GOD’S ROAD MAP TO MATURITY!
1 Corinthians 2:9-16
INTRODUCTION: In order to get ourselves to where our Lord has told us He wants us to be we
need to know where we are right now. Now according to God’s Word there are three classes or
three classes of people in the world today. 1 Corinthians 2:14 tells us about one of those
categories: the natural man. 1 Corinthians 2:15 tells us the second category of men and that is
the spiritual man. 1 Corinthians 3:1 tells us the third category of people: the carnal or baby
man. All of mankind fits into one of those three categories. The question is “Which category
do you fit into today? Our Lord wants us to know where we are so we can learn how to get to
be the kind of person He wants all of us to be: 1 Corinthians 2:6-7. A perfect person is a person
who is like their Lord Jesus Christ: Romans 8:28-29.
I. THE NATURAL MAN!
First let’s look deeply into the first classification of mankind: the natural man:
1 Corinthians 2:14. This person has only been born once; a natural birth from his mother and
father. 1 Corinthians 2:6. Remember what Jesus told Nicodemus? John 3:3. If you are only
born once you will die twice, a natural physical death and then the second death.
1 Corinthians 2:14; 1 Corinthians 2:2; Jude 1:17-19; Jude 1:10.
II. THE SPIRITUAL MAN!
1 Corinthians 2:15 tells us about the spiritual man. When a man receives Jesus Christ as
their personal Lord and Savior they are not just nicer people. They have received the Spirit of
God and become new creations in Christ: 2 Corinthians 5:17. At that moment they are made
partakers of the divine nature. First we are all born natural men but we must be born again to
be spiritual men: John 1:12-13. We receive the wisdom of God from the Spirit of God:
1 Corinthians 2:7; 1 Corinthians 2:9; 1 Corinthians 2:10. Our God has revealed the deep things
of God to us now if we are spiritual men. 1 Corinthians 2:11-12; 1 Corinthians 2:1-2. I can
preach the truth of God’s Word to you but only God, through His Holy Spirit can impart His
truth to your heart: 1 Corinthians 2:13-14; 1 Corinthians 2:15-16. The spiritual man has a new
mind: 1 Corinthians 2:16; John 16:13-14.
III. THE CARNAL MAN!
1 Corinthians 3:1: the word “carnal” means fleshly. This is a person who has been born
again but is allowing their flesh to lead their lives and thinking instead of the Spirit of God! This
person is saved but you would never know it by the way he chooses to live his life. He is still
like a little baby in Christ. There are three marks of a carnal Christian. First this is a very
dependent person who needs constant attention: 1 Corinthians 3:1-2. Inability is the mark of
immaturity. A carnal Christian is one who is always dependent on other people. Second: The
carnal believer does not grow up into Christ. The apostle Paul said “I wanted to give you meat
but instead all you could take in was milk. Hebrews 5:11-14. Third; Baby Christians, carnal
Christians are often divisive: 1 Corinthians 3:3-4. Now if you realize you are a natural man
today, it is time to get saved and become a spiritual man. If you are still a carnal believer it is
time to turn from your childishness and enthrone the Lord Jesus Christ as Lord of your life and
grow up in the faith. If you are a spiritual Christian today don’t get proud because there is still
more growth ahead for you.