2026-04-12, Becoming Better

Main message: Jesus—though fully God—grew as a human in wisdom, maturity, favor with God, and relationships (Luke 2:52), and becoming Christlike means intentionally growing in those same areas through the Holy Spirit, community, surrender, and persistent practice.

Key points:

• Luke 2:52 shows Jesus “became better” in four areas: wisdom, stature/maturity, favor with God, and favor with people; his humanity involved learning and growth.
• Wisdom means learning God’s will and obedience (Jesus “learned obedience”); maturity means living with purpose and responsibility.
• Growing in favor with God is a deepening love relationship with the Father; growing with others is sacrificial, truthful love, not merely being liked.
• Self-help alone fails; spiritual growth is aided by Christian community (small groups, accountability, shared Bible study) and mutual support.
• True inner change (sanctification) comes by the Holy Spirit and requires recognizing need, believing God can change you, and fully surrendering control (consecration).

Scriptures mentioned: Luke 2:52, Philippians 2:6-7, Hebrews 5:8, Hebrews 4:15, 1 Corinthians 13:11, John 16:7, 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24