Category: Sermons

Creative Ways to Disobey God

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This is a message that I preached at King’s Grant Baptist Church. As children, we often look for ways to be disobedient, and dealing with God there is often no difference. From the life of Pharaoh, we can learn six creative ways to disobey God…

Postponed Obedience – Exodus 8:1-15 – Put it off until tomorrow.

  1. Water into blood did not work, so here comes plague #2
  2. Frogs are everywhere – (Exodus 8:3) – in your house, your bedroom, your bed, the houses of your servants, on your people, in your ovens and kneading bowls; covering the land of Egypt (Exodus 8:6).
    1. Magicians’ response – (Exodus 8:7) – more of the same, status quo
    2. Moses’ response – (Exodus 8:9) – empowering others to make decisions
    3. Monarch’s response – (Exodus 8:10) – “tomorrow” = procrastination
  3. Knowing what to do and waiting until some other day is the same as disobedience; just as deciding later is really a decision not to.

Practical Obedience – Exodus 8:25 – We rationalize in order to do what we want.

  1. What we want to do is more practical and doable than what God wants us to do, sacrifice within the land…
    1. There are dangers outside of Egypt, and I can’t protect you.
    2. There are logistical problems in moving so many people so far away.
    3. There are old people and infants, it will be a hard trip on all the people, I care about them.
  2. We often desire to walk by sight rather than by faith
  3. Another example is King Saul:
    1. 1 Sam 13:8-13 – performing the sacrifice when Samuel was late.
    2. 1 Sam 15:9-11, 19-22 – sparing King Agag, the people taking the spoil to sacrifice to God. To obey is better than sacrifice!
  4. Doing what is practical may be nothing more than disobedience. Obedience may not be doing what is practical, but doing the will of God!

Partial Obedience – Exodus 8:28 – I’ll go so far and that’s good enough

  1. We must go three days into the wilderness (Exodus 8:27)
  2. “I will let you go, just don’t go far away” (Exodus 8:28)
  3. Moses says it’s not good enough and sends the plague of flies (Exodus 8:29)
  4. What has God called you to do and you tell him that you will go so far and no more?
    1. I’ll give to your kingdom, but not sacrificial giving
    2. I’ll go to a Sunday school class, but not teach anywhere
    3. I’ll hand out bulletins on Sunday but not hand out meals at the shelter
    4. I’ll teach an adult class but I won’t serve in the preschool or children’s areas
    5. I’ll pray for missions but not give to missions
    6. I’ll give to missions but will not go on a mission trip
    7. I’ll invite people to church but not share my faith with people
    8. I’ll sing in the congregation but not in the choir
  5. How do you define where to draw the line – to obey or not?

Pivotal Obedience – Exodus 9:34-35 – I surrender all, and then change my mind and take it all back

  1. The hail came down until Pharaoh admitted that his people were the wicked ones (Exodus 9:27)
  2. Pharaoh was in a tough spot; “Pray to the Lord for the hail to stop and I’ll let your people go” (Exodus 9:28)
  3. Moses said he would stop the hail as soon as he was out of the city (Exodus 9:29)
  4. The thunder and hail stopped, and Pharaoh changed his mind (Exodus 9:34-35)
  5. How many times has this happened in life?
    1. I forgot I had a test today, God help me to pass, and I’ll do anything you want…
    2. We promise God all sorts of things if only I can get that promotion: If you get me the promotion… I’ll start tithing, I’ll be more faithful in church attendance, I’ll serve on a few committees.
    3. We make a vow when we pray for a family member to be healed
    4. Please God get me out of this mess and I’ll serve you faithfully
  6. This method of disobedience is basically lying to God!

