Growth By Correction
Foundation Statement: Correction is the centerpiece of the perfecting process and without it
you will not grow up; Spiritual growth comes through correction. We are trained
and develop through correction. One
of the main reasons correction comes is to grow us up spiritually. If you want to grow up and be like Jesus
and partake of his holiness you have to be willing to receive his correction.
Without his correction we cannot partake of his holiness because our
imperfections stay imperfections without correction. One of the most crucial
factors in your spiritual growth is how you handle correction. Your response to
correction will determine the magnitude of your growth. If you don’t receive
the correction and change you don’t grow.
I.
Correction is the
centerpiece of the perfecting process and without it you will not grow up
A. Spiritual growth comes
through correction – You grow spiritually by and through correction
1.
Hebrews 12:10-11-MSG-At the time,
discipline isn’t much fun. It always feels like it’s going against the grain.
Later, of course, it pays off handsomely, for it’s the well-trained
who find themselves mature in their relationship with God; PHIL-Now obviously no “chastening” seems
pleasant at the time: it is in fact most unpleasant. Yet when it is all over we
can see that is has quietly produced the fruit of real goodness in the
characters of those who have accepted it in the right spirit; AMPC-For the time being no discipline brings
joy, but seems sad and painful;
yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful
fruit of righteousness [right standing with God and a lifestyle and attitude
that seeks conformity to God’s will and purpose]; CEV-It
is never fun to be corrected. In fact, at the time it is always painful. But if
we learn to obey by being corrected, we will do right and live at peace;
TLB-Being
punished isn’t enjoyable while it is happening—it hurts! But afterwards
we can see the result, a quiet growth in grace and character.
B. We are trained and
develop by correction – Hebrews
12:11-Unto them which are exercised thereby
1.
We
are talking about molding character through training and correction
a. Hebrews 12:10-Chasten-Train, be instructed or taught,
to correct, of those who are molding the character of others by reproof and
admonition
2.
Development
(of skill) comes through correction-Proverbs
29:15-The rod and reproof (rebuke, correction) gives wisdom (skill)
3.
The
Correction is there to make you better and cause you to develop-Proverbs 3:11 TLB-Young man, do not resent
it when God chastens and corrects you, for his
punishment is proof of his love. Just as a Father punishes a son he delights in
to make him better, so the Lord corrects you
4.
Proverbs
22:15-It’s going to take something to separate this foolishness from the child;
Sometimes children in the local church need a spanking
a. Foolishness-Folly-Any conduct contrary to the laws of
God; An act inconsistent with the dictates of reason or ordinary rules of
prudence
C. Hebrews 12:10-11-One of
the main reasons correction comes to grow us up spiritually
1.
The
results of correction are 2-fold: 1.It causes us to partake of partake of God’s
holiness (Holiness-In a moral sense,
holiness, sanctity) 2.It yields the fruit of righteousness (Righteousness-Rightness in thinking,
feeling, and acting)
2.
If
you want to grow up and be like Jesus and partake of his holiness you
have to be willing to receive his correction
a. Holiness-In a moral sense, holiness, sanctity, integrity of moral
character – MOUNCE-He disciplines us
for our benefit, so that we may share his holy character
b. You are holy, this is
referring to demonstrating holiness-1Pet1:15-16,1Pet2:9-Holy
nation; 1Pet2:5-Holy priesthood; Heb3:1-Holy Brethren
c. So that we might be partakers of his holiness; W/o correction we can’t
partake of his holiness b/c imperfections stay imperfections w/o correction
D. One of the most crucial
factors in your growth is how you handle correction; Your response to
correction will determine the magnitude of your growth
1.
God
spends significant time in His word teaching us how to and how no to respond to
correction because the wrong attitude, response and way of thinking towards
correction can completely stunt your spiritual growth – If you don’t
receive the correction and change you don’t grow
2.
Being
corrected and receiving correction is integral to your growth
II.
3 Truths about correction
A. It’s coming; You don’t
have to wander if correction is going to come, IT’S COMING – Hebrews
12:5-When you are rebuked of him
1.
2
Timothy 3:16-If you get into the word you’re going to get corrected; 2 Timothy
4:2-If you listen to somebody preach you’re going to get corrected; John
16:13-The Holy Spirit is going to lead you into correction; Hebrews 12:6-God
loves you and He will correct you
B. It doesn’t seem joyous-Hebrews
12:11
1.
Seem-Appear or have the appearance of; Joyous-Joy,
gladness, rejoice; Grievous-Sorrow, pain, annoyance, grudging
2.
CEB-No discipline is fun
while it lasts; CEV-It’s never fun to be corrected; CJB-It seems painful, not
enjoyable; ERV- We don’t enjoy discipline when we get it. It is painful. But
later, after we have learned our lesson from it, we will enjoy the peace that
comes from doing what is right.
3.
It
doesn’t seem joyous but in the end you’ll like the results if you receive from
it
C. It is for your profit (To
help, gain, benefit, advantage)-Hebrews 12:10
1.
EXB-To help us; GW-For
our own good; PHIL-For our own benefit; TLB-For our best good
2.
God
corrects us to help us, it’s for our good, it’s for our benefit – NOT for
his benefit or just because he likes correcting people