Once in a while we might exclaim, "What a big baby," when a precious child is born that may exceed the average weight of a newborn. We might make a similar exclamation as an infant takes some real spurts of growth. These could be the comments of happy parents and grandparents using this description in a positive manner.

You and I have come to expect babies to grow, to develop, to mature and even though they sometimes seem to do so more quickly than we might think we are ready for, we would be concerned and disappointed if they did not. As a matter of fact it would be tragic because we know it is God's plan for babies to grow to become mature adults. Something is wrong when this does not occur.

Similarly, it is God's plan that those who have been born again as newborn babes in Jesus Christ grow and develop into mature adult Christians. In the beautiful love chapter we (read: v.11) Childish behavior is for a child. As the months and years pass since we were spiritually born we should grow and our behavior should change. We should grow up, spiritually. That is an intended outcome of Christian teaching and practicing disciplines like those we have focused on this past summer. Otherwise God might look at us and say, "What a big baby." So for a few moments this morning I want to mention evidence of immaturity.

I. A Child Engages in Childish Talk

I assume that every parent here was interested in the first sounds from the lips of their infant just as Sue and I were - sounds that were not cries of wanting something - sounds that were attempts at saying something that resembled a word. Sometimes Mom or Dad might try to plant a word on their lips.

Try as we might, Sue and I had quite a challenge to get some of Rachael and Jonathan's baby talk on tape. By the time we brought Hannah into our family she was already fluently speaking with a fairly large Spanish vocabulary. Even when young children have learned to talk, they may be limited in depth and range of conversation, at least at first.

The Lord said, "Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks." Matthew 12:34 Of this Rev. Stuart Briscoe wrote, "and it is perfectly true that topics dear to the heart are usually near to the lips! Therefore, by carefully measuring and evaluating the depth and scope of spiritual conversation, it is easy to determine the depth of maturity of the spiritual conversationalist. Solemn thought."

What does our talk say about our spiritual growth?

II. A Child Entertains Childish Thoughts

What vivid imaginations and fascinating fantasies children often have. I think is marvelous, but as one who has dealt more with the more logical aspects of thinking coming to appreciate such creativity took a while for me when I became a father. This creativity may enable a clothesbasket in the middle of the floor to be a ship taking my child and her animal friends to some far away places.

While it is healthy to keep some of the imagination of a child alive within us as we grow older, as adults the realities of life must also be dealt with using thought and reasoning.

On the spiritual plane we might consider: Who is God? What has God done for me? What difference does God make? Am I going to accept Christ or reject him? Do I really want abundant and eternal life? What is my responsibility in sharing the message of Christ's love?

We might find good food for thought in many Scripture verse like Philippians 4:8

III. A Child Enjoys Childish Things

You have probably heard it said "The only way to tell the men from the boys is the price of their toys." Maybe some of those so-called men should be more accurately described as older boys. Hopefully as parents and grandparents we can enjoy playing with our precious children, and even enjoying some of their toys with them. However, as we mature we need to realize that there is more to life than material things. A while back a church bulletin board had this reminder, "The best things in life are not things."

As we develop spiritually we are no longer satisfied with temporal things, but with the lasting truths of God, His will, His power and majesty.

Perhaps some of you have learned from the Westminster Confession: "The chief end of man is to know God and enjoy Him forever." If I were to personally ask you if you know God, would you answer positively? How many of us here today would honestly say "I enjoy God.?" Well, we should if we are maturing in the stature in the fullness of Christ.

This is not for big babies, spiritually

This is not for those who foolishly neglect spiritual disciplines.

This is not for those who say they are Christians, but want to live by world standards instead of God's.

Today is Rally Sunday, or Christian education Sunday, or promotion Sunday, or Sundae Sunday. It is a great time to evaluate how childish or how mature we are spiritually and realize that all of us could still grow closer to Christ. I encourage you to strive to do so, and make that your plan of action.

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