Parental Obedience – Exodus 10:10 – the men and parents may go to serve the Lord but not the children

  1. Some time after Pharaoh goes back on his offer to let them go, Moses is asked, “Who are the ones going? (Exodus 10:8)
  2. With our young and old, our sons and daughters, our flocks and herds! (Exodus 10:9)
  3. Pharaoh said to take only the men (Exodus 10:11) which is unacceptable to Moses
  4. God wants all of us involved in his mission in the world.
    1. It’s not just for men, all people are called to salvation and service
    2. It’s not just for the women, so often men feel that Christians follow a wimpy Jesus always talking about love, rather than a manly Jesus who was a skilled craftsman & carpenter, with strong morals, firm convictions, strong social skills.
    3. He attracted people to his message and held them with a charismatic personality where men wanted to follow him, and eventually gave their lives for his mission.
    4. Children and youth may very well say that Christian service is for my parents, not me. I have too much to do right now, I’ll serve him later. God can’t use me, I’m just a youth Think about the call of Jeremiah – Jeremiah 1:5 or Timothy – 1 Timothy 4:12 – let no one look down on your youthfulness…
      1. Be an example to others, perhaps older people (1 Timothy 4:13)
      2. Read and teach the Scripture (1 Timothy 4:13)
      3. Exercise your spiritual gift (1 Timothy 4:14)
      4. Live out loud where people see your progress (1 Timothy 4:15)
      5. Persevere is sharing the message of salvation (1 Timothy 4:16)
  5. How often do young people feel that it is the older generation’s responsibility to serve the Lord?

Phony Obedience – Exodus 10:17 – Going to church with no real conviction, and a false sense of security

  1. After the locusts Pharaoh had enough, he declares to Moses and Aaron that he has sinned against God and them (16)
  2. He begs forgiveness (just this once) and their prayers, to remove this death from him (17)
  3. Pharaoh makes some sort of phony confession with intent of not following through; he hardens his own heart in 10:20.
  4. It may look good on the outside but God is not fool with such phony foolishness.
    1. A youth wants to date a Christian girl so he makes his confession
    2. A woman does not want to loose her potential finance’ so she attends church with him
    3. A prisoner before his parole board claims to now be a believer
    4. A businessman wants to increase his business through church people so he joins the church to make contacts
    5. A husband has a brush with death and he vows to be in church from now on
  5. Jesus said…
    1. That a tree is known by its fruit (Matthew 7:16)
    2. If you love me you will keep my commandments (John 14:15)
    3. Not everyone who calls him Lord will enter the kingdom (Matthew 7:21) EVEN those who served him and performed miracles; depart from me I never knew you (Matthew 7:22-23)
  6. Remember that Samuel told Saul that to “obey is better than sacrifice.” We cannot go through religious motions, playing games with God. “A call to come to Christ is a call to come and die” (Dietrich Bonhoeffer). That’s not a popular message, but Jesus is the Lord and is to be obeyed or he may very well say to us, “I never knew you.”
  7. Look over the list of creative ways to disobey God. What is your favorite excuse? How are you going to get right with God? Don’t wait until tomorrow!

Decision-Making by the Book

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A reporter investigating the citrus industry in Florida, found a man at a conveyor belt putting large oranges in one hole, small ones in a second hole and damaged ones in a third hole. After several moments of watching this monotonous routine, the reporter asked how the worker can do this day after day. He said, sir, you don’t know the half of it. Every day, all day long it’s decisions, decisions, decisions.

There’s a Hunger for Guidance – Deuteronomy 18:10, 11-12. There’s a silence in the Bible, and no step by step process for finding God’s will.

There are Many Divining Christians

Some people meditate, empty their minds and allow God to speak directly to them, but inner impressions may not be the will of God.

Biblical roulette allows your fingers to do the walking and pick out a passage or let the book flop open to read a word from the Lord. We’ve heard the story of the man seeking guidance and the passage found was Matthew 27:5, Judas went away and hanged himself. Then Luke 10:37, where Jesus finished the parable of the Good Samaritan and said, “Go and do likewise.” Still not satisfied, he found John 2:5, where Mary, the mother of Jesus says, “Do whatever He tells you.”

Promise boxes can be another way – taking the next verse in the box, at breakfast, and that is God’s word for you that day. I read of a man (whose wife was terminally ill), who sat at the table and the next card was John 11:25, “I am the resurrection and the life, he who believes in me will live.” He was convinced that God had spoken to him, so he spread the great news that God was going to heal his wife, only to be disappointed later that week. People came to the conclusion that the man was a religious fanatic or that God had gone back on his word.

