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Spiritual Maturity- Our Goal ( Hebrews 6:1) | Archive 2025

D A OLIVA/12/31/2021

Spiritual Maturity- Our Goal ( Hebrews 6:1)

" Let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God," Hebrews 6:1 ( NIV)

Introduction

 A. The Hebrew writer tells us to " leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to MATURITY."

 1. The command is to leave something and go on to another thing.

 2. Let us know from God's words what is " spiritual maturity," John 8:32

 B. The simple approach in this lesson will be as follows:

 1. The meaning of spiritual maturity

 2. Types of Maturity ( in doctrine/ in life)

 3. Challenges in attaining maturity

Discussion

 A. Meaning of Spiritual Maturity

 1. From the Greek word " teleioteta" it means a " gradual process of developing  healthy/ life giving ways of relating to self, others and the environment!"

 2. It focuses on " progress/ growth and not being PERFECT, but on what God wants us to become," Matthew 5:48

  - not " sinless perfection" for that is impossible and self deceiving, I John 1:8

 3. Stephen Rawkin ( Aiming At Maturity) wrote " a spiritually mature Christian is one whose character, disposition, words and actions emulates the character of Jesus Christ Himself."

 - Ephesians 5:1-2 " Be imitators of Christ and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us."

 4. Paul in Ephesians 4:13 used " teleios" which means " mature, perfect and complete" attaining to the whole measure of the FULLNESS of Christ."

B. Types of Spiritual Maturity

 1. In doctrine and in faith

   - Ephesians 4:13-15 " attain the unity of the faith and knowledge of the Son of God"

   - the world today is NOT united in faith/ in doctrine contrary to Christ's prayer in John 17:21 ( that all may be ONE)

   - Peter wrote " grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord/ Savior Jesus Christ," 2 Peter 3:18

 2. In behavior, attitude, thoughts and words, e.g. 

   - tolerance/ open minded

   - compassion/ care toward others

   -  honesty/ integrity

   -  humility

   - self awareness/ accountability

   - desire to learn/ improve

  3. marks of spiritual maturity

    - able to keep long term commitment, Revelation 2:10

    - unshaken by flattery/ criticism

    - decisions are based on character, not feeling

     - expresses gratitude consistently

    - prioritize others than self

    - teachable, not assuming to know all the answers

 C. Challenges in Attaining Maturity

  1. Total Submission to God,  " love God with all your heart, soul and mind," Matthew 22:37

    - seek ye first the kingdom of God, Matthew 6:33

  2. Total Spiritual Growth

   - not spiritual infants/ children, 1 Corinthians 3:1-2

   - not comfortable to grow up/ leave comfort zone

  3. Depend on God Totally and not on one's own strength

   - " I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, " Philippians 4:13

   - " God works in you to will and act according to His good purpose," Philippians 2:13

Conclusion

 A. Become a Christian first to achieve Spiritual Maturity

  1. Christ invites you to come to Him, Matthew 11:28-30

  2. Now is the Day of Salvation, 2 Corinthians 6:2