What's at Stake

Background to passage: Hebrews is a book about “better.” The writer is convincing a church/group of Jewish believers and seekers of the superiority of Christ in every way. He has talked to the point about how Jesus is better than the angels, a better Moses, a better High Priest, now a better king. However, in these few verses, he takes a little detour and rebukes them for their spiritual immaturity, of which they are culpable.

Hebrews 5:7–6:2 ESV

In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek. About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.

Opening illustration: Kerri Scarbrough’s testimony about lacking power in the Christian routine

Main thought: This morning we are going to take the indicators of spiritual immaturity that the writer of Hebrews gives, turn them around, and look at the marks of spiritual maturity.

Four marks of spiritual maturity:

1) Spiritual Receptivity (v. 11)

Hebrews 5:11 ESV

About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.

1) Spiritual Receptivity (v. 11)

Explanation: the writer speaks of dullness of hearing. The word is sluggish, slow, apathetic or lazy. He says that they will not understand more complex teaching because of their spiritual condition, that of laziness. They are resisting rather than receiving spiritual truth and sustenance. Spiritually, they are content with where they are in their walk with Christ. They just want to coast. They just want $5 worth of Jesus.

Illustration: “when I was just ten years old. I was complaining to my father about an ailment I was experiencing. When he asked me what was wrong, I replied, “I have a tummy ache. My father responded in a way I’ll never forget. “You’re ten years old,” he said. “You don’t have a tummy anymore, you have a stomach.” There was a little bite to my father’s words, but it was necessary. In my father’s eyes, the word tummy did not demonstrate my maturation into adolescence. I do not think he expected me to remember this story forty years later, but he certainly expected me to grow up a little by developing my vocabulary and learning to act my age.” -Al Mohler,

Application: Unless we want to remain spiritual children forever, we must be intentional about listening, longing, looking to process the Word. Active listening. It will take various forms for each of us, but it will take thought and intentionality. Have you ever thought about how you listen to the Word? Do you have techniques for increasing your ability to process complex teaching? Do you take notes? Do you write in a bible or a journal? Do you listen to the sermon a second time on audio or video? Do you ask questions afterward? Would you like to be trained or have more opportunity? Remember that he is talking to a church body, we move forward together. You are sharpening your ears for us all.

2) Desire of Solid Food (v. 12-13)

Hebrews 5:12–13 ESV

For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child.

2) Desire of Solid Food (v. 12-13)

Explanation: the writer chastens them some, telling them that they should be teachers by now by normal Christian growth. Notice that they “ought to be” but they’re not. They are choosing to live on milk. They are blameworthy. This is their fault.

Illustration: Anyone here ever been on a liquid diet? Soft foods? Finally get to eat solid food again. What if you then had the ability to eat normally, but you chose the liquid diet. “Believers have a moral responsibility to know and understand Scripture. We often act as if our biblical ignorance is merely a matter of God hiding or withholding knowledge from us. Yet Scripture teaches us that our ignorance of God’s Word is a moral problem, not an intellectual one. When we deliberately ignore God’s Word for whatever reason, we sin against the Lord. In the case of the Hebrews, the congregation became intellectually sluggish by their own negligence. Their spiritual immaturity was their fault. They grew intellectually dull because they became sluggish of heart.”

Application: We lose grade levels here. Some of us have to repeat a grade so we can get a better grasp, that’s not strange or unusual or weak. However, if we started going backwards, not repeating third grade, but going back to first grade, it would be abnormal. It would be odd if a normal 15-yr-old only drank milk and ate no solid food.

We must grow up. We must desire depth in the Word. There must be a hunger causes you to reach for the Word first (in priority) before you daily food. Again, lots of techniques. You may be in a discussion group. You may have intentional reflection time. You must have study materials. You may memorize. You may meditate. You may have a reading plan. But for us to be content with zero growth, routine, apathetic interaction with God’s Word, is a sin and we are guilty. Are you fine with coming in and going out over and over with no change?

3) Discernment of Good and Evil (v. 14)

Hebrews 5:14 ESV

But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

3) Discernment of Good and Evil (v. 14)

Explanation: the third mark of maturity is the capacity to distinguish between good and evil. This comes through constant practice, the writer says. Many life decisions are made on the spot. So, we have consciences empowered by the Holy Spirit to help us discern regular and unusual circumstances and decisions. Outside of the Holy Spirit and the Word, the best teacher is experience.

Illustration: Usually, the best craftsman or professionals are those that have been doing it for a long time. If you are having surgery, you don’t want to be the doc’s first one right out of med school. Don’t want him doing it without supervision. What if something happens that is not on the surgical plan. Someone who has done it 600 times will calmly know how to handle the unexpected. Don’t have time to break out a textbook or do a google search.

Application: It is interesting that a person’s ability to understand the deep things of God is affected by their ability to discern good from evil. Intellect comes after wisdom and heart. We still as the same questions, but we add another layer, that of discernment.

(1) It is an individual believer’s responsibility to grow in spiritual understanding so that the congregation as a whole is better equipped to faithfully minister the gospel to those in need. (2) It is the church’s responsibility to teach the individual believer.