There are Classic Searching Questions, like whom should I marry? Should I take this Job or that one? Should I buy this home or rent? Should I go to this school or that one? So how do you know? Will there be a sign over the proper direction? Or how about the right person to marry? How will I spot her? Will she be carrying a large Bible or wear her hair in a certain way?

The Bull’s-Eye Theory – that there is a range of possible choices that are acceptable to God, so our main goal is to find the bulls-eyes, or the center of God’s will. We think that the center would be for missionary service, pastors, Christian businessmen who support missionaries. Then there’s a second ring further out, they went to church but were not as involved in God’s work as others. Finally we get to those who missed the target completely! These people missed the center and will never have the chance to be in the bulls-eye, because they married second best, or they settled for second best.

Three Wills of God

Philosophers are right to explain what we mean by the term, “God’s will.”

God’s sovereign will – God’s purpose from eternity past to eternity future, and he determines that all of it will take place. In Ephesians 1:11, “we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will.” History is God’s story and he writes the story line. Theologians will call this God’s hidden will, because he doesn’t have to reveal the secret things of God to humans. He reveals what he wants!

God’s moral will – God wants us to know this one because he reveals it in the Bible. Scripture tells us what to believe and how to behave. Its moral and it’s clear.

God’s individual will – God would seem to have my life all mapped out on a blackboard in heaven and we need to see it to make the right choices that he has for our lives. It’s here that we ask the question, “What is God’s will for my life” when really we are asking the wrong question. The question is, “What is God’s will, and how can I bring my life in tune with it?” He works his sovereign will, sometimes even through atheists and unbelievers; he reveals his moral will; but he doesn’t necessarily reveal his specific plan for our lives. Individual will is not to be on the same level as the other two.

Peace as Proof of being in God’s Will – Colossians 3:15 says to let the peace of Christ rule your hearts… you were called to peace.” Some would say that you are living within God’s boundaries when you experience peace. When you step outside the boundaries, the umpire blows the whistle and peace is lacking. It sounds good until you look at the examples of Jonah and Jesus.

  1. Jonah was totally at peace, asleep in the boat, and absolutely out of God’s will.
  2. Jesus was in agony in the garden, devoid of peace, but totally in God’s will.

Freedom and Responsibility – The question we should ask is no longer, “How can I know God’s will?” Instead we should ask, “How can I make good decisions?” If we change the question, we change the direction of the answer. “How do I know God’s will?” makes us passive, in receiving mode. “How do I make good decisions?” makes us active. It shifts the responsibility of decision-making from God to us. It’s like helping your kids across the street… we’re very directive, hold my hand and we’ll cross together. Then at one point they grow up and they can cross without hold our hand, and then if we have taught them well enough, they will be able to cross in our absence, having taught them to make good decisions.

How to Make Good Decisions on this Life Journey?

Take a position of humility and submission is a good start. It’s hard to be humble when we are selfishly looking out for our own interests.

Allow the law of love to guide – what is the most loving thing?

Know your strengths and weaknesses – some things you are able to do with a certain ease and effectiveness; other things do not.

Consider the circumstances – Tornadoes on the east side of Louisville KY, near SBTS. Interpretation is difficult, if God was angry over horse racing, gambling and bourbon, why did he leave Churchill Downs in tact?

Open doors – it is not always the Lord leading you through an open door. Just because it’s open does not mean you need to go through it. Don’t let circumstances determine your decisions. The phrase is used five times in the NT (Acts 14:27, 1 Corinthians 16:9, 2 Corinthians 2:12, Colossians 4:3 and Revelation 3:8) and they all refer to an opportunity. “When I came to the city of Troas to preach the Good News of Christ, the Lord opened a door of opportunity for me. But I had no peace of mind because my dear brother Titus hadn’t yet arrived with a report from you. So I said good-bye and went on to Macedonia to find him. 2 Corinthians 2:12-13. If an open door determines God’s direction, what Paul did is puzzling.

Seeking wise counsel – This is a sure way to get better at making decisions.

A Final Verse – “Though the Lord gave you adversity for food and suffering for drink, he will still be with you to teach you. You will see your teacher with your own eyes. Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, “This is the way you should go,” whether to the right or to the left”. – Isaiah 30:20-21

This tells me to make a wise decision with the light I have, and then God will confirm that I have chosen the right direction. I can choose the wrong direction when I totally disregard the decision-making steps above.

