Would You Please Grow Up?

Happy Sunday!

Bishop Alexis A. Thomas continued his series entitled, "Put God First".  This week's sermon was called, "Would You Please Grow Up?"  He used Hebrews 5:11-14 as his reference scriptures. The New Living Translation says, "There is much more we would like to say about this, but it is difficult to explain, especially since you are spiritually dull and don’t seem to listen. You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn't know how to do what is right. Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong."

Living things grow!  The true sign of death is the cessation of growth.  The main purpose of our salvation is growth.  Jesus spent three years training his disciples.  He wanted to ensure their ultimate success after he left the earth.  We have to be intentional about our spiritual growth.  Matthew 5:6 promises, "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." (King James Version)  The writer of Hebrews compares the believers to infants.  Infants rely on others for their nourishment.  They can't take care of themselves.  But mature individuals are able to feed, clothe, and care for themselves and others.  The writer says it's about time we grow up.  There are people waiting for what we have to offer. Our neighbors, co-workers, and even strangers can be blessed when we mature. 

Psalm 1 describes a blessed mature man or woman in this manner, "He is like a tree planted beside streams—a tree that produces fruit in season and whose leaves do not wither. He succeeds in everything he does." (God's Word Translation)

We are counting down to the New Year!  Let's decide to grow up, to flourish like a tree planted by the river, and to be a blessing to everyone we come in contact with!

Love and prayers, Cynthia