Growing Spiritually: From Infancy to Maturity in Christ
Summary
In today's message, we explored the theme of spiritual growth, using the church in Corinth as a case study. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, expressed frustration over their lack of spiritual maturity. Despite having been taught the basics of the faith, they remained stuck in spiritual infancy, unable to progress beyond the foundational teachings. This stagnation was not due to a lack of knowledge but rather a failure to apply that knowledge in their lives, resulting in jealousy, strife, and division among them.
We are reminded that spiritual growth is akin to the natural growth process. Just as a child progresses from milk to solid food, so too should believers move from basic teachings to deeper spiritual truths. This growth requires intentional engagement with God's Word, not just for knowledge but for wisdom—applying what we learn to our lives. It's a call to examine our spiritual health, much like a physical checkup, to identify areas where we need to mature.
Moreover, spiritual growth involves battling our fleshly desires. Paul highlights that the Corinthians were driven by their desires, leading to division and conflict. We are encouraged to bring our desires under the lordship of Christ, understanding that the struggle against sin is part of our growth journey. The hope of the gospel assures us that victory is possible, not through our efforts but through the work of the Holy Spirit in us.
Finally, understanding how God works is crucial for spiritual maturity. The church is not about individual leaders but about Christ, who gives growth. Each believer has a role to play in God's work, and recognizing this helps us function effectively within the body of Christ. The church is God's field, where He plants, waters, and grows His people. As we discern His ways, we align ourselves with His purposes, contributing to the flourishing of His kingdom.
Key Takeaways:
- Spiritual growth requires moving beyond basic teachings to deeper truths. Just as children progress from milk to solid food, believers must engage with God's Word for wisdom, not just knowledge. This involves applying what we learn to our lives, leading to spiritual maturity. [09:09]
- Our desires must be submitted to Christ's lordship. The struggle against sin is part of our growth journey, and the hope of the gospel assures us of victory through the Holy Spirit's work in us. This battle is not about our performance but about Christ's work in us. [19:33]
- Understanding God's work in the church is crucial for spiritual maturity. The church is not about individual leaders but about Christ, who gives growth. Each believer has a role to play, and recognizing this helps us function effectively within the body of Christ. [29:06]
- The church is God's field, where He plants, waters, and grows His people. As we discern His ways, we align ourselves with His purposes, contributing to the flourishing of His kingdom. This understanding helps us appreciate the church's role in our spiritual growth. [30:48]
- Spiritual growth is not automatic; it requires intentional engagement with God's Word and community. We must take time to study and apply God's Word, participate in the church, and seek accountability and support from fellow believers. This intentionality leads to maturity. [33:39]
Youtube Chapters:
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:03] - The Stages of Life
[02:18] - The Joy of Grandparenting
[03:28] - The Challenge of Parenting
[04:51] - The Tragedy of Not Growing
[06:13] - Paul's Frustration with Corinth
[07:39] - Spiritual Checkup
[09:09] - The Importance of Studying God's Word
[10:36] - Understanding the Gospel
[12:10] - Growing in Wisdom
[13:36] - Breaking Patterns
[15:04] - The Battle Against Desires
[17:59] - Hope in the Struggle
[19:33] - Victory Through Christ
[21:11] - The Hope of the Gospel
[22:34] - The Power of Hope
[24:04] - Affection for Christ
[25:46] - Transformation by the Spirit
[27:10] - Discerning God's Work
[29:06] - The Role of the Church
[30:48] - God's Field and Building
[32:12] - The Church's Unique Role
[33:39] - Preparing for Communion
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Spiritual Growth and Maturity
Bible Reading:
- 1 Corinthians 3:1-9
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Observation Questions:
1. What specific issues did Paul identify in the Corinthian church that indicated their lack of spiritual maturity? [06:13]
2. How does Paul describe the roles of himself and Apollos in the growth of the Corinthian church? [07:39]
3. What metaphor does Paul use to describe the church and its growth process? [30:48]
4. According to the sermon, what are some signs that a believer might still be in spiritual infancy? [09:09]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why does Paul emphasize the importance of moving from "milk" to "solid food" in spiritual growth? How does this metaphor relate to the application of biblical teachings in daily life? [09:09]
2. How does the sermon suggest believers should handle their fleshly desires, and what role does the Holy Spirit play in this process? [19:33]
3. In what ways does understanding God's work in the church contribute to a believer's spiritual maturity, according to the sermon? [29:06]
