Moving to Higher Ground
Theme for the Month: Spiritual Growth
Scripture: 2 Peter 3:18
“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
I heard about a man who decided he needed to get in shape. So, he bought a treadmill.
The first day he walked on it for five minutes and said, “Lord, I’m moving!”
The second day he walked ten minutes and said, “Lord, I’m progressing!”
The third day he looked at the treadmill and said, “Lord, you know my heart.”
Then say:
“Some Christians want spiritual growth without spiritual movement. But God didn’t call us to stay on the same level — He called us to higher ground.”
Growth means movement upward.
A child grows.
A tree grows.
Faith must grow.
Peter did not say stay in grace — he said grow in grace.
Illustration: Climbing a Mountain
Imagine climbing a mountain.
The higher you go:
• The air gets thinner
• The climb gets steeper
• But the view gets better
Some people never climb spiritually because they are comfortable in the valley.
But God is calling His people higher.
1. Higher Ground Requires Leaving Some Things Behind
Philippians 3:13–14
“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before.” I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Spiritual growth requires release.
Some people cannot move higher because they keep dragging the past.
Illustration:
A hot air balloon cannot rise if heavy sandbags remain attached.
Before the balloon goes up, the pilot must release weight.
The same is true spiritually.
Sometimes God says:
Let go of
• old habits
• old grudges
• old mindsets.
You cannot climb higher while holding on to things that keep pulling you down.
2. Higher Ground Requires Closer Relationship with God
James 4:8
“Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.”
The higher you go spiritually, the closer you walk with God.
That means growth in:
• prayer
• fasting
• worship
• studying the Word.
Illustration:
When Moses went up Mount Sinai, the people stayed below.
But Moses experienced God’s glory on the mountain.
The crowd stayed comfortable — but Moses went higher.
Some blessings only happen at higher levels of intimacy with God.
3. Higher Ground Requires Forgiveness
Some believers are stuck on low ground because of unforgiveness.
Unforgiveness is like carrying a backpack full of rocks while trying to climb a mountain.
You cannot reach higher ground holding on to yesterday’s hurt.
Illustration:
A man said he couldn’t forgive someone.
His pastor told him,
“Every time you refuse to forgive, you give that person free rent in your mind.”
Spiritual growth means:
• releasing offenses
• letting go of bitterness
• walking in grace.
4. Higher Ground Requires Greater Faith
Hebrews 11:6
“But without faith it is impossible to please Him.”
Every new level with God requires greater trust.
Illustration:
When Peter stepped out of the boat, the other disciples stayed seated.
They saw the same storm, the same waves, and the same wind.
But Peter experienced something they never did
