To Grow Up

It’s Time to Grow Up “Gifts are free, but maturity is expensive.” Bill Johnson, Spiritual Java

10. It’s a Relationship, not a religion. 9. Whatever happened to rebuke?

8. You must remove the masks to truly grow and mature! Genesis 3:7-8 (KJV) 7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.

8. You must remove the masks to truly grow and mature! Genesis 3:7-8 (KJV) 8 And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden.

Brokenness and Vulnerability It takes a fairly emotionally healthy person to be reasonably transparent about their weaknesses. A person who is driven by fear of rejection, fear of failure, or the need for approval or control is simply unable to live like that. They can intellectually agree with it, but their needs and fears will still dominate their actions! We put on our mask of perfection.

Proud & Defensive Broken & Vulnerable Proud and DefensiveBroken and Vulnerable I am guarded and defensive about my imperfections and flaws. I am transparent and weak; I disclose myself to appropriate others. I focus on the "positive," strong, successful parts of myself. I am aware of the weak, needy, limited parts of who I am, and I freely admit failure. I am highly "offendable" and defensive. I am approachable and open to input. I naturally focus first on flaws, mistakes, and sins of others I am aware of my own brokenness. I have compassion and am slow to judge others.

Proud & Defensive Broken & Vulnerable Proud and DefensiveBroken and Vulnerable I give my opinion a lot, even when I am not asked. I am slow to speak and quick to listen. I don‘t get close to people.I am open, soft, and curious about others. I keep people from really seeing what is going on inside of me. I delight in showing vulnerability and weakness, that Christ's power may be seen. I like to control most situations.I can let go and give people opportunity to earn my trust.

Proud & Defensive Broken & Vulnerable Proud and DefensiveBroken and Vulnerable I have to be right in order to feel strong and good. I understand that God's strength reveals itself in admitting mistakes, weakness, and statements that “I was wrong.” I blame others.I take responsibility for myself and speak mostly in the “I,” not the “you” or “they.” I often hold grudges and rarely ask forgiveness. I don‘t hold people in debt to me, and am able to ask others for forgiveness as needed.

Proud & Defensive Broken & Vulnerable Proud and DefensiveBroken and Vulnerable When I am offended, I write people off. When I am offended, I ask questions to explore what happened. I deny, avoid, or withdraw from painful realities. I honestly look at the truth underneath the surface, even when it hurts. I give answers and explanations to those in pain, hoping to fix or change them. I am present with people in their pain, and am comfortable with mystery and with saying, “I don‘t know.”

Proud & Defensive Broken & Vulnerable Proud and DefensiveBroken and Vulnerable I have to prove I am right when wronged. I can let things go. I am demanding.I assert myself respectfully and kindly. I am highly self-conscious and concerned about how others perceive me. I am more aware of God and others than the impression I am making. I see people as resources to be used for God. I see people as gifts to be loved and enjoyed.

Prayer: Remove the masks, live vulnerable

7. We all need inner Healing!

What is inner healing?

Why do we need inner healing?

How do I receive inner healing?

Prayer: Receiving inner healing

6. If love is not growing, then I am not growing! Ephesians 3:17-19 (KJV) 17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

6. If love is not growing, then I am not growing! Ephesians 3:17-19 (KJV) 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

A Maturing Love

1 Thessalonians 3:12 (NASB) and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people,…

A Maturing Love Matthew 22:37-39 (NLT) Jesus replied, 'You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: `Love your neighbor as yourself.'

A Maturing Love Romans 12:9 – Let love be without dissimulation. (KJV) Let love be without hypocrisy. (NAS) Love must be sincere (NLT) Let love be genuine (ESV) Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them (NLT)

A Maturing Love Romans 12:10 (KJV) Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another.

A Maturing in Love for:

Prayer: