Did You Mature ?
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Counting time is not nearly as important as making time count.
Time is what we want the most but what we use the worst.
—William Penn
maturation
1 the action or process of maturing.
b: the emergence of personal and behavioral characteristics through growth processes
The Privilege of being Planted
The Privilege of being Planted
6 And he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none.
The Fig Tree was planted (born) by the vineyard keeper (God or Christ) himself.
God causes every man to be born into the world. He stands behind every person as that person’s Creator and Lord
It is first and foremost the privilege of Being Born
That is having life
God has planted each of us
Tall me
Short me
Thin Me
Thick Me
Nice Me
Mean Me
14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.
God has taken the time, the energy and the effort to bring together all that is needed and necessary to have a fig tree.
The World’s Death Rate
151,600 people die each day
6,316 people die each hour
105 people die each minute
Nearly two people die each second
According to Ecology.com
Secondarily we have the Privilege of Being Born Again
Being Planted in the Kingdom
This Fig Tree just wasn't Planted but it had the auspicious privilege of being planted in a Vineyard.
God has Intentionally planted you and I
Privilege :a right or immunity granted as a peculiar benefit, advantage, or favor:
1priv•i•lege \ˈpriv-lij, ˈpri-və-\ noun
a right or immunity granted as a peculiar benefit, advantage, or favor:
God has placed us in the most favourable circumstances for the bringing forth of fruit.
The light which they enjoyed was that of the early dawn; ours is that of the noonday sun. They had the prophets; we have the Son of God.
The Privilege of being planted in the Kingdom but more specifically at TIL
3 Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
It was planted in the vineyard itself, right where there were other trees bearing fruit.
It had the same soil, nourishment, rain, and sun from heaven.
We started this year with a 13 Week Course Called FPU
151,600 people die each day
6,316 people die each hour
• 6,316 people die each hour
105 people die each minute
• 105 people die each minute
Nearly two people die each second
• Nearly two people die each second
This is true of all persons who are born in nations where the gospel is freely preached.
Being willing to delay pleasure for a greater result is a sign of maturity. ~ Dave Ramsey
We started this year with a 13 Week Course Called FPU
Did you knock out debt
Work on Credit
Did you go back to school ?
What did you do in the Kingdom ?
Did you attend School of Ministry
Were you consistent in giving ?
Were you consistent in attending Worship Experience ? 208 Worship Experience Opportunities
Did you get involved in a Ministry this year and be faithful at it ?
What Did you do with your Favor Called 2018?
12 Months
52 Weeks
52 Weeks
365 Days
12 Month
8,760 Hours
525,600 Minutes
31,536,000 Seconds
Did you knock out debt
Work on Credit
Did you go back to school ?
Did you attend School of Ministry
Were you consistent in giving ?
Were you consistent in attending Worship Experience ?
Did you get involved in a Ministry this year and be faithful at it ?
Being willing to delay pleasure for a greater result is a sign of maturity. ~ Dave Ramsey
The Production of the Tree
The Production of the Tree
6 And he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none.
Inspection Time
He came Seeking Fruit:
Patience was built in the process
23 “When you come into the land and plant any kind of tree for food, then you shall regard its fruit as forbidden. Three years it shall be forbidden to you; it must not be eaten.
24 And in the fourth year all its fruit shall be holy, an offering of praise to the Lord.
No Fruit because there is no Abiding
No Fruit because their is No Patience
1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.
Did you knock out debt
2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.
Work on Credit
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.
Did you go back to school ?
Did you attend School of Ministry
Were you consistent in giving ?
25 But in the fifth year you may eat of its fruit, to increase its yield for you: I am the Lord your God.
Were you consistent in attending Worship Experience ?
Did you get involved in a Ministry this year and be faithful at it ?
Being willing to delay pleasure for a greater result is a sign of maturity. ~ Dave Ramsey
You will never find time for anything. If you want time you must make it.
15 Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.
You will never find time for anything. If you want time you must make it.
—Charles Burton
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Fruit /Spiritual maturity is not about age or tenure
Fruit /Spiritual maturity is not about age or tenure
Similar to the bumper sticker that says, “I might be getting older, but I will never grow up.” Spiritual maturity takes time, energy, and effort, but it is possible to be a 50 or 60-year-old spiritual baby.
Fruit / Spiritual maturity is not about achievements and accomplishments.
Fruit / Spiritual maturity is not about achievements and accomplishments.
“Dude, you read through the Bible 25 times? Oh, you memorized the entire book of James? Wow, you can say the books of the Bible in 12 languages…backwards? Are you serious?…You have a Ph.D. in Religion from Harvard?”
Those accomplishments are impressive, but they aren’t necessarily marks of a spiritually mature person. Remember, the Pharisees knew a lot of Scripture and had a trophy room full of achievements.
Fruit / Spiritual maturity is not about appearance.
Fruit / Spiritual maturity is not about appearance.
The Owner came and found nothing but leaves.
7 Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.
There are people who “look the part.” In football, this is called “passing the eye test.” Tall.
