Christian Maturity

PASTOR: Ryan Skolrud

DATE: May 4th, 2025

SERIES: Joy Through Humility

TITLE: Christian Maturity

TEXT: Philippians 3:15-16

BIG IDEA: Christian Maturity Pursues Christ.

SERMON NOTES:

RESPOND:

Philippians 3:15-16

Therefore, let all of us who are mature think this way. And if you think differently about anything, God will reveal this also to you. In any case, we should live up to whatever truth we have attained.

Today, as we continue our series "Joy Through Humility," we turn our attention to the concept of Christian maturity, as found in Philippians 3:15-16. What does it truly mean to be mature in our faith? Is it simply a matter of time spent in the church, or is there something more profound at play?

In these verses, Paul challenges us to examine our understanding of spiritual growth. He urges those who consider themselves mature to "think this way," prompting us to reflect on what that "way" truly entails. Over the past few weeks, we've explored various facets of this journey, from recognizing the futility of external religious practices to embracing the surpassing value of knowing Christ. Today, we bring it all together with one central idea:

Big Idea: Christian Maturity Pursues Christ.

Christian maturity isn't a destination we arrive at, but an active pursuit, a lifelong journey of seeking to know Christ more deeply. It's not about checking off boxes or adhering to a set of rules, but about a heart that is continually drawn toward the love, grace, and truth of Jesus. It's about recognizing that we haven't "arrived," but that there is always more to learn, more to experience, and more to understand about the one who has captured our hearts.

Paul's words encourage us to embrace a mindset of humility and openness, acknowledging that even in our maturity, we are still growing, still learning, and still being transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit. It's a call to press on, to not become complacent in our faith, but to continually seek a deeper, more intimate relationship with our Savior.

So, as we delve into Philippians 3:15-16 today, let us ask ourselves: Are we truly pursuing Christ with all our hearts? Are we allowing Him to shape and mold us into the mature believers He desires us to be? Let's open our hearts and minds to the truth of God's Word, and discover how we can actively pursue Christ and grow in our faith each and every day.

Philippians 3:15a

Therefore, let all of us who are mature think this way.

Paul is providing a bit of a conclusion to what he has been saying since the beginning of chapter 3. So, let’s look back at what we have learned from these passages over the last month or so and see how living according to these passages shows Christian maturity.

We saw in Philippians 3:1-3 the critical distinction between external religious practices and genuine inward transformation. Paul warns the Philippians to be wary of the Judaizers—those advocating for adherence to Jewish laws like circumcision as a requirement for salvation. We saw that while circumcision was a significant covenant sign in the Old Testament, it ultimately pointed to the need for a deeper, spiritual circumcision of the heart, which is fulfilled in Christ.

We saw that mere external compliance with religious laws does not equate to true faith or righteousness. Paul asserts that genuine worship arises from the Spirit, not from fleshly confidence in rituals. Paul's call to rejoice in the Lord is a reminder that our identity and worth come from Christ, not from our adherence to religious rules.

These verses illustrate a mature Christian life, as it encourages believers to focus on heart transformation rather than mere outward appearances. True maturity is characterized by a reliance on the work of Christ and a heart aligned with God, rather than a checklist of religious duties. In essence, a mature Christian life is rooted in a relationship with Christ, leading to authentic worship and a life marked by grace, not legalism.

In Philippians 3:4-6, we saw the futility of relying on personal achievements for salvation. Paul highlights his impressive credentials—his Jewish heritage, rigorous adherence to the law, and zealous persecution of the church—as examples of what many might consider valid grounds for confidence. However, Paul ultimately dismisses these accomplishments, declaring them worthless compared to the surpassing value of knowing Christ.

We saw that Paul's message is that salvation cannot be earned through human effort or adherence to the law. Instead, it is rooted solely in faith in Jesus Christ. This perspective challenges the teachings of the Judaizers, who insisted that Gentile converts adhere to Jewish customs like circumcision. Paul asserts that true circumcision is an inward transformation, a work of the Spirit rather than an external ritual.

