Maturing in Christ (Mid-Week Bible Study)

Introduction
We began studying the book of Colossians last week: The distinguished church.

• A holy People
• Commitment to faith and love for believers
• They understand the true gospel and guard it
• Their hope rests in Christ accomplishment
• The church requires constant prayers and reminders of the gospel
• Faithfulness is a hallmark of the believers.

Col 1:9-12
9. For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
10. That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
11. Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and
long suffering with joyfulness;
12. Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance
of the saints in light:

The Pauline Prayers

1. Paul thanked God for each one of his people. Eph 1:16; Phil 1:3-4; Col 1:3; 1 Thess 1:2-3a; 2 Thess 1:3;
2. Paul prayed for their wisdom and knowledge. Eph 1:17; Col 1:9.
3. Paul prayed they would be full of hope. Eph 1:18
4. Paul prayed they would live in peace and unity. 2 Thess 3:16
5. Paul prayed they would be strengthened with spiritual power. Eph 3:16; Eph 1:18-19; Col 1:11a
6. Paul prayed they would learn to abide in Christ. Eph 3:17a; Eph 3:18-19
7. Paul prayed they would grow in their love for others. Eph 3:17b; Phil 1:9a
8. Paul prayed for their righteousness and purity. Phil 1:9-11 Col 1:10a; 1 Thess 5:23-24
9. Paul prayed they would overflow with praise and thanks to God. Col 1:12; Eph 1:3
10. Paul prayed for opportunities to minister to them. 1 Thess 3:9-10
    

What does it mean to mature?

• it means to grow Heb 6:1-3; 2 Cor 13:11; Lk 2:52; Eph 4:15; 2 Pet 3:17-18;
• It means to be perfect Eph 4:13-14; Mat 5:48; Mat 19:21; Phil 3:15; Col 1:28; Col 4:12;
• It means to yield fruit Gal 2:23; John 13:35; Luke 8:14; Rom 1:13; 2 Pet 1:5-8; Col 1:10; John 15:1- 2;8;16;
• It means to suffer for Christ 1 Pet 5:10; Heb 2:10; Heb 5:8-9; Mark 8:34; 1 Peter 4:16;
• It means to know the difference between right and wrong Heb 5:14
• It means to conform to Christ Rom 8:29; Rom 12:2

Christian Growth compared to the Human Growth
As infant: hunger, dependency on others, self centered.

• The immature Christian tends to focus on self needs; then as they grow, the needs of others become the focus; and as they mature, God Himself becomes the main focus. 1 Cor 13:11; 2 Pet 2:2; 1 John 12-14;1 Cor 3:1-3; Heb 5:12-13; 1 Cor 14:20;
• As Adults: 1 Cor 13:11; 1 Cor 14:20; Heb 5:14; 1 John 2:13-14

Some signs that you are maturing

• You will put away childish things 1 Cor 13:11; 1 Cor 3:1-5; Gal 4:3;
• You will be a peacemaker. James 4:1; Mat 5:9; James 3:18;
• You will learn to master your tongue. James 3:2; 1 Pet 3:10-12
• You will endure suffering 1 Pet 4:16; 2 Tim 2:3;
• You will live soberly and righteously Titus 2:12; Phil 1:9-11;
• You will be a role model 1 Tim 4:12; Col 1:10
• You will live a submissive life Eph 5:21; Rom 13:1- 7; Heb 13:7; James 4:7

Healthy growth habits

• Spend time reading and meditating the word of God James 1:22-25; 1 Cor 3:18; Job 23:12; Joh 8:31;
• Pray and thank God always. Build a culture of worshipping and praising God. 1 Chron 16:11; Luke 18:1; 1 Thess 5:17; Phil 4:6;
• Fellowship with believers. Heb 10:24-25; Eph 4:11- 13
• Flee every appearance of sin and evil. 1Thess 5:22- 24; 1 Peter 2:11;
• Follow after what is good. Phil 4:8; 1 Tim 6:11;

Conclusion

The Christian maturity is not a destination but a dynamic process from our new birth in Christ. This process continues until we meet with Him someday. There is absolutely nothing
static about this process. The more we experientially know Him, the more we are broken in His hands and yielded to the Holy Spirit. Simply put, the more mature we are, the more “child-like” we are to him.

Thank you for Participating!