MARKINGS OF CHRISTIAN MATURITY: THE MESSAGE OF JAMES

Sermon Notes, June 22, 2014

Rev. Jan Sinozich

Pastor Jan’s message was titled “Markings of Christian Maturity: The Message of James.”  We mistake a lot of things for maturity, but maturity is not age.  It is not appearance.  And it has nothing to do with achievement, wealth, fame, or academic achievement.  It is integrity—what we do when no one is watching—character.  It is attitude, all that we are.

The Hebrew word for sanctification in the Old Testament means purified, perfected honey.  If you were to fill up a can with honey and use it for target practice, what would come out of the can if you were to hit it?  Honey!  What leaks out of us as sanctified people when we are hit with the pressures of life in this world?  When a tea bag is dipped in hot water, what’s inside comes out.  Heat, pressure and time make diamonds; they also make mature Christians if we stay close to God and let Him mold us and shape us.  He doesn’t cause these things, but he sure does use them to build our character, integrity and maturity.  

 The book of James is a manual on maturity.  James gives us five markings of maturity in five chapters. 

1.                           A mature person is positive under pressure.  The first test of maturity is how do you react to pressure?  Change griping to gratitude.  (James 1:2-4)

2.                           A mature person is sensitive to people.  He sees the needs and hurts of others; he’s not just interested in himself.  The second test of maturity is love.  We will be judged for how we’ve treated other people.  (James 2:1-6)

3.                           A mature person has mastered his mouth.  Self-control is tongue control.  What you say can delight or discourage.  What requires maturity and discipline is knowing what to keep to yourself.  (James 3:2, 1:26, Ephesians 4:29)

4.                           A mature person is a peacemaker, not a troublemaker.  The mark of a mature person is the lack of conflict in his own life.  Selfishness (pride) and judgementalism cause conflict. We’re not to judge—we’re not God; only He has all the facts and knows what is in someone’s heart.  The fourth characteristic of a mature person is their peacemaking ability. (James 4:1, 11-12)

5.                           A mature person is patient and prayerful.  Like the farmer, we are to be patient.  We have to wait on God to answer our prayers, for a miracle, to work in our lives.  We have to wait, and we have to pray.  (James 5:7, 11, 12)

           As Christians what are the marks of maturity?  How do we handle problems?  Are we sensitive to other people?  Can we manage your mouth?  Are we troublemakers or peacemakers?  How long can we wait for an answer to prayer without giving up?  We can ask God to help us grow up.