Indications of Infancy

A. We looked last week at the necessity of the new birth. As we look into Christian growth, we see that God’s plan is birth, growth and maturity. We recognize this immediately in the physical realm.

1. This was even true of Christ

2. We see it in our children. We expect growth and development. Vitamins… utmost care… trips to the doctor. We will do almost anything to foster growth into maturity.

B. But spiritual growth is often neglected.

1. There is much attention at new birth… then neglect

2. Some remain infants for many years.

3. The Corinthian catastrophe: They had not grown

1 Corinthians 3:1–4 NKJV

1 And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. 2 I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; 3 for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? 4 For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not carnal?

C. How can we recognize spiritual infancy?

The Spiritual Infant is Concerned with Self Rather than Service

1 Corinthians 3:1–2 NKJV

1 And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. 2 I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able;

A. The time of great rejoicing at birth… or salvation

1. In heaven and here… snatched from the fire

2. Delivered from destruction… great joy

B. Same is true with natural birth: all eyes on the baby.

C. Getting accustomed to the attention. “carnal” = fleshly

1. Pampering the baby and the results. Many young parents don’t have the heart to let their infants cry themselves to sleep when the time is appropriate.

2. The result? Walking the floor night after night. Infant learns they don’t have to go to sleep on their own.

D. An infant is upset over the smallest things.

1. Some Christians have to be handled with kid gloves.

2. They wear their feelings on their sleeves

3. They are like bombs…always ready to explode

E. The infant is a receiver… not a giver

1. The spiritual infant examines everything as a receiver

2. Fussing over rights. Secondly...

The Spiritual Infant is Concerned with Argument Rather than Action

1 Corinthians 3:3 NKJV

3 for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?

A. Envying, strife, divisions are his occupation.

B. Perhaps the most underestimated sin in our lives is strife:

Galatians 5:19–21 NKJV

19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Philippians 1:27 NKJV

27 Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel,

C. Have you ever watched children bicker?

D. It’s always easier to get into the faction than to get into the action.

E. It’s easier to grumble than to go, easier to argue than to act.

The Spiritual Infant Looks to People Rather than the Master

1 Corinthians 3:4 NKJV

4 For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not carnal?

A. “I am of Paul..”

B. The infant’s world: mother, father, grandparents, aunts, uncles

C. If mother or father don’t respond, he despairs and screams.

D. The spiritual infant looks to human resources

1. The person who led him to Christ.

2. The evangelist who preached a special sermon.

3. Many miles to hear a singer, a preacher, a program, but can’t get to an evening service or prayer meeting.

E. Allows people to dictate how, when, even if they serve. Talked to someone this past week while in the gym who barely attends now because of petty issues in the church. Used to teach Sunday School, etc.

Conclusion:

A. What does the spiritual infant need?

1. To look to Christ

2. To begin building

3. To remember the judgment seat of Christ

B. Isn’t it time to grow up?