Embracing Our Mess: The Journey to Spiritual Maturity
Summary
Thank you, Father, for Jesus, for the hope we have in Him, for the Holy Spirit, the Scriptures, and for one another. Today, we reflect on the reality that God meets us right where we are, not put off by our failures, but actively transforming us. The truth is, the church is a beautiful mess because it’s made up of people like us—imperfect, in process, and deeply loved by God. Throughout Scripture, God uses messy people—Paul, David, Abraham—reminding us that perfection is not a prerequisite for being used by Him. Instead, acknowledging our mess is the starting point for growth and transformation.
Jesus embraced messy people, becoming sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God. God does His best work in the midst of chaos and brokenness, both in creation and in our recreation as His children. The Christian life is not about easy grace or a license to sin; rather, it’s about being transferred from darkness to light, from old ways to new life in Christ. We are called to embrace the process of moving from messy to maturing, understanding that spiritual growth is a journey, not a destination.
Just as children grow and mature, so too are we called to move from spiritual infancy to maturity. Our spiritual diet—what we take in from God’s Word—matters. We start with the basics, but we are meant to grow into deeper truths, allowing the Spirit to produce fruit in our lives. Maturity is also measured by our love and unity, not by divisions or pride. God’s goal is for us to be fruitful, both in character and in impact, as we cooperate with Him.
Building our lives on the right foundation—Jesus Christ—is essential. Everything else is shifting sand. Our works will be tested, and only what is done in the power and for the glory of Christ will last. We are God’s temple, the dwelling place of His Spirit, not because we are perfect, but because of His grace. Embracing our identity in Christ frees us from striving and allows us to walk as beloved sons and daughters. Let us turn from selfishness and doubt, and trust fully in Jesus, our solid foundation.
Key Takeaways
- God’s people are a beautiful mess, and acknowledging our brokenness is the starting point for transformation. Throughout Scripture, God consistently chooses and uses imperfect people, not because of their perfection, but because of His grace and purpose. When we confess our mess, we open ourselves to His work of renewal and growth. This humility is the soil in which true spiritual maturity takes root. [05:51]
- Jesus embraces messy people and does His best work in the midst of our chaos. The incarnation itself is proof that God is not repelled by our sin, but enters into it to redeem and restore. Rather than being a license to sin, grace is the power that moves us from darkness to light, from old patterns to new life. Our transformation is evidence of His presence, not our own effort. [06:31]
- Spiritual maturity is a process, not a destination, and God is patient with our growth. Just as children move from scribbles to more refined drawings, we move from spiritual infancy to maturity over time. Our spiritual diet—moving from milk to meat—reflects our willingness to go deeper in God’s Word and to let it shape us. Maturity is also seen in our practice of love and unity, not just knowledge. [15:29]
- Fruitfulness in the Christian life comes from cooperating with God, not striving in our own strength. Whether we are planting, watering, or harvesting, it is God who gives the increase. Fruitfulness is both internal—seen in the fruit of the Spirit—and external, as we impact others for Christ. Our role is to be faithful and patient, trusting God to bring about growth in His time. [25:10]
- Building our lives on the foundation of Jesus is the only way to withstand life’s storms and to have our works endure. Everything else—success, possessions, reputation—is ultimately unstable. What we do in the power of Christ and for His glory will be rewarded, not just in obvious ministry roles, but in everyday faithfulness. We are God’s temple, indwelt by His Spirit, and our identity in Christ is the anchor for our growth and hope. [30:03]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:00] - Opening Prayer and Introduction
[01:50] - Why Are We Surprised by Christian Failure?
[03:05] - Messy Spirituality and the Church
[04:16] - The Messy Church at Corinth
[05:51] - Confessing Our Mess
[06:31] - Jesus Embraces Messy People
[08:39] - Transferred from Darkness to Light
[10:17] - Our Identity in Christ
[13:45] - Moving from Messy to Maturing
[15:29] - Spiritual Growth and Maturity
[18:50] - From Milk to Meat: Deepening Our Spiritual Diet
[20:37] - Love, Unity, and Maturity
[21:59] - Fruitfulness and God’s Work in Us
[26:39] - Building on the Right Foundation
[30:03] - What Will Last: Living for Christ’s Glory
[31:31] - The Church as God’s Temple
[33:37] - Invitation and Closing Prayer
[36:32] - Prayers for Healing and Sending Forth
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: “A Beautiful Mess: Growing in Christ Together”
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### Bible Reading
1 Corinthians 3:1-17
(Paul addresses the church in Corinth about spiritual maturity, unity, and building on the foundation of Jesus.)
