, and so you know all things. You know that I love you.
If you need preparation work for your ministry Jesus is there to help. He will prepare you, He will cleanse you, and He will show you the truth.
Peter would die. He made mistakes. But he was faithful and died a death on a cross as his master had.
2 Peter 3: 14 – 15, 18
Verses 14-15. God has made you a firm promise. It will never be broken.
But beware for there is doctrinal apostasy and moral apostasy.
There will be a New Heaven and a New Earth and righteousness will completely cover everything there.
So we look for these things and so we live in hope and in holiness.
The Language used is in the intensive form so that the force is we are to look earnestly for the accomplishment and the completion of the program of God.
God delays His judgment (verse 9) for He is longsuffering and waits for those He knows will come to Him.
Peter thus calls on believers to be diligent in whatever they are called on to do. They must be found without spot and be blameless. This means that believers must be led by the Spirit and so are continually being transformed.
Verse 16. Peter is forthright in crediting his brother the Apostle Paul with teaching from the wisdom given to him.
He knows that some of the lessons Paul taught were hard for some persons to understand, for those people were unlearned and unstable and so they distort the teachings of the Apostle Paul just as they distort the other Scriptures.
But the Apostle Peter stressed that Paul was teaching the insights given to him by the Spirit. He taught from a very deep well of knowledge for he was chosen by God to reveal some deep mysteries of Scripture.
We know that Paul taught about the mystery of Christ in the believer, and as well, the hope of the glory believers will have.
Peter acknowledged that Paul’s teachings were absolutely dead-on but some distorted his teachings as well as the teachings in Scripture
Verse 17. These distorters were led astray and would lead people astray with the error of the wicked. They would work to have believers fall from the steadfastness that they had in Christ.
Clearly then, believers should hold on to their knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Believers should pay close attention to the Apostle Peter’s commendations.
When you hear these teachers and preachers of great eloquence try to teach that there was something wrong in apostolic doctrines, and that some or all of Paul’s teachings were incorrect and not of God, you know right away these people are evildoers. They might appear to belong to God, but they are not belonging to God. They are opponents of God.
We know for instance, that Paul’s doctrine of grace in Romans 5 through 8 has been attacked, and some use it to give them an excuse to sin. They will say they have freedom in Christ and this teaching in Galatians gives them a license to sin and to break the commandments of God. They really are lawbreakers.
Some twist the Scriptures saying Jesus has already come. They will tell you that you are God and the same as God the Father. They will tell you that the Sabbath is voided even though they see that that cannot be so, and the Sabbath is explicitly supported in the last Chapters of the book of Isaiah. They well know that the Sabbath was created before sin entered the world and it rests on the decree and the behaviour of God. They know it will not be changed but will exist during the Millennium and merge into the perfect eternal Sabbath of rest in the New Heaven and the New Earth.
They know that the Apostle Paul and Peter rested on the truths explicitly noted in the Old Testaments and explained by Jesus the Lord who pointed out that not one little part of the law would pass away until all be fulfilled.
But some people approach the Scriptures with preconceived ideas of what the Bible says and then look for and twist proof texts to back up their doctrines. So they will overstress the great truth that “God is love” and pass over the truth of God’s judgment and wrath.
Some even teach there will no Second coming of the Lord.
Some even teach that the promises to the remnant of Israel have been now given to them.
They are called “supercessionists” as they believe they have replaced Israel as the chosen people. They have no love for the Scriptures and the firm promises of God. They ignore the Scriptures and replace it with their personal wishes.
Verse 18. The Apostle thus encourage believers to grow in grace, looking always at the unmerited favour of our God. He calls for believers to study and grow in the knowledge of the Lord God and Saviour Jesus Christ.
He reminds all believers that the glory and honour belongs to our God and our Savour. This will be so forever and it cannot be changed.
So believers are warned to be on their guard for there are unprincipled false teachers and false heresies. There will be multiple falsehoods as the end of the age comes.
So turn your eyes away from man and turn your eyes toward Jesus. There is always more you can learn about Jesus.
It is sad to read the comments in Scripture that we must know but must move away from the basic doctrines and probe into the deeper things of Christ.
We should try to find out what these deeper things are.
CONCLUSION
We are advised w should grow in grace and in a deeper knowledge of Jesus Christ. This means that the more you know Christ intimately, the more you walk in the light with Him; as you encounter the challenges of life, the deeper and steadier you will be.
So renew your minds.
If you are newborn babes you should desire spiritual milk, the simpler doctrines, for in that way you will grow. 1 Peter 2:2.
As you grow you will be abe to eat the heavier spiritual meat and you will bear spiritual fruit which will be seen.
The fruit of the Spirit, note that this is in the singular, will show. The patience, the kindness, the love, the longsuffering all all the others of the “Fruit” will show.
Remember it is God who is in you working in you to will and to act.
Above all grow in love.
You have seen how Jesus came to a place that was spiritually dead, Galilee of the Gentiles, and He called into his service the poor young men, those the society did not highly regard.
Jesus loves to work with the disadvantaged and to lift them up. That shows His power, His love, His lack of partiality, and His glory and He loves to pass by the often proud highly skilled, the educated, and the wealthy and the proud.
You must start somewhere. Start by answering His call. Believe in Him and call out to Him. The Holy Spirit is initiating the call in your heart.
When you call He guarantees you that He will answer and hold you in His arms.
Remember that for you;
‘The Lord is my shepherd,
I shall not want
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul
He guides me in the path of righteousness
For his name’s sake’
And so for salvation and for Christian growth just tells God the thoughts of this Psalm. All you have to do is call on Hm. He will hear you, help, and stay with you. So tell Him:
“Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me and know my anxious thoughts;
And see if there be any hurtful way in me.
And lead me in the everlasting way”
Psalm 139:23-24.