The Mark of Christian Maturity

Written by Ed Allen
 Sunday, 28 August 2005 10:40

Sermons - Joy Under Pressure

Joy Under Pressure

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Sermon Outline

Philippians 3:12-21

Pressing on Toward the Goal
    12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

    15All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

    17Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. 18For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. 20But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

The central theme of today's passage is Christian maturity. What does it look like? What are its characteristics? What is the mark of a mature Christian?

Paul tells us that Christian maturity looks like... humble striving after union with God. Or, put another way, 'Fully recognizing my own spiritual weakness, I dive into relationship with God.'

1. Holy Frustration

2. Holy Forgetfulness

3. Holy Focus

4. Stability

5. Adventurous Living

Questions to ask yourself

  • Can my life be characterized by humble striving for union with God?
  • Am I living the life I was built for?

Enemies to maturity

  • Spiritual ADD
  • Living for a spiritual short cut
  • Inability / unwillingness to live out what you already know
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