This is the final sermon in the Goals For Growth series, and so we head home - and look at ways we can grow in our households. Whether that means a couple, a family, a group of single friends or by yourself. God want to use those we live with, or that we invite into our homes, as a means of drawing us closer to Himself.

This sermon is about stewardship. It begins by acknowledging that God owns everything, and nothing is really ours. So, how will you look after what God has given you to control? What goals for growth should you have regarding time, talents and treasure?

What is a sermon on evangelism doing in a series on Christian growth? The answer lies in understanding that we "grow as we go." Sharing our faith with others results in us growing in our own faith, and provides opportunities to trust God, draw our strength from Him, and rejoice in seeing His purposes fulfilled.

You might have heard it said that you don't have to go to church to be a Christian. In one sense, it is true because faith in Jesus is what saves. But in another sense, it is not true at all. Much of our modern culture promotes individualism, but this is not what God intends for His people. We are saved by Christ into community - His community - and this is where we are cared for, where we are encouraged to grow in our faith, and where we serve King Jesus together.

A relationship with Jesus not only means eternal salvation, it also means you can live a transformed life. This transformation is often described as "Christian growth" - becoming more like Christ and less like your old sinful nature. It means moving beyond the superficial to a deeper walk with your Saviour!

The Gospel has an extraordinary effect in the life of a believer. Because your faith is in the person and work of Jesus, you are totally freed from the concept of having to earn God's favour, and, instead, are freed to apply the teachings of Jesus and live a transformed life!

Sometimes we let the word "believer" roll off our tongue fairly easily, as it takes on the status of a noun rather than a verb. Jesus said belief is the key, not only to realising salvation, but in living out our new identity in Christ every day.

When the lights go out and we're left in the dark it is totally disorienting and we can easily be hurt by running into things we cannot see. Jesus says this is what life is like without Him. He is the Light that allows us to see all things clearly - He is the Light that leads to life!

Our picture of Jesus is often confined to what we read in the Gospels - humbly wearing a tunic & sandals, walking around Judea and Galilee, speaking & performing miracles. But what about Jesus now? Where is He and what is He doing? And more importantly, how does He help us live now in a world so often hostile to Christianity?

When Jesus said "Come to Me and drink," He didn't mean come for a one-off sip of "living water." Instead, He fulfills the Old Testament prophecies and becomes the source of living water that fills believers and overflows to others. That is the effect of the Holy Spirit in our lives, if we allow Him to do a work of change in us.