Growing up to maturity - Zac Poonen
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Summary
The message emphasizes the need for believers to grow into spiritual maturity, drawing parallels from Christ's life. Key points include the necessity of 'godly fear' for prayer to be heard by God, and the importance of learning obedience, as Christ did, to become complete. The speaker encourages the congregation to study these deeper truths about Christ's humanity and obedience.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
The concern for Christian maturityThe speaker addresses the common concern shared by the apostles regarding Christians who fail to grow up to spiritual maturity, beginning with examples from the book of Hebrews.
Why Jesus was heard and how he learned obedienceJesus was heard because of His Godly fear, not merely because He was the Son of God, and He learned obedience step-by-step through the things He suffered.Hebrews 5:7–9
The danger of obeying only when it is easyMany Christians fail to grow because they only obey God in areas that require no self-denial or suffering, avoiding the very trials where true obedience is learned.
Becoming dull of hearing and neglecting daily spiritual foodBelievers who avoid hard messages become dull of hearing, failing to gather daily spiritual food like the Israelites gathered manna in the desert.
Remaining on milk instead of moving to the word of righteousnessAfter years in the faith, believers should be teachers, but many remain spiritual babes who can only handle milk and reject hard words of righteousness.
Training senses to discern good and evilMature believers train their senses through temptation to discern good and evil spontaneously from within, rather than needing external rules like lepers who lack physical sensation.
The three levels of spiritual growthFirst John outlines three spiritual stages: little children whose sins are forgiven, young men who overcome the evil one through the Word, and fathers who know God deeply.
Using the Word of God to fight temptationLike Jesus, young men overcome Satan by letting the Word of God abide in them and wielding the correct scripture for every specific temptation.
Awakening morning by morning to the tongue of a discipleJesus lived by waking up morning by morning to listen to God, gaining a disciplined tongue and a word in season to sustain the weary.Isaiah 50:4–10
Growing into spiritual fathers and practical ChristiansFathers serve and care for others rather than just receiving, and believers must mature into practical, disciplined Christians in their daily lives and homes.
