SIGNS OF MATURITY - I Thess.2:7-16

"A dynamic Church is not built on soft seats and subdued light, but on strong courageous leadership; not tall towers with chimes and bells, but a lofty vision of its people; not big budgets, but big hearts; not what it has done in the past, but what it is doing now and is willing to invest for tomorrow."

The strength of today's Church must be visually seen in its equipped change-agents. The Thessalonian Church turned the world upside down because it was changed inside out! We seem to be spending more time on the outside than on the inside. We have beautiful structures for a church but anemic Christians to model after. The Thessalonian Christians became models because they saw themselves as participators, not just spectators.

What are the signs of a maturing people? Paul seems to indicate a three-fold stage in this passage:
I. The Childhood Stage - (vs.7-9) "as a mother caring for her little children"
Scripture is full of illustrations/metaphors of God's loving care for His children:
Isa.66:13, "as a mother comforts." Psalm 103:13, "as a father has compassion."
Ezek. 34:12, "as a shepherd looks after." Deut. 32:11, "as an eagle hovers over its young"
Matt.23:37, "as a hen gathers its chicks."

A new convert to Christ needs a lot of tender loving care. Note how Paul describes those
needs: gentle among you (v.7); caring like a mother with her children (v.7); loving to
share our lives (v.8); working night and day (v.9). Unfortunately, a large majority of
Christians are still in this infant stage. They need constant pampering; are looking for
an emotional high through music, preaching, worship; they are easily slighted and seem
to always move from church to church looking for self satisfaction.
II. The Adolescent Stage - (v.10-12) "as a father deals with his own child"
The metaphor of a father dealing with his child is a beautiful picture of a son or daughter
beginning to gain maturity in the Christian life. The adolescent is stronger, more
dependent, even taking some responsibility though he/she may have ups & downs.

The Thessalonians could see how the Apostle Paul and his staff lived. "You are witnesses
and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you" (v.10) Then
he urges them as a father would his children: "encouraging, comforting, and urging them
to live lives worthy of God who called them into his kingdom and glory" (vs12). The
sign of a maturing Christian is one who not only listens to instructions but puts them into
practice. James 1:22 states: "be doers of the word and not hearers only."

III. The Adult Stage - (vs.13-16) "you heard; you accepted; you became
imitators"
Paul bursts forth into praise for the progress these Thessalonians demonstrated as they
matured in faith: "we thank God continually because, when you received the word
of God....you accepted it" (v.13). Note how they demonstrated their faith:
1. They receive the Word of God - (v.13).
2. They Modeled the Word of God - (v.14)
3. They suffered for the Word of God - (v.14)
4. They shared the Word of God -
Where are you in your Christian walk? Are you maturing in your faith? God is looking
for growing, maturing Christians who model Christ likeness each day. Don't remain a
spiritual infant but as 2 Peter 3:18 reminds us, "grow in grace and in the knowledge
of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."