Growing up Is Not Possible Without Building Up

Growing up

Is Not Possible Without Building Up

We all see maturity through our own eyes

But let’s see it through Christ’s eyes

He sees maturity in church people who are helping to build others up

It is just that simple

Growing takes up space.

As babies, we take up a lot of space.

Moms with babies never travel light.

As a baby, we look for attention

and do whatever it takes to get it.

We learn being cute will get us a hug.

 We also learn that crying and screaming

will get us food and diaper changed.

Growing up makes a major shift when

we begin to realize it is not all about me.

When we discover our true self-

worth is when we discover the

value we have to build others up.

Building up has a lot to do with encouraging…

Focusing on development.

It is recognizing accomplishment and potential.

Think about those who encourage you, they are

the people who give you positive reinforcement.

They do this by recognizing your

accomplishments with praise.

And your potential even when

we fail or feel inadequate.

Growing up can become scary

when the child can get out of the crib.

When they can get into things that can

hurt them or harm the things of others.

Until the child begins to think about others

the child’s own interest will grow into the

space of others and offenses will come.

As we grow up we must see

ourselves as a part of a community.

It starts in the home with family, then school and before

long we grow up and space becomes almost limitless.

No matter where you are in life,

community is a part of it unless you live off

 the grid on a deserted island by yourself.

Building up has to do with community.

When God talks about growing up,

He is talking of building up His Church.

Christ’s greatest glory on earth is His church.

 He adores His church so much

He calls the church His Bride.

The Bride of Christ is not

marrying some under achiever.

She is marrying the King of Kings,

Ruler of the Universe.

Every part of Her from head to toe is important.

Outwardly and inwardly, she is to

be a perfect model of health and life.

When we make the shift from growing up to building up,

 we do our part to help others be their best for Christ.

Building up is understood when we

see how we are connected to each other.

I like holding my wife’s hand but when

she and I get all dressed up for a big event…

We don’t want to let go of each other’s hand,

because we want others to know we are

together and proud of each other.

  

We all see maturity through our own eyes.

But let’s see it through Christ’s eyes.

He sees maturity in church people

who are helping to build others up.

It is just that simple.

If your goal is to be an active

part of the church doing what-

ever you can to build others up…

 Than you got it!

So go for it!

We will know when we have arrived at maturity,

 when we grow up into the Head Christ Jesus.

We will know when we are mature,

when we the church becomes the healthy

most gorgeous bride that makes every-

thing else on earth envious or jealous.

Are we involved in the church?

Are others building us up?

Are we taking every opportunity to build others up?

Godly maturity means…

Growing up.

It is not possible without building up.

Scripture Reading

Ephesians 4:11-13 NIV

It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.