WHAT
MATURE CHRISTIANS OVERCOME IN THEIR LIVES INSIDE THE LOCAL CHURCH?
*INTRODUCTION:
a.
Paul used the example of a mature Christian as a good model inside the local
Church for being a blessing and encourage the people of God to be matured
spiritually also.
b. The
Church needs more mature Christians to ensure growth in the Ministry of the
Lord.
* “Baby
Christians” are those in the local church who need care and attention because
they are still powerless and not yet capable of handling major responsibilities
inside the local Church.
( I Peter 2:2 ) As newborn
babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
* The
mature need spiritual meat from the Word of God.
( Hebrews 5:12-14 ) [12]For
when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you
again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such
as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
[13]For every one that useth milk is unskilful in
the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
[14]But strong meat belongeth to them that are of
full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to
discern both good and evil.
( Ephesians 4:11-16 ) [11]And he
gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some,
pastors and teachers;
[12]For the perfecting of the saints, for the work
of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
[13]Till we all come in the unity of the faith,
and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of
the stature of the fulness of Christ:
[14]That we henceforth be no more children, tossed
to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of
men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
[15]But speaking the truth in love, may grow up
into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
[16]From whom the whole body fitly joined together
and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual
working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the
edifying of itself in love.
5 GREAT THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT WHAT MATURED CHRISTIANS
OVERCOME IN THEIR LIVES.
1. MATURE CHRISTIANS OVERCOME THE “BABY STAGE” LIFE AS
NEW BELIEVERS IN CHRIST.
( Ephesians 4:14 ) That we
henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every
wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they
lie in wait to deceive;
* New
believers are "babes in Christ" who require the attention and care of
mature Christians.
* They
need consistent spiritual follow-up and discipleship through the Word of God,
provided by those who are strong in the faith.
2. MATURE CHRISTIANS OVERCOME THE LACK OF KNOWLEDGE FROM
THE WORD OF GOD.
( Ephesians 4:15 ) But
speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the
head, even Christ:
* Spiritual
knowledge is found only in the Word of God.
(Joshua 1:8) This book
of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein
day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written
therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have
good success.
*( Mathew 4:4 ) But he
answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by
every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
( II Timothy 3:15-17 ) [15]And
that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make
thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
[16]All scripture is given by inspiration of God,
and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness:
[17]That the man of God may be perfect, throughly
furnished unto all good works.
3. MATURE CHRISTIANS OVERCOME A LACK OF PARTICIPATION IN
THE WORK OF THE LORD.
( Ephesians 4:11 ) And he gave
some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors
and teachers;
* Those
who decide to actively participate in the Lord’s work are the strong and
faithful pillars of the local church.
2 Timothy 2:1-7 [1]Thou
therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
[2]And the things that thou hast heard of me among
many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to
teach others also.
[3]Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good
soldier of Jesus Christ.
[4]No man that warreth entangleth himself with the
affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a
soldier.
[5]And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is
he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
[6]The husbandman that laboureth must be first
partaker of the fruits.
[7]Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee
understanding in all things.
* Paul
is the ultimate example of a mature Christian who learned to be content and
strong in every circumstance.
( Philippians 4:7-13 ) [7]And the
peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds
through Christ Jesus.
[8]Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true,
whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are
pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if
there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
[9]Those things, which ye have both learned, and
received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with
you.
[10]But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now
at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also
careful, but ye lacked opportunity.
[11]Not that I speak in respect of want: for I
have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
[12]I know both how to be abased, and I know how
to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to
be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
[13]I can do all things through Christ which
strengtheneth me.
4. MATURE CHRISTIANS OVERCOME A LACK OF FAITH IN THE
UNITY OF THE LOCAL CHURCH.
( Ephesians 4:13 ) Till we all
come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a
perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
* The
church needs believers who possess a spirit of unity.
Philippians 2:1-8 [1]If there
be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any
fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
[2]Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having
the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
[3]Let nothing be done through strife or
vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than
themselves.
[4]Look not every man on his own things, but every
man also on the things of others.
[5]Let this mind be in you, which was also in
Christ Jesus:
[6]Who, being in the form of God, thought it not
robbery to be equal with God:
[7]But made himself of no reputation, and took
upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
[8]And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled
himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
* God
the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ are our primary models for perfect unity.
( John 17: 21-22 ) [21]That
they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also
may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
[22]And the glory which thou gavest me I have
given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
[23]I in them, and thou in me, that they may be
made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and
hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
5. MATURE CHRISTIANS OVERCOME LACK OF SPIRITUAL STRENGTH TO
ASSURE VICTORY IN THE MINISTRY OF THE LORD.
( Ephesians 4:16 ) From whom
the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint
supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part,
maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
( 1 Corinthians 15:57-58 ) [57]But
thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
[58]Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye
stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye
know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
( 1 John 5:4-5 ) [4]For
whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that
overcometh the world, even our faith.
[5]Who is he that overcometh the world, but he
that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
* To
God be the glory *
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