Spiritual Maturity 1 - What it is Not

Spiritual Maturity IS NOT

 

1. about age, not growing old but growing up - 1Tim 4:12 measure by substance 

2. ⁠about Appearance - 1 Sam 16:6-7, Matt 22:27,28

3. ⁠about Achievement - Matt 7:22,23

4. ⁠about Academic - knowing God of the Word intimately John 5:39,40 James 1:21,22

John 5:39-40 (measures by transformation inside out) 

James 1:21-22 

5. ⁠about Activities- Eph 4:28 

Ephesians 4:28 (steal, work, share) 

Greedy from the inside, transformation happens, generosity, starts sharing

Bill Hull: There is no discipleship without accountability

Discipleship is truncated when is not accompanied with value-change. 

6. ⁠about Abilities - 1 Cor 13:1-31 Corinthians 13:1-3 

Col 1:28 MATURE in Greek is TELEIOS which means Complete, Perfect

Spiritual Maturity is not automatic

(there's no such thing as instant maturity) 

Colossians 1:29 Power of the Holy Spirit that works in us and dwell in us- to achieve Spiritual Maturity

Hebrews 6:1 Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity

3 KEY 🔑 THINGS

1. Don't stop growing due to complacency 

(life long learning, not until we see Him face to face) 

Growth Essentials - 

* Practical Teaching

* ⁠Private Disciplines

* ⁠Personal Ministry 

* ⁠Providential Relationships 

* ⁠Pivotal Events.  

Five (5) Growth Essentials: practical teachings, private disciplines, personal ministry (those who don't serve don't grow), providential relationship (honor and give time to those relationship with pastors, preachers, mentor, cell group members etc) and Pivotal Events (God things- happy, sad, triumphant - events in life that we process it well, we will grow) 

2.  Don’t do this alone as you need God and friends 

We need to do it in community, we cannot do this alone, make friends of all forms but make sure best friends are those who can journey with you in discipleship. 

Eugene Peterson: Its a long obedience in the same direction. 

3. Don’t stop or slow down due to discouragement 

Hebrews 6:1 we need Holy Spirit to sanctify us, power of God for us to grow. 

Energy= power of God, we can't do it by our own strength

Don't stay contented with current state, let's commit towards growth in spiritual maturity. 

Strenuously contend

It's a dark illusion to think that we can live a double life and still be close to God 

Ps Benny Ho's Teaching 1-2 March 2024

https://youtu.be/7EAzyUjFp5A?si=OdULbFqef0eAa7ze