October 17, 2010
Key Passage: Ephesians 4:1-16
“Pursuing Christ with Absolute Maturity and Passion"
Lynn and I taught a seminar this week on the impact of culture on today's youth. As we prepared, what blew me away was discovering that what ails our young people is exactly what ails our parents. Few of us really believe in Absolute Truth, and there's an enormous discrepancy between what we believe and what we act on. For instance, 64% of parents think they're doing an excellent job of helping their children develop a world view based on the bible; however, only 5% of parents actually have a biblical worldview. 72% of parents believe they're doing well in providing a regular regimen of spiritual instruction for their children; fewer than 10% of Christian households spend any time at all during a typical week either reading the bible or engaging in prayer as a family. You see, today we often search for a “pop gospel.” We’re used to jingles, not hymns. We want stories and application, not biblical truth. We want instant gratification rather than waiting on God’s timing. We want Jesus to be our buddy rather than our Lord. In short…many are unprepared for a serious (and I might add, joyful) endeavor into the things of God. Practically, this is important because under great strain a weak rope will break. When the temptation is fierce the shallow believer is brought down. When the trials are overwhelming, the weak in faith crumble. When the questions are profound the weak are left without answers or find their faith shaking. The greatest reason for pursuing a mature and deep relationship with God is simple – He is great! His greatness cannot be enjoyed and grasped unless we spend much time with Him – in prayer, and in His Word. Nor can it be enjoyed if we continue to buy into the lie that is "relative truth." It’s time for each of us to move on to maturity…
| Secular World View (Relative Truth) |
Biblical World View (Absolute Truth) |
|
|
|
- Man makes his own destiny
|
- God determines man's destiny
|
- World needs more education to solve problems
|
- Only Christ can solve man's problems
|
- Reject creationism; believe in evolution
|
|
- Right, wrong determined by the societal consensus
|
- Bible is inerrant; God's laws unwavering
|
- Many paths lead to heaven – including good works
|
- Only Jesus saves; He is the only Way
|
Top Five Reasons Christians Don’t Mature (Based on Ephesians 4:1-16)
1. Faulty or incomplete dedication to the Lord, His will, or His Word Matthew 28:19-20
2. Failure to give priority of our time, energy, and attention to prayer Acts 6:4
3. Failure to engage in quality Christian fellowship regularly Hebrews 10:24-25
4. Failure to be content with where we are and with what we have in life Philippians 4:11-13
5. Failure to fix our eyes on things above instead of on things on earth Colossians 3:1-2
Q: Which of the "top 5" reasons listed above is most troublesome for you? Why?
Q: How can we embrace Absolute Truth without becoming proud, judgmental, or overbearing?
Q: How can we discern between areas where there is room for tolerance of doctrinal difference vs. areas
where we must not compromise at all?
Bottom Line: High in the Alps is a monument raised in honor of a faithful guide who perished while ascending a peak to rescue a stranded tourist. Inscribed on that memorial stone are these words: HE DIED CLIMBING. A maturing, growing Christian should have that same kind of attitude, right up to the end of life. May God help us to live with that kind of intensity – moving on to maturity with a passion!
