Where There Is No Growth, There Is No Life

Today we are talking about growing in Christ. Which got me thinking about growing older. No one after 30 likes to hear they are growing older, but growing older has some benefits to it. So here is a list of the upsides of growing older:

There is nothing left anymore to learn the hard way.

Things that you buy now won't wear out.

Your supply of brain cells is finally down to a manageable size.

You no longer think of the speed limit as a challenge.

Your investment in health insurance starts to pay off.

You can quit trying to hold in your stomach no matter who walks into the room.

Your secrets are safe with your friends because they can't remember them anyway.

You can sing along with elevator music.

Your joints are more accurate meteorologists than the guy on the television.

Your eyes won't get too much worse.

Kidnappers are not very interested in you.

People call you at 9 p.m. and ask, "Did I wake you???? "

You can get into a heated argument about pension plans.

You can eat dinner at 4:00 in the afternoon.

In a hostage situation you are the most likely to be released first.

No one expects you to run -- anywhere.

You are no longer viewed as a hypochondriac.

Historical/Cultural Context -

Paul preached the gospel in Corinth in the early 50s AD during his second missionary journey (Acts 18:1–18). When opposition grew fierce there, the Lord Jesus spoke to him in a vision assuring him that he had ‘many people’ in the city (Acts 18:10). With this encouragement, Paul stayed on for eighteen months, ‘teaching them the word of God’ (Acts 18:11). God used Paul’s ministry to bring about the birth and establishment of the church in Corinth.

Biblical Text -

1 Corinthians 2:6–16 NKJV

However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 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. But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

-[Prayer]-

Life Principle - Grow In Christian Maturity, Knowledge And Skill In Sharing The Gospel.

Life Point- Grow In Christian Maturity

Exegetical -

1 Corinthians 2:6–9 NKJV

However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

Homiletical -

We have talked a lot about wisdom. Heavenly vs. earthly wisdom, which is no wisdom at all because it does not come from God.

James 3:13–18 NKJV

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Now Paul tells us that the wisdom that is from above is for those who are mature. But he does not speak of those who are mature in the flesh. But those who are mature in the things of God, and of life.

I have met some people in there 70s and 80s that by the way they live their lives, I can tell you they aren’t mature Christians. They have not put what scripture says into practice. Oh, they may come to church on Sunday, but when scripture says to not swindle someone, they turn right around and do it.

Do you know what the problem is with these kinds of people?

They have compartmentalized Christianity. Church is just something they do, not what they live by.

When I look at someone like this, I am glad that they go to church, but I am saddened that they are so self-deceived they think they are saved.

People who live in immorality and show that immorality to others and feel no shame about it, or no conviction about it, I would go out on a limb here and says they don’t know Jesus Christ. They aren’t saved.

But what about those who are still stuck on the milk of the Word? They haven’t moved on beyond the elementary principles of Christ?

Yes, there are true Christians who don’t know any better. Why? Because they don’t read God’s Word, much less study it. What they do read they don’t like it, so like a toddler or if you are in my house right now, a puppy. They ignore what God says. They just continue on, saying and doing what they have always done.

Their mantra is, “ignorance is bliss.”

They forget Hosea 4:6

Hosea 4:6 NLT

My people are being destroyed because they don’t know me. Since you priests refuse to know me, I refuse to recognize you as my priests. Since you have forgotten the laws of your God, I will forget to bless your children.

In the New Testament we are all called priests before God.

1 Peter 2:9 NKJV

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

We are called to be mature in Christ.

Hebrews 5:12–14 NKJV

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. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 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.

We live in the 21st century. We have access to not just the scriptures in English, but multiple translations, dictionaries, commentaries and the like. For free!

For us to still be babes in Christ, there is no excuse. Martin Luther, Zwingli, and John Calvin would have loved to have access to the amount of study tools we have for the scriptures today.

No the problem is not a lack of tools, it is a lack of priorities. If you want to grow up in Christ, then you need to make scripture one of your largest priorities.

1 Corinthians 2:7–8 NKJV

But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

What is this mystery?

