Let Us Press On Toward Maturity
Steve emphasized the importance of spiritual growth and maturity, urging believers to press on in their Christian walk, especially as the Lord's return approaches. He highlighted five trustworthy statements from Paul’s writings, which serve as foundational truths for the believer’s life. The first underscores that we are objects of God's mercy, saved by grace, and called to gratitude for His unmerited love, exemplified by Paul’s transformation from a persecutor to a chief of sinners. The second stresses the desire for service in God's kingdom, encouraging believers to aspire to roles of spiritual oversight with humility. The third advocates discipline and self-control, comparing spiritual training to physical exercise, with the Holy Spirit as our trainer, using God's Word and the cross as primary tools for growth. Steve emphasized that responding to the Spirit’s illumination and maintaining a clear conscience are vital for progress. The fourth statement highlights enduring hardship, suffering, and remaining faithful, with the promise of reigning with Christ and the importance of perseverance. The final trustworthy statement calls believers to remember their past, recognize God's mercy, and engage in good deeds, which prepare them for eternal glory and co-heirship with Christ. Overall, Steve urged believers to stay committed, disciplined, and reliant on God's grace to reach spiritual maturity and fulfill their divine purpose.
Main Points Outline
Pressing on to maturity: The urgency of spiritual growth as the Lord’s return nears.
Trustworthy statements from Paul: Foundational truths about salvation, service, discipline, endurance, and good deeds.
Mercy and grace: Recognizing our past as sinners saved by God's love, motivating gratitude.
Desire for service: Aspiring to spiritual roles with humility, avoiding titles and pride.
Discipline and training: Spiritual exercise akin to physical training, with the Holy Spirit as trainer.
Responding to the Spirit: Hearing and obeying God's voice, maintaining a clear conscience.
Endurance and perseverance: Suffering hardships, remaining faithful, and the promise of reigning with Christ.
Engaging in good deeds: Outflow of God's love and mercy, leading to eternal glory and co-heirship with Christ.
Final encouragement: Running the race faithfully, despite opposition, for the sake of Christ.
1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
13 Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance;
15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
11 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:
