November 12, 2006
Dakota Community Church
Bye, Bye Baby!
Introduction:
Leaving spiritual infancy behind.
At some point in time each of us must make the decision to stop coming to church to be fed and to instead come prepared to feed others.
Ephesians 4:11-15
It was he [Jesus] who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.
The popular commercial encourages us to; “Never stop, with the milk.”
But as believers we need to:
1. Add meat.
Growth is optional in spiritual matters. This is not something that happens with the passing of time! “Never stop, with the spiritual growth.”
Hebrews 5: 11-14
In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.
Think about the stages of life.
(a.) Newborn
They are totally helpless, - They are cute, - They can say and do anything, - Every need is looked after (Instant Prayer answers).
(b.) Infant or childhood.
They start to learn the basics, - They feed themselves with help, - They potty train (Clean own messes), - Tie shoes and other basic necessities. Still at risk if unwatched.
(c.) The teen years.
They gradually become responsible for themselves, - They get a job, find a purpose, - They begin to earn authority like driving the car; they start to make small contributions to the family, pay board.
(d.) Adulthood.
They take on responsibility for others, - they reproduce.
In this stage you cannot expect to be treated like you were in the younger stages.
My Dad no longer gets excited when I tie my shoes, it is just expected behavior.
Have you noticed that no one gets excited when you attend Church regularly, if you miss a service there is no great concern – You are an adult Christian – it is like tying your shoes, just expected behavior.
2. Eliminate the middle man.
Who is primarily responsible for feeding you spiritually?
If there is someone between you and God, that guy has got to go.
You need to learn to load your own gun!
Are you planting a garden of your own?
People fail to progress in their walks with God when they depend on sources other than Him for their fulfillment in life.
A husband or wife can not satisfy all your needs.
A pastor cannot hear from God for you.
A ministry job cannot do it.
Children and family activity cannot do it.
A new house, car, furniture boat, cottage or vacation cannot do it.
Only God can do it.
Quote:
He who has God and many other things has no more than he who has God alone. - C.S. Lewis
John 4: 31-34
Meanwhile his disciples urged him, “Rabbi, eat something.”
But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.”
Then his disciples said to each other, “Could someone have brought him food?”
“My food,” said Jesus “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.
Jesus’ joy came from doing the will of God and so will yours. How did He know that will?
He walked in relationship – only doing and saying what the Father did and said.
John 5: 16-21
So, because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jews persecuted him. Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working.” For this reason the Jews tried all the harder to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.
Jesus gave them this answer: “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, to your amazement he will show him even greater things than these. For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it.
3. Accept responsibility for your passion.
Why do Christians stop growing? Why would anyone want to stay an infant?
- It is easy, there is no pressure, there are no expectations placed on you.
- Everything is someone else’s problem.
The problem is you were created for more. To remain in this state is to fall short of your destiny.
What causes you to fall into the lukewarm wasteland of mediocrity?
Is it apathy? Is it habitual sin?
Do not mistake God’s merciful space for repentance, as permission to continue in sin.
I am talking about stirring yourself up!
Moving on to leadership or to maturity means becoming passionate.
Jesus was a man of passion and so must we be.
2Timothy 1: 6-7
For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self discipline.
Luke 12: 49-51
“I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed! Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division.
Jesus was a man on fire, He was distressed over bringing the shake up He was about to accomplish.
People who lack passion do not accomplish great things.
My professional hockey career ended before it began because I lacked the passion, I did not have the killer instinct.
People want to put their lives into a mission that matters!
Acts 7: 51-60
“You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit! Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him– you who have received the law that was put into effect through angels but have not obeyed it.”
When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”
At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.
While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.
Where is Jesus right now? - Seated at the right hand of God.
Stephen passionately poured out his life and that brought Jesus to His feet!
How about you?
