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.
 
  1. 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
         
  2. 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
           
  3. 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”.
       
  4. 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.
  5. 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:
  1. Be strong in the grace that is in Christ
  2. Grow in knowledge and wisdom, then teach others what you have learned.
  3. Endure hardness as a soldier of Jesus Christ.
  4. Don’t entangle yourself with the affairs of this life
  5. Please him (Jesus) who hath chosen you to be a soldier