How do you know if someone is a mature disciple of Jesus?

#1) SPIRITUAL DEATH (Ephesians 2:1-5)

• A person that is spiritually dead is one who does not have a relationship with Christ, has not surrendered his or her life to Him, and has not accepted Him as Lord and Savior.

#2) SPIRITUAL BABY (1 Corinthians 3:1-2)

• Everyone that commits their life to Jesus begins as a spiritual baby.

#3) SPIRITUAL CHILD/ADOLESCENT (1 Corinthians 13:11)

1 Corinthians 13:11 ESV

When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.

• The spiritual child, filled with the exhilaration of his newfound life in Christ, is marked by the profound transformation he has undergone. They discerns better than a baby between good and evil, between what is and is not sin, although they may still error in their judgment. In this stage, they may become self-centered and rebellious, demanding attention and seeking recognition for the positive things they do.
• The danger of this stage is that most Christians within their Churches remain there.

Characteristics of a spiritual child/adolescent:

A) They can be quick to criticize people, spiritual leaders, and the Church for it’s processes and rules.

John 7:24 ESV

“Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”

Proverbs 18:17 ESV

The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him.

1 Thessalonians 5:12–13 ESV

We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.

Hebrews 13:17 ESV

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

Matt 18:15–20 ESV

15 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.”

B) They can become easily discouraged.

Galatians 6:9 ESV

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

Isaiah 40:28-31 ESV

28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.

29 He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.

30 Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted;

31 but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

C) They develop rebellious behaviors and attitudes.

1 Samuel 15:23 ESV

For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has also rejected you from being king.”

James 1:19–25 ESV

19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

D) They interpret the Bible in their own way and for convenience.

2 Peter 3:14-16 NLT

14 And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight.

15 And remember, our Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved. This is what our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you with the wisdom God gave him—16 speaking of these things in all of his letters. Some of his comments are hard to understand, and those who are ignorant and unstable have twisted his letters to mean something quite different, just as they do with other parts of Scripture. And this will result in their destruction.

2 Timothy 4:3–4 ESV

For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

Liberation Theology

Definition = Job of a Christian is to revolutionize society from oppression

• Focus: Society
• Deals with oppressive symptoms (there will always be symptoms to hook people)

Savior Theology

Definition = Christian job is to bring the good news of Jesus to the world because we all need a savior. Jesus is the only savior.

• Focus: Jesus & His Mission
• Deals with the root cause which is sin

Jeremiah 29:11 ESV

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Matthew 7:1 NLT

“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged.”

Philippians 4:13 NKJV

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:11-12 NKJV

11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

E) They live more focused on their needs than on God’s purpose for their lives.

Philippians 2:3–5 ESV

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,

CONCLUSION

Positive attitudes that characterize a spiritual child/adolescent:

A) They enjoy serving in the local Church.

B) They seek to help others.

C) Most are faithful in their tithes and offerings.

D) They participate in their SINAI Group.

The needs of a spiritual child/adolescent:

A) A mentor who can confront them with the truth in love.

Ephesians 4:15 ESV

Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,

Proverbs 27:5–6 ESV

Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.

Proverbs 27:17 ESV

Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.

B) A person to teach them who they are in Christ.

Romans 8:1–2 ESV

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.

C) A person to teach them how to balance their lives.

Ephesians 5:15–17 ESV

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

D) A loving relationship that motivates character development.

Ephesians 5:1–2 ESV

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

1 Corinthians 11:1 ESV

Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

• Where are you in your spiritual development?