Spiritual Maturity (Adapted from Dr. Roger Barrier's article, "The Greatest Tragedy in the Christian Church")
As promised from last week, here are the categories of people on their Spiritual walk. Notice these are only characteristics, however, they should help determine where you stand. Also note this: this is the 'sermon notes' that I preached from yesterday. There were way too many notes to put in the bulletin, so what follows from here is going to be very 'incoherent' and could possibly be 'hard to read', simply because they are my notes to remind myself of the subjects I was going to talk on. To listen to the audio sermon, please go to this is my YouTube Channel where I post all of my audio sermons. The characteristics are found in these 'sermon notes.'
The following sermon that I am about to preach is adapted from Dr. Roger Barrier’s article, “The Greatest Tragedy in the Christian Church”. It has been modified a bit by me, but most of the credit goes to Dr. Barrier.
Without looking at the Sermon Notes, I want to take a poll. How many think they are spiritual children? How about spiritual young men & women? How about spiritual mothers & fathers? My guess is that by the time this sermon is over, you’ll change your mind.
Dear Roger, I believe in God. I believe Jesus as my savior and that he sacrificed himself for our sins. When I go to church, though, I find many people to be hypocritical. I know I'm not perfect and neither are they, but as a teenager (16) what can I do to show people I take this seriously? I pray and I'm starting to read the Bible for myself, but sometimes I find myself secluded from everyone. Like I'm different and even my friends, but I don't want to be alone. Sincerely, Andrea
Andrea’s position is, unfortunately, a common one in American churches. Not just with young people, but with believers all across the age board. Maturing believers stuck in churches filled with spiritual children. Hypocrisy is a major factor in spiritual children.
On the spiritual journey, we need to surround ourselves with those ‘younger’ than us ‘the same age’ as us and ‘older’ than us.
A.W. Tozer wrote: “Every man or woman is just as spiritual as he or she wants to be.” This is so true. In spiritual growth, we can be our own worst enemy.
Let’s take a look at why and what the marks are for maturity.
Our spiritual journey’s are all different. We are all at different places…it is God’s intention that we mature from milk to meat…in other words, from infants to mature Christians. When we choose not to mature, this grieves Him.
Last week we looked at a Scripture from Hebrews…I want to revisit it again. Hebrews 5:11-14.
To verify Dr. Barrier, I looked into the Greek language…the words “slow to learn” in Greek literally mean ‘lazy’. Literally spoken it says “lazy to become able to hear”. Yikes. That’s not good. It means that the writer of Hebrews was telling his audience they were stuck in their progression of maturity…even so, they perhaps are even going backwards. This is the case with Christians in our churches today.
Throughout the NT, various writers talk about this.
Peter in 1 Peter 2:2 is begging them to desire growth, not to crave spiritual milk forever. We are intended to move to more solid foods, growing us in our salvation. Being able to chew on the real meaty subjects enables us to further know God and grow in our relationship with Him.
Paul in 1 Corinthians 3:1-2 tells them that he fed them milk because they couldn’t handle the meatier subjects of God…and yet, they still weren’t ready. If we don’t grow in the Lord, we will not only miss out on blessings, but very well could grow hardened to God’s messages.
Baby Christians, who choose to remain babies, do so for many reasons.
• Some drop out early because they can’t handle the persecution that comes with following Christ.
• Others drop out early because earthly distractions are so alluring.
• Some babies aren’t lazy at work or at home or with their hobbies; but they are lazy and inattentive to spiritual things. The Bible is to be studied and learned diligently. The spiritual life is to be cultivated and lived with endurance and consistency.
• Some are proud — so full of themselves that they rarely seek the Father’s guidance.
• Others imagine that whatever they don’t already know and experience is not really necessary.”
• But, far and away, the reason most spiritual children fail to mature is because the cost is too high.
Luke 9:23 and in other places as well, Christ tells us to take up our cross and follow Christ. Christ died on it…we must die to ourselves too. People who don’t want to are spiritual children, selfish for themselves.
Have you ever seen a toddler? The old saying goes: whatever is mine is mine, whatever is yours is mine, what I see is mine, what hear is mine, whatever I want is mine….they’re selfish…because they haven’t learned to grow up and share with others.
