The Marks of Maturity

READ:

Our text is from the book of Hebrews. Now we aren’t exactly sure who wrote this tremendous book - but this chapter deals with the Priesthood of Christ. But the author stops abruptly in the middle of his writing and bemoans the fact that his words were going unheeded and not understood.

“Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” (Hebrews 5:11–14, KJV 1900)

In this little passage and brief digression from a beautiful picture of Christ as Priest the author holds up two opposing pictures.

I want all of us to take a moment this morning and look at these portraits and see which one best describes us. Which one are we more like?

And then I want us to see how to switch from the wrong portrait to the correct one.

The Characteristics of Immaturity

The writer lists three charges against his audience as to why he can’t continue talking about Christ our Great High Priest after the Order of Melchisedec.

They were dull of hearing (Heb. 5:11)

This wasn’t an accusation of a learning disability. Bro. Steve Stettler a tremendous preacher, teacher, and missionary with a heart and passion for people that is bigger than anyone else I think I have ever known understands that issue. When he was young he had a stuttering problem and other challenges. The teacher said it would be better since he was mentally incompetent, if he went to an institution or somewhere else.

His learning problem was a development problem. These people the author of Hebrews is writing to do not have a development or mental challenge - they are flat out lazy.

Didn’t take the time to process what was being said, they wanted to just sit back and hear something beautiful, sweet, and not have to think too hard.

Now I want to say, there are times when that is needed. Not everyone is on a Doctorate level of Theology nor do you have to be

But as we will see there are severe consequences for not advancing in our knowledge and grasp of Jesus Christ.

What does Peter challenge us to do? “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.” (2 Peter 3:18, KJV 1900)

They were repeatedly taking Kindergarten instead of teaching. (Heb. 5:12a).

They had enough data, enough equipping, enough training to be able to teach and disciple others, but instead they were having to go back and learn and do the basic steps first.

The author will later in Hebrews 6:1 connect back to this with the word, “Therefore” and he says we ought to leave the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection.

He is using a figurative language similar to a house builder. He prepares and pours the foundation and when that sets and cures, he comes back and builds on that. He doesn’t come back and redo the foundation unless there are major problems.

By the time he gets to the roof he has left the work of pouring the foundation - but he doesn’t forget it - he uses it and depends on it.

They were not eating solid food

Preferred milk over steak.

Have you ever seen those face altering phone apps or computer software at work. It is sometimes hilarious. I used one for fun several years ago and it made me look extremely old and wrinkled. (Perhaps you could look it up and share it.)

This is what I think of when I hear this you look into the baby carriage , and instead of seeing a cute little baby and bundle of joy, you see a wrinkled old face staring back at you.

The story is told of one of my grandparents I believe when they were young and given strong meat would ask their mom to chew it for them. I remember as a child every time Dad would tell that story almost vomiting but this is the accusation that the author is making against them.

They desire milk - it is easier to eat they can set back and be lazy just drink it down. Not even having to stop and think was that a bone? Is this too big of a bite? without having to consider what they’re doing.

Did you know, as gross as it sounds, “Milk is a food that has passed through another’s digestion” They don’t know how to get the food themselves

I’m thankful the writer doesn’t leave us hanging here - but he offers some hope. If we are in such a state if that is our portrait if that is how we identify this morning we have an opportunity to switch.

We are given a key to spiritual growth and development.

And it will take some hard work.

The Conditioning of Maturity

Eating Strong Meat (Heb. 5:14a)

Strong meat - steak, hearty, belongs to them that are of “full age” or “mature”

Strong meat here is figurative for deeper and stronger truths.

I want you to notice something though - It doesn’t just come with time. It comes by practice.

Exercising Senses - Maturity comes from “reason of use and exercise”

My brother in law has run several marathons in the past. What it interesting though is he doesn’t get up on the morning of the marathon and say, “I think I’m going to run that marathon”. NO he spends weeks, if not months planning, preparing, exercising, watching what he eats all for the conditioning of the marathon.

The author says it’s not going to take time but work - You are going to have to get up and dig in.

You will have to think and process and search. Look up the meaning of words, compare translations, Study, and after a time you can handle the hard stuff.

Extricating Good from Evil

Part of what comes from this is discernment.

Every spring, 35 million Americans get hay fever. Springtime allergies occur when the body’s immune system incorrectly identifies pollen as bacteria or viruses and releases antibodies to fight against it. This releases chemicals called histamines, which trigger allergy symptoms like runny noses and itchy eyes.

It isn’t enough to combat irritants; we must have discernment to recognize what is dangerous and what is harmless.

—Jim L. Wilson and Yuet S. Flavia Wong283

It is a characteristic of little children that they lack discernment. A baby will put anything into its mouth. An immature believer will listen to any preacher on the radio or television and not be able to identify whether or not he is true to the Scriptures.

When one of my boys was just little not yet walking, I don’t believe, he was crawling around in the kitchen where we were living at the time, and found a dead wasp I had sprayed earlier that day and wanted to make sure was dead before I picked up and discarded. And as children do at times the first place it went was his mouth. He was too young to discern what was good and bad. That is to be expected of someone his age - but unfortunately I still see many Christians who have been Christians for years still not sure what to put into their mouths.

being able to determine what is right and what is wrong.

Being able to extricate what is truth and what is heresy.

Being able to discern what is light and what is darkness.

This morning I want to challenge you, to encourage you to go to the next step. Do something different in your devotional life where you have to really think and apply the scriptures to your life. Grow in grace - Don’t be that guy who is all wrinkled with age - but still has to have the milk bottle carried to him. Be that guy who is able to ingest the strong and meaty and is standing on the principles of the doctrine of Christ.