1 Cor. 13:11

John 3:3-7

3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

4 Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born, can he?"

5 Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

6 "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

7 "Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.”

“People, like trees, must grow – or they

die. There is no standing still.”

Looking back over the last few years can

you find any measureable growth in your

life?

Everyone here, regardless of age or

gender, needs to be growing and

maturing in the Lord.

“Help me.” Heb. 5:13-14 - For everyone who

partakes {only} of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. .. Solid food is for the mature.

1 Cor. 3:2 - I gave you milk to drink,

not solid food; for you were not yet able {to receive it.} Indeed, even now you are not yet able.

“Tell Me” Heb 6:1 - Therefore leaving the

elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity ...

Eph. 4:14-15 - As a result, we are no

longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves, and carried about by every wind of doctrine … but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all {aspects} into Him, who is the head, {even} Christ.”

“Show Me” 1 Tim 1:13 - … “And yet I was

shown mercy, because I acted ignorantly in unbelief;”

1 Cor. 13:11 - “When I was a child, I used to speak as a child, think as a child, reason as a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things.”

“Follow Me” Eph. 4:13b “…to a mature man, to

the measure of the stature which

belongs to the fullness of Christ.”

1 Cor. 14:20 - Brethren, do not

be children in your thinking;

yet in evil be babes, but in

your thinking be mature.

“Jesus!” Matt. 4:19 - “Follow Me, and I

will make you fishers of

men…”

2 Thes. 3:9 “… follow our

example.”

The first thing you need to know is where

you are today.

Where are you

today in relation

to Christ and His

church?

Matt 7:13-14 - "Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide, and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it.

14 For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it."

Mark 16:16 - "He who has believed and

has been baptized shall be saved; but he

who has disbelieved shall be

condemned.

1 Tim 2:4 - {God}

desires all men to

be saved and to

come to the

knowledge of the

truth.

It’s not a matter of longevity in the faith.

“Spiritual Maturity is not about

length of service, but depth of spirit.”

It’s not about activity nor position.

It’s about one’s relationship to Jesus.

Begins his walk as an impetuous

fisherman…

“Help Me!”

Years later he is still impetuous, and even

fearful at the transfiguration…

“Tell Me!”

Even after the resurrection, Peter is still

carnal, still jealous…

“Show Me!”

After Pentecost, Peter demonstrates true

maturity and leads by example…

“Follow

Me!”

What is your relationship with Jesus today?