These verses illustrate that a mature faith involves recognizing our limitations and the insufficiency of our works. Instead of seeking validation through personal achievements, true maturity lies in surrendering to Christ and embracing His grace. As we grow in humility and reliance on God, we learn to view trials as opportunities to deepen our trust in Him.

In Philippians 3:7-11, we saw the transformation that comes from knowing Christ. Paul declares that all worldly gains—status, possessions, and personal accomplishments—are worthless compared to the surpassing value of a relationship with Jesus. I was reminded this week, as my family is beginning to study the Book of Ecclesiastes together, that King Solomon basically said the same thing at the end of his life. When looking back at all the money and possessions he had gained, the accomplishments he had, Solomon says that all of life is vanity, worthless, and futile.

We saw Paul’s willingness to consider everything a loss for the sake of knowing Christ, illustrating that true fulfillment lies not in earthly achievements but in a personal relationship with the Savior. Paul’s experience reflects a radical shift in priorities, where he views former accolades as mere "dung" in comparison to the righteousness that comes through faith in Christ. This righteousness is a gift from God, not something earned by human effort.

Philippians 3:7-11 showed us that Christian maturity involves recognizing the fleeting nature of worldly pursuits and embracing a deeper, experiential knowledge of Christ. As we grow in our faith, we learn to value our relationship with God above all else, leading to a life marked by joy, even in trials.

Last week, we saw in Philippians 3:12-14 the importance of continual growth in the Christian walk. Paul openly acknowledges that he has not yet reached perfection, highlighting that the journey of faith is one of ongoing striving rather than instant achievement. This admission encourages believers to “press on,” urging them to forget past mistakes and focus on the future prize promised by God.

This pursuit requires effort and intentionality, akin to an athlete training for a race. Drawing on Paul's metaphor of athletic competition, we saw that spiritual growth demands discipline, prayer, and a commitment to studying Scripture.

These verses also address the struggle with sin, reminding us that even Paul wrestled with his sinful nature. We saw that our identity in Christ is not defined by past failures but by God’s grace. Through the Holy Spirit, we are empowered to overcome temptation and grow in our faith.

So we see that Christian maturity involves recognizing our need for growth and allowing God to shape our future, regardless of our past. This perspective aligns seamlessly with the themes of pressing forward and striving for spiritual goals. Paul encourages believers to focus on their heavenly calling and to embrace the transformative journey of knowing Christ more deeply.

Maturity in faith is marked by a commitment to progress, a willingness to let go of the past, and an eagerness to pursue the abundant life God promises.

This is how every mature Christian should view their walk with God. The word for “mature” (teleios) is also the word for “perfect.” So what we could be seeing here is Paul being sarcastic toward the Judaizers. These Judaizers thought they had the perfect mix of Christianity and Judaism. And so Paul could be throwing a dig at them that if they think they are perfect, they should be thinking this same way as Paul.

Most commentators believe that Paul is using the word teleios to describe maturity in the Christian faith. Therefore, those of us who have been in the faith for a while, this is how we should think about our lives in Christ. When those who are mature in the faith live their lives accordingly, those who are new to the faith will see that this is how faith is lived out, which is something we will look at next week.

Philippians 3:15b

And if you think differently about anything, God will reveal this also to you.

Paul is telling his readers that if there is anything within this teaching that they disagree with, God would show them the error of their thinking in time. This may sound like a very arrogant statement by Paul. But we must consider that while Paul is writing in his own words and experiences about what it means to follow after Christ, it is the Holy Spirit guiding him through the writing of this letter.

2 Peter 1:20-21

Above all, you know this: No prophecy of Scripture comes from the prophet’s own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by the will of man; instead, men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

Peter addresses the “prophecies of Scripture,” but most Biblical scholars will contend that all of Scripture is prophetic.

According to the Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible:

Prophecy:

Derived from a group of Greek words which mean “speak forth,” “proclaim,” “announce.”

In Biblical Greek, these terms carry a connotation of speaking, proclaiming, or announcing something under the influence of divine inspiration.

