TIME TO GROW UP




Reading: Eph 4:7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Text:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.



Intro: What a blessing and joy when the baby finally sleeps all night without a feeding! Then the thrill for everyone when the first step is taken; first word; first school day; graduation; adulthood; GROWN UP!



I The new birth makes babes in Christ
A. Jno 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of 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 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth; so is every one that is born of the Spirit.




B. A babe that doesn’t eat is sickly and doesn’t grow properly, and giving them only what they like to eat only perpetuates their weakness.
I Pet 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby





C. A babe isn’t expected to accomplish the same things as a man, but he is expected to grow.
D A babe must be constantly watched and cared for -
(Better not trip one)


Mat 18:6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.



E. A babe must be taught carefully
Pro 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Eph 6:4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.



II Growing up makes a difference
I Cor 13:11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.



A He begins to think for himself in a competent manner.
He doesn’t have to have chores itemized. (“Clean your room”, instead of “pick up that sock; that piece of paper“)
Provide things honest, (Rom 12:17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.) should be enough; not “don’t steal, cheat, lie, etc.



B. He doesn’t have to be entertained all the time - is your favorite word “boring”? Better grow up! Babes and entertainment don’t make strong Baptists.
II Tim 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables



C. He Soon takes his place as a productive member of family and church and Society.
He is either a part of the problem or part of the solution.



III The marks of a grown-up Christian
Eph 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:



He looks at Spiritual things in a spiritual light
I Cor 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
A. He is strong because he recognizes his own weaknesses
II Pet 3:17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
B. He is not soon turned aside
13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
C. He finds contentment in doing God’s will
Phil 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
a) His joy is the result of doing; contending; standing; fighting; repenting; serving; etc.
I Tim 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
I Tim 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
II Tim 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:



Jude 1:3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.



Gal 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.



Rev 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.



Lu 16:13 No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.



Paul’s contentment was not in the stocks, chains nor whippings but in the knowledge that it was the TRUTH that put him there:
Not in the hunger, cold, nor want, but in the knowledge that it was the shortcomings of others and not himself that brought it about.
Contentment is being able to say, with Paul;
Phil 2:17 Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.
II Tim 4:6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.