Maturing Your Relationship with God Pt. 1

Pastor Nathan Wendell Tyson

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Introduction

If we were to summarizes the goal of the Epistles (Romans - Jude)

the summary would be about maturing your relationship with God.

Now we do not have the time to read from Romans - Jude

And the real question is: how exactly is that done?

Well First we got to know what spiritual maturity is

Second How to be spiritually mature

Okay so to understand this

The next few weeks we will be

The next 3 weeks will be about Maturing your relationship with God

Maturing your relationship with God Pt. - what is maturing your relationship with God

pt.2 - Who has a mature relationship with God? (character)

pt.3 - What does a mature Christian do (Actions)

because I have done the hard work in researching from the 21 Epistles how we mature our relationship with God

If you are wanting to have a deeper connection with God - this is for you

If you think you have been wasting your time - this is for you

If your relationship with God has been shaky - this is for you.

Now if you have been wanting to mature your relationship with God and have not read the epistles you’re in luck

because I have done the hard work in researching from the 21 Epistles how we mature our relationship with God

however I do encourage you to read these 21 Epistles on your own.

I have 2 goals:

That through this you be inspired to seek God more

That being Christ-like becomes a desire you grow more and more in

Lets Pray

Before we get started I need to share with you how the Bible talk about spiritual maturity

because many people misunderstand the Bible when it comes to Spiritual maturity

You will often hear:

there is mature Christians that actively pursues God,

and there is immature christian that is basically someone who

goes to church but does nothing for the kingdom of God & does not actively grow their relationship this God.

well actually:

while the Bible does speak about mature believers (, ; )

it does not ever contrast with immature Christians

in fact the word immature is never used in NKJV

instead mature believer is often contrasted with Greek “Nepios” which literally means baby -

which implies someone new to the faith.

so what does the Bible call someone that is that only goes to church and does nothing for God’s Kingdom?

well that person is described in

James 1:22 NKJV

22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

the word hearer here also in verse 23, & 25 that says

Romans 2:13 NKJV

13 (for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified;

is the word Akroates that means an audience hall listener

means an a

So literally the person we are describing

so if you are an Akroates you are deceiving yourself

which that greek word means to cheat, defraud, and even to be misled.

Teaching us that when we do not do what God’s Word says we cheat our selfs, we defraud the gift God wants to give us, and we mislead our own selves.

Now lets see what God’s Word says about being a mature believer… and if you do not do it you are a “Nepios” or an “Akroates”

What I am going to do is summarize how each of the 21 Epistles teaches us on how we mature out relationship with God:

because each one of you are different the way you mature in the Lord will be a little different for each person.

I encourage you to listen and to find maybe the book or two, or more that deals with something you need to grow in.

After this you have no excuse because you will know how to grow in your maturity of Christ.

Romans:

Turn your Bibles to Hebrews 5:11-14

This book matures our relationship with God by:

allowing us to understand what the Gospel of Jesus is and how his grace should impact my life.

Tommy said:

I need you to know some Greek Words before we get started:

“ I would say that for a start, you would have to find out why you believe what you believe and actually make that decision for yourself.

1 Corinthians

This book matures our relationship with God by:

The ways the church should operate

okay so

(it deals with divisions, disciple, disputes, defilement, marriage, food to idols, ordinances, spiritual gifts, the resurrection, giving to each other)

2 Corinthians

This book matures our relationship with God by:

showing us what the Christian life is like (especially through life of Paul)

(starts with comfort, end with comfort, in middle is about overcoming various afflictions)

This is about: what is maturing your relationship with God?

Galatians

This book matures our relationship with God by:

Each one had their own unique spin on it:

“ I would say that for a start, you would have to find out why you believe what you believe and actually make that decision for yourself.

Hebrews 5:11–14 NKJV

11 of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, 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. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

I would say that for a start, you would have to find out why you believe what you believe and actually make that decision for yourself.

I’d also say you should seriously consider advice given to you by older, wiser people, instead of just tossing whatever they say out the window, and most importantly I would say that you have to talk to God and meditate on His word and learn to wait on Him”

I love how Tommy focused on knowing what you believe and being a good student

A spiritually mature person rely solely on God and uses the Bible as a guideline for their choices in life. Such as what is the right thing to do and what is considered evil. They also take responsibility for these choices”

I love how Trinity focused on a dependency on God

Giving us freedom from sin and its consequences because Jesus paid it all

Ephesians

This book matures our relationship with God by:

showing us who we are in Christ and showing us how we are to act in conduct in different types of relationships with each other

then ends with

(including friendships, marriage, children and at the end the enemy)

Philippians

This book shows us how we are to be to one another (looking out for each others interests, humble, joyful, united, praying, meditating, no complaining, being thankful, preaching Christ, to live for Christ, whatever you do for each other do for Christ)

then it also teaches us why we do those thing.

