Elementary Teachings

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.

Thesis/ Central Idea:

The process of development and maturing, used to refer to the progress of the kingdom of God and the spiritual development of believers. Scripture uses images of growth (such as seeds, plants and infants) to stress the dynamic nature of personal faith and the kingdom of God.

Introduction:

At some point don’t we always expect people to grow or at least change?

I wonder however if we have that same expectation of ourselves.

Do we get comfortable with a certain level of being then we just stubbornly stay there?

One needs to understand that if you are not growing in your faith,

you are failing

you are shrinking

you are withering

you are languishing

you are lessening

you are dying in your faith

There is a law in Thermodynamics called Entropy

basically this law states that everything moves towards a state of degradation, degeneration and even nothingness.

You can also say things move naturally to a state of disorder, a tendency toward decline

for instance the older you get your body degrades

the further you are away from light the dimmer it gets

This will happen in your

relationships

your education

your physical existence

your spiritual existence

your faith

Understand that if you stand still, by default you will be passed by

the world and everyday systems will change and develop without you

causing your position to experience entropy, degradation, ineffectiveness and ultimately death

That is why scripture strongly encourages us to mature

to grow in our faith

for us not to sit on our hands

but actively do something in the Kingdom

and in our individual lives

[Let’s discuss the images of growth that the Bible uses…]

Images of growth

[It is very important that we renew our faith by elementary teachings and then pursuing beyond them…]

Infancy to maturity

Ephesians 4:13–15 ESV

13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,

See also 1 Co 3:1–2; 1 Co 13:11; 1 Co 14:20; Heb 5:12–14; 1 Pe 2:2

Another image of growth the Bible uses is seen in plants

Seeds and plants

Luke 8:14–15 ESV

14 And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. 15 As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.

Note Luke uses the imagery of the Fruit does not mature

Paul does a similar thing...

See also 2 Co 9:10 “10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.”

These few verses and several others demonstrate the need to attain understanding of the Elementary Teachings and then grow and mature in the faith

[The Apostles themselves prayed and worked hard to grow in their faith…]

The apostles worked and prayed for growth in believers

2 Corinthians 13:9 ESV

9 For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. Your restoration is what we pray for.

See also Col 1:28 “28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.”

Col 4:12 “12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.”

[It is the Lord’s expectation of His people to mature. There are four ares we can discuss where we should see Spiritual Growth…]

Dimensions of spiritual growth

In hope

Romans 8:23–25 ESV

23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

[This is elementary and we should understand. Another area of spiritual growth is…]

In faith

2 Corinthians 10:15–16 ESV

15 We do not boast beyond limit in the labors of others. But our hope is that as your faith increases, our area of influence among you may be greatly enlarged, 16 so that we may preach the gospel in lands beyond you, without boasting of work already done in another’s area of influence.

See also 2 Th 1:3 “3 We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.”

As faith increases the influence of scripture should increase as well

When the faith of the membership enlarges the ability for the Gospel to spread increases

A growing abundant faith can be seen in love for another increasing

[Another dimension of our spiritual growth is found in…]

In knowledge

2 Peter 3:18 ESV

18 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.

See also Eph 1:17–18; Eph 3:16–19; Col 1:10; 2 Pe 1:3; 2 Pe 1:6

We do not have this knowledge intuitively, so we have to study and learn

God’s GRACE does the rest

[We also must grow in…]

In love

1 Thessalonians 4:10 ESV

10 for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more,

Philippians 1:9 ESV

9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment,

1 Th 3:12;

The Spirit uses Peter to reveal to us steps for maturity...

2 Pe 1:7–8 “7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

We do not want to be unfruitful

[Ultimately growth is made manifest by our creator…]

Growth comes from God

Colossians 2:19 ESV

19 and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.

See also 1 Co 3:6–7; 2 Co 9:10; Php 1:6

Philippians 1:6 ESV

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

[God does not do everything that is why…]

Growth comes through discipleship

[That begins by…]

Putting away the sinful self

1 Peter 2:1 ESV

1 So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.

Moving on from basic teaching

Hebrews 6:1–2 ESV

Maturing in thinking

1 Corinthians 14:20 ESV

20 Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature.

Persevering in faith

James 1:4 ESV

4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

See also Php 2:12; Php 3:12; 2 Pe 1:5–8

Contributing to growth in the church by exercising gifts

Ephesians 4:11–12 ESV

11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,