Sunday Sermons

Maturity

Mark Dunagan
06/05/11 - Sunday Morning

What Mature People Do

A lot has been said about what it means to mature. Some wise, some not:

Benjamin Disraeli said, "Youth is a blunder; manhood,
a struggle; old age, a regret."
Bronson Alcott observed, "As we grow old, the beauty
steals inward."
Albert Camus noted, "To grow old is to move from passion
to compassion."
The Japanese say, "The old forget; the young don't know."
"The young are slaves to novelty; the old, to custom." (Ld. Kames)

The Bible uses the term "mature" in Hebrews 5:14 "But solid food is for the mature". The word translated "mature" can either mean of full age, or complete. This is what the Bible means when it speaks of the "perfect" man (James 3:2), not sinlessly perfect, but rather a completeness, or what we would call a "well rounded person". In this lesson let's explore a number of admirable qualities or attitudes often seen in a well-rounded, mature people.

Mature People Are Self Starters

Who can forget the self-motivation of Abigal, the wife of Nabal? David's men had protected Nabal's flocks and servants, yet when David asked for some food from Nabal, he was rejected. David proceeded to move in retaliation toward Nabal with the intent of destroying all that he had. When Abigal heard about how David's men were insulted, she quickly moved to prevent the oncoming disaster (1 Samuel 25:14-35). Without waiting for anyone to act, or sitting around to see what would happen, she quickly moved to meet David and behaved wisely:

Without excusing her husband's acts, she nevertheless accepted the blame for David's mistreatment by a member of her family. Nabal was known to be a "fool" and he had lived up to his name. "Abigail implied to David that since she knew these facts about her husband, she should have been more watchful to protect her husband from himself" (Bergen, p. 249).
She encouraged David to choose the path of peace and forgiveness in this matter, Abigail reminded David of his destiny. He was God's anointed, and his task was to fight the Lord's battles, rather than redressing petty wrongs (28).
David was a man who could have easily done be above evil, such as, killing the innocent servants of Nabal's house. Yet David knows he need not take revenge, because God will fight for David (29). God will deal with David's enemies! Executing vengeance upon Nabal and his household would only bring many regrets later and tarnish David's rule as king (30-31).

I likewise think of Daniel when confronted with a temptation (Daniel 1:8). Instead of sitting back and seeing what others would do and how it would turn out, or "polling" fellow Israelites to see which plan would be the popular one, Daniel immediately took action.

Instead of feeling sorry for himself, he had a plan (1:12).
He was polite and confident, and thus the avoided the extremes of arrogance and fear (1:8).
He could intelligently explain his position; he knew why idolatry was wrong (1:8).
He has forethought as he anticipated the arguments against his position (1:10-11).

Mature People Do Not Always "Play It Safe"

Plenty of people "play it safe" - "Nevertheless many even of the rulers believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they were not confessing Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue, for they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God" (John 12:42-43). In contrast to these men, consider the healed man of John chapter 9. Jesus had healed him (9:7) on the Sabbath (9:14) and the Jewish leaders were questioning him (9:15) and particularly pressing him concerning what he thought about Jesus (9:17). In this chapter when the man's parents are questioned, they crumble, for they feared upsetting the Jewish leadership who had the power to make their lives miserable (9:20-23). He was questioned repeatedly, being pressured to deny Jesus any credit for this miracle (9:24). He does not crumble, rather in courage, gives Jesus the full credit (9:25).

Mature People Become Teachers

I find that maturity often means moving on from being a mere listener by starting to teach others, particularly, standing up to those who are trying to undermine the truth. In John 9 we see a man move from being "told" what believe, to setting the record straight and reminding others of clear, God-given truths (9:30-33). Maturity involves finding your voice and challenging the false assumptions of the world - a habit, like most others, that gets more comfortable with practice.

Mature People Think Clearly

The Hebrew writer observes that the mature are able to "discern" good from evil (Hebrews 5:14). In John 9, the healed blind man gives very concise and clear arguments in favor of Jesus:

He is amazed that the Jewish leaders are rejecting Jesus, claiming that they don't know where He is from, and yet any believer should recognize that miracles obviously tell you exactly where a man is "from" (John 9:30; 3:1ff).
God clearly does not side with sinners, how much more, enabling a sinner to do such a remarkable healing (9:31-32), a miracle without parallel in the Old Testament.
The obviously conclusion is, Jesus could do absolutely nothing apart from God's approval (9:33) and the world, including these rulers, best tend to all that Jesus preached.

Mature People Are Honest

Rather than a selfish "honesty" that hurts people so that one can themselves feel better, maturity is seen in the simple honesty that cleanly states the real reason why we are doing something or not doing something, "We must obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29). Other examples of this honesty would be:

"I love you too much to pretend you are safe."
"I love you too much to 'help' you, or make it easier for you to stay in your sin."
"If you miss heaven you miss all there is."
"If you are okay and I am okay then what was Jesus doing by dying on the cross for us?"
"If you try to force me to choose between God or you - I must choose my God."

Mature People Joyfully Sacrifice

"But remember the former days, when after being enlightened, you endured a great conflict of sufferings... For you showed sympathy to the prisoners, and accepted joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and an abiding one" (Hebrews 10:32-34).

Never live in fear of losing possessions, position, prestige or popularity. Maturity is that point in a person's life when those things lose their emotional "hold". No longer can the devil blackmail with the threat of, "If you do that, if you say that, you might become unpopular - so just don't act, play is cool, play it safe".

Keys to Joyful Sacrifice

I can't take it with me.
Possessions do come with some headaches, if I lose some or forfeit some, I may look back on such as Providence lightening my load.
I always gain something. If I lose family or friendships in following Christ (Matthew 10:34-35), I will gain a far better adjusted family of truth lovers (Mark 10:28-30). God is allowing me to "upgrade".

I am only being asked to give up or let go of what is fleeting and temporary.

Mature People Enjoy True Friendships

How ironic that we live in a world with so many people, and yet one will hear people complaining, "I don't have any friends". The devil tries to convince us that friendships are so rare, and in order not lose any, we must never take a clear stand for God, or share our faith with anyone. We must play it safe, keep quiet, and be a secret disciple. I have observed that well-rounded, mature people are not desperate for friendships, nor beggars when it comes to friends. Rather, they have realized that friendship involves taking charge and becoming active in the lives of others. Paul clearly lost many Jewish friendships in becoming a Christian and yet his letters are filled with references to good and close friends (Romans 16; Colossians 4:10ff). Here is some helpful thoughts concerning friendship:

Being like Abraham, "A friend of God" is priceless. Never discount this omnipresent, omniscient and omnipotent companion.
I have a great comradeship in the Christian that I married or other family members.
Being a Christian will naturally make you a better and more "out of the ordinary" person - a quality most people seek in a friend.
Being a member of a church means that I a surrounded by quality people who are often fascinating and talented.
As a part of God's kingdom, we can look forward to a future of meeting other amazing people who love and serve God.

Mature People Live With Contentment: Philippians 4:10-13

Because more things will not make me feel more loved.
Because there is no greater truth than the one God has revealed.
Because there is no better church than the one found in the Bible.
Because there is no greater Savior or Salvation than I have in Jesus Christ.
Because there is no greater reward than heaven.
Because I presently have everything I really need.
Because the answers to all my problems or challenges are already before my face.
Because I have achieved eternally important goals already.

Mark Dunagan/Beaverton Church of Christ/503-644-9017
www.beavertonchurchofchrist.net