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Essentials of Christians Maturity
I. Putting away childish things and embracing responsibility. (1 Corithians 13:11)
When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understand as a child, I though as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. (1 Corinthians 13:11 KJV)
A. Childish ways of thinking and behaving.
1. Pouting
2. Easily offended.
Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them (Psalm. 119:165)
3. Ungrounded jealousy, envy, strife, and divisions. (1 Corinthinians 3:1-3)
4. Self - Centered.
Let nothing be done through strife or vain glory; but in lowlinss of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.(Philippians 2:3-4)
B. Failure to take responsibility. (Relationships, Duty, Finances, Promises)
II. Speaking the truth "in love". (Psalms 15:2 and John 8:32)
He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.
And ye shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.
What you say has been produced from wht you think. What you think has sprung from your heart. What has sprung from your heart has come from what you believe. What you believe is what rules your life. What you believe should come from the word of God.
A. Lies from the devil, the father of lies verses the Truth from God, the Spirit of Truth.
1. I am a failure. 1. I am a new creature in Christ.
2. I can't stand this any more. 2. I can do all things through Christ.
3. Nothing works out for me. 3. All things work together for good.
4. I just can't control my desires. 4. I am more than a conqueror.
5. Everyone is against me. 5. If God be for us who can be against us?
III. Responding intelligently and patiently to the chasitement of the Lord. (Hebrews 12:5-15)
A. Do not despise it but accept it and learn from it.
B. Do not faint when God rebukes you. "A fainter never wins".
C. Recieve it as the evidence of the love of God.
D. Endure the chastening. Don't try to get out of it.
E. Subject yourself to God and look expectantly for the peaceable fruit of righteousness.