The Completeness of Personality

Rev. James R. Reynolds, Sr.

September 25, 2005

Sunday Morning

**Title**: The Completeness of Personality (Christian Maturity)


**Text**: Ephesians 4:13


    <span style="text-decoration:underline;">INTRODUCTION</span>


    God is saying to us why don't you grow up?


    v.13 It is goimng to take a mamnifestatiomn of God.


        "we" believers that have amn imnterest imn the deeper thimngs of God. Not all are going to come to the unity of the faith, but there are some.


        "of the knowledge of the Son of God." There needs to be an understanding of truth. 


        Amplified Bible: "Until we all atain unto oneness of the faith and the comprehension of the full and accurate knowledg of the Son of God that we might arrive at fuly mature manhood the completeness of personality....the completeness found in him. Seen here: 


        			1. Mature Manhood


        			2. Completeness of Personlaity


        			3. The Fullness of Christ.


    Hearing is not enough, we must see a demonstration of turth. We need to have the knowledg of God's Word to Inspire us and help us walk in God.


    The word "personality" indicates what a person is, who they are. Dictionary: the quality or fact of being a particiular person; personal identity; the person themselve. In the bible the personality is called the heart of man.  1Th 5:23 Man's spirit makes him God conscious.God is a Spirit and they that worship Him in Spirit and in truth. Man's soul makes him self-conscious. Man's body makes him world conscious. 


    God wants us to mature, grow up, and go on unto PERFECTION.


    The heart or personality can be divided into three areas: Emotions, Intellect, and Will. Man was made in the image and likeness of God; God has emotions, intellect, and a will.


        1. Emotion - Has to do with feelings. We should be emotional concerning Christ.


        2. Intellect- involves knowledge 


        3. Will- what you do; strength


        	Mark 12:30--includes all parts of the personality of man. Loving Him, Knowing Him, Obeying Him. Psalm 119:2 WHOLE heart, the complete personality is involved. God wants us to be steady even when tried and dry.  Psalm 119:34; 58-I desire to please Him, I want to be in His favor to have God look upon me favorably. v. 69- I WILL, I WILL, I WILL--His desire is to be obedient. v.145- a depth of hunger for God God still wants our Whole heart. Love Him with our emotions. Know Him with our intellect. And obey Him with our will. 


    It is a sad fact that most Christians today can be so easily inspirited with enthusiastic emotionalism. Emotionally stirred, but having no effect on their knowledge or will. Emotions alone is not enought. It is only a part of personality. God wants ALL. 


    A lot of Christians can reason things through and designing a plan, but when it comes time for DOING what is right they tend to draw back. God must have full control of the will as well as the emotions and intellect. Until Christ fills and controls the will little of lasting value wiill be developed. 


    It is amazing how so many things effect us in part, but fail to move us to OBEY. I love to feel God's presence and to know truth, but I must obey in order to mature. It turns reasons and emotions into REALITY. Is it any wonder that there are so many babes in the house of God? It is not because of the emotions or the understanding altogether, but because of what is being taught: "You don't have to do anything it is all grace and faith." The will has to be develped to be complete. Ephesians 4:13 The will has to be developed to the point of obedience. As far as the initial aspect of salvation we sinned and Christ made provision for that. But when I come I accept Him as LORD and SAVIOUR. With a new mind, new comittement, New demands. Matthew 7:21; John 14:23 LOVE = emotions, to love Him you must know Him= intellect, Obey Him= will. We should have the desire to love Him with all our heart, mind, and strength.  "I haven't made it, but I want to." That is why God has given all these ministries: for the perfecting of the saints. Not just for emotinal stir or knowledge and information. John 14:24 If we do not obey Him then we do not love Him.; Romans 6:17


    Ephesians 4:17 Our whole life should exemplify the declaration, "I belong to God." vv.18- Renewing of the Emotions, Mind, and Will.


    v. 27 We are under a new master


    v.28-32 If I want God to forgive me, then I must forgive. 


    Allow our emotions to be consumed with Christ, Our intellect to hunger for truth and the knowledg of God, and our will to be to DO the will of God. 


    Ephesuans 5:16 He cannot fill only but what we give Him. What He fills He controls. If he is not controlling our will, emtions, or intellect then we must yet GIVE THEM TO HIM. There has to be development if we are to have part in His Bride. 


    Gaza was the <span style="text-decoration:underline;">southern</span> border of Israel. What has happened in our <span style="text-decoration:underline;">southern</span> states? We drove them from their homes. What has happened to the people in our southern states--driven from their homes. Let us see the signs about us and seek for greater development. Give God ALL.