Growing Together: The Call to Spiritual Maturity

This morning, the focus is on the call to spiritual maturity within the body of Christ. Just as a boot camp trains and prepares soldiers for service, so too are believers called to grow, mature, and serve in God’s army. Spiritual growth is not an optional extra for the Christian life; it is God’s will for every believer. The journey from spiritual infancy to maturity is a lifelong process, and it requires intentionality, discipline, and a willingness to be challenged and stretched.

God has provided the church with spirit-filled leaders—pastors, teachers, and shepherds—whose role is not to do all the ministry themselves, but to equip and train the saints for the work of ministry. The health and growth of the church depend on leaders who are themselves growing, filled with the Spirit, and eager to feed and nurture the flock. But leadership alone is not enough; every believer is called to step into discipleship, to take advantage of the many opportunities for growth—Sunday school, small groups, Bible studies, corporate worship, and personal devotion.

Maturity is the goal. It is not enough to simply be saved and then remain unchanged. God calls His people to grow up, to move beyond spiritual childhood, and to become adults in the faith—rooted, established, and able to withstand the storms and deceptions of the world. This growth is measured not by comparison with others, but by the fullness of Christ within us. The more we are filled with Him, the more we are able to pour out into others, and the more the church is built up in love.

The pathway to this growth is “truthing in love”—speaking, living, and embodying the truth of God’s Word in a spirit of love and authenticity. The world is not looking for perfection, but for a church that is real, honest, and united in Christ. Obstacles to growth—especially unconfessed sin—must be faced and surrendered, so that nothing hinders the work of God in our lives. The invitation is open: to confess, to commit, to join the family, and to step forward in faith as part of God’s army, growing together for His glory.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Spirit-filled leadership is essential for the spiritual health of the church. Leaders must first nurture their own walk with God, so they can effectively equip and feed the flock. The example of a growing, Spirit-filled leader inspires and challenges the whole body to pursue deeper intimacy with Christ. [44:52]
• 2. Discipleship is the means by which believers grow. It is not a passive process, but one that requires engagement with the Word, participation in community, and a willingness to be taught and challenged. The church must provide—and believers must embrace—opportunities for growth, knowing that spiritual maturity is a shared journey. [53:01]
• 3. The goal of growth is maturity, not mere activity or knowledge. True maturity is seen in a life that is increasingly conformed to the image of Christ, able to withstand trials, and eager to serve others. This maturity is a lifelong pursuit, and even in our final days, God can use us powerfully as we continue to grow in Him. [58:38]
• 4. The pathway of growth is “truthing in love.” Growth happens when truth is spoken and lived out in the context of loving, authentic relationships. The church must be a place where honesty, humility, and grace abound, so that the Spirit can transform weaknesses into strengths and build unity among believers. [63:14]
• 5. Obstacles to growth, especially unconfessed sin, must be confronted. Sin is the greatest barrier to spiritual progress, but God’s promise is that confession brings forgiveness and restoration. Each believer is invited to examine their heart, remove what hinders, and step forward into the fullness of life and service that God intends. [66:46]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [04:04] - Visitor Greeting and Announcements
• [05:56] - Ministry Opportunities and Upcoming Events
• [08:49] - Candy Fest and Community Outreach
• [10:13] - Wednesday Night Ministry and Teaching
• [11:13] - Opening Prayer and Worship
• [15:23] - Offering and Blessing
• [27:16] - Scripture Reading: Isaiah 64
• [28:34] - Prayer for God’s Powerful Work
• [34:48] - Boot Camp Theme Introduction
• [36:11] - The Call to Spiritual Maturity
• [38:58] - Ephesians 4: The Blueprint for Growth
• [44:52] - Spirit-Filled Leadership and Shepherding
• [51:45] - Discipleship: The Means of Growth
• [57:50] - The Goal: Spiritual Maturity
• [62:52] - Truthing in Love: The Pathway of Growth
• [66:21] - Obstacles to Growth and Invitation
• [68:21] - Closing Prayer and Response
• [71:51] - Business Meeting and Financial Update

Bible Reading

Ephesians 4:11-16 (ESV) — 11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 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. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 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.

Observation Questions

1. According to Ephesians 4:11-12, what is the main job of pastors and teachers in the church?
2. In verse 13, what does Paul say is the goal for every believer?
3. What does it mean to be “tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine” (v. 14)?
4. The sermon compared spiritual growth to boot camp. What are some ways the church helps believers “train” for spiritual maturity? [[53:01]]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Paul emphasize that maturity is measured by “the fullness of Christ” and not by comparing ourselves to others? [[51:45]]
2. The sermon said that spiritual growth is not optional for Christians. Why do you think God cares so much about believers growing up in their faith? [[41:36]]
3. What does “truthing in love” look like in real life? Why is it important for the church to be both honest and loving? [[01:03:14]]
4. The pastor mentioned that unconfessed sin is the biggest obstacle to growth. Why does sin block spiritual progress, and how does confession help? [[01:06:46]]

Application Questions

1. The sermon said that spirit-filled leaders must first nurture their own walk with God before they can feed others. If you are in a leadership role (at church, home, or work), what is one way you can make sure you are being filled up spiritually before pouring into others? [[47:57]]
2. Discipleship is described as an active process, not a passive one. What is one specific step you can take this week to engage more intentionally in your spiritual growth (joining a group, starting a devotion, asking someone to mentor you, etc.)? [[53:01]]
3. The goal is maturity, not just activity or knowledge. Is there an area of your life where you feel “stuck” in spiritual childhood? What would it look like to “grow up” in that area? [[58:38]]
4. The sermon talked about “truthing in love”—being honest and real with each other. Is there a relationship in your life where you need to speak the truth in love, or where you need to be more open about your struggles? What’s holding you back? [[01:03:14]]
5. The pastor said that unconfessed sin is the greatest barrier to growth. Is there something you need to confess to God (or to a trusted friend) so you can move forward? What’s stopping you from doing that? [[01:06:46]]
6. The church offers many opportunities for growth—Sunday school, small groups, Bible studies, worship, and more. Are you taking advantage of these, or is there something keeping you from getting involved? What’s one change you could make this month? [[53:01]]
7. The sermon ended with an invitation to “step forward in faith as part of God’s army.” What does that look like for you right now? Is there a next step God is calling you to take? [[01:08:21]]