SPIRITUAL MATURITY: GROWING UP IN CHRIST
INTRODUCTION
What does it take to grow up and become spiritually mature? Why do some Christians not grow as they should?
Growth is development or improvement toward a goal called "maturity" (or, in the Bible, "perfection"). When one is "born again" as a child of God, he is spiritually immature. As time passes, he should develop the qualities or abilities which the Bible says characterize the mature. A congregation matures as individual members mature. Eph. 4:14,15 - Be no longer children, but grow up in Christ. 2 Peter 3:18, 2Thess. 1:3 Phil. 1:9.
Many problems result when members fail to grow: some go back to the world, others cause strife because of ignorance or become stumbling blocks because of irregular attendance, worldliness, or indifference.
The steps each Christian should take to grow spiritually.
I. A DESIRE TO GROW
A. We Will Never Grow Unless We Want to Grow. 1 Peter 2:2 - Desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby.
Some seem to like being spiritual babies. They don't want to grow. It's easy to be a baby in the church, you don't have to teach, rebuke sin, or do work. It's a free ride! We are born again, so we can become mature Christians, actively serving the Lord. One of the conditions for becoming a child of God is REPENTANCE and bring forth the FRUITS of repentance.
B. We Must Maintain This Desire to Grow.
Some members who once wanted to grow, may lose that desire. They may start off on fire for the Lord, but lose their zeal.
They develop a spirit of indifference or negligence. Others develop a level of maturity and stagnate. They are satisfied, thinking no more growth is needed. Phil 3:12-14, Matt 26:31-35, 1Cor.10:12 When people develop a burning hunger and thirst to work for the Lord, then they will develop the other steps they need to grow.
Do you have that burning desire to accomplish more for the Lord? Have you set specific goals of work you want to
accomplish for God, improvements to make, new levels to reach?
II. NOURISHMENT
A. We Need Spiritual Food from God's Word.1 Peter 2:2, 2 Peter 3:18, Matt 4:4, Eph. 4:15; Matt. 5:6
B. To Get This Nourishment, We Must Study the Bible and Attend Church Meetings. Hebrews 5:11-14, Acts 17:11, Psalm 1:1,2, 119:47,48,95-99; Josh 1:8
How many hours did you spend studying your Bible? How many services of the church did you attend? How many did you miss that you could have attended? Which do you nourish the best: your spirit or your body? Are you feeding your mind on God's word or pleasures? Christians need regular nourishment from God's word to grow.
III. EXERCISE AND PRACTICE
Exercise and Practice Are Essential to Spiritual Growth. Heb 5:14, 1 Tim 4:7
Joshua 1:8This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, observe to do and then thou shalt have good success.
IV. TIME AND PATIENCE
By definition, growth requires TIME. It is progress and development as time passes. Several important lessons follow:
A. Don't Expect to Reach Your Goal Overnight.
Children do not become full-grown instantaneously, likewise spiritually, do not expect maturity overnight. James 1:4 Some new-born Christians want to know everything and do everything right away. They may not be willing to take the TIME to STUDY and DEVELOP ability. Yet they want to be just like the mature members - and want other members to treat them with the same respect that they do mature members - before they have taken time to grow.
B. Don't Become Discouraged by Mistakes and Rebukes.
New converts will make many mistakes and must often be told they are wrong. Some of the greatest Bible characters committed terrible errors and had to be rebuked.
* Moses made excuses when God called him to lead Israel out of bondage.
* David committed adultery with Bathsheba and was rebuked by Nathan.
* Peter denied Jesus three times.
* Paul persecuted Christians before his conversion.
* Thomas doubted Jesus' resurrection.
* All the apostles forsook Jesus when He was arrested and crucified.
Matthew 16:21-23 - Shortly after he had confessed Jesus and been highly praised (v15-18), Peter contradicted Jesus and was severely rebuked.
Yet all of these are remembered as some of God's greatest servants. Great servants are not people who live without ever sinning, but people who learn from their mistakes and go on to serve God faithfully. Judas betrayed Jesus and is remembered as a traitor. Peter denied Jesus three times and is remembered as a great apostle. What is the difference?
Judas, after betraying Jesus, hung himself. Peter, after denying Jesus, repented and went to work preaching the gospel.
CONCLUSION
It is no shame to be a baby, if you were born a few months ago. But if a person has been a child of God for several years and has not grown, he has a problem. Everyone needs to grow as a Christian, and everyone can grow, if he/she simply applies the Bible principles of growth.
