TEXT:  1 Cor. 13:11

INTRODUCTION:

A.      GOD DEMANDS GROWTH OF US - THAT WE MATURE.

B.      OUR CALLING REQUIRES OF US THAT WE BE ADULTS.

          1.       We are to walk worthily( Eph. 4:1;  1 Pet. 2:12 ).

          2.       Our duties are demanding( Heb. 5:12 ).

          3.       Our circumstances require it( 1 Pet. 5:8;  1 Cor. 16:13 ).

C.      REQUIRES EFFORT - DIET AND EXERCISE( Heb. 5:14 ).

I.      SOME CHILDISH TRAITS WE SHOULD RETAIN.

A.      HUMILITY( Matt. 18:1-4 ).

B.      SIMPLE TRUST AND FAITH( Isa. 12:2;  Prov. 3:5-6 ).

C.      SYMPATHY - Stray dogs and friendly bugs.

          1.       Christ as an example of compassion( Matt. 9:36;  Mark 1:41 ).

          2.       God expects kindness of us( Rom. 12:15;  1 Pet. 3:8 ).

D.      FORGIVENESS - "I'll never play with you again!"  10 minutes later.

          1.       When God forgives, he forgets( Heb. 10:17 ).

          2.       No less expected of us( Eph. 4:32 ).

          3.       Demands patience( Matt. 18:21-22 ).

          4.       Will God forgive us?( Matt. 6:12 ).

II.     SOME CHILDISH TRAITS WE SHOULD PUT AWAY.

A.      TATTLING OR GOSSIP. - Seeks to build up self, not thinking of victim.

          1.       OT view( Lev. 19:16;  Prov. 6:12-19 ).

          2.       Source of much trouble( Prov. 26:20 ).

          3.       Condemned by the Lord( 2 Tim. 3:1-3;  Rom. 1:28-32 ).

          4.       Alternate behavior( 2 Thess. 3:11-12 ).  Mind Your Own Business!!!

B.      VAINGLORY.  Have to be the center, constantly interrupt, loves to shock.

          1.       Many adults love to be the center( Matt. 23:5-7;  3 John 9 ).

          2.       We are warned( Gal. 5:26;  Rom. 12:3;  Phil. 2:3 ).

          3.       Vainglory wars against love( 1 Cor. 13:4 ).

          4.       Matt. 23:11-12.

C.      ENVY AND JEALOUSY.

          1.       Jesus crucified because of it( Matt. 27:18 ).

          2.       Leads to all kind of sin( James 3:16 ).

          3.       Hurts the possessor more than the object( Prov. 14:30 ).

D.      ALL PLAY, NO WORK.  Lets go necessities to continue playing.  Life's a game.

          1.       "The only real difference between the men and the boys,

                               is the size of their stomachs and price of their toys."

          2.       The Rich Fool's miscalculation( Luke 12:16-21 ).

          3.       Responsibility is a part of life( 2 Thess. 3:10;  1 Tim. 5:8;  Eph. 4:28 ).

          4.       Work in the spiritual realm( Phil. 2:12-13;  Matt. 9:36-38 ).

E.      INSTABILITY.  Kids hard to depend on, short attention span, easily distracted.

          1.       Some of us in a new world everyday( Eph. 4:14;  James 1:6-7 ).

          2.       Are we easily distracted? ( Heb. 12:1-2 ).

          3.       We need purpose, commitment, focus.

F.      WRANGLING.  About anything and everything.

          1.       We get involved in unworthy discussions( 2 Tim. 2:14, 23 ). Gendering strife.

          2.       The contentious man is not God's servant( 2Tim.2:24-26; Titus 3:1-3, 8-11 ).

          3.       We are to be peacemakers( 1 Pet. 3:10-11 ).

G.      DISCOURTESY.  "Me first."  Cruel and unkind, selfish, take advantage.

          1.       We dare not take advantage of the less fortunate( Prov. 14:31 ).

          2.       We must consider others( Prov. 26:18-19;  Phil. 2:1-4 ).

H.      SULLENNESS.  Great pouters.  Enjoy feeling mistreated.

          1.       We should be seekers of peace( Rom. 12:18 ).

          2.       We should rejoice( Phil. 4:4-7 ).  Count your blessings.

CONCLUSION:

A.      WE NEED TO BE MATURE, BEHAVE AS ADULTS( 1 Cor. 16:13 ).

B.      THAT MEANS ACCEPTING THE RESPONSIBILITY OF LIFE.

C.      THAT MEANS BEING REALISTIC ABOUT THE PROSPECTS OF LIFE.