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Sermon
preached by Rev Tim Atkins at Christ Church on 4th January 2004. It was on the topic of
Making people into mature members and was given at the 10:00am morning service.
There
were two Bible readings; one was from chapter seven of the book of
Deuteronomy and reading
from verses 17 to 26 and the other was from chapter 2 of the book of James
and reading from verses 12 to 17.
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Bible
Readings:
Deuteronomy
7 v 17-26
James
2 v 12-17
Main
Themes:
Christians growth doesn't happen automatically [1]
How to live - Train to be Godly [2]
How to live - Take small steps [3]
How to live - Maturity in faith is measurable by what you do [4]
How to live - Spur one another on to maturity [5]
[1]
DOES
CHRISTIAN GROWTH HAPPEN AUTOMATICALLY?
In 1
Corinthians 3 v 1-3 it suggests some Christians were "mere infants in
Christ", incapable of solid food. Further that they were "still
not ready" for it. The evidence was their jealousies and quarrels. Philippians
2 v 12-13 clearly expects us to "work out our own
salvation" - not work 'on' as this would invalidate the complete
salvation already offered in Christ. Rather to "will and act
according to God's good purpose" working with him requires effort and
dedication. Such growth is INTENTIONAL.
[2]
TRAIN
TO BE GODLY
Christian maturity is not reserved for the specially called elite - but
for all willing to train. "For physical training is of some value but
godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both this present
life and the one to come" comments Paul in Philippians 2 The promise
then of a VALUABLE LIFE - something well worth training for.
[3]
SMALL
STEPS HELP US TO ARRIVE
Jo Simpson, in "Touching the Void" falls injured into a
crevasse off a 21,000 ft snow-covered mountain in Peru. Incredibly he
crawls the 5 miles to base camp with a severely broken leg across the
glacier and moraine boulders. He times himself each stretch of a few
metres. The inner voice urges him on to complete the stretch in the
scheduled time. 85 hours later he arrives. A truly moving true story. Ephesians
4 v 13 tells us "we arrive at maturity - that measure of
development which is meant by 'the fullness of Christ".
[4]
MATURITY
MEASURED BY BEHAVIOUR AND BELIEF
"Show me your faith without deeds, and I'll show you my faith by what
I do" writes James. He goes on - "Let him show it by his good
life, by deeds done in humility" 2:8, 3:13. Or in the words of Jesus
"by their fruits you shall know them" Matthew 7:16.
[5]
IS
MATURITY A PRIVATE AND PERSONAL MATTER BETWEEN YOU AND GOD?
If this were entirely true commands like Hebrews 10:24 would be out of
place: "consider how to spur one another on towards love and good
deeds". Indeed for John its a test of authentic Christianity -
"if we walk in the light we have fellowship with one another"
i.e. without that fellowship we are not walking in the light, not living
the Christian life. Again John comments - "if anyone says 'I love
God' yet hates his brother, he is a liar, for anyone who does not love his
brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen" 1 John
1:7, 4:20. Christianity is not a solo religion - its RELATIONAL.
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