Spiritually Mature

For example:

• If we read that one POLITICIAN is corrupt, it is easy for us to assume that all politicians are corrupt

• If we read that one DOCTOR is corrupt, it is easy for us to assume that all doctors are corrupt

• If we read that one CAR DEALER is corrupt, it is easy for us to assume that all car dealers are corrupt

• If we hear that ONE CHRISTIAN is corrupt, it is easy for us to assume that all of God’s church is corrupt

But that is not a good assumption in all these professions, and it certainly is not true concerning the Christian Church!

WHAT IS TRUE CONCERNING THE CHRISTIANS CHURCH? The truth is, you will find two different groups of people in the church.

• In God’s church you will find some of the most DECENT, RESPECTABLE, AND HONORABLE people on this earth

• Also, truth compels us to admit that you will find some of THE MEANEST, BACK-STABBING, GOSSIPING, people on this earth

It is these IMMATURE CHRISTIANS that give the work of God a bad name.

Illus: Let’s assume a church had a hundred members, and ninety-nine of that one hundred were dedicated, mature Christians. One of the hundred was an immature Christian and their life reflected it. But suppose a newcomer moves to town, and the one person he meets is this one immature Christian. It only takes him a few minutes to find out what kind of immature Christian this person is. But this newcomer attends church on Sunday morning, and he notices this man attends church. It would be easy for him to assume that everyone in the church is just like this individual.

Often, someone will come in contact with these people that misrepresent Christ through IMMATURITY, and they will assume that everyone in the church is like this individual that professes to be a Christian. What they fail to realize is that in the church there are two kinds of people.

There are the SPIRITUALLY MATURE and the SPIRITUALLY IMMATURE!

Paul recognized there are two kinds of people in the church. Look at Galatians 6:1, we read, “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.”

Notice, Paul is telling the Galatian Christians that someone in the church needs to assist the weaker Christians who have been overtaken with a fault.

But as he states that this needs to be done, he also makes a point to tell us who is to do it. As he looks over this congregation to seek out certain Christians to assist the weaker Christians, he says those who are to do this are those, “WHICH ARE SPIRITUAL”.

In other words, Paul is recognizing that there are two kinds of Christians within the church: SPIRITUAL and UN-SPIRITUAL. He is insinuating that the spiritually immature cannot help the weaker Christians because they are in need of assistance themselves.

WHAT DO WE MEAN WHEN WE SAY SOMEONE IS SPIRITUAL?

Before you can understand SPIRITUAL MATURITY, you have to understand that what is true in the PHYSICAL LIFE is also true in the SPIRITUAL LIFE. Every one who grows old does not necessarily grow up! We know people who physically have been able to reach the height of an adult in size, but have not grown EMOTIONALLY, MENTALLY, or SPIRITUALLY.

• Much of the trouble we read about in the newspapers is due to this lack of maturity

• Much of the trouble we hear about in the churches is due to this lack of maturity

Illus: It used to be when a person was around 19 to 21 years of age, they began to think and act like an adult. That is different for many today. Some do not begin to mature as an adult until they are around 40 or 50 years of age, and some never do!

WE KNOW A GREAT DEAL ABOUT PHYSICAL MATURITY, we are confronted with it all the time.

Illus: We often hear people say of others, “Why don’t they grow up!”

Paul wanted the Colossian Christians to grow up. Let’s look at a few things he talked to them about regarding being SPIRITUALLY MATURE.

Look at Colossians 2:6-7, we read, “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.”

These verses show us how we can become SPIRITUALLY MATURE CHRISTIANS.

I. LOOK AT OUR SPIRITUAL BIRTH

Notice, Paul said in verse 6, “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him.”

HOW DID WE RECEIVE CHRIST? We received Him by faith.