In Matthew 13:18-23 is the parable of the sower explanation. Some have no roots and aren’t around very long spiritually. Others are choked out by the worldly things…but some, go on to produce fruit multiple times what was given them. Francis Chan in “Crazy Love” says, “Don’t assume you are good soil.” Going to church has no bearing on your maturity. I know people who’ve been in church 50 years and are still spiritual children. They refuse to grow up…they have heard it, but either have no root, or have been choked off by the world, yet they continue to go through the motions.
Our main Scripture for today is 1 John 2:12-14. Here are the different categories:
Spiritual Children
• Spiritual children experience God as little more than an acquaintance or at most a casual friend. Full intimacy will come later.
• Spiritual children know that their sins are forgiven and that God is their father.
• Spiritual children are refocusing their eyes from Earth to Heaven.
• Spiritual Children often show signs of immaturity -- like hypocrisy.
• All spiritual children are dependent on others for their care and feeding.
• Spiritual children are still learning how to apply the Bible to their lives.
• Spiritual children struggle with commitment. (A hush descends on my classroom whenever we discuss tithing and giving generously to the Lord. Many of the students are thinking rather highly of their spiritual progress until I point out that little givers are, by definition, mired in spiritual childhood. This is a big sticking point for my students. At this point their self-evaluated spiritual level tends to plummet.)
• Spiritual children struggle with knowing and understanding Biblical beliefs and doctrines.
• Spiritual children tend to be fearful and insecure. (Fear and insecurity usually spring from a lack of faith. For example, spiritual children wonder, “Can I afford to give? I’m afraid that if I tithe, I might not have enough left over to take care of my needs.”)
Spiritual Young Men and Women
• Spiritual young men and women are exercising their spiritual muscles by constantly utilizing the spiritual disciplines.
• The “Word of God” lives in spiritual young men and women. (In John’s writings, the term “Word of God” consistently refers to the Person of Jesus Christ. Of course, the term Word of God also refers to the Bible. Spiritual young men and women are becoming very close friends with the Bible as well as with the Word of God Himself, Jesus Christ.)
• Spiritual young men and women have overcome the Evil One. (This is another stand out revealer of one's level of spiritual maturity. They know how to fight Satan on his terms and win.)
• One demonstration that men and women are growing toward maturity is an “others-centered” mentality.
• Spiritual young men and women develop a generous heart that motivates them to excel in the grace of giving.
• Spiritual young men and women know the truth of who we are in Christ.
• Just as spiritual children show signs of immaturity, so do spiritual adolescents. The fact that they are not yet spiritual mothers and fathers often manifests as pride.
Spiritual Mothers and Fathers
• Spiritual mothers and fathers experience the depths of an infinite relationship with God the Father Himself. Twice John repeats: “You have known Him who is from the beginning” (1 John 2:13, 14).
• Spiritual mothers and fathers manifest the fruit of the Spirit.
• Spiritual mothers and fathers are clothed with humility and grace. They remind others of what Jesus is like.
• Spiritual mothers and fathers are more likely to live above difficult circumstances. They live the victorious Christian life.
• Spiritual parents partner with Jesus in the care and nurturing of others.
• Spiritual mothers and fathers guide lost sheep into the kingdom of God. This is the essence of evangelism.
• Spiritual mothers and fathers view life and experiences from God’s perspective on the resurrection side of the Cross.
• Spiritual mothers and fathers refuse to be dogmatic because of their growing understanding of the infiniteness of God.
• Spiritual mothers and fathers weep with Jesus when He's in pain.
• Spiritual parents sense Christ’s pain and compassionately minister to Him as well as to others.
• Spiritual mothers and fathers long ago waded through the questions, struggles, doubts, self-reliance, self-centeredness, and self-condemnation that cause so many to stumble or turn back from the journey.
• Mothers and fathers long to experience the resurrected life of Christ at any price.
This is not something that will be accomplished overnight, in 5 years or even 15. This is something that takes a lifetime to do and learn. It will take a lot of pain, time and ‘wholehearted devotion’…and nothing less. It is not for the weak or faint of heart…but as time passes, you will grow to depths unimaginable in your walk and relationship with Jesus Christ. After constantly maturing for 25 years, you can’t help but want to become more like Him.
These are merely characteristics of spiritual maturity. The characteristics can be helpful in knowing where you are at and what is coming ahead of you as you walk with Christ.
