IT IS TIME TO GROW UP.
Lesson Text I Corinthian 3:1-3, Hebrews 6:1-6,and Ephesians 4:11-16
Thank God for the resources I used when preparing this especilly a work writen by Dr. S Myers and a message about growth and the Holy Spirit preached by Pastor Clinkscales
Let’s take a look at the Corinthian Church.
The city of Corthian was a place where you can find drunkenness, pride, and greed as well as idol worship. The Corinthian Church had let some of this creep into their lives causing disunity and immaturity in the Church. Paul could not address them as mature Christians because they were still unweaned babies. The Corthinas were jealous, full of strife, had cliques, had arguments (3:1) had issues with sexual impropriety (6:12-20) divorce and marriage problems (7:1-40), confusing with eating meat offered up to idols (8:1-13), lack of respect in church (11:2-16) inappropriate behavior during the Lord’s Supper (11:17-34) pride, jealous, and strife concerning spiritual gifts.
We too are often like the Corthian Christians childish and immature, but today we learn to identify the areas of our life we need growth so that we can mature and eat meat, be the bride of Christ we are called to be, and be fruitful and multiply by birthing spiritual babies. Lets examine a few of the charters tics of babes.
The objective of this lesson is not to discourage or to belittle: but to provoke growth. When the Lord gave me this lesson I discovered areas where I too need to grow. I would like to take this time to apologize in advance to those who will be offended; however I must say this in love, Grow up!!!
Please close your eyes and picture this with me. You walked into church on Sunday and the Ushers were in the back playing uno, the Missionaries were on the front row playing checkers, the First Lady was wearing pigtails stride rite walking shoes and was playing with a baby doll, the Deacons brought their GI Joe men, the lay members are crying, a few are fighting over a toy, the Motherboard was arguing about who had the better gift, the choir marched down the aisle singing Old McDonald had a farm EIEIO, the Minster was asked to pray and he prayed now I lay me down to sleep I pray the lord my soul to keep, then the Pastor got up to preach and said Goo Goo Ga Ga. You would look around and wonder why are they acting like children? Believe it or not, as sad as this sounds many of us are babies spiritually.
I love babies I think they are so adorable the way they make those funny faces the way they goo goo ga ga but when those same things are done by a thirty year old its not cute. An individual that has reached adult age and exhibits childish behaviors would be labeled as having a developmental disorder. In our spiritual life many Christians are spiritually retarded; by age they should be in adulthood however they are just like babies
My dear sisters and brothers in Christ If you find yourself in this next section it is time to grow up.
Babies need milk, they have no teeth and their digestive system can not digests the enzymes in meat.
It is nothing wrong with milk for the newly born Christian; babies receive many nutrients and antibodies from their mother’s milk. However a five-year-old child has no business on his mother’s breast. As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word that ye may grow thereby: (1 Peter 2:2) just like babies are expected to grow from their mother’s milk. We are expected to grow from the milk of the word when it is applied to our lives. You are a baby when you have very little knowledge or understanding of the word, and little to no application of the word to your life. Immature Christians only can digest Noah’s Ark, David and Goliath, Jonah and the big fish and a few other Bible stories. They can’t explain what they believe in and why they don’t know the difference between salvation and sanctification, they don’t understand why we worship on Sunday and not Saturday. Spiritual immaturity is the reason why many of us stay away from Daniel and Revelation. Develop an insatiable hunger for the word of God. Grow up!
Lets just face it babies are cute but they cant do anything for themselves they depend on others for the everything. Spiritual speaking what are you a babe, a child, a young adult a spiritual father or mother or have you reached a state where you are spiritual grandparent. It is very important not to look at a person’s age and believe they are mature. Age does not determine your spiritual maturity neither does the amount of time you have been saved. Years do not equal maturity; it does tell how long you been on the road however it doesn’t tell where you are on the road.
Babies cannot feed themselves.
If the only time you read your word is in church. Grow Up If You can’t reach the Pastor to pray for your stubbed toe, and you go crazy please pray for yourself and grow up. The word is God inspired and is to be used for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training, how can you expect growth eating one or two meals a week?
Babies need to be burped
You know the Christian that always need a pat on the back. Instead of working for the Lord they are looking for man to pat them on the back and say good job. Let someone forget to do that and they will vomit up all of the word you thought they just ate. You will be surprised at some of the foul things that would come out. I am not saying a Thank you isn’t deserved every now and again; but if you only work to be exalted by men (who by the way has no heaven or hell to put you in) you need to grow up.
Babies cry and have limited communication skills.
Babies are always crying whining or complaining. A baby cries when their hungry, sleepy, tired, scared, sick, lonely, or wet. Many of us Christians are just like this always crying and boo hooing about something or someone. She didn’t say hi, she looked at me wrong, she is trying to take my position, she’s trying to be the Pastors favorite, she knew that was my idea, they don’t love me, the Church is to cold, the music to loud, the Sermon was to long boo hoo boo hoo. One thing is for sure babies/immature Christians are easily offended and never satisfied. Babies are so sensitive because they haven’t learned to endure, you say boo and they are ready to leave the church. Are you guilty of this? Great peace have they, which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them Psalm 119:165. It is sad that churches are packed with never ceasing nagging murmuring and complaining. Numbers 11; 1 says when the people complained it displeased the Lord. So what do you think God’ feels about all of our whining because someone didn’t hug us after Church. Don’t get me wrong sometimes some concerns are legitimate, but no matter what when it comes to an immature Christian no Church is ever good enough, no congregation loves enough.
Babies will fight, bite and kick.
