In Sermon Illustrations: "Spiritual Maturity"

Spiritual Maturity

Contributed by Barry O Johnson on Feb 5, 2024

1 Timothy 3:6 - "Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil." Recently, a father sat down with his four-year-old son and asked him if he would like the $10 in his right hand or the two Oreo cookies in his left hand. His son immediately chose ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:6

Tags: Talent, Maturity, Novice

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Is Spiritual Maturity?

Contributed by K. Edward Skidmore on Dec 29, 2010

WHAT IS SPIRITUAL MATURITY? In our Pueblo group we asked how we could define spiritual maturity? Someone said, "Being spiritually mature probably means you don't try to figure out whether the people around you are spiritually mature or not." Someone else said, "It's all I can do to figure ...read more

Tags: Growth In Christ

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Four Levels Of Spiritual Maturity

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Oct 15, 2019

There are 4 levels of spiritual maturity for believers in Christ. I have created the names of each phase to add to this great quote from John Maxwell: #1 - REBELLION: I'm going to do what I want regardless of what God says. #2 - CONDITIONAL LOVE: If God gives me what I want, I will give Him ...read more

Tags: Spiritual Maturity, Growing In Grace

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Seek Spiritual Advice From Spiritually Mature Christians

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Aug 7, 2023

Seek Spiritual Advice from Spiritually mature Christians. Albert Einstein ... had difficulty speaking until he was four years old ... and did not read ... until he was seven. Beethovens music teacher said: .... As a composer, ... he is hopeless. When Thomas Edison was a young boy, ... his ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33, Mark 6:45-52

Tags: Advice, Spiritual

Denomination: Anglican

Rick Warren Notes The Mark Of Spiritual Maturity ...  PRO

Contributed by Mike Kern on Jun 30, 2002

Rick Warren notes the mark of spiritual maturity occurs when a believer "takes off the bib and puts on an apron." Immature children wear bibs and expect others to meet their needs. Those who don aprons ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 5:11-14

Tags: Christian Disciplines

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Spiritual Health Test

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 30, 2020

There are seven questions for self discovery that the great theologian A.W. Tozer encourages us to consider. These questions, if answered honestly, speak volumes about our spiritual health. They are: What do I want most? What do I think about most? How do I use the money that God has given ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Tags: Revival, Beatitudes, Spiritual Maturity, Spiritual Health

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Nothing Has A Greater Impact On Spiritual Growth ...

Contributed by Josh Hunt on Mar 7, 2012

"Nothing has a greater impact on spiritual growth than reflection on Scripture. If churches could do only one thing to help people at all levels of spiritual maturity grow in their relationship with Christ, their choice is clear. They would inspire, encourage, and equip their people to read the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16

Tags: Bible Study

Denomination: Baptist

Maturity

Contributed by Martin Spoelstra on Dec 27, 2020

Automatic behaviour is the hallmark of immature people bent on survival, they accept few challenges and experience little growth. Immature people react with a small part of themselves to a small part of the world. They limit themselves by paying attention only to what is close-up, by focusing on ...read more

Scripture: John 12:24

Tags: Maturity, Immaturity

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

There Are No Shortcuts To Maturity  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 13, 2003

There are no short cuts to maturity. It takes years for us to grow to adulthood, and it takes a full season for fruit to mature and ripen. The same is true for the fruit of the Spirit. The development of Christlike character cannot be rushed. Spiritual growth, like physical growth, takes ...read more

Abilene Christian University Researchers, Dr. ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Jan 5, 2006

Abilene Christian University researchers, Dr. David Lewis and Dr. Carley Dodd have recently concluded a cross-generational study (six different tests) to measure fathers’ positive and negative influences upon teens’ spirituality. The found that "every time" dad’s role "as teacher came out be the ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 22:6

Tags: Call, Children, Gift, Father, Fatherhood, Fathers Day, Youth, Parenting  (view more)  (view less)

Three Types Of Fruit

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Feb 2, 2023

The fruit of the Spirit is singular. it is "fruit" and not "fruits". It is only one letter, but it matters deeply. When you walk in the Spirit, all of these things described in Galatians 5:19-23 will be present in your life. However, there is a three-fold outline in Galatians ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:19-23

Tags: Holy Spirit, Flesh, Fruit Of The Spirit, Spiritual Maturity, Walking In The Spirit  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Reginald Bibby (Canadian Survey Guru) Defines ...

Contributed by Dale Pilgrim on Oct 27, 2009

Reginald Bibby (Canadian survey guru) defines discipleship as "activity that guides individuals to become spiritually mature zealots of Christ who then ...read more

Tags: Discipleship

Denomination: Salvation Army

Swimming With The Sharks

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 4, 2024

A millionaire decides to throw a massive party for his fiftieth birthday. During the party he grabs the mic and he announces to his guests that down in the garden of his mansion he has a swimming pool with two great white sharks in it. “The man who dares to swim across that pool gets 1 MILLION ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-8

Tags: Spiritual Battles, Abraham, Spiritual Maturity, Trials, Problems, Temptations, Tests Of Faith, Faith, Discipleship  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Spiritual Problem—spiritual Cure

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Sep 2, 2008

Spiritual Problem--Spiritual Cure I picked up a recent book which I received from the AACC Convention called "Caring for People God's Way." The book is written by three people Tim Clinton, Archibald Hart and George Ohlschlager. The book is considered a new guide for Christian Counseling and is ...read more

Tags: Peace

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

To Exist Is To Change, To Change Is To Mature, ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 11, 2007

"To exist is to change, to change is to mature, to mature is to go on ...read more

Tags: Change

The First Sign Of Maturity Is The Discovery That ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

The first sign of maturity is the discovery that the volume knob ...read more

Tags: Television And Movies

Youth Is For Freedom And Reform, Maturity For ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

"Youth is for freedom and reform, maturity for judicious compromise, and old ...read more

Tags: Hardship Of Life

Maturity Is A Bitter Disappointment For Which ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

"Maturity is a bitter disappointment for which no remedy exists, unless laughter ...read more

Tags: Aging

Christian Maturity: It's In The Details

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 16, 2009

CHRISTIAN MATURITY: IT'S IN THE DETAILS Ted Williams, who died in 2002 was arguably the best hitter baseball has ever known. He was the last baseball player to hit better than .400 in a season. Upon his death, George Will said in his column "There is no joy in Red Sox Nation, a.k.a. New England, ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 5:14

Tags: Growth In Christ

The Movie "Drumline" Explores The Maturation ...

Contributed by David Ward on May 13, 2007

The movie "Drumline" explores the maturation process of a talented percussionist from Harlem who receives a full-ride scholarship to play in Atlanta A&T University’s marching band. As the scene opens the incoming band members are on the football field. The Atlanta A&T marching band is going ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational