Growing up isn't optional—it's fundamental to fulfilling your divine purpose. Pastor C.F. Rainey takes us on a profound journey through scripture to expose why many Christians remain spiritual infants despite years in the faith.

Drawing from everyday family examples and biblical truths, Pastor C.F. highlights the crucial difference between merely being born again and actively maturing in faith. Just as we celebrate children's developmental milestones, God expects us to progress beyond spiritual babyhood toward Christian maturity.

Through powerful insights from Ephesians 4 and Hebrews 5, we discover how Jesus provided ministry gifts specifically designed to equip believers for spiritual growth. The uncomfortable truth emerges: many churchgoers remain "unskilled in the word of righteousness," unable to effectively navigate life's challenges through faith.

Perhaps most eye-opening is the revelation that spiritual maturity isn't about God playing favorites. The same Bible produces dramatically different results depending on the believer's skill level in applying it. This explains why some Christians experience greater victories—not because God loves them more, but because they've learned to wield faith principles more effectively.

The calling on your life requires spiritual maturity to fulfill. Just as we wouldn't trust a toddler with adult responsibilities, your divine assignment demands growth beyond spiritual infancy. The good news? Growth comes through consistently studying, feeding upon, and practicing God's Word.

Ready to move beyond spiritual milk to solid food? Join us at Lone Star Church as we continue this transformative teaching series on spiritual maturity. Your divine purpose is waiting—it's time to grow up!

Stepping out in faith often means getting uncomfortable—a lesson Pastor C.F. Rainey learned the hard way. Sharing a powerful personal story, he reveals how hesitating to purchase a home when God prompted him resulted in a $40,000 loss years later. This missed opportunity wasn't just a financial setback but a profound spiritual lesson: when God calls us to step out, provision follows faith.

Just as physical growth requires pushing against resistance, spiritual maturity demands challenging our comfort zones. We grow stronger spiritually when we push our faith muscles to the point where they feel like they might fail—yet that's precisely where breakthrough happens. The uncomfortable truth is that with spiritual growth comes increasing responsibility, something our flesh naturally resists.

Drawing from Ephesians 4, Pastor C.F. explains that ministry gifts exist specifically to equip believers for service and maturity, helping us reach "the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ." The hallmark of this maturity? Walking in love. Diving deep into 1st Corinthians 13 and 1st John, he challenges listeners to examine their spiritual diet and recognize that love—patient, kind, and not easily offended—is the ultimate test of growth.

Perhaps most convicting is the exploration of offense as a sign of immaturity. "If you are easily offended," Pastor C.F. states plainly, "you are spiritually immature." Offense keeps us imprisoned in cycles of self-pity and complaint that block God's work in our lives. True maturity means choosing not to take offense, even when insulted or wronged.

The message culminates with a simple yet profound question that transforms every interaction: "What would love do?" Like Jesus who restored Peter after his denials, mature believers filter their responses through love. Are you ready to grow beyond spiritual infancy? It starts with choosing love over rights, healing over hurt, and faith steps over comfortable inaction.

What does it truly mean to be a father according to Scripture? Pastor C.F. Rainey tackles this question with personal vulnerability and biblical wisdom in this Father's Day message that reshapes our understanding of godly fatherhood.

Drawing from his 20-year journey as both a father and pastor at Lone Star Church, Pastor C.F. opens up about the joys and challenges of raising children, including honest reflections on miscarriage and the pressure men often place on themselves to be perfect fathers. Through a powerful examination of Psalm 127:3-5, he reveals how Scripture portrays children as "arrows in the hands of a warrior" - divine gifts that fathers are called to aim toward God's purpose.

This message cuts through cultural misconceptions about masculinity, demonstrating how true fatherhood balances strength with tenderness, protection with freedom, and challenge with grace. Using examples from David (a warrior who danced in worship) and Paul's spiritual fatherhood in 1st Thessalonians 2, Pastor Rainey illustrates that godly men can be both fierce protectors and affectionate nurturers.

