Partnership when one shares a ministry is very special. My friend Mary Lee Morgan and I teaching a class for women Breaking Through To Spiritual Maturity. As we teach the truth of God’s word it’s so good to see the women grasp the truth of who they are in Christ. The time we spend teaching draws Mary Lee and I closer to each other as friends.
So how do we break through to spiritual maturity? Who are we in Christ? What are the good things we share for the sake of Christ?
How do we break through to spiritual maturity? 1 Peter 2: 1-3 says, “Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. We have to grow up in our salvation, read God’s word on our own, study, memorize, and apply his word on your own. If we only hear God’s word never reading God’s word, we will lack that crucial application step.
When reading God’s word one needs to read, observe, then apply. It is always great to write the scripture out and to pray it back to the Lord. Applying God’s word is a wonderful way to personalize God’s word. A great way to study scripture is the SOAP method. S-Scripture, O-Observation, A-Application, P-Prayer. Here is Romans 12:21
S Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
O We are not to be overcome by evil, but we are to overcome evil with good
A :When tempt by evil one, how do you handle temptation? Do you take ever thought captive to the Lord?
P Father God, I thank you that each day I have a choice. A choice to serve you with joy or a choice to complain. When tempted Lord, let me take that thought to you as your word instructs. Let me be the light that shines. In Jesus’ name Amen
So, who are we in Christ? We’re justified, we are Christ’s friend. We are God’s child. We are saints. I have access to God through the Holy Spirit. I’ve been redeemed and forgiven.
Lastly, what are the good things we share for the sake of Christ. Just as Mary Lee and I shared the responsibilities of the class, we also share a friendship. In Philemon we see Paul sharing his heart asking Philemon to release Onesimus. “Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.” Philemon 22
Beloved, forgiveness is an important lesson. Spiritual maturity occurs when we can forgive those who have hurt us.
Life Lesson. We share our spiritual journeys with many people.
Song. Friends
Father God, You are amazing and I love you, thank you that we share in a partnership of sharing in a gospel with you. Then we have friends that are in partnership with you. Thank you that we are redeemed and forgiven. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
