Maturing in Christ

Introduction:
Imagine the potential sitting in this room! The devil can trick us into thinking about negative; pessimistic things. The realtiy is that we have potential to have a good; productive; and blessed life with Jesus! But, being baptized will NOT guarantee sustained life in Christ. Conditions must be met. If not, life will be extinguished quickly! Ask: Am I growing/maturing in Christ? Can I look back and see progress?

I. We have been ____________ for ________________.
    A. Birth is a __________; not a _____________!. God does not want us to remain spiritually immature.
        1. Eph. 4:15-16; Col. 1:28; Col. 2:6-7; Heb. 6:1; 2 Pet. 3:18
    B. _________________ & _________________ must continually grow or it will die!

II. There are blessings to being mature.
    A. More mature Christians are able to receive and enjoy all that Christ has to offer!
        1. Babe in Christ is ______________ to receive greater blessings that come with maturity.
            a) service; fellowship w/brethren
        2. Increased ____________ awaits as we move toward maturity in Christ.

III. 4 essentials to ___________.
    A. Need for _______________. See Jhn. 6:51; Mt. 4:4
        1. Must feed upon Christ through His word.
            a) Study needs to take place at home AND with the ______.
        2. Both of the above are EQUALLY important!
    B. Need for _____________.
        1. Must have encouragement & ________________w/God’s family!
        2. Must assume a position as a part of the local ___________.
        3. Heb. 10:24; 1 Thess. 5:15; Col. 3:16; Rom. 15:14
    C. Need for _________________.
        1. Gene Rogers: _____________ is the breath of the soul.
            a) a means of vital contact w/God.
        2. Mt. 18:1—______________ behavior. See Mt. 7:7; Phil. 4:5-7
        3. 1 Jhn. 1:9—we maintain our relationship w/God….
    D. Need for _______________.
        1. Exercise our faith by serving God.
        2. A life characterized by ______________ - 2 Cor. 5:15; Jhn. 15:8
        3. Must use our talents in service so that ____________ will take place.

Conclusion:
    A. Meeting one of these needs will assist in meeting the others.
    B. Spiritual maturity can be reached in a relatively short period of time if vigorously pursued.
    C. How quickly it is reached depends on how much one yearns for it.
    D. How fast are you growing?



Maturing in Christ Introduction: Imagine the potential sitting in this room! The devil can trick us into thinking about negative; pessimistic things. The realtiy is that we have potential to have a good; productive; and blessed life with Jesus! But, being baptized will NOT guarantee sustained life in Christ. Conditions must be met. If not, life will be extinguished quickly! Ask: Am I growing/maturing in Christ? Can I look back and see progress? I. We have been ____________ for ________________. A. Birth is a __________; not a _____________!. God does not want us to remain spiritually immature. 1. Eph. 4:15-16; Col. 1:28; Col. 2:6-7; Heb. 6:1; 2 Pet. 3:18 B. _________________ & _________________ must continually grow or it will die! II. There are blessings to being mature. A. More mature Christians are able to receive and enjoy all that Christ has to offer! 1. Babe in Christ is ______________ to receive greater blessings that come with maturity. a) service; fellowship w/brethren 2. Increased ____________ awaits as we move toward maturity in Christ. III. 4 essentials to ___________. A. Need for _______________. See Jhn. 6:51; Mt. 4:4 1. Must feed upon Christ through His word. a) Study needs to take place at home AND with the ______. 2. Both of the above are EQUALLY important! B. Need for _____________. 1. Must have encouragement & ________________w/God’s family! 2. Must assume a position as a part of the local ___________. 3. Heb. 10:24; 1 Thess. 5:15; Col. 3:16; Rom. 15:14 C. Need for _________________. 1. Gene Rogers: _____________ is the breath of the soul. a) a means of vital contact w/God. 2. Mt. 18:1—______________ behavior. See Mt. 7:7; Phil. 4:5-7 3. 1 Jhn. 1:9—we maintain our relationship w/God…. D. Need for _______________. 1. Exercise our faith by serving God. 2. A life characterized by ______________ - 2 Cor. 5:15; Jhn. 15:8 3. Must use our talents in service so that ____________ will take place. Conclusion: A. Meeting one of these needs will assist in meeting the others. B. Spiritual maturity can be reached in a relatively short period of time if vigorously pursued. C. How quickly it is reached depends on how much one yearns for it. D. How fast are you growing?