The Characteristics of Childishness and the Marks of Maturity 1 Corinthians 3:1-23 Adapted from a Michael Luke sermon http://www.sermoncentral.com/print_friendly.asp?SermonID=86269

2. ESV

7. A young boy came to his father after church
one Sunday.
He said, “Dad, I want to ask you something.”
The father said, “What is it son?”
“Dad, I’m kind of confused. In Sunday school
this morning, the teacher kept telling us about
the children of Israel – how the children of
Israel crossed the Red Sea, the children of
Israel built the Temple, and the children of
Israel making sacrifices. Didn’t the grown-ups
ever do anything?”

8. The apostle Paul has already explained in
that there are two kinds of
people in the world: unsaved and saved; non-
Christian and the Christian.
He points out to us in that there are
two kinds of Christians:
1. Of the flesh, (carnal, worldly) immature
2. Spiritual, mature

9. Difference between being childlike and
childish:
1. Childlike
Trusting, Humble, Eager, Loving
ESV

10. 2. Childish
Immaturity is to lack the qualities of being fully
developed – physically, emotionally, and
spiritually.
The wife said to her husband, “Sometimes you
can be so immature!”
So he stuck his tongue out at her.
Marked by irresponsibility.
They can’t do important things without being
reminded.
Sometimes just don’t care whether they get
done or not.

11. Also marked by instability
Never consistent
Sometimes you can depend on them and
sometimes you can’t.
You really don’t know what to expect.
(No ladies, we’re not talking about
husbands…but if the shoe fits???)
Paul gives us four indicators that show
whether Christians are immature or mature.

13. Paul says that spiritual maturity or immaturity
is caused by one primary factor: our spiritual
diet.
The immature Christian should have left the
milk bottle and moved on to solid food but their
immaturity shows in that their still being nursed
on milk.

14. The mature Christian eats a balanced diet
from God’s Word.
Word of God is called “spiritual food” several
times in the scriptures:
Bread – ESV

15. Solid food – ESV

16. The mature Christian eats a steady diet of
.
The traditional interpretation of this passage
has usually been that “ ” represents the
easy things in God’s Word and “ ”
represents the difficult things.

17. Honey – ESV
The immature Christian lacks proper
nourishment. They like snacks and junk food
instead of nutrient rich solid food & the sweet
honey of God’s Word.
A prime indicator of immaturity and maturity is
shown through the kind of preaching and
teaching they enjoy.
Immature Christians like to be entertained and
to feel good about themselves when they
leave. Mature Christians want to be edified
and enlightened.

18. ESV

20. Paul mentions several things that indicate
immaturity.
Jealousy and quarreling,
They disagree and fuss a lot.
Usually over things that aren’t important.
An identification with heroes,
“My hero can whip your hero!”
“Cannot!” “Can too!” “Un huh!” “Uh huh!”

21. Several things that indicate maturity. Practices
love and seeks to get along with others & will
only take up a fight over the most important
issues.
Appreciates the leadership of others but
recognizes that, “
.”
Healthy respect for other mature Christians but
also recognizes that we all struggle with the
flesh.

23. Paul takes an image from Jesus’ Parable of
the Sower.
ESV

25. A parable that used one sower is now applied
to the whole congregation of believers.
What indicates immaturity or maturity in the
field?
Childish, carnal Christian just “play” at working
in the field.
They focus on the work of individuals.
Forget the purpose of being in the field.

26. Mature, spiritual Christians are careful about
how the work is accomplished.
They focus on what God is doing through the
laborers.
They forget about who does what and they
work together to build the kingdom of God.

27. These indicators are based on how we use our
spiritual gifts.
The Bible teaches that when we become
Christians we receive the indwelling presence
of the Holy Spirit.
ESV
At least one spiritual gift from the Holy Spirit is
to do works of service in the name of Jesus
Christ.

28. Paul deals with the subject of spiritual gifts in
greater detail in but for right
now we need to understand two things:
Immature Christians use gifts as toys to play
with and as trophies to brag about.
Mature Christians use gifts as tools to work
with and utilize their gifts to the glory of Jesus
Christ.

33. Building and construction analogies are used
several times in the New Testament to teach
us about building the church of Christ.
ESV

34. What are the indicators of immaturity and
maturity in building the body of Christ?
Immature Christians build something that will
not last.
They’re goal is to build something that will last
only as long as they need it.
They build it out of what is convenient.
Mature Christians build something of quality,
something that will last throughout eternity.

35. If we’re going to build the way God wants it
built, we have to follow some guidelines.
ESV

36. We have to build on the right foundation.

37. We have to build with the right materials.

39. Two completely divergent building materials:
Those identified as wood, hay, and straw,
represent things which are temporary,
ordinary, cheap, easy to obtain.
Those identified as gold, silver, and precious
stones.
They represent things that are permanent,
beautiful, valuable, hard to obtain.

40. We have to build according to the right plan.
Must build with the right motive,
that motive is the glory of God.

41. Paul’s illustration of building points us back to
Jesus’ teaching at the end of the Sermon on
the Mount
ESV

43. The difference in immaturity and maturity are
determined by four things.
I. What We Eat
II. How We Relate To Each Other
III. How We Work In The Field
IV. How We Build The Building

44. You need to answer these questions:
1. What are you feeding yourself?
--You are what you eat.
2. What are you sowing?
--What you sow is what you reap.
3. On what are you building?
--on sand or the solid foundation of Jesus
Christ?