A.W Tozer said that the man or woman who is wholly and joyously surrendered to Christ can’t make a wrong decision.

The action to take when struggling with a decision, get to know God and He will make His will, your will.

The Fear Factor

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People are afraid of a lot of stuff… spiders, tornadoes, crime, losing a loved one, or a job, the economy, fear of commitment, fear of asking out the girl in your class, maybe getting the next Vepco bill, fear of heights or of pneumatic nail guns, maybe the ocean, or even witnessing for Jesus.

Today I want to address the issue of choosing faith over fear.

The Bible has a lot to say about NOT being afraid…

    1. The angel visits a young virgin and says do not be afraid.
    2. The angel tells Zacharias and says he should not be afraid.
    3. The angels tells the shepherds about the good news of great joy.
    4. Jesus as He approaches the disciples on the sea, walking on the water.
    5. After the resurrection, Jesus encourages the disciples.
    6. The Lord to Paul during the shipwreck; that he must stand before Caesar.
    7. The apostle John on Patmos, in his vision of the risen Christ, “do not be afraid, I am the first and the last”

      The verse for today is 2 Timothy 1:7 – he has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind, (or discipline).

      FEAR is basically False Evidence Appearing Real.

      1. False = because our enemy wants to use deception and lies to bring us down, to debilitate us from being useful and effective for Christ, he is even called the father of lies.
      2. Evidence = because we are a people that seek signs to validate our experiences, the enemy wants to convince us that what we fear is rational, rather than a phobia that many people term as irrational.
      3. Appearing = because we rely on our sight, so much that we tend to walk by sight rather than by faith.
      4. Real = because our actions are based on what we believe to be real. It’s not myth or legend that we trust in, because we follow principles of logic and science, and often these are convincing and appear real.

      A spirit of fear is not something God gives to us. God wants us to walk in faith. According to 2 Timothy 1:7, He has given us:

      1. Power = because weak and timid are not synonymous with power, they just don’t go together. The same power that raised Jesus is available to us today. We say that we cannot help but be afraid. Sure, it’s fine to be afraid at times. Fear often keeps us form doing stupid things that can damage us or kill us or do us harm. But as believers, we do not have to live in fear.
      2. Love = because the essence of God is love, and we are to love God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength, and love our neighbor as ourselves. You really cannot love someone that your fear. The fear of the Lord is more like respect and awe; but also knowing that He has the power of life and death over us, maybe we are just flat our suppose to fear Him. We can love God because of the great love He has shown to us, the sacrifice of His one and only Son on our behalf, even while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
      3. Sound Mind = because once one comes to Christ, our theology begins to make sense. The natural man cannot accept or understand the things of the Spirit of God, and they are foolishness to him, because they are spiritually discerned. Other translations use the term discipline which perhaps gives us an understanding into spiritual disciplines like prayer, fasting, solitude, Bible study, fellowship with believers and witnessing to the world. God wants us to move from fear to faith.

      I would call FAITH, Forsaking All I Trust Him.

      1. Forsaking = because when we move toward God, we must move away from other things, like sin, worldliness, vices, bad habits, unhealthy relationships, pleasure seeking, acquisition of stuff.
      2. All = because sometimes we tend to think that we can let Jesus into the living room or the parlor of our heart, but we don’t want Him to roam around the whole house. My heart Christ’s home. He wants all of us; to go into every room. We can’t clean up on our own, we need Him to sweep the place clean, eliminating that which is not allowing me to conform to the image of Christ.
      3. I = because choosing faith over fear is a personal decision, no one can choose to have faith for someone else. Each must decide to follow Christ and choose to live for Him on a daily basis. We wake each day with a choice to make… will I surrender to Christ or have my own way?
      4. Trust = because this is the essence of what we offer back to God. The same Greek word for faith is often translated as belief. When we truly trust, we believe what God says is trustworthy, and we act on our faith. John 3:36 (KJV) says “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” It is better translated in the NASB, “He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life,” Same word, belief, faith, obedience. The word carries a lot of weight…
      5. Him = because God is worthy of our total devotion to Him. He is the sovereign God of the universe, and we are nothing in His sight. What is man that God should be mindful of him? We cannot save ourselves. The relationship with God has been broken and the only way to mend that relationship is to follow the instructions of the offended one, just like in earthly relationship. “What can I do to make up for what I did?” We can never just do what we want to make up for a wrong we did to someone else. We come back into relationship on the terms of the offended one. God made a way, through Christ and His sacrifice, and we can never just come back to God on our own terms or in a self-styled religious ceremony.

