SIGNS OF SPIRITUAL MATURITY

SIGNS OF SPIRITUAL MATURITY!

1 Cor 13:11

11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

           The Greek word for “childish” here is nepios which indicates a simple minded person. It seems a bit proud to even begin a discussion on the topic of spiritual maturity because it implies that I think myself to be spiritually mature and indicates a sneering pride. I hope that is not what you are thinking.

           I have observed in many professing believers a childishness that is almost shocking. Children are, at the outset, demanding and self focused. If they are hungry, wet or in need of a change, they cry until someone notices them and begins an investigation into whatever it is that is bothering them. Their comfort and satisfaction are always of primary importance.

           Children are irresponsible and can’t be counted on to perform beyond basic duties. They like to play and will turn any task into a game even if it destroys productivity in the process. They become bored easily and require stimulation and entertainment to keep them from abandoning a project. If it is not fun they are not interested.

           But we have to move a couple of verses down to verse 13 if we are to understand what Paul is trying to communicate. In a long list of spiritual gifts, some of which are still very controversial, Paul focuses on only three which endure. Faith, hope, and charity or love continues to grow to maturity and will never become outdated.

           Immature believers find it hard to recognize maturity while mature believers have no trouble identifying spiritual childishness. It is hard to make it sound like anything but pride to those who are immature.

Heb 5:11-14

11 (Jesus) Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.

12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.

14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Dear Lord, show me my own childishness that I might abandon those things. Help me to learn responsibility, integrity, and honor. Help me to grow up. AMEN

THE CHURCH

THE CHURCH!

1 Tim 3:14-15

14 These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly:

15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

           Because church leaders have been a bit wishy-washy in describing the church, our culture is understandably ignorant of what the church actually should be. We have formed their expectations of the church by inadequate teaching and now we are frustrated that the church has taken on misshaped and monstrous proportions.

           The church is comprised of those who are “born again” and not just those who are “seeking” something. We are, of course, glad for the seekers, as the random attendees are called, because we will help them to find what they are not looking for. Saved people comprise the church! Their names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life (Revelation 21:27). Do expect the church to be different from the unsaved world!

           The church is comprised of “disciples” or learners. They study (2 Timothy 2:15) and strive to become increasingly more like their Master, Jesus. Do not expect to be happy in a church if you are not willing to have your opinions and morals challenged by the teachings of the Bible. If transformation and new life is not what you are seeking then you may be disappointed when you find a real church.

           The church has one mission and that is to win the lost and make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20). The church does not exist to entertain and amuse you. You will be confronted with a way of life different from that of most of the world. Expect it to be different – almost weird. Expect the church to be mocked and laughed at. Expect the world to think it to be out of sync with the times.

           Never evaluate a church by the comfort of the pews and the strength of the coffee.

Dear Lord, You are the head of the church. We are the feet and hands. Help us to know our business and do our work vigorously. AMEN

YOUR FOCUS REVEALS YOUR HEART

YOUR FOCUS REVEALS YOUR HEART!

Luke 18:9-14

9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:

10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.

11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

           Do you see the difference between the Pharisee and the publican? The Pharisee was focused on himself. Actually two views are offered to explain the phrase “stood and prayed thus with himself.” One says that he stood aloof from the despised tax collector. This would have been the characteristic stance of all Pharisees as they thought themselves to be more holy than others. Another view is that the Pharisee stood and rehearsed the good deeds he had done which he supposed would win him favor with God. Five times he begins with the letter “I” in reminding God that he was worthy of being blessed.

           The Publican [one employed in collecting taxes and therefore hated] would not even lift up his eyes. Wycliffe says: “The Pharisee stood in the center of the temple area, where he would be noticed; the publican crept into a corner crying ‘God be merciful to me, the sinner.’ ” The Pharisee reached into his pocket to find good works which would impress a God who he thought required them. The Publican reached into an empty pocket and asked for mercy by virtue of God’s grace.

           Jesus Himself pronounced the result when he said “I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” How sinister is the pride that stands while the humble and broken stoop. How vile is the pride that dares to look God in the face and demand blessings based upon a list of works. How charming and polite is the one who fears even the presence of God but pleads for mercy. How blind is pride?

Dear Savior, I know that today I am not worthy of the least of Thy mercies but I plead with you on the merits of Thy own Cross. AMEN

THE PRAYER LIST

THE PRAYER LIST!

Luke 11:1

11 And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.

           I wonder if it was uncomfortable to be “watched” while praying. Try to imagine the scene as Jesus was surrounded by His disciples who stood or sat quietly while Jesus prayed. There must have been a great difference between the manner in which Jesus prayed and the kind of praying that the disciples were familiar with. It must have been challenging to them and probably a bit embarrassing – but it was attractive and appealing as well. It was something that they wanted to be able to do.

           Jesus taught them structure in prayer. He begins by saying: “When ye pray say …” I rather doubt that Jesus had what we would call a prayer list written on paper. It is certainly not wrong to have one but it is, in my thinking, limiting. While it focuses my thoughts it also limits my thoughts. My mind does not wander but neither can I pray spontaneously. I like to pray for the deepest burdens of my heart without a list.

           Jesus also suggested persistence and patience in prayer in verse 5. A neighbor comes at midnight to borrow food for unexpected and late arriving company. It is late and the kids are all in bed but because the neighbor keeps knocking and asking, the sleepy man rises to fill a sack with provisions. So Jesus suggests that we make a pest of ourselves in prayer.

           Jesus reminds us of our relationship in prayer in verses 11 and 12. It would be foolish to think that a father would give a stone to a child asking for bread. No, a loving father would eagerly grant the wishes of one of his children. We should always pray remembering that we are His children and that he loves us.

Luke 11:13

13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

Dear Lord, teach me to pray. Help me to be patient and persistent in prayer and never let me forget that you love me and want your best for me. AMEN

HE IS GRACIOUS

HE IS GRACIOUS!

1 Peter 2:1-3

1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,

2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

           Merriam-Webster defines our English word “gracious” as “marked by kindness and courtesy.” It’s what makes a brute a gentleman. In our text this morning, the word is the Greek word chrestos and it roughly means “useful, better, easy, good and kind.” According to one source, some manuscripts use the word Christos making the text read “the Lord is Christ.” Perhaps the Lord Himself should be the definition of the word gracious since He is the embodiment of all that is useful, easy, good and kind. Peter goes on to suggest that we mimic the gracious nature of the Lord in our relationship with other believers.

1 Peter 1:22

22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:

           Are you gracious? Do you act in kindness when it is not convenient? Allowing yourself to be inconvenienced is the essence of the nature of the Good Samaritan. It is the product of brotherly love. It is what is meant by loving your neighbor as yourself. Remember the kindness and grace that Jesus has extended to you and then apply that to your dealings with others. Be gracious.

Dear Lord, help me to be gracious today. Help me to be useful, kind and good. AMEN