Turn your Eyes upon Jesus: Humility and Intelligence

Hebrews 6:1-12

Hebrews 6:1–12 HCSB

Therefore, leaving the elementary message about the Messiah, let us go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, faith in God, teaching about ritual washings, laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And we will do this if God permits. For it is impossible to renew to repentance those who were once enlightened, who tasted the heavenly gift, became companions with the Holy Spirit, tasted God’s good word and the powers of the coming age, and who have fallen away, because, to their own harm, they are recrucifying the Son of God and holding Him up to contempt. For ground that has drunk the rain that has often fallen on it and that produces vegetation useful to those it is cultivated for receives a blessing from God. But if it produces thorns and thistles, it is worthless and about to be cursed, and will be burned at the end. Even though we are speaking this way, dear friends, in your case we are confident of the better things connected with salvation. For God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you showed for His name when you served the saints—and you continue to serve them. Now we want each of you to demonstrate the same diligence for the final realization of your hope, so that you won’t become lazy but will be imitators of those who inherit the promises through faith and perseverance.

Elementary Things

Groupings:

Salvation - Soteriology

Religious/Militia - Ecclesiology

Prophecy - Pneumatology/Eschatology

Individualistic:

Repentance

Faith

Baptism

Ordination

Resurrection

Eternal Judgment

Loss of Crowns

Life - James 1:12, Revelation 2:10 (Given to individuals who preserve, overcome persecution, are steadfast and diligent)

Incorruptible/Imperishable - 1 Cor. 9:25 (Self-denial, humility, intelligent)

Righteousness - 2 Timothy 4:8 (Given to individuals with high standards of morals and ethics, a life that follows the commands with an emphasis on the 10 Commandments specifically regarding the love towards and of God)

Glory - 1 Peter 5:2-4 (Exclusively given to leaders of the Faith - modern day pastors/teachers/preachers- Priests

Rejoicing- 1 Thess. 2:19; Philippians 4:1 (Given to the individuals that are grateful for the gift of salvation, for the life that they have been given, for the trials and the tribulations that they have faced)

Exhortation to application

Better things than salvation

Service

Demonstration of diligence to learning, teaching, and applying

Realization of hope

Imitators of those who inherit the promises of faith and perseverance

Transitional

Just as when Jesus came to earth, the world was in turmoil; politically and religiously. The preacher provides a warning for all to be ready, to follow the great commission of Matthew 28, to continue on in faith even when facing persecution, and then this preacher will describe how the plan of God including a promise to Abraham, how He promised to send a Son who fills the ultimate Priest and King. The reason for why the Christian holds dear this tradition of Christmas.

Communion