Sermon Tone Analysis

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

The tale of a man who ages backwards.

He is born an elderly man in body and appearance, but grow younger as the years go by.

One critic says of the movie “a recurring theme in the film is that age is only a number, and that we as people can choose what we do with our lives, no matter what our age is.”

We all know, to some level, that just ain’t true right?

But there is some truth in that statement when we think in terms of our walk with Christ.

Age has only a small amount do to with spiritual maturity.

I have known young adults with deep spiritual maturity and I have known elderly deacons who were more concerned with keeping the church than following Jesus.

Today John is talking about what it looks like to grow up in the faith, to mature in walk with Christ.

This is

Maturing faith is a mark of authentic faith.

There is an underlying assumption from this passage: If you are a Christian you will mature in your faith.

Christian growth is a mark of true faith

Hebrews 5:12-6

Ephe 4:11-

Even Jesus primarily uses agricultural analogies to help us understand the life of faith.

Stages of Spiritual Growth

1) New Christian (vs.

12, 13c)

Children

Children- Your sins have been forgiven and you know the Father

This is the place all Christians start, when we come to the understanding that our sin separates us from God and we are in need of a savior.

The Jailer and came to this understanding:

When you realize you are a sinner and that Jesus is your only hope for salvation

This is the application of

When we receive Jesus, trust Christ for salvation, we are forgiven and “the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sins.”

In Jesus your sin has been forgiven, atoned for.

Christ becomes our propitiation (took the punishment of our sin on the cross) and our advocate.

And in Christ you have met the Father through Jesus Christ your advocate.

becomes true of us:

And, as New believers in Jesus, we are welcomed into the family of God.

becomes true of us:

Roman 8 14-17

Romans

This is the place ALL Christians start, but it is the place no Christian should stay.

Children are characteristically immature followers of Jesus:

They don’t know what it means to follow Jesus.

They are unfamiliar with the language and disciple of the faith.

They are “tossed to and fro” by thoughts and ideas, but have a deep desire to learn and understand.

I bought a book on prayer shortly after becoming a believer that was all about “Naming it and claiming it”.

They struggle with sin and confidence in their salvation.

This is a wonderful place to be, but not a place to stay.

We need to teach Children to feed themselves, discipline, and foundational things.

We need to help them walk and help them grow.

If you are a new Christian, don’t feel pressure to know everything and do everything right.

Embrace process, engage more mature Christians, and rest in the truths you are discovering in the Word of God.

2) Growing Christian (vs.

13b, 14b)

Young Men- You have overcome the evil one, you are strong, and God’s Word lives in you.

This is a significant part of the life of a Christian, and often difficult to differentiate from Children or Fathers.

Focus mostly on 14b.

How have they overcome the evil one?

Strength - the have the resolve and the power in the Spirit of God to overcome sin and the evil one.

The Word of God abides in you- they engage in the Word of God.

I didn’t put this in there so I can bang the drum more, John put it in there.

If you want to know how to not listen to the lies of Satan then you better start reading the Word.

Ephesians 6

eph 6 11-12

There is a war going on for our souls and growing Christians accept this truth and begin to engage in the battle.

17

The only offensive weapon listed.

Jesus exemplifies this in

Satan comes to tempt Jesus and in every temptation Jesus overcomes through the Word of God.

Spiritually maturing Christians live in the Word of God.

3) Mature Christian (vs.

13a, 14a)

Fathers- You know him who is from the beginning.

John focuses here on the word “know”

I sign of maturity is a knowledge of God.

If you could see the souls of these Christians they would be like the calloused hands of a seasoned brick layer.

The way they understand the world is like an experienced working beside an experienced carpenter that makes things seems so simple and effortless.

The word “knowledge” is the Greek word “ginṓskō” meaning a familiarity acquired through experience or association.

This is a knowing that is more than knowing ABOUT Christ, it is a knowing like John spoke about in chapter 1.

John isn’t concerned with how long you have been a Christian, but how well do you know Jesus.

Have you leaned on Him through pain and struggles?

Have you rejoiced in Him through joy and triumphs?

Have you sought Him out in the times of feeling lost, and praised Him when His wisdom and kindness leads you through?

Have you fought with Him in prayer?

Have you shared Him with others as He has given you opportunities?

Have you spent time getting to know Him in His Word?

There are some Fathers here today that know God well and there is something missing in your maturity, the passing down of the faith.

We need more Fathers and Mothers in the faith to pass down the faith to the young and childlike.

Read this weekend and may it challenge you to embrace God’s call to pass down the faith.

Maturing Christians Overcome the World

A distinguishing mark of a maturing Christian is in the direction of their affection.

What we love can be clearly seen in how we live.

John presents to opposing affections: Loving the World or Loving the “Will of God”

How we

The “World” here is defined as “an evil organized earthly system controlled by the power of the evil one that has aligned itself against God and his kingdom” NAC

Akin, D. L. (2001).

1, 2, 3 John (Vol.

38, p. 108).

Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

Everything in the World:

1) Pursuing what feels good

1) Pursuing what feels good.

Lust of the Flesh- Living life dominated by the senses.

What sounds good, tastes good, feels good, or looks good?

What brings me satisfaction or gratification now?

And when that doesn’t satisfy any more I will find the next thing.

That is overstated because most in the room do not live like that wholeheartedly, but a quick examination of your life would likely reveal (as it would mine) that we are daily choosing what feels good now rather than what is true and right.\