Adult Christianity

1 Corinthians 13:8–13 NIV84

8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

1. God’s gifts prepare us for growth

Eph 4:11-15 “11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.”

We need the faith and trust of a child, Mt 18:3 “3 And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

We need the innocence of a child when it comes to evil, 1 Cor 14:20 “20 Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults.”

2. Adult Christianity demands that we put away childish speech

What am I saying?

Children have limited but developing vocabulary (one hopes)

A child is known by his/her speech

The Focus

Look at me

Look at what I did

I need

I want

I feel

I wish

I will

The Content

The imagination is fun

You are straight

Simple and to the point

The Quality

Children pick up things from others

Children are vulnerable

Children will often repeat what others say and do

Prov 21:23 “23 He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity.”

Prov 27:2 “2 Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips.”

Eph 4:29 “29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”

1 Tim 4:12 “12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.”

Col 4:6 “6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”

Heb 3:13 “13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.”

Put childish speech away

3. Adult Christianity demands we put away childish thoughts

There is a difference between dreamers and doers

Maturity

Children speak what they think

Adults should let their actions speak

1 Cor 3:1-3 “1 Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly—mere infants in Christ. 2 I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. 3 You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men?”

Change your thinking, 1 Cor 14:20 “20 Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults.”

Children think about having fun

They have no regard for responsibilities

Children think moving out is fun

As a man thinks, so is he

How are your thoughts?

Put childish thoughts away

4. Adult Christianity demands we put away childish reasoning

The maturing process requires growth in these three areas

Our reasoning will be inhibited if we are still speaking like children

Our reasoning will be derailed if we are still acting like children

Paul was writing to the church at Corinth

Paul was not writing to the children’s church in Corinth

Older people must learn to live the adult Christianity

Time in church does not transfer to maturity

By now, you ought to be teachers

Time in the faith does not mean maturity in the faith

Study to show yourself approved (2 Tim 2:15)

5. Adult Christianity is required for the inheritance

Gal 4:1-2 “1 What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. 2 He is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father.”