Huge hands. Cannon for an arm.
But many guys who pass the eye test aren’t good football players.
Similarly, there are many Christians who “pass the eye test.” But this isn’t an indication of spiritual maturity.
So, what is spiritual maturity? There are potentially hundreds of markers. So, understand the following markers aren’t a checklist. They aren’t exhaustive. They provide a framework for spiritual maturity.
No one ever fully matures spiritually. But we must journey on the road to maturity, and while we journey there are marks that help us determine where we are. Here are 10 marks of a mature Christian.
Frank Powell
10 Marks Of A Mature Christian
10 Marks Of A Mature Christian
1.) The highs and lows of life don’t impact your relationship with God.
1.) The highs and lows of life don’t impact your relationship with God.
I love roller coasters. My favorite part is ascending to the apex, stalling for a moment or two, then taking a free fall only to begin the next ascension.
What makes roller coasters awesome is the constant rise and fall.
But this is not what makes Christianity awesome. I have seen too many people live for the mountaintop experience.
They are up, then down. They are all in, then all out.
They have an emotional high (conversion experience, weekend retreat, etc.), but when the high wears off, so does their relationship with God.
Mature Christians don’t ride a spiritual roller coaster. They are consistent.
TWEET THIS!
Mature Christians, however, do not allow the highs and lows of life to impact their walk with God. They are consistent. Oh, yes, they celebrate the mountaintop moments, but they do not rely on those moments to sustain their faith.
2.) You find value in the “dailiness” and trivial seasons of life.
2.) You find value in the “dailiness” and trivial seasons of life.
Be patient in the mundane activities of life. God is still working. Whatever you do in secret, God will reveal in public.
I call this the iPhone complex. It is an exhausting mentality where someone lives every day waiting for the next big thing. We love the iPhone…until the next year when the new one comes out that is basically the same phone. .
Similarly, so many people love their church or situation in life…until the church down the road is doing new awesome stuff or until their current situation loses its luster.
When nothing “awesome” is happening, many Christians leave or give up. They believe every day is supposed to be a day when God rocks the world.
Mature Christians understand the value in mundane and trivial seasons.
3.) You are at peace with situations beyond your control.
3.) You are at peace with situations beyond your control.
I argue this is one of the most underrated marks of spiritual maturity. Just turn on the tv. Do it now. Step away from reading this post (but come back, of course), turn on the news, and watch.
Glad you are back. You probably watched sensationalized stories about ISIS, the downward spiral of our country, and everything in between. Are we living in dark days? Absolutely. Are the acts carried out by ISIS and other terror organizations awful? Beyond awful, they are heinous.
But mature Christians don’t allow the latest buzz on the news to derail their lives. They don’t waste time worrying and freaking out over situations beyond their control.
Mature Christians don’t worry or freak out over situations beyond their control.
TWEET THIS!
They pray hard. They act on the situations they can control. But they don’t allow a second of their day to be wasted on conspiracy theories or sensationalized new stories.
God’s got this. He is sovereign over everything. That includes ISIS. That includes the apparent downfall of America. And as long as God’s got this, there is no reason to freak out.
4.) You don’t allow disciplines to take a back seat.
4.) You don’t allow disciplines to take a back seat.
It never fails. If I reflect on a season of my life where I did not feel close to God, there was one constant: spiritual disciplines were lacking or non-existent.
Meditation. Bible study. Prayer. Solitude. Worship. Community. Confession. Fasting. These are non-negotiable for spiritual maturity and continued intimacy with God. People who struggle with consistency and intimacy in their walk with God are the ones that constantly place everything ahead of God. Spiritually mature Christians do not allow time or busyness to be excuses. They find time. They create space. They make whatever sacrifices necessary to live a spiritually disciplined life.
5.) You maintain a childlike sense of wonder and awe.
5.) You maintain a childlike sense of wonder and awe.
Going back to my boys again. Noah and Micah get excited about everything. Today, Micah found a Cheerio under the couch, put it in his mouth, and screamed, “I did it, mommy.” Micah was ecstatic he found a Cheerio and ate it by himself.
As adults, we have a tendency to lose our childlike sense of wonder towards the world and our surroundings. Maybe this is why Jesus told his disciples we must become like little children to inherit the kingdom of heaven (). Children take risks. Children don’t put up walls based on skin color. Children see the beauty and joy in life. Children find joy in eating Cheerios underneath the couch.
Mature Christians have a childlike nature. They don’t easily become bored. They celebrate. They laugh. They don’t put up walls. They view life as a gift. They see opportunity where others see failure. They have a healthy naivety.
Becoming a child doesn’t mean you are immature. It means you refuse to accept the joyless, bored life that often associates adulthood.
6.) You do not compare yourself to others.
6.) You do not compare yourself to others.
23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
You are trying to feel right by comparing yourself to others. It is ridiculous! Who told you there was anything wrong with you in the first place? Don’t you know that a human is just a human?Donald Miller
We live in a culture obsessed with looking at magazines and pictures of others and coveting their body, looks, and position in life. Our culture wants drives us to be the next _______, instead of being the person God designed them to be. This is toxic to joy and degrading to God. Comparison produces shame, bitterness, and frustration.