Perhaps most powerfully, this teaching liberates fathers from the crushing weight of trying to be the "lone provider" or "lone protector." Instead, it shows how God calls men to channel His provision and protection while modeling dependence on our heavenly Father. Whether you're a father, hope to be one someday, or simply want to understand God's design for family leadership, this message offers biblical clarity amidst cultural confusion.

What legacy are you building as a father? Discover how shifting your perspective from seeing children as burdens to viewing them as blessings can transform your family relationships and honor God's calling on your life.

Have you ever felt something was missing in your Christian walk? Perhaps you've experienced salvation but wonder if there's more power available to live victoriously. In this enlightening Pentecost Sunday message, Pastor C.F. Rainey explores the critical difference between being born again and growing into spiritual maturity.

The journey begins with the most pivotal decision anyone will ever make—receiving Jesus as Lord and Savior. As Pastor C.F. explains, this spiritual rebirth completely transforms your identity. Drawing from Paul's dramatic conversion, he illustrates how our old self dies and we become an entirely new creation in Christ. Yet many believers remain in spiritual infancy—dependent, immature, and powerless.

God never intended for His children to stay babies. Using Ephesians 4, Pastor C.F. reveals how Jesus gave ministry gifts to help believers "grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ." The key to this maturation? Understanding the distinction between having the Spirit within and the Spirit upon.

Through a fascinating exploration of Scripture—from Jesus breathing on His disciples in John 20 to the explosive power received at Pentecost in Acts 2—Pastor C.F. clarifies how the baptism of the Holy Spirit represents a separate, subsequent experience to salvation. He traces this pattern throughout the book of Acts, showing how new believers consistently received the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues after their initial conversion.

Why is this so important? Because power comes with this baptism. Jesus Himself performed no miracles until the Holy Spirit came upon Him following His water baptism. This same supernatural empowerment is available to every believer today, enabling us to fulfill the Great Commission effectively.

Don't settle for less than God's complete provision for your spiritual journey. Discover how to move beyond spiritual infancy into the fullness and power God has for you through the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Your transformation awaits!

What does it mean to truly grow up spiritually? In this thought-provoking message, Pastor C.F. Rainey tackles spiritual maturity through the lens of Ephesians 4, challenging common misconceptions about ministry and service.

Drawing from personal experience, Pastor Rainey shares how he and his wife, Nicole, didn't simply declare themselves pastors after Bible college. Instead, they humbly approached their local church, offering to serve in any capacity needed—whether cutting grass, washing cars, or cleaning the church. This path of patient submission allowed God to gradually reveal their calling and position them in ministry, demonstrating a powerful principle: "Don't make room for yourself; allow God to make room for you."

The conversation shifts to the five ministry gifts Jesus gave—apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers—and their purpose of equipping saints for ministry work. Pastor Rainey dismantles the notion that ministry work belongs solely to church staff. From preparing sermons and budgets to running sound equipment, managing social media, and even opening doors, every believer has work to do in building Christ's body.

Perhaps most compelling is his comparison between spiritual infancy and maturity. Just as teenagers eagerly want to drive but aren't ready for the responsibilities of car payments and maintenance, new believers often desire the privileges of ministry without corresponding responsibilities. Spiritual growth requires embracing both.

If you've ever wrestled with finding your place in church, understanding pastoral authority, or moving beyond spiritual immaturity, this message offers practical wisdom. God has intentionally placed you where you are—now it's time to get planted, get involved, and grow in all aspects of Christian life.

Are you still drinking spiritual milk when you should be eating solid food? In this challenging and insightful message, Pastor C.F. Rainey tackles the critical process of spiritual growth and maturity.

Drawing from Ephesians 4 and 1 Peter 2, this teaching explores how our spiritual development should mirror natural growth patterns – moving from infancy to maturity. Pastor C.F. vulnerably shares his own journey of discovering God's purpose for his life and emphasizes that regardless of how long we've been believers, we must honestly assess our spiritual maturity.

