Characteristics of Maturity
Maturity is demonstrated by constructive dealing with reality, adapting to change, freedom from anxiety, satisfaction in giving, consistent helpfulness, and sublimating anger to constructive ends.
Greek Word Studies delves into the meaning of 'anakalupto,' which signifies the unveiling or uncovering by drawing back the veil. Paul uses the analogy of Moses veiling his face to illustrate the passing glory of the Old Covenant compared to the eternal glory of the New Covenant in Christ. Believers, both Jew and Gentile, experience the removal of the spiritual veil upon turning to the Lord, enabling them to see and reflect the glory of God. The transformation that occurs in believers allows them to radiate the glory of God, a privilege made possible through Christ.
Text
1. The first mark of maturity is the ability to deal constructively with reality to face facts, to not cover up reality or call it something else, but to deal with it as it is. Mature people do not kid themselves.
2. The second mark is, adapting quickly to change. We all experience change, whether it be physical, at work, in the family, or whatever. I am amazed at how much some of you have changed through the years while I remain exactly the same! Immature people resist change. It makes them nervous. But the mark of maturity is to adapt to change because change is inevitable.
3. The third mark is freedom from the symptoms of tension and anxiety. The worried look, the frown, the ulcers, the palpitations of the heart -- come because you are upset, anxious and worried. Maturing means you have begun to see that God is in control of this world. He is working out purposes that you do not always understand, but you accept it. He will take you through the deep water, not drown you in it. Maturity means you are learning to trust.
4 Fourth, it means to be satisfied more with giving than receiving. Some of you have recently learned that the joy of Christmas is not getting presents but giving them. To see the joy in someone else's face when they get something they either need or want. That is a sign you are growing up. You are discovering the true values of life.
5. The fifth mark is, to relate to others with consistency, helpfulness and mutual satisfaction. Maturity is learning to get along with other people, to be a help, not a hindrance, to contribute to the solution and not to be always a part of the problem.
6. Finally, maturity is sublimating and redirecting anger to constructive ends. Maturity is the ability to use the adrenaline that anger creates, not to lose your temper and add to the problem, but to correct a situation or to contribute to changing the nature of the difficulty.
Sermon Outline
- I. Dealing Constructively with Reality
- A. Facing facts
- B. Not covering up reality
- C. Dealing with reality as it is
- II. Adapting Quickly to Change
- A. Resisting change is immature
- B. Adapting to change is a mark of maturity
- III. Freedom from Tension and Anxiety
- A. Trusting God is in control
- B. Accepting purposes beyond understanding
- IV. Satisfaction in Giving
- A. Joy in giving, not just receiving
- B. Discovering true values of life
- V. Relating to Others with Consistency and Helpfulness
- A. Contributing to solutions, not problems
- VI. Sublimating Anger to Constructive Ends
- A. Using adrenaline for correction, not temper
Key Quotes
“Mature people do not kid themselves.” — J.I. Packer
“Maturity means you are learning to trust.” — J.I. Packer
“Maturity is the ability to use the adrenaline that anger creates, not to lose your temper and add to the problem, but to correct a situation or to contribute to changing the nature of the difficulty.” — J.I. Packer
Application Points
- Practice facing facts and dealing with reality as it is.
- Learn to adapt quickly to change and trust God's purposes.
- Redirect your anger to constructive ends and contribute to solutions, not problems.