Colossians 1:13-14
(“For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”)
Matthew 7:24-27
(Jesus’ parable about building your house on the rock versus the sand.)
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### Observation Questions
1. In 1 Corinthians 3, what does Paul say is the difference between spiritual infants and those who are maturing in Christ? ([15:29])
2. According to Colossians 1:13-14, what has God done for us through Jesus?
3. In Matthew 7:24-27, what happens to the house built on the rock compared to the one built on sand?
4. The sermon described the church as a “beautiful mess.” What examples did the pastor give from the Bible to show that God uses imperfect people? ([01:50])
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Paul uses the image of milk and solid food to describe spiritual growth? What does this say about the process of maturing in faith? ([15:29])
2. The pastor said, “God does His best work in messes.” How does this change the way we view our own failures and weaknesses? ([06:31])
3. What does it mean to build your life on the foundation of Jesus, and why is this so important according to both Paul and Jesus? ([26:39]; [30:03])
4. The sermon mentioned that maturity is seen in love and unity, not just knowledge. Why do you think unity and love are such important signs of spiritual maturity? ([20:37])
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### Application Questions
1. The pastor said that acknowledging our mess is the starting point for transformation. Is there an area of your life where you need to be honest about your “mess”? What would it look like to bring that to God this week? ([05:51])
2. Jesus embraced messy people and wasn’t put off by their failures. Is there someone in your life who needs you to show them grace instead of judgment? How can you do that practically this week? ([06:31])
3. Think about your “spiritual diet.” Are you mostly taking in the basics (milk), or are you seeking to go deeper (solid food)? What is one step you can take to grow in your understanding of God’s Word? ([18:50])
4. The sermon talked about moving from “messy to maturing.” What is one area where you see growth in your life? What is one area where you want to see more growth? ([15:29])
5. Fruitfulness comes from cooperating with God, not striving in our own strength. Is there a place in your life where you are trying to do things on your own instead of relying on God? What would it look like to trust Him more in that area? ([25:10])
6. Building on the right foundation means making Jesus the center of your life. Are there things you are building your life on that feel like “shifting sand”? What is one practical way you can put Jesus at the center this week? ([30:03])
7. The pastor said, “We are God’s temple, the dwelling place of His Spirit, not because we are perfect, but because of His grace.” How does this truth affect the way you see yourself and others in the church? ([31:31])
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Thank God for meeting us in our mess, for His grace, and for the hope we have in Jesus. Ask for help to grow in maturity, love, and unity, and to build our lives on the solid foundation of Christ.
Devotional
Day 1: Embrace Your Beautiful Mess—God Meets You Where You Are
God is not surprised or put off by our failures; instead, He meets us right in the middle of our mess and begins the work of transformation. The stories of Paul, David, and Abraham remind us that God uses imperfect people, and that acknowledging our own mess is the starting point for growth and grace. When we confess our mess, we open ourselves to the truth of who we are in Christ and the hope that He brings, knowing that we are not alone in our struggles. You are a beautiful mess, loved and chosen by God, and He delights in working through your imperfections to bring about His purposes. [05:51]
Psalm 51:17 (ESV)
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel like a “mess” right now? Can you bring that honestly before God today, trusting that He meets you with love and not condemnation?
Day 2: From Darkness to Light—Your Identity in Christ
Believing that God has transferred us from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light is foundational to living as His people. In Christ, we have redemption and the forgiveness of sins, and our identity is rooted in His grace, not our past or our failures. Even as we live in a world that is still dark, we are called to remember that we belong to Jesus, and He has given us every spiritual blessing and promise. Holding onto this truth gives us hope and strength to persevere, knowing that God is faithful and will keep us strong until the end. [10:17]
Colossians 1:13-14 (ESV)
He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Reflection: In what ways do you still see yourself as belonging to the “old life”? How can you intentionally remind yourself today that you have been transferred into the kingdom of light?
Day 3: Moving from Messy to Maturing—Spiritual Growth Is a Process
God does not want us to remain in spiritual infancy; He lovingly guides us from messy beginnings toward maturity in Christ. Just as a parent delights in a child’s growth, God delights in our progress, no matter how slow or imperfect it may seem. Spiritual maturity is a journey, not a destination, and it involves moving from the basics of faith (“milk”) to deeper understanding and practice (“meat”). Evaluating our spiritual diet and our practice of love and unity helps us see where we are growing and where we need to lean into God’s transforming work. [17:12]
1 Corinthians 3:1-3 (ESV)
But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?
