Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. (Jer 1:5)
I’m a Christian, and sometimes a teacher/preacher.
This sermon looks at how Jesus matured, and how that can apply to us.
Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. (Luke 2:52)
Widsom
Good decisions come from wisdom. Wisdom comes from bad decisions.
The first way that we see Jesus grow is in wisdom. This is not only brainpower, but good sense. It’s the combination of theory and practice. It’s knowing what to do, and knowing why to do it.
When Jesus had finished saying these things, the people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority. (Mark 1:22)
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously. (James 1:5)
Stature
10,000,000 Americans are overweight. Of course, these are round figures.
The next way we see Jesus grow is in stature. This isn’t merely size and strength, but general health and fitness. Proper nutrition, activity, and rest are important.
You are not your own, you were bought with a price. Therefore honor God with your body. (1 Corinthians 6:20)
Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God. (1 Cor 10:31)
Favor with God
God wants spiritual fruit, not religious nuts.
The next way we see Jesus grow is spiritually.
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. (Mark 1:35)
Rejoice always, pray continually, in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thess 5:18)
Favor with Man
The final way we see that Jesus grew is socially.
Some people grow up and spread cheer. Others grow up and just spread.
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in. (Matthew 25:35-36)
“The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.” (Matt 20:28)
“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” (Matt 7:12)
One Body
- Wisdom
- Head
- What is in us
I’d like to leave my body to science, but science is contesting the will. (David Frost)
- Stature
- Arms
- What we are in
- Favor with God
- Knees
- Who is over us
- Favor with Man
- Feet
- Who is with us
One Body
My hand is eleven inches long. Another inch and it would’ve been a foot.
In one Spirit we were baptized into one body. The body does not consist of one member but of many. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” (1 Cor 12:13-15,21)
In Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. (Romans 12:5)
There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called. (Eph 4:4)
If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. (1 Cor 12:26)
Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. (1 Cor 12:27)
Hands of God
At least I didn’t make a “Look ma, no hands” joke, right? Ya gotta hand it to me…
“Christ has no body now on earth but yours, no hands but yours, no feet but yours, yours are the eyes through which Christ’s compassion is to look out to the earth, yours are the feet by which He is to go about doing good and yours are the hands by which He is to bless us now.” (St Teresa of Avila)
Whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Phil 4:8)
Discussion
If a tree falls in the forest with no one around, do the other trees make fun of it?
- If you could change one thing about your body, what would it be?
- Who shaped you while growing up?
- Where do you need more growing up?
- How can you help others grow?
- Does this body grow in wisdom and stature?
- Does this body grow in favor with God and man?
- How can we each use our own head, hands, knees, and feet to help this body grow?
Download
You can download the PowerPoint file here.
Dave Mattingly 