Christ Is Our Substance

Opening:

story

Recap/Intro

Impetuous (V.11)

Dull - thoughtless

hard to explain things to those who don’t listen

Humans naturally don’t listen

we must be changed to truly hear (1 Cor. 2:14)

Disinterested - No depth

Jesus Spoke to the people in parables

those who truly wanted to know the answers would seek them (Mat.13:13)

Noncommittal

They weren’t growing deep roots.

they were still lacking understanding

Infantile (VV. 12-13)

Immature

They weren’t growing - undeveloped

They were being fed, but refusing to eat

A Lack of development in the christian life brings many things

Lack of self control - 1 Cor. 9:27

Lack of identity - Rom. 12: 1-2

Lack of Healthy - Psalm 119:11

Malnourished

they couldn’t eat solid food

they could’t eat the real meat of the Gospel, because they weren’t growing

they still wanted the milk

Babies only grow by choosing to eat the real food

We only grow by choice

Unmotivated

They had no resolve to change

Look at Daniel (Dan 1:8) & Paul’s (Acts 20:24) Motivation

Motivation leads to devotion, which leads to development

Improved

Solid

solid food is only for stable humans

Stable christians desire God’s food

Carnal believers desire the worlds milk 2 Tim 4:3

Developed

They are growing day by day

sanctification - 2 Tim. 2:15

Closing:

story

A humorous birthday card read: "You are only young once, but you can be immature forever."

The sad truth is too many Christians have made that their mantra. Paul said to the believers at Corinth, “I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. (1 Corinthians 3:1)"

Prayer