STAGES OF A BELIEVER

Stages of Development in a Believer

Some people say: “Why should I go to church?  People are just as bad in the church as they are outside the church.  They think of the church as being a building and a sign outside with the pastor’s name.  The sign usually will tell you the name of a denomination where you can decide if you believe the same thing they believe.  Then there are signs that will call themselves a Christian center and you must go in and guess how they believe.  The true church is made of people with God living inside of them and is a gathering together of like-minded, people in one accord.

(1 Cor. 6-19).  Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?

If the same Holy Spirit lives in the believer and they listen to Him, then why are the believers not as one?  Why is there so much turmoil in the church?  Why are there so many nuts and flakes in the church?  The reason is that the believer’s soul (mind, will, emotions and five senses) has to be trained with the word of God in order to communicate with his spirit. 

In order to understand the believer, we must recognize that there are stages of development in the believer.  It does not come with physical age or even how long you have been a believer or even a position you hold in a group.  These stages are:

1. Babes,
2. Children,
3. Sons/Daughters of God
4. And Fathers and Mothers in the faith.

The characteristic of a baby Christian is that he is innocent.  He is beginning a new life.  He is ignorant.  He has to rely on someone else to feed and take care of his every need.  If they do not, he will die.  He is irritable.  Babies are easily distracted, easily frustrated and easily hurt.  This is a critical stage of a Christian because it is forming his character.  It is said that the personality of a baby is developed in his first 2 years of his life.   It is very important what a baby Christian is being taught because this forms his thinking in the future. 1 Cor. 13:11

The characteristic of child of God is that he is unreliable.  Children have a short attention span.  They have to be told every day what to do and have a lack of discipline.    A child is curious.  Children are like cats.  If a cat stays in the house he will want to see in every closet and under every bed.  If you say no to a child too much, it will become dung in his ears and will agitate him until he experiments for himself.  Another characteristic of a child is that he has foolish talk/vain speaking.

Eph 5:3-4 But fornication and all uncleanness or coveteousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints4neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 

If you have ever had a teenager, he will react to everything that is said to him by his peers.  Some people never leave their children and teenage years.

The characteristic of a Son (no gender in the Spirit) of God is described in

 Romans 8:13-17. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

The apostle Paul encouraged the Christians at Rome to live not “according to the flesh,” but “by the Spirit,” because those who “are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God”.  This Christian will recognize that he has come through the other stages that we discussed and will judge no one when he sees them mess up, he will try to help them.  Psalm 1:1:3 describes a Son of God like this:

Psalm 1:1-3 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night.  He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.

The last stage, although we never reach perfection this side of heaven, is Fathers and Mothers, the reproducers, mentoring someone else in the faith. That is what fulfilling the Great Commission is all about, making disciples

Let’s desire the pure milk of the Word, grow up to eat the Meat of the Word, and become the mature church having a spiritual senses discerned.

Hebrews 5: 13For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. ¹⁴But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

(Heb 4:12)  For the Word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing apart of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

“Priestly Living"

In Revelation the Word tells us:

(Rev 1:6)  and made us kings and priests to God and His Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

(Rev 5:10)  And You made us kings and priests to our God, and we will reign over the earth.

(Rev 20:6)  Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. The second death has no authority over these, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and will reign with Him a thousand years.

 Exactly what does it mean to be a priest unto God?

(1Pe 2:4-10)  For having been drawn to Him, a living Stone, indeed rejected by men, but elect, precious with God;  you also as living stones are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.  Therefore also it is contained in the Scripture: "Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner Stone, elect, precious, and he who believes on Him shall never be ashamed."  Therefore to you who believe is the honor. But to those who are disobedient, He is the Stone which the builders rejected; this One came to be the Head of the corner, and a Stone-of-stumbling and a Rock-of-offense to those disobeying, who stumble at the Word, to which they also were appointed.  But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for possession, so that you might speak of the praises of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;   you who then were not a people, but now the people of God, those not pitied then, but now pitied.

Through coming to Christ we are being built up for the purpose of fulfilling our God-given design.

 I.           REFLECT GOD’S PRESENCE - 2:5

“Spiritual house”

I Kings 8:11   Psalm 26:8    I Cor. 3:16   Eph. 2:22

II.        EXTOL GOD’S WORTH - 2:5

“Offer up spiritual sacrifices”

Hebrews 13:15,16    I Thess. 5:17,18   Psalm 141:2

III.       PROCLAIM GOD’S EXCELLENCIES - 2:9,10

Mark 5:19         Isaiah 12:4-6       Ephesians 3:8

Priestly Living

 I Peter:2:4-10

Role of the priest:

·       Go to God on behalf of men

 ·       Go to men on behalf of God

Upward and outward ministry

Reflect God’s Presence

·       “spiritual house”

·       “Lord I have loved the habitation of Your house, even the place where Your glory dwells.” Ps.26:8

