Christian Maturity Is Not Optional
Part 3 Christian Maturity IS Not Optional
Show that while increase in knowledge is essential to growth, it is by itself insufficient and is actually misleading.
Opening Statement: Maturity is about changing for the better. If you are not changing, you must either be already perfect or you are not growing.
Philippians 3:12-16 NKJV Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. [13] Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, [14] I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. [15] Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. [16] Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.
Christian maturity is not determined by how much of God's Word one knows, but by a godly character.
Of course, there is no possibility of one becoming mature without some knowledge of God's Word. However, a mere knowledge of God's Word, even a great knowledge, does not automatically translate into maturity.
God's Word is intended to transform us, nor to merely inform us.
A knowledge of God's Word shows that we are informed. It is our conduct that shows that we are transformed. Many Christians are well informed but not transformed. It is like one suffering from spiritual indigestion. One has eaten a lot of the word, but the word stays in the head but has not worked its way into the heart.
Psalm 119:11 NLT I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
Maturity is seen in conduct, not in words.
This much is seen from God's instructions to Joshua.
Joshua 1:8 This book of the law must not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that us in it. For them you will make your way prosperous, and then have good success.
The ultimate end of Christianity Maturity is godliness.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, [17] that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
Christian maturity has more to do with our development into godliness than extensive intellectual development.
Matthew 23:15 ESV Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel across sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes a proselyte, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves.
If forced to choose, an uneducated, but holy man of God, is better than to be a highly educated son of hell.
Christian education must make us more godly or else it has failed in its purpose.
Matthew 7:15-20 ESV "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. [16] You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? [17] So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. [18] A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. [19] Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. [20] Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.
The quality of our Christian education will be seen not in our gifts, but in the fruits of repentance and righteousness.
Luke 3:8 ESV Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham.
Philippians 1:9-11 ESV And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, [10] so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, [11] filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Philippians 1:9-11 NLT I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. [10] For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ's return. [11] May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation-the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ-for this will bring much glory and praise to God.
Show that the scriptures insist on the need for spiritual maturity.
Show that those who fail to mature in their Christian walk never stay stagnant, but actually retrogress.
Show that while increase in knowledge is essential to growth, it is by itself insufficient and is actually misleading.
A mature Christian is one who is controlled by the Holy Spirit, not by the world or the flesh.
We will never get rid of the flesh for as long as we are on this side of eternity. A mature Christian is one who still has the flesh, but is no longer controlled by it..
We will always run the risk of reverting to carnality.
The maturing Christian will walk on water, if we take our eyes from God, we will begin to sink like Peter.
Anybody who believes they have overcome the flesh increase their risk of backslidding. Such a person will fall into the sin of pride and carelessness. They will be controlled by their own flesh
The fruit of the Spirit is the product of the Holy Spirit.
Love, joy, peace etc., are all produced by the Holy Spirit and not the personality of the Christian.
Romans 14:17 ESV For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Self-control is simply bringing oneself under the control of the Holy Spirit. No longer are we under the control of our impulses or any other master. We yield ourselves, spirit, soul and body to the Holy Spirit.
