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Growing Up Into Christ – Love Beyond Measure · Still, Here

• 0:01
  SPEAKER_00: This is still here.
• 0:04
  SPEAKER_00: A quiet moment to remember what is true.
• 0:09
  SPEAKER_00: Listen to these words from the book of Ephesians chapter 4 verses 13 through 16.
• 0:16
  SPEAKER_00: Until we all attain to the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God,
• 0:22
  SPEAKER_00: to a full-grown man,
• 0:24
  SPEAKER_00: to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,
• 0:28
  SPEAKER_00: That we may no longer be children,
• 0:30
  SPEAKER_00: tossed back and forth,
• 0:32
  SPEAKER_00: and carried about with every wind of doctrine,
• 0:35
  SPEAKER_00: but speaking truth in love,
• 0:37
  SPEAKER_00: we may grow up in all things into Him who is the Head, Christ,
• 0:43
  SPEAKER_00: from whom all the body,
• 0:44
  SPEAKER_00: being fitted and knit together,
• 0:47
  SPEAKER_00: through that which every joint supplies,
• 0:49
  SPEAKER_00: according to the working and measure of each individual part.
• 0:54
  SPEAKER_00: Makes the body increase to the building up of itself in love.
• 0:59
  SPEAKER_00: We can mistake maturity for certainty.
• 1:03
  SPEAKER_00: We may assume mature people always know what to do,
• 1:07
  SPEAKER_00: rarely feel afraid,
• 1:09
  SPEAKER_00: have answers for difficult questions, and need little from anyone else.
• 1:15
  SPEAKER_00: The small ruler says maturity means knowing more, appearing stronger, or needing less help.
• 1:23
  SPEAKER_00: Sometimes what looks like maturity is only independence.
• 1:27
  SPEAKER_00: Sometimes it is cynicism disguised as wisdom.
• 1:31
  SPEAKER_00: Paul gives us a different picture.
• 1:34
  SPEAKER_00: Maturity is growing up into Christ together.
• 1:38
  SPEAKER_00: The mature person does not become less connected to the body.
• 1:43
  SPEAKER_00: They become more aware of how much every part contributes.
• 1:48
  SPEAKER_00: Another person's gift can supply something they do not have themselves.
• 1:53
  SPEAKER_00: This creates stability without rigidity.
• 1:57
  SPEAKER_00: Think of a tree moving in strong wind.
• 2:00
  SPEAKER_00: A healthy tree has enough strength to remain rooted and enough flexibility to move.
• 2:07
  SPEAKER_00: A tree that cannot bend is more likely to break.
• 2:11
  SPEAKER_00: Spiritual stability works in the same way.
• 2:14
  SPEAKER_00: It is the ability to live within a changing world while remaining oriented to Christ
• 2:21
  SPEAKER_00: and responsive to the Spirit.
• 2:23
  SPEAKER_00: Paul connects this maturity with speaking truth in love.
• 2:28
  SPEAKER_00: That phrase has sometimes been used as permission to say something harsh and call
• 2:33
  SPEAKER_00: the harshness faithfulness.
• 2:36
  SPEAKER_00: Yet truth separated from love can become shame,
• 2:40
  SPEAKER_00: domination, or the satisfaction of proving someone wrong.
• 2:45
  SPEAKER_00: Love changes why we speak.
• 2:48
  SPEAKER_00: We no longer need the conversation to prove that we are right.
• 2:53
  SPEAKER_00: Love changes how we speak because the growth of the other person matters more
• 2:58
  SPEAKER_00: than our relief at finally saying what we think.
• 3:02
  SPEAKER_00: Love may even change when we speak.
• 3:06
  SPEAKER_00: Sometimes a person needs information, a boundary, or correction.
• 3:12
  SPEAKER_00: Sometimes presence must come before instruction.
• 3:16
  SPEAKER_00: Truth spoken in love seeks life.
• 3:19
  SPEAKER_00: That does not mean avoiding difficult truths.
• 3:23
  SPEAKER_00: Love can be clear.
• 3:25
  SPEAKER_00: Love can say no.
• 3:27
  SPEAKER_00: Love can name harm.
• 3:30
  SPEAKER_00: Love can refuse manipulation without dehumanizing the person.
• 3:35
  SPEAKER_00: Paul says the body builds itself up in love as every part contributes.
• 3:41
  SPEAKER_00: Each part gives.
• 3:43
  SPEAKER_00: Each part receives.
• 3:46
  SPEAKER_00: No one has to become the whole body alone.
• 3:50
  SPEAKER_00: That may be one of the clearest signs of spiritual maturity.
• 3:54
  SPEAKER_00: You become secure enough to receive what God gives through other people.
• 4:00
  SPEAKER_00: You can ask for help without seeing yourself as weak.
• 4:04
  SPEAKER_00: You can change your mind without believing you have lost yourself.
• 4:08
  SPEAKER_00: You can learn from someone different without feeling diminished.
• 4:13
  SPEAKER_00: You can offer your own gift without needing it to become the center.
• 4:18
  SPEAKER_00: Maturity does not mean you no longer need people.
• 4:22
  SPEAKER_00: It means grace has made you strong enough for connection.
• 4:27
  SPEAKER_00: That is connected strength.
• 4:29
  SPEAKER_00: That is growing up into Christ.
• 4:34
  SPEAKER_00: Take a moment for this prayer of presence.
• 4:38
  SPEAKER_00: Lord Jesus, grow your life within me.
• 4:42
  SPEAKER_00: Free me from confusing maturity with certainty, independence, or having all the answers.
• 4:49
  SPEAKER_00: Keep me teachable, connected, and steady in love.
• 4:54
  SPEAKER_00: When truth needs to be spoken, let love shape my motive, my timing, and my words.
• 5:01
  SPEAKER_00: Build us together into the fullness of your life.
• 5:05
  SPEAKER_00: Amen.
• 5:08
  SPEAKER_00: As you re-enter the conversations and decisions ahead, carry this prayer with you.
• 5:15
  SPEAKER_00: I do not grow alone.
• 5:19
  SPEAKER_00: Love builds us together.
• 5:23
  SPEAKER_00: I do not grow alone.
• 5:24
  SPEAKER_00: Love builds us together.
• 5:49
  SPEAKER_00: Until next time, stay steady, stay open, stay present.
• 5:55
  SPEAKER_00: You are still here.