It’s Time To Grow Up
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton
Text: I Peter 1:22-2:3
I. It seems every parent at some point tells their child, “Why don’t you just grow up?”
A. In one sense, that is what they are doing; but what the parents want is for the child to stop acting so much like a child and more like an adult.
B. Children are flighty creatures who live for the moment. They don’t look ahead to see the consequences of their actions. They avoid responsibility for actions of the past – especially if they are seen as bad actions by adults.
II. The parable of the feast - Luke 14:16-24
A. People had been invited to a feast. They knew of it in advance. But when it was ready, they suddenly had excuses as to why they could not come.
B. Each was a lame excuse, especially in light of the fact that the dinner party was planned in advance.
C. One needed to look at land he had just bought. How many of you buy land sight unseen?
D. Another needed to try out five yoke of oxen that he had just bought. How many of you buy an automobile without a test drive?
E. Another stated he had just married and could not come. So why not bring his bride?
F. The lord was rightly angry and filled his home with people willing to come. People who would truly appreciate what he offered.
III. The application - Luke 14:25-35
A. There are many people who accept the Lord’s invitation to become a Christian, but they are unwilling to follow through on the commitment.
B. Family first - Luke 14:26
1. Children have strong ties to their family. Such is needful, but it cannot be permanent.
2. One mark of adulthood is the ability to stand on your own - Genesis 2:24
3. It is very easy to put prior relationships ahead of our Lord.
4. It is easy to look at the immediate instead of the one we cannot see.
a. Just as the man who claimed not to be able to come because he recently married.
5. The example of Paul - Philippians 3:3-11
a. The goal is far more important than anything this world offers
C. Me first - Luke 14:26
1. Children only think about what is in it for them.
a. Being at grandma might be fun, but they don’t want the trip.
b. People want heaven, but you mean I have to sit through worship? - Malachi 1:12-13
2. The adult view is to see the benefit of the journey - Psalm 122:1; 84:10
3. Often we want the results, but not the education - James 1:2-5
4. In the Judgment, notice the basis of judgment is what we have done for others and not what we have done for ourselves - Matthew 25:31-36
5. The example of Christ - Philippians 2:3-11
a. The goal was far more important and greater than the misery in reaching it.
b. Others are more important than self
6. An adult will do without so that others can do with.
D. It’s someone else’s responsibility - Luke 14:27
1. Children play, but they rather let someone else clean up.
2. People come to worship, but they let others do the actual work - Ezekiel 33:30-31
3. Take advantage of opportunities - Galatians 6:10
4. Work hard while you can - Ecclesiastes 9:10
5. Your salvation is your responsibility - Philippians 2:12-18
E. Commitment without forethought - Luke 14:28-30
1. Children often get themselves into trouble because they did not think ahead as to the result
2. Redeem the time - Colossians 4:5
a. Limited time to work - John 9:4
b. Take advantage of youth while you have it - Ecclesiastes 12:1
c. Adults will put off momentary pleasure to get work done. It is not because they don’t like to play, but they foresee the consequences of not working.
3. Prepare by studying - II Timothy 2:15
a. We need adults to teach others - Hebrews 5:12-14
b. The example of Ezra - Ezra 7:10
F. Knowing your goal limits your choices - Luke 14:31-32
1. Children are easily distracted. They can easily loose themselves following one interesting thing after another.
2. James warns us not to be double-minded - James 1:6-8
3. As children we can be tossed about by the changing winds of doctrine - Ephesians 4:14-15
4. Knowing where I want to go, I will limit my choices to those which will take me to that goal quickly. Distractions are more easily avoided - Hebrews 11:24-26
5. Adults keep the goal in mind and are able to persist.
a. Have you ever walk with a child? Halfway there he will stop and announce he’s tired. Of course, now he is in the middle of nowhere, but he won’t take a step further.
b. Hebrews 12:1-3 - Keeping a goal prevents weariness.
IV. Isn’t it past time that you grow up?
A. Now is the time to wake up - Romans 13:11-14
B. Now is the acceptable time - II Corinthians 6:1-2
C. Today is the day to stop acting like a stubborn child - Hebrews 4:7-11
