20b Truth Encounter - Moving toward Maturity

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06-13-2008 18:52

Jeff Fry
Joined on 07-30-2006
Lichfield, UK
Posts 237

20b Truth Encounter - Moving toward Maturity

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20b Truth Encounter - Moving on to Maturity

by Jeff Fry based on Neil Anderson's "Freedom in Christ" series

Hebrews 5:11-14 We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. 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! ¹³Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. ¹⁴But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

Thesis: We must press on beyond basic teachings in order to mature in Christ.

I. Introduction

A. We continue our Truth Encounter series. Last week we looked at "Barriers to Growth" and said that we must be constantly taking hold of our freedom in Christ through ACT (Acknowledge, Choose, Turn).

B. Corinthians were our example - jealousy and quarrelling preventing them from taking hold of their freedom in Christ.

C. This week we look at the Hebrew Christians in the book of Hebrews. And we discover another barrier to growth - failure to press on beyond basic teachings and make deep connections with the truth of Scripture.

II. We must press on beyond basic teaching and make deep connections with God's truth

A. State

1. As you read the book of Hebrews you notice that the writer of the book talks about the difference between a Christian who knows just the basics and one who has moved beyond the basics and on to maturity.

2. In Hebrews 5:11-14 some believers are like infants while some are described as mature, some are needing milk while others are eating solid foods, others are described as "not able to teach yet". They were stagnating on the basics of the faith.

a) Basics like this one that we have stressed in our Truth Encounter course:

(1) righteousness of Christ - if you were asked on what basis can you stand before God accepted by Him - what would you say?

(2) We've talked a lot in this series about how our righteousness comes form without us, ie. from the cross-work of Christ, and therefore nothing can change that because "it is finished history".

(3) when the enemy attacks us and accuses us and tells us we are guilty before God, that we are surely not forgiven for this or that sin, that God surely couldn't accept us : "Therefore there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ" (Romans 8:1).

(4) Show the poster board illustration now.

3. Spiritual growth is lacking and maturity is not being obtained because they are not making deep connections with the truths of the faith.

a) In other words does it still feel as if you need to "do a good job" for God to accept you? Are you still feeling dirty or useless? Do you believe the condemning thoughts you have even though you know the fact that there is now no condemnation for you?

b) For example, if somebody publicly puts me down or makes a condescending remark about me in front of other people then we may get strong feelings of unworthiness, of alienation and of course anger toward the person and even unforgiveness may start to play a part.

c) Satan will have a field day (he will love it) with those feelings if you do not correct it with the deep truth that God has made you just the way you are.

(1) Just the way you are you are greatly loved by God

(2) Just the way you are, you are a greatly worthy individual in God's eyes.

(3) And those negative initial thoughts that accused you of unworthiness must be rejected by the traffic control tower of the mind and replaced by God's truth.

4. the book of Hebrews urges the Christians there in many ways

a)

B. Illustrate

1. Jonathan Edwards Resolutions

a) At the age of 19, Jonathan Edwards, one of the greatest pastors and theologians ever and leader of the awakening in America in the 1700's, started to write his own "Resolutions".

b) The resolutions were intended to help regulate his own heart and life and point them toward God.

c) At the intro to these 70 some resolutions Edwards wrote: "Being sensible that I am unable to do any thing without God's help, I do humbly entreat him, by his grace, to enable me to keep these resolutions , so far as they are agreeable to His will."

d) Examples are:

(1) 4. Resolved, never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body, less or more, but what tends to the glory of God;.

(2) 5. Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can.

(3) 6. Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.

(4) 7. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life.

(5) 10. Resolved, when I feel pain, to think of the pains of martyrdom, and of hell.

(6) 11. Resolved, when I think of any theorem in divinity to be solved, immediately to do what I can towards solving it, if circumstances do not hinder.

(7) 14. Resolved, never to do any thing out of revenge.

(8) 16. Resolved, never to speak evil of anyone, so that it shall tend to his dishonor, more or less, upon no account except for some real good.

(9) 17. Resolved, that I will live so, as I shall wish I had done when I come to die

(10) Resolved, whenever I do any evil action, to trace it back, till I come to the original cause; and then, both carefully endeavor to do so no more, and to fight and pray with all my might against the origin of it..

