TRUE MATURITY

What do you think? Maturity and age, are they the same thing?

Ephesians 4:13-15: “…Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God,
unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no
more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men,
and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up
into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.”

FOUR STEPS TO TRUE MATURITY

According to Matthew 28:18-20, there are four stations on the road to Christian maturity:

1. CONTACT: “Go.” He who has to become a disciple of Jesus must first make contact with the message
of salvation and know the biblical facts. How can someone be contacted with the Word of God if he is
not first found by another person willing to go out and look for him?

2. SALVATION: “Make disciples of all nations, baptizing them.” The believer needs to receive Christ as his
personal savior and become a committed member of His church. In our next lesson, we will talk about
the difference between being a simple believer and being a real disciple of Jesus.

3. LEARNING: “Teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you.” Being saved by Christ is
only the first step towards abundant and fruitful life in Him. This third step consists in learning His
commandments and being affirmed in faith and in the Christian life; in other words, acquire the biblical
norms of doctrine and conduct 4. TESTIMONY: “And lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the
age.” After having made contact with the message of salvation, having known Christ and acquired his

Word as the norm of faith and conduct, the disciple of Jesus becomes a faithful testimony to others; a
reflection of Christ to people in every aspect of their life

4. TESTIMONY: “And lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” After having made contact
with the message of salvation, having known Christ and acquired his Word as the norm of faith and
conduct, the disciple of Jesus becomes a faithful testimony to others; a reflection of Christ to people in
every aspect of their life.

THE RESULTS OF MATURITY

Now, let’s see seven things that the Lord expects us to do for His kingdom after we have matured in the
Faith. It is a magnificent summary of the great commission, of the commission to make disciples that
Jesus left us:

1. Preach the Word of God; leading others to know it, receive it, study it, treasure it and obey it.

2. Proclaim the salvation that is in Jesus, convincing others to receive Christ as their Lord and Savior, and
be baptized in His glorious Name.

3. Pray for believers to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and then continue walking in the Spirit.

4. Help them acquire Christian habits and live under the will of God, in complete dependence on Him.
5. Guide them until they reach spiritual maturity and the development of their spiritual gifts and talents.

6. Train them to fulfill their ministry, inside and outside the Church; to do their part in the crucial
mission of rescuing the lost, for whom Christ offered his life.

7. Motivate and encourage others to always be prepared for their departure from this Earth, for their
entry into eternity. The Lord taught that a blind man cannot lead another blind man - that a lost person
cannot rescue a lost person.

That is to say that only after I have matured, can I lead others to maturity.

CONCLUSION

To those who prepare and strive to reach spiritual maturity, God promises “that ye come behind in no
gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye
may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the
fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:7-9, KJV