Full Grown

Full Grown!

Children want to know something, about them; when can I do what daddy or mommy does? When can I drive, do something, date? It seemed to all of us that adulthood would never arrive. When is someone no longer a boy, but a man? (Or when a girl is a woman)

Hebrews 5:12-14KJV

12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 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.

What is it that shows/proves or tells when we are fully grown fully developed Christians? When are we no longer just “babes” but capable of more than just hearing the “milk of the word” rather we can start working for God, when will we be able to start understanding tougher deeper things of the Bible? When will we be able to do something in the church with understanding? Some want to do things like discuss doctrinal issues with folks from other churches to “early” others want to sit on the sidelines too long. When is it the right time for anyone?

Some signs of spiritual health, growth, knowledge.

1.   A greater desire to be in God’s house!

a.       The disciples were now at a new stage in their spiritual lives they were at one time hiding in a room, another time sleeping instead of praying with Jesus now something had happened!

Luke 24:52-53KJV

52 And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: 53 And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.

b.      Some want to stop altogether except “when they feel like it” coming to God’s house but if we are grown in grace we cannot stop!

Hebrews 10:25KJV

25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

c.       We will no longer be carried into God’s house we will be finding and going out and compelling others to come as well!

Luke 14:23KJV

23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.

2.   Increased knowledge of the word of God.

a.       To be willing and ready to learn of God’s word by reading His word!

Acts 17:11KJV

11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

b.      Not just “claiming to understand” but ready and willing to study

2 Timothy 2:15KJV

15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

c.       We study to show ourselves approved UNTO God! Not other people just to God. But instead of worrying about silly arguments we rightly divide the word of truth!

3.   Increased desire to work for God

a.       We no longer wait for someone else to do the things of God, we ask God to use us to do the work and the will of God!

Isaiah 6:8KJV

8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

b.      While we have problems or weaknesses God shows us that he will make us able to go!

Exodus 4:10-13KJV

10 And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. 11 And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man’s mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD? 12 Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say. 13 And he said, O my Lord, send, I pray thee, by the hand of him whom thou wilt send.

c.       Just because we have been in church for a length of time, or just because we are older or whatever the reason doesn’t mean we are any more than children.

4.   Increased Christ-likeness

a.       Not only knowledge of the Bible but knowledge of the Lord and we are more and more like Him!

Ephesians 4:13KJV

13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

b.      And we don’t jump from one belief to another but have one STRONG faith. There are some who don’t know what they believe because they have so many different ideas in our heads

Ephesians 4:14KJV

14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;