THIS WEEK’S BIG IDEA:
Do not refuse to grow up and mature in your spirituality…do not simply go through the motions of religion…do not go through life wondering what if I gave everything? Spiritual maturity is a lifelong process; choose to move forward, not backward.
The following sermon that I am about to preach is adapted from Dr. Roger Barrier’s article, “The Greatest Tragedy in the Christian Church”. It has been modified a bit by me, but most of the credit goes to Dr. Barrier.
Without looking at the Sermon Notes, I want to take a poll. How many think they are spiritual children? How about spiritual young men & women? How about spiritual mothers & fathers? My guess is that by the time this sermon is over, you’ll change your mind.
Dear Roger, I believe in God. I believe Jesus as my savior and that he sacrificed himself for our sins. When I go to church, though, I find many people to be hypocritical. I know I'm not perfect and neither are they, but as a teenager (16) what can I do to show people I take this seriously? I pray and I'm starting to read the Bible for myself, but sometimes I find myself secluded from everyone. Like I'm different and even my friends, but I don't want to be alone. Sincerely, Andrea
Andrea’s position is, unfortunately, a common one in American churches. Not just with young people, but with believers all across the age board. Maturing believers stuck in churches filled with spiritual children. Hypocrisy is a major factor in spiritual children.
On the spiritual journey, we need to surround ourselves with those ‘younger’ than us ‘the same age’ as us and ‘older’ than us.
A.W. Tozer wrote: “Every man or woman is just as spiritual as he or she wants to be.” This is so true. In spiritual growth, we can be our own worst enemy.
Let’s take a look at why and what the marks are for maturity.
Our spiritual journey’s are all different. We are all at different places…it is God’s intention that we mature from milk to meat…in other words, from infants to mature Christians. When we choose not to mature, this grieves Him.
Last week we looked at a Scripture from Hebrews…I want to revisit it again. Hebrews 5:11-14.
To verify Dr. Barrier, I looked into the Greek language…the words “slow to learn” in Greek literally mean ‘lazy’. Literally spoken it says “lazy to become able to hear”. Yikes. That’s not good. It means that the writer of Hebrews was telling his audience they were stuck in their progression of maturity…even so, they perhaps are even going backwards. This is the case with Christians in our churches today.
Throughout the NT, various writers talk about this.
Peter in 1 Peter 2:2 is begging them to desire growth, not to crave spiritual milk forever. We are intended to move to more solid foods, growing us in our salvation. Being able to chew on the real meaty subjects enables us to further know God and grow in our relationship with Him.
Paul in 1 Corinthians 3:1-2 tells them that he fed them milk because they couldn’t handle the meatier subjects of God…and yet, they still weren’t ready. If we don’t grow in the Lord, we will not only miss out on blessings, but very well could grow hardened to God’s messages.
Baby Christians, who choose to remain babies, do so for many reasons.
• Some drop out early because they can’t handle the persecution that comes with following Christ.
• Others drop out early because earthly distractions are so alluring.
• Some babies aren’t lazy at work or at home or with their hobbies; but they are lazy and inattentive to spiritual things. The Bible is to be studied and learned diligently. The spiritual life is to be cultivated and lived with endurance and consistency.
• Some are proud — so full of themselves that they rarely seek the Father’s guidance.
• Others imagine that whatever they don’t already know and experience is not really necessary.”
• But, far and away, the reason most spiritual children fail to mature is because the cost is too high.
Luke 9:23 and in other places as well, Christ tells us to take up our cross and follow Christ. Christ died on it…we must die to ourselves too. People who don’t want to are spiritual children, selfish for themselves.
Have you ever seen a toddler? The old saying goes: whatever is mine is mine, whatever is yours is mine, what I see is mine, what hear is mine, whatever I want is mine….they’re selfish…because they haven’t learned to grow up and share with others.
In Matthew 13:18-23 is the parable of the sower explanation. Some have no roots and aren’t around very long spiritually. Others are choked out by the worldly things…but some, go on to produce fruit multiple times what was given them. Francis Chan in “Crazy Love” says, “Don’t assume you are good soil.” Going to church has no bearing on your maturity. I know people who’ve been in church 50 years and are still spiritual children. They refuse to grow up…they have heard it, but either have no root, or have been choked off by the world, yet they continue to go through the motions.
