Sanctification series Message 5b Steps Toward Spiritual Maturity

Steps Toward Spiritual Maturity

Please turn with me to tonight's scripture text in II PETER chapter 3, and

let's read verse 18.

LORD and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the

2 Peter 3:18 KJV 1900

But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

glory both now and forever. Amen

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I N T R O D U C T I O N

ILLUSTRATION: There is nothing more precious than a newborn baby,

unless its a newborn puppy. (just kidding)

Babies are immature physically, mentally and emotionally. We don't have high expectations out of a baby, do we?

have high expectations out of a baby, do we?

I mean, you don't expect a newborn baby to clean up his room and make his bed, do you? You don't expect a newborn baby to mow the lawn or pick up sticks out of the yard, do you?

and make his bed, do you? You don't expect a newborn baby

to mow the lawn or pick up sticks out of the yard, do you?

You don't expect a newborn baby to do math problems or answer history questions or work crossword puzzles in the daily newspaper.

answer history questions or work crossword puzzles in the daily

newspaper.

No, when a baby is immature you expect to have to feed them, and hold them, and carry them, and dress them and bathe them and change their diaper.

hold them, and carry them, and dress them and bathe them and

change their diaper.

But as a baby grows older we expect them to develop and mature, don't we? We expect them to START WALKING and STOP CRAWLING.

don't we? We expect them to START WALKING and STOP CRAWLING.

We expect them to START TALKING and STOP SPEAKING baby gibberish. We expect them to START EATING SOLID FOODS and STOP DRINKING A BOTTLE. We expect them to START DOING THINGS FOR THEMSELVES instead of having someone else do everything for them. And if they don't grow and mature as they should, we know something is seriously wrong, don't we?

gibberish. We expect them to START EATING SOLID FOODS and

STOP DRINKING A BOTTLE. We expect them to START DOING THINGS

FOR THEMSELVES instead of having someone else do everything for

them. And if they don't grow and mature as they should, we know

something is seriously wrong, don't we?

What is true of us “physically” is also true of us spiritually. When we first accepted Jesus Christ we were “born again.” As “babes in Christ” we were “spiritually immature.” We didn't know much about the Bible or about the Church or about living the Christian life in general. Everything was new to us.

accepted Jesus Christ we were “born again.” As “babes in Christ” we

were “spiritually immature.” We didn't know much about the Bible or

about the Church or about living the Christian life in general. Everything

was new to us.

But as time passes, we are to grow and mature in Christ, and if we don't something is seriously wrong.

something is seriously wrong.

Our text in

2 Peter 3:18 KJV 1900

But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

knowledge of our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ.”

What are some of the symptoms of “spiritual immaturity” we should be concerned about?

concerned about?

(1) A spiritually immature Christian cannot handle “the meat” of

God's word.

1 Corinthians 3:2 KJV 1900

I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.

until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not

able.”

(2) A spiritually immature Christian is still very WORLDLY .

1 Corinthians 3:3 KJV 1900

For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

envy, strife, and vidisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like

mere men?”

(3) A spiritually immature Christian is INCONSISTENT in his or her

spiritual life.

Ephesians 4:14 KJV 1900

That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of

men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting.”

(4) A spiritually immature Christian HEARS the word of GOD, but doesn't PRACTICE it in his or her daily life.

doesn't PRACTICE it in his or her daily life.

James 1:22 KJV 1900

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

deceiving yourselves.

(5) A spiritually immature Christian is unable to TEACH others

even the basics of God's word.

Hebrews 5:12 KJV 1900

For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles

of GOD; and you have come to need milk and not solid food.

(6) A spiritually immature Christian is SELFISH and puts his or her

own needs ahead of other Christians.

,

Philippians 2:3 KJV 1900

Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than

Philippians 2:4 KJV 1900

Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also

for the interests of others.

Just as a baby has to take his or her first steps toward being able to walk on their own two feet, there are certain steps every Christian must take in order to become “spiritually mature.”

on their own two feet, there are certain steps every Christian must take in

order to become “spiritually mature.”

For the remainder of the message I would like for us to focus on those

STEPS TOWARD SPIRITUAL MATURITY.

Step #1: I Must DESIRE To Grow

,

1 Peter 2:1 KJV 1900

Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,

hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn

1 Peter 2:2 KJV 1900

As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

babes, DESIRE THE PURE MILK OF THE WORD, that you

may grow thereby..........

1. Physically speaking, did you ever meet a child who didn't want to grow? Have you ever heard a child say, “My goal in life is to always be a baby?”

grow? Have you ever heard a child say, “My goal in life is to always

grow? Have you ever heard a child say, “My goal in life is to always

be a baby?”

be a baby?”

No! They say things like..........

“I want to GROW UP to be just like my dad.”

“I want to GROW UP to be just like my mom.”

“I can't wait until I'm old enough to stay up past 9:00.”

“I can't wait until I'm 16 so I can get my driver's license.”

Children desire to grow TALLER.......SMARTER........and STRONGER. Children can't wait to “GROW UP!”

Children can't wait to “GROW UP!”

