It’s Time To Grow Up

How old are you? How mature are you for your age?

I am not just talking about chronological age but that may be a start. I am talking mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

Is there a crisis of maturity in our world?

I wonder this because of what I see. This does not mean we should not disagree with people but how we disagree matters. We cannot take offense to everything that is said against our point of view and we must not de-humanize those God has created in His image.

We must live differently—worthy of the calling of salvation.

Paul starts out our text with this reminder.

The markers of maturity—humility, gentleness, longsuffering, put up with others in true love.

Not an easy list but we can do it. Actually most of the time we probably do.

Spiritual gifts help the church serve.

Notice in verses 11-13. The pastor is not to do eveyrthing.

Our maturity reveals who Jesus is.

The Gospel requires we continue to grow. We all have a starting point but we must never stop our journey.

What would effective ministry to men look like? What would effective ministry to young families look like? What would effective ministry to senior adults look like? How can we engage our community for Jesus?

These are questions I think about often. Our church is not where we were when I came—Praise Jesus. We have grown. Now, what does different minsitry look like as we continue to mature? October 26 we have an opportunity with Spooktacular Day in St. Paris.

Our focus must remain on Jesus!!

It is not about serving. It is not about growing. It is not even about being more mature. It is always about Jesus.