Spiritual Immaturity

Hebrews 5:11–14 NLT

There is much more we would like to say about this, but it is difficult to explain, especially since you are spiritually dull and don’t seem to listen. You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right. Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.

HEB 5:11-14

Expository Outlines on Hebrews 7. The Christian and Growth (Hebrews 5:11–14)

The Christian and Growth

Expository Outlines on Hebrews 7. The Christian and Growth (Hebrews 5:11–14)

Christian growth is necessary. Being a Christian is more than making a decision. It is more than accepting Christ. There must be daily growth.

Expository Outlines on Hebrews 7. The Christian and Growth (Hebrews 5:11–14)

Those who do not grow in the Lord will find themselves drifting from the Lord and spiritual things.

2 Peter 3:18 NASB95

but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

Expository Outlines on Hebrews 7. The Christian and Growth (Hebrews 5:11–14)

Once we become a Christian there is no stopping place. We must go forward, or we will go backward.

Expository Outlines on Hebrews 7. The Christian and Growth (Hebrews 5:11–14)

I. Careless People (v. 11)

The people didn’t seem to listen. Why were they careless?

Expository Outlines on Hebrews 7. The Christian and Growth (Hebrews 5:11–14)

A. Nonspiritual (1 Cor. 2:14). The natural man does not understand spiritual things.

1 Corinthians 2:14 NLT

But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means.

Expository Outlines on Hebrews 7. The Christian and Growth (Hebrews 5:11–14)

B. Noninterested (Matt. 13:13). Jesus spoke simply in parables, and they couldn’t understand. Why? No interest.

Matthew 13:13 NASB95

“Therefore I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.

Expository Outlines on Hebrews 7. The Christian and Growth (Hebrews 5:11–14)

C. Noncommital (2 Tim. 3:7). Jesus said the truth would set man free (John 8:32). Unless we know Him, the truth, we won’t understand spiritual things (see John 14:6).

2 Timothy 3:7 NASB95

always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

john 8:32

John 8:32 NASB95

and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”

John 14:6 NASB95

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

john 14:6

Expository Outlines on Hebrews 7. The Christian and Growth (Hebrews 5:11–14)

D. Nonacceptance (Ps. 82:5). These people walk in darkness. They refuse truth. Jesus said man would love darkness rather than light (John 3:19).

Psalm 82:5 NASB95

They do not know nor do they understand; They walk about in darkness; All the foundations of the earth are shaken.

ps 82

Expository Outlines on Hebrews 7. The Christian and Growth (Hebrews 5:11–14)

C. Noncommital (2 Tim. 3:7). Jesus said the truth would set man free (John 8:32). Unless we know Him, the truth, we won’t understand spiritual things (see John 14:6).

Expository Outlines on Hebrews 7. The Christian and Growth (Hebrews 5:11–14)

II. Childish People (vv. 12, 13)

A. Lack of development (v. 12a). “By now you should be teachers. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the first things you need to know from God’s Word” (NLT). Lack of development means:

John 3:19 NASB95

“This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil.

john

Expository Outlines on Hebrews 7. The Christian and Growth (Hebrews 5:11–14)

1) Lack of control (1 Cor. 9:27).

2) Lack of consecration (Rom. 12:1, 2).

3) Lack of communion (Ps. 119:11; Luke 18:1).

Expository Outlines on Hebrews 7. The Christian and Growth (Hebrews 5:11–14)

D. Nonacceptance (Ps. 82:5). These people walk in darkness. They refuse truth. Jesus said man would love darkness rather than light (John 3:19).

1 cor

1 Corinthians 9:27 NASB95

but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

Romans 12:1–2 NASB95

Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

ps

Psalm 119:11 NASB95

Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.

Luke 18:1 NASB95

Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart,

Expository Outlines on Hebrews 7. The Christian and Growth (Hebrews 5:11–14)

B. Lack of desire—“You still need milk instead of solid food” (NLT). By choice we grow in the Lord.

Expository Outlines on Hebrews 7. The Christian and Growth (Hebrews 5:11–14)

C. Lack of determination (v. 13). They had no determination to grow and be stronger Christians. Daniel purposed, or determined, in his heart to live for God (Dan. 1:8). Note Paul’s determination (Acts 20:24).

Daniel 1:8 NASB95

But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king’s choice food or with the wine which he drank; so he sought permission from the commander of the officials that he might not defile himself.

Acts 20:24 NASB95

“But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.

Expository Outlines on Hebrews 7. The Christian and Growth (Hebrews 5:11–14)

III. Consecrated People (v. 14)

A. Stable people—“Solid food is for full grown men” (NLT). Carnal people don’t want God’s Word. Note the words of Paul: “The time will come when people will not listen to the truth. They will look for teachers who will tell them only what they want to hear” (NLT).

Expository Outlines on Hebrews 7. The Christian and Growth (Hebrews 5:11–14)

B. Steady people—“They have learned to use their minds to tell the difference between good and bad” (NLT). This came by study (2 Tim. 2:15). It came through the Spirit (John 16:13). Also it came through sensible decisions (cf. James 4:17).

Expository Outlines on Hebrews 7. The Christian and Growth (Hebrews 5:11–14)

Many accept Christ as Savior, but not as Lord and Master. They wish to escape hell, but are not willing to pay the price to be a Christian. To grow in the Lord one must learn to put God first (Matt. 6:33). As we grow in Him we will obey His commands (John 14:15).