Reflection: What is one practical step you can take this week to move from “milk” to “meat” in your spiritual life—whether it’s deeper Bible study, prayer, or practicing love and unity with others?
Day 4: Cooperate with God for a Fruitful Life
God’s desire is for us to live fruitful lives, producing both the fruit of the Spirit and the fruit of ministry as we cooperate with Him. Fruitfulness comes as we allow God to work in us and through us, recognizing that growth is His work, even as we faithfully plant, water, and nurture the seeds He gives. Our impact on others often begins with preparing the soil of their hearts through love and patience, and the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—becomes a powerful witness to those around us. [25:10]
Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Reflection: Which fruit of the Spirit do you most desire to see grow in your life right now? What is one way you can intentionally cooperate with God to nurture that fruit today?
Day 5: Build Your Life on the Right Foundation—Jesus Is the Rock
The foundation we build our lives on determines whether we will stand firm or fall when storms come. Jesus is the only sure foundation, and everything we do for His glory and in His power will last, while what is done for ourselves will not endure. Our lives are God’s building, and we are called to build with care, knowing that our faithfulness—whether seen or unseen—will be rewarded by Christ. Embracing our identity as God’s temple, indwelt by His Spirit, gives us confidence and purpose as we seek to honor Him in all things. [30:03]
1 Corinthians 3:11-14 (ESV)
For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw—each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward.
Reflection: What are you building your life on right now—your own strength or the foundation of Jesus? What is one area where you need to shift your focus to build more intentionally on Christ today?
Quotes
You are the temple of God. We are the temple of God. The Holy of Holies used to reside in the tabernacle That traveled in the wilderness Until they built a permanent temple in Jerusalem The Holy of Holies Was in the middle of that temple But the temple doesn't exist anymore of brick and mortar You and I are the temple Think about that You're the Holy of Holies That's a game changer If you believe it Because you might think to yourself Scott, I'm a mess Why would the spirit of God dwell in this mess? That's the irony of it all We're a beautiful mess Because of Jesus We're beautiful And he's chosen To dwell amongst us In us 24 -7 The temple is no longer a building It's people It's us That encourages me greatly [00:32:53] (66 seconds)
God does His best work in messes. He does His best work with messes. Think about creation. Genesis 1, the earth was null and void, and the waters were crossed the earth and covered the earth, and it was dark. And out of that chaos, out of that mess, He creates the beautiful earth, as the creation story tells us. [00:06:40] (26 seconds)
The second thing is that Jesus embraced messy people. Did he not? Somewhere we get this idea. idea that God can't be around sin. And I imagine you've been told that all your life. And yet the Son of God was the friend of sinners. He actually, according to Paul, became sin that we might become the righteousness of God in Christ. [00:06:06] (25 seconds)
Embrace your mess But more importantly Embrace Your beautiful identity In Christ Who you are in Christ Because when you start there I believe maturity More and more happens As we know who we are in Jesus The pressure to try to be good enough The pressure to try to do enough Kind of fades in the back Now we're just walking as sons and daughters Of God Children love their parents Because they're their parents It's the same with our Heavenly Father [00:34:43] (37 seconds)
Why are we so caught off guard when Christians fail? We as Christians tend to eat our own. When someone fails, we tend to turn our backs and get very judgmental. But if you've ever read the Bible, you know that Scripture never paints a picture of perfection of the people that God uses. That He used mightily. [00:01:42] (31 seconds)
As we walk in the Spirit, He's going to produce the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self -control. And as we cooperate with the Spirit, as we abide in Jesus, He begins to produce that fruit in our life. And that fruit is very attractive to people who don't have the fruit of the Spirit. When they see a believer walking in peace in the middle of a chaotic world, they're like, I want that. How do you walk in peace? It's because of Jesus. [00:25:37] (36 seconds)
That which will last, that which will be rewarded for is, what did I do in the power of Christ for the glory of Christ? And that goes all across the board of every choice that we make in our life. What did I do in the power of Christ for the glory of Christ? When I do it for me and in my own strength, I'm not going to get rewarded for that. But when you and I lean on Jesus, and we lean into his power, and we say, Lord, I want to glorify you. I want to bring you honor. You're going to be rewarded for that. [00:29:47] (37 seconds)
He transferred us from the kingdom of darkness, from the old way of thinking into the kingdom of his light. Even though we're still in a dark world where the lights haven't gone on for everybody around us, it has for us. And we are in this world, but we're not of the world, as Jesus said. [00:09:04] (23 seconds)
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