## Measure of Maturity

## Ephesians 4:7-16

The Christian life parallels the physical life in a number of ways. Remember Jesus' discussion with Nicodemus? He told him that he must be born again. Immediately Nicodemus thought in terms of the physical…

Joh 3:4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?

Jesus' answer was to explain that we have a physical birth that gives us physical life, but we must be born again…have a spiritual birth…to bring us spiritual life.

Joh 3:6-7 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

So the parallel begins and continues. The normal Christian life begins with a birth, grows, and should mature. Note that I said 'normal'. This doesn't always happen, but it is the way God planned things to be. Growth is exciting! I remember a particular door way in our home where Mom and Dad would use a pencil to mark the growth of my brothers and sister and myself. I remember stretching with all of my might to be taller…why? I wanted to grow up! It was natural. It isn't natural to want to remain a child.

I. Indications of Immaturity

A. More concerned with self than service

1. Babies are the most selfish people in the world.

2. They do nothing for themselves, and expect you do stop what you are doing immediately to attend to them!

3. How many of us have talked to our babies like this, "Just a minute…mommy's busy right now…"?

4. How did that work for you? Did they respond, "I'm sorry, Mother, I didn't realize you had a life of your own…I will just wait patiently until you can attend to my needs."

5. The same is true with Christians who are immature…example of Randy and Deanna.

6. Most are oblivious to everyone else around them, they think only of themselves.

a. I need this…

b. I don't like this…

c. You don't love me…

B. More concerned with argument than action

1. Parents, don't you just love it when you to tell your child something and they want to argue with you?

2. Doesn't that just make you want to hug them? Around their neck with your hands?

3. Two of the most welcome words parents long to hear from their children, "But why?"

4. I want to do it this way…

5. Immature believers want to argue about things rather than just do it.

6. Pastor, do you think it is wrong…usually means that they have already decided and just want me to confirm their preconceived ideas.

7. Immature believers are critical of what others are doing…but they aren't doing much of anything themselves.

8. Dr. B.R. Lakin used to say, "If you can't tree the 'coon, don't shoot the dog that can!"

C. Looking to man rather than to God

1. An indication of immaturity is the focus on the abilities of man rather than God.

2. Usually it is our own abilities…

3. Katie used to tell me when I would try to help her with something, "I me do it!"

4. She would get very upset with me if I didn't let her do it herself.

5. Immature believers look to themselves rather than to God.

6. Families have literally fallen apart because they were so stubborn they thought they should be able to solve the problems on their own.

7. In reality, that is the sin of Pride.

8. Humility realizes that we need God's help.

II. The Measure of Maturity

Read: Eph. 4:7-16

A. Mature Believers Have A Mission (v 11?12)

1. Perfecting means maturing.

2. The gifts of the Lord to the church are to bring us to maturity

a. The apostles and prophets through their writings

b. Evangelists through their special ministry

c. Pastors and teachers have the primary responsibility in bringing about Christian growth

3. Now we see the mistake in understanding the pastoral role

a. The pastor has become the one who does the work of the ministry instead of maturing others to do it

b. Instead of being participants, Christians have become spectators

c. Pastors perform and their people go home to talk about it

d. Too many believers feel their responsibilities end in paying pastors and supporting missionaries

4. Mature believers see their mission in life as doing the work of the ministry: reaching out to others with the love and gospel of their Savior

B. Mature Believers are Builders (v12?13)

1. Builders of the Body

a. "For the edifying of the body of Christ"

b. "Edify" means to build up or help along

c. Christ is the head of the church

d. Each believer is a member

2. Builders of Believers

a. Caring for the members of the body that are afflicted

1) Prayer for the sick 2) Visiting the fatherless and widows

Jas 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

b. Caring for the physical needs of the members.

1) Paul and the churches received offerings to help the saints in Jerusalem

2) I realize that we pay taxes and that our government has many programs to help those who are disadvantaged

3) But we shouldn't leave the care of our members up to the government!

c. Caring for the spiritual needs of the body

1) Be a peacemaker - helping people get along

2) Live and teach the Scriptures to others

3) Get involved in the lives of one another …not being nosy or a busybody, but to minister to one another

4) Is this church stronger in Christ because of your input?

5) Can you point to one person in the church that you have made an effort to edify or build up?

6) Is the church more unified because of you?

C. Mature Believers Are Established in the Word (v14)

1. "No more children, tossed to and fro"

a. Not vulnerable to the deceptive teachings of enemy.

b. Ever watch a child as they watch someone doing some magic tricks?

c. The hand is quicker than the eye…seeing is believing: But truth will establish the believer

d. Truth will enable the believer to discern what is right and what is wrong.

e. No longer will they be attracted to religious fads and cultic teachings of false prophets.

2. Solid in doctrine

a. Knowing what we believe

b. Knowing why we believe it

c. Living what we know

3. Maturity in the Word of God brings maturity in our lives as believers.

1Pe 2:2, " As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:"

Mt 4:4b, "…Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."

Tonight, we need to honestly evaluate ourselves. Does our life exhibit maturity or immaturity? In what areas do we need to grow? Are we involved in helping others in our church mature? Are we on mission to evangelize, edify, and establish?