2 posts tagged “maturity”

LETTERS TO THE CHURCHES - Philippians

Jul 18, 2009
3 comments

TO LIVE IS CHRIST

Read Philippians 1

I always pray with joy… being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:4b, 6 NIV

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Paul begins his letter to the church at Philippi with a word of confidence in their growing maturity. He knows that they will face persecution and struggles from without and within. He warns, “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then...I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel.”(1:27)

He tells them that the hardships he has suffered, including his imprisonment, have served to further the spreading of the gospel. Though his very life has been threatened he says, “I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. (1:20-21)

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Lord, You are the One who will accomplish Your purpose in our lives. We are simply vessels in Your hands, being molded for the master’s use. Help me to be confident and willing to place my future in Your hands, not worrying, but trusting in You to use me for Your glory.

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“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more, ... that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ-to the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:9-11 NIV

LETTERS TO THE CHURCHES - Ephesians

Jun 23, 2009
4 comments

GROW UP INTO HIM

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Read Ephesians 4

Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching... Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ Ephesians 4:14-15 NIV

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In this passage, Paul is reminding the Ephesian Christians of the primary purpose of the local church. Each member of the body of Christ has been given spiritual gifts or talents to be used for a specific reason – the edifying and building up of believers.

This was and is an ongoing process where we grow in our faith and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. (4:13b) and it is not something we do by ourselves, but in fellowship with other believers. Each person has something unique to contribute to the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. (4:1

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Lord, I pray that you will show each one of us what part we are to play in your plan for our church. Help me to use the talents you have given me for the purpose of building other believers up in their faith. I pray also for the unity of our local church so that we can work together to give forth the gospel and disciple new believers onto maturity.

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Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:2-3 NIV