MATURITY IN THE FAITH

After we become born again, there is still some work to be done to mature us in the faith.

In 1 Tim 3:6 Paul commented on this " He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil" .

Scriptures:

Heb 5:11-14

11 We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. 12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

1 Peter 2:1-5

1 Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.4 As you come to him,

A SURE FOUNDATION 2

INTRODUCTION

Without the sure foundation of our Lord Jesus Christ it is impossible to go on to maturity. In Hebrews 6:1-3 the basic foundational truths upon which our Christian lives are to be built are listed. Many Christians are immature though they have been believers for years.

If we do not lay the right foundations God cannot have a hand in our spiritual building.

1. How many years does a Christian need to mature in the faith? 

Scriptures:

Math 7:24-27

 24 "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."

James1:19-25

19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. 22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom,

BUILDING A SURE FOUNDATION IN CHRIST

INTRODUCTION

Many Christians are building their lives on unstable foundations. The only stable bedrock foundation is our Lord Jesus Christ who is the living word of God. Unstable foundations will not stand the test of time. Soon depression, disappointment and frustration will be part of your daily life. If we build on the sure foundation, our Lord and Master Himself will captain our ship.

Scriptures:      

1 Cor. 3:5-11

5 What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. 6 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. 7 So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. 9 For we are co-workers in God's service; you are God's field, God's building.

10 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Heb 4:12

12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit,

HOW STRONG IS YOUR FOUNDATION

INTRODUCTION

When the foundation is good the building will be able to stand, no matter the storm that comes against it. Our lives are spiritual structures. Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. We need to build it up strong to be able to stand firm in trying times.

1. In our Christian lives we should not build anything unless it is founded on Jesus Christ.

   It becomes important then to use his teachings to shape our lives in all areas daily.

   It is wrong to introduce a new foundation, teaching or doctrine because of how you feel,

    what you think or circumstances which have come your way.

Scriptures:

 Heb 6:1-3

1 Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, 2 instruction about cleansing rites, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And God permitting, we will do so.

1 Cor. 3:10-15

10 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person's work. 14 If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. 15 If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.

Luke 6:46-49

46 "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? 47 As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. 48 They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation

A SURE FOUNDATION 1

 INTRODUCTION

A foundation is a substance on which you build a structure. The foundation does not only support the building but determines how strong the building is.

1. A building will always move when it is built. It can sink, rise, slide, or combine these motions.

2. Foundations ensure that the load of a building is spread evenly over the ground underneath the building.

3. As trains need a railway and stations, as orchestras needs orchestrations, as a brain needs a skull, as a ship needs a hull, so buildings must have their foundations (Jim Dewar, North Gosford)

Scriptures:

 Heb 6:1-3

1 Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, 2 instruction about cleansing rites, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And God permitting, we will do so.

1 Cor. 3:10-15

10 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw,