Discover the theology of Christ in the book of Colossians – where Jesus is the ultimate solution to every question and challenge. He reigns supreme, fulfills every need, and gives us new life. We pray that this series on Jesus will lead to an overflow of obedience that ripples through our hearts, homes, community, and, ultimately, the world, all for the glory of Christ.
Spiritual Maturity “In Christ”
Speakers
Josh Blount
Lead Pastor
Worship
Notes
Colossians 1:24-29 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, 26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. 27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.
1 Peter 2:2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation.
Luke 2:52 Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.
- According to a Pew Research Center report, 52% of young adults (ages 18-29) in the U.S. were living with one or both parents in 2020, the highest percentage since the Great Depression.
- The average age for first-time marriage in the U.S. has climbed to 30 for men and 28 for women, compared to the early 20s in the 1970s.
- The average age of first-time mothers has risen from 24.6 years in 1970 to 30.7 years in 2022.
- A 2019 Merrill Lynch study found that 79% of parents provide financial support to their adult children, covering bills, housing, and help with major life events.
- The average human attention span has dropped from 12 seconds in 2000 to just 8.25 seconds—shorter than that of a goldfish!
- Fewer Americans are reading books than ever before. A 2022 research study found that 23% of adults hadn’t read a book in any format in the past year.
- 55% of Young Adult books are bought by adults, with the largest segment being between 30 and 44 years old.
- The average age of a serious gamer is 35 years old.
- Before turning 21, the average male growing up in the U.S. will have spent around 10,000 hours playing video games.
- According to a study by the American Psychological Association, 74% of Americans report feeling overwhelmed by stress.
- 45% struggle with emotional regulation
- 42% of Americans admit to impulse shopping
- 44% of divorces happen because couples "fall out of love,"
- 52% of employees quit jobs because the work is too hard or the boss is difficult to deal with.
- 64% of young adults leave church after high school
- 70% of kids quit teams because it’s "not fun anymore."
- 80% of New Year’s resolutions fail by February.
- 51% of young adults are too afraid to date or approach the opposite sex due to fear of rejection.
- 25% of teens delay getting their license until age 18 or later
What’s worse than immaturity in the culture, is immaturity inside the church.
Discipleship—following Jesus—means growing up into who God made us to be, and you can’t do that if you are clinging to comfort.
Luke 9:23 Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.
Maturity Doesn’t Happen in the Comfort Zone
Colossians 1:28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.
To be mature in Christ means to grow in His image
Spiritual maturity isn’t measured by what you accomplish, but by who you’re becoming in Christ. It’s not about doing more; it’s about growing more into His likeness.
Success in God's eyes isn't about what we accomplish, but who we grow into. — John Ortberg
The knowing of growing is in Christ's love showing
Spiritual maturity is seen in the disciple who effortlessly does what Jesus would do if He were in his or her place. — Dallas Willard
Spiritual Maturity “In Christ” is about partnering with God in the work He is doing from the inside out.
Colossians 1:27 Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Colossians 1:29 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.
The hope of God’s glory to you and through you is Christ in you.
1. God’s Word
Colossians 1:25 make the word of God fully known.
Colossians 1:28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.
We don’t reach maturity in Christ by chance. It happens through consistent, intentional time in God’s Word.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work, nortice this: making them mature.
The Bible is God’s primary chosen instrument for maturing His people
The Bible is the written word of God, and because it is written, it is confined and limited by the necessities of ink, paper, and leather. We hold it in our hands as a physical book, but we must never forget that the voice of God contained within its pages is not confined to the material. The Bible transcends ink and paper—it is the living voice of God speaking directly to us. It is God’s Word, made alive and active by the Spirit, speaking to the deepest parts of our souls. The problem is that too often we approach it like a mere textbook, as if it is simply a collection of information, something to be analyzed or memorized without ever engaging with the heart behind it. But the Bible is so much more than that. It is a living encounter with God Himself, where He reveals His nature, His will, and His love for us. The Spirit takes these written words and makes them alive in us, transforming us from the inside out. Yet, how often do we approach it with a casual attitude, giving it far too little reverence? We overlook its beauty and power because we fail to recognize that every time we open it, we are encountering the living God. — A.W. Tozer
You will never reach spiritual maturity if you have a low view of the Bible.
