Category Archives: Spiritual Maturity

Spiritual maturity is not automatic. It will not happen by chance. We have to work at it day-by-day and moment-by-moment. If we want to grow spiritually and be conformed into the image of Jesus Christ, being intentional is a necessary part of the equation. Make it a priority to grow your faith on purpose.

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Every Member a Minister 2 of 4

THE BASICS: Every Member a Minister

1) Why are you going to help lead a Life Group?
Becoming part of a leadership team of a Life Group is a big step. It moves you up the ladder of involvement in the greatest task on earth – helping people grow in their spiritual walk. That is “bearing fruit” and it helps others grow to bear fruit also!

WHY?
There comes a time in the cycle of life of every Life Group that a leader asks him or herself: “Why am I doing this?” It’s important that we settle that question at the beginning, rather than search for an answer in the midst of our exhaustion, frustration or disappointments with people.

The secret is found in John 21:15-17 15:

After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.” “Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him. 16 Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.” “Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said. 17 A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.” New Living Translation

There comes a time in our spiritual growth where we only move forward by taking responsibility for others’ spiritual growth!

As we study the life of Peter, we discover four different stages in his growth and maturity. The first stage was in response to Jesus’ call when He said: “Follow me.” When Peter left everything to follow Jesus he began, what we have called, the stage of New Relationships. In this stage he began to relate to Jesus, and the others who were following Jesus, in a brand new way. He did a lot of observing, evaluating and adjusting his life to the life he saw in Jesus.

  • This stage is equivalent to those who are beginning their walk with Jesus and the church family.
  • They are observing, evaluating, adjusting their lives to His ways.

At a certain point, Jesus asked Peter a very direct question: “Who do you say that I am?” As we know, Peter responded: “You are the Christ, the son of the living God.” This began the stage we call a New Identity. He made a public confession of his belief and faith in Christ. It was a stage of many ups and downs, of trying new things, of several successes and more than a few failures.

  • This stage is equivalent to those who decide to make their decision a public decision through baptism and church membership.
  • They take a step forward and let everyone know their intention to follow Christ.
  • It’s not always perfection, but they are taking the steps in the right direction.

One of Peter’s lowest points came when he denied Christ, right before the crucifixion. After His resurrection, Jesus requested, by name, that Peter meet with him: Peter found acceptance in Jesus, even in the midst of his imperfections.

Shortly after this is where the next stage appears in Peter’s life, in response to Jesus’ question: “Do you love me?” Peter’s answer was: “Yes,” but Jesus’ response was basically “Prove it by being responsible for younger sheep.” This began the stage of a New Purpose. Peter was to prove his love for Jesus by looking out for someone other than himself. He had to grow up; he had to not be so selfish; he had to become a shepherd for others.

When Paul was writing to the Philippians he addressed this issue with these words: 3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. 5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. (2:3-5 NLT)

This is where every Life Group leader needs to firmly anchor him/herself! I am doing what I am doing because I want Jesus to know that I love Him! Yes, He knows all things, but He instructs us to live out our love for Him by taking responsibility for the spiritual growth and well being of others.

Unfortunately, a great majority of Christians never take this step. That is why so many flounder in their Christian walk; never seem to get beyond their own interests. The Church, consequently, both local and world wide, continually struggles with a lack of laborers for the harvest God wants to give.

Thank you for taking this next step in your Christian growth. Thank you for loving Jesus enough to invest yourself in the lives of others.

Leadership is Influence A Radical Minimum Standard
“Having received Christ as my Lord and Savior and been scripturally baptized, and being in agreement with IBB’s purpose, values, goals and strategy, I now feel led by the Holy Spirit to unite with the IBB Church Family. In doing so, I commit myself to God and to the other members of IBB to protect the unity of my church, to share in the responsibility of my church, to serve in the ministry of my church, to support the testimony of my church and to strive to fulfill the mission of my church.”

Life Group leaders @ IBB carry out the function of “Deacons” (caring for the needs of people)

1 Timothy 3:8-13 NLT
8 In the same way, deacons must be well respected and have integrity. They must not be heavy drinkers or dishonest with money. 9 They must be committed to the mystery of the faith now revealed and must live with a clear conscience. 10 Before they are appointed as deacons, let them be closely examined. If they pass the test, then let them serve as deacons. 11 In the same way, their wives[a] must be respected and must not slander others. They must exercise self-control and be faithful in everything they do. 12 A deacon must be faithful to his wife, and he must manage his children and household well. 13 Those who do well as deacons will be rewarded with respect from others and will have increased confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus.

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Every Member a Minister 1 of 4

At the core of our vision for every member of IBB is the goal for everyone to become a minister of the grace of God to others. We make a distinction between “service” and “ministry.” Service is something anyone can do. We serve by greeting at the door or handing out bulletins. We serve by volunteering time to accomplish a project around the church. We serve by helping people in the day-to-day needs that they might have.