The message delves into distinct characteristics of spiritual babies: their positive innocence but problematic ignorance, irritability, and dependency. Through vivid illustrations and scriptural foundations, we learn why it's dangerous to remain in spiritual infancy. Just as parents must wean children from bottles and constant attention, believers must progress beyond requiring constant spiritual "hand-holding."

"You may be a 40-year-old baby still," Pastor C.F. cautions, highlighting how many Christians remain stunted despite years in the faith. He emphasizes the critical importance of being selective about what we spiritually "ingest," comparing false teachings to poisonous food that looks appealing but causes harm.

Perhaps most powerfully, the message challenges us to track our spiritual progress: "You should not be in the same place spiritually today that you were a year ago." This teaching equips believers with practical wisdom for advancing in their faith journey, moving from milk to bread in their spiritual diet.

Whether you're a new believer or have walked with God for decades, this message will inspire honest self-examination and renewed commitment to spiritual growth. Listen now to discover where you are on the spiritual maturity spectrum and how to progress toward the "measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ."

What does it mean to truly grow up in your Christian faith? In this thought-provoking message, Pastor C.F. Rainey tackles the challenging topic of spiritual maturity with both humor and biblical depth, drawing from Brother Hagin's teachings and Paul's instructions in Ephesians 4.

When Jesus ascended, He didn't leave us orphaned or unprepared. He gave specific gifts to the church—apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers—to equip believers for ministry and build them up spiritually. But why do so many Christians remain spiritual infants despite years or even decades in the faith? Unlike physical growth, which happens naturally with time, spiritual development requires intentional engagement and a willingness to be transformed.

Pastor C.F. explores the three stages of spiritual development—babyhood, childhood, and adulthood—with practical insights into the characteristics of each stage. He challenges listeners to honestly evaluate where they stand in this progression. Are you still requiring constant attention like a spiritual baby? Or are you maturing toward Christ-likeness and becoming equipped to serve others?

The message takes a particularly powerful turn when addressing unity within the body of Christ. "You can disagree without being disagreeable," Pastor C.F. notes, illustrating how maturity enables believers to maintain fellowship despite differences. He also tackles the delicate balance of "speaking truth in love"—emphasizing that honesty without kindness fails to reflect Christ's character.

Whether you're new to faith or have been walking with God for decades, this message offers a compelling invitation to move beyond spiritual infancy toward the "measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ." Take an honest look at your spiritual development and commit to the growth process God intends for every believer. Listen now and discover practical steps toward genuine Christian maturity.

Have you ever considered that when Jesus rose from the dead, you rose with Him? This profound spiritual truth forms the cornerstone of Pastor C.F. Rainey's powerful Easter message that will forever change how you view your Christian identity.

Drawing from Paul's letters to the Corinthians, Galatians, Romans, Colossians and Ephesians, Pastor Rainey unpacks the revolutionary concept that believers don't just benefit from Christ's resurrection—they actively participate in it. "Your old self died on that cross with Jesus," he explains, challenging the common misconception that Christians are merely "forgiven sinners" rather than completely new creations.

Using the compelling analogy of Neo from The Matrix, Pastor C.F. illustrates how unbelievers are spiritually dead while thinking they're alive. Just as Neo discovered the simulation wasn't reality, our salvation experience reveals that what we thought was "life" before Christ was actually spiritual death. "You weren't alive at all, you were dead. But the whole time you thought you were alive," he notes, highlighting the dramatic shift that occurs when we're born again.

The message explores how this resurrection identity transforms everything—from our self-perception, to our approach to life's challenges and even our view of death. When we truly grasp that we're seated with Christ in heavenly places with all things under our feet, we face problems with divine perspective rather than earthly panic.

Ready to experience the full power of your resurrection with Christ? This message will help you leave behind old identities and step into the authority, freedom, and new life that Jesus secured for you over 2,000 years ago. Your testimony isn't just that you're forgiven—it's that you were dead and now you're alive in Him!