As we have seen in our current series, many Christians may fail to grow up in their lives and in their faith. One of the root problems of modern Christianity is what Juan Carlos Ortiz has described as ‘The permanent childhood of the believer’. The apostle Paul understood that the various leadership roles in the church were to equip and mature the church (Ephesians 4:11-13).  

Over the past weeks we have looked at different areas where we need to grow up. Now we conclude this series focusing on some more key ways in which we all need to grow up. These final 3 points bring us to a total of 18 areas of maturity which we will have covered in this series, in keeping with 18 being the age when you are considered an adult in the eyes of the law. Whether you or your parents like it or whether you feel ready for it, there very quickly comes a point when you can be entrusted with many opportunities and responsibilities, so you had better grow up. So, let’s see these further points on what it means to be a mature Christian.  

1. A mature Christian will serve others (Mark 10:43-45; Philippians 2:3) 

2. A mature Christian takes responsibility for his decisions (Romans 14:12 ) 

3. A mature Christian understands the role of parents (3 John 4:4; Colossians 1:9-10; 1 Corinthians 13: 11) 

Apply  

1. A mature Christian will serve others (Mark 10:43-45). Jesus taught in contradiction to the teaching of this world which says that you live to satisfy your desires and dreams. When we come to Jesus, we find we are to focus on how we can serve and help others. 

Immaturity - self-serving and self-indulgent: The "gimme, gimme, gimme" philosophy is more prevalent in the Western community than we would care to imagine. We pray "God bless me, my family, bless my church, my group, my leaders, my job. God help me through this problem, this crisis, God use me.” It’s all me, me, me…Many Christians approach God like a genie who will fulfil your wishes. However, Jesus was very specific in saying that the ways of the Kingdom of God are different. He taught His disciples to be servants, to help others first, support those in need, and to build God’s house first. 

Maturity - serves others: In contrast to this, a mature Christian does “...nothing out of selfish ambition, vain conceit, but in humility considers others to be better than themselves” (Philippians 2:3). A mature Christian prays for and thinks about others first and tries to bless other people's families and groups. You look not only to your own interests, but to the interests of others. We shouldn’t be waiting for the other person to act first: mature Christians don’t wait to be served but look for the opportunity to serve others. When was the last time you served someone close to you, like your family, your leader or your neighbour? You can make the way in the busyness of home life to surprise someone with an act of service: don’t wait until Christmas to help in the house with the big clean up or to prepare a nice meal for your family, or until your leader’s birthday to say some words of appreciation. Don’t wait until you’ve been asked to do something: excel with your attitude of service and your desire to help. Take time to pray for others, to share a word of encouragement with others. Charles Spurgeon said: “Hard work will do almost everything; but in God's service it must not only be hard work, but hot work. The heart must be on fire" To serve as Jesus did, our hearts must be in fire for Him. 

2. A mature Christian takes responsibility for his decisions. 

Immaturity - someone else makes the big decisions: A baby, infant, or even an adolescent will not make major decisions on housing, finance or holidays. Those decisions are made by others. Someone else pays the rent or the mortgage, someone else decides where to go on holiday, where to stay. They simply go along for the ride. Someone else pays for the ticket. Some people's idea of discipleship would lead to the same situation. Many Christians make their decisions, but come to the pastor when the consequences hit, saying “pray for me, help me.” We need to know that we can chose our own decisions and must accept the consequences of our decisions (Romans 14:12 ). E.g. Lot in the Bible chose to leave his uncle Abram, a man of God, to pursue worldly wealth by moving his tents to the well-watered plain near the city of Sodom. But in the end, he got into big trouble and very bad company and had to be rescued by Abram. 

Maturity - you make the big decisions: Maturity means that as you grow up you take responsibility. You make decisions, you take risks, you face challenges, you launch out into the deep. You pioneer new ventures, not just looking to others to do so. You believe God for finance, not believing that others will supply it for you. You launch out in praying for the sick, praying for miracles, starting to use the gifts of the spirit that God has given you, and discover the ways the Lord wants to use you. Sometimes we haven’t unlocked the next level in our spiritual life because of the fear of making mistakes. Start to trust God and get launched today. You can get your answers from God on the major issues in your life. There is safety and wisdom in counsel, but you yourself must hear from God. 

3. A mature Christian understands the role of parents 

Immaturity - limited understanding of parent's role: A child can know the love of their parents, but know very little about them as people: their hurts, hopes, motivations, battles and victories. Dad and Mum are simply just there as dad and mum, or not there as the case may be, but parents are people too. Children think of parents as bosses, annoying people, useful sometimes (for car rides and as a piggy bank). Sometimes children think of them as enemies, or people who don’t understand them nor see the world as they do. Something similar often happens with Pastors and leaders. But no good parents wish for their children to do badly or to make big mistakes. Every parent’s desire for their children is to do good and to prosper, to see fruit in every area of their lives. Good Pastors and leaders only want to see every disciple prosper (3 John 4:4; Colossians 1:9-10). 

Maturity - close relationship with parents: As children grow up, they should grow to appreciate how much the parents have loved and sacrificed for them. They will discover that their parents don't just want to rule them, but to have a relationship with them, not just to feed them but to have fellowship with them. When children grow out of adolescence, a healthy parent relationship will mean that you see your parents clearly for who they are and you can get to know them as people. A mature person would understand that what we are made for is not just to function for God, but to be friends with God. Man's chief aim is to know God and glorify Him forever. More than that, God wants to know us and have fellowship with us. A mature Christian’s life is therefore not characterised by rules, but relationship. We will reflect a heart of our father. A mature Christian will reflect his father in heaven, and his life will be lived to the father's pleasure and glory.  

So here we come then after all these weeks to reflect on how mature we really are. It’s time as put childish ways behind us (1 Corinthians 13: 11). So, stop acting like a version of Peter Pan. Grow up! God does not want us individually or collectively to be insecure, divided, competitive, disobedient or unruly. God wants a fully grown up, matured family. People who have come to wholeness in their relationship with God and one another. Where there was weakness there will now be strength. Where there were temperamental tantrums, there will be self-control and kindness and gentleness. Where we were exclusive, we can become inclusive. Where we were gullible, we will become wise. Jesus showed He can take hold of a bunch of immature young disciples and make them into a powerful apostolic company. So too God is raising up a church family in every locality and nation which He intends to be fully matured. And you can play your part in building and in being an ever-increasing blessing.