Growing Unto Maturity | Part 1 & 2 | Pastor Chris Oyakhilome

"Growing unto Maturity" is a central theme and a well-known message by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, the founder and president of LoveWorld Inc. (also known as Christ Embassy). In this teaching, Pastor Chris expounds upon the biblical concept of spiritual growth, emphasizing that it is a conscious and necessary journey for every Christian to develop their divine potential and live a victorious, impactful life in Christ. The core of the message is that while Christians receive the complete nature of God and are born perfect at the point of being "born again," they must still grow in their understanding, expression, and experience of that new nature. Key Themes and Concepts Pastor Chris’s teaching on spiritual maturity encompasses several key aspects of Christian doctrine and life: 1. The Nature of the New Creation Complete from Day One: Pastor Chris often starts by clarifying that upon salvation (the "new birth"), a person's human spirit receives the nature of God immediately. You do not become "more human" or "more like God" over time; you are born with the DNA of the supernatural life. Growth in Maturity, not Nature: The growth is likened to a newborn baby who is a complete human but needs to mature physically and mentally to function as an adult. Spiritually, this means growing in wisdom, understanding, faith, and ability to manifest the full blessing of the Gospel. 2. The Word of God as the Foundation The Sincere Milk: Drawing from 1 Peter 2:2 ("As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby"), he emphasizes the Word as the essential nutrient for the spirit. Reading, studying, and, crucially, meditating on the Bible are non-negotiable for growth. Acting on the Word: A pivotal point is the distinction between hearing and doing. Real growth, according to this teaching, comes from applying the Word—making it a reality in your speech, actions, and conduct. Simply memorizing or knowing scriptures does not equal maturity; living them does. 3. The Role of the Holy Spirit Fellowship and Empowerment: Growing in maturity is not a solo effort. Pastor Chris teaches about the necessity of enhancing one's fellowship with the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God is the one who empowers believers to live out the Word and guides them into all truth. Walking in the Spirit: Developing a conscious and continuous awareness of the Holy Spirit’s presence allows a believer to make decisions and act from a spiritual, rather than carnal, perspective. 4. Measuring Maturity Spiritual maturity, in this teaching, is not measured by outward displays of power or the number of years one has been a Christian, but by: Depth of Character: How closely your character and conduct align with the Word of God and reflect Christ’s heart (love, patience, kindness, integrity). Depth of Love: Love that goes beyond feelings and is guided by knowledge and discernment from the Word. Stability: Not being "carried about with every wind of doctrine" but being grounded and settled in the truth of God’s Word. Discipline of Speech: Training the tongue to speak consistent words of faith, blessing, and edification. A mature believer tames their tongue to build up, not tear down. 5. Purpose of Maturity The purpose of growing unto maturity is multi-faceted: Victorious Living: To have dominion over life’s challenges, circumstances, sickness, and failure. Fulfilling Purpose: To effectively discover and fulfill God’s specific plan for your life. Lasting Results: Sustaining the random manifestations of God’s power and blessings so they become permanent in your life. Representation of Christ: To be a correct and convincing witness of Jesus Christ to the world through a life of excellence. Common Biblical References in the Teaching Pastor Chris frequently uses the following key scriptures to support the themes of spiritual maturity: Ephesians 4:13-15: "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 fulness of Christ... But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ." 1 Peter 2:2: "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby." 2 Peter 3:18: "But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." Hebrews 5:12-14: Contrasting "milk" for babes with "strong meat" for the mature who have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Colossians 1:28: "Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus." Practical Elements of Growth The message concludes with practical encouragement for the believer’s daily life: Commitment to Study & Meditation: Dedicating time to deep dive into the Word of God. Disciplined Prayer and Fellowship with the Spirit: Mainta