A Church that Has Come of Age

Intro

Text - John 21.18; 1 Cor 13.11

John 21:18 NKJV

18 Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.”

1 Corinthians 13:11 NKJV

11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

Background

Does a church mature?

a church is composed of people -lives

If members grow and mature, so should the church

not by the number of years

Does it matter whether a church is mature or not?

It does - the young and the old/mature have vast differences

they behave differently

they think differently

they have different goals for living

they respond to problems differently

they have different motivations

When does a local church become mature?

a church’s spiritual condition is dependent on its people’s spiritual condition

a church is mature only because its people - or most of them - are mature

What are the distinguishing marks of a mature church?

A study on Israel’s journey can give us ideas about spiritual childishness and maturity.

Israel in the wilderness - type of a young church

Israel in Canaan - type of a mature church

The Marks of a “young” church

1 Corinthians 10:1–10 NKJV

1 Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, 2 all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3 all ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. 5 But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. 6 Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. 7 And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.” 8 Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell; 9 nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; 10 nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer.

Using Israel as a type of the church, we can see how a young church behaves -

A young church is dependent on her “feeders”

Israel depended on the daily manna

although manna was God’s supernatural provision - it was not to be there permanent diet

manna ceased when they steppedinside Canaan

A church is young when she relies on her preacher for all the nourishment she needs. Why?

Jesus gave us the 5 -fold ministry to equip the church

the 5-fold ministry are not merely “feeders”

they are “equippers”

Ephesians 4:11–13 NKJV

11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;

note - good parents do not spend all their lives feeding and doing all things for their kids.

God wants us to have personal encounter with the Word

2 Timothy 3.14-15 - Timothy was (1) taught by Paul and (2) have known the Scripture from childhood

Solution

the church must encourage its people to spend time with the Word

Bible reading

devotional

personal Bible study

A young church is “lustful”

Israel lusted for ‘evil things” - Egypt’s pleasures

more than food - they missed the pleasure of eating the egyptian way

A young church is driven in its activities by the carnal desires of the new and childish members

when we enjoy gatherings, but not prayer meetings

when we enjoy outings, but not fellowships

when we are so full of earthly activities we have no time to pray, fast, devotions, meditation

when we are so focused on human abilities, but we lack in spiritual gifts

True church life is centered on 4 things - teaching, fellowship, prayer, breaking of bread

True church activities are based on gifts not skills ad human talents

A young church still has idols

Israel worshiped idols at the foot of Mount Sinai.

A young church has to bear with the idolatries of the old life

our personal deities

our human idols - parents, husband/wife, even our own kids

A young church has tantrums

Israel provoked God to anger many times

like kids, Israel tested God’s patience

A young church has to bear with members who

don’t come to church because of other members

don’t talk to each other over some issues

A young church is a complainer

Israel complained over almost everything in the wilderness.

A young church has to bear with complaining members

Israel was God’s warning for us!

1 Corinthians 10:11–12 NKJV

11 Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. 12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.

Israel’s life story was written for our benefit.

We must learn to outgrow the childish things!

The Marks of a “mature” church

When we consider Israel in the conquest of Canaan, we can see how the people have matured!

they have different behaviors, outlooks and responses to instructions

they are committed to the work of God!

The commitment to be strong

Joshua 1:5–9 NKJV

5 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. 6 Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

God commanded Joshua to be strong and courageous

because there will be enemies

because it will not be easy

To be strong, Joshua must feed on the word of God!

A maturing church learns to become strong.

she wants to win established in her position

she wants to win her battles

Hebrews 12:12–13 NKJV

12 Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.

Revelation 3:2 NKJV

2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God.

1 Corinthians 16:13 NKJV

13 Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.

Ephesians 6:10 NKJV

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

1 John 2:14 NKJV

14 I have written to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, Because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, And you have overcome the wicked one.

The commitment to obey the leadership

Joshua 1:16–17 NKJV

16 So they answered Joshua, saying, “All that you command us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. 17 Just as we heeded Moses in all things, so we will heed you. Only the Lord your God be with you, as He was with Moses.

