Maturing in Christ
May 05, 2024      |     By: Tim McVay      |      Category: Sermons      |      Location: El Dorado
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What does it mean to be mature in Christ?  Tim McVay teaches on several principles leading to spiritual maturity.  The scriptures talk of how perseverence through trials and acquiring wisdom both lead to maturity.  Seeking guidance and wise counsel are marks of maturity.  Ultimately, it is in the daily renewing of our minds and living from our identities that provide this growth.

What does the Bible say about “maturity”?

- Colossians 1:28 Paul essentially says that his understanding of what the outcome his apostolic ministry will be is that He and his apostolic team (WE)” …may present everyone mature in Christ.”

Colossians 1:28 (NIV)
28 He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ.

- Something seems absent in our disciple-making (i.e., “how can someone be born of the Spirit, but no more mature in 30-40 years than they were when they were born again?) Why are some of us “stuck” seemingly in negative patterns of relating to others, or in particular sin patterns?

- One of the primary goals of the equipping ministries that Jesus has given to the Church is to shepherd God’s people into maturity, “attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:13)

Ephesians 4:13 (NIV)
13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

- There are links in scripture with regard to maturity that:
  1. persevering through trials produces maturity
  2. acquiring wisdom leads to maturity
  3. seeking guidance and counsel are marks of maturity

James 1:2-4 (NIV)
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Proverbs 4:7-9 (NIV)
7 The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.
8 Cherish her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you.
9 She will give you a garland to grace your head and present you with a glorious crown.”

Proverbs 15:22 (NIV)22 Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.

But what exactly IS “Maturity”?
- Greek word most commonly used in scripture: teleios - mature, complete, having reached perfection
- Think: “If Jesus was living my life, that’s what maturity would look like.”
- Gives new insight into Galatians 2:20

Galatians 2:20 (NIV)
20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

This is OUR responsibility
- If redemption is God’s responsibility in our lives, maturing over time is our responsibility (meaning we cooperate consistently with the indwelling Holy Spirit), individually and more importantly collectively.

The Model of Maturity - Jesus
A thorough study of Jesus’ manner of living, practices, responses to stress, responses to temptation, use of power, impulse to shepherd others for their own good and his sense of who he was (his identity) provides the ideal person for us to emulate. We know what the goal of maturity looks/acts like (Jesus). Now how do we get there?

Or…

Said another way, maturity (being whole like Jesus) would look a lot like demonstrating the fruit of the Spirit in every possible relationship, trial, temptation and setting (work, home, house church, etc.)
- Galatians 5:16-26
But even the Fruit of the Spirit implies something deeper going on to produce that fruit.
Hint: Read John 15:4-9

Orrrrrr…

- Maturity looks like 1 Corinthians 13 lived out in all our relationships, even with our perceived enemies.

If maturing is largely our responsibility, why do we get stunted in our growth?
- This is where Romans 12:1-2 come in: “…be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

What is going on in our heads?

Welcome what we have learned to aid our discipleship.

5 to Thrive
1. A place to belong
2. To receive and give life
3. The capacity to recover from things that go wrong (desynchronizations)
4. To mature as we get older
5. To live from our identities (hearts)
E.g., How do we recover from experiencing deep sadness, anger, fear, disgust, shame, despair?
Source: The Life Model

Assessment of Maturity
Resources:
1. Scripture
2. https://lifemodelworks.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Maturity-Skills-Assessment.pdf
3. Renovation of the Heart by Dallas Willard