Maturity = Suffering
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“today we are going to talk…a lot, more than we have all semester on a Sunday Morning. You guys are going to start and then me and then you again and then me again…and the conversation that we are going to have and that you are going to have with each other might be one of the most important that you have had in a long time. This is also one of the topics that is deepest in my heart and that I am the most burdened for. It is the blood that infuses the heart of discipleship”
1 Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,
Turn to and answer the questions around the table
1.How often is this true of you?
2.How often are you fighting it or giving in to it?
3.Have you ever thought about fighting the old nature as suffering? If not why not?
transition from
what you have just read and talked about is getting you in the head space of this very real struggle in the life of a christian.
I have a new nature and it has a desire for the life of God and the things of God, but my habits my worldly desires I am finding them hard to leave behind - some not even trying.
*James Estep says it like this “while instantaneous transformation is made by God through receiving his mercy, learning to live in accordance with these re-orientations is not so instantaneous.”
Let’s turn to and take a look at the parable here...
Parable of the Sower
11 “Now the parable is this: the seed is the word of God.
12 “Those beside the road are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their heart, so that they will not believe and be saved.
11 “Now the parable is this: the seed is the word of God. 12 “Those beside the road are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their heart, so that they will not believe and be saved. 13 “Those on the rocky soil are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no firm root; they believe for a while, and in time of temptation fall away. 14 “The seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with worries and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to maturity. 15 “But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance.
13 “Those on the rocky soil are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no firm root; they believe for a while, and in time of temptation fall away.
14 “The seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with worries and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to maturity.
each and every one of you in this room are in the midst of one of these scenarios. Everyone of you has had seed sown in the soil of your life by the sower.
15 “But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance.
there is a way to look at the 3 out of 4 of these scenarios as cautionary tales. They can be things that happened. You can be things that happened. A cautionary tale of what not to do. But each one of you by virtue of you being able to hear the sound of my voice are not a thing that has happened but are a thing that is happening. and you need to understand some things better so that you don’t become a 1, 2, or 3 but that you get to 4.
Maturity
14 But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.
this practice is fighting/suffering
1 Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,
to being fully formed and established. What is the benefit to being established? WE CAN “REALLY” DO THE THING
Guys the issue is not where i am or what I am doing the issue is who you are and whose you are. If you are God’s the reason that he called you to himself justified you and is sanctifying you is so that you will be mature!
My Utmost for His Highest October 19th—The Unheeded Secret
The great enemy to the Lord Jesus Christ in the present day is the conception of practical work that has not come from the New Testament, but from the systems of the world in which endless energy and activities are insisted upon, but no private life with God
1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
what does this cleansing look like? SUFFERING!
2 cor
4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
endurance in what? fighting the good fight
18 This command I entrust to you, Timothy, my son, in accordance with the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you fight the good fight,
By what do we fight the good fight? God’s Promises
11 But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
“The Good Fight of faith is the suffering/the struggle - reach, grab,pull
Our Passage
1 Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.
2 so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.
1 Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,
Christ suffered in the flesh
Christ suffered in the flesh
Arm yourselves with the same purpose
Suffering = dominion of sin has been overcome actually
He who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin
What He is talking about is Maturity
But wait what? I am a sinner, how can I be done with sin in any way?But wait? I can be perfect? Perfectly perfect
2 so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.
1 peter 4
To what is this referring?
It is referring to a pattern of making decisions outside of God's purposes.
We see the decisions we make as important, because they affect my usefulness to God.
“I sincerely want to be a light where I am, but I don't understand that I have to learn to be a light and that being a light comes from Abiding in Christ in all the ways that God has designed
The christian life is a struggle even when I am learning and leaning and being cared for
It is going to be a lot tougher without those things. That is why we provide them. They are not perfect things but if you engage them, "your shoot will root", and you will be able to "weed" yourself with the help of others, and you will become a tree that others can't count on and God can use
We need to move from being a sappling farm to a grove
College can be that time for you…all 41 one of my years tells me, this is the best time
3 For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties and abominable idolatries. 4 In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, and they malign you;
15 Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. 17 The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.
