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Growing In Maturity

Posted on 28 Sep 2020, Pastor: Tolu Makinde

Title: Growing Into Maturity

Text: Luke 2:40, 52

[Luk 2:40] And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

[Luk 2:52] And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

Introduction

If Jesus grew, I must grow.
Maturity in the life of a Christian is a must. Otherwise, such believers could lose their salvation through carelessness.
A matured Christian is strong in the spirit and filled with wisdom
To mature in your walk with the Lord is a conscious decision you must make. You just don’t wake up a matured Christian one day.
It is a process that we must all go through.
Jesus said: [Joh 15:5] I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. [Joh 15:6] If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
It is impossible to grow in Christ without Jesus
Failure to grow in Christ is like committing spiritual suicide
Two underlying foundation are:
- Hunger and zeal for Jesus
- Spending adequate time in prayer

Today, we will review 5 things that are needed for a believer to be matured by taking a look at 2 Timothy 2.

Main Topic

2 Tim 2:1-4, 15

[2Ti 2:1] Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

[2Ti 2:2] And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

[2Ti 2:3] Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

[2Ti 2:4] No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

[2Ti 2:15] Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Be strong in the grace that is in Christ
- The hunger and zeal for Jesus Christ will lead to being strong in the grace that is in Jesus Christ
- [Tit 2:11] For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, [Tit 2:12] Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; [Tit 2:13] Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
  - Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts
  - Live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world
  - Looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ
Grow in knowledge and wisdom, then teach others what you have learned.
- The hunger and zeal for Jesus Christ will lead us to grow in knowledge and wisdom of Jesus Christ
- [2Ti 2:2] And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
- [2Ti 2:15] Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
  - How do you grow in knowledge?
  - Study the Bible, because your life depends on it.
    - [Jos 1:8] This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. [Jos] 1:9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
  - Listen to other saints, through audio, books, etc.
    - Get messages from sound Bible teachers, like Ps. Adeboye, Benny Hinn, Oral Roberts, Kenneth Hagin, and many more.
    - Read their books, you will learn what took them years to discover in a matter of days.
  - Learn from them, and teach what you learned to others.
    - Attend Bible study to learn and to teach.
    - We learn in part and teach in part
Endure hardness as a soldier of Jesus Christ.
- When you spend adequate time in prayer, you develop into a soldier of Christ
- [2Co 10:3] For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: [2Co 10:4] (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) [2Co 10:5] Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
- You must develop a tough skin and not be overly sensitive.
- If you are sensitive, you will be easily offended and it will derail your walk with the Lord.
- You must be rugged in your walk. Your motto should be “JESUS TILL I DIE” – and nothing can change that.
- Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand…….Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
- If you are a soldier of Jesus Christ, warfare is coming. The only way to be prepared is by knowing the Word of God.
- Don’t be afraid. Your victory was already guaranteed on the cross when Jesus said, “It is finished”.
Don’t entangle yourself with the affairs of this life – [2Ti 2:4] No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; … but entangle yourself with the affairs of the life to come.
- The closer we draw to Jesus, the less we will think about the world
- Be careful what you get involved and associate yourself with, especially when it is not rooted in the Word of God
- [Mat 6:21] For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
- [Mat 6:33] But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. [Mat 6:34] Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
Please him (Jesus) who hath chosen you to be a soldier
- The hunger and zeal for Jesus will lead you to always looking to please Him
- [Heb 11:6] But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
- [Jud 1:20] But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
- Spending adequate time in prayer will increase your faith

Conclusion

Because Jesus grew, you must also grow in His grace
Maturity in the life of a Christian is a must. Otherwise, such believers could lose their salvation through carelessness.
A matured Christian is strong in the spirit and filled with wisdom
To mature in your walk with the Lord, you must make a conscious decision.
It is impossible to grow in Christ without Jesus
Failure to grow in Christ is a spiritual suicide

Five items that can help your growth:

Be strong in the grace that is in Christ
Grow in knowledge and wisdom, then teach others what you have learned.
Endure hardness as a soldier of Jesus Christ.
Don’t entangle yourself with the affairs of this life
Please him (Jesus) who hath chosen you to be a soldier

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Sermon

Growing In Maturity