Growing Pains: Grow Up
Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.
Luke 2:52 NLT
[Jesus] gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.
Ephesians 4:11-14 ESV
Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
Ephesians 4:15-16 ESV
Luke 2:52 NLT
[Jesus] gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.
Ephesians 4:11-14 ESV
Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
Ephesians 4:15-16 ESV
The Pain of Growing up . . .
1. Is Humbling.
I urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling you have received: with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love
Ephesians 4:1b-2 BSB
Young men, in the same way, submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, so that in due time He may exalt you.
1 Peter 5:5-6 BSB
Ephesians 4:1b-2 BSB
Young men, in the same way, submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, so that in due time He may exalt you.
1 Peter 5:5-6 BSB
2. Takes Time.
…build up the body of Christ, until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, as we mature to the full measure of the stature of Christ.
Ephesians 4:12b-13 BSB
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Galatians 6:9 NIV
Ephesians 4:12b-13 BSB
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Galatians 6:9 NIV
3. Stretches Me.
…joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow...
Ephesians 4:16b ESV
It is impossible to please God without faith.
Hebrews 11:6a NLT
Ephesians 4:16b ESV
It is impossible to please God without faith.
Hebrews 11:6a NLT
4. Requires Correction.
“The Lord corrects the people he loves and disciplines those he calls his own."
Hebrews 12:6 CEV
Hebrews 12:6 CEV