Maturing in your spirit

Moving Beyond the Milk: Growing in Spiritual Maturity

Bible Passage: Hebrews 5:11, Hebrews 5:12, Hebrews 5:13, Hebrews 5:14, Hebrews 6:1, Hebrews 6:2, Hebrews 6:3, Hebrews 6:4, Hebrews 6:5, Hebrews 6:6, Hebrews 6:7, Hebrews 6:8, Hebrews 6:9, Hebrews 6:10, Hebrews 6:11, Hebrews 6:12

Summary: The passage addresses the spiritual stagnation of believers, urging them to mature and move on from elementary teachings to deeper truths, emphasizing both the necessity of growth and the consequences of falling away from faith.

Application: This sermon can help Christians recognize the importance of spiritual growth in their lives and encourage them to pursue a deeper relationship with God, moving beyond basic doctrines to experience the fullness of faith and fellowship with Him.

Teaching: The teaching of this sermon focuses on the necessity and urgency of spiritual maturity, highlighting how believers can fall into complacency and the importance of advancing in understanding and living out their faith.

How this passage could point to Christ: This text reveals Christ as the ultimate source of spiritual nourishment and growth. As believers, we are called to deepen our understanding of Him, His work, and His teachings as the foundation of our maturity.

Big Idea: Spiritual maturity is essential for a healthy faith; believers are called to move beyond the basics and embrace the fullness of Christ's teaching and the life He offers.

Recommended Study: As you prepare this sermon, consider exploring the historical context of the author of Hebrews and the audience's struggles with maturity. You might find it beneficial to examine how the concepts of elementary teachings relate to contemporary Christian practices. Use Logos to delve into commentaries and scholarly articles that address the theological implications of apostasy and maturity in faith.

Introduction:

Self introduction

Name

Where I work

What I went to school for, bachelors and Masters

Networking

have you ever had a class that you’ve taken and its just in one ear out the other? that was what networking was for me. Absorbed it, wrote it down on the paper for the test and it never came back too say hello.

I remember the basics, like the general flow of a something like the TCP/IP protocols and I believe I remember most of the acronyms (don’t test me though)

Everything after that was just kinda fluff too me.

But! If I really want to get good at it and call myself a network engineer, I should probably study this a little deeper.

We often say that if you don’t use a skill you lose it. And like networking, like math, like music… If you don’t practice it, you lose it.

So the big idea of this message is that Spiritual maturity is essential for a healthy faith; believers are called to move beyond the basics and embrace the fullness of Christ's teaching and the life He offers.

To get through this I want to break down the scripture into a few pieces

First we will talk about spiritual stagnation and growing from that infancy stage into maturity

We are going to look even further and see what is it like to step into spiritual advancement

And then on the reverse, what its like to fall away from your faith

1. Spiritual stagnation; from infancy to maturity

Hebrews 5:11-12 Hebrews 5:13-14

We left off last week at Hebrews 5:10 so lets pick up with the rest of chapter 5

English Standard Version Chapter 5

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.

The this we are referring to here is Jesus’ Sacrifice on the cross as he became the “source of eternal salvation”

As we look at this scripture the primary metaphor used here is a comparison of milk and solid food.

What the author is actually doing here is drawing a parallel from an infant, or one that drinks milk, to someone that is more mature and can eat solid food.

If I was to attribute this first line to something today, I feel like I would say that the author is calling us out.

While we should be teaching about the word for where we are in our spiritual journey’s, we are instead just listening and taking the cliff notes.

We are but infants drinking milk, as we don’t know the true word.

The author here is saying that Milk is for Babies!

Babies need it because they haven’t developed enough to take on solid food

But you are old enough to be adults and yet you are having baby food, when you SHOULD be eating a full meal

Paul says to us in Corinthians 3 something similar

But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready

Paul also says in Corinthians 13:11 in the same imagery that no one wants to perpetually stay a child, and they want to grow up.

“When I became a man, I gave up childish ways” to show that grown men are not sustained on a diet of milk

So what does it mean in this case when the author talks about being in essence, spiritually immature.

It all comes down to a lack of understanding, and maybe even a lack of motivation to grow.

