Open Heaven 22 June 2020 – Baby Christians Need to Grow First

Memorise: As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the world, that ye may grow thereby: 1st Peter 2:2

Read: Ephesians 4:11-16 (KJV)

11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

Message: -
Today, we’re looking at young Christians – young by virtue of their level of maturity in Christ. Some people come to Christ and begin to nurse good desires, far beyond the capacity of their spiritual maturity e.g. immediately desiring the office of a pastor, evangelist or minister. While such desires are good, they are ill-timed for fresh converts.
The first responsibility of young believers after becoming born again is to desire the sincere milk of the word so that they may grow to maturity (1st Peter 2:2)
Physically speaking, when a baby desires to eat the same food as an adult, he/she desires what could be harmful. In a similar vein, when a young Christian desire to be a pastor or an evangelist overnight, it spells trouble that may hinder the growth of the individual.
Children being born into God’s family through the preaching of the gospel must take time to study the word of God and be well-grounded in it. 1st John 3:1 & 3 says:

“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we shall be called the sons of God: therefore, the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not… And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.”

The death of the word of God is a menace against the present-day Church. We make a lot of noise in our preaching, without a strong basis in the word of God. I call such sermons “Thunder Without Rain.” Even when some believers yearn for the word, it is nowhere to be found on many of our pulpits. May the Lord elevate the ministry of the word in the body of Christ, in the mighty name of Jesus.

May we be found worthy if the trumpet should sound today, in the mighty name of Jesus.

Prayer Point

Father, please help me to continue to grow in Christ, in the mighty name of Jesus.

Hymn 12: I Am Thine O Lord

1. I am Thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice,
   And it told Thy love to me;
   But I long to rise in the arms of faith
   And be closer drawn to Thee.

Chorus:
Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died;
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.

2. Consecrate me now to Thy service, Lord,
   By the pow’r of grace divine;
   Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope,
   And my will be lost in Thine.
3. Oh, the pure delight of a single hour
   That before Thy throne I spend,
   When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God
   I commune as friend with friend!
4. There are depths of love that I cannot know
   Till I cross the narrow sea;
   There are heights of joy that I may not reach
   Till I rest in peace with Thee.

Open Heavens Daily Devotional Lessons was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical Churches in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer's Ministries.