We Must Mature to Endure
Pastor Josh Martin
August 25, 2024
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Main Topics Discussed
Personal Anecdote
Pastor Josh shared a personal story about having a life-size cutout of Billy Graham in their college dorm.
They would high-five the cutout daily and watch Billy Graham crusades on Thursdays.
The story emphasized the large crowds and the impact of Billy Graham's ministry.
True Conversion and Obedience
Key Point: Conversion to Jesus is demonstrated by the obedience of our lives, not just by verbal confession.
Process of Salvation:
Past: You were saved.
Present: You are being saved.
Future: You will be saved.
God's Role: Provides warnings and assurances throughout the journey.
Comfort and Caution: Both are necessary for spiritual growth.
Bible Study on Hebrews
Scripture Focus: Hebrews 5:7 and following.
Jesus' Role: His life, suffering, obedience, and resurrection are central to salvation.
Response to the Gospel: Requires lifelong obedience, not just a one-time prayer.
Analogy: Christian life is like a crockpot (slow process) rather than a microwave (quick fix).
Maturity in the Gospel
Scripture Reference: Hebrews 5:11-14.
Call to Maturity: Believers are encouraged to grow beyond elementary teachings.
Analogy: Transition from milk to solid food represents spiritual growth.
Maturity Defined: Not just knowledge, but obedience and application of learning.
Endurance in the Gospel
Scripture Reference: Hebrews 6:1-8.
Warning Against Falling Away: It's possible to experience spiritual things without true salvation.
Parable of the Sower: Different responses to the same spiritual resources.
Endurance: Saving faith is enduring faith that remains steadfast.
Assurance and Invitation
Assurance: It's possible to have a real relationship with Jesus despite struggles.
Invitation: Continuous return to the gospel and recommitment to Christ's lordship.
Communion: A reminder of the ongoing invitation to return to Jesus.
Action Items
Personal Reflection: Evaluate personal spiritual maturity and areas needing growth.
Commitment: Recommit to the Lordship of Christ and strive for obedience.
Community Engagement: Participate in church activities that promote growth and maturity.
Follow-up Points
Next Week's Sermon: Focus on comfort and assurance in God's love.
Encouragement to Return: Invitation for attendees to return for the next service.
Conclusion
Prayer: Closing prayer for transformation and endurance in faith.
Call to Action: Encouragement to be a community striving for maturity and obedience in Christ.
Biblical References
Hebrews 5:7-9 - Jesus learned obedience through suffering and became the source of eternal salvation for those who obey Him.
Hebrews 5:11-14 - The writer urges believers to grow in maturity, moving beyond basic teachings to deeper understanding and obedience.
Hebrews 6:1-3 - Encouragement to leave behind elementary teachings and press on to maturity in Christ.
Hebrews 6:4-8 - A warning about the danger of falling away after experiencing the blessings of faith, likening it to unproductive land.
Matthew 7:21-23 - Not everyone who calls Jesus 'Lord' will enter the kingdom, only those who do God's will.
Romans 7:15 - Paul’s struggle with sin, acknowledging he often fails to do what is right.
John 21:15-17 - Jesus reinstates Peter, asking him three times if he loves Him, and commands him to "feed my sheep."
Philippians 3:10 - Paul’s desire to know Christ, including sharing in His sufferings.
Romans 8:1 - There is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus.
2 Corinthians 3:18 - We are being transformed into Christ’s image with increasing glory.
Reflection Questions
What does true conversion look like in your life?
How is your faith demonstrated through ongoing obedience and transformation, not just a one-time prayer?
In what ways do you experience both God’s warnings and assurances in your spiritual journey?
How have these moments of comfort and caution helped you grow in your relationship with Christ?
How are you responding to the gospel in your daily life?
Are there areas where you need to apply more obedience rather than just gaining more knowledge?
Where in your faith do you feel called to mature?
What steps can you take to move beyond the elementary teachings and grow deeper in your understanding and practice of your faith?
Are there areas of your life where you feel spiritually stagnant or where you are “producing thorns” rather than fruit?
How can you begin fighting back in those areas and seek God's transformation and renewal?
Daily Activities
Monday: Reflect on Conversion as a Journey
Activity: Spend time in prayer and reflection, considering the process of conversion in your life. Write down key moments when you felt God working in you, transforming you, or guiding you through significant changes.
Application: Acknowledge that your conversion is ongoing—thank God for the growth that has already occurred and ask Him to continue guiding you through the process of transformation and maturity.
Tuesday: Act on the Call to Obedience
Activity: Identify one area in your life where you’ve been hesitating to obey God fully. Make a plan to take an action step of obedience in that area today, whether it’s forgiving someone, stepping out in faith, or making a positive change in your habits.
Application: Reflect on how delayed obedience hinders growth and ask God to help you close the gap between hearing His voice and acting on it.
Wednesday: Spiritual Check-up
Activity: Evaluate the "fruit" in your life. Spend 10-15 minutes journaling about the spiritual fruits you see in your actions, thoughts, and relationships. Where do you see love, joy, peace, patience, or other fruits of the Spirit? Where do you notice “thorns” or areas that need God’s intervention?
Application: Pray for discernment and ask God to help you bear good fruit by staying connected to Him and aligning your actions with His will.
Thursday: Strengthen Your Spiritual Discipline
Activity: Set aside a focused time of spiritual discipline, like fasting from distractions (social media, unnecessary entertainment) or committing to extra time in Scripture study. Choose a passage like Hebrews 5:11-14 or Philippians 3:10, and meditate on its meaning for your life.
Application: Reflect on the importance of discipline in spiritual growth, asking God to strengthen your desire to follow Him even when it’s difficult or inconvenient.
Friday: Recommit to the Lordship of Christ
Activity: Take communion (either at home or at church, if available) or spend dedicated time in worship and prayer, recommitting your life to Jesus as both Savior and Lord. Reflect on areas where you’ve taken control instead of surrendering to Him.
Application: Ask God to renew your desire to not only believe in Him but to live under His Lordship in every area of your life, seeking His guidance in your decisions, actions, and growth.