Colossians

This book matures our relationship with God by:

Showing us who Jesus is, & defending that

Sometimes in our walk with God we have to remember who it is we are worshipping

This book reminds us that He is the creator, He is the head,

1 Thessalonians

This book matures our relationship with God by:

showing us how the church started and how the church should walk ( In holiness—4:1–8, In harmony—4:9–10, In honesty—4:11–, D. In hope—4:13–5:11, E. In helpfulness—5:12–28

A. In holiness—4:1–8

B. In harmony—4:9–10

C. In honesty—4:11–12

D. In hope—4:13–5:11

E. In helpfulness—5:12–28

2 Thessalonians

This book matures our relationship with God by:

giving us encouragement through in hard times (ch.1) and teaching us about last days (ch.2), and in the mean time how we should act (ch.3)

1 Timothy

This book matures our relationship with God by:

showing us the role and the different positions of leadership in the church

I recommend this book to anyone wanting to be a leader in the church

2 Timothy

This book matures our relationship with God by:

Showing leaders what they need to have, (ch.1) who they are supposed to be (ch. 2) , what they should know (3), and what they should do (ch.4)

I recommend this book to anyone wanting to be a leader in the church

Titus

This book matures our relationship with God by:

showing us the key roles of a christian leader (preach God’s Word, raise up leaders, and shut up false teachers - ch. 1)

different types of people in the church (older, younger, slaves, citizens, problem people - ch.2-3)

Philemon

This book matures our relationship with God by:

teaching us about forgiving others and equality in positions (specifically - slave is not greater than a master)

Hebrews

This book matures our relationship with God by:

causing us to have to deepen our knowledge of the OT

because this book is about how Jesus is better than (prophets, angels, Moses, &Aaron -

that Jesus is from a greater priestly order, has a better covenant, has a better sanctuary, is a better sacrifice. (ch.1-10)

that Jesus is from a greater priestly order, has a better covenant, has a better sanctuary, is a better sacrifice. (ch.1-10

so then you must have better faith (ch.11-13)

James

This book matures our relationship with God by:

causing us to put our faith into action

teaching us

so if you are 100% guilty of being a “Akroates” then mature your relationship with God with this book.

1 Peter

This book matures our relationship with God by:

by showing us God’s grace in our lives and how to show grace to the lives of others, (ch.1-2)

and that we should continue to praise God no matter what and to depend on His grace to get us through it (ch.3-5)

Trinity said: “ A spiritually mature person rely solely on God and uses the Bible as a guideline for their choices in life. Such as what is the right thing to do and what is considered evil. They also take responsibility for these choices”

2 Peter

This book matures our relationship with God by:

showing us the importance of our growth in knowledge of Christ (ch.1) to combat false teachers by being mindful, not ignorant, diligent, and to beware(ch.2-3)

1 John

This book matures our relationship with God by:

Showing us that God is light and love and it tests our love, truth, and obedience

2 John

This book matures our relationship with God by:

Encouraging us to be loving and to be living in the truth

3 John

This book matures our relationship with God by:

showing us the importance of having a good reputation esp. in the church

Jude

This book matures our relationship with God by:

warning us from and showing how to overcome wicked people among us

Revelation

This book matures our relationship with God by:

showing us that Jesus wins

but it also causes us to deepen our understanding of OT especially the prophets.

to be spiritually mature is to be aware of your relationship with God. it is to be aware of what your strengths and weaknesses are and maximizing your strengths and minimizing your weaknesses. someone who is spiritually mature is able to see the good in life and be thankful to God for what they have instead of focusing on what's missing. their default in hard times is to go to God in prayer. Reading the Bible is a habit that is not taken for granted but treasured. they use their god given gifts to help others without feeling depleted. they are not phased by circumstances and when they fail, instead of feeling hopeless, they go to God.

Lets Start by just

1 Corinthians 2:15–3:5 NKJV

15 But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. 16 For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ. 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? 5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one?

Concluscion

If we were to summarize what the New Testament teaches about spiritual maturity it will sound a lot like what Lani said:

1 Corinthians 2:15–3:4 NKJV

Lani said: “to be spiritually mature is to be aware of your relationship with God. it is to be aware of what your strengths and weaknesses are and maximizing your strengths and minimizing your weaknesses. someone who is spiritually mature is able to see the good in life and be thankful to God for what they have instead of focusing on what's missing. their default in hard times is to go to God in prayer. Reading the Bible is a habit that is not taken for granted but treasured. they use their god given gifts to help others without feeling depleted. they are not phased by circumstances and when they fail, instead of feeling hopeless, they go to God. “

I love that Lani

In light of all that was said.

Now I would have failed you if i did not add this:

is your relationship with God maturing?

Spiritual maturity is not based on how many Bible books you read instead how many you lived.

These Bible books are not meant to be read as a chore but to be read in cheer.

God is not a religion, or wants to be treated as a routine or ritual

lets break it down:

God calls you friend, son, daughter, His own,

Please remember these books in the Bible only tell you how to become spiritually mature reading them does not make you mature.

Just like a friendship

This may upset some but did you know most people in the Bible did not have a Bible & they still had a relationship with God.

How did Abraham have a relationship with God how about Moses?

Even when parts of the Bible were being written no idividuals had their own copy

So how did they have a relationship with God?

Prayer.

But how did they grow in their relationship with God? by meditating on His word, by hearing His Word in the the temple, or synoagogue

So is reading the Bible is necessary for a relationship with God?

Reading the Bible matures our relationship with God, and helps us grow.

So here are the simple steps to grow in your relationship with God

we start back wards

lets look at just the part:

“with God” in the sentence maturing your relationship with God.

Summary

1. Start a relationship with God by trusting Jesus

for salvation, for his promises

3. Traits

“ I would say that for a start, you would have to find out why you believe what you believe and actually make that decision for yourself.

2. Have a relationship with God through prayer

3. Grow your relationship with God through His Word allowing the Spirit of God to allow you to do what it says.

3. Talks to Others

Dependency:

I love how Trinity points out our dependency on God

Now without knowing what each other said

or knowing I was asking to quote them … Lani pretty much takes what Trinity says about depending on God

and describes what that looks like:

I love how Trinity focused on a dependency on God

3. Talks to Others

4. Then repea

Then repeat.

So I hope you found the book or 2 or more that you should read to mature your relationaship with God.