 ·       “In Whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.” Eph.2:22

Reflect God’s Presence

·       “God’s intention is that through the true church the world might see Jesus Christ at work.”  Ray Stedmand

 ·       “It is incredible to see the fervor with which the people of that religion help each other in their wants. Their first legislator has put it into their heads that they are brethren.” Lucian- 2nd century Greek writer

Extol God’s Worth

 “to offer up spiritual sacrifices”

Kinds of “sacrifices” -

•     our body - Rom.12:1

•     our money - Phil.4:18

 •     our praise - Heb.13:15

•     our tangible helping of others - Heb.13:16

Spiritual Sacrifices

“Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name.” Heb.13:15

Worship that is:

•      Spirit-energized - Eph. 5:18-20

•    Personally costly - II Sam.24:24

•      God focused - II Sam.6:16,17,21

Our Cornerstone

Jesus Christ:

•     Sets the foundation

•     Determines the direction

•     Precious to God

•     Rejected by men

 •     Treasure of believers

•     Downfall of unbelievers

•     Ps.118:22; Is.28:16; Is.8:14

Proclaim God’s Excellencies

·       “proclaim” - make known by praising

·       “Let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare His works with rejoicing” Ps.107:22(LXX)

·       Because of who they now are.

·       Because of what they have now received.

Proclaim God’s Excellencies

 ·       “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.” Mk.5:19

·       “…I do not know. One thing I know; that though I was blind, now I see.” Jn.9:25

History of St. Patrick

St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, is one of Christianity’s most widely known figures. But for all his celebrity, his life remains somewhat of a mystery. Many of the stories traditionally associated with St. Patrick, including the famous account of his banishing all the snakes from Ireland, are false, the products of hundreds of years of exaggerated storytelling.

ST. PATRICK: TAKEN PRISONER BY IRISH RAIDERS

It is known that St. Patrick was born in Britain to wealthy parents near the end of the fourth century. He is believed to have died on March 17, around 460 A.D. Although his father was a Christian deacon, it has been suggested that he probably took on the role because of tax incentives and there is no evidence that Patrick came from a particularly religious family. At the age of 16, Patrick was taken prisoner by a group of Irish raiders who were attacking his family’s estate. They transported him to Ireland where he spent six years in captivity. (There is some dispute over where this captivity took place. Although many believe he was taken to live in Mount Slemish in County Antrim, it is more likely that he was held in County Mayo near Killala.) During this time, he worked as a shepherd, outdoors and away from people. Lonely and afraid, he turned to his religion for solace, becoming a devout Christian. (It is also believed that Patrick first began to dream of converting the Irish people to Christianity during his captivity.)\ST. PATRICK: GUIDED BY VISIONS

After more than six years as a prisoner, Patrick escaped. According to his writing, a voice—which he believed to be God’s—spoke to him in a dream, telling him it was time to leave Ireland.

To do so, Patrick walked nearly 200 miles from County Mayo, where it is believed he was held, to the Irish coast. After escaping to Britain, Patrick reported that he experienced a second revelation—an angel in a dream tells him to return to Ireland as a missionary. Soon after, Patrick began religious training, a course of study that lasted more than 15 years. After his ordination as a priest, he was sent to Ireland with a dual mission: to minister to Christians already living in Ireland and to begin to convert the Irish. (Interestingly, this mission contradicts the widely held notion that Patrick introduced Christianity to Ireland.)

ST. PATRICK: BONFIRES AND CROSSES

Familiar with the Irish language and culture, Patrick chose to incorporate traditional ritual into his lessons of Christianity instead of attempting to eradicate native Irish beliefs. For instance, he used bonfires to celebrate Easter since the Irish were used to honoring their gods with fire. He also superimposed a sun, a powerful Irish symbol, onto the Christian cross to create what is now called a Celtic cross, so that veneration of the symbol would seem more natural to the Irish.

One story about him is amazing.

St. Patrick the Dead-Raiser

"As Patrick came near to Dublin, at that time a small village, he prophesied, "This village which is now very small shall hereafter become very eminent. it shall be enlarged in riches and dignity. Neither shall it cease to grow until it has become the principal seat of all the kingdom."

When the people of Dublin, having heard of the great signs and miracles that weredone through Patrick, and when they saw that he was coming to that village, they went out to meet him.

At this time, Alphinus was the king over Dublin. He and all the citizens were in great sorrow, for the death of the kings two children. The kings only son, called Eochadh had died a sickness, in his bedroom. The king's daughter, and a sister to the young prince, had just been drowned, in the adjoining river, now known as the Liffey.

She had ventured into the deep part, for the purpose of bathing. Her name was Dublinia, and from her, Dublin is thought to have derived its name. The young lady's body was drawn out of the waters after some considerable search, and laid by her brother's corpse, in order that their funeral rites might be solemnized together.

