August 9-15, 2008

GROWING INTO MATURITY – PART 4

Going on to Better Things

In this lesson, you will learn more about the process of maturing spiritually, identifying and putting off the qualities of the flesh, identifying roadblocks to maturity, and putting on the new man.

I. Ultimate goal of growing up spiritually.

A. Ephesians 5:1-2 – “Be imitators of God as dear children, and walk in love, as Christ also has loved us. . . .”

II. Identifying and putting off the qualities of the flesh [the old man].

A. Ephesians 4:22 - “Put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts.”

1. Lying – “Putting away lying . . . speak truth” – v. 25.

2. Anger – “‘Be angry, and do not sin’: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil” – vv. 26-27.

3. Stealing – “Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor [WORK!]” – v. 28.

4. Corrupt communication – “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth” – v. 29. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit with your words.

5. Evil cousins – “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice” – v. 31.

III. Roadblocks to maturity – Ephesians 5:3-14.

A. Fornication, uncleanness, covetousness – v. 3.

B. Filthiness, foolish talking, coarse jesting – v. 4.

C. Associating with the disobedient – vv. 5-7.

D. Do not fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but expose them – v. 11.

IV. How to put on the new man.

A. Ephesians 4:24 – “Put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness”.

1.   Saturate yourself daily with the Word of God.

2.   Walk in God’s love.

3.   Praise and worship the Lord.

4.   Associate with people who have the fruit of God’s Spirit evident in their life.

B. Like Moses, esteem the reproach of Christ “greater riches than the treasures in

Egypt . . .” – Hebrews 11:24-29.

V. Keys to better things.

A. Ephesians 4:32 – “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”

B. Ephesians 5:8,14 – Walk as children of light.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

· Is Jesus the number one priority in every area of your life?

· Share an experience of overcoming an area of your flesh.

· Do you need prayer to get on the track to a higher life in Christ?

BE A DOER OF THE WORD

Make this confession a part of your daily commitment to the Lord: Father, thank You for giving me a heart of compassion to help lift sinners and people who have messed up into the new life You have prepared for them, in Jesus’ name.

SCRIPTURE MEMORY VERSE: Ephesians 5:1-2 – “Therefore be imitators of God as dear children, and walk in love, as Christ also has loved us. . . .”