Sermons on Maturity:

Donut Theology / Be Teleios

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Feb 18, 2011

In Greek, the word translated "perfect" in Matthew is "teleios". " If something accomplishes what it is designed to do, it is said to be perfect that is "teleios" So "telios" is often translated as "mature". "Teleios" has the idea of "being complete."

Jesus proclaims In the Gospel Lesson today: "Be perfect, therefore, as your Heavenly Father is perfect." Be Perfect! Let us consider two other passages that speak to this calling, a calling to be perfect: From Genesis Gen. 6:9 "Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:5-8, Colossians 1:21-22, Hebrews 5:12-14, Leviticus 19:1-18, Matthew 5:38-48  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

How The Holy Spirit Helps Us Minister To People Of Different Ministry Maturity Levels

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

1. The Holy Spirit gives us the wisdom to know how to minister to people according to their ministry maturity level.

1. The Holy Spirit gives us the wisdom to know how to minister to people according to their ministry maturity level. The writer of Hebrews wrote, "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 ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:3-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What's So Great About Temptation? Series

Contributed by Andy Atkins on Jan 10, 2001

Without temptations and trials, Christians will never become mature followers of Christ.

What’s So Great About Temptation? James 1:1-18 Baby Boomers are coasting into the golden years in record numbers nowadays, bringing with them the trappings of a somewhat new phenomenon: Peter Pan Syndrome. While the surface indicators may not take the rest of us by surprise, the facts are clear ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

Disciples Who Become Leaders

Contributed by J. Yeargin on May 29, 2003

Becoming a leader is not a personal preference, but a natural part of the growth and maturity of the church.

DISCIPLES WHO BECOME LEADERS Text: I Peter 5:1 thru 7 This morning we spoke of Peter and just one of the mistakes he made as a disciple. With all of his mistakes, he still had a tremendous impact on other believers throughout history. Can we ever forget his opportunity to be restored in John ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:1-7, 1 Timothy 3:2-7

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Steps Upward

Contributed by Kent Lenard on Oct 25, 2004

This sermon encourages Christians to mature in their faith and experience more of God in their lives.

Steps Upward Philippians 3:15 - 16, 8-9, 13-14, Philippians 2:5 - 7, Phil 3:10, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 June 30, 2004 I. So far in Philippians 3 we have heard Paul say that we are to Rejoice in the Lord, and that we are not to put any confidence in our own abilities, but that we are to trust in ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:15-16

Denomination: Baptist

The Essence Of His Presence

Contributed by Et Tapper on Aug 10, 2005

To live our lives in the presence of the Lord is sure sign of Christian maturity.

THE ESSENCE OF HIS PRESENCE INTRODUCTION: PS 16:11 – READ LUKEWARM – I STILL BELIEVE IN YOU BUT I AM JUST NOT EXCITED ABOUT YOU. WE CAN STAND BEFORE GOD AND NOT BE IN HIS PRESENCE. PS 103:3 – READ CHRISTIAN MATURITY – WHEN WE GET TO THE POINT OF HUNGERING AND THIRSTING AFTER ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 33:7-23

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Four Dimensions Of Christianity

Contributed by Larry Moore on Dec 31, 2004

A Lesson about the four steps a believer must take to mature in Christ.

The Four Dimensions of Christianity Text: James 1:22-24 22 But be ye doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 for he behold himself, and goeth his way, ...read more

Scripture: James 1:22-24

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Stuck In The First Grade

Contributed by James May on Jun 6, 2004

It’s time to grow and mature in Christ and not get stuck on the basics.

STUCK IN FIRST GRADE By Pastor Jim May We have recently seen some of your youth step out into the world and begin to build their way into the life of adulthood. For at least 12 long years they have gone to school day after day, and spent hours upon hours, hearing the same things being taught to ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 28:9-18

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Formative Fellowship Series

Contributed by Mike Wilkins on Mar 4, 2002

God uses the fellowship of other christians to form us into mature Christians

Habits that Lead to Christian Maturity Lent 2002 Formative Fellowship Acts 2 The need for Maturity: In Romania, after communism fell, we in the west became aware of the many orphans there who were basically warehoused in huge orphanages. They were vastly understaffed. So the babies, while they ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:42-46, 1 John 1:3-7

Denomination: *other

How To Handle Problems Series

Contributed by Daniel Villa on Jul 21, 2002

A biblical response to problems enables the follower of Christ to grow into Christian maturity.

How to Handle Problems James 1:1-18; 5:7-12 “HOW TO” SERIES IN JAMES #1 Truth: The Christian life-view stands countercultural. Problems move us to God who gives us His grace to benefit from our faith-trials. We develop the perseverance and patience, the faith-life, the quality of life that comes ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-18

Denomination: Church Of God

"Intentional Faith Development"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Jul 11, 2007

As followers of Jesus Christ, we mature in faith by learning together in community.

Galatians 5:16-26 Matthew 13:31-33 “Intentional Faith Development” My freshman year of college, I made the decision to give my life to Jesus Christ. I remember the moment so well. I was walking down the sidewalk in the evening and in my mind and heart I was wrestling with God. I knew, that ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:16-26

Denomination: United Methodist

God's Plan For A Healthy Church Series

Contributed by Dale Johnsen on Aug 22, 2002

God uses the local church to grow baby Christians into mature Christians.

God has designed His church to function like a loving family that you can invite people into. Church is not a place to issue edicts; church is a place to nurture growth. Church is a place for shepherds, not generals. Church is a place that exists for the purpose of helping people grow and mature ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-16

Denomination: Baptist

Holiness And The Tongue Series

Contributed by Kerry Bauman on Feb 23, 2006

James tells us the mature person is able to bridle his tongue.

Holiness and the Tongue Text: James 3:1-12 Introduction: In 1994, a tabloid that you can purchase while standing in line at any local grocery store ran the headline "Killer Bug Ate My Face." Although the reporting was intentionally sensational, the story was based on seven real cases of invasive ...read more

Scripture: James 3:1-12

Denomination: Independent/Bible

God's Plan For Your Life Series

Contributed by Jonathan Mcleod on Sep 26, 2006

God’s plan for your life is that you grow to spiritual maturity.

The United States women’s softball team won the gold medal in Atlanta’s 1996 Olympic Games. They lost only one game. In the fifth inning against Australia, Danielle Tyler hit a home run over the centerfield fence. When she was greeted by a swarm of teammates at home plate, the excitement ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Body By Jesus

Contributed by David Ward on May 13, 2007

BIG IDEA: We need the body of Christ in order to mature in Christ

INTRODUCTION: "White Line Syndrome" is a phenomenon I first encountered when playing basketball in a kid’s league years ago. How it works is, late in the game our coach would call a time-out, and instruct us in what we were to do once play resumed. I remember how clear his instructions sounded in ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-16

Denomination: Baptist