Babies/toddlers like to fight. If you say you are a Christian and your fighting with another brother or sister right now shame on you Grow up. When toddlers cant have their way they will fight, bite, kick, punch, pull scream whatever it takes. It is a real shame that many of us are too childish to see the enemy using us. You want to fight Sister Purple when you need to be fighting your flesh and the devil. If you are mad at Christian right now let it go and grow up. Paul points out envy, strife and disunity as carnal characteristics. Yet someone is sitting right here in the church with an attitude and ready to lay down their religion to crack another Christian’s head. Some Christians are so immature and fleshly that they actually try to cause division in the body of Christ but putting one saint against another.
Babies want lots of attention.
Babies want all the attention. Have you ever seen how babies act when someone picks up another baby and not them? Many of us are just like this we will show out if we can’t be the center of attention. Wait your turn and grow up in III John 1:9 we see Diotrphes who loved preeminence misbehaved by rejecting Paul. I believe he felt Paul would have gotten to much attention and spotlight. Do you find your self here look at me, look at me all eyes should be on me, if you do grow up.
We already know babies want all of the attention but they become jealous at the blessings or anointing of others. They can’t rejoice with you because they are jealous. They can’t touch and agree with you in prayer because their heart isn’t right. Are you jealous because someone has a beautiful wardrobe? Are you jealous because someone shouts more than you? Are you jealous because you been saved ten years and don’t know the Bible well? Galatians 5:21 states jealous folks/haters will not inherit the kingdom of God, so if you are guilty and you’re a Christians just pack your bags for hell because that is where your going according to the word. So if you find yourself here repent and grow up.
Babies will eat anything and let anyone pick them up.
Babies are curious and will put anything in their mouths, baby saints will wolf down any wind of doctrine, babies will go to and fro those with candy letting them hold them. Many baby Christian only want to be told something sweet and will flock to preachers that don’t teach or preach its holiness or hell. Naturally Babies would eat candy all day if you let them, resulting in an unbalanced diet. Many baby saints stay babies because they don’t desire a well-rounded meal but only seek what that sounds good to their itching ears.
Babies are a mess.
Babies are a mess. Babies need to be taught not to mess on them selves it is time for many of us to stop messing on ourselves and blaming others. Many Christians are walking around crying about the mess they are in and they created the mess. When a baby goes in its diaper everyone knows and no longer want to play with baby or hold the baby, are you so full of mess that others run from you or don’t want to be bothered? Many wear diapers that say I am a victim I ‘m hurting blah blah blah. I have learned some folk are addicted to mess and go from one place to another with it. This is my message to you, it is time to stop dirtying up you britches clean your self-up and move on. Don’t waddle in you mess it gets old and it stinks. Any Christians who love mess is like a dog returning to his own vomit because fools according to Proverbs 26:11 will return to their folly (foolish things) The Church is the bride of Christ and he is looking for a church without a spot a wrinkle or any suck thing Do you really think Christ wants to marry someone wearing a dirty stinking diapers full of mess. Take your diaper to the alter and leave it there.
Let me share a war story with you Paul was beat 5 time by the Jews and received 39 lashes each time Paul was beaten with rods 3 times Paul was stoned Paul was shipwrecked, Paul has been on many journeys, in all types of dangers, Paul had labored had hardships many sleepless nights, Paul had been hungry and thirsty.
What did apostle Paul do, did he run around crying complaining doubting God causing confusion stirring up strife sowing seeds of discord, no he just kept on preaching the word read 2 cor 11:24-27
When children start talking they will say anything
Babies need to be corrected and disciplined.
Babies need to be trained, disciplined and corrected often some more than others. The bible says in Proverbs 23 13- 14 that a good whipping will keep you from the grave (Para) any child that is not disciplined trained and corrected must be orphans or bastards. Foolishness is in the heart of a child but the rod of correction will drive it far from them, the bible also instructs us to train up a child in the way they should go so that when they are old they have some basic common sense and are able to tell right from wrong. Babies must also learn to speak; you shouldn’t still be speaking like a baby saint after walking this walk for 6 years. To grow you must be able to put away all childish or carnal things.
How can babies grow?
Just like when we are born we have brother’s sister’s aunt’s uncle and parents, God has given us the five-fold ministry to help us grow as well as Christian Brother and sisters.
Read the Bible for yourself and apply it to your life. Keep a balanced diet.
Pray and fast for growth.
Attend the teaching areas of the Church. Don’t be discouraged by correction accept it and grow from it.
Desire Growth
It is time to stop asking Got Milk and start asking wheres the beef. It is time to take of the diaper and put on the whole armour. It is time to put down the toys and pick up your weapons of warfare. Get of the playground and get on the battlefield for the Lord.
My sisters and brothers lets grow up ,lets end all of the gossiping, complaining, backbiting, jealousy, malice, strife lets get rid of the negative sprits and the woe is me attitude. Let us grow up and replace those things with praying, fasting, studying and winning souls. Lets seek a higher level in Christ Jesus, let’s seek God for our emotional and Spiritual healing and get off the bottle and leave it at the cross.
Questions if doing a Bible study
Ask yourselves these questions
Are you in the same spot spiritually as last year? Where would you say you are in relation to stages of development?
Out of a 24 hour day how much time do you spend with God _____, Work_____, Watching TV_______, Talking on the phone_____, Sleeping______, Chores______ Mis_________.
Do you understand the Doctrine of the church?
Do you feel confident enough in your knowledge to teach the basic doctrines in Heb 6?
Did you find your self anywhere in the lesson?
Where would you like to be in the next month in your walk?
What is hindering your walk?
What is your plan for growth?
