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Introduction: The Two Ages in Scripture

Throughout the Bible, we see a consistent theme of two distinct ages:

* The Present Age - characterized by rebellion, sin, and death

* The Age to Come - characterized by God's rule and righteousness

As Christians, we live in the tension between these two ages. Christ's death and resurrection have ushered in the age to come, yet we still experience the realities of the present age.

Key Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:6-7

"We do, however, speak a wisdom among the mature but not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age who are coming to nothing. On the contrary, we speak God's hidden wisdom in a mystery, a wisdom God predestined before the ages for our glory."

What is Spiritual Maturity?

1. Spiritual maturity is not about physical age

* Example: Samuel as a boy hearing God's voice (1 Samuel 3)

* Contrast: Eli, physically mature but spiritually dull

* Timothy being told, "Don't let anyone look down on you because you're young"

2. Spiritual maturity is characterized by obedience

* Moving from spiritual milk to solid food (Hebrews 5:14)

* "The reason why Christians don't mature in the church is because they don't walk in obedience"

* Growth happens when we do what God has told us to do

3. Spiritual maturity means accepting reality

* Recognizing we live in a fallen world

* "Spiritual maturity is realizing I can't always get what I want"

* Not being flustered when things don't go our way (like Esther, Ruth, and Mary)

4. Spiritual maturity means responding to God's voice

* Samuel's response: "Speak, for your servant is listening"

* Answering God directly instead of always running to intermediaries

* Jesus' sacrifice ensures we can hear God's voice

How to Grow Spiritually

* Recognize the age you belong to: You were born into the present age but born again into the age to come

* Walk in obedience: Don't justify sin while expecting spiritual growth

* Exercise faith: "Everything in your life requires faith"

* Respond when God calls: Like Samuel, be quick to say "Here I am"

* Accept your inability to control everything: Christianity isn't about controlling the world but about living faithfully within it

The Glory That Awaits

* "A Christian's glory is that we might be like Christ"

* God predestined this glory "before the ages" (1 Cor 2:7)

* Jesus died so we could hear God's voice like Samuel did

* In spiritual maturity, "there is nothing that the gates of hell will prevail over you"

Closing Challenge

Where is God asking you to mature, and you're not listening?

Where is He saying, "just grow up"?

What area of obedience is He calling you to embrace today?

"Spiritual maturity is having the knowledge that I am not a part of this age. I'm a part of the age to come."

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