Practical Living, Part 5 - Spiritual Maturity - James 3:1-2

INTRO: In 2015 Donna Levi of the HUFFPOST released the results of her survey on Maturity. Here are the top 3 according to Ms. Levi.

1. Realizing how much you don't know. (1:5 - if you need wisdom...)

2. Listening more and talking less. (1:19 - quick to listen…)

3. Being aware and considerate of others as opposed to being self-absorbed, self-centered, and inconsiderate. (3:1-2)

James identifies the first step in Spiritual Maturity Being Aware of who’s teaching you, and being considerate of the life others live.

Physical Maturity is important - Child forever; HS Grad who leave HS.

When speaking of spiritual maturity, Paul says in Eph 4:13, I wish that “all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.

1 Cor 3:1-2 “1 Dear brothers and sisters, when I was with you I couldn’t talk to you as I would to spiritual people. I had to talk as though you belonged to this world or as though you were infants in Christ. 2 I had to feed you with milk, not with solid food, because you weren’t ready for anything stronger. And you still aren’t ready,”

JN 15:16 “I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.”

If we remain infants; not maturing in God, we will not bear fruit as He desires, AND WE hold back the blessings God has for us.

James tells us the reality of PRACTICAL LIVING AND SPIRITUAL MATURITY in this pericope…The TEACHER; The TRANSGRESSOR.

THE TEACHER - ONE WHO PROVIDES INSTRUCTION.

E - not many should be teachers IN THE CHURCH b/c strict judgment.

R -TITUS 1:5 “5 I left you on the island of Crete so you could complete our work there and appoint elders in each town as I instructed you.” ORDER.

So the ORDER of the Church is not to satisfy human desire, it’s to satisfy God’s plan.

A - Titus 2:7 - “And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching.

In the Church, SPIRITUAL MATURITY OF A TEACHER is evidenced by knowledge of scripture AND the visible application to their life.

Many know scripture…if you don’t know scripture, you can be deceived. Jesus’ Temptation in the Wilderness.

2 Tim 2:15 “Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.”

SO-it is important for all believers to properly learn the Word so they can properly teach others.

THE TRANSGRESSOR - 2a

E - What is a TRANSGRESSOR? dictionary - a person who breaks a law or moral rule; Bible - one who violates God’s law or command.

James says, ‘Yes” “INDEED” we ALL make MANY Mistakes. For sure.

Mistakes = to stumble; to fail to keep the law; to fall into sin.

R - Practical Living is being aware that No one is perfect. Don’t be stuck on yourself. Sinners saved by GRACE.

A - None of us would consider ourselves a TRANSGRESSOR. Sinner vs Transgressor

“Oh No, Not me. I’m not immoral; I’m no murderer; I’m not a gossiper. I’m saved, anointed and appointed, blessed and kept”

But the WORD says - “We ALL…make MANY…MISTAKES.”

Jesus said “Love your neighbor.” Love but not like…Violate His law!

God said “Bring the whole tithe into the Storehouse...” STUMBLE if you do not give-VIOLATE His Command.

Give and it will be given to you...” His whole life was GIVING.

What about serving? “I can’t serve b/c - “Pastor made me mad;” “didn’t make me leader;” “God has something better for me than what they’re asking me to do.”

Col 3:23-24 “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. 24 Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.”

Now I know some of you are wondering, “What about your Mistakes Pastor?” Don’t worry about me, worry about you. You have to give an account for YOURSELF…and that’s not based on me.

SO-STOP being centered - you’re important to God and so is every body else; STOP being inconsiderate - everybody makes mistakes…and REMEMBER You’re Not Perfect!

Instead grow in scripture and know this:

Romans 3.23 “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.”

1 John 1.9 “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.”

2 Chron 7.14 “Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.”

Is 53.5 “But he was pierced for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities. He was beaten so we could be whole. By His stripes we are healed.”

CLOSE: *Spiritual maturity is not just an individual goal but the goal for the entire body of Christ.

I’m encouraging all of us to get in the WORD. Not just hearing but the STUDY.

Learn it so we Become a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.”

I’m encouraging all of us to grow in Christ. Put aside childish thoughts and practices.

And as we grow, let’s be humble. “Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”