Spiritual Maturity

2 Peter 3:9–18 NIV84

9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. 11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. 14 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. 15 Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. 16 He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction. 17 Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position. 18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

1. Deepen Your Relationship with God

A. Prioritize Prayer

Philippians 4:6–7 “6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

The power of bringing everything to God in prayer

B. Immerse Yourself in God's Word

Psalm 119:105 “105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”

The Bible as a lamp to our feet and a light to our path

C. Practice God's Presence

Psalm 16:11 You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever

Finding fullness of joy in God's presence

2. Develop Spiritual Disciplines

A. Embrace Solitude and Silence

Mark 1:35 “35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.”

Jesus' example of seeking quiet time with the Father

B. Fast for Spiritual Clarity

Matthew 6:16–18 “16 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

The rewards of fasting in secret

C. Develop a Heart of Worship

John 4:23–24 “23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.””

Worshiping in spirit and truth

3. Get involved in Christian Community

A. Participate in Corporate Worship

Hebrews 10:24–25 “24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

The importance of not giving up meeting together

B. Serve Others with Your Gifts

1 Peter 4:10 “10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.”

Using our gifts to serve one another

C. Practice Accountability

Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 “9 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: 10 If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!”

The strength found in companionship

4. Learn and grow from Life's Challenges

A. Learn from Trials

James 1:2–4 “2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

Considering it pure joy when facing trials

B. Practice Forgiveness

Ephesians 4:32 “32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Being kind and compassionate, forgiving one another

C. Develop and practice Humility

Philippians 2:3–4 “3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

Valuing others above ourselves