Phoenix tribune., 1923-10-27
Week Day Sermonette
By H. t. S. JOHNSON,
InterrdciaI Secretary for Oklahoma
STEPS IN CHRISTIAN GROWTH


IL IS also the law OF the spirit Just complying with
the laws OF natural growth will assure physical develop
ment, so VIII compliance with the laws of spiritual
growth guarantee spiritual development. Time is an
element In both physical and spiritual growth It takes
time to grow from infancy to maturity Time is also re-
qured to grow from babes in Christ to the fullness
OF tne stature OF manhood in Him. We invite your
sderaton OF the following steps in Christian growth:
l. Recognition Of the value of little things
T. Recognition OF the necessity of working
alone with God.
3 Recognition of the necessity of working
with others for God
B. Recognition of the fact that all things be-
long to God
l. Recognition of the value of little things Little
Things are important because accumulated amplifed
they make big things. snowflake is very small and in
significant yet enough of them accumulated constitute
the avalanche which sweeps all things before it. little
thng-bolng water in teakettle- the steam
engine The little question: why? with reference to
falling apple is responsible for Newton discovery of the
law OF gravitaon little suggestion bv Harriet Beech
er Stoves sister was the thought which made possible
Uncle Toms Cabin the greatest single factor in the
abolition OF slavery in the United States little thing
assassination of of the worst men in all Europe
plunged the world into the greatest known to his
tory.
Yes little things are all important We cannot
grow IN grace and in the knowledge Of the Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ without just appreciation of their
Importance The little word of Kindness the little deed
of hOpefuness, the little act of devotion the ttle talk
with Jesus mighty factors in Christian growth If
the white and black people in this country would prop
ery value the little acts of interracia cooperation for
community welfare the Stars and Stripes would carry
message to the eleven hundred million coored peoples in
this world which would inspire hope and courage hither
to unknown.
2. Recognition of the necessity of working alone
with God Though with God is a majority the av-
erage does not regard it. He feels lonesome un
less he is IN crowd He will suppress personal cOnvic-
ton rather than be unpopular This why good think
ing, falr-mnded people suffer without protest many
things against which their conscience rebels The white
of at
best indifference to the Negroes welfare because they
think such attitude satisfies the public The Negro
press responds in kind and thus the racial breach keeps
open. Most white ministers cOnspicousy silent
matters affecting relations Studying the scriptures
they do and thinking high ethical plane about
things generally it must cost them many pangs of
science not to lead the fight against oppression and
hate. Negro minister's instead of using their influence
and eoquence to make peace between the races pass the
whole subject by and stress the good times that await us
when leave this world The average citizen of both
himself from any active responsibility in
contributing to better relations Thus the press
The ministry, the average citizen miss the help Chris
an growth which working alone with God affords
3 A recognition of the necessity of working with
others for God. Big and helpful things started by
individuals Int they carried through to by
combination of interest and efforts Business enterprs
es combine and make bigger business. Churches and
clubs fedeate and put larger and effectual
programs. The best team work determines the winner
in the ball game So does working with others for God
bring greatest results in kingdom building. How the
church suffers when members fail to work together The
community that is dead nonprogressive is the victim
of too much individuality. Places where friction is
at its worst those where the two fail to coop
crate for mutual welfare The greatest work the white
and black in America do together for God
is to unite on program of brotherhood
f. recognition of the fact that all things belong
to God. Weak and dependent is he somehow
has gotten the idea in his head that he is of the
things in his possession. He says my money, my prop
erty my talents my time and my life Acting upon that
presumption he his money his property his talents
his time and his life just though God had claim on
them Therefore Christianity ags suffers and Jesus
Savior continues "a Of and acquainted
with grief ,, The Lords