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU10 Reasons Churches Are Not Reaching Millennials
Spiritually mature Christians understand reaching their full potential does not come from looking horizontally at the world, but looking vertically to God.
Mature Christians don’t look horizontally for acceptance. They look vertically.
TWEET THIS!
7.) You listen to others who have a different viewpoint…with the goal of growing and not correcting.
7.) You listen to others who have a different viewpoint…with the goal of growing and not correcting.
Spiritually mature Christians glean insight from everyone. They have conversations with atheists, Muslims, Buddhists, Catholics, Baptists, and Pentecostals with the goal of learning.
This stands in stark contrast to some Christians who believe their job is to fix everyone who does not think like them. They are the spiritual “fix it” men (and women) who never leave home without their tool belt.
But not spiritually mature Christians. They understand their perspective is limited. They acknowledge God doesn’t need spiritual police, he needs passionate followers. And followers are listeners. Followers are gleaners. Followers are convicted of their beliefs but are not so close-minded that everyone else is wrong. They understand listening to another viewpoint does not equate to condoning or accepting it.
8.) Your heart breaks for the poor and marginalized.
8.) Your heart breaks for the poor and marginalized.
Jesus loved everyone. But Jesus had a special love for the marginalized. Maybe more than any other mark, this mark forms the dividing wall between Jesus and the Pharisees. Jesus loved those without a voice. The poor. The sick. The helpless. The Pharisees only loved those who could help them.
Mature Christians understand this distinction. Their hearts genuinely break for those in the world who don’t have a voice. Their hearts hurt for the poor. They can’t stand to see kids at school get picked on. They can’t stand to think about boys and girls without parents. This is the heart of Christ. And it is the heart of mature Christians.
Mature Christians love those without a voice because they are close to God, and God is close to those without a voice.
9.) You understand Christianity doesn’t have an on/off switch.
9.) You understand Christianity doesn’t have an on/off switch.
Christian living doesn’t have an “on/off” switch. Living for God is 24/7/365.
TWEET THIS!
Christian living does not have an “on/off” switch. Living for God is 24/7/365. Spiritually mature Christians do not find ways to compartmentalize God because He is not part of their life…He is their life (see ).
Mature Christians are constantly aware of their surroundings. They are constantly aware of opportunities God is presenting them to disciple, share, love, and comfort. Nothing is off limits. The grocery store. A restaurant. The church building. They believe God is always working, and they are not going to miss an opportunity.
10.) You have a sustainable rhythm to your life.
10.) You have a sustainable rhythm to your life.
Mature Christians are not workaholics or lazy slobs. They are not under-achievers or over-achievers. They believe health is important. They find value in exercise. They find value in vacationing. They find value in a regular Sabbath. They find value in hobbies
Mature Christians root for their respective teams, but never allow the result to influence their emotions or mood. They understand living for Jesus and being the most effective servant possible means living holistically.
__________________
No Fruit because their is No time
You will never find time for anything. If you want time you must make it.
—Charles Burton
The Purpose of the Fig Tree
The Purpose of the Fig Tree
Luke
7 And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?’
The fig tree’s purpose was to bear fruit.
It had been planted to bear fruit and it existed to bear fruit. It was by nature a fruit tree; therefore, it was supposed to bear fruit. It had no other purpose for existing.
So it is with man
10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
11 See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand.
12 It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who would force you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.
For Three Years
Out Reach
Love Children wont serve
Love and are Gifted to sing and wont get involved
Married won’t Come
Single Won’t Come
Millennial Won’t Come
Man wont come to Men’s Fellowship
Lady won’t Come
Acts
Ephesians
James
Ruth
Obadiah
Daniel
Habakkuk
Haggi
Philemon
3 John
Jude
Half of Nehemiah Half of Joshua
And are currently in Chapter 11 of Mark
But some folk don’t even care
Don’t watch on line
don’t even have the app
What we love to do we find time to do.
—John Spaulding
11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
You were made to Give God Glory
7 Finally, he said to his gardener, ‘I’ve waited three years, and there hasn’t been a single fig! Cut it down. It’s just taking up space in the garden.’
7 He said to the gardener, ‘For the last three years I’ve come to look for figs on this fig tree but haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up ⌊good⌋ soil?’
This Is why your depressed
This is why your boar easily with the things of God
This is why your lethargic
7 So he said to the worker who tended the vineyard, ‘For three years now, I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and each time I inspect it I find none. Cut it down! Why should it continue to deplete the soil?’
What we love to do we find time to do.
—John Spaulding
2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.
Thank God for the Pardon for the Fig Tree
Thank God for the Pardon for the Fig Tree
8 And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure.
The period of grace and opportunity is extended, but only for a limited time.
Dig around it implies loosening the soil so that water can flow easily to the roots; if the fig tree does not respond, it will be cut … down
9 Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’ ”
10 The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away.
12 So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.
9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.