4. How does the concept of the church as "God's field" influence the way believers should view their role within the church community? [30:48]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current spiritual diet. Are you still consuming "milk," or have you moved on to "solid food"? What steps can you take to deepen your engagement with God's Word this week? [09:09]
2. Identify a specific desire or habit that you struggle with. How can you submit this area of your life to Christ's lordship and seek the Holy Spirit's help in overcoming it? [19:33]
3. Consider your role within your church community. What specific actions can you take to contribute to the growth and unity of the church as "God's field"? [30:48]
4. How can you intentionally create time in your schedule for studying God's Word and seeking wisdom, not just knowledge? What practical changes can you make to prioritize this? [33:39]
5. Think about a recent conflict or division you have witnessed or been part of in the church. How can you apply the sermon’s teachings to promote peace and unity in such situations? [17:59]
6. Reflect on the sermon’s message about the church not being about individual leaders but about Christ. How can this perspective change the way you view and interact with church leadership? [29:06]
7. What is one specific way you can align your personal goals with God's purposes for His kingdom this month? How can you involve others in your church community to support this effort? [30:48]
Devotional
Day 1: Progressing from Milk to Solid Food
Spiritual growth is a journey that requires moving beyond the basics of faith to embrace deeper spiritual truths. Just as a child transitions from milk to solid food, believers are called to engage with God's Word not just for knowledge but for wisdom. This involves applying what is learned to one's life, leading to spiritual maturity. The church in Corinth serves as a reminder of the dangers of stagnation, where knowledge without application resulted in jealousy, strife, and division. Believers are encouraged to examine their spiritual health, much like a physical checkup, to identify areas where growth is needed. This intentional engagement with God's Word is essential for moving from spiritual infancy to maturity. [09:09]
Hebrews 5:12-14 (ESV): "For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil."
Reflection: What is one area of your spiritual life where you feel stuck in the basics? How can you intentionally engage with God's Word this week to move towards maturity?
Day 2: Submitting Desires to Christ's Lordship
The journey of spiritual growth involves a continuous battle against fleshly desires. The Corinthians struggled with division and conflict because they were driven by their desires. Believers are called to bring their desires under the lordship of Christ, recognizing that the struggle against sin is part of the growth journey. The hope of the gospel assures victory, not through personal efforts but through the work of the Holy Spirit. This battle is not about performance but about Christ's transformative work within. By submitting desires to Christ, believers can experience the victory promised in the gospel. [19:33]
Galatians 5:16-17 (ESV): "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do."
Reflection: Identify a desire or habit that often leads you away from Christ. How can you submit this area to His lordship today, relying on the Holy Spirit for strength?
Day 3: Recognizing God's Work in the Church
Understanding how God works within the church is crucial for spiritual maturity. The church is not about individual leaders but about Christ, who gives growth. Each believer has a role to play in God's work, and recognizing this helps believers function effectively within the body of Christ. The church is God's field, where He plants, waters, and grows His people. By discerning His ways, believers align themselves with His purposes, contributing to the flourishing of His kingdom. This understanding fosters a deeper appreciation for the church's role in spiritual growth and encourages active participation in its mission. [29:06]
1 Corinthians 3:6-9 (ESV): "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building."
Reflection: What role do you currently play in your church community? How can you better align your efforts with God's purposes for the church?
Day 4: The Church as God's Field
The church is described as God's field, where He plants, waters, and grows His people. This metaphor highlights the collaborative nature of spiritual growth, where each believer contributes to the flourishing of God's kingdom. As believers discern God's ways, they align themselves with His purposes, recognizing that growth is a divine work. This understanding helps believers appreciate the church's unique role in their spiritual journey and encourages them to actively participate in its mission. By embracing their role in God's field, believers contribute to the collective growth and maturity of the church. [30:48]
Colossians 2:6-7 (ESV): "Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving."
Reflection: How can you contribute to the growth of your church community this week? What specific actions can you take to support others in their spiritual journey?
