“In Christ”

“Living out Faith

In Christ – Maturity”

“In Christ”God’s Will

Becoming like Jesus Lifestyle choices validate our

faith God is less interested in our

circumstances than our character whereas we’re more interested in our circumstances than our character

“In Christ”God’s Will

Do not conform any longerto the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the

renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test

and approve what God's will is – his good, pleasing and perfect

willRomans 12:2 (NIVUK)

“In Christ”Maturity defined

Maturity Fully developed and

complete Finished Carefully

considered Ripe Having reached a

stage of intellectual and emotional development usually associated with adulthood

Immaturity Unfinished or

incomplete Irresponsible Childish Naïve Unable to fully

appreciate or comprehend the need for responsibility or be capable of being trusted

“In Christ”Maturity defined

“Maturity is a high price to pay for growing up” – Tom Stoppard

“To make mistakes is human; to stumble is commonplace; to be able to laugh at yourself is maturity” – William Arthur Ward

“The rate at which a person can mature is directly proportional to the embarrassment he can tolerate” – Douglas Engelbart

“Youth is when you blame all your troubles on your parents; maturity is when you learn that everything is the fault of the younger generation” – Anon

“In Christ”What the Bible says

We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ

Colossians 1:18-20 (NIVUK)

NIVUK : “present everyone perfect in Christ”And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way

Ephesians 3:20 (NIVUK)

“In Christ”What the Bible says

And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross Colossians 1:18-20 (NIVUK)

“In Christ”What the Bible says

For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the Head over every power and authority

Colossians 2:9-10 (NIVUK)

“In Christ”Ephesians 4:1-16 (TNIV)

Life a life worthy of your calling

Be completely humble and gentle

Be patient – bear with one another in love

Make every effort to keep unity in the bond of peace

One body One Spirit One hope One Lord One faith One baptism One God and Father Over all and through all

and in all

Each one has received grace

Each has received gifts Apostles | Prophets |

Evangelists | Pastors | Teachers equip

We serve | are built up | develop unity in faith and knowledge

Maturity = attaining the whole measure of the fullness of Christ

No longer infants – blown around

Speak the truth in love Grow up into Him – the

Head From Him the body is

joined and held together Each supporting ligament

grows and builds itself up and does it’s work

“In Christ”4 Key Points

1. Character comes before anything else

2. We’re given the gifts we need3. Serving develops maturity4. We’re in this together – we are

not alone

“In Christ”Character comes first

God invests in our character more

than our abilities Questions to ask

• What areas of my character are in need of a make-over?

• Which aspects do I find difficult? • What excuses am I making? Be completely humble and gentle; be patient,

bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through

the bond of peace.

“In Christ”We’re given the gifts we need

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and

teachers, to equip his people

“In Christ”We’re given the gifts we need

Gifts of GodRomans 12: 6-8

Gifts of the Holy Spirit

1 Corinthians 12: 8-10

Gifts of ChristEphesians 4: 11-12

• Prophecy

• Serving

• Teaching

• Encouraging

• Giving

• Leadership

• Empathy

• Wisdom

• Knowledge

• Faith

• Healing

• Miracles

• Prophecy

• Discerning of spirits

• Speaking in tongues

• Interpretation

• Apostle

• Prophet

• Evangelist

• Teacher

• Pastor

Natural gifts that God

“super-charges”

Gifts given to everyone for the

common good

Specific people gifts to

prepare the Body of Christ for works of

service

“In Christ”We’re given the gifts we need Gifts are given! Questions to ask

• Where can I help?• What needs are there that I can see?• Why do I avoid getting involved?

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and

teachers, to equip his people

“In Christ”Serving develops maturity Questions to ask

• What are the works of service I am being equipped for?

• How am I developing them? • Who am I asking to get alongside me?

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and

become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

“In Christ”We’re in this together

Questions to ask• Who am I supporting – physically,

practically, prayerfully?• Who am I prepared to allow support me

when necessary?• What part of the body am I attached to?

Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the head,

that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held

together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does

its work.