Our main Scripture for today is 1 John 2:12-14. Here are the different categories:
Spiritual Children
• Spiritual children experience God as little more than an acquaintance or at most a casual friend. Full intimacy will come later.
• Spiritual children know that their sins are forgiven and that God is their father.
• Spiritual children are refocusing their eyes from Earth to Heaven.
• Spiritual Children often show signs of immaturity -- like hypocrisy.
• All spiritual children are dependent on others for their care and feeding.
• Spiritual children are still learning how to apply the Bible to their lives.
• Spiritual children struggle with commitment. (A hush descends on my classroom whenever we discuss tithing and giving generously to the Lord. Many of the students are thinking rather highly of their spiritual progress until I point out that little givers are, by definition, mired in spiritual childhood. This is a big sticking point for my students. At this point their self-evaluated spiritual level tends to plummet.)
• Spiritual children struggle with knowing and understanding Biblical beliefs and doctrines.
• Spiritual children tend to be fearful and insecure. (Fear and insecurity usually spring from a lack of faith. For example, spiritual children wonder, “Can I afford to give? I’m afraid that if I tithe, I might not have enough left over to take care of my needs.”)
Spiritual Young Men and Women
• Spiritual young men and women are exercising their spiritual muscles by constantly utilizing the spiritual disciplines.
• The “Word of God” lives in spiritual young men and women. (In John’s writings, the term “Word of God” consistently refers to the Person of Jesus Christ. Of course, the term Word of God also refers to the Bible. Spiritual young men and women are becoming very close friends with the Bible as well as with the Word of God Himself, Jesus Christ.)
• Spiritual young men and women have overcome the Evil One. (This is another stand out revealer of one's level of spiritual maturity. They know how to fight Satan on his terms and win.)
• One demonstration that men and women are growing toward maturity is an “others-centered” mentality.
• Spiritual young men and women develop a generous heart that motivates them to excel in the grace of giving.
• Spiritual young men and women know the truth of who we are in Christ.
• Just as spiritual children show signs of immaturity, so do spiritual adolescents. The fact that they are not yet spiritual mothers and fathers often manifests as pride.
Spiritual Mothers and Fathers
• Spiritual mothers and fathers experience the depths of an infinite relationship with God the Father Himself. Twice John repeats: “You have known Him who is from the beginning” (1 John 2:13, 14).
• Spiritual mothers and fathers manifest the fruit of the Spirit.
• Spiritual mothers and fathers are clothed with humility and grace. They remind others of what Jesus is like.
• Spiritual mothers and fathers are more likely to live above difficult circumstances. They live the victorious Christian life.
• Spiritual parents partner with Jesus in the care and nurturing of others.
• Spiritual mothers and fathers guide lost sheep into the kingdom of God. This is the essence of evangelism.
• Spiritual mothers and fathers view life and experiences from God’s perspective on the resurrection side of the Cross.
• Spiritual mothers and fathers refuse to be dogmatic because of their growing understanding of the infiniteness of God.
• Spiritual mothers and fathers weep with Jesus when He's in pain.
• Spiritual parents sense Christ’s pain and compassionately minister to Him as well as to others.
• Spiritual mothers and fathers long ago waded through the questions, struggles, doubts, self-reliance, self-centeredness, and self-condemnation that cause so many to stumble or turn back from the journey.
• Mothers and fathers long to experience the resurrected life of Christ at any price.
This is not something that will be accomplished overnight, in 5 years or even 15. This is something that takes a lifetime to do and learn. It will take a lot of pain, time and ‘wholehearted devotion’…and nothing less. It is not for the weak or faint of heart…but as time passes, you will grow to depths unimaginable in your walk and relationship with Jesus Christ. After constantly maturing for 25 years, you can’t help but want to become more like Him.
These are merely characteristics of spiritual maturity. The characteristics can be helpful in knowing where you are at and what is coming ahead of you as you walk with Christ.
THIS WEEK’S BIG IDEA:
Do not refuse to grow up and mature in your spirituality…do not simply go through the motions of religion…do not go through life wondering what if I gave everything? Spiritual maturity is a lifelong process; choose to move forward, not backward.
Comments
Post a Comment
Please understand that the subject contained on my blog are of a religious nature, which sometimes spark strong feelings. Please keep it clean and in a Christian manner. I will delete any comments that I deem aren't appropriate.