Do Away with Childish Things
May 6, 2018 Morning Service
Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK
Rick Boyne
Message Point: We must grow in our relationship with God.
Focus Passage: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13
Supplemental Passage: And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2 NASB)
Introduction: When I was a little boy, I had a whole set of Tonka Toy cars, trucks, dump trucks, tractors, and even an excavator! It seems like we always had a pile of dirt to play in, or at the very least our gravel driveway. I could play with them in the mud; I could play with them in the garage; I could play with them all day every day. One day, when I was about 12, I realized I hadn’t played with my Tonka Toys for a few years. I couldn’t believe that I had let my beloved toys nearly waste away in my toy chest. I got them all out of the big trunk in the garage and took them to the place that I had always played with them. I got down on the ground and tried my best to play with them. I realized that they just wasn’t as fun as they had been a few years ago. I even felt self-conscious about laying out in the yard playing with toys. I picked them up and put them back in the big trunk. And they stayed there until a few years ago when my mother told me to come and get them, or she’d get rid of them. They are now in a box in my attic anxiously awaiting the day I can present them to my grandson. Did the toys change? No. I did.
I. Speaking
a. Like a child
i. Insult, cut people down
ii. Gossip
iii. Tells lies
iv. Tells dirty jokes
b. Like an adult
i. Build people up
1. Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. (Ephesians 4:29 NASB)
ii. Pray
iii. Tells truth
iv. Speaks life
1. and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. (Ephesians 5:4 NASB)
II. Thinking (and behavior)
a. Like a child
i. Get Even
b. Like an adult
i. Forgive
ii. Turn the other cheek
iii. "You have heard that it was said, 'AN EYE FOR AN EYE, AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH.' "But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. (Matthew 5:38-39 NASB)
III. Reasoning
a. Like a child
i. Selfishness
ii. Blame others
b. Like an adult
i. Put others before self
ii. Take responsibility
Application/Invitation: Are you ready to put away your childish things and grow up? Are you ready to be conformed to Chirst?
"Fat Baby" by Steve Millikan & Rodney S. Robison
I know a man Maybe you know him, too
You never can tell He might even be you
He knelt at the altar And that was the end
He's saved and that's all That matters to him
His spiritual tummy It can't take too much
One day a week He gets his spiritual lunch
On Sunday he puts on His spiritual best
And gives his language A spiritual rest
[Chorus:]
(He's just a fat)
He's just a fat little baby
He wants his bottle
And he don't mean maybe
He's sampled solid food
Once or twice
But he says doctrine
Leaves him cold as ice
He's been baptized, sanctified Redeemed by the blood
But his daily devotions Are stuck in the mud
He knows the books of the Bible And John 3:16
He's got the biggest King James You've ever seen
I've always wondered
If he'll grow up someday
He's momma's boy
And he likes it that way
If you happen to see him
Tell him I said
He'll never grow If he never gets fed
