Spiritual Maturity - Part 2 - Colossians 2.1-10

What does maturity in Christ mean? Part of it must mean putting away of childish things (1 Cor. 13.11) Bible calls upon us to examine self (2 Cor. 13.5)

Am I still in a childhood state? Am I growing up? Have I reached maturity? “Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward, God,” – Heb.6.1

IN WHICH DIRECTION ARE YOU GOING? In the Christian life, we never stand still; we either go forward or gradually slip backward. IN WHICH DIRECTION ARE YOU GOING?

Be Concerned for Our Brethren – v.1 Philippians 2.4 2 Cor. 11.28,29 Colossians 4.12,13 How concerned are YOU for your brethren at Lake Forest?

Be Encouraged in Heart – v. 2 A little bit of encouragement can go a long way! To encourage people is to give them a new heart 2 Thessalonians 2.16,17

QUOTE: The word Paul uses for encouragement means to comfort, sometimes to exhort but always used in the sense of enabling someone to meet a difficult situation with confidence and strength. One of the indications of mature faith is strength even when the times are tough.

Be Knit Together in Love – v. 2 The brethren at Colosse were already on the way (1.4) We: treasure each other are quick to forgive defend each other

Be Knowledgeable – vv.2,3 Do we fully understand all the “spiritual riches we have in Christ? ILL: woman who lived in poverty but had wealth We must search, i.e. study God’s Word

Be on Guard – v. 4 Bible warns us to beware of false teachers: 1 Timothy 4.1,2 2 Timothy 4.3,4 Don’t substitute man’s ideas for God’s truth!

Be Orderly & Steadfast – v.5 Word “order” is a military term. Suggest a parade ground with soldiers marching in formation. A disciplined group in battle. “Steadfast” – firm, hard, solid. Together these terms describe an army solidly united against the enemy

Be Walking – v. 6 To walk about, to conduct one’s life. (present tense – a continual and habitual action) Walking implies action – we walk in Him We have “received Him” and therefore we must “walk with Him

Be Rooted, Built Up, & Established – v. 7 “rooted” – Christ must be the foundation and source of nutrition in our lives. (like a tree) “built up in Him” – allowing ourselves to become the kind of building He would have us to be “established” – well taught & grounded in the teachings of Christ

Beware – vv. 8,9 To grow spiritually, we must beware of dangers which would hinder our spiritual growth In our zeal to grow – we can be misled

Be Filled Full – v. 10 If in Christ we find “wisdom, knowledge, all the fullness of God, & we find ourselves complete in Him” – why accept a substitute?

APPEAL Maturity is not simply expected of every believer – it is required You may feel you are not being fed (& this is sometimes true) – but MATURE BELIEVERS take responsibility for feeding themselves (cf. Hebrews 5.12-14)

We can come to God the way we are – but He loves us too much to leave us that way.