Manhood Series

Title: Growing Up Spiritually - (Pt. 3)

Manhood

Text: 1 Corinthians 13:11 - When I was a child, I used to speak as a child, think as a child, reason as a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things.

By: Pastor Rick MacDonald

Date: February 2, 1992

Introduction:

The apostle Paul tells us part of the process he endured in Growing Up Spiritually. He said when he was a child, he spoke, thought and reasoned as a child; but when he became a man, he put away childish things. The last two weeks as we’ve examined growing up spiritually, we’ve addressed those things which attribute to spiritual babyhood and childhood. They are Innocence, Ignorance and Irritability for babyhood, and being Irresponsible, Inquisitive and Incessant in childhood. In spiritual manhood, we are to put these things behind us and press on toward those things which relate to being responsible adults in Christ Jesus.

I. P E R S O N A L P R E F E R E N C E S

Hebrews 11:24-26 - By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; (25) choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God, than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin; (26) considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward.

A. Fruitfulness: Too often we measure fruitfulness by what we have, instead of by what God will provide.

1. Moses gave up everything he had as the grandson to the Pharaoh.

2. He saw a difference between the people of God, and the people of the world. (Egypt is a type of the world).

3. One aspect of growing up is to esteem the things of the world lightly. God will make us fruitful (prosperous) if we are obedient to his ways.

3 John 2 - Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.

* God will make you fruitful in all areas of your life:

1. Prosper: Material needs

2. Health: Physical needs

3. Soul: Spiritual needs

Psalm 1:1-3 - How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! (2) But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. (3) And he will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season, And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers.

* God wants to meet every one of our needs. It is our perspective to needs, however, that determines how fruitful we really become.

1. Esteem earthly things lightly - Just as Moses did.

2. Esteem the things of God highly - Just as Moses did.

B. Faithfulness: One of the greatest possessions we have is one another. To reflect the passing from childhood to manhood, our relationship with one another becomes a very visible, necessary yard marker.

Hebrews 10:25 - not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near.

* One of the major areas in our life which keep us away from "our own assembling together", is that we esteem others things higher than each other.

1. We need to esteem our preferences lightly, and the things of God, which include our gathering together, higher than anything else.

2. We need to hold on to our training as children, and apply it in manhood.

Proverbs 22:6 - Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it.

II. P E R S O N A L P R A I S E

1 Corinthians 4:3-4 - But to me it is a very small thing that I should be examined by you, or by any human court; in fact, I do not even examine myself. (4) For I am conscious of nothing against myself, yet I am not by this acquitted; but the one who examines me is the Lord.

A. Dignity: Paul had grown to the place where personal praise was of no value to him.

1. He was in complete accountability to the God. He wasn’t interested in people patting Him on the back. Everything he did was for God and God alone.

Example: Thank you / praise from recent endeavor.

* The Lord spoke to me and asked me why it was so important. What was my motivation for doing what I did?

* In that situation I lacked the spiritual dignity that Paul possessed.