What Does Spiritual Maturity Look Like?
Series: Where Do You Go From Here? – City Church of Chattanooga, Chattanooga, TN
2002 is the “Year to go to the Next Level” at City Church. We have explored what this means for us as a corporate body. Now let us consider what this means for us individually. What would it mean to you to go to the next level in your spiritual life?
Hebrews 6:1, Let us go on to maturity.
Ephesians 4:12-13, Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church…until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature and full grown in the Lord, measuring up to the full stature of Christ.
Two important points these passage make about spiritual maturity:
1. Spiritual growth is not an option. It is imperative.
2. Spiritual growth is not accidental. It is intentional.
A DECRIPTION OF SPIRITUAL MATURITY PASSIONATELY COMMITTED
Compelling devotion to Christ, his Kingdom and his cause.
Matthew 6:33, He will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your highest priority.
BIBLICALLY MEASURED
Having a Biblical worldview that enables you to discern the issues of life from a perspective of divine truth
Hebrews 5:14, Solid food is for those who are mature, who have trained themselves to recognize the difference between right and wrong and then do what is right.
Morally Pure: Living a life of holiness and purity that honors Christ.
Colossians 1:10, Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and you will continually do good, kind things for others.
Financially Generous: Sharing freely and liberally of your resources to extend God’s work on the earth and to bless others.
2 Corinthians 8:7, Since you excel in so many ways…now I want you to excel also in this gracious ministry of giving.
Family Commitment: Maintaining divine order in your home and active covenant with the People of God, the Church.
1 Timothy 3:4, He must manage his family well, with children who respect and obey him. If a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church?
Socially Responsible: Responding compassionately to the poor, the outcast, the abused and neglected.
Jeremiah 22:16, ‘He made sure that justice and help were given to the poor and needy, and everything went well with him. Isn’t that what it means to know me?’ says the Lord Evangelistically Bold: Giving witness to the Gospel of Christ in word, deed, and life-style.
Acts 1:8, When the Holy Spirit has come on you, you will receive power and will tell people about me everywhere…
PASSIONATELY COMMITTED TO CHRIST
This aspect of spiritual maturity if fundamental to all the others. If there is not spiritual passion in our lives, nothing else will happen. When we lack passion, out heart becomes hollowed out. The Christian life seems more like a job than an adventure. The Ephesus Solution (Revelation 2:4-5)…
1. Remember
2. Repent
3. Renew