      On this weekend that celebrates our nation’s independence (message given on July 5, 2009), we can move from fear toward faith only be proclaiming our dependence. Dependence on God, and that He really does have our best interest at heart. That He desires to provide the best for us, and protect us from harm. Maybe you have not turned your life over to Christ. Make this day your declaration of dependence.

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      Marks of a Mature Christian

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      I was able to give the message at King’s Grant and the topic of the day was, “What are the marks of a mature Christian?” Since Paul encourages believers to examine themselves to see if they are of the faith (1 Corinthians 11:28), I found at least twelve “marks” or “tests” to see whether one is a true follower of Christ. My prayer is that as you read this list, allow God to bring you to a proper understanding of where you stand with Christ.

      1. Fellowship with God and Christians – 1 John 1:3-4

      Immaturity says that belief is all one needs; just believe the right stuff about Jesus, accept Him, pray a prayer, come to church only when it’s convenient, and when you do, don’t get involved with a small group. A small group is where fellowship really happens. The Greek word, koinonia, means sharing a common life.

      Maturity says that fellowship with God and other believers is important. How? What does this mean? Practically… we gather together for worship and in small groups; we don’t have fellowship by staring at the back of another person’s head! Fellowship allows us to get involved, get to know each other, bear one another’s burdens, and help each other to grow into the likeness of Christ.

      Remedy: Like a log on a bonfire, the log that rolled away needs to be thrown back into the pile in order to be on fire. Otherwise the lone log will gradually dim and grow cold. Get back into a local church and get involved in a small group. Christianity was not meant to be lived in isolation; real life change comes in community, not a cocoon.

      2. Sensitivity to sin – 1 John 1:5-10, 3:8, 5:18

      Immaturity says that sin is not really a big deal, everybody does it, nobody’s perfect, I can stop if I want to, I’m not hurting anybody; but sin is missing the mark, hamartia, falling short of the target that God has set for us. Lack of sensitivity to sin is like cultivating a calloused heart, layers of excuses, apathy, failure, all lead to a hardened heart where sin does not bother you any more.

      Maturity says that sin is a serious matter, and I need to deal with it as God tells me to. Sin brings death; the Son brings life (John 3:36).

      Remedy: Confession of sin is not telling God something He doesn’t already know, but agreeing with God about the seriousness of my sin. Sin separates us from God like an umbrella shields us from the rain; God’s blessing and fellowship cannot get through when we are holding up our umbrella of sin. Recognize sin, confess sin, get serious with the removal of sin from your life. We need God for this, if we could clean up our own lives on our own, we wouldn’t need Christ.

      3. Obedience to His Word – 1 John 2:3-5, 3:24, 5:2

      Immaturity says that all I have to do in order to be saved is believe the stories of Jesus. I don’t have to be a fanatic of this Christianity stuff, like keep all those rules in the Bible.

      Maturity says that if I truly have faith, I will want to demonstrate that faith in meaningful and practical ways. A child who tells his father that he loves him yet lives in total rebellion to the father’s will does not really love his father. Jesus said, “He who does not love Me does not keep My words.” (John 14:24)

      Remedy: Discover what the Lord requires (Micah 6:8), follow His commands (1 Samuel 15:11, Matthew 5:19, John 14:15, 15:10, 1 Timothy 6:14), act in a manner worthy of the salvation that has been so freely given (Ephesians 4:1, 2 Thessalonians 1:11). God’s grace is free because it cost you nothing, but it is costly because it cost God the sacrifice of His only Son (Romans 5:8, John 3:16). How do we discover God’s commands? Read His word, discuss His word in a small group, and hide His word in your Heart so that you may not sin against God (Psalm 119:105).

