1. WELCOME to the celebration of our Eighth Anniversary

2. Series: The Importance of... The Importance Of Your Spiritual Maturity

3. Achan secretly took a Babylonian garment, two hundred shekels of silver (about 5 pounds worth over $1500 today), and a wedge of gold weighing fifty shekels (about 20 ounces worth over $24,000 today). Achan thought no one saw his secret sin. God sees our sin. God knows our need. Jesus meets our need and brings forgiveness for our sins - if we call upon Him.

4. The Importance Of Your Spiritual Maturity Obvious sins or “shortcomings” James 4:17(KJV) 17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. In this case… Shortcomings = SIN!

5. The Importance Of Your Spiritual Maturity If we are not spiritually strong or mature, then we weaken our church or fellowship of believers These sins weaken our lives, thus weaken our church or fellowship of believers

6. The Importance Of Your Spiritual Maturity Obvious sins or “shortcomings” Failing to worship together Hebrews 10:25(NKJV) 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

7. The Importance Of Your Spiritual Maturity Obvious sins or “shortcomings” Praying little or not at all during our week (not in church) Acts 6:4(KJV) 4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. 1 Thessalonians 5:17(KJV) 17 Pray without ceasing.

8. The Importance Of Your Spiritual Maturity Obvious sins or “shortcomings” Neglecting to read, know, and apply God’s Word daily in our lives 2 Timothy 2:15-17(KJV) 15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. 17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus

9. The Importance Of Your Spiritual Maturity Obvious sins or “shortcomings” Smothering the love of Christ in our lives and actions 1 Thessalonians 5:19(KJV) 19 Quench not the Spirit.

10. The Importance Of Your Spiritual Maturity Obvious sins or “shortcomings” Clinging to bitterness instead of forgiving those around us Ephesians 4:32(KJV) 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

11. The Importance Of Your Spiritual Maturity Ephesians 4:11-32(NKJV) 11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 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; 14 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, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—

12. The Importance Of Your Spiritual Maturity 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. 17 This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; 19 who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. 20 But you have not so learned Christ,

13. The Importance Of Your Spiritual Maturity 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. 25 Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another. 26 “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 nor give place to the devil.

14. The Importance Of Your Spiritual Maturity 28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. 29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

15. The Importance Of Your Spiritual Maturity We need each other – vs. 11 11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,

16. The Importance Of Your Spiritual Maturity We need God’s touch through His servants – 11-12a 11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry…

17. The Importance Of Your Spiritual Maturity We need the uplifting of God in our lives – 12b 12 …for the edifying of the body of Christ,

18. The Importance Of Your Spiritual Maturity We need unity in our midst – 13 13 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;

19. The Importance Of Your Spiritual Maturity We need to personally know God’s Son, Jesus Christ 13 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;

20. The Importance Of Your Spiritual Maturity We need to be mature believers in the Lord – 13 13 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; NLT renders this: that we will be mature in the Lord 14 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,

21. The Importance Of Your Spiritual Maturity We need a consistent, correct, and constant message (spiritual diet) of truth - 15 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—

22. The Importance Of Your Spiritual Maturity We all need to be joined and knit together as an effective body each doing the Lord’s work and will 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

23. The Importance Of Your Spiritual Maturity We need to be special in our daily behavior and life – 17 17 This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind,

24. The Importance Of Your Spiritual Maturity Displeasing to the Lord At odds with the Lord 18 having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; 19 who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

25. The Importance Of Your Spiritual Maturity Not the way we should walk 20 But you have not so learned Christ, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts,

26. The Importance Of Your Spiritual Maturity We need to live godly 24/7/365 Spiritually what He wants us to be 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

27. The Importance Of Your Spiritual Maturity We need to live godly 24/7/365 Daily what others look at us and see 25 Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another.

28. The Importance Of Your Spiritual Maturity We need to live godly 24/7/365 Continually on guard against all that Satan can do to hurt us 26 “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 nor give place to the devil. 28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.

29. The Importance Of Your Spiritual Maturity 29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.

30. The Importance Of Your Spiritual Maturity In control – 26a

31. The Importance Of Your Spiritual Maturity In control – 26a Never used of the devil – 27

32. The Importance Of Your Spiritual Maturity In control – 26a Never used of the devil – 27 Honesty in our actions – 28

33. The Importance Of Your Spiritual Maturity In control – 26a Never used of the devil – 27 Honesty in our actions – 28 Hard working – 28c

34. The Importance Of Your Spiritual Maturity In control – 26a Never used of the devil – 27 Honesty in our actions – 28 Hard working – 28c Willing and wanting to help others – 28d

35. The Importance Of Your Spiritual Maturity In control – 26a Never used of the devil – 27 Honesty in our actions – 28 Hard working – 28c Willing and wanting to help others – 28d Not in practice of talking bad (gossip, slander, etc.) about the body – 29

36. The Importance Of Your Spiritual Maturity In control – 26a Never used of the devil – 27 Honesty in our actions – 28 Hard working – 28c Willing and wanting to help others – 28d Not in practice of talking bad (gossip, slander, etc.) about the body – 29 Giving grace (undeserved love) to each other – 29c

37. The Importance Of Your Spiritual Maturity We need to be special to each other 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

38. The Importance Of Your Spiritual Maturity We need to be special to each other Full of the Holy Spirit in His control - 30 An exemplary example – 31 Full of forgiveness - 32

39. The Importance Of Your Spiritual Maturity We need to be special to each other Full of the Holy Spirit in His control - 30 An exemplary example – 31 Full of forgiveness - 32

40. The Importance Of Your Spiritual Maturity We need to be special to each other Full of the Holy Spirit in His control - 30 An exemplary example – 31 Full of forgiveness - 32

41. The Importance Of Your Spiritual Maturity We need to be special to each other Full of the Holy Spirit in His control - 30 An exemplary example – 31 Full of forgiveness - 32

42. The Importance Of Your Spiritual Maturity We all need to be spiritually mature and Help each other serve the Lord