Peter says that no prophecy of Scripture came from the prophet’s own interpretation, but were the words of God spoken as the prophets were carried by the Holy Spirit. Peter is saying that all of Scripture is prophecy. All of the Bible is the Word of God declared to us through the words and writings of men who were filled with the Holy Spirit as the Spirit was leading and guiding them.

This means that the Bible is not the opinions of a bunch of men who wanted to convince people to do whatever they said. Peter says that Scripture does not come from a man’s own interpretation of things. Scripture is determined by God. Though Scripture is written by men, those men were inspired and led by the Holy Spirit to proclaim the truth of who God is.

So when we see things in Scripture that we disagree with, we should ask ourselves, “Why? What about this passage gets me frustrated, angry, or upset?”

There is one main reason for these feelings: Scripture is telling us that what we think, believe, or do is wrong.

Now, sometimes we misunderstand Scripture due to cultural or historical contexts that we might not be aware of. This can be the case sometimes. However, I believe that, for the most part, it is easy to understand the basic truths of Scripture regarding salvation and Christian living.

There is actually a theological term that describes the easy-to-understand nature of the Bible:

Perspicuity

According to Ligonier.org:

“Ironically enough—given that it’s not very clear—perspicuity is a word that means “clarity” or “clearness” or “understandability.” So when we talk about the “perspicuity” of Scripture, we’re talking about the idea that God’s Word is clear about things that are necessary to be understood and obeyed in order for a person to be saved. The Bible’s teaching on salvation can be understood by anyone and everyone.”

You do not need to have a college degree to understand the basic tenets of the Christian faith as described in Scripture. However, the main reason we get upset with Scripture is that it tells us something we love does not honor God.

I mentioned last week that Satan is not the one who makes us sin. God does not tempt us to sin. According to the book of James, we are tempted when our own selfish desires drag us away from the truth we know we are supposed to follow. Even after our salvation, there is a constant fight between our sinful, human nature, and the heavenly nature that is put in us through the working of the Holy Spirit.

I have come to the realization that atheists and unbelievers often misunderstand that Christianity is not about being perfect. They think, “Once you are a Christian, you become a goody-goody who isn’t supposed to do anything bad anymore.” However, every Christian is still a sinner, we just know that we are sinners and understand we need Jesus.

How often do you hear that the church is full of hypocrites? It is true! On Sundays, I do my best to preach what the word of God says and teach how to apply it to your life. When I preach my sermons on Sundays, I have already been confronted by Jesus about how I do not live up to his standard. I am sinful, just like everyone else here. However, I have come to an understanding of my sinfulness, repenting of my sins daily, and asking the Holy Spirit to work in my heart and mind to transform the way I think and act. I have realized that my hope is in Christ and not in my actions.

Before we are saved, we follow our own desires, gladly, without thinking. It is not until after we are saved that we realize there is a battle between right and wrong, truth and falsehood. It is only when we have new life in Christ that we begin to be disgusted with our sinfulness, getting mad at ourselves for how we have disobeyed God. Christians still struggle with sin, but we at least know that it’s a struggle. The late theologian, RC Sproul, said that his life didn’t get hard until he became a Christian.

Again, this is how we should think about our Christian walk. If you have not come to this realization about what it means to be a Christian, God will reveal it to you at some point.

Philippians 3:16

In any case, we should live up to whatever truth we have attained.

Paul says that whether we are mature or are still new to the faith, we should live up to the amount of truth we have obtained. We are all in different places in our spiritual walk, and therefore, are going to see things differently. No matter where we are in this journey, though, we are to continue to press on toward that goal of knowing Christ, just as Paul did.

Paul saying that we should live up to whatever truth we have attained does not mean that we get to a point in our lives of following after Jesus and then say, “Ya know what? I think I have gone far enough. I know enough about Jesus. I don’t need to know anymore.” We are to keep striving to know Christ more and more!

