Marks of Maturity - Part 4
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Review:
Review:
Lesson #1: Models of Maturity: Part 1
Thesis: Biblically speaking, the maturity of a church and its members is measured by the presence of Faith, Love, and Hope and is motivated by the imminent return of Christ.
(the “what”)
Lesson #2: Models of Maturity: Part 2
Thesis: Mature spiritual leaders should demonstrate faith, love, and hope in and through their ministry. (the “who”)
Lesson #3: The Household Model
Thesis: Mature churches understand and imitate God’s plan for leadership in the family. (the “who”)
Lesson #4: The Message of Maturity
Lesson #4: The Message of Maturity
Thesis: Maturity is defined and developed by the reception and integration of the message of the Word of God, the Bible. (the “how”)
I. The Message Received (2:13)
I. The Message Received (2:13)
The God of the Word
1 Thess. 1:2
2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers,
1 Thess. 2:13
13 For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.
1 Thess. 3:9-10
9 For what thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sake before our God,
10 night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face and perfect what is lacking in your faith?
1 Thess. 5:17-18
17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
The Received Word (1 Peter 1:23)
23 having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever,
The Welcomed Word (1 Cor. 2:13-14)
13 These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
The Truthful Word (John 17:17)
17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.
The Working Word
ĕnĕrgĕō: Energy!
Heb 4:12
12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Mark 4:20
20 But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.”
II. The Message Replicated (2:14)
II. The Message Replicated (2:14)
The Message that Transforms… (2 Cor. 5:17)
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
Head - how we think (Rom. 12:2)
2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Heart - what we love (Matt. 22:36-40)
36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?”
37 Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’
38 This is the first and great commandment.
39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
Hands - what we do (John 13:34-35)
34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
...is also the Message that Tears (Matt. 10:34-35)
34 “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.
35 For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’;
Believer to Unbeliever
Mature Believer to Immature Believer
III. The Message Rejected (2:15-16a)
III. The Message Rejected (2:15-16a)
killed Jesus and the prophets (Luke 24:20)
20 and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to be condemned to death, and crucified Him.
persecuted Christians (Acts 8:1-3)
1 Now Saul was consenting to his death. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.
2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.
3 As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.
did not please God (Acts 9:1-5)
1 Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest
2 and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
3 As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven.
4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”
5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”
contrary to all men (Acts 26:9; Acts 17:6-7)
9 “Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
forbidding Gentile ministry (Phil. 3:5-6)
5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee;
6 concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
IV. The Mess that Resulted (2:16b)
IV. The Mess that Resulted (2:16b)
Sins measured up (Gen. 15:16)
16 But in the fourth generation they shall return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.”
Wrath poured out (Rom. 1:24,26,28)
24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves,
26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;
Word Study:
received - paralambanō: to associate with oneself
welcomed - dĕchŏmai: to indicate approval or conviction by accepting
effectively works - ĕnĕrgĕō: to be active; mighty in
believe - pistĕuō: to have faith in
imitators - mimētēs: followers
contrary - ĕnantiŏs: - opposite; antagonistic
Questions to ask:
Have I accepted the message of the Gospel?
Am I willing to make God’s Word a priority in my life?
Actions to take:
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved...” Acts 16:31a
Set aside time each day to read and engage with the Bible.
“The Bible does not have to be rewritten, but reread.”
-Author unknown