Marks of Spiritual Maturity Graceway 5 -18 -2014

Marks of Spiritual Maturity Graceway 5 -18 -2014

Passages To Ponder….

Eph 4: 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

Philippians 3: 12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

Col 1: 28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:

1 Co 2: 6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: …

… 1 Co 2: 16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

James 1: 2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; James 1: 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

Rom 8: 28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose…

…Rom 8: 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

1 Peter 2: 2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: 1 Peter 2: 3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

2 Pe 3: 18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

Phil 3: 12 (KEY) Attained = teleios “Having attained the end, purpose, complete, perfect (mature)”

COMPARE ABOVE PASSAGES WITH …. .

Heb 5: 13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. Compare With ….

Heb 5: 14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

1 Cor 2: 6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: Compare with …

1 Cor 3: 1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.

Therefore….

Thus, spiritual growth and greater levels of spiritual maturity are key objectives of Scripture and key to spiritual qualities for all believers

The Agents God Uses For Growth

1. The WORD is obviously a key and a necessary element for spiritual growth.

I Peter 1: 23 -2: 3

2 Pe 1: 3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

2 Pe 1: 4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

John 17: 17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

2. Church LEADERSHIP

Eph 4: 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

1 Th 5: 12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; “OVER” = PRACTICE

Jas 5: 14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:

3. The MINISTRY of the Body of Christ as a whole

1 Thess 5: 11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

Eph 4: 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

“Compacted Together” sumbibazo soom-bib-ad'-zo To bring to unity

4. TEMPTATIONS or TRIALS of life

James 1: 2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; James 1: 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

James 1: 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. Jas 1: 5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

Keys of David … This is where God opens and no man can shut, and God shuts and no man can open Those who live the Keys of David have God’s ear!

Rev 3: 7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;

Isaiah 22: 22 And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.

1 Pe 1: 6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:

Psa 119: 67 Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word

Psa 119: 71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.

Psa 119: 75 I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.

Psa 119: 92 Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction.

5. The ADMONISHING and TEACHING Ministry of the Holy Spirit

Eph 3: 16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

I Cor. 2: 6 -3: 4

“Taste” = To Percieve Psa 34: 8 O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.