      4. Attitude toward the world – 1 John 2:15

      Immaturity says that I need to be just like the world in order to identify with others, keep up with the Jones’, acquire more stuff, build debt in order to live beyond my means. If you want to be a winner, you have to drive like a winner. I serve a first class God and He expects me to live a first class life. I must live for today, get all I can, can all I get and just live for now.

      Maturity says that this world is temporary and things do not last nor do they bring ultimate satisfaction. Everything on Earth will all pass away, except the Word of God (Isaiah 40:8) and people (Revelation 22:5), both will last forever.

      Remedy: Have a proper perspective on possessions, power and popularity. You can be a follower of Christ and have all of these but the pursuit of them at the wrong time, in the wrong way for the wrong reason often leads to worldliness.

      5. Persecution because of Christ – 1 John 2:18-19

      Immaturity says that since I am a believer, God will shield me from trials, troubles and temptation. Life is much easier as a believer; if times are tough, it’s because I’ve done something wrong or am living in sin, or have forgotten to confess something.

      Maturity says that since the world hated and persecuted Christ and the early church, why should I expect to be treated any differently (John 15:18-19)? Here, John says it’s the last hour, and in the last quarter, the enemy wants to tear down all that Christ has established. Many enemies of Christ have arisen; they started out with them, but have not remained faithful. They turned to the dark side, going against Christ (anti Christ).

      Remedy: Stand strong with the body of Christ, the church; remain in solid fellowship with sound doctrinal belief. Understand that there are many who have tasted from the River of Life but have turned back to their former ways (Hebrews 6:4, 5, 6, Matthew 13:20, 21), and have fanned into flame a critical spirit of Christianity. Many former believers will ridicule the faith and those who hold dear the truths of the Bible. They are not apathetic about Christ, they have become anti-Christ. Their goal is for Christianity to be removed from every corner of society. Expect persecution; Paul tells us that all who desire to live a godly life will be persecuted (2 Timothy 3:12).

      6. Anticipation of the second coming – 1 John 3:2-3

      Immaturity says that I have plenty of time before Jesus returns; I want to travel, get married, earn a million, run for office, complete a marathon, experience the pleasures of the world, get my degree… I’m in no hurry to get my life straightened out.

      Maturity says that this life is but a vapor and will quickly pass away (James 4:14). When He finally comes back at the Father’s command (Mark 13:32), John tells us that we shall be like Him and will see Him as He is; perfect and sinless (1 John 2:2). John mentions having this hope, fixed on Christ. Hope looks to the future, and we as believers ought to be ready (Matthew 24:42, 2 Timothy 4:2, 1 Peter 3:15, Revelation 21:2).

      Remedy: Allow God to convict us of sin (John 16:8) and let His cleansing make us ready to see Christ. When He comes, we do not want to be caught off guard and ashamed (Luke 9:26, Romans 1:16, 2 Timothy 1:8, 2:15). If we live with the anticipation of His coming, our behavior will change. We begin to live as a bride getting ready for her wedding day; keeping herself pure and spotless, waiting for her Groom and the big celebration (Revelation 21:2, 9).

      7. Lifestyle of godliness – 1 John 3:5-6

      Immaturity says that my lifestyle does not need to be in line with my beliefs. I’m saved and it doesn’t matter how I live, I’m secure and on my way to heaven. Once saved, always saved.

      Maturity says that because of my beliefs, I will bring my life in line with the commands of Christ. The one who has his hope in Christ will purify himself; as an act of the will. We are to be holy because He is holy (1 Peter 1:16). We must conform to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29) and since He is pure, we are to be pure. Don’t live like the world.

      Remedy: We will never be sinless, but hopefully we will sin less next week than we did last week. The will of God is your sanctification (1 Thessalonians 4:3), meaning we must become more and more like Christ every day.

      8. Love for each other – 1 John 3:11, 14, 16-18

      Immaturity says that I don’t have to forgive or love those whom I don’t like. It’s my right to hold a grudge for what they did to me.