So many times in our lives, or at least in mine, do I get this giant inspiration and motivation to do something, and then I blink, or I look at the task in front of me only to lose that spark that I just had

I think that this often can happen to us as christians as well, trying to learn more about the bible and about Jesus and we see that the bible version in front of us is over 3,000 pages long in really tiny font and we just decide to watch an episode of that new tv show on netflix instead.

Just like us though, the author is human and knows that this happens to us, and instead trys to encourage us, maybe through a little egging on, to grow in our faith instead of sitting tight.

As we review these verses, the author of Hebrews here, is emphasizing the need for believers to transition from being passive hearers of the Word to active participants in their spiritual journey

See the author here says:

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

In laymens terms, you have to practice your faith, and only through time and repetition and study will you get better.

And so I want to encourage you to take a moment and think in your life about areas that are feeling stagnate, and I want to encourage you to go deeper.

Hunger for that knowledge and strive to participate in your own journey.

An important word there that I don’t want to pass up is the discernment portion.

As the author talks about being more mature, he specifically calls out discernment, so its important to recognize the right from the wrong and he is telling us that discernment is one way to work towards spiritual maturity.

By learning to make godly decisions, and notice where the lord is working, we are able to step further into a life with god

I don’t want to come up hear and lie to you when I say this is not my expertise.

I often find myself struggling to see where the lord is working, and I have been asked the question, where did I see the lord working in this last week, as we often did in missional families, I would struggle sometimes to find an answer.

It got a little easier to do as the time when on and I practiced, But I realized its something I need to ask myself more often.

I have to pull myself back into this practice and focus else I just keep moving on

But as this text shows, their is a necessity of exercising spiritual discernment and by doing this, it leads to a more profound engagement with God's will.

So by practicing discernment, we can grow our spirits to take on more solid foods, which pulls us into chapter 6 where the author says that its time to leave the elementary doctrine.

2. Step Into Spiritual Advancement

Hebrews 6:1-3

English Standard Version Chapter 6

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.

To be completely honest with you, the reading of these verses doesn’t flow very well to me in my modern english speaking mind. And after reading many exerts on this section it finally clicked.

The basic idea that we are being challenged once again to grow in our spiritual maturity.

Here, the metaphor suggests that Christians should not replace this foundation, but instead build upon it.

The part that got a little confusing is that he says not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith towards god.

Well does that mean. Well if we break it down, he is saying that the foundation is already built on our repentance

And That if you have chosen to follow god then you have already repented of your sin, being the dead works, That we need to trust in our faith in god, that He exists, will continue to act, will fulfill His promises, and will save from sin.

If you are a christian here today, then that would mean that Christ is your firm foundation.

The Author builds on those foundations further with basic examples that were well known at that time as things a person of faith should be doing.

He first talks about washings

While we might try and equate this today to baptisms, the Author here is actually referring to more of the Jewish ceremonial washings.

We see similar examples done from christ when we talk about him washing the disciples feet. Showing his love in this way.

He then talks about the laying on of hands

now he isn’t talking in fighting terms that we might see today, rather we are talking about the gesture that would accompany prayers of healing and blessings

We see examples of this in Mark 5:23 My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live

in Luke 13:13 “And he laid his hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and she glorified God.”

The resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgement. and if we look at the Greek terminology used for dead, we see that he is talking about plural dead, or many dead will rise, suggesting that this refers to the future resurrection of the many that we see in revelation

Or in Daniel 12:2–3 “And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.”

These are all the basic foundations that as Christians we believe, and the author instead says that we need to build on those foundations but not through our own strength rather relying on God.

That last short verse, and this we will do if God permits, signifies a reliance on God.

Because simply put, you can’t grow closer to God, if you cut god out of the equation.

If God is what we are striving for, wouldn’t it be pertinent to keep him at the focus of it all?

you can’t drive if you don’t have a car

you can’t run without legs

you can’t worship god without god

3. Seriousness of Spiritual Apostasy

Hebrews 6:4-8

And so that says, if we are to grow with God we need to rely on him, and if we don’t do that it can lead us into Spiritual Apostasy.

Prior to this sermon I hadn’t heard that word before but when I look at the section within my bible for this passage it is called “warning against Apostasy”

So what is Apostasy?

Well its a renunciation or abandonment of ones beliefs.

And if you start walking without christ then you would be lead down a path of spiritual apostasy

Hebrews 6:4–8 “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, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, 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. 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. But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned.”

