Preached by Rev. Ed Brouwer at The Gathering Place, Osoyoos
Pulpit Series Volume 18, Issue 04, February 3, 2008
"The Marks Of Maturity"
This will be a 15 part mini series out of the Book of James. Judi and I are convinced that this wonderful book is a “must” study for all believers. It is our prayer that this series of messages will bring about a Christianity that works in the real world.
Perhaps the number one cause of problems in the world is immaturity. We get ourselves into all kinds of problems by saying immature things, making immature decisions, acting in immature ways. We just need to grow up.
In Hebrews 6:1 it says, “Let us go on to maturity”. God says grow up! That's why one of the purposes of our fellowship is to help everybody grow spiritually, emotionally, mentally, in every way and have balanced Christian living.
What is maturity?
WHAT MATURITY IS NOT: It has nothing to do with how long you've lived or how long you've been a Christian. You can be a Christian for fifty years and not be mature.
Maturity is not appearance. Some people just look mature, or more spiritual than the rest of us. Looks can be deceiving.
Maturity has nothing to do with what you accomplish. You can accomplish a lot and still be very immature. You don't have to be mature to make millions.
Maturity has nothing to do with how many degrees or how much education you have. You can have so many degrees they call you Dr. Fahrenheit, but that doesn’t make you mature.
God says maturity is all about attitude.
God wants you to grow up and have Christlike attitudes. Do not compare yourself to other people, rather compare yourself to God’s Word.
The book of James (a manual on maturity) gives 5 marks of maturity.
A MATURE PERSON IS POSITIVE
UNDER PRESSURE
James 1:2-4 “Consider it pure joy, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know the testing of your faith develops perseverance and perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete not lacking anything.”
How do you handle trials?
The first test of maturity is how you react to problems. Do they blow you away? Do you get uptight or negative? Do you grumble and gripe?
Christianity is a life, not a religion. IT’S A LIFE! Jesus said, “I've come that you might have life”. Life means problems and part of life means solving problems and facing them with the right attitude.
Q. What is your natural attitude?
A. Your natural or normal reaction when things go wrong and you're irritated.
Are you negative or are you positive? Are you basically a supportive person or are you a skeptical person? Is your life filled with gratitude or gripping? Are you affirmative or angry most of the time?
James says, “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.”
You can be great in the knowledge of the Bible and be cantankerous as all get out!
A MATURE PERSON IS SENSITIVE TO PEOPLE
“If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, `Love your neighbor as yourself' you are doing right.” James 2:8
A mature person is sensitive to people. He doesn't just see his own needs, he sees other people's needs. He understands their hurts. He's not just interested in himself.
Children, when they're immature, only see themselves. “I want this or that! I don't care about anybody else.” God says that being interested in others, is a mark of maturity.
How you treat others is a test of maturity.
Matthew 25 shows the one thing we will be judged for, and that is how we treated others.
A MATURE PERSON HAS MASTERED HIS MOUTH
James 3:2 “We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.”
The first thing a doctor will say when you go for a check up is “Stick out your tongue”. He uses your tongue to check your health. God does that spiritually, too.
Definition of gossip: hearing something you like about somebody you don't.
James 3 gives several illustrations. He says a little bit in a horse's mouth allows us to control the direction of the horse. A little rudder on a boat can control the direction of the boat.
Your tongue, which, by size is very insignificant, controls your life. What you say directs your life. What you say brings life or death. It can encourage or discourage.
Have you ever heard anyone say, “I just say what's on my mind”?
That may not always be acceptable. Maybe what's on their mind shouldn't be said out loud.
Frankness may simply be immaturity. We could do with a bit more tactfulness.
Ephesians 4:29 “Do not let any negative talk come out of your mouth but only what is helpful for building up others according to their needs.” Circle the word “any”.
When you talk, say things to build other people up. If it doesn't build somebody else up, don't say it, even if it's the truth. That's a mark of maturity.
A mature person manages his mouth. No matter how long you've been a Christian, if you can't master your mouth, you've missed the point. James 1:26 “If anyone considers himself religious, yet doesn’t keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself, his religion is worthless.”
A MATURE PERSON IS A PEACEMAKER NOT A TROUBLEMAKER
James 4:1 “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you?”
He's talking about conflict here. He says there are inner quarrels and fights and they come from our inner desires. You want something and you don't get it. You kill and covet but you can’t have what you want.
Are you a peacemaker or a troublemaker?
Do you like to argue?
Do you get defensive easily?
Do I hurt other people's feelings?
Paul told the Corinthian church, “You guys are a bunch of babies”. They argued about everything. They argued about the Lord's Supper, gifts, leadership, everything. That's a mark of immaturity.
Why is there so much conflict in the world?
Why is there conflict between former friends?
Why is there conflict between Christians?
Why is there conflict between me and God?
Why is there conflict?
James says, the first cause of conflict is selfishness. 4:11-12 “Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. There is only one lawgiver and judge, one who is able to save and destroy. But, who are you to judge your neighbor?”
Proverbs 13:10 “Only by pride comes contention.” Pride guarantees conflict at work, church, home, wherever.
Another source of conflict is judging others.
God says, “Don't judge people”. If you do this you're asking for a fight. You're always finding fault, always stirring up strife, always spreading rumors. Don't judge!
When you judge somebody it's playing God. Only God has all the facts, you don't and neither do I.
When I judge someone, I don't have all the facts. I don't know the motives, and you don't either. You can't tell what's in somebody's heart. Only God does.
A MATURE PERSON IS PATIENT
AND PRAYERFUL
James 5:7,11 “Be patient then, brothers, until the Lord's coming.” Many times God will say to you, “Not yet”. He doesn't mean “no”, He just saying, “You've got to wait, I want you to develop, to grow”.
So here are the tests:
1. How do you handle problems? Are you positive under pressure?
2. Are you sensitive to other people? Do you pray for others?
3. Can you manage your mouth? Do you only say things that build up others?
4. Are you a troublemaker or a peacemaker? Do you stir things up?
5. How long can you wait for an answer to prayer without giving up?
No comments:
Post a Comment