Ephesians 4:13
“until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.”
This verse gives three goals to which we are to attain. We've already done the first two, to attain to the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God. Today we will discuss reaching the maturity of a man (or woman).
We all reach physical maturity naturally. We just need to eat and stay alive and our bodies naturally mature. There are several other types of maturity. There is social maturity. This happens as we join with others. Our parents and siblings tell us how to act. We might not listen in the context of the family, but we do at school. For example, when kids throw tantrums, it scares other kids and they don't want to play with them. This isolation makes the child realize that to have friends he must behave more responsibly. This follows us into adulthood.
Other types of maturity may be athletically, academically, career-wise, etcetera. Today is referring to spiritual maturity. Hebrews 5:12 says, "Although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to reteach you the basic principles of God’s word. You need milk, not solid food!" Some of these hebrews were stunting their growth.
What needs to be done to grow spiritually? Acts 2:42 gives an example of the first believers, "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." They met together or went to church, they studied and listened to the bible, they took communion which symbolized acknowledging their sin and accepting Christ's forgiveness and they prayed. They only other thing I would say would be to share their faith with unbelievers. These are the ingredients of a healthy growing christian. This involves intentionality. They put this as a priority.
Let's talk about the importance of the bible. Hebrews 4:12 says that it is "living and active". It's not an ordinary book. It's God's Word and has the power to make us grow.
Jesus spoke the parable of the sower. “The sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell beside the road, and it was trampled underfoot, and the birds of the sky ate it up. Other seed fell on rocky soil, and when it came up, it withered away because it had no moisture. Other seed fell among the thorns; and the thorns grew up with it and choked it out. And yet other seed fell into the good soil, and grew up, and produced a crop a hundred times as much.” As He said these things, He would call out, “The one who has ears to hear, let him hear", (Luke 8:5-8).
If we give the bible priority and ask God to help its growth, it causes good, godly changes in us. This is the maturity spoken of. Intake of God's Word mixed with an open attitude is key to growing in Christ. How do we get the Word of God in us? Listening to sermons at church or on the radio and reading it ourselves.
Another factor that the early church demonstrated for us was gathering together. Proverbs 27:17 says, "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." We inspire and encourage on another. The good attitudes in the parable of the sower are built and encouraged by fellow believers.
Praying and connecting with God is also important. Seeking His presence is fostered. Acts 13:22 says, "After removing Saul, He raised up David as their king and testified about him: 'I have found David son of Jesse a man after My own heart; he will carry out My will in its entirety.'" As we seek God He gives us a heart after Him.
Lord, thank You that You help us to mature in You. Thank You for the bible and the encouragement of other believers.