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Spiritual Maturity January 7, 2011. What does “Spiritual Maturity” look like?. Love. Patience. Peace. Joy. Self-control. Kindness. Goodness. Faithfulness. Gentleness. Ephesians 4:13, Galatians 5: 22 - 23. A Model. Step #1.
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What does “Spiritual Maturity” look like? Love Patience Peace Joy Self-control Kindness Goodness Faithfulness Gentleness Ephesians 4:13, Galatians 5: 22 - 23
Step #1 • How do you react when your (spouse/boss/friend) talks to you about behaviors or an attitude that needs to be changed? • Gen 3:12 “The man said, “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.”
Romans 3:23: “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”
Step #2 • Do you get your worth from your skills, looks, intelligence, abilities, health, money or position? • Psalms 139: 14 “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” • John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. Identity
Step #3 • How often do you feel helpless in changing your circumstances? • Jeremiah 29: 11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” • Eph 3:20 “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,”
Step #4 • When was the last time that you operated out of your comfort zone? • Romans 4:20: Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God,
Step #5 • Are you satisfied with the roles that you play? • Matthew 25:14-15 “…a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag…”.
Spiritual Gifts Faith Service Hospitality Administration Mercy Teaching Intercessory Prayer Encouragement Giving Exhortation Leadership 1 Corinthians 12:27-31; Romans 12:3-8; and Ephesians 4:11-16
Heart for Helping Others At –Risk Children Poverty/ Hunger Education Politics/ Policy Health & Fitness Finance/ Economy Justice Relationship Environment Teaching Marriage/ Family Communication
Personality + Experiences Analytical/Logical Detail/ Process Oriented Emotional/Expressive Creative/ Intuitive Vocational Relational Personal Spiritual Educational
What is your S.H.A.P.E?? When you live according to your S.H.A.P.E, you will find satisfaction in your roles!!!
Step # 6 Action Plan of “Worship” Romans 12: 1 - 21
Step #7 • In this first week of 2011, have you encouraged someone? Did you do something for your loved ones just to make them happy? • Matt 22: 37, 39 “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind... Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Step #8 • Genesis 39: 7-21 “and after a while his master’s wife took notice of Joseph and said, “Come to bed with me!” But he refused. “With me in charge,” he told her, “…. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” • Integrity: we will all be tested
A Path to Spiritual Maturity Joy Peace Patience Love Self-control Kindness Gentleness Goodness Faithfulness
Milestone Growing takes time, is messy, takes unexpected turn, and can be painful!! Start …but the fruits are sooooooo sweet!!
Please be patient, God is not finished with me yet!!
Suggested Homework • Identify the changes that you need to make • Develop and implement an action plan • Find an accountability partner • Commit it to the Lord • Expect changes to happen
References • New International Version Bible • Saddleback Community Church Counseling Training Materials – Pastor Bob Baker • Discovering My S.H.A.P.E for Ministry (Class 301) – Pastor Rick Warren • The Hermann Brain Dominance Instrument