Acts 9:31 ESV

“So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.”

 

Observation:

Four great things that lead to growth:   

Peace – among the people in the church and a time of peace from Paul’s persecution.  

Being built up – there must have been an emphasis on God’s word because it has the power to build us on the inside.

Walking in the fear of the Lord – a reverence and respect for God that plays out in obedience and the keeping of His word and ways.  

Comfort of the Holy Spirit – the Holy Spirit was an active guiding force in the early church and they were very aware and respectful of Him.

Application:

I believe these four things can apply to a church but also an individual life – and they will lead to personal spiritual growth.

Peace – God’s peace is designed to be a big factor in how we operate.  Col. 3:15 says it should act as an umpire. Peace also is a function of walking closer to God.  

Being built up – God’s word can build us up, charge us up on the inside as does praying in the Holy Spirit.

Fear of the Lord – a reverential respect for God is actually the beginning phase of wisdom in our life.  

Comfort of the Holy Spirit – Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to be our Helper, Teacher, Comforter and Guide. He always leads us in the right paths.  

These four areas are important. They were important in the early church and in the church today. These four things will help to keep you on a path of growth.  

Prayer:

Dear Lord,

Teach me to walk in these four areas in an even greater measure. I want to stay on the path to growth in my life – for the rest of my life.