There are 4 STAGES OF SPIRITUAL GROWTH:

1. *Natural* (Lost)
2. *New* (Saved but immature)
3. *Carnal* (Saved but fleshly)
4. *Spiritual* (Mature in Christ)

CIC68: *CELEBRITY IN CHRIST EPISODE 68*

TOPIC: FROM NATURAL TO SPIRITUAL - LIFE WITHOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT IS LIKE A LAMP WITHOUT POWER.

Spiritual growth is not automatic—it is intentional.
Rightly dividing the Word (2 Tim. 2:15),

_“Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.”_ — Zechariah 4:6

*A lamp without power is useless.* It has the shape, the bulb, the glass — but no light. Same with a Christian without the Holy Spirit. *Exactly right.* 💡

⚠️ The question is not: Are you saved?
👉 The question is: Are you GROWING?

*THREE(3) CHARACTERISTICS OF LACK OF SPIRITUAL GROWTH ARE:*

*1. No Power*
_“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you”_ — Acts 1:8

Unplugged = no power to witness, no power over sin, no power to endure.

*2. No Fruit*
_“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace...”_ — Galatians 5:22

Unplugged lamps bear no fruit. Just religious activity with no life.

*3. No Guidance*
_“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth”_ — John 16:13

Unplugged = stumbling in the dark, making decisions in the flesh.

WHAT DO WE DO NOW? *Plug in daily*:

_“Be filled with the Spirit”_ — Ephesians 5:18 "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit"

Through prayer, the Word, obedience, surrender.

*The world doesn’t need more unplugged lamps.* It needs burning ones.

_“Let your light so shine before men”_ — *Matthew 5:16* "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven"

*There are different Stages of Growth in the Body of Christ*
📖 1 Corinthians 2:14 – 3:3

Spiritual growth is not automatic—it is intentional.
Rightly dividing the Word (2 Tim. 2:15), *we see that growth today comes through:*
👉 Pauline doctrine
👉 Grace-based understanding
👉 Faith-driven application

📖 “Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord…” (2 Pet. 3:18 KJV)

*2 Peter 3:18* is the final verse of 2 Peter in the New Testament, urging believers to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ".

It serves as a concluding imperative to actively develop spiritually, protecting against deception and fostering a deeper relationship with Jesus.

*4 STAGES OF SPIRITUAL GROWTH*:

1. *Natural* (Lost)
2. *New* (Saved but immature)
3. *Carnal* (Saved but fleshly)
4. *Spiritual* (Mature in Christ)

⚠️ The question is not: Are you saved?
👉 The question is: Are you GROWING?

*1️⃣ THE NATURAL MAN (THE LOST CONDITION)*
📖 Cannot receive the things of God (1 Cor. 2:14)

🔹 Sinful Nature – Dead in sins
(Eph. 2:1)
🔹 Spiritual Blindness – Cannot understand
(2 Cor. 4:4)
🔹 Self-centered Living – Flesh-driven
(Rom. 8:8)
🔹 Separation from God – Without Christ
(Eph. 2:12)
🔹 Stubborn Rejection – Rejects truth
(Rom. 1:21)
🔹 Satanic Influence – Controlled by world
(Eph. 2:2)
🔹 Saving Needed – Must believe the Gospel
(1 Cor. 15:1–4)

*2️⃣ THE NEW MAN (THE BABE IN CHRIST)*
📖 Saved… yet unskilled (1 Cor. 3:1)

🔹 Saved Position – Justified by faith
(Rom. 5:1)
🔹 Spiritual Birth – New creature
(2 Cor. 5:17)
🔹 Simple Understanding – Milk of the Word
(1 Cor. 3:2)
🔹 Struggling Walk – Learning truth
(Gal. 5:17)
🔹 Sealed Forever – Secure in Christ
(Eph. 1:13)
🔹 Starting Growth – Beginning stage
(Col. 2:6)
🔹 Seeking Knowledge – Desire to learn
(1 Pet. 2:2)

*3️⃣ THE CARNAL MAN (THE FLESH-LED BELIEVER)*
📖 Saved… yet fleshly (1 Cor. 3:3)

🔹 Spiritual Immaturity – Still babes
(1 Cor. 3:1)
🔹 Strife and Division – Envy, conflict
(1 Cor. 3:3)
🔹 Self-willed Living – Flesh dominates
(Rom. 7:18)
🔹 Stunted Growth – Not progressing
(Heb. 5:12)
🔹 Shallow Doctrine – No depth
(Eph. 4:14)
🔹 Shameful Walk – Not glorifying God
(Rom. 8:8)
🔹 Serious Warning – Loss of reward
(1 Cor. 3:15)

*4️⃣ THE SPIRITUAL MAN (THE MATURE BELIEVER)*
📖 Discerns all things (1 Cor. 2:15)

🔹 Sound Doctrine – Rooted in truth
(2 Tim. 1:13)
🔹 Spiritual Discernment – Right judgment
(Phil. 1:9–10)
🔹 Steady Walk – Led by the Spirit
(Gal. 5:16)
🔹 Service Minded – Faithful ministry
(2 Tim. 2:15)
🔹 Strong in Grace – Mature believer
(2 Tim. 2:1)
🔹 Separated Living – Not worldly
(Rom. 12:2)
🔹 Secured Reward – Eternal gain
(1 Cor. 3:14)

*CONCLUSION*

👉 There are only four stages:

Natural (Lost)
New (Saved but immature)
Carnal (Saved but fleshly)
Spiritual (Mature in Christ)

⚠️ *The tragedy:*

Many are saved…
But remain carnal
📖 “Grow in grace…” (2 Pet. 3:18)

*CALL TO ACTION*

💥 EXAMINE YOURSELF TODAY:
🔹 RECOGNIZE your condition
(2 Cor. 13:5)
🔹 RECEIVE the Gospel (if lost)
(1 Cor. 15:1–4)
🔹 RENEW your mind daily
(Rom. 12:2)
🔹 RIGHTLY DIVIDE the Word
(2 Tim. 2:15)
🔹 RELY on God’s grace
(2 Cor. 12:9)
🔹 RESPOND in obedience
(Col. 2:6)
🔹 REACH maturity in Christ
(Eph. 4:13)

*FINAL THOUGHTS*

🔥 Growth is:

Not automatic—but intentional
Not emotional—but doctrinal
Not instant—but progressive.

*The goal is not just:*

👉 To be saved
👉 But to be SPIRITUAL

*REMEMBER:*

1️⃣ Natural man – Needs salvation
2️⃣ New man – Needs growth
3️⃣ Carnal man – Needs correction
4️⃣ Spiritual man – Needs consistency

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