Pastor Bossman
Sermon Title: Growing in the Spirit | Maturity in the Spirit
Introduction
- Spiritual maturity is an indicator of spiritual growth.
- The goal of spiritual growth is to attain maturity in the Lord, in Christ.
Ephesians 4:13 (NKJV)
“Till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.”
Biblical Foundation
- Paul emphasizes that believers must reach the stature of the fullness of Christ.
- Leadership requires a level of maturity, not just position.
1 Timothy 3:1-7 (NKJV)
“This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?); not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. Moreover, he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.”
Characteristics of Spiritual Immaturity
- Reflected in selfish desires and interests.
- Pray or attend church only when in need.
- Still in need of “milk,” unable to digest solid food (deeper teachings).
Hebrews 5:14 (NKJV)
“But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”
1 Corinthians 3:1-2 (NKJV)
“And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. 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.”
- The immature are easily tossed by new doctrines.
- Overly dependent on prophecy rather than rooted in the Word.
Walking in the Spirit
- Feeding on God’s Word is feeding on prophecy.
- Walking in the Spirit means prioritizing God over fleshly desires.
- The immature are easily tossed to and fro, but the mature are stable.
- The mature believer:
- Is not easily offended.
- Forgives and does not live in offense.
- Remains firm in faith and doctrine.
- Practices discernment—knows right from wrong.
- Lives Christ-like, reflecting Jesus’ character.
Scripture References for Maturity
Matthew 7:23-27 (NKJV)
“And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”
John 3:16 (NKJV)
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
Mark 1:35 (NKJV)
“Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.”
Matthew 6:33 (NKJV)
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
Galatians 4:19 (NKJV)
“My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you.”
Ephesians 1:15-19 (NKJV)
“Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power.”
How to Grow in Maturity
Ephesians 4:11-15 (NKJV)
“And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ.”
Jeremiah 3:15 (NKJV)
“And I will give you shepherds according to My heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.”
Conclusion
- Maturity builds the church; immaturity weakens it.
- The Gospel is spiritual, not science.
- Jesus is the head of the church; we must grow to look like Him.
Application:
- Don’t remain a baby in faith.
- Read and study God’s Word daily.
- Apply what you learn and trust God’s grace.
- Participate in corporate Bible reading (Romans).
- Desire growth and maturity in Christ.
Final Prayer: May we all grow into maturity, stable in Christ, empowered to serve, and living as reflections of Jesus.