(11) Resolved, to examine carefully, and constantly, what that one thing in me is, which causes me in the least to doubt of the love of God; and to direct all my forces against it.

C. Apply

Rev Jeff Fry

Darwin Park Community Church
Lichfield, UK

Filed under: truth encounter, christian maturity, maturity

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DPCC Faith Talks

20b Truth Encounter - Moving toward Maturity

06-13-2008 18:52

20b Truth Encounter - Moving toward Maturity

I. Introduction

A. We continue our Truth Encounter series. Last week we looked at "Barriers to Growth" and said that we must be constantly taking hold of our freedom in Christ through ACT (Acknowledge, Choose, Turn).

B. Corinthians were our example - jealousy and quarrelling preventing them from taking hold of their freedom in Christ.

C. This week we look at the Hebrew Christians in the book of Hebrews. And we discover another barrier to growth - failure to press on beyond basic teachings and make deep connections with the truth of Scripture.

II. We must press on beyond basic teaching and make deep connections with God's truth

A. State

1. As you read the book of Hebrews you notice that the writer of the book talks about the difference between a Christian who knows just the basics and one who has moved beyond the basics and on to maturity.

2. In Hebrews 5:11-14 some believers are like infants while some are described as mature, some are needing milk while others are eating solid foods, others are described as "not able to teach yet". They were stagnating on the basics of the faith.

a) Basics like this one that we have stressed in our Truth Encounter course:

(1) righteousness of Christ - if you were asked on what basis can you stand before God accepted by Him - what would you say?

(2) We've talked a lot in this series about how our righteousness comes form without us, ie. from the cross-work of Christ, and therefore nothing can change that because "it is finished history".

(3) when the enemy attacks us and accuses us and tells us we are guilty before God, that we are surely not forgiven for this or that sin, that God surely couldn't accept us : "Therefore there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ" (Romans 8:1).

(4) Show the poster board illustration now.

3. Spiritual growth is lacking and maturity is not being obtained because they are not making deep connections with the truths of the faith.

a) In other words does it still feel as if you need to "do a good job" for God to accept you? Are you still feeling dirty or useless? Do you believe the condemning thoughts you have even though you know the fact that there is now no condemnation for you?

b) For example, if somebody publicly puts me down or makes a condescending remark about me in front of other people then we may get strong feelings of unworthiness, of alienation and of course anger toward the person and even unforgiveness may start to play a part.

c) Satan will have a field day (he will love it) with those feelings if you do not correct it with the deep truth that God has made you just the way you are.

(1) Just the way you are you are greatly loved by God

(2) Just the way you are, you are a greatly worthy individual in God's eyes.

(3) And those negative initial thoughts that accused you of unworthiness must be rejected by the traffic control tower of the mind and replaced by God's truth.

4. the book of Hebrews urges the Christians there in many ways

a)

B. Illustrate

1. Jonathan Edwards Resolutions

a) At the age of 19, Jonathan Edwards, one of the greatest pastors and theologians ever and leader of the awakening in America in the 1700's, started to write his own "Resolutions".

b) The resolutions were intended to help regulate his own heart and life and point them toward God.

c) At the intro to these 70 some resolutions Edwards wrote: "Being sensible that I am unable to do any thing without God's help, I do humbly entreat him, by his grace, to enable me to keep these resolutions , so far as they are agreeable to His will."

d) Examples are:

(1) 4. Resolved, never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body, less or more, but what tends to the glory of God;.

(2) 5. Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can.

(3) 6. Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.

(4) 7. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life.

(5) 10. Resolved, when I feel pain, to think of the pains of martyrdom, and of hell.

(6) 11. Resolved, when I think of any theorem in divinity to be solved, immediately to do what I can towards solving it, if circumstances do not hinder.

(7) 14. Resolved, never to do any thing out of revenge.

(8) 16. Resolved, never to speak evil of anyone, so that it shall tend to his dishonor, more or less, upon no account except for some real good.

(9) 17. Resolved, that I will live so, as I shall wish I had done when I come to die

(10) Resolved, whenever I do any evil action, to trace it back, till I come to the original cause; and then, both carefully endeavor to do so no more, and to fight and pray with all my might against the origin of it..

(11) Resolved, to examine carefully, and constantly, what that one thing in me is, which causes me in the least to doubt of the love of God; and to direct all my forces against it.

C. Apply