Hebrews 4:12 The word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
2. Suffering
Colossians 1:24 I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church,
Maturity in Christ is not something you can achieve without cost.
Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge.
Romans 5:3-4 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.
We tend to think suffering is something to be avoided, but in God’s hands, suffering becomes a tool for transformation.
1 Peter 1:6-7 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
God is not out to destroy you. He’s out to shape you into someone who is stronger, more resilient, more like Jesus.
1. Study the life of Christ
2. Pursue the motives of Christ
3. Welcome spiritual resistance
4. Reject being the center
5. Embrace mystery
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Sermon Series || Colossians Series - Spiritual Maturity “In Christ” || Colossians 1:24-29 “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, 26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. 27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.”
As a culture we have bought into this idea of pushing the lines of immaturity, but what’s worse than immaturity in the culture, is immaturity in the church. After hearing this message, do you find yourself teetering or pushing the line of immaturity as a believer?
Discipleship—following Jesus—means growing up into who God made us to be, and you can’t do that if you are clinging to comfort. Maturity doesn’t happen in the Comfort Zone. Do you find yourself clinging to comforts? Clinging to things you already know, instead of stepping out into the unknown and uncomfortable with Jesus?
Spiritual maturity isn’t measured by what you accomplish, but by who you’re becoming in Christ. It’s not about doing more; it’s about growing more into His likeness. The knowing of growing is in Christ's love showing, are you reflecting Christ’s love? Looking at before you knew Jesus, in comparison how different are you as a person? How has Jesus changed you?
We tend to think suffering is something to be avoided, but in God’s hands, suffering becomes a tool for transformation. God is not out to destroy you. He’s out to shape you into someone who is stronger, more resilient, more like Jesus. Pastor Josh gave us 5 ways that we can begin to step into more spiritual maturity. Out of these 5, what is at least one way that you can begin to do this week, to grow more spiritual maturity personally?
Study the life of Christ
Pursue the motives of Christ
Welcome spiritual resistance
Reject being the center
Embrace the mystery
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October Series: Sound the Trumpet!
Power Verse: The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving. Psalm 28:7 NLT
Week 3 Lesson: Encounter Joy
What gives us strength? Joy!
Where does joy come from? God
Does joy just happen to us? Or do we choose it? We choose joy
When is a time that you can choose joy? -
October Series: Sound the Trumpet!
Power Verse: The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving. Psalm 28:7 NLT
Week 3 Lesson: Encounter Joy
What gives us the greatest joy? An encounter with Jesus
Who gives us joy? Jesus
How did God give Sarah joy? Giving her a son
Where can you identify joy in your own life? -
October Series: Do Not Fear!
Pre-K Power Verse: “Do not fear for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
Learn the Isaiah 41:10 hand motions here!
Week 3 Lesson: Peter Walks on Water
Who was in the boat? Peter and the disciples
What happened when they were on the boat? A big storm came
Did they feel scared? Yes
What did they think they saw on the water? A ghost
Who was it really? Jesus!
Who tried walking on the water with Jesus? Peter
Why did he start stinking? He took his eyes off of Jesus
When does Jesus love us? All the time!
Whaat can we do when we feel scared? Pray, worship, say the name of Jesus, say our power verse!
NEW!! Pick up an October parent resource page from your child’s class! -
October Series: Do Not Fear!
Twos Power Verse: “God has not given me a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7
Learn the 2 Timothy 1:7 hand motions here!
Threes Power Verse: “Do not fear for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
Learn the Isaiah 41:10 hand motions here!
Lesson all month in both classrooms: Peter Walks on Water
Who was in the boat? Peter and the disciples
What happened when they were on the boat? A big storm came
Did they feel scared? Yes
What did they think they saw on the water? A ghost
Who was it really? Jesus!
Who tried walking on the water with Jesus? Peter
Why did he start stinking? He took his eyes off of Jesus
When does Jesus love us? All the time!
Whaat can we do when we feel scared? Pray, worship, say the name of Jesus, say our power verse!
NEW!! Pick up an October parent resource page from your child’s class!