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LOGO 1 Corinthians 14:20

MARKS OF A MATURE CHRISTIAN

Mature vs. Babes

• Babes In Christ Are Expected To Mature.– Corinthians remained babes (1 Cor. 3:1-3)– Hebrews became babes (Heb. 5:12-14)

• Mature In Christ Have Distinguishing Marks.

Marks of Maturity

1. UNDERSTANDING (1 Cor. 14:20)1. UNDERSTANDING (1 Cor. 14:20)

UNDERSTANDING

• More than just first principles (Heb. 5:12 – 6:1)– Must understand these to become Christians– Have to use them or you won’t retain them (v. 14)

• Understand enough to know your limits– Philippians 3:12-16

Marks of Maturity

1. UNDERSTANDING (1 Cor. 14:20)1. UNDERSTANDING (1 Cor. 14:20)

2. DISCERNMENT (Heb. 5:14)2. DISCERNMENT (Heb. 5:14)

DISCERNMENT

• “Have their senses exercised”– Can sense a little leaven (1 Cor. 5:8; Jas. 1:14-16)– Can sense a threat (Gal. 2:4-5)

• “Discern both good and evil”– Discern between appearance & reality

• Gal. 2:5; Matt. 7:15; 2 Peter 2:18– Discern between differences between brethren

Differences Between Brethren

Can BeWorked Out

Acts 15:36-41

Can BeWorked Out

Acts 15:36-41

Mattersof Opinion

Romans 14

Mattersof Opinion

Romans 14

DoctrinalMatters

1 Tim. 6:3-5 Gal. 2:5, 14

DoctrinalMatters

1 Tim. 6:3-5 Gal. 2:5, 14

Not TolerableNot Tolerable TolerableTolerable No Immediate SolutionNo Immediate Solution

DISCERNMENT

• “Have their senses exercised”– Can sense a little leaven (1 Cor. 5:8; Jas. 1:14-16)– Can sense a threat (Gal. 2:4-5)

• “Discern both good and evil”– Discern between appearance & reality

• Gal. 2:5; Matt. 7:15; 2 Peter 2:18– Discern between differences between brethren– Discern between erring brethren

• 1 Thess. 5:14; Jude 22-23; Gal. 6:1; Titus 1:13

Marks of Maturity

1. UNDERSTANDING (1 Cor. 14:20)1. UNDERSTANDING (1 Cor. 14:20)

2. DISCERNMENT (Heb. 5:14)2. DISCERNMENT (Heb. 5:14)

3. SPIRITUALITY (1 Cor. 3:1-4)3. SPIRITUALITY (1 Cor. 3:1-4)

SPIRITUALITY

• Know Meaning of Real Spirituality– Not measured by pious look, voice, or “spiritual” talk– Measured by following the Spirit’s words– 1 Cor. 2:12-13; 14:37; Col. 3:16; Eph. 5:18-19

• Produce Fruit of the Spirit– 1 Cor. 3:3; Gal. 5:19ff

• Use Spiritual Weapons– 2 Cor. 10:1-5

• Value Spiritual Interests– 2 Cor. 4:17ff

Marks of Maturity

1. UNDERSTANDING (1 Cor. 14:20)1. UNDERSTANDING (1 Cor. 14:20)

2. DISCERNMENT (Heb. 5:14)2. DISCERNMENT (Heb. 5:14)

3. SPIRITUALITY (1 Cor. 3:1-4)3. SPIRITUALITY (1 Cor. 3:1-4)

4. STABILITY (Eph. 4:14-15)4. STABILITY (Eph. 4:14-15)

STABILITY

• Change Only For Good Scriptural Reason– Not for emotional whim or due to peer pressure

• Neither Closed-Minded or Gullible– Acts 17:11

• Stable In All Their Ways– James 1:8

• Rational or Reasonable– 2 Thess. 3:2

WHERE ARE YOU?

MATURITY

Understanding SpiritualityDiscernment Stability