      Maturity says that we love each other, and even our enemies (Matthew 5:44), because love is from God. God IS love (1 John 4:7). Love is active and not passive. God so loved us that He acted (John 3:16, Romans 5:8).

      Remedy: Notice the parallel between John 3:16 and 1 John 3:16. The Father loved, and gave, and laid down His only Son; we are to love others and lay down our lives for the brethren. First John 3:18 tells us to not love in word only, but with actions. James writes similarly (James 2:17, 26). Think of practical ways that you can love and serve others out of the abundance of gratitude we have for what God has done for us.

      9. Discernment between good and evil – 1 John 4:1-6, 5:20

      Immaturity says that knowing right from wrong or truth from error is something the pastor determines; or some other authority figure in my life.

      Maturity says that since I have the Holy Spirit in my life, I am able to recognize spiritual error when I see it. I will not fall to faddish false teaching that leads people away from the truth found in the Bible.

      Remedy: To be mature we need to grow up in all aspects pertaining to God (Ephesians 4:15). Someone may come to you with some new teaching that is called a “revelation from God” so we must be able to recognize such error. We may not be able to quote the Scripture, but the witness of the Spirit tells us that something is just not right. A lot of this preparation comes from Christian education that we find in the body of Christ. Just why is Sunday School so important? Not only is it our most effective strategy to reach lost people with the gospel, but it helps prepare believers for the times when the enemy will throw error our way to see if we can be led astray. A mature Christian is one who is continually learning God’s Word.

      10. Witness of the Spirit – 1 John 4:13, 3:24

      Immaturity says that we cannot really know that we are saved; therefore we live in doubt and fear about our eternal security.

      Maturity says that God intends for us to be confident in our salvation and our future, because He has given us His Spirit to live inside of us.

      Remedy: Allow God to take up residence in your heart. The Holy Spirit will convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgment (John 16:8). The Spirit will become our Helper (John 16:7) and our Guide who will disclose the truth to us (John 16:13). The more we know the Bible, the more the truth is implanted in our hearts, and the inner witness of the Spirit will give us confidence that we belong to Him.

      11. Settled doctrinal belief – 1 John 5:1-2, 4:14-15

      Immaturity says that God may not be finished in revealing His plan to mankind; that new revelation happens today that can change our spiritual understanding. Who is to say that we have it right? What if God should reveal something new? Aren’t all religions equally true? Isn’t is narrow minded to claim Jesus is the only way to salvation or heaven?

      Maturity says that the Bible is our only source of faith and practice. Peter tells us that God has given us everything pertaining to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). John tells us that no one is to add or take away from this book (Revelation 22:18, 19 – whether this is just the book of the Revelation prophecy or on a larger scale to include the entire Bible).

      Remedy: Have a settled doctrinal belief. Be convinced that only those who love the Child born of God are really lovers of the Father. No one knocking on the door claiming the existence of modern apostles and new revelation are going to bring doubt in your mind. No one telling you that there are other ways of getting into a right relationship with God will cause you to rethink your theology. You will take no consideration to anyone claiming that Jesus is not God incarnate, the God-Man, deity in a manger and the risen Savior who is alive today, who invites you into an everlasting relationship with Him, and who is right here present with us today, knocking on the door of your heart.

      These are the marks of a mature Christian, and I trust that you can examine yourself this day, to see whether you are in the faith, or if you need to get started on the greatest journey of all.

      12. Answered prayer – 1 John 5:14-15

      Immaturity says that prayer is an archaic practice that borders on superstition; why pray when it appears God does not answer?

      Maturity says that prayer is worthwhile, not because of how God answers, but because prayer helps develop our relationship with God. Prayer is communication with the one who loves us and saves us. We spend time with those whom we love, and we communicate by talking and listening. Prayer is not a magical incantation that gets us the desires of our heart; name it and claim it.

      Remedy: Answered prayer is not just getting what you ask for, but it is the confidence we have that He hears us (Condition alert – IF we ask according to His will). How do we know He hears us, answered prayer; but according to His will is the key. When we lose self, embrace Christ, and literally go “through the pit” with Christ (in order to get the mind of Christ), what we ask for will change. When we ask in accordance to God’s will, he hears and answers.