You are in one of three camps
(1) The past has been sufficient for you
It is going to be a lot tougher without those things. That is why we provide them. They are not perfect things but if you engage them, "your shoot will root", and you will be able to "weed" yourself with the help of others, and you will become a tree that others can't count on and God can use
(2) You are currently carrying out the "desire of the gentiles" at some level
(3)I have not but am tempted to do so
We need to move from being a sappling farm to a grove
(1) IN THIS 1ST POSITION, YOU GET WHAT IS WRONG WITH THAT COURSE OF LIFE AND YOU ARE OK TO LEAVE IT BEHIND FOR SOMETHING BETTER. YOU EVEN HAVE EXPERIENCED VERSE 4, THAT THOSE WHO JOINED YOU IN YOUR FORMER LIFE ARE MAD THAT YOU ARE NOT CONTINUING TO DO SO - keep struggling, keep fighting!
(2) IN THE 2ND POSITION, THE PAST HAS NOT BEEN SUFFICIENT, YOU ARE SEEKING TO HAVE THE BENEFITS OF THE WORLD AND ENJOY THE BENEFITS OF GOD - AND I AM GOING TO GUESS THAT YOU ARE STRUGGLING WITH THIS.
College can be that time for you…all 41 one of my years tells me, this is the best time
THERE ARE SEVERAL LIES OF THIS NARRATIVE -
{1} AS LONG AS I DO SOME CHRISTIAN STUFF, OR DON'T DO ANYTHING TOO BAD, I CAN MAINTAIN A WITNESS.
{2} I CAN MAINTAIN FELLOWSHIP WITH THE WORLD AND I DON’T REQUIRE FELLOWSHIP WITH OTHER BELIEVERS.
{3} MY CONSISTENT PARTICIPATION WITH THE BODY IS NOT THAT BIG A DEAL.
3} MY CONSISTENT PARTICIPATION WITH THE BODY IS NOT THAT BIG A DEAL.
Katie Illustration - “in talking about this with Katie this week, she had a great insight... She said this, our Christian lives sometimes feel like our dating lives. Have you ever liked two people at the same time one you are currently dating and one that you should be. The one that you should be, you have no experience dating someone like them. This one I know, but I know its not good for me, but its familiar, it has lots of things I like, but none of the things I need. I am stuck. I like this but it is no good for me, and I am drawn to the other but I scared to really give it a try. Loving the world and “wanting” to Loving God at the same time is like that.
(3)IN THIS 3RD POSITION, HAVING GROWN UP IN A CHRISTIAN HOME AND BEING PROTECTED AND ENCOURAGED, MY NEW FOUND COLLEGE FREEDOM GIVES ME "Fear of Missing Out." ON WHAT I MAY NEVER GET ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY. It is as SAYS, I DON’T WANT TO NOT HAVE EXPERIENCED THOSE THINGS, IT LOOKS FUN, I AM A FUN PERSON, THEY SEEM TO BE OK AFTERWARDS." THE LURE IS IN THE POSSIBLE AND THE UNLIKELY. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT IT WILL BE LIKE A MUSIC VIDEO AND IT IS UNLIKELY THAT ANYTHING TO BAD WILL HAPPEN."
Let’s take some time around our tables and explore this a little bit
1.Have you seen people in these scenarios around you?
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2.Which one are you in?
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3.Which is the hardest to move out of?
the World is Passing Away
15 Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. 17 The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.
1 john
That which is passing away vs. that which is going to last forever
(1) The past has been sufficient for you
This is often not that compelling because I only know the stuff that you say won't last. Why not keep doing it as long as I can? Isn’t college the time for that? YES, SO MUCH SO THAT IT IS A CLICHE
(2) You are currently carrying out the "desire of the gentiles" at some level
I want you to remember 2 things about sin: it is always done in hiding and it always wants company.
