(audio sermon by Gary Sampson)
What is a mature Christian? Well, the apostle Paul tells us. In this sermon we discuss how the mature press on; (1) with the journey, (2) with dying and rising, (3) intentionally, (4) with confidence.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Speakers notes follow –
The Mature Press 0n
Phil 3.10-15
‘All ..who are mature should take such a view of things.'(15)
‘Didn’t the grown-ups ever do anything?’ – we are God’s children but he expects us to grow from immaturity to maturity
What is a mature Christian – HG – answer with 4 texts points
The mature press on with the journey
‘Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me'(12) – He’s on a journey of improvement
False concept – mature: tongues, prophecy, bible knowledge
Gifts – instant – gifts in love kindness, self control diff – Fruits grown over time – mature
Bible knowledge – having soap (knowledge) not same as applying it
– priority for kids isnt memory verses – verse application – ‘love neighbor – who will you love this week?’
What’s a mature Christian? Someone who has journeyed a good distance down the road of application – fruits are there
Rough road – ups+downs – holes+rocks – falling+get up – bruises
Peter / David – failed before succeeding – but pressed on (matured)
Wimber – ‘Never trust leader without limp’ – evidence struggled on road – Jacob: struggled had limp – overcome limp + blessed – blessing helps those around you
‘Were any great men born in this village?”Nope only babies’
The mature are down the road at application – pressing on
The mature press on in dying + rising
Paul excited by death – ‘becoming like him in his death’ (10) ‘press on to take hold of it’ (12) – not physical – dying to self.
What kind at person wants to die? Tasted spiritual resurrection!
– seen joy at losing self – living for Christ
Radicle – but we’ve tasted it – Paul makes it his ‘goal’ – die to live in every situation – Boss ‘headache’ ‘can I pray’ – stick neck out – kingdom rushes in
Resurrection with new earth coming – believers die to self – opens door – rushes in – worth dying for!
The mature press on in dying + rising
The mature press on intentionally
‘Straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize‘ (13) – marathon
‘Train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.’ (1 Tim 4.8)
Why Paul associates physical training + godliness? Fitness a decision
False idea – once filled all flows naturally – no, Spirit gives heart – you transform mind + action
Plan + practice – read bible, pray, give, drink – plan of action saves
Astronauts saved by training – good to have plan – better if practiced
The mature press on intentionally
The mature press on in confidence
‘Forgetting what is behind .. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.’ (13)
Paul convinced ‘in Christ’, can ‘forget’ – could still hear screams
Can’t press on if past condemns – have to know sins way back + recent are dealt with – marathon – forget hills behind (even last one), focus on the prize
The mature press on in confidence
So the mature press on – with the journey – rough road of application – in dying + rising – taste of resurrection – intentionally – deliberate plan with practise – with confidence – know they’re forgiven + secure in Christ
Feel free to comment below or share this message with others.
You will make us really happy if you click LIKE in our Facebook fan box on the right above (below on mobile). Thanks.
Comments
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Oct 30 2018
The Mature Press On
(audio sermon by Gary Sampson)
What is a mature Christian? Well, the apostle Paul tells us. In this sermon we discuss how the mature press on; (1) with the journey, (2) with dying and rising, (3) intentionally, (4) with confidence.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Speakers notes follow –
The Mature Press 0n
Phil 3.10-15
‘All ..who are mature should take such a view of things.'(15)
‘Didn’t the grown-ups ever do anything?’ – we are God’s children but he expects us to grow from immaturity to maturity
What is a mature Christian – HG – answer with 4 texts points
The mature press on with the journey
‘Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me'(12) – He’s on a journey of improvement
False concept – mature: tongues, prophecy, bible knowledge
Gifts – instant – gifts in love kindness, self control diff – Fruits grown over time – mature
Bible knowledge – having soap (knowledge) not same as applying it
– priority for kids isnt memory verses – verse application – ‘love neighbor – who will you love this week?’
What’s a mature Christian? Someone who has journeyed a good distance down the road of application – fruits are there
Rough road – ups+downs – holes+rocks – falling+get up – bruises
Peter / David – failed before succeeding – but pressed on (matured)
Wimber – ‘Never trust leader without limp’ – evidence struggled on road – Jacob: struggled had limp – overcome limp + blessed – blessing helps those around you
‘Were any great men born in this village?”Nope only babies’
The mature are down the road at application – pressing on
The mature press on in dying + rising
Paul excited by death – ‘becoming like him in his death’ (10) ‘press on to take hold of it’ (12) – not physical – dying to self.
What kind at person wants to die? Tasted spiritual resurrection!
– seen joy at losing self – living for Christ
Radicle – but we’ve tasted it – Paul makes it his ‘goal’ – die to live in every situation – Boss ‘headache’ ‘can I pray’ – stick neck out – kingdom rushes in
Resurrection with new earth coming – believers die to self – opens door – rushes in – worth dying for!
The mature press on in dying + rising
The mature press on intentionally
‘Straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize‘ (13) – marathon
‘Train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.’ (1 Tim 4.8)
Why Paul associates physical training + godliness? Fitness a decision
False idea – once filled all flows naturally – no, Spirit gives heart – you transform mind + action
Plan + practice – read bible, pray, give, drink – plan of action saves
Astronauts saved by training – good to have plan – better if practiced
The mature press on intentionally
The mature press on in confidence
‘Forgetting what is behind .. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.’ (13)
Paul convinced ‘in Christ’, can ‘forget’ – could still hear screams
Can’t press on if past condemns – have to know sins way back + recent are dealt with – marathon – forget hills behind (even last one), focus on the prize
The mature press on in confidence
So the mature press on – with the journey – rough road of application – in dying + rising – taste of resurrection – intentionally – deliberate plan with practise – with confidence – know they’re forgiven + secure in Christ
Feel free to comment below or share this message with others.
You will make us really happy if you click LIKE in our Facebook fan box on the right above (below on mobile). Thanks.
Comments