According to the superstition of the Druids , the tombs were prepared. In the meantime, news was spread over all the city, that "St. Patrick, the powerful reviver of many dead persons", had been seen in the town. For He who burst asunder the gates of death and of hell, smoothed the path for his servant.

The king and the people, who before had said to the Lord, "Depart from us, we will not the knowledge any of thy ways," were so cast down, saddened with grief, that all of their rebellion and all their barbarous rudeness, and all the pride of their idolatry, were utterly subdued. The King had previously rejected the Gospel because he had his druid wizards, who were pretty powerful. And so the king, hearing of St. Patrick's arrival, sent messengers to ask him to come in, where his two children lay dead.

When Patrick came to the room in which the two children were laid, the King asked him if he could do anything. Patrick replied that he could, but if the children were raised then He would do it in the Name of Jesus, and told the King that if God did this for him then He would have to promise to serve his God, the God of the Christians. The King agreed before all those present, that if God restored his children to life, that he and all the citizens would become Christians.

Seeing such a gain of souls, in the sight of the king, his nobles, and all the common people, Patrick raised from death to life those princely children, whose bodily resurrection co-operated much towards the spiritual resurrection of their father, with the rest of his people.

The king and all his subjects, being astonished at this great miracle, turned away from the worship of Druid idols, and they were baptized in the river Liffy.

From that day the King and all the people worshiped God and gave liberally to Patrick, so that he was able to give to the poor in that place and other places and have enough to build churches."

(Excerpt from the book "Celtic Flames" by Kathie Walters

BREAKING THE SEALS OF OUR SELF-LIFE

We have heard it said: " You must die to self or self effort." Many a sermon had been preached on this. But what does this mean?

SELF-EFFORT IS satan-EFFORT. We are all forms of God's self, the self of infinite desire, made in His image and likeness. But God, by the begetting of His Son, transmuted His self which is eternally the self of Love. satan, however, turned his self of fiery desires into the consuming love of self-for-self, and imparted his own fallen nature to us as though it were ours.

So all self-effort is actually satan-effort, whether good or bad in appearance. 

In all intense and purposes your "self" is finished on the Cross of Jesus. Your independent self is finished on the Cross of Jesus. The same as your sins are finished in the blood of Jesus, your self also was finished.

Thus we enter into Galatians 2:20.

(Gal 2:20)  I have been crucified with Christ, and I live; yet no longer I, but Christ lives in me. And that life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith toward the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself on my behalf.

Now I am a crucified person so far as that independant ego is concerned. Inside lives the Ego, the Self of all selves--Christ within. Now I live my life...

In this I  come to the place of my  killing  ( killing of self-effort), then I will know the Mystery of God which is Christ in you the hope of glory.

(Col 1:24-29)  who now rejoice in my sufferings on your behalf, and I fill up the things lacking of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh, on behalf of His body, which is the church;  of which I became a minister, according to the administration of God given to me for you, to fulfill the Word of God; the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints.  For to them God would make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the nations, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory, whom we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, so that we may present every man perfect (mature) in Christ Jesus.  For which I also labor, striving according to the working of Him who works in me in power.

Paul said that he was dead, yet he lived. But it was not him that lived, it was Christ living in him. When people see you do, they see Christ. The answer to that is simple; the more of you the less of Him or the more of Him the less (dead) of you. Yet this is not a one time event as seen by Paul's declaration of dying daily. That tells me that I must decrease but I know that I cannot "kill" myself when it comes to Spiritual maturity. Therefore, how can I decrease or die to self?

The Word says that He must increase and I must decrease. Notice He must increase first and then I WILL DECREASE as I grow closer to Him. The Glory of this process is why men will seek death (to self)  but will not find it. They want the Glory of a dead-to-self life but are unwilling to seek Christ that they may find it.

The more I focus on Him, the less self becomes.

THIS is our divine destiny as the seals of the self-life are broken and the mystery is revealed, "this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ IN YOU (plural, the Corporate Man), the hope of glory." (Colossians 1:27) 

Truly, it is THROUGH this people that have been 'beheaded' of the carnal mind,  that have allowed the 'breaking of the seals', that "The kingdoms of this world (kosmos in Greek) ARE BECOME the Kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ..." (Revelation 11:15) THIS is the REVELATION of Jesus Christ (Revelation 1:1) as He takes His rightful place as HEAD of the many-membered Body of Christ.

Seals of our self life:

1. Giving up control; gaining dominion

2. Giving up strife; taking on servanthood

3. Giving up judgment; giving grace and mercy, resting in the finished work of Jesus, true justice

4. Giving up speaking words of death; speaking words of life, releasing life

5. Giving up what we think, feel etc; taking on His Zoe Life, living by the Spirit

6. Quit relying on earthly government (in the world); rely on the government of God knowing the kingdoms of this world ARE become the Kingdom of the Lord and His Christ.

7. Giving up Fleshly Activities and entering into His Rest