Christian Life Church
August 27, 2023 at 8:30am & 10:00am
THIS PRESENT TIME #26 HOW TO MEASURE CHRISTIAN MATURITY
Locations & Times
Christian Life Church Columbia
2700 Bush River Rd, Columbia, SC 29210, USA
Sunday 8:00 AM
THIS PRESENT TIME #26
How to Measure Christian Maturity 8.27.23
Romans 8:18-19 NKJV For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.
Ephesians 4:11-32 NLT Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. 13This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. 14Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. 15Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. 16He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. 17With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. 18Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. 19They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity. 20 But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. 21Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, 22throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 23Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. 25So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. 26And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27for anger gives a foothold to the devil. 28If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. 29Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. 30And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. 31Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
The Outward Measure of Christian Maturity…(the objective test)
A. A “spiritual person” is one who is growing in the Word of God and intimate revelation of Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:15-16)
B. A “spiritual person” is one who has nothing to do with envy, strife, or division within the Body of Christ. (1 Corinthians 3:1-3)
C. A “spiritual person” restores the fallen with compassion and sobriety. (Galatians 6:1ff)
D. A “spiritual person” remains teachable, correctable, and humble. (1 Corinthians 14:37-38)
The Inward Measure of Christian Maturity…(the subjective test)
A. How closely does my lifestyle conform to my statement of faith?
1. Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.2 Timothy 2:19 NKJV
2. Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.2Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.3And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
1 John 3:1-3 KJV
B. ”What does my stewardship look like?
1. Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.
2 Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. 1 Corinthians 4:1-2 NKJV
2. Everything we have is His.
a) Time
b) Talent
c) Treasure
d) Testimony
e) “To understand what’s important to a person, examine his checkbook and his Day-timer.” Leadership Lessons by John Maxwell, circa 1990, by the way)
C. What is my “reaction and recovery factor?”
1. Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. 15See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.16 Rejoice always, 17pray without ceasing, 18in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.19Do not quench the Spirit. 20Do not despise prophecies. 21 Test all things; hold fast what is good. 22Abstain from every form of evil. 1 Thessalonians 5:14-22 NKJV
2. In other words, how much time has to pass between the time trouble presents itself, and you start trusting, thanking, and praising God with all of your heart?
How to Measure Christian Maturity 8.27.23
Romans 8:18-19 NKJV For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.
Ephesians 4:11-32 NLT Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. 13This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. 14Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. 15Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. 16He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. 17With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. 18Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. 19They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity. 20 But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. 21Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, 22throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 23Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. 25So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. 26And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27for anger gives a foothold to the devil. 28If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. 29Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. 30And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. 31Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
The Outward Measure of Christian Maturity…(the objective test)
A. A “spiritual person” is one who is growing in the Word of God and intimate revelation of Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:15-16)
B. A “spiritual person” is one who has nothing to do with envy, strife, or division within the Body of Christ. (1 Corinthians 3:1-3)
C. A “spiritual person” restores the fallen with compassion and sobriety. (Galatians 6:1ff)
D. A “spiritual person” remains teachable, correctable, and humble. (1 Corinthians 14:37-38)
The Inward Measure of Christian Maturity…(the subjective test)
A. How closely does my lifestyle conform to my statement of faith?
1. Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.2 Timothy 2:19 NKJV
2. Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.2Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.3And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
1 John 3:1-3 KJV
B. ”What does my stewardship look like?
1. Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.
2 Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. 1 Corinthians 4:1-2 NKJV
2. Everything we have is His.
a) Time
b) Talent
c) Treasure
d) Testimony
e) “To understand what’s important to a person, examine his checkbook and his Day-timer.” Leadership Lessons by John Maxwell, circa 1990, by the way)
C. What is my “reaction and recovery factor?”
1. Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. 15See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.16 Rejoice always, 17pray without ceasing, 18in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.19Do not quench the Spirit. 20Do not despise prophecies. 21 Test all things; hold fast what is good. 22Abstain from every form of evil. 1 Thessalonians 5:14-22 NKJV
2. In other words, how much time has to pass between the time trouble presents itself, and you start trusting, thanking, and praising God with all of your heart?