Day 5: Intentional Engagement for Spiritual Maturity
Spiritual growth is not automatic; it requires intentional engagement with God's Word and community. Believers are encouraged to study and apply God's Word, participate in the church, and seek accountability and support from fellow believers. This intentionality leads to maturity, as believers move beyond basic teachings to embrace deeper spiritual truths. By prioritizing spiritual growth, believers can experience the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in their lives, leading to a more mature and vibrant faith. This journey requires commitment and dedication, but the rewards of spiritual maturity are profound and lasting. [33:39]
Ephesians 4:14-16 (ESV): "So that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."
Reflection: What specific steps can you take this week to engage more intentionally with God's Word and your church community? How can you seek accountability and support in your spiritual journey?
Quotes
1) "There's no such thing as a perfect church, and there's no such thing as a place where you're not going to have your feelings hurt. But we're called to stick with it and to grow up in it. In the faith, to be the people that God has called us to be." [01:03] (11 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2) "The gospel in a nutshell says that there is a God who has made me, and all there is, and he is holy, and just, and righteous, and yet I am a sinner, and I have rebelled against God in my sin. And because of that, I am at odds with my creator. Because of that, I cannot come to the throne of my creator, or have a relationship with him, because of my rebellion, and my sin in my life. But God, who is righteous, and holy, and filled with justice, is also a God of love. And so he condescended, he chose to step into time and space as the Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, our Messiah, to go to the cross, to die in my place, to die for my sins. That if I would come to him through faith, his grace might come and forgive me of my sins, and make me one of his children, forgiven for all of my sins, past, present, or future, because of the work of the Messiah on the cross. I can be forgiven, and I can be redeemed, and reconciled to my creator God in a relationship with him. Good news. This is great news." [12:10] (74 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3) "You may need to grow up spiritually if you don't take the time to study God's Word. The Corinthian Christians, they are Christians. Look at verse one, but I brothers, brothers, he calls them, brothers or sisters, some other translation. The idea is that these are Christians. I couldn't address you as spiritual people, but people of the flesh as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you're not ready for it. The Corinthian Christians haven't gotten past the basics, the ABCs and the 123s. They haven't gotten past that. They're still stuck on milk." [09:09] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4) "You may need to grow up spiritually if you are driven by your desires. You're driven by your desires. Look at verse 3. So this word for flesh is a word for the purely physical. That's what Paul uses here. He uses another word that's close to this Greek word in the flesh. In other places, that means like the dark fleshly desires. But in the way that he's using it here, he's not just saying, like the basic physical things that are good for us to desire, because it's good to have a desire for food, right? So you don't overindulge in it. Not saying that, but to be alive. And so you have a desire. That's part of your flesh. But there's this other part of the flesh that is a darker side. It's a rebellious side. It's a side of selfishness and doing that which you want and not what God wants." [16:22] (59 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5) "Have hope that as you grow up in your faith, you're going to experience the victory of God in those areas of your life that you struggle. So have hope. Don't be filled with despair. I know some Christians, they come to church and they feel so guilty that they've failed God again. And I remember an older lady at a church I serve, she's really old, and I remember a few months before she died, she told about, as a girl, going to church and hearing what the pastor preached and then going home in the afternoon and she would just cry all afternoon because she could never live up to what the pastor was preaching. And I just had to lovingly share the hope of the gospel that it's not about your performance, it's about what Christ has done." [21:11] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6) "It's not out of obligation that we deny our flesh, but it comes out of our affection for Christ. I like that. It's not out of an obligation we ought to, but it's out of an affection we want to. Flip over to... 2 Corinthians chapter 3. I think we see Paul teach this in this next letter to this church. And he's talking about having this hope of glory, the hope of Jesus Christ, this salvation that we have, and this calling to be his people and to live as he's called us to live." [24:04] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7) "You may need to grow up spiritually if you don't discern the way that God works. Paul uses in verses five through nine, this illustration of agriculture. God is the one doing the work. And the Corinthians didn't understand this. Part of their division was that they wanted to follow certain people. And if we don't understand the way that God's church works, we're going to be at a disadvantage to be part of that church. We don't understand. But one thing I think we all do understand is that the church is not about an individual. Right? It's not about the worship leader or the pastor. It's not about the guy on TV. It's not about a person. It's about the person. It's about Christ Jesus." [27:10] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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