Maturity for Today

Maturity for Today

James Overview

9-13-20

God says maturity is continual growth in Christ-like attitudes, words and actions.

Mature (telos) – Whole, perfect, complete and effective.

 I. What Maturity is Not:

1. Age

2. Appearance

3. Achievement

4. Academics

Reputation and recognition are what people say about us, our identity and character are what God says about us. 

II. Marks of A Mature Person:

1. Rejoicing under pressure.  

James 1:2-4 – “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.  And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

2. Loving God and our neighbor.

James 2:8-9 – “If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing well.  But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.”

3. Speaking Christ-like words.  

James 3:2 – “For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.”

 IV. Living in God’s Peace.   

James 4:1 – “What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?”

 IV. Patiently Praying.       James 5:7, 16

James 5:7 – ^“Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains.”

James 5:16 – ^“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”

The Maturity Test:

~  Do I handle problems well? 

~  Am I loving others and sensitive to their needs? 

 ~  Do I speak like Jesus?

~  Am I a peacemaker? 

~  Do I patiently wait for answers to prayer without giving up or complaining? 

 Going Deeper This Week

 1. Read the book of James with someone. What do you appreciate about God after reading James? What is one truth God drove home to you?

2. What motivates you to keep growing mature in your faith in Christ? (Read John 14:15, 15:7-8, Ephesians 4:13, 1 Corinthians 13:11 and 14:20). How do these truths sharpen your view of Christian maturity?

3. Discuss the 5 areas of maturity from the book of James. Which one are you stronger in today? Which one do you want to focus on today?

4. Pray our monthly Transformation Verse with someone. James 1:5 - “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”