(3)I have not but am tempted to do so
(1) IN THIS 1ST POSITION, YOU GET WHAT IS WRONG WITH THAT COURSE OF LIFE AND YOU ARE OK TO LEAVE IT BEHIND FOR SOMETHING BETTER. YOU EVEN HAVE EXPERIENCED VERSE 4, THAT THOSE WHO JOINED YOU IN YOUR FORMER LIFE ARE MAD THAT YOU ARE NOT CONTINUING TO DO SO
Sin is always done in hiding because we know it isn't right and we want to have covering for it. Lies are whispered, sexual sin is done behind drawn curtains or closed doors. I want to do the thing but I don't want you to see
(2) IN THE 2ND POSITION, THE PAST HAS NOT BEEN SUFFICIENT, YOU ARE SEEKING TO HAVE THE BENEFITS OF THE WORLD AND ENJOY THE BENEFITS OF GOD - AND I AM GOING TO GUESS THAT YOU ARE STRUGGLING WITH THIS. THERE ARE SEVERAL LIES OF THIS NARRATIVE - {1} AS LONG AS I DO SOME CHRISTIAN STUFF, OR DON'T DO ANYTHING TOO BAD, I CAN MAINTAIN A WITNESS. {2} I CAN MAINTAIN FELLOWSHIP WITH THE WORLD AND I DON’T REQUIRE FELLOWSHIP WITH OTHER BELIEVERS. {3} MY CONSISTENT PARTICIPATION WITH THE BODY IS NOT THAT BIG A DEAL.
Sin always wants company because it wants reassurance that the thing is not that bad. If I can get someone to join me I will feel better about the thing
(3)IN THIS 3RD POSITION, HAVING GROWN UP IN A CHRISTIAN HOME AND BEING PROTECTED AND ENCOURAGED, MY NEW FOUND COLLEGE FREEDOM GIVES ME "Fear of Missing Out." ON WHAT I MAY NEVER GET ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY. It is as SAYS, I DON’T WANT TO NOT HAVE EXPERIENCED THOSE THINGS, IT LOOKS FUN, I AM A FUN PERSON, THEY SEEM TO BE OK AFTERWARDS." THE LURE IS IN THE POSSIBLE AND THE UNLIKELY. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT IT WILL BE LIKE A MUSIC VIDEO AND IT IS UNLIKELY THAT ANYTHING TO BAD WILL HAPPEN."
Revisit maturity and Immaturity
This is often not that compelling because I only know the stuff that you say won't last. Why not ride it out
Maturity - is coming to a point of integrity, becoming an adult, able to reproduce, a practitioner
I want you to remember 2 things about sin: it is always done in hiding and it always wants company.
Immaturity - is another way of saying we are incompetent to live the life God has called you to
Sin is always done in hiding because we know it isn't right and we want to have covering for it. Lies are whispered, sexual sin is done behind drawn curtains or closed doors. I want to do the thing but I don't want you to see
we have not grown up into that which he wants us to and this is a vulnerable position
Sin always wants company because it wants reassurance that the thing is not that bad. If I can get someone to join me I will feel better about the thing
14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming;
12 These are the men who are hidden reefs in your love feasts when they feast with you without fear, caring for themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn trees without fruit, doubly dead, uprooted;
Verse 3 could act as a call to action - what about today?
Verse 3 could act as a call to action - what about today?
Verse 3 could act as a call to action - what about today?
Verse 3 could act as a call to action - what about today?
5 but they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For the gospel has for this purpose been preached even to those who are dead, that though they are judged in the flesh as men, they may live in the spirit according to the will of God.
7 The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. 8 Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.
9 Be hospitable to one another without complaint. 10 As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
notice the difficulty in verse 18
17 For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner? 19 Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.
we fight the good fight and we work
7 casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. 8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. 10 After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.
in the “struggle” we want to move from struggling with to struggling against, with all the allies we can muster...
God’s power (grace)
God’s promises (word)
the Holy Spirit
Mature believers
illustration of pick in basketball
“I have played pick-up basketball for about 30 years and I have never liked using “picks.” it always felt like cheating. I liked the satisfaction of just beating my man one on one, because I was not just trying to get my shot off, I wanted to go to the hole and score without any help. How naive! As I have watched more and more NBA basketball the past several years, the one thing that has stood out to me more than any other is that the players use picks all the time, and know how to use them. It is using a created advantage for your benefit. It is what a mature basketball player does. He has suffered for that distinction, because he wants to be better. Arm yourself with that same attitude. Only not of your favorite basketball player but of your Lord and Savior who suffered so that you could too.