Christian Maturity IntroductionPart I

Growing up

Matthew 13: 1 - 23

Proverbs 11:30

30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and the one who is wise saves lives.

Proverbs 3:10-20

13 Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding,14 for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.15 She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.16 Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.17 Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace.18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her; those who hold her fast will be blessed.

Proverbs 13 12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick,but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.

Tree of Life

John 15: 1 - 88 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

Galatians 5 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23

gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Ephesians 5 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord.

Ultimate goal of Christian Growth and Maturity FRUITS

Source of Blessings

Agents of Growth

Agents of Growth

1. The Word 2. Church leaders 3. Care and concern of the body of Christ 4. Trials of life 5. The Holy Spirit

Agents of Growth 1. The Word

An Incorruptible seed1 Pet. 1:23-2:3

Knowledge and Promises2 Pet. 1:3-4 ; 2 Pet 3:18

Truth that SanctifiesJohn 17:17

Agents of Growth 2. Church leaders

Provision of leadersEph 4:11-13

Ministry of leaders 1 Thessalonians 5:12,13, James 5:14

Agents of Growth 3. Care and concern of the body of Christ

Work of the WHOLE BodyEph 4:16

Encouragement from the Body1 Thessalonians 5:11

Agents of Growth 4. Trials of life

Maturity through trialsJames 1:2-5

Faith through trials 1 Peter 1:6,7

Agents of Growth 5. The Holy Spirit

Strength and PowerEph 3:16-18

Revelation of the Spirit1 Cor 2:6 – 3:4

Christian Maturity IntroductionPart II

Maturity as a Goal

The Purpose of Life …. ??

Which is better – a Happy Life or a Meaningful Life

GOALS

Maturity as a Goal

The Purpose of a Christian Life …. ??

Meaningful Life for Christ

GOALSThat honour God

Maturity as a GoalPhil 3:12 – 16

“Skopos” – the mark (v14, KJV) or the goal (v14, NIV) .. in a distance

“Deoko” – “follow after” (v12, KJV) ; “press on” (v14, NIV) “press toward” (v14, KJV)a) to press on: figuratively of one who in a race runs swiftly to reach the goalb) to seek after eagerly, earnestly endeavour to acquire

the distant mark looked at, the goal or end one has in view