Among every other growth is the growth in stature and favor, and what is this telling us? No matter where God has placed you, your growth in stature is critical, and also is your growth in favor with God and with men.

For growth in stature means that someone matured physically and gained strength and maturity as they grow older. In other words, it is a shortcoming when you ought to grow but you do not grow. 

It is a shortcoming when what is expected of your growth is not seen in you because you are acting childish every time. Even though you are a child of God and you said you are growing, if your growth is not revealed from the physical perspective through your action and behavior, then people will not take you seriously.

And that is why this morning, we will look into the three types of growth God lavished on Samuel. Samuel is a prophet and a judge whose life teaches us tremendous lessons. We shall look into three types of growth imparted on Prophet Samuel.

The first one is Growth in Stature:

Samuel’s continued growth indicates Samuel’s development, which means he was healthy and strong, and this prepared him for the leadership role he would eventually assume as the prophet and judge over Israel which shows he is not a weak vessel unlike some people who are in Christ

Weakness in our body is a sign of inability, and it is also a way to give excuses for what we need to accomplish for the Lord. And that is why, as much as we are doing our best to grow spiritually, growing in stature also goes a long way, for if the body that carries the engine is not strong enough, the weight and the operation of the engine may shatter the body components. Amen!

The second one is Growth in Favor with God:

As Samuel grew in stature, the Bible recorded his growth in favor with the Lord, which highlights his spiritual growth and God’s approval of his life and actions. And this is the difference between his favorable growth with God and that of the sons of Eli who were corrupt and disobedient.

For the life of Samuel was identified by his obedience and his complete dedication to God. Due to his faithfulness, that made him receive favor from Yahweh. He developed a strong, obedient relationship with God, and as he continued to remain faithful in his life and in actions, he continuously grew in favor with God.

And lastly, Growth in Favor with Men:

The endorsement of man doesn’t come into display out of the ordinary, but it happens through the favor you have received from God. When your ways are right with the Lord, He will make your doings please man, and you will be admired by those around you.

And that was exactly what happened to Samuel, after the house of Israel began to lose faith in the children of Eli because of atrocities committed by them.

So why do we break this down? So that we may understand and assimilate what it means to grow in stature and favor. Those who experience this growth, such as Jesus, Samuel, David, and Joseph have a reputable position that distinguishes them out of many.

And that is why, as children of God, we cannot be comfortable with mere growth, with common growth. Both our growth must carry the strength of God and favor of God so that what others could not do because of lack of strength and God’s favor, we may begin to do them.

And another thing we must know about growth is that growth is not a moment but a journey, and in the course of the journey, you will see the hand of God shaping you to become who He wants you to be.

So as children of God, we must have the understanding that our growth in Christ is essential, is paramount if we want to enjoy the best God gives to His own. You will wonder why others are able to go extra miles in the things they do for God and you weren’t.

You will wonder why others are able to travail but you are seeing it as a waste of time. It is because they have grown to a level and are still growing to be more like Christ. The Bible talks about how John grew and became strong in the spirit in Luke 1:80.

He gained a momentum, and through the growth, he received favor both with God and with men. For everyone sees John as a prophet of the Most High God. Your growth must not be in the flesh only but in stature and favor with God and men.

People must be able to identify that we are not like others, that our growth is not carnal. They must see that we have been with the Lord. They must see from our actions, behaviors, from the word we speak that we are not just growing tall without the strength of the Lord but rather see that we are loaded both in our growth in stature and with favor with God, which will lead to men being favorable to us as well.

That is why we must pray to God to quicken our mortal body, to infuse our body with vital energy and life so that our body can serve as a faithful vessel for Him. That is when people will see the sign of our growth both in stature and favor.

So I am here to tell us this morning that our growth must not be limited to vanity while we are empty, for those who are empty will be tossed to and fro by the storms of life, but rather grow in stature and favor so that God may approve us, so that God may show us His goodwill and His pleasantness.

The scripture from this morning paints a complete picture of healthy, God-given growth. Samuel, being a child dedicated to the Lord, then he started progressing physically, spiritually, and socially, and I believe this sermon this morning will encourage believers to pursue balanced development—maturing outwardly while cultivating inner character—so that we, like Samuel, might walk in continuous favor with God and with those around us.