2. Spiritually speaking, every Christian should DESIRE to grow up!

Whereas physical growth happens on its own with the passing of

time, spiritual growth doesn't just happen automatically the longer

we are a Christian.

We have to DESIRE to grow! We have to WANT to grow!

We have to be WILLING to do whatever is necessary to grow.

3. One of the great dangers in the Christian life is that after we have been a Christian for a number of years and have sat through Church services every Sunday morning and Sunday evening for years, and have heard hundreds and hundreds of Sermons and Sunday School lessons, we have this tendency to start believing we have reached our full level of maturity and we just stop growing.

been a Christian for a number of years and have sat through

Church services every Sunday morning and Sunday evening for

years, and have heard hundreds and hundreds of Sermons and

Sunday School lessons, we have this tendency to start believing

If you are one who thinks that way, I want you to

we have reached our full level of maturity and we just stop

growing. If you are one who thinks that way, I want you to

listen to these humbling words of the Apostle Paul:

12 Not that I have already attained, or am already

perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for

Philippians 3:12–14 KJV 1900

Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.

13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended;

but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are

behind and reaching forward to those things which are

ahead,

14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call

of God in Christ Jesus.

4. Do you know what Paul is saying? He's saying, “I've grown a lot, but

I've still got a lot of growing to do.”

5. Do you still have that DESIRE, that HUNGER, that THIRST to grow up to be like JESUS? That is the first step towards spiritual maturity.

up to be like JESUS? That is the first step towards spiritual

maturity.

STEP #2: I Need Spiritual NOURISHMENT To Grow

Matthew 4:4 KJV 1900

But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from

the mouth of God.”

Illustration: Some time ago, Dr. Phil had a guest on his show named Jennifer. When Jennifer was 16 years old, she was a vibrant, beautiful teenager, a great student and a very gifted athlete with hopes of traveling around the world.

Jennifer. When Jennifer was 16 years old, she was a vibrant,

beautiful teenager, a great student and a very gifted athlete

with hopes of traveling around the world.

But by the age of 25 Jennifer's vibrant beauty was gone.

She weighed less than 95 pounds and was nothing more than skin and bones. Jennifer didn't have cancer or some other

skin and bones. Jennifer didn't have cancer or some other

dreadful disease. She was anorexic and bulemic. She was literally starving herself to death.

literally starving herself to death.

1. Many Christians are battling a form of “spiritual anorexia.” They are starving themselves spiritually by not feeding on the word of GOD each and every day.

starving themselves spiritually by not feeding on the word of GOD

each and every day.

2. A lot of Christians are under the impression that reading the Bible is “optional” in the Christian life. But its not!

is “optional” in the Christian life. But its not!

Jesus says in (NKJV) “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.”

My disciples indeed.”

(English Standard Version -----If you abide in My word, you are truly My disciples. )

My disciples. )

3. Daily nourishment is vitally important to a child's growth and development. Good parents are concerned about proper nutrition for their children. They want them to eat foods that are good for them and stay away from the “junk foods” that are bad for them.

development. Good parents are concerned about proper nutrition for

their children. They want them to eat foods that are good for them

and stay away from the “junk foods” that are bad for them.

4. Likewise, daily nourishment in the word of GOD is vitally important to our growth and development as Christians.

to our growth and development as Christians.

2 Timothy 2:15 KJV 1900

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of

truth.

the Christians in the Berean Church? He said, “They searched

Acts 17:11 KJV 1900

These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

the scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.”

(in other words, they searched God's word daily to make sure

Paul was preaching the truth.)

5. Every Lord's day, you come here to Sunday School and Worship. And let's be honest, one Sunday School lesson or one sermon is NOT enough “NOURISHMENT” to make you spiritually mature. But a steady, diet of preaching and teaching from GOD'S word year after year will help you to grow and mature spiritually.

And let's be honest, one Sunday School lesson or one sermon is NOT

enough “NOURISHMENT” to make you spiritually mature. But a

steady, diet of preaching and teaching from GOD'S word year after

year will help you to grow and mature spiritually.

6. For many Christians, the weekly Sunday School lesson and Sunday Sermon is the only Biblical nourishment they get for a whole week. If you just ate one or two meals a week, what would happen to your physical body? You would get weak or sick, or even die!

Sermon is the only Biblical nourishment they get for a whole week.

If you just ate one or two meals a week, what would happen to

your physical body? You would get weak or sick, or even die!

7. If you want to get really serious about your SPIRITUAL GROWTH, spend time reading and studying and meditating on GOD'S WORD each day on your own. There is no SHORTCUT or SUBSTITUTE for

spend time reading and studying and meditating on GOD'S WORD

each day on your own. There is no SHORTCUT or SUBSTITUTE for

this.

Listen carefully! Your level of spiritual growth and maturity will never surpass the level of your personal study of God's

surpass the level of your personal study of God's

word.

Now here's Step #3................

STEP #3: I Need Spiritual EXERCISE To Grow

,

1 Timothy 4:7b KJV 1900

But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.

1 Timothy 4:8 KJV 1900

For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable

for all things.”

