Enjoying The Maturing Process

What mother ever gives birth to a child with the goal for the child to remain a baby, never to grow into maturity? What mother would ever delight in seeing her child go immediately from infancy to heaven? On this day, my heart is heavy when I think about the children who never get to enjoy their childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. There is one such baby that is embedded deeply in my sensory memory is the story of a baby whose life ended prematurely.

One of the saddest days of my life was April 10, 1999, while standing at the pulpit of the First Baptist Church, Eufaula, OK, looking at the tiny casket containing the body of Micah Reynolds. Days before this memorial service I was called out of our Wednesday evening Bible study; the Administrator of the hospital asked me to come to the hospital. Micah’s parents had found her floating in a pond behind the home. The memory of Micah’s parents, Doug and Kellie s will forever be etched in my mind. The best we could do was to allow Jesus to minister to them as their grief dimmed all hope of a happy future. Betty Ball played “Jesus Loves the Little Children,” “Tears in Heaven” and “Jesus Loves Me;” music that allowed the love of Jesus to sooth painful hearts. The smile I saw on Kellie’s face while Betty played the children’s songs was a sign of hope. I remembered Micah and her family each time I saw the ornamental pear tree planted in Posey Park in her memory. Micah never got to become the woman God intended her to become. Doug and Kellie would never see their baby grow into adulthood—her life came to an end after 18 months.

Parents want to see their children grow up and become mature adults, able to survive and thrive in society. I believe that a parent’s greatest desire is to know that their children are doing well, mature and prepared for all that life will bring.

In I John 2:12-14 John uses three terms:

• Children

• Young men

• Fathers

In fact, throughout the book he uses relational phrases that come from the image of a family. Yes, he sees the church as a close-knit family; however, his use of these terms is related to maturity levels of believers.

12 I write to you, dear children,

because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.

13 I write to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, dear children, pa?d???, ??, t? paidion {pahee-dee'-on} because you have known the Father.

14 I write to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one. 1 John 2:12ff

Early in my Christian life and ministry, I believed the central goal of the Christian message was proclaiming a way to get to heaven. That is important; however, I do not believe that is the single message. Instead of keeping our face pasted to the window looking for Jesus to return, the Bible puts major emphasis on growing up as Christian men and women who are spiritually mature. John reminds us of the corporate and personal dimension of the call to the Christian experience. Believers need to be a part of a church–a unified functioning body.

All believers were one in heart and mind. Acts 4:32 Acts 4:32

Yet, Christianity is also intensely personal. There is a corporate and personal dimension of growing in Christ; this process is ordained of God.

From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Ephesians 4:16

THERE ARE THREE KINDS OF PEOPLE THAT ARE NECESSARY FOR MAINTAINING THE HEALTH OF THE CHURCH:

I. NEWCOMERS: THEY KEEP ALIVE THE SENSE OF WONDER AND AMAZEMENT OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH

The first stage of the Christian experience begins with the new birth. Just as a mother gives birth to a child for the child to enter the world, so must a person be born again to enter the family of God.

I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. John 3:3

Shoal Creek Community Church posted the following on their website. You may have heard someone talk about salvation, but is it a place? destination? change of heart? - or what? Many people speak of "being saved." But what does that mean? Watch the video and learn what it means to be saved and what salvation is.