SERMON - BE A MATURE CHRISTIAN

BE A MATURE CHRISTIAN

Greetings Brothers and Sisters in Christ. This is a day the Lord has made, rejoice and be glad in it.

 

Over the past months weeks God's WORD respecting Fear of Death, Confession of Belief of Jesus Christ, Gifts of the Holy Spirit, Makeup of the Church. Brevity and Health were made known. All were topics that were meant to make known to you God's WORD in a manner so as to be clear in an adult way of understanding. Over the years you have heard the basics of Christianity repeatedly. I now read from 1 Corinthians 3: 6-7. This passage was written by Paul and describes his manner of conveying the Word of God to "mature,"  which I interpret as Adult (no matter the age of the Christian) follower of Christ.

 

1 Corinthians 3:6-7

 

Yet when I am among mature Christians, I do speak with words of wisdom, but not the kind of wisdom that belongs to this world, and not the kind that appeals to the rulers of this world,me who are being brought to nothing. No, the wisdom we speak of is the secret wisdom of God, which was hidden in former times, though He made it for our benefit before the world began.

 

Then continuing with 1 Corinthians 3: 9-10:

 

  That is what the Scriptures mean when they say,

 

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard,

and no mind has ever imagined what God

has prepared for those that love Him."

 

But we know these things because God has revealed them to us by His Spirit, and His Spirit searches out everything and shows us even God's deep secrets.

 

What does that Scripture mean to you? What it means to me is quite clear and I shall relate to you, as Mature Christians, what is revealed to me.

 

The 'wisdom' of this world is nothing as compared to the wisdom of God. 

The rulers of this world, as you may realize, are the elected officials and appointed (by elected) of world Governments. Where these men and women are mostly interested in remaining in office and will say anything to get re-elected, God has no one to judge Him as He is God. His wisdom, or words of wisdom are not affected by anything other than His own powers. He alone is God and He alone possesses the knowledge to allow us to hear of and look forward to His prepared rewards for those that love Him.

 

God chooses to teach us that, although there are those amongst us that make claim of 'Special Knowledge,' that knowledge is earthly and not of value to any man.

 

God's WORD in Jeremiah 23: 34 teaches us:

 

Jeremiah 23:32

 

If any prophet, priest, or anyone says, ' I have a prophesy from the Lord,' I will punish that person along with his entire family.

 

God's Word is supreme. It encompasses every thought we may have. It should encompass and have control over the thoughts of every man. That would allow every man/woman to think as a Mature Christian thereby allowing all to see the true life that awaits all of us. But, we live in  a world inhabited by false thinkers, would be leaders, false prophets, charlatan politicians and naysayer. These people teach 'gloom and doom,' instead of God's truth.  

You, as Mature Christians, must be the purveyors of truth, of God's Word. Through prayer you can gain these secrets of God that will allow you to lead a fruitful life and happiness in the world God has prepared for us after this life. 

 

Now, though this may sound confusing to some, it is simple.

• God is all powerful,
• Man's wisdom is finite,
• Do not hide behind false claims of Divine knowledge,
• Do not follow false prophets,
• Follow God's will, not your own,
• Think like an ' Adult Christian,'
• No man/woman has seen or can honestly describe what God has in store for His believers.

We have been taught to be followers of Jesus Christ and have been endowed with gifts bestowed by The Holy Spirit. To follow Jesus is to be people of discernment. To be people of 'discernment,' means we are to act and possess keen insight or good judgment. Keenness of insight and judgment is simple. Is it right or is it wrong. is it good or is it evil. The Holy Spirit has given each of us who truly believe the gift of discernment. As roof of this if you read and understand 1 Corinthians 12:3, it is made clear.

 

1 Corinthians 3 (please read entire Scripture)

 

So, I want you to know how to discern what is truly from God: No one speaking by the Spirit if God can curse Jesus, and no one is able to say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit.

 

As you are Christians, enlightened by the Holy Spirit, you are able to say, Jesus is Lord. The Holy Spirit guides your thoughts and has opened your eyes to this faithful belief. Your studies have allowed you to learn of God's becoming man incarnate, living amongst us, His crucifixion, His burial, His resurrection and His ascension to heaven. With that knowledge firmly a part of your 'makeup.' you must begin to be seen as  Mature Christians and people of God. Now, you must be the type of people that reflect the true nature of God. That is not to be seen as a 'Holier than thou,' person, but a person willing to talk and act as God's representative here on earth.

 

So many ask, "Who are you to judge?" As a mature Christian my reply is, "As a Christian, I am to discern whether a thing is right or is it wrong. Whether it is good or is it evil." Then, I set forth my discernment. If you recognize yourself as a mature Christian, you too are to speak out with conviction. Do not be dissuaded by those who would try to make you less than what you are, be firm in your belief and do so with conviction without being oppressive and while being humble. It's not easy but it is required. Be a person with compassion possessed with humility.

Closing Prayer

Father, Almighty God, we ask that You enlighten us and guide us by the Holy Spirit as we seek to learn Your Word.Grant us the understanding required to learn how to be more mature in our thoughts of You. It is with that more complete understanding that we will be enabled to spread You Gospels in a more understandable manner.

Abba, You are ever in our thoughts and for this we are grateful.

As our Yahweh Sabaoth we ask that You send angels to protect us, guide us and protect Christians throughout the world.

In Jesus' name we pray, who is One with You and the Holy Spirit, One God Forever and ever,

Amen. amen and amen.

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Pastor Lee S Gliddon Jr
God's Word Christian Ministry