Exalting Jesus in Hebrews Reflect and Discuss

Are you currently growing in spiritual maturity? If so, in what ways?

What excuses do you often hear regarding one’s ignorance of biblical knowledge or spiritual understanding? What excuses do you find yourself using?

How would you assess you powers of discernment? When things get “complicated,” do you apply biblical wisdom and principle easily?

4) Knowledge (Knowing) of God (Col 1:28)

Colossians 1:28 ESV

Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.

4) Knowledge (Knowing) of God (Col 1:28)

Explanation: In this passage, Paul links the proclamation of Christ and the mysteries of the faith, “Christ in us, the hope of glory” to the presentation of every person mature in Christ. The reason that I wanted to jump to this passage, other than the fact that it speaks specifically maturity in Christ, is that it goes back to proclaiming Christ and the life of the Holy Spirit inside of you. If you put those things together growth in maturity is about knowing God.

Illustration: whether it is in a romantic or a familial relationship, or some other kind of relationship, the longer it goes on, typically the more you know. However, it’s not always the case that the more you know, the more you love. Not so with Christ, if you truly learn him more, you will love him more.

Application: I wanted to open up the gates a little wider, so that you don’t think that maturing in Christ is only related to intellectual understanding of difficult teaching, although that is part. It is not only about more consistent, active, and intentional intimacy with the Word. In fact, I would argue that the most important thing about Christian spiritual maturity is growing deeper in your relationship to God, which opens a whole new set of practices, disciplines, and desires, and perspectives.

Knowing Christ is a little more subjective, and little less tangible than knowledge and interaction with the Word, but it is crucial to growth. What are you doing to enhance your relationship to God. Or maybe you don’t have a relationship with God. Share a little about the kids in VBS. Maybe it’s time for you to embrace the Christ that died for you and begin that relationship.

5) Real MoMENtum

Titus 1:1–9 ESV

Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior; To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

5) Real MoMENtum

Explanation: Not going to bore you with statistics, but pretty common reality that women are majority in most churches. As well that women do much of the work in a church; more involvement in discipleship means and groups and practices. This may sound patriarchal, but the men have to step up. Men must lead in the pursuit of Christ if the church is to mature. This is what Paul sent Titus to do.

Illustration: statistically, if the men come to church, the family comes to church. The stats don’t bear out the same results when you win the woman to Christ, or the children. Voting on deacons today.

Application: Because we are less mature in the faith, the church is weak. However, you also see other aspects of trouble in men’s lives when we are weak spiritually. Research says men are lonely, struggle with depression, suicide rates are higher, substance abuse is higher, incarceration rates are higher, and these are men in the church. The relationships that we tend to have in the church are not deep where vulnerability, honesty, openness, accountability, and growth can occur.

Enough cursing the darkness, this fall we are launching a new men’s ministry designed to aid men in their pursuit of Christ. Men, it will help put the tools in your hand to jump start and feed your growth in knowing Christ. It will provide the structure and environment that you can grow. You will be asked to put some skin in the game, and it will be work, but Jimmy has organized a team of men to carry this through, and we have the backing and support of Real Momentum Ministries to coach us in our efforts.

Oct 11 is the kick off. Men, mark your calendars now. Let nothing stand in the way of that date. Friday night, we will have a steak dinner for you and as many of your friends who will join us. I am asking you to commit. That kick off will be followed by groups of disciples who want to pursue Christ together. We have to build men in our church. We complain of not having enough men to lead, but we don’t make leaders, we don’t make disciples. We will be stronger than ever if we build more disciples, and men, it starts with you.

Closing illustration: Marvin’s testimony that came from our discipleship triad,

"You know when I started out, we agreed to do this just to get the "Preacher" off our backs and on to someone else. We figured we could get the hour down to about 30 minutes a meeting. Do our time and get it over with. BOY was I wrong. One hour is not really enough. I did not know I had such a desire and such hunger for Gods word until now. My whole life has changed. I only wish I would have had someone to direct me to a Triad the day after I got saved. Instead I starting my walk in Christ alone. I struggled for a long time because I did not understand a lot or how to get started. Because you didn't give up and talked me into doing the Triad, I have so much to be thankful for. Because of the Triad I no longer look at my pastor and my friend in the same manner. I look at them as close friends in Christ. Someone who will be there if I ever need to be picked up. Someone I have have a lot of confidence and trust in. True brothers in Christ. I have learned and grown so much in my relationship. My wife will tell you I am not a reader, but this is one book I can not put down. I am in it almost every day. I'm even excited about starting it over from the front with a new group just to get to go back through the book again. I feel like you can ask the hidden questions that you hide in the back of your mind and together figure out the answer without being embarrassed or looked at funny because you didn't already know the answer. It may be different with the others, but I have been truly blessed. Finally, you come away feeling like, now you are being equipped to make disciples as God has called us to do. Proverbs 27:17 ...... Iron sharpens Iron, and one man sharpens another."

Recap