1. Did you ever watch a professional athlete and wonder how they got to be so good at their sport?

to be so good at their sport?

*Despite his personal problems, TIGER WOODS is one of the greatest golfers of our time. Even after achieving a level in

greatest golfers of our time. Even after achieving a level in

profession few have achieved, Tiger Woods still practices golf 7-8 hours every day hitting hundred upon hundreds of golf

7-8 hours every day hitting hundred upon hundreds of golf

shots.

*MICHAEL JORDAN wanted to become the greatest basketball player of all time, so he lifted weights every day to build up his strength, and he spent five hours a day five days a week shooting a basketball and honing his famous moves.

player of all time, so he lifted weights every day to build up

his strength, and he spent five hours a day five days a week

shooting a basketball and honing his famous moves.

Dr. K. Anders Ericcson did extensive research to understand expertise performance in any field. In his research of professionals from a variety of fields he determined it requires 10 years or 10,000 hours of intensive practice and exercise to reach a professional level in any field. He also determined that anyone can get good at something with a minimum of four hours of practice a day.

expertise performance in any field. In his research of professionals

from a variety of fields he determined it requires 10 years or

10,000 hours of intensive practice and exercise to reach a

professional level in any field. He also determined that anyone can

get good at something with a minimum of four hours of practice a

day.

2. This same principle applies to growing and maturing in our spiritual life. Many Christians want to “pigeon hole” their Christianity into the one or two hours they spend in Church each Sunday.

life. Many Christians want to “pigeon hole” their Christianity into

the one or two hours they spend in Church each Sunday.

3. If you and I are to ever reach the level of spiritual maturity the LORD desires for us to reach we must practice and exercise GODLINESS each and every day.

LORD desires for us to reach we must practice and exercise

GODLINESS each and every day.

We must exercise GODLINESS in every area of our lives: At home.......at work.......at school......in our habits.....in our

At home.......at work.......at school......in our habits.....in our

priorities......in our finances.......in the way we use our time.... and the way we use our talents.

and the way we use our talents.

4. We must understand that Christianity isn't like a change of clothes we put on Sunday morning and take off Sunday at noon. When we were baptized “we put on Christ” and from that day forward we are never to “take Him off.”

we put on Sunday morning and take off Sunday at noon. When we

were baptized “we put on Christ” and from that day forward we

are never to “take Him off.”

STEP ONE: I Must DESIRE To Grow.

STEP TWO: I Need Spiritual NOURISHMENT To Grow.

STEP THREE: I Need Spiritual EXERCISE To Grow.

Now here's the fourth and final step......

STEP #4: I Need TIME And PATIENCE To Grow

various trials,

James 1:2–4 KJV 1900

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces

patience.

4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may

be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

1. Think back to when your kids were little babies. Did you ever put them to bed at night and think for a minute that they would be all grown up by the next morning? No, you didn't did you? Why?

them to bed at night and think for a minute that they would be allgrown up by the next morning? No, you didn't did you? Why?

grown up by the next morning? No, you didn't did you? Why?

Because you knew the process of growing and maturing into an adult would take a lot of time and patience.

would take a lot of time and patience.

And if you're like me, you look back on it now and it seems like they went from infancy......to childhood......to adulthood.... in “a blink of an eye” doesn't it?

they went from infancy......to childhood......to adulthood....

in “a blink of an eye” doesn't it?

2. Spiritual growth and maturity is the same way. We don't “grow up” spiritually overnight. It takes years of TIME and PATIENCE. We have to weather a lot of STORMS. We have to endure a lot of TRIALS. We have to fight a lot of BATTLES. And we have to travel over a lot of MOUNTAINS and through a lot of VALLEYS. And with every storm.......every trial........every battle......every mountain.......and every valley.......we are growing stronger and more mature and most importantly, more like Jesus Christ.

spiritually overnight. It takes years of TIME and PATIENCE.

We have to weather a lot of STORMS. We have to endure a lot of

TRIALS. We have to fight a lot of BATTLES. And we have to travel

over a lot of MOUNTAINS and through a lot of VALLEYS.

And with every storm.......every trial........every battle......every

mountain.......and every valley.......we are growing stronger and

more mature and most importantly, more like Jesus Christ.

C O N C L U S I O N

The story is told about a little boy who fell out of bed one night. When his mom asked him what happened he said, “I guess I just stayed too close to the gettin' in place.”

his mom asked him what happened he said, “I guess I just stayed too close

to the gettin' in place.”

You know, that's why a lot of Christians fall away from GOD; they stay too close to the gettin' in place.

close to the gettin' in place.

Brothers and sisters, GOD wants you and me to grow and mature into the likeness of His Son Jesus Christ. That doesn't just happen on its own.

the likeness of His Son Jesus Christ. That doesn't just happen on its own.

We Must DESIRE To Grow! We Need Spiritual NOURISHMENT To Grow!

We Need Spiritual EXERCISE To Grow! And We Need TIME and PATIENCE To Grow!

Grow!

Let us grow in the grace and knowledge of our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ.