1 time how much time is necessary to grow from “babyhood” to “maturity?”

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TIMETIME

How much time is necessary How much time is necessary to grow from to grow from

“Babyhood” to “Maturity?”“Babyhood” to “Maturity?”

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God’s PlanGod’s PlanPhase IPhase I

Justification We all enter into God’s plan as

“Babies”

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God’s PlanGod’s PlanPhase IIIPhase III

GlorificationFinal stage of becoming like Christ

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God’s PlanGod’s Plan

Babyhood

UltimatelyLike Christ

What happens between Phase I and Phase III?What happens between Phase I and Phase III?

Romans 8:29 For those whom He Romans 8:29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined foreknew, He also predestined {to {to become} conformed to the image of become} conformed to the image of His SonHis Son, . . . , . . .

Romans 12:2 And do not be Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but conformed to this world, but be be transformed by the renewing of transformed by the renewing of your mindyour mind, . . . . , . . . .

Hebrews 6:1 Therefore leaving Hebrews 6:1 Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the elementary teaching about the Christ, the Christ, let us press on to let us press on to maturity, . . .maturity, . . .


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God’s PlanGod’s PlanPhase IIPhase II

Babyhood


o

100

SanctificationGrowing into the likeness of Christ

Maturity

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Time – How Much?Time – How Much?Does God tell us how much time this Does God tell us how much time this

transformation process will take?transformation process will take?Are we able to discover any answers in Are we able to discover any answers in

scripture?scripture?

Galatians 1:17-18Galatians 1:17-18

. . . . . I went away to Arabia, and . . . . . I went away to Arabia, and returned once more to Damascus. Then returned once more to Damascus. Then three years later I went up to Jerusalem three years later I went up to Jerusalem to become acquainted with Cephas, . . .to become acquainted with Cephas, . . .

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What happened?What happened?Paul was in training for the ministry under Paul was in training for the ministry under

the personal instruction of Jesus Christ.the personal instruction of Jesus Christ.

Galatians 1:12Galatians 1:12For I neither received it from man, nor was For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but {I received it} through a I taught it, but {I received it} through a revelation of Jesus Christ. revelation of Jesus Christ.

For three years Jesus Christ was For three years Jesus Christ was “revealing” to Paul with the purpose of “revealing” to Paul with the purpose of preparing him for ministry.preparing him for ministry.

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Total training time?Total training time?

3 years – 24 hours every day – 26,208 hours3 years – 24 hours every day – 26,208 hours

3 years – 8 hours every day – 8,736 hours3 years – 8 hours every day – 8,736 hours

3 years – 12 hours every day – 13,104 hours 3 years – 12 hours every day – 13,104 hours

99

Total training time?Total training time?

If Paul studied 12 hours every day for the If Paul studied 12 hours every day for the three years he was instructed by Jesus three years he was instructed by Jesus

Christ, his Teacher, it took 13,104 hours Christ, his Teacher, it took 13,104 hours to renew Paul’s mind,to renew Paul’s mind, (Romans 12:2)(Romans 12:2)

for Paul to grow from “babyhood” for Paul to grow from “babyhood” to Christian Maturity, to Christian Maturity, (Hebrews 6:1)(Hebrews 6:1)

to prepare Paul for the ministry to prepare Paul for the ministry God the Father had set in His God the Father had set in His

plan for him in eternity past.plan for him in eternity past.

1010

Should we expect any less?Should we expect any less?

DayDay WeekWeek YearYear 13,104 hours13,104 hours

3 hrs. 3 hrs. 21 hrs.21 hrs. 1092 hrs. 1092 hrs.

2 hrs.2 hrs. 14 hrs.14 hrs. 728 hrs. 728 hrs.

1 hr.1 hr. 7 hrs. 7 hrs. 364 hrs. 364 hrs.

3 hrs.3 hrs. 156 hrs. 156 hrs.

2 hrs.2 hrs. 104 hrs. 104 hrs.

1 hr. 52 hrs.

– – 12 years12 years





– 253 years

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The Body of ChristThe Body of Christ

What would you say is What would you say is the maturity level of the the maturity level of the Body of Christ as a Body of Christ as a whole?whole?

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Is it any wonder 95% PLUS Is it any wonder 95% PLUS of those who call of those who call themselves Christian today themselves Christian today are wandering around are wandering around aimlessly in spiritual aimlessly in spiritual bankruptcy?bankruptcy?

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If you were to be honest If you were to be honest with yourself, where are with yourself, where are you on the “Zero” you on the “Zero” (babyhood)(babyhood) to “100” to “100” (maturity)(maturity) scale? scale?

Add up your hours.Add up your hours.

1 time how much time is necessary to grow from “babyhood” to “maturity?”

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