Ephesians 4:11-32
GROWING UP IS A PROCESS - to be mature like Jesus.
Many people are more satisfied at the point that they're not going to hell.
It doesn't go like that. You need to GROW!
IT INVOLVES:
- Christian Leaders v.11, for different purpose, not just for the pastor/minister. We are all ministers.
- Works of Service - part of maturing
- Building unity in faith and the church - work together. When there's misunderstanding, work together. Clarity of the purpose.
- Learning about Jesus. Studying won't make you mature. But you won't be mature, if you're not learning. What's your purpose in learning about Jesus?
WHAT MATURITY LOOKS LIKE
- Not Childish - vs. Childlike
- Stable - be an actor (take action), not a reactor.
- Not Confused - blown here and there, be swing around.
- Speaking the truth in love - not enough about being honest, it goes deeper in building up others/people's life.
- Each doing our part - for His Kingdom.
EXAMPLES FROM THE EPHESIAN CHURCH - how maturing happened, what maturity is practically.
Negative - Continual lust for more
17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them doe to the hardening of their hearts. 19Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.
not just about sex, but it's more about we always want something MORE.
Negative - Deceitful desires
22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires
Things that make us lie, so that we can appear more.
Act 5 - Ananias and Sapphira - we give some of the money, but we tell everyone we give all of it.
Negative - Steal
28 He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.
Negative - Not Contribute
won't grow and will never go!
28 He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.
Positive - Speak Truthfully
25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.
Positive - Speak Positively
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
build value, build of hope - not spiritual criticism.
Positive - Control your Emotion
26 "In your anger do not sin" : Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold.
Don't let emotions control your life.
Don't act as you will, instead act as you should!