This mystery is not something that still remains a mystery today. Anyone who says they have been given a word from God to restore to the church, that word better be backed by the truth of scripture or it is no word at all, but either a twisting of scripture by their minds or it comes from a demonic source.

The mystery that Paul has in mind here is the restored personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. If they had known that they were crucifying God in the flesh they wouldn’t have done it.

How amazing it is that God, while we were yet sinners, paid our debt. That is the mystery that at this time in history has been revealed.

Illustration -

A recent college grad visits a farm one day. He approaches the farmer and points to one of the trees.

"You know, with the methods you old farmers use, I'd be surprised if you could get one bushel of apples from that tree" says the college grad.

"I'd be too" the farmer answers. "That's a peach tree."

Life Point - Grow In Knowledge & Understanding

Exegetical -

1 Corinthians 2:10–12 NKJV

But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.

Homiletical -

Someone always says, “Pastor I can’t understand the Bible.” My answer is always this, that is why He is given us ministers. To help us along. Not that we just take their word for it, but we use them as a resource in our learning and growing in Christ.

No it is the Holy Spirit who guides us into all truth. The Spirit searches all things to illuminate this truth to our minds.

At no other time since the fall has man enjoyed such a close relationship with God. Yet, we treat it as such a trite thing. Something that is no big deal!

Do you think that God is offended by that? I think He is.

If we would just rely on the Holy Spirit as we read His word, then we would find that the truth of His Word would be illuminated to us.

Remember The Holy Spirit is not some impersonal force. He is the third in the trinity and He is God.

What does the Holy Spirit do?

Jeremiah 31:31–34 NKJV

“Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah— not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them, says the Lord. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.”

Because of the shed blood of Christ we have fellowship with God the Holy Spirit. Because of His work illuminating the scriptures to us, we know God.

Why are Christians not more happy about this than they are?

Maybe I am wrong, but I think it has a lot to do with the fact that the average American Christian, doesn’t read or study God’s Word for themselves.

We should follow the example of the Berean people found in Acts.

Acts 17:10–12 NKJV

Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men.

Did you know it is commanded to study the scriptures? So by not studying we are actually in sin.

2 Timothy 2:15 NKJV

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Illustration -

Speaking of knowledge, here are some one-liners that will increase your knowledge.

Q: What do you call something that runs but never gets anywhere?

A: A refrigerator.

Q: What do you call something that’s easy to get into, but hard to get out of?

A: Trouble.

Q: What do you do to get a robot mad?

A: Push all of its buttons.

Life Point - Grow In Sharing The Good News

Exegetical -

1 Corinthians 2:13–16 NKJV

These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 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. But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

Homiletical -

The preaching and teaching of scripture and especially the mystery of The Gospel is not something that can be caught and truly understood without the Holy Spirit. It something the natural man cannot fathom.

What most people see on TV is the Word-Faith movement and that’s all they know of Christianity, which is no Christianity at all. It is an abomination. A perverse way of thinking that when brought out to its final conclusion will not lead you to salvation. Why? Because it is selfishness clothed in religious language. If this is all that people see about Christians, no wonder Christianity has left a bad taste in their mouths.

I’ve got news for you. The world and the people in it, think Christians are archaic, bigoted, and stupid. They think we are foolish, to say the least. They call what we do here every Sunday a practice in mythology and futility.

Ever wonder why?

Because the Gospel and the things of God are foolishness to them. They are spiritual and can only be discerned spiritually through the supernatural power of God.

They do not understand it, nor can they, until they are born-again.

Jesus said in John 3 to Nicodemus:

John 3:1–8 NKJV

There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

The people of this world judge the Gospel, but they have no idea what they are judging. Their eyes are closed. They need Jesus, so that their eyes may be open and they can truly judge spiritual things.

But how can that happen if we are not telling people about Jesus?

Romans 10:13–17 NLT

For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!” But not everyone welcomes the Good News, for Isaiah the prophet said, “Lord, who has believed our message?” So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.

Life Principle– Grow In Christian Maturity, Knowledge And Skill In Sharing The Gospel.

Call to Action – altar call….