"Spiritual Maturity"

Introduction:

Did you know that it is God's will that every believer become spiritually mature? 

1 Corinthians 3:2-3 

2  I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able [to receive it,] and even now you are still not able;    
3  for you are still carnal. For where [there are] envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like [mere] men?

Luke 2:52  Warning - you can grow older and not grow spiritually 

52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. 

Spiritual Maturity is not: 

	Not a matter of appearance 
	Not a matter of achievement 

Spiritual Maturity is:
	1. Being positive under pressure (James 1:2-4)

2  My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,    
3  knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.    
4  But let patience have [its] perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

	2. Being sensitive to the needs of others (James 2:8)

8 If you really fulfill [the] royal law according to the Scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you do well; 

	3. A matter of the mouth (James 3:2) 

2 For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he [is] a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. 

(Ephesians 4:29)

29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 

	4. Seen in making peace (James 4:1)

1 Where do wars and fights [come] from among you? Do [they] not [come] from your [desires for] pleasure that war in your members? 

(James 4:11-12)

11  Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.    
12  There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. Who are you to judge another?

	5. Patient (James 5:7-8)

7  Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See [how] the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain.    
8  You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.

	6. Prayerful (James 5:16)

16 Confess [your] trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. 

Conclusion: 

Spiritual Maturity understands the Power of God! 
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