The Baptist preacher from the 1800s, Charles Spurgeon, said this about striving to know Christ more:

"He who does not long to know more of Christ, knows nothing of Him yet." - Charles Spurgeon

What Spurgeon is saying here is that knowing Christ and experiencing his love and forgiveness will cause you to want to know him more and more. It will cause you to seek him through prayer and reading your Bible. Another quote from Spurgeon about knowing God:

“If you wish to know God, you must know his word,"

So, if we know Christ and have experienced the new life that can be had in him, we will be drawn to wanting to know him more. And the way to know him more is by reading the Bible, God’s words to us about who he is.

Next Step: I will commit to learning about God through studying the Bible.

Last week I shared a simple method to studying the Bible and had a full PDF that you can download in the Sermon Notes of the app. I have added that PDF to the notes again this week so that you can still download that to help you with how to study the Bible. We must study they Word of God, meditating and thinking about its truths. Simply reading it is not enough.

Thomas Brooks, the Puritan from the 1800s said this about studying the word:

“[I]t is not hasty reading--but serious meditating upon holy and heavenly truths, that make them prove sweet and profitable to the soul. It is not the bee’s touching of the flower, which gathers honey--but her abiding for a time upon the flower, which draws out the sweet. It is not he who reads most--but he who meditates most, who will prove the choicest, sweetest, wisest and strongest Christian.” - Thomas Brooks

When Brooks mentions “meditating” in the Bible, he is not referring to the meditation of Eastern Mysticism. That type of meditation is about emptying the mind, clearing out your thoughts so thatyour mind can be filled with something else.

Christian meditation is reading Scripture and then thinking about what it says. It is contemplating how a passage applies to your daily life. Instead of emptying your mind, it is filling your mind with the Word of God and focusing on the one who has given you new life.

There is a quote that I think we all need to consider when it comes to meditating on Scripture. I heard it from the Just Thinking Podcast by Darrel Harrison and Virgil Walker in their episode, “Indwelling Sin in Believers.”

“The Bible is a mirror and a window. But it is first a mirror, then a window.”

What this quote is saying is that Scripture as a mirror, reads us and shows us who we are. It shows us our sins. It shows us our fallenness and inability to be righteous by our own actions and merit, and that we can never meet God’s holy standard. But then, as a window, Scripture reveals to us the love, grace, and mercy of God, who provides a way for us to be in communion with him. He provided that by sending his son, Jesus Christ, to take the punishment for our sins that we deserved. Then, to show that the Father had accepted the sacrifice of the Son, Christ was raised from the dead, showing that we can have hope for new life in Christ.

That is what Scripture teaches us.

Today, as we've explored what it means to be mature in our faith, it's crucial to recognize that this journey begins with a single, transformative step: surrendering your life to Jesus Christ. Perhaps you're here today and realize you've been living life on your own terms, pursuing your own desires, and neglecting the call of God on your heart. Maybe you've been going through the motions of religion, but haven't truly experienced the life-changing power of a relationship with Jesus.

The truth is, maturity in Christ is impossible without first experiencing new life in Him. It starts with acknowledging that you are a sinner in need of a Savior. It's about recognizing that your own efforts to be "good enough" will always fall short of God's perfect standard.

The call to salvation is not about reciting a specific prayer or walking down an aisle; it's about a profound change of heart and a conscious decision to turn away from your old life and embrace a new life in Christ. It's about repenting of your sins – acknowledging them, confessing them, and turning away from them – and placing your trust in Jesus as the Lord of your life.

This is an invitation to experience the forgiveness, grace, and love that only Jesus can offer. It's an invitation to step out of the darkness of your past and into the light of His presence. It's an invitation to begin a journey of transformation, guided by the Holy Spirit, as you grow in your understanding of who God is and who He created you to be.

If you feel the Holy Spirit stirring in your heart today, don't ignore that prompting. Don't let fear or doubt hold you back. Take a moment right now, wherever you are, to acknowledge your need for Jesus. Confess your sins, ask for His forgiveness, and commit to following Him with all your heart.

Next Step: I will submit my life to Christ.

This is the first step toward true Christian maturity – a step that will lead you on a lifelong journey of pursuing Christ and experiencing the abundant life He has promised. If you've made this decision today, please come find me after the service. I would love to celebrate with you and help you take your next steps in following Jesus.

Let us Pray

Communion