Mature Faith (Faith Series - Fourth Episode)

Theme: "Rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith" - (Colossians 2:7)

what is Matured Faith?

What does it mean to be mature in faith?

How and when it is gain?

What is Matured Faith?

The New Testament concept of Maturity & perfetion, found in the Greek word téleios (Strong's #5056), is similar to tamîm. In harmony with this idea of spiritual growth toward completion, téleios is well translated as "mature" in 1 Corinthians 2:6 , and in Hebrews 5:14, itis rendered as "of full age."

It's basic meaning is "complete" or "entire."

It does not mean "perfect" as we think of it today, as "without fault, flaw, or defect." Other English words that translate tamîm better than "perfect" are "whole," "full," "finished," "well-rounded," "balanced," "sound," "healthful," "sincere," "innocent," or "wholehearted."

- The phrase “mature and complete, not lacking anything” indicates a spiritual wholeness or completeness.

- an unshakeable trust upon God because it is rooted on God

- transformed faith is matured faith ( Example of Peter)

"Matured Faith is like a precious Gem"

How then should we define matured faith? The basic Greek word gameo, which derives from the same root as our English word “gem.” That root word literally means to “fuse together.” Fusion of different elements into one describes the process by which precious gems are formed deep in the earth. Precious gems such as diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and sapphires are formed far underground out of ordinary elements that are subjected to great heat and massive pressure over an extended period of time. Heat, pressure, and time working together can transform even the most common material into something extraordinary. Take coal for example. Coal is formed when partially decomposed wood or other plant matter is combined with moisture in an airless environment under intense heat and pressure. This process does not happen overnight, but requires centuries. Although coal is basically a form of carbon, its constituent elements can still be distinguished under chemical analysis. Coal that remains in the earth long enough—thousands of years longer—under continuous heat and pressure eventually is transformed into diamond. Chemically, diamond is pure carbon. The distinct elements used in its formation can no longer be identified. Pressure has fused them into one inseparable element. Heat gives diamond its luster

Same like coal when we have to go through various trials, pressure, test, upsdown, obstacles and still we remain in God, in time we will be transformed as a precious one. Our faith not only moves mountain but moves people, destroys the kingdom of darkness, brings revival and establish the kingdom of God.

Importance of Mature Faith :

God wants us to be matured in our Faith.

"Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil" - Hebrew 5:13-14

The Barna Group came to a remarkable conclusion based on research conducted in 2009:

Studies this year among pastors showed that almost nine out of ten senior pastors of Protestant churches asserted that spiritual immaturity is one of the most serious problems facing the Church.

Few pastors have gone so far as to give their congregants a specific, written statement of how they define spiritual maturity, how it might be measured, the strategy for facilitating such maturity, or what scriptural passages are most helpful in describing and fostering maturity.

Those pastors who made any attempt to measure maturity were more likely to gauge depth on the basis of participation in programs than to evaluate people’s spiritual understanding or any type of transformational fruit in their lives.

Not surprisingly, research found that a majority of churchgoing adults are uncertain as to what their church would define as a “healthy, spiritually mature follower of Christ” and they were no more likely to have personally developed a clear notion of such a life.

This research suggests there is a place, indeed an urgent need, for something that would help pastors and congregations define spiritual maturity more clearly. . . .

What does it mean to be mature in our faith? . . . This sermon focuses specifically on that question, contributing to the discussion of the goal or vision of the Christian life.

Levels of Faith :

Matured faith is a lifelong journey. We cannot have our faith matured in an overnight. We have to be in this journey full of upsdown and struggle. There are five stages of faith :

- No faith (Mark 4:40)

- Little faith

- Weak faith (Roman 4:19)

- Strong faith (Roman 4:20)

- Matured/ Great faith (Matthew 8:10)

Signs of Maturity :

- Mature Faith trusts upon God's Word & His promises no matter what the situation

A 2014 survey of “The Bible in American Life” found that only 48 percent of Americans reported reading any Scripture at any time during the previous year. Among those who did, the percentages were significantly higher for women, older people, Southerners, and African Americans. Just 9 percent of Americans, however, said they read the Bible daily.

- Mature Faith Obeys God’s Word