Anyone who is willing can serve someone else. Ministry, on the other hand, is when we take the Word of God and help others come to Know God; help them Grow in the will and ways of our Lord; help them exchange the lies they have believed about themselves and the life around them for the Truth that is found in Jesus and His Word. Life Groups are the very center of ministry at IBB and we want every member to understand the purpose and potential of these groups, as well as the people that it takes to make them possible. Every Life Group leadership team is made up of three people or couples:

1) A Host: Someone who offers their home OR prepares the physical space for the Group to meet in.

2) A Trainer or facilitator: Someone who will help guide the discussion and provide the spiritual direction for the group.

3) An Apprentice: Someone who comes along side the facilitator to have on-the-jobtraining to possible lead a Life Group of their own in the future. We believe this is the most effective way for us, as pastors and leaders of the Church, to fulfill what Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:11-16:

11 Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. 13 This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. 15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. 16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. (NLT)

Equip people to minister Let them be involved in REAL ministry and enjoy the fruit (and challenges) of spiritual development Together build up a church of mature believers in a healthy and growing environment, full of love.

By Russell Johnson

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A Special Purpose

“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.” (1 Peter 2:9-10, ESV)

Right from the start, God chose you for a very special purpose. In His infinite wisdom, God selected you to be His ambassador, His personal representative here on earth. He removed you from a life without an eternal purpose to carry out His master plan of leading all people to Himself. As a believer in Christ, you are a chosen vessel of God.

In Christ, you have been distinctly set apart to fulfill a specific purpose. Paul wrote, “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:3-6).

God has a unique plan for your life. This plan was crafted well before you ever existed. It is a plan that brings true satisfaction and personal fulfillment by living through the starting point of life—Jesus. You may find it hard to believe, but you have been personally chosen by God to be a part of His royal family. Right now, you are royalty. You are a child of the King!

There is no higher calling for your life. If God has chosen you to be His child, there is no higher status. No position can compare with being an heir to the King. You are no longer a slave to your past or a slave to sin. You are a slave of Christ. He is your Savior and Lord. Darkness has no power over your life. Nothing hidden or visible can separate you from your new position.

In Christ Jesus, you are permanently secure! You belong to the King! Paul wrote, “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:37-39).

Read:  Open your Bible and read 1 Peter 2:9-10.

Reflect:  Prayerfully consider the following: What can I do today to make God’s name known to others? What skills or resources can I use to minister to others? What can I do right now to live for God’s purposes?

Respond:  As a result of these truths, what might need to change in my attitude, beliefs, and actions? What steps do I need to take outwardly?

The source of this content comes from our book, Walking with Jesus.

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Starting Point

“He was in the beginning with God” (John 1:2).

Have you ever arrived late to a good movie? You may have prepaid your tickets online, but local traffic, and possibly your small children, obstructed every effort to arrive on time. When you ask the person sitting next to you, “How much did I miss?” They look at you and smile, “Oh, only about thirty minutes.”

By this time you are disappointed and very frustrated. You’re not sure where the story is headed or what key parts were missed because you were not present in the opening scene. You missed the starting point of the entire movie. Why? You were not present in the opening scene.

Jesus has always existed. He is the starting point of life. The title “I AM” was used in the Old Testament to refer to the God of the Hebrews. During one of his teachings, Jesus responded, “I tell you the truth…before Abraham was born, I am!” (John 8:58, NIV).

In other words, Jesus unapologetically declared that He was the eternal God over all of creation! This assertion infuriated the religious leaders of the day. Why? Simply put, it placed Jesus in the same divine category as the God of Israel. It meant that Jesus already existed in eternity past with the Father and Holy Spirit. If Jesus was the great “I am” it meant that He is eternal and shares God’s divine nature.

What these leaders failed to understand was that before time ever existed, before the movie of this world started playing, Jesus was already living. Jesus was present in the opening scene and they were not. Isaiah wrote, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called ‘Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace’ ” (Isaiah 9:6).

Jesus was an active part of eternity before our world began. Why? Jesus is the starting point of life. One day everyone will bow and recognize Jesus as Lord of all things. The Living Word of God will return to earth, destroy all evil and reign supreme over His creation. John describes our great God and Savior powerfully when he writes, “He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God” (Revelation 19:13, NASB).

Read:  Open your Bible and read John 8:48-59.

Reflect:  Prayerfully consider the following: What activities are you involved in that bring glory to God? What two friends need to hear more regarding who Jesus is and what He has done to pay for our sins?

Respond:  As a result of these truths, what might need to change in my attitude, beliefs, and actions? What steps do I need to take outwardly?

The source of this content comes from our book, Walking with Jesus.

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Keeping it Real

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1).

The Kingdom of God is eternal. Jesus Himself had no beginning, and has no end. Before this world was created, He ruled and shared the glory of Heaven’s throne with the Father and the Holy Spirit in eternity past. Although Jesus is a distinct person from God the Father, He always shared God’s qualities and His divine nature.

