In his sermon "Growing & Maturing" from Ephesians 4, Benjamin Meade encouraged the Oak Hollow church of Christ to prioritize spiritual growth and maturity over numerical increases as a new congregation. Drawing parallels from his middle school basketball team's commitment to daily improvement despite limited physical gifts, he emphasized playing to individual strengths, using God-given talents for ministry, and building one another up in love and unity. Ultimately, he urged the congregation to focus on personal spiritual development so that the body grows organically through the equipping work of teachers and the active participation of all members in sharing truth and serving others.

On February 15, 2026, Benjamin Meade delivered a heartfelt sermon titled "Growing & Maturing" to the Oak Hollow church of Christ, addressing the congregation as a recently established body of believers. Using Ephesians 4:11–16 as his primary text, he highlighted two key principles for a thriving new congregation: first, identifying and excellently employing each member's spiritual gifts and strengths in service (as exemplified by his basketball team's focus on unique contributions rather than size or athletic superiority); and second—and more centrally—prioritizing genuine spiritual maturity over mere numerical growth. Meade stressed that Christ gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers not merely to do all the work themselves, but to equip the saints for ministry, edify the body, foster unity in faith and knowledge of Christ, and promote maturity so the whole body grows together in love. Through personal anecdotes, cross-references to passages like 1 Peter 1, Philippians 3, and 2 Timothy 2, he challenged listeners to pursue daily individual growth, actively love and build up one another, and extend ministry outward, ensuring the church's long-term health stems from transformed lives rather than attendance figures alone. He closed by inviting anyone needing baptism, prayer, or study to respond during the invitation.

I. Introduction and Context
- Gratitude for return visits and responsibility of preaching
- Conversation with elders about growth priorities for the new congregation
- Two key principles from Dell Jenkins for thriving church plants:
A. Play to strengths and do them with excellence
B. Prioritize spiritual growth over numbers (main focus)

II. Personal Illustration: Middle School Basketball Team
- Team committed to daily improvement despite lacking size/athleticism
- Focused on next practice/game, mutual encouragement, and collective growth
- Lessons: Play to individual strengths; prioritize long-term personal/team development over wins/titles

III. Biblical Foundation: Ephesians 4:11–16
- Christ gave gifted roles (apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers)
- Purposes of these gifts:
--- Equip saints for the work of ministry
--- Edify/build up the body of Christ
--- Achieve unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God
--- Reach maturity—to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ
--- Produce natural, organic growth of the body in love

IV. Why Prioritize Spiritual Maturity? (Three Reasons)
- Increases unity in the body (in faith and love)
--- 1 Peter 1:22–23 – Purified souls lead to fervent love
--- Ephesians 4:1–6 – Walk worthy, preserve unity of the Spirit
- Deepens understanding of truth and enables consistent personal/collective growth
--- Philippians 3:7–14 – Paul counts all loss to know Christ and press toward the goal
- Facilitates growth through ministry of all saints (multiplication)
--- 2 Timothy 2:2 – Commit truth to faithful men who teach others
--- Teachers equip so every member ministers and shares truth

V. Application and Challenge
- What is the true goal of this church? Spiritual maturity and development
- Use God-given gifts in personal ministry; don't rely solely on leaders
- Strive daily (individually and together) for growth, unity, truth, and outreach