Spiritual Maturity

Mark #10

Forgiveness

Grace

Stedfastness/Endurance/Faithfulness

Knowledge/Understanding

Mark #10 - Patience

James 1:2-4

"Let us take care, in times of trial, that patience, and not passion, is set to work in us: whatever is said or done, let patience have the saying and doing of it. When the work of patience is complete, it will furnish all that is necessary for our Christian race and warfare."

The key for trials, and the process of maturity, is yielding to the Lord in the trial and allowing Him to do in us and through us what He pleases.

Hebrews 12:1-3

The biblical formula to successfully make it through trials isn't an easy one, but its the only one that works.

Patience is a mark of maturity that is produced through trials.

Patience is a mark of maturity that is expressed to others.

1 These. 5:14

Eph. 4:1-3

When we struggle being patient with others, ask:

How patient is God with me?

How many times have I deserved to be given up on?

How long-suffering has God been with me?

Rom. 5:1-11

LIFE

Sermon 42

Last Life Point:

Choosing the flesh will gratify your "now," but will grab your "later."

Genesis 42:7-38

Life Point: Give grace as you've been given.

Colossians 4:6

Ways to give grace:

With words

Respond with grace

Presence

In forgiveness

In asking for forgiveness

In expressing thanks/gratitude

1 Peter 2:20-24

We refuse to use the power of grace in our lives because it takes discipline to give it.

2 Peter 3:18

James 4:6

2 Tim. 2:1

Heb. 4:16

Heb. 13:9 (ESV)

Matt. 18:21-35 (ESV)

LIFE - Sermon 41b

Last week: Life Point: Jesus, the Servant, is the Supplier.

Gen. 42:1-6, Gen. 37:5-11

Life Point: Choosing the flesh will gratify your "now," but will grab your "later."

1 Peter 2:1-3 (ESV)

2 Cor. 5:17

Hebrews 6:18 (ESV)

John 6:47-58 (ESV)

Eph. 4:29-32 (ESV)

Col. 3:5-11 (ESV)

Hatred enslaves, Love frees.

Gal. 5:13-26 (ESV)

1 Thess 5:19

Rom. 6:12-14 (ESV)

Eph. 4:17-24 (ESV)

Steps to take:

1. Admit

2. Abide

3. Apply

Spiritual Maturity

Mark #9

Mark #9 - Self-Control

Prov. 16:32

Prov. 25:28

1 Cor. 9:25-27 (ESV)

Eph. 4:15-16 (ESV)

Gal. 5:22-23

2 Peter 1:5-7

Phil 4:5

Is. 53:7 (ESV)

1 Peter 2:21-23 (ESV)

Areas that self-control is needed:

1. Anger - Prov. 14:17, James 1:19

To have no consistency in controlling the rise of your emotions to the point of anger and acting on it, is to reveal a lack of self-control and, therefore, a lack of spiritual maturity.

2. Tongue - Prov. 29:11, James 1:19

To have no restraint in what you say, and how you say it, is to reveal a lack of self-control and, therefore, a lack of spiritual maturity.

3. Lust/covetousness/greed - 1 Cor 7:1-9 (ESV), Heb 13:4-5 (ESV)

To have an undisciplined and uncontrolled desire for what is excess and forbidden, is to reveal a lack of self-control and, therefore, a lack of spiritual maturity.

4. Jealousy/Envy - 1 Peter 1:22-2:3 (ESV)

As we grow in Christlikeness, the less we are envious and jealous of others.

1. Admit

2. Abide

3. Apply

LIFE - Sermon 41

Last Sermon:

Life Point: If God said it, He will do it, and you can trust it.

Gen. 42:1-6

The servant was the supplier.

Rom. 7:24-25 (ESV)

John 8:31-35 (ESV)

1 Tim. 1:15

Matt. 20:28

Phil. 2:5-8

John 10:10

Life Point: Jesus, the Servant, is the Supplier.

John 6:28-41

Gen. 42:6a

Heb. 9:27

John 11:25-26 (ESV)

He who was a prisoner is now a prince.

2 Cor 4:1-12 (ESV)

2 Cor 5:17-21 (ESV)

Life Point: Choosing the flesh will gratify your "now," but will grab your "later."

