Growing Up To Maturity - Zac Poonen
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Summary
The central message is that true spiritual maturity and hearing from God require 'Godly fear' and the learning of obedience through suffering. The speaker draws heavily from Hebrews 5, emphasizing that Jesus's prayers were heard because of His godly fear, and He learned obedience by submitting to the limitations of humanity. Therefore, Christians must seek to learn obedience in the difficult areas of life—those that require self-denial and suffering—to achieve spiritual growth.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
The need to grow up to maturityThe apostles Paul, John, and the writer of Hebrews all shared a deep concern for Christians who fail to grow up to spiritual maturity.
Why Jesus was heard by GodHebrews explains that Jesus was heard by God not because He was the Son of God, but because of His godly fear and piety.
Jesus learned obedience through sufferingJesus learned obedience as a man through the things He suffered, which is the path to spiritual promotion and completion rather than obeying only when it is easy.
Becoming dull of hearingMany believers remain spiritual babes because they only want to hear comforting messages about God's love and reject hard truths about putting the flesh to death.
Daily personal nourishment from God's wordBelievers must personally feed on God's word every day just like the Israelites gathered manna, rather than relying solely on Sunday services.
Moving beyond spiritual milk to solid foodAfter years in the faith, believers should be teachers of others instead of needing milk, yet many reject the solid food of righteousness.
Training our senses to discern good and evilMature believers use the Tree of Life within them to spontaneously reject spiritual harm, unlike spiritual lepers who lack sensation and are destroyed.
Little children, young men, and fathersFirst John outlines three stages of spiritual age: little children who know their sins are forgiven, young men who overcome the evil one, and fathers who know God deeply.1 John 2:12–14
How young men overcome SatanYoung men defeat temptation by letting the word of God abide in them, just as Jesus used specific scriptures to answer Satan.
Disciplining yourself to know the scripturesJust as Jesus studied the scriptures diligently by age twelve, believers can systematically learn the word of God through discipline and daily study.
The disciplined tongue and daily listeningJesus lived each day with the tongue of a disciple because God awakened Him morning by morning to listen and obey without turning back.Isaiah 50:4–10
Spiritual fathers who serve and protectUnlike spiritual cats who only want to be petted and fed, spiritual fathers act like watchdogs who serve, protect, and care for the needs of others.
Practical instructions for every age groupPaul's letter to Titus gives clear, practical behavioral guidelines for older men, older women, and younger people to prevent the word of God from being blasphemed.
Avoiding malicious gossip and teaching what is goodOlder women must avoid malicious gossip and instead train younger women to be sensible, pure, and workers at home.
Growing up to maturity as practical ChristiansThe message concludes with a call to receive these instructions not as rebuke, but as practical guidance to raise a generation of balanced, Godly Christians.
