Becoming a Mature Christian

by Garry Floyd

Text: Philippians 3:15-21

Introduction:

• Introduction: Spiritual Maturity Defined
  1. What Spiritual Maturity is NOT
     1. Suppression as Strength: Mistaking the avoidance or bottling up of emotions (stoicism) for "emotional management".
     2. Surface-Level Adulthood: Confusing the trappings of adulthood—like having a high-paying job, living alone, or buying a home—with internal emotional maturity.

• Conflict Avoidance: Believing that avoiding disagreements or saying "whatever" makes one mature, when it is actually avoiding responsibility.

1. The "Busy" Trap: Using a packed schedule or acting "stressed" and "important" to signal that one is too productive for petty, immature behavior.
2. Perfectionism as Control: Using rigid rules, controlling behavior, or maintaining an artificial "perfect" life to mask an inability to handle vulnerability or failure.
3. Pseudo-Intellectualism: Engaging in intellectual debates to feel intellectually superior, rather than to learn or connect.

• Selective Responsibility: Taking responsibility for big, public tasks while failing at smaller, daily life management (e.g., finances, cleaning).

1. What Spiritual Maturity Is
   1. Spiritual maturity is intentional growth in Christlikeness.
      • It involves mindset, character, unity, and perseverance.
      • Galatians 2:20 – Christ living in me
      • Galatians 5:22 - Godly virtues vs. ‘virtue signaling.’

• Grow Up in Thinking
  1. We’re called to grow up in our thinking. Be innocent in evil. Be mature in understanding and develop discernment and spiritual depth.
     1. I Corinthians 14:20 – Do not be children in your thinking, but be innocent in evil?
     2. Ephesians 4:14 – Don’t be gullible children “tossed to and fro” by human cunning

• 1 Corinthians 2:6 – The Spirit of God bridges the things of God and the human heart

1. How can we know when our thinking matures?
   1. We will be able to discern truth from error.
   2. John 17:15-17 – Sanctified in truth is a moral and relational lifelong process

• Imagine responding and not reacting, thinking biblically and not emotionally, seeking wisdom over impulse!

• Aim for Restoration
  1. 2 Corinthians 13:11 – As brothers, ‘Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another.’
     1. Romans 15:5-6 – Pursue unity and peace
     2. Acts 20:28-32 – Encourage spiritual health in others

• John 17:18-21 – Live in harmony

1. Marks of relational maturity are demonstrated when we welcome correction that builds others up, seek reconciliation, and promote peace in the body of Christ.

• Present Everyone Mature in Christ
  1. Colossians 1:28 – Proclaim Christ faithfully
     1. Admonish and teach with wisdom – Mature Christians don’t make excuses for NOT proclaiming and warning and teaching others.
     2. The maturity Christians are to seek stands in contrast with the immaturity of infancy. Spiritual growth is intentional and communal

• Ephesians 4:15 - The goal: maturity in Christ

1. Demonstrates marks of doctrinal maturity
   1. Proverbs 9:9, Proverbs 19:20 – Teachable spirit
   2. I John 3:8, II Timothy 2:15 – Lives out truth consistently

• Proverbs 27:17 – Helps others grow in Christ

• Press On with the Right Mindset
  1. ‘Let those of us who are mature think this way.’
  2. Maintain a growth mindset
  3. Forget what lies behind.
  4. Press forward towards Christ
• Four Pillars of Christian Maturity
  1. Mature Thinking – I Corinthians 14:20
  2. Relational Unity – II Corinthians 13:11
  3. Doctrinal Stability – Colossians 1:28
  4. Forward Perseverance – Philippians 3:15
• Closing
  1. Maturity is not automatic – it is intentional.
     1. God calls us to grow up in Christ.
        • II Peter 1:5-11 - Make every effort to supplement your faith
     2. Commit today to becoming spiritually mature!