1 Peter 2:1-3 (ESV)

Eph. 4:29-32 (ESV)

Col. 3:5-11

Spiritual Maturity

Mark #8

Mark #8 - Generosity

Matt. 20:20-28

Areas that generosity should be expressed:

Love

Time

Service

Forgiveness

Grace/Mercy

Abilities

Gifts

Money

Possessions

Our life

Prov. 11:23-28 (ESV)

Seven truths about generosity:

Generosity is Christ's character. Matt. 20:28

Generosity doesn't expect return. Luke 6:27-38 (ESV)

Generosity gives to those who can't repay. Luke 14:12-14 (ESV)

Generosity gives even to those who do you wrong - Matt. 5:38-42 (ESV)

Generosity is foundational in the church - Acts 4:32-5:14 (ESV)

Generosity comes from a cheerful heart and is rewarded. 2 Cor. 9:6-15 (ESV)

Generosity to God and to others are good works that are rewarded. 1 Tim. 6:17-19 (ESV)

2 Samuel 24:22-24

"Too often when it comes to giving we "round down" instead of "rounding up." We give God as little as we think we can get by with giving. Yet in truth all that we have already belongs to Him. When we are generous with the resources God has entrusted to us to support His work, He blesses greatly. When we are stingy, we rob ourselves of His best for us.

We should give to God from a heart of gratitude for all He has done for us."

A Modern-Day Naomi

1. She is kind.

Ruth 1:1-12

Gal. 5:22 (ESV)

Eph. 4:32

2. She is gracious.

Ruth 2:1-2

3. She is considerate of others over self.

Ruth 3:1-5

Phil. 2:3 (ESV)

4. She recognizes the sovereignty of God even in her affliction.

Ruth 1:19-22

5. She recognizes the hand of God.

Ruth 2:20

6. She is a testimony for God.

Ruth 4:13-17

Matt. 5:16

Spiritual Maturity

Impedance #7

Verses

Little girl fourteen flipping through a magazine

Says she wants to look that way

But her hair isn't straight her body isn't fake

And she's always felt overweight

Well little girl fourteen I wish that you could see

That beauty is within your heart

And you were made with such care your skin your body and your hair

Are perfect just the way they are

Chorus

There could never be a more beautiful you

Don't buy the lies disguises and hoops they make you jump through

You were made to fill a purpose that only you could do

So there could never be a more beautiful you

Seventh Impedance - Insincerity

The the more sincere we are the more Christlike we can become.

The less sincere we are the further from Christlikeness we are.

Sincerity - the quality or state of being sincere: honesty of mind: freedom from hypocrisy

Insincerity - the quality of NOT expressing genuine feelings, or acting disingenuous. Hypocritical.

Being sincere in tough times doesn't mean you lose the ability to exercise other spiritual disciplines like grace and mercy.

When you're in a tough place/a struggle/a difficult time:

Sincerity doesn't excuse sinfulness.

Sincerity doesn't excuse selfishness.

Insincerity enslaves and eventually catches up and destroys.

Sincerity breeds freedom.

Sincerity leads to connection...connection leads to care...care leads to investment...investment is essential for growth.

Three areas that sincerity is important:

Faith:

1 Tim. 1:5

2 Tim. 1:5

2 Cor. 11:3 (ESV)

Heb 10:22

Insincerity is an impedance to operating in faith.

Faith is what pleases God and produces works.

2. Love

2 Cor. 8:7-8

Eph. 6:24

Rom. 12:9 (ESV)

Insincerity is an impedance to operating in love.

Love is the definition of Christ and greatest virtue we can possess and express.

3. Service

Josh 24:14 (ESV)

Rom. 12:11 (ESV)

Col. 3:22 (ESV)

Insincerity is an impedance to serving God and others.

Servanthood is our call to follow after Christ in.

Sincerity isn't a score, it's a standard.

You don't measure sincerity by what you do compared to others.

You measure sincerity by why do you what you do.

Life - Sermon 40

"It's honestly more like a healing experience for my husband," she previously told Elle. "It's just music; there's no sermon. It's definitely something he believes in Jesus and there's a Christian vibe. But there's no preaching. It's just a very spiritual Christian experience."

Col. 3:3-4 (ESV)

Gen. 41:46-57

Life Point: If God said it, He will do it, and you should trust it.

Jer. 17:5-10 (ESV)

Ps. 34:8-9 (ESV)

Ps. 40:4 (ESV)

Prov 16:20 (ESV)

The choices you make, the things you allow, the importance you place on things, all teach others, including the next generation, what's valuable.

The people of God should be/are to be known by our confidence in His word.

Luke 6:46-49 (ESV)

Spiritual Maturity

Mark #7

Mark #7 - UNITY

Eph. 4:1-6 (ESV)

I. The Basis of Unity

II. The Means of Preserving the Unity of the Body of Christ

Eph. 4:7-11 (ESV)

III. The Purpose of the Gifts to Accomplish This Unity

Eph. 4:12-16 (ESV)

John 17:1-23

The clear purpose for the unity of God to be seen in the unity in His people:

John 17:21, 23

You can't accomplish God's will/plan without unity.

The clear plan:

John 19:18

The purpose of unity is the gospel, the plan is to go.

To be unified, you have to be:

Present

Engaged

Invested

Committed

Stedfast

Acts 1:8

Acts 4:23-33 (ESV)