Kingdom Maturity

Written By Susie Raybould

In Jeremiah 1:5, God says, ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart.’  He still speaks that to us today as a heavenly Father and Creator who is invested in us getting to the finishing line. God's purpose is to produce people who fulfil their humanity and become what God designed for them.

In Colossians 1:28, Paul wrote, ‘He (Jesus) is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ.’

God's purpose in maturity is to produce disciples who reflect the perfect humanity of his Son, and people who are able to react to the trials of life.

We can move into maturity by asking the Holy Spirit to help us and teach us, leading us into revelation.

Babies start with milk and mature into food. Milk is vital and can be likened to the foundations which we then build on, growing into maturity and solid food. On this journey of maturity, we must also help those we disciple to build strong foundations too. 

Key foundations to build upon are:

1)       Repentance from dead works. Turning away from anything we’ve done to try and earn God’s favour. We must stand in the truth of what God has already done for us. 

2)       Grace as a gift of God through faith. We put our faith in God.

3)       Baptism. We are buried with Christ and raised to life, empowered and equipped to live for him.

4)       Laying on of hands (1 Timothy 4:14).

5)       Resurrection of the dead. Jesus is alive today and because of that we can live in resurrection life.

6)       Jesus is coming back again, and there will be a final judgement. 

We mustn’t undo these essential foundations, and we must stand in the truth of what we have received. 

7 keys to maturity:

  1. Maturity is when priorities are realised and reordered. 

  2. Maturity enables us to become immovable and unshakeable on the inside. 

  3. Maturity does not switch off love and is not easily offended. 

  4. Maturity doesn’t settle for things that contradict the gospel. 2 Corinthians 10:5- we demolish arguments and take captive every thought. Maturity meditates and lives in God’s truth. 

  5. Maturity is entered through the gateway of sonship- sons and daughters. 

  6. Maturity seeks kingdom first. 

  7. Maturity identifies with Jesus’ death and suffering. 

As we mature in these areas, we transition from just our story into God’s Kingdom story.

So, how can we apply this today?

  1. Settle what you believe: who you are, who He is and what He’s asking you to do. 

  2. Be devoted to God and each other. 

  3. Be a sent one. A people on a mission all the time. 

A mature person asks; what can God do for me, in me and through me, so that God’s glory will be known in the earth?

-           Taken from Gary and Hannah’s message.

Next steps:

Susie Raybould
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