Israel commited to obey Joshua’s leadership

they were willing to receive instructions!

they were willing to be sent!

A maturing church is committed to her leadership.

Israel’s commitment was not blind obedience.

they demanded that Joshua should have God with Him

A church’s obedience is commensurate with the leadership faithfulness to God.

Israel’s obedience to the leadership was tested on various occasions -

they submitted to be circumcised

they followed a radical plan of the conquest of Jericho

The commitment to discipline and correct the errors

Joshua 1:18 NKJV

18 Whoever rebels against your command and does not heed your words, in all that you command him, shall be put to death. Only be strong and of good courage.”

Israel committed to remove from the camp the rebels and disobedient

This was first tested in the case of Achan - Joshua 7

A maturing church is committed to imposing biblical discipline among her members

this applies both to the leadership and the congregation

Jesus cleared the temple of “thieves”

Mark 11:15–17 NKJV

15 So they came to Jerusalem. Then Jesus went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. 16 And He would not allow anyone to carry wares through the temple. 17 Then He taught, saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’ ”

Paul cleared the Corinthian church of immorality

1 Cor 5.1-6

The commitment to the conquest

Israel’s commitment to the conquest was demonstrated on many occasions

the 3 tribes that settled east of Jordan committed to help in the conquest to the end

Joshua’s battle against 5 kings to save Gibeon

Joshua 10:8–14 NKJV

8 And the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not fear them, for I have delivered them into your hand; not a man of them shall stand before you.” 9 Joshua therefore came upon them suddenly, having marched all night from Gilgal. 10 So the Lord routed them before Israel, killed them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, chased them along the road that goes to Beth Horon, and struck them down as far as Azekah and Makkedah. 11 And it happened, as they fled before Israel and were on the descent of Beth Horon, that the Lord cast down large hailstones from heaven on them as far as Azekah, and they died. There were more who died from the hailstones than the children of Israel killed with the sword. 12 Then Joshua spoke to the Lord in the day when the Lord delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel: “Sun, stand still over Gibeon; And Moon, in the Valley of Aijalon.” 13 So the sun stood still, And the moon stopped, Till the people had revenge Upon their enemies. Is this not written in the Book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and did not hasten to go down for about a whole day. 14 And there has been no day like that, before it or after it, that the Lord heeded the voice of a man; for the Lord fought for Israel.

A maturing church is committed to finish the work of God entrusted to her - especally evangelism.

God and make disciples of all nations

Go and preach the gospel

If the church is committed to the work -

God provides the necessary help

God will even listen to her prayers!

The commitment to serve the LORD

Joshua 24:13–14 NKJV

13 I have given you a land for which you did not labor, and cities which you did not build, and you dwell in them; you eat of the vineyards and olive groves which you did not plant.’ 14 “Now therefore, fear the Lord, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord!

Israel committed to serve the LORD only!

Joshua 24:15–18 NKJV

15 And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” 16 So the people answered and said: “Far be it from us that we should forsake the Lord to serve other gods; 17 for the Lord our God is He who brought us and our fathers up out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, who did those great signs in our sight, and preserved us in all the way that we went and among all the people through whom we passed. 18 And the Lord drove out from before us all the people, including the Amorites who dwelt in the land. We also will serve the Lord, for He is our God.”

A maturing church is committed to keep on serving the LORD -

after God has answered their prayers

when one work is done, she looks for another way to serve God

Conclusion

Have we matured as a local church?

Are we maturing as a people of God in this area?

What can we do to encourages our people to mature?

Mark these things that we have studied:

characteristics of Israel in the wilderness

characteristics of Israel in Canaan

1 Corinthians 13:11 NKJV

11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

we will not mature as long as we are holding on to our childish behaviors

What happen when the children will not mature?

In Israel’s case, God replaced all them with a new generation of Israelites.

He waited 40 years until all the childish ones are dead

They missed their opportunity because they failed to learn the right behaviors that would qualify them to enter the promised land.

Listening

God spoke - they did not listen

Obedience

God gave simple instructions - they complained

Waiting

God tested their patience - they rebelled

Participation

God asked for their participation - they did things their own way

SONG