Hebrews 5:11-6:3 † Failure to Launch

Hebrews 5:11–6:3 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.

SERMON IN A SENTENCE

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INTRODUCTION

Stages of Cups

This section of Hebrews is a strong warning against “falling away” from our faith.

This morning we will see the author challenge his readers to consider their spiritual maturity and to “grow up.”

INTRO PRAYER

Father, we desire to see you grow us in you. We don’t want to be content to stay in the same place—we want to see the impossibility of that for those who truly know you and call you Lord! Help us today, by the power of your Spirit, to respond in obedience to your word. Open our minds as we open your word. Amen. 

A PROFILE OF THE IMMATURE

The difficulty & blessing of being confronted with our blind spots.

The author doesn’t hold back, but not because he is an angry judge who wants to condemn, but rather because he is a loving pastor who desires for his people to find the joy of Christian maturity. 

Let’s look at the profile of the immature:

The Immature are Dull Of Hearing

Hebrews 5:11 ESV

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

The Greek word used for “dull” might also be translated “lazy, slothful, or negligent.”

The problem is not with the ability of the people, but with their willingness.

The Immature Are Unsure of The Basics

Hebrews 5:12 ESV

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,

The author is suggesting that every Christian should be able to communicate or teach the “ABC’s” of Christianity to others. (Enough time has passed to be able to grasp the foundations).

Imagine a 25 year old in good mental and physical health drinking from the sippy cup.

The Immature Are Unskilled in the Word of Righteousness

Hebrews 5:13 ESV

13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child.

Not simply a lack of intelligence or understanding, but an inability to apply the truth of God’s word to real life.

James 1:22 “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”

Now, let’s take a moment and see how the author contrasts the immature with a profile of the mature.

A PROFILE OF THE MATURE

True spiritual maturity is spiritual understanding applied to real life. What does this look like?

The Mature Are Trained By Constant Practice

Hebrews 5:14 ESV

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.

Do you want a mature doctor, pilot, CEO? How much more should we desire maturity in eternal matters—it takes training and application of knowledge.

The mature are consistently putting God’s word to the test of life application.

The Mature Are Able to Build on the Foundation

Hebrews 6:1–2 ESV

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.

“The word “leaving” does not mean abandoning the fundamental teachings about Christ. The context helps us understand what is intended. They should get beyond the place where the foundational teachings are rehearsed over and over (cf. 5:11–14). They should never leave the foundational teachings behind, precisely because they are fundamental. On the other hand, such teachings should be the basis and platform for further growth.”

Thomas Schreiner

The LEGO Movie —knocking down the same building every day.

The spiritually mature can take the basic building blocks of the gospel and build masterpieces. 

So how do we get to spiritual maturity?

MOVING ON TO MATURITY

Evaluating Our Spiritual Training Routine

“Trained by constant practice.”

Where is there a mental wall between my faith and my actual experience?

What would “practice” look like in areas of my immaturity?

Deepening Our Dependence on God

Hebrews 6:3 ESV

3 And this we will do if God permits.

Spiritual maturity: the quiet confidence that God is in control.

Chuck Swindoll

1 John 5:14–15 ESV

14 And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.

PASTORAL PRAYER

Father, as we close today, we ask that you would warn us away from immaturity and toward true spiritual growth. Guide us into your will by whatever means you choose. We trust your will and your word. We ask that you create in us mature hearts that put into practice what we have learned today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.