6.9.44 9.29.2024 Hebrews 5.11-6.12 Averting Abandonment

Start:

God’s Word…

Hebrews 5:11–6:12 ESV

11 About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12 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, 13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. 14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. 1 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, 2 and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And this we will do if God permits. 4 For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. 7 For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. 8 But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned. 9 Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things—things that belong to salvation. 10 For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do. 11 And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

I am aware of how startling this text can sound. It is God’s Word.

It is particularly God’s Word as it corrects and exhorts us.

Entice: Sometimes a text can appear to be long and complicated when it is just detailed and painful. Clearly this long text comes as a shock. Some would say a needed shock. I am sure that every single one of us know people who have abandoned the faith. We mourn for them and their experiences which we do not share and cannot explain. It sort of feels like we are “talking behind their backs.” There are many kinds of apostasy, and it is difficult in the Post Modern world to address them all from one text, in one sermon. This passage is a good start, as good a place as any because there are some commonalities to be observed in a broad spectrum of those who have stopped following Jesus.

Engage: Let’s think about this at least a bit from a very personal perspective.

How do you feel about being deserted?

It may not be as hard here as in other times and places, but the feeling of abandonment is real. And what about Jesus? How does the crucified feel about it? This text is emotional even when we are faithful. Maybe more so because we are faithful. Many of those who might benefit from what is said in this text are absent on Sundays like today when it is preached.

Expand: In an attempt to soften the blow some churches, defending certain theologies try to explain away what the text clearly says. He could not be clearer.

The author is talking about

real,

genuine,

born-again,

regenerate

people

who for one reason or another turn away from Jesus.

He describes this as re-nailing Him to the cross.

Excite: Most importantly the Hebrew author avoids piddling theological debate. The issue is not whether or apostasy is possible, he just tells us that it is preventable and proceeds to tell us how. So that is the focus today.

Explore:

Rather than focusing on whether apostasy is possible let’s consider how to prevent it.

Expand: The text gives three detailed guidelines for preventing apostasy.

Body of Sermon: He begins by affirming that we must

1 Appraise Maturity.

Maturity can be discussed positively and negatively. When a house is “appraised”, and a value is assigned we know two things. 1) The concrete “value” of the property, what it’s worth. 2) How much the owner values it… Which is very abstract. Something improperly valued eventually becomes run down or abandoned. Here the Hebrew author is forced to deal with what his hearers lack. Maturity in abstentia as it were, immaturity.

His appraisal notes a basic

1.1 Lack of attention.

v. 11

Lax, lazy, obtuse.

Next his appraisal notes

1.2 Lack of growth.

12-13

In detailing this lack of growth, the author provides a list of the otters…You know “you otter”…

You otter be teachers

You otter grow up

You otter be eating a “richer diet.”

You otter be training your powers of discernment.

Then the appraisal moves on to a

1.3 Lack of clarity.

Hebrew 6.1-3

Doctrinal clarity. Disciples who do not Understand the basics of the faith or who do not value essential Christian doctrine are both lazy and vulnerable

He mentions

Doctrine(s) of Christ

Repentance

Baptism and Inclusion in Church

Resurrection & Judgement.

You don’t have to be immature. There are beliefs and behaviors that chart a course of action leading to change and growth.

Once the level of maturity is appraised the Hebrew author tells us to

2 Assess the Jeopardy.

Hebrews 6:4–8 ESV

4 For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. 7 For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. 8 But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned.

There is risk, it can be quantified, known and avoided or the consequences are eternally dire.

So…

2.1 The redeemed must believe and behave responsibly.

2.2 The risk of falling is real.

2.3 The result? Resistance to repentance.

In summary when someone gives up on faith in Jesus they are

Unrepentant

Ungrateful

Unproductive

Finally, knowing the risk and having a handle on maturity we are instructed to

3 Act with Urgency.

3.1 Focus on Salvation.

Hebrews 6:9 ESV

9 Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things—things that belong to salvation.

3.2 Focus on Service.

Hebrews 6:10 ESV

10 For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.

3.3 Focus on Stability.

Hebrews 6:11–12 ESV

11 And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Stability is a kind of expectant stubbornness…

Earnestness

Hopefulness

Attentiveness

Patience

Shut Down

Far too much time in the broader Church has been spent trying to make Church

fun,

attractive,

exciting,

and

relevant.

Not nearly enough time has been spent trying to ensure that the members of the Church are growing disciples.

When individual congregations and the broader Church are filled with

dedicated,

informed,

attentive, and active disciples the place will be attractive.

There will be

excitement.

It will be relevant,

and it maybe even fun.

More importantly it will be transformative and it will point to Jesus.

We pray for those who should be here who are not here. We pray that their hearts are still tender and their allegiance true. In the meantime, with a sense of urgency we will pursue maturity that will help us grow together beyond jeopardy. Stay with Jesus. He stuck with you till last of the blood bled from His physical body.