1. “In Christ” “Living out Faith In Christ – Maturity”

2. God’s Will  Becoming like Jesus  Lifestyle choices validate our faith  God is less interested in our circumstances than our character whereas we’re more interested in our circumstances than our character

3. “In Christ” God’s Will Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will Romans 12:2 (NIVUK)

4. “In Christ” Maturity defined Maturity  Fully developed and complete  Finished  Carefully considered  Ripe  Having reached a stage of intellectual and emotional development usually associated with adulthood Immaturity  Unfinished or incomplete  Irresponsible  Childish  Naïve  Unable to fully appreciate or comprehend the need for responsibility or be capable of being trusted

5. “In Christ” Maturity defined  “Maturity is a high price to pay for growing up” – Tom Stoppard  “To make mistakes is human; to stumble is commonplace; to be able to laugh at yourself is maturity” – William Arthur Ward  “The rate at which a person can mature is directly proportional to the embarrassment he can tolerate” – Douglas Engelbart  “Youth is when you blame all your troubles on your parents; maturity is when you learn that everything is the fault of the younger generation” – Anon

6. “In Christ” What the Bible says We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ Colossians 1:18-20 (NIVUK) NIVUK: “present everyone perfect in Christ” And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way Ephesians 3:20 (NIVUK)

7. “In Christ” What the Bible says And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross Colossians 1:18-20 (NIVUK)

8. “In Christ” What the Bible says For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the Head over every power and authority Colossians 2:9-10 (NIVUK)

9. “In Christ” Ephesians 4:1-16 (TNIV)  Life a life worthy of your calling  Be completely humble and gentle  Be patient – bear with one another in love  Make every effort to keep unity in the bond of peace  One body  One Spirit  One hope  One Lord  One faith  One baptism  One God and Father  Over all and through all and in all  Each one has received grace  Each has received gifts  Apostles | Prophets | Evangelists | Pastors | Teachers equip  We serve | are built up | develop unity in faith and knowledge  Maturity = attaining the whole measure of the fullness of Christ  No longer infants – blown around  Speak the truth in love  Grow up into Him – the Head  From Him the body is joined and held together  Each supporting ligament grows and builds itself up and does it’s work

10. “In Christ” 4 Key Points 1.Character comes before anything else 2.We’re given the gifts we need 3.Serving develops maturity 4.We’re in this together – we are not alone

11. “In Christ” Character comes first  God invests in our character more than our abilities  Questions to ask What areas of my character are in need of a make-over? Which aspects do I find difficult? What excuses am I making? Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

12. “In Christ” We’re given the gifts we need So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people

13. “In Christ” We’re given the gifts we need Gifts of God Romans 12: 6-8 Gifts of the Holy Spirit 1 Corinthians 12: 8-10 Gifts of Christ Ephesians 4: 11-12 Prophecy Serving Teaching Encouraging Giving Leadership Empathy Wisdom Knowledge Faith Healing Miracles Prophecy Discerning of spirits Speaking in tongues Interpretation Apostle Prophet Evangelist Teacher Pastor Natural gifts that God “super-charges” Gifts given to everyone for the common good Specific people gifts to prepare the Body of Christ for works of service

14. “In Christ” We’re given the gifts we need  Gifts are given!  Questions to ask Where can I help? What needs are there that I can see? Why do I avoid getting involved? So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people

15. “In Christ” Serving develops maturity  Questions to ask What are the works of service I am being equipped for? How am I developing them? Who am I asking to get alongside me? So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

16. “In Christ” We’re in this together  Questions to ask Who am I supporting – physically, practically, prayerfully? Who am I prepared to allow support me when necessary? What part of the body am I attached to? Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.