Essential that the Church Grows to Maturity Ephesians

Essential that the Church Grows to Maturity Ephesians 4: 11 -15 Maturity – “completeness, entire, fully developed”

Marks That Measure Maturity n Hebrew Marks- Hebrews 5: 11 – 6: 3 n Ability to Teach Others – 5: 12; Ephesian 4: 11 n Ability to Receive “Meaty” Teaching – 5: 12 -14; 6: 1; 1 Corinthians 3: 1 -3 n Ability to Discern Good & Evil – 5: 14; Philippians 1: 9, 10; 1 Kings 12: 6 -8; Titus 2: 3 -5

Marks That Measure Maturity n Mark of Humility – Philippians 2: 3, 4 n Colossians 3: 12 “put on…humility” n How Do You Receive Correction? n 2 Timothy 3: 16, 17 “complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. ” n 2 Samuel 12: 13 “I have sinned. ” n Luke 15: 18 “I have sinned”

Marks That Measure Maturity n Mark of Love – Philippians 1: 9, 10 n Not love for dog – “philos, ” affection n Not sexual desire, passion – “eros” n But Jesus’ type – “agape” n Matthew 5: 43 -47 love enemies n Romans 12: 16 -21 “not be overcome by evil”; James 1: 2 -4 n Matthew 5: 38 -42

Different Responses to The Word n Luke 8: 11 -15 n Wayside – hear, Devil takes seed away n On Rock – hear, receive word with joy, have no root, fall away n Among Thorns – hear, choked with care riches, etc. no mature fruit n Good ground – heard with noble & good heart, keep & bear fruit

Which Kind of Soil Are You? n. Wayside ? n. On Rock ? n. Among Thorns? n. Good ground ?