Psalm 40:4-5 Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie! You have multiplied, O LORD my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you! I will proclaim and tell of them, yet they are more than can be told. Blessed Be the Lord God God Almighty 1x / All Creatures of Our God and King vs, 1,4,5 62 / 63

Savior, like a Shepherd Lead Us vs. 1,2,3 # 688 1 Chronicles 16:29 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him! Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness;

Hebrews The Superiority of Christ “Spiritual Immaturity” Part 2 of 2

Hebrews 5:11-14 (ESV) 11About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food,

Hebrews 5:11-14 (ESV) 13for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. 14But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

4 topics the writer discusses

1) The PRESENCE of Spiritual Immaturity 2) The PERIL of Spiritual Immaturity

3) The PROBLEM of Spiritual Immaturity vs. 11 ...About this we have much to say... vs. 12 ...you ought to be teachers... vs. 13 ...unskilled in the word of righteousness...

3) The PROBLEM of Spiritual Immaturity A) It HINDERS the church

So many Christians are frozen in spiritual immaturity So many Christians are frozen in spiritual immaturity. They are easily offended, often distracted and without prayer or spiritual discipline. We think God is requiring of us simply to hang on, yet the Lord is looking for mature Christlikeness to emerge within us. He feeds us with His Spirit and Word that we might have every resource we need to obtain His very life and character. He baptizes us in fire that He might create proven character within us. He is relentless with His goal, expecting we should be also. - Francis Frangipane

Knowledge of the Scriptures Forgiveness Compassion Unconditional Love Knowledge of the Scriptures Edifying Conversation Sacrificial Service Victory

Unforgiveness / Grudges Harshness and Unkindness Conditional Love Ignorance of the Scriptures Gossip Self Serving Service Defeat

3) The PROBLEM of Spiritual Immaturity A) It HINDERS the church B) It HELPS the enemy

1 Peter 5:8 (ESV) Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

Lions are not afraid of children they are weary of warriors An immature church filled with immature Christians is one of the greatest allies of the devil because they do his work for him

3) The PROBLEM of Spiritual Immaturity A) It HINDERS the church B) It HELPS the enemy C) It HURTS the lost

“...you ought to be teachers...” There are people in this world that need to be taught “...unskilled in the word of righteousness...” A word of truth is needed in this world of lies

A Question for Our Age Are we losing the battle for the souls of men because the enemy has a better message, a better way, or a better hope or is it that we are simply unskilled, immature, and unwilling to grow in our faith to accomplish the plan God has for our life?

4) The PRIVILEGES of Spiritual Maturity vs 12 “…teachers...” vs 14 “…have the powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil...”

4) The PRIVILEGES of Spiritual Maturity A) We are able to INSTRUCT others in the ways of God

I believe that if an angel were to wing his way from earth up to Heaven, and were to say that there was one poor, ragged boy, without father or mother, with no one to care for him and teach him the way of life; and if God were to ask who among them were willing to come down to this earth and live here for fifty years and lead that one to Jesus Christ, every angel in Heaven would volunteer to go.

Even Gabriel, who stands in the presence of the Almighty, would say, "Let me leave my high and lofty position, and let me have the luxury of leading one soul to Jesus Christ." There is no greater honor than to be the instrument in God's hands of leading one person out of the kingdom of Satan into the glorious light of Heaven. Dwight L. Moody

4) The PRIVILEGES of Spiritual Maturity A) We are able to INSTRUCT others in the ways of God B) We can IDENTIFY both harmful and helpful things

How can a young man keep his way pure How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. (Psalm 119:9 ESV) All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV)

Things we can do when we are mature in Christ → We can confidently and compassionately witness to others → We can avoid the deceptions of the devil

Things we can do when we are mature in Christ → We can train other Christians in the faith → We can counsel others effectively who are in need of help

Things we can do when we are mature in Christ → We can and will deal with problems in a Christlike manner → We will visibly show the love of Christ through the actions of our lives

Maturity doesn't come with age; it comes with acceptance of responsibility. Ed Cole

Perhaps the Spirit of God is saying to many of us today, "I want to minister through you. But before I can ever minister through you, I must minister to you." Don't despise the educational experience of your drying brook. Don't throw in the towel... Let patience have her perfect work, that you may be mature and complete. He wants to make you just like His Son. -- Howard G. Hendricks

It may be hard for an egg to turn into a bird: it would be a jolly sight harder for it to learn to fly while remaining an egg. We are like eggs at present. And you cannot go on indefinitely being just an ordinary, decent egg. We must be hatched or go bad.  C. S. Lewis

Steps to Spiritual Maturity Pray for guidance, passion, maturity, purpose, and patience Read and listen to grow and learn about God and His Word Move out of your comfort zone Challenge yourself

Not until we have become humble and teachable, standing in awe of God's holiness and sovereignty... acknowledging our own littleness, distrusting our own thoughts, and willing to have our minds turned upside down, can divine wisdom become ours. J. I. Packer

Just as I am vs. 1,2,4 488 Numbers 6:24-26 The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.