Before I dig into this too much, I want to draw some connections here to the original intended audience of this passage.

Most of the Hebrews that had become Christians at that time were previously Jewish

And part of the problem that the Hebrews were facing was the superficial similarity between the elementary tenets of Christianity and those of Judiasm.

These similarities made it seem that they could hold onto both Christ while separating out God in the same ways that they have in the past.

So this danger of Apostasy for them was very high, as they were holding onto their past notions would slide them into paganism.

So here, the author is saying that anyone who turned back from Christianity to Judasim would identify themselves not only with the Jewish Belief, but also the same Malice that led to the crucifixion of Jesus. As the words of their own account make it clear that they must take full responsibility for the Crucifixion.

So for us today, in these verses, we are told about the severity of what it means to walk away from Christ.

If you have seen the great works of christ and seen god moving in your life, and that you have shared life with the holy spirit, and with all of that you still turn your back, then like a cursed tree you will only bear thorns.

Your fruits will soil as you won’t be walking along the path with god.

No path in life without God can lead us to a place of fullfilment. but if you are to walk that path with god then you will receive his blessing and you will bear all the fruit that you need in this life.

4. Steadfast in Spiritual Assurance

Hebrews 6:9-12

English Standard Version Chapter 6

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.

So we get some assurance here from the author after his candid talk of spiritual apostacy.

Sometimes, it can feel as if one’s faith is growing slowly, or even moving backwards. But the Author wants to encourage the readers in there growth.

As people of hope, “God is not unjust”.

He is empathetic, as the king, and high priest Jesus, understands humanity in all its weaknesses.

Because he did it too. He came to this earth as a baby and lived the life of a man, experiencing all of life’s temptations and yet he withstood them all and died on the cross for us as a man without sin.

He will not be unjust towards his people or grow impatient with their faith.

We are reassured in verse 11 in the goodness of god through the full assurance of hope. In the greek reference, this verse is to have complete confidence, referring to the confidence that we should have in Gods promises.

At the same time the author here is also saying to remember your foundations and once again build on them.

God would not overlook what they have already done in his name (nor will they reject him now or in the future) and so they should continue grow in their faith and actions so that their future inheritance will also inspire and bless others.

And so yes, your spiritual growth might be slower than you want, and you might not see the leaps and bounds if you compare today to yesterday. But what if you look back a little bit further?

Have you ever tracked the growth of a child on a wall?

I used to do that at my grandmas house, on the back of her garage door you will see marks of me and my sisters with years and months attached next to it

We would go up to it often and see if we should mark our heights on it and its really fun to look back and see where was I at last time.

it can also be disappointing though when you look at the chart and you see that your height is still the same (even though you just marked it yesterday)

Small side note, but if you are doing the height check with your kids or grand kids don’t let them draw the line and maybe use a level, heads aren’t inherently flat objects so you might angle the pen.

Faith can be a little like that too, if you look from day to day it might be hard to see that change, but look at where you are today verses where you were last year? Can you see the height difference?

Look at the way that you interact with people and the way that you respond to certain situations and that will help to guide your measure.

Are you imitating christ in your behavior? Can you back that up with scripture? Are you proud of how you handled that?

You might be saying to yourself at this point in the sermon, that you might be wanting to grown but you don’t know how. So as we slide into the conclusion of this sermon I want to give you some help and tools to move forward.

First, discernment-ship.

Each night before you go to bed, ask yourself where you saw god moving in your day. if you are feeling extra motivated, write it down and keep note of it.

Second, Start reading your bible!

this is the hardest and simplest thing that you can do to pull yourself closer to god.

If you want a place to start. Immerse yourself in a psalm. Each morning pick a pslam and ask yourself these 3 questions

What does this passage say about God and who he is?

What does this passage say about what God does?

What does this passage say about me and what I should do?

My last recommendation; Pray

One area that I sometimes struggle with the most is just praying.

When you pray, you are spending direct time with God.

Take time in your prayer to say whatever is on your mind, but make sure you leave time for him to speak to you.

Sometimes you might hear a lot, sometimes you might hear nothing, but take that time to do it.

By praying you are imitating Jesus in taking time to talk with the father.

Express your gratitude, ask for help, and just be in his presence often

All of this is do be done in community as well. We are not strong enough alone and we all might be tempted and we need each other