It’s Time to Grow Up! | James 1:1-25 – DFBC

It’s Time to Grow Up! | James 1:1-25

Diego Mota

February 22, 2026

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We live in a culture where it is fairly easy to call ourselves “Christians” and never be changed by Christ. It is possible to grow up around the church, know the language of faith, and still lack a faith that endures, obeys, and transforms. How does God grow authentic followers of Christ into spiritual maturity?

Authentic followers of Christ reach spiritual maturity when they are…

I. Tested by Trials (James 1:1-12).

a. Rejoicing through hardship (vv. 1-4)
b. Trusting the Firm Foundation (vv. 5-8)
c. Focusing on Eternity (vv. 9-12)

II. Confronted by Temptation (James 1:13-18).

a. Conquering the desires of the flesh… (vv. 13-15)
b. Empowered by God’s Grace (vv. 16-18)

III. Shaped by the Word of God (James 1:19-25).
a. Receiving the Word with humility (vv. 19-21)
b. Practicing the Word: walk the walk! (vv. 22-25)

“A faith which does not influence a man’s practice
is not worthy of the name.” (J. C. Ryle)

Spiritual maturity is not measured by
how long we’ve been around the church,
but by how deeply His Word shapes us.

“But be doers of the word,
and not hearers only,
deceiving yourselves.”
(James 1:22 ESV)

1. When trials press into my life, do I respond with growing trust in God’s purpose, or growing frustration at God’s plan?
2. Is there a specific truth from God’s Word that I have been hearing repeatedly but not yet obeying?

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