Dynamic Life Baptist Church

Sermon Purpose: To call the hearer to make the sacrifices necessary to pursue maturity in Christ for themselves and others in the church.

Sermon Proposition: There are 3 steps necessary to fulfill the mission of presenting every man mature.

I.          The maturity of disciples takes place as we suffer to fulfill the mission. V.24-27

            A.        Suffering requires a commitment to an undeniable call. V.24a (Philemon 1, 9, 23)

Acts 5:41 So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.

Philippians 1:29 For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,

            B.        Suffering requires a commitment to an undeniable focus group. V.24b

                        Ephesians 1:23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

            C.        Suffering requires a commitment to an undeniable stewardship. V.25-26

1 Timothy 1:12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, 13 although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

Jeremiah 20:9 Then I said, "I will not make mention of Him, Nor speak anymore in His name." But His word was in my heart like a burning fire Shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, And I could not.

1 Corinthians 9:16 For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel! 17 For if I do this willingly, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have been entrusted with a stewardship.

Paul could rejoice despite his imprisonment because he always viewed himself as prisoner of Jesus Christ and not the Roman Empire or his personal circumstances. Those who wish to represent Christ and serve His church must be willing to suffer for His name sake.

2 Corinthians 1:5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.

2 Corinthians 12:15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved.

            D.        Suffering requires a commitment to an undeniable message. V.27

                        1.         Suffering brings believers closer to Christ. (Phil. 3:10)

                        2.         Suffering assures believers that they belong to Christ.

                                    John 15:18 " If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.

2 Timothy 3:12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

1 Peter 4:14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.

                        3.         Suffering brings a future reward. (Rom. 8;17-18)

2 Corinthians 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,

                        4.         Suffering can result in the salvation of others.

                        5.         Suffering frustrates Satan. (2 Cor. 1:5; 2 Tim. 2:10)

II.        The maturity of disciples takes place as we labor to fulfill the mission. V.28-29

            A.        The purpose of the mission is to present every man mature in Christ. V.28a (Co. 1:22)

                        1.         Proclamation – katangello – means to publicly declare a complete truth and happening.

                        2.         Admonishing – noutheteo – it speaks of encouraging counsel in view of sin and coming punishment. (Col. 3:16)