INTRODUCTION:   A young man was being asked questions about his occupation of diving for exotic fish for aquariums. He said one of the most popular aquarium fish is the shark. He explained that if you catch a small shark and confine it, it will stay a size proportionate to the aquarium. Sharks can be six inches long yet fully matured. But if you turn them loose in the ocean, they grow to their normal length of eight feet.

               That also happens to some Christians. You put them in a church where they are not taught and they will be cute little six inch Christians who swim around in that little puddle. But if you put them into a larger arena – a church that teaches them the whole counsel of God's word they grow greatly and become eight foot Christians for the Lord. That is why I work as hard as I do at teaching and challenge so often the people in this church to participate in all our services and to study God's word and grow spiritually in the Lord.

1. 1 John 2:12-14 verse lists three levels of spiritual growth.

Jesus spoke of the progression of growth referring to the growth of grain. "For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear." (Mark 4:28).

2. In verse 12, he used the words "little children". This phrase has nothing to do with age. It means one's OFFSPRING. It could refer to a child or and 90 year old. It has nothing to do with infancy.

3. He then divided the "little children" or offspring into three categories:

Little children, young men, and fathers. He is using them as illustrations of three levels of spiritual growth.

A. LITTLE CHILDREN. The First level of Growth.
1. The use of the words little children here refers to infants.

2. He says one thing about them ...THEY KNOW THE FATHER.

3. That's about all an infant knows is who is his parents, he doesn't know much else.

B. YOUNG MEN. The Second level of growth.
1. Note he says they have overcome the wicked one. Who is that? Satan of course! Folks overcoming the Devil's influence in our lives comes as a result to spiritually growing in Christ.

2. Verse 14 says, the young men are strong and the Word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the wicked one. It is a knowledge of the Word of God that one feeds on and which nourishes them to maturity. You cannot grow without food.

Many people struggle with problems they are not able to overcome in their lives. They feel defeated and they are failures. Most do not realize that they are spiritual anemic. They are too weak to overcome the fiery darts of Satan and of life that come their way.
3. Note, there is no mention of the Word of God abiding in the "little babies". They know God, but they know little else. They must learn. They must be fed.

4. Note the "young men", are strong, because the Word abides in them. They were taught the word of God and they learned their lessons and it has made them strong.

NOTE: This does not mean they just a head knowledge of the Bible. Its says "it abides in them". Abide means it lives in them. It effects them and directs them. It does not just reside in their memory. It has become a part of them.

The principles the Bible teaches, have become more than words in a book to them. They are words to live by. The lessons in the Book, are their source of wisdom to made the daily decisions each of us makes.

Paul said in Ephesians:

"That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive". (Ephesians 4:14)

Satan is the master deceiver! Many saved people believe and do wrong things in sincerity, thinking they are right.

But not the mature believer. He is not so easily deceived. He knows the principles of the Word of God, therefore when Satan cunning twists the Scriptures and uses half-truths, he knows they do not fit.

I have many times reminded God's people that Jesus said, "My sheep hear my voice and will not follow another."

ILLUS: I was recently reading an article and it was about sheep. A healthy sheep stays with the flock and Alert. However, the article said a sick sheep, was listless, and would wander off, and did not stay well with the flock.
God's program is the flock...the local church and he has no other!

There are sheep no doubt outside the flock, the are wandering around on their own, but that just proves they are spiritually sick.

They are not mature, and healthy sheep. If they were they would be in the fold with the other sheep that the Shepherd made for them.

C. FATHERS. This is the greater level of growth.
1. The baby knows who its parents are, but it can't not know them intimately....that comes in time by living everyday with them.

2. The father is said to have known Him, "who is" from the beginning. It means a deeper understanding than just know his identity. This is referring to a close relationship.

A. Spiritual growth is progress: First you are a Babe in Christ, you know little but that Christ Jesus is your Savior and you are a child of God.
Then are you are fed spiritual food, which is the Word of God, you begin to grow. You put what you learn into practice and in time it becomes a part of you. You win victories over sin and God uses you to teach others.

Then after growing in the Word of God it becomes to abide in you and you go on to an intimate close relationship with Christ Jesus.

B. Each step is important and you cannot jump from on step to the other.
1. One of the greatest lies the Devil it telling today is that you can be a mature Christ w/o the Word of God.

2. You can look into yourself, as the NEW AGE advocate, the late Norman Vincent Peale of Guide Posts Magazine says. In you is a spark of divinity, and all you need do is fan it.

3. No so, you do not look inside you for truth, but inside the pages of God's word!

C. You see every believer is born into the family of God to bring glory to the Father.
1. The child that fights and rebels against his parent, is disobedient lives a confused and miserable life. It does not know the joy of a receiving the full love of the parent. It makes it's life miserable and everyone around him.

2. The rebellious child is at odds with the flock and most times is found outside wandering aimlessly around.

When the dogs attack, it has no comfort from the flock, because it has chosen to go its on way.

It does not have the full protection of the Shepherd or the flock. The Shepherd still loves it and would care for it, but He can not make it do right.