Sermon Tone Analysis

Jesus Christ - a better/sure anchor for our soul/salvation

Living and communicating within a new frame of reference/paradigm can be a huge challenge.

i.e. major move, major life change or learning a new language

Some of these changes force us to think, process and communicate information differently.

When it is a life and death matter of survival, there is no choice.

Those displaced after a war.

Formatting an address or sentence in Japanese

In order to advance and make that transition permanent, one must transition completely to the next level.

How we learn and think

Usually cannot be processed through present paradigm.

A new paradigm is needed.

We need to begin think in the new language.

Eventually we must be willing to jettison extraneous material or people.

We can never learn Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Calculus and Logarithms if we are content to repeatedly review only elementary mathematical disciplines.

For that matter, if a calculator is relied on and nothing is internalized, we are increasingly vulnerable/limited.

Those to whom Hebrews was written seem to have fallen into two spiritual camps.

To some extent, it seems that they had not jettisoned some of the old paradigms.

There was also the possibility that they were guilty of synchronism - adding Jesus to their extended OT system.

One segment was unbelievers who had heard the Gospel again and again, but had chosen not to believe.

The other segment was believers.

Some of that second believing segment had not matured the way that they should have.

Having repeatedly gone over the basics of the Gospel, the writer of Hebrews made a deliberate decision.

Addressing the whole believing segment, with the unbelieving segment listening to the letter/book as it was read, he explained that which was geared more to maturity.

They are going to move on theologically.

The writer of Hebrews explained that:

When the elementary doctrine of Christ has been repeatedly rejected by unbelievers, it was unfruitful to continue to repeat what the unbelievers had knowingly rejected - 6:1-8

He was sure of better things for those who believed - 6:9-12

God’s promise is certain - 6:13-20

When the elementary doctrine of Christ has been repeatedly rejected by unbelievers, it is unfruitful to continue to repeat what unbelievers have knowingly rejected - 6:1-8

When we work our way through this section of Hebrews, some of you will remember what you may have been taught.

Remembering is part if who we are.

From the wording used by the writer of Hebrews, it seems to me that he is referring to 2 spiritual segments of those who gathered and received this letter.

Believers - 6:9-20 - and unbelievers - 6:1-8

2 segments of believers

Immature believers - 5:11-14 - CONTEXT

Ought to be teachers - 5:12

Need milk not solid food - 5:12 - elsewhere in Scripture milk referenced the teaching needed by babes in Christ - new believers - those who were not mature.

Unskilled in the word of righteousness - 5:13

Unable to handle solid food that is for the mature - 5:14

Not discerning re good and evil - 5:14

Unbelievers - 6:1-8

Believers - 6:9-12, 13-20

Elementary components of the doctrine of Christ - 6:1-2

Hearing the doctrine of Christ is not the same as believing.

Only when the Gospel is obeyed/believed is there new life in Christ.

And go on to maturity

It is a sobering reality that the elementary components that when believed lead to new life in Christ and lay the foundation for maturing in Christ, also define the spiritual status of the one who has to this point chosen not to repent and believe.

Lack of maturing over the long term suggests either a spiritual learning handicap but more likely not being a believer at all.

Elementary components:

Repentance from dead works to faith toward God

Instruction about washings

The Levitical system included many washings that were to be confessions of heart cleansing.

In addition to the atonement offerings, there were to be washings symbolizing hearts that we not only forgiven but cleansed.

summarizes the repeated washings mentioned in Lev 16

Ex 30:

Lev

Lev 16:

Lev

Lev 16:

Laying on of hands - under Old Covenant 2 possibilities

Person bringing the sacrifice placed hand/hands on it symbolizing identification with the sacrifice for sin

Priestly blessing

Matt 19:31

Resurrection of the dead - true, Sadducee denial of resurrection

Eternal judgment - believing in the resurrection did not translate into believing alive spiritually and judgment by God on His terms - Christ

Christ taught that there would be a judgment - sheep and goats - - final judgment

Matt 25:

BUT

It is humanly “impossible” to bring those who have rejected Christ to repentance - 6:3-6 - Some believers could not point fingers - 5:11-14

Impossible to bring those to repentance those who have sensed and experienced the beginnings of the Gospel

Enlightened

Intellectual perception

The enlightenment spoken of here has to do with intellectual perception of spiritual, biblical truth.

In the Septuagint, the Greek word (phōtizō) several times is translated “to give light by knowledge or teaching.”

It means to be mentally aware of something, to be instructed, informed.

It carries no connotation of response—of acceptance or rejection, belief or disbelief.

Jesus came to give light

Matt

Tasted the heavenly gift

Not feasted upon.

Eternal life comes from eating not tasting

Share/partake of the Holy Spirit - not possess

Shared the Holy Spirit

The Bible never speaks of Christians being associated with the Holy Spirit.

It speaks of the Holy Spirit being within them.

Tasted but not eaten the Word

Herod enjoyed hearing John the Baptist but did not believe,

Mk 6:

EVEN a sense of things to come BUT

When these means that God uses are rejected no other means of renewal.

They have held up God to contempt.

Fall away - only here - severe unfaithfulness - cc

Those who receive the Gospel are blessed while those who reject the Gospel are cursed - 6:7-8

Results of believing and not believing.

Fruit versus thorns and thistles

He was sure of better things for those who believed - 6:9-12

In your case, we feel sure of better things that belong to salvation.

Up to this point some of what we have might seem fairly heavy.

But he has dealt with real faith issues and priorities.

Feelings confessed but feelings based on what he sees in their lives and what God says.