How to Grow Up in Christ (Ephesians 4:14-15)
I. Putting away childish things and embracing responsibility 1 Corinthians 13:11).
When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
A. Childish ways of thinking and behaving.
1. Pouting.
2. Easily offended.
Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them (Ps. 119”165).
3. Ungrounded jealousy, envy, strife and divisions (1 Corinthians 3:1-3).
4. Self-centered.
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others (Philippians 2:3-4).
B. Failure to take responsibility. (relationships, duty, finances, promises)
II. Speaking the truth “in love.” (Ephesians 4:14-15; Psalms 15:2 and John 8:32)
He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.
And ye shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.
What you say has been produced from what you think. What you think has sprung from your heart. What has sprung from your heart has come from what you believe. What you believe is what rules your life. What you believe should come from the Word of God.
A. Lies from the devil, the father of lies verses the Truth from God, the Spirit of Truth.
1. I am a failure. 1. I am a new creature in Christ.
2. I can’t stand this any more. 2. I can do all things through Christ…
3. Nothing works out for me. 3. All things work together for good…
4. I just can’t control my desires 4. I am more than a conqueror …
5. Everyone is against me. 5. If God be for us who can be against us?
III. Three strategies for growing in Christ.
A. Develop a hunger for God’s Word (1 Peter 2:1-2)
B. Practice three spiritual exercises (Ephesians 4:22-24).
1. Put off the old man (vs. 22).
2. Be renewed in the spirit of your mind (vs. 23 and Romans 12:2).
3. Put on the new man (vs. 24).
I. Putting away childish things and embracing responsibility 1 Corinthians 13:11).
When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
A. Childish ways of thinking and behaving.
1. Pouting.
2. Easily offended.
Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them (Ps. 119”165).
3. Ungrounded jealousy, envy, strife and divisions (1 Corinthians 3:1-3).
4. Self-centered.
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others (Philippians 2:3-4).
B. Failure to take responsibility. (relationships, duty, finances, promises)
II. Speaking the truth “in love.” (Ephesians 4:14-15; Psalms 15:2 and John 8:32)
He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.
And ye shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.
What you say has been produced from what you think. What you think has sprung from your heart. What has sprung from your heart has come from what you believe. What you believe is what rules your life. What you believe should come from the Word of God.
A. Lies from the devil, the father of lies verses the Truth from God, the Spirit of Truth.
1. I am a failure. 1. I am a new creature in Christ.
2. I can’t stand this any more. 2. I can do all things through Christ…
3. Nothing works out for me. 3. All things work together for good…
4. I just can’t control my desires 4. I am more than a conqueror …
5. Everyone is against me. 5. If God be for us who can be against us?
III. Three strategies for growing in Christ.
A. Develop a hunger for God’s Word (1 Peter 2:1-2)
B. Practice three spiritual exercises (Ephesians 4:22-24).
1. Put off the old man (vs. 22).
2. Be renewed in the spirit of your mind (vs. 23 and Romans 12:2).
3. Put on the new man (vs. 24).