March 1 2015 Spiritual Maturity Under Pressure

SPIRITUAL MATURITY UNDER PRESSURE

1 Peter 2:1-10

Three Things That Help Us Mature

1. Seek after God’s Word.

Verse 1 – Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy and slander of every kind.

GET RID OF:

• Malice
• Envy
• Deceit
• Slander
• Hypocrisy

Verse 2 – Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it, you may grow up in your salvation.

Verse 3 – Now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

2. Stand on the firm foundation.

Verse 4 – As you come to Him, the Living Stone rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to Him.

Verses 5 -6 – You also, like living stones are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.  For in the scripture it says, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone and the one who trusts in Him will never be put to shame.

Moses said Jehovah is the rock of our salvation.

David said He is my rock and fortress, my God in whom I take refuge.

Isaiah said for in the Lord we have an everlasting rock.

Verse 8 – A stone that causes men to stumble and rock that makes them fall.

3. Speaking out a message of hope.

Verse 9-10 – But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belong to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into this wonderful light, once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God.

SIX LESSONS:

1. We are a family.
2. We have direct access to God.
3. We are also different from the world.
4. We are a people belonging to God.
5. We’re not what we used to be.
6. We’re blessed to be a blessing.

July 15 2012 Making The Most Of Your Problems

How To Make The Most Of Your Problems

James 1:2-6
Verse 2 - Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds.

I. Four facts of Life You Need to Know
Consider it pure joy because you know.

1. Problems are a certainty.
Verse 2 - Whenever you face trials

2. Problems are unpredictable.
Verse 2 - Whenever you face trials

3. Problems are variable.
Verse 2 - Trials of many kinds.

4. Problems have a purpose.
Verse 3 - Realize that they come to produce in you.

3 Purposes of Problems (vss. 3-4)

• Problems purify my faith.

You know that the testing of your faith.

• Problems fortify our patience.

The testing develops perseverance.

• Problems develop my character.

So that you may be mature and complete, not lacking in anything.


God’s Number One Purpose In My Life:
To Make Me Like Christ

II. How to Handle Your Problems

1. You need to rejoice.
Verse 1 - Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials.

2. Request or pray.
Verse 5 - If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given him.

3. Learn to relax.
Verse 6 - But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt.

The Result

Verse 12 - Blessed is the man that perseveres under trial he will receive the crown of life.

July 8 2012 The Marks Of A Mature Person

The Marks Of A Mature Person

AN OVERVIEW OF THE BOOK OF JAMES

God’s will for every person is personal growth and maturity. The book of James defines what maturity means

What Maturity Isn’t:
• It’s not: Age

• It’s not: Appearance

• It’s not: Achievement

• It’s not: Academics or ability

God says maturity is determined by your attitude.

Five Marks of Maturity

1. A mature person is Positive under pressure.
James 1:2-4 - Consider it pure joy, whenever you face trials of man kinds, because you know the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 1:12 - Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.

2. A mature person is sensitive to people.
James 2:8 - If you really keep the royal law found in the Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right.

3. A mature person has mastered his mouth
James 3:2 - We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.
Ephesians 4:29 - Do not let any negative talk come out of your mouth but only what is helpful for building up others according to their needs.
James 4:1 - If anyone considers himself religious yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.

4. A mature person is a peace maker, not a trouble maker.
James 4:1 - What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?

2 Sources of Conflict
• (vss. 2-3) Selfishness

• (vss. 11-12) Judging

5. A mature person is patient and prayerful.
James 5:7,11 - Be patient then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming as you know we consider blessed those who persevere. 
James 5:16 - The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.