The author of Hebrews writes, “He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs” (Hebrews 1:3-4). Imagine experiencing the glory of God forever and ever.

The Apostle John wrote, “The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us” (1 John 1:2). Jesus enjoyed a divine fellowship with the Father, a shared relationship that was spiritually fruitful, relationally profound, and perfectly aligned.

This communion was both unique and transparent. It went far beyond anything that we could possibly create on our own. This powerful relationship produced a unique splendor that radiated throughout all of Heaven. Now we have the opportunity to experience God’s Kingdom everyday as we allow His presence to flow through our lives. Nothing can compare with God’s eternal presence.

Before enduring the cross, Jesus prayed, “And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed” (John 17:5, ESV). In another translation it reads, “Now, Father, bring me into the glory we shared before the world began” (John 17:5, NLT).

Jesus longed to reunite Himself with the glory of the Father to once again experience the majesty and beauty of their fellowship in Heaven. This idea of a shared relationship is available and extended to every believer. The more you experience God’s presence, the better. What new habits do you need to create to improve your relationship with God and with others around you?

Read:  Open your Bible and read Hebrews 1:3, and Philippians 2:6.

Reflect:  Consider the following: Do you enjoy your relationship with God? What is it that you enjoy the most? Since God is a ruler of an Eternal Kingdom, what encouragement does that provide for your life?

Respond:  As a result of these truths, what might need to change in my attitude, beliefs, and actions? What steps do I need to take outwardly?

The source of this content comes from our book, Walking with Jesus.

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Creating Something Out of Nothing

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). The Jewish teachers interchangeably connected the “word of God” with the God of Israel. They used this phrase to point their people to the One True God. Throughout the Old Testament, God’s creative power is described as the “word of God.”

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A Timeless God and Savior

“In the beginning was the Word” (John 1:1). Imagine not having to worry about setting your alarm clock or being on time for your next appointment. Picture what your life would be like if you lived without any time limitations whatsoever. What would you do differently if your life were not governed by the laws of time? What new adventures would you plan? It’s hard to even imagine, isn’t it?  

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Walking with Jesus, Introduction Part Two

This daily devotional is designed for you to read five days a week for an entire year. It purposely leaves out two days for you to do something different such as review the entire week, memorize key scriptures, have an extended time of prayer, participate in a small group or attend a live worship service. Please don’t rush through each devotional. Let God’s Word sink deep within your heart. Allow God’s Word to work in you and change you from the inside out. Prayerfully reflect on the progression as we unfold the book of John section-by-section, and include other important scriptures for you to meditate on. Each devotional is followed by a three-fold plan for personal reflection:

READ
Reading the scriptures is very important. Reading parallel passages is very helpful to further understand the section being studied. I encourage you to read each parallel scripture out loud at least twice. Think through the relationship between the daily devotional being read and the parallel scriptures provided. Ask yourself, “How does one compliment the other?”

REFLECT
This section helps you analyze the Scripture from multiple angles with a sharp focus on personal application. It is designed to help you discover more about the text through the use of questions and observations. You will learn more about God’s characteristics, and the unique ways that He works through His Son, Jesus. Finally, personal application is highlighted to help you start applying these truths in your life right away.

RESPOND
As we grow in our personal time with the Savior, we have to be willing and ready to respond to His inner promptings. This involves asking the Lord, “What do I need to change, and how do I begin making these changes?” In other words, our response requires a plan of action. Every change takes a step of action. The question we have to ask is, “What is my next step in obeying God’s Word?” This is often where spiritual breakthrough takes place—through our obedience to the Living Word of God—as the Spirit of God uses the Word of God to transform our heart for God.

My prayer is that you would experience more of God’s presence and power working in and through your life as you seek Him more each and every day. May you serve Him more as He reveals His love and His good work in your life day-by-day, and moment-by-moment.

Marcel Sanchez
www.MarcelSanchez.com

The source of this content comes from our book, Walking with Jesus.

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Walking with Jesus, Introduction Part One

It is by far one of the biggest challenges faced by believers worldwide. It does not matter whether you are married or single, young or old, educated or uneducated, rich or poor. This struggle does not make any distinctions. It is common to all believers. “What is this great challenge?” you might ask. This struggle, we all face is to start and develop a daily personal time with the Savior, to grow in our love for God, our knowledge of His Word, and to receive spiritual nourishment. It is the struggle to set aside time every day to be alone with the Savior. Spiritual replenishment is not automatic and it is never easy. You have to work at it moment-by-moment.

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How Do I Become A Christian?

Are you a Christian? How do you know? There are many misconceptions about how a person becomes a Christian. With more information available and accessible in our world than ever before in history, it is no wonder why someone can be confused or even misguided by what they have read or have been taught by others.