Maturity/CONVICTIONS/Character

This is a teaching I gave recently to the men’s group I’m attending, Antioch International Church in Ft. Mill, SC.

ILL. Man comes home after a long hard day at work and collapses in his recliner, really hungry. His wife says to him, - are you hungry? He says yes – I’m starving- so she brings him some food. NOTE: He’s starving- but not starving enough to go get food by himself! MOST OF WHAT YOU NEED IN LIFE WILL BE PROVIDED or BROUGHT TO YOU- BUT THE THINGS YOU WANT IN LIFE YOU WILL HAVE TO PURSUE. One of those things is: Christian Maturity

                                                Maturity/CONVICTIONS/Character

PHILOSOPHY:    All philosophers need to answer 2 questions: “What is the good life? And how do you live it? “How you answer, determines who you are- and your destiny.

BROTHERS, what does it mean to you, to live a spiritually rewarding, fruitful life?

Jn. 10:10 Jesus: “I have come that you may have life and that abundantly.”

Fundamentally it’s about our spiritual development, not knowledge or natural goals achieved.       

Matt. 5:48 Jesus- “therefore you shall be perfect (mature) just as you Father in heaven is perfect.”

AMP. “You therefore, will be perfect (growing into spiritual maturity both in mind and character, actively integrating godly values into your daily life) as your heavenly Father is perfect. “- (Father already perfect by eternal existence)     HOW DO WE PROCEED WITH THIS CHALLENGE? … [ maturity/character]   TWO THOUGHTS:

1.     ^{DECLARATION:  “}I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me”. Gal. 2:20

2.     BIBLICAL TRANSFORMATION: Hebrews 6:1,2   [Foundation Stones]    “Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.”

ONE Important Aspect of Christian maturity has to do with how many convictions you have incorporated into your life.

For many Christians, the battle is between convictions and preferences

Convictions are quality, spiritual decisions you have settled in your heart, and will not go back on, whatever the obstacle or cost.

ILL. First century Rome, Christians refused to acknowledge Caesar as divine. They had convictions that Jesus could not just be added to the many gods the Romans had, but He was the one true God. He was the Lord of their lives, and they would not bow down or acknowledge any man-made gods. They had a ‘red line’ they would not cross, and that decision (conviction) cost many of them imprisonment, torture and even death.

ILL. China    After WW2, there was a civil war in China. The communists drove out the Nationalists and promptly executed all clergy, banned all religions and forbade the Bible (and any other religious books) They tried, and failed to crush the Christian church. So in 1979, the communists formed the Three Self Church. It was a counterfeit church- some singing, buildings, lectures…. But nothing to do with Jesus or the Bible.  If someone got saved and was drawn to religious activity- they could go to the underground church or the Three Self church. (no consequences if attended Three Self church, but if caught at underground church: they would be sent to reeducation camp, lose their job, housing and food rations could be reduced etc. If this man had a conviction of assembling with believers for fellowship and growth, he would attend the underground church and trust God for any consequences.

HOW MANY CONVICTIONS HAVE YOU DEVELOPED OVER THE YEARS IN YOUR CHRISTIAN WALK?

Some topics to consider:   marriage, family life, assembling together, forgiveness, staying out of strife…etc.

Convictions are evidence of our character and maturity in Christ.   Christian maturity is worth pursuing!