Go Beyond "Spiritual Immaturity"

Hebrews 6

Go Beyond "Spiritual Immaturity"

The High Stakes in Hebrews

From Immatu

re into…

Fruit

Death

“If a field bears thorns and thistles, it is useless”

• Adikomos means ‘empty’

“keep on loving others as long as life lasts”

• “a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls”

Hebrews 6:1-3 FRUITFUL LIVING“From ‘Milk’ to ‘Meat’”So let us stop going over the basic teachings

about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding.

From Last Week:But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.

Hebrews 5:14 (NASB)

Hebrews 6:1-3 FRUITFUL LIVING“From ‘Milk’ to ‘Meat’”

Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God.

You don’t need further instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands,

the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.

Hebrews 6:1-3 FRUITFUL LIVING“From ‘Milk’ to ‘Meat’”

Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God.

You don’t need further instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands,

the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.

Grace

Rituals (all 2!!)End Times

•Only the beginning!

Not to be dwelt upon

•Baptism•Appointing leaders

Important…

•“Membership drives”•“Structures”

But too many

regulations!

•“Just gimme that ol’ time religion…”

Weak teachers at work!

Hebrews 6:1-3 FRUITFUL LIVING“From ‘Milk’ to ‘Meat’”

Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God.

You don’t need further instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands,

the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.

Settle These Issues!

Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to

you. Philippians 3:15 (NLT)

Hebrews 6:1-3 FRUITFUL LIVING“From ‘Milk’ to ‘Meat’”

Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God.

You don’t need further instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands,

the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.

MATURITY IS: “Enter God’s Rest”

Moment-by-moment exercise of faith

Understanding God’s Principle of Activity

“Coming of Age”: Spiritual Adulthood

Hebrews 6:1-3 FRUITFUL LIVING“From ‘Milk’ to ‘Meat’”

Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God.

You don’t need further instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands,

the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.

Maturity Achieved by:

“Practice” (5:14)

“leave behind elementary truths” (5:14)

“Not starting over again and again…” (6:1)

Hebrews 6:1-3 FRUITFUL LIVING“From ‘Milk’ to ‘Meat’”

Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God.

You don’t need further instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands,

the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.

“Meat Truths” Ahead!

The “setting aside of a former commandment because of its

weakness and uselessness” (7:18)

“the Law made nothing perfect!” (7:19)

MOSAIC COVENANT Replaced!

A whole different world!

Nothing makes sense anymore!

The Tragic Stumbling-Block in Hebrews

We’re Hebrews! God’s “Chosen People” Very secure… Know all about the Christ But still immature!

(“mature now!”)

The Tragic Stumbling-Block in Hebrews

We’re Hebrews! “JC” is Pretty Cool Until… He shakes our traditions and

assumptions He reaches into our precious home

lives… “Following JC” starts to cost

something…

(“mature now!”)

The Tragic Stumbling-Block in Hebrews

We’re Hebrews! “JC” is Pretty Cool Until… They Got Shook UP! Abandon Everything!

(“mature now!”)

The Knottiest Passage in Scripture: “Death at Birth”

Hebrews 6:4-8 For it is impossible to bring back to repentance those who were once enlightened—those who have experienced the good things of heaven and shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the power of the age to come— and who then turn away from God.

It is impossible to bring such people back to repentance; by rejecting the Son of God, they themselves are nailing him to the cross once again and holding him up to public shame.

When the ground soaks up the falling rain and bears a good crop for the farmer, it has God’s blessing. But if a field bears thorns and thistles, it is useless. The farmer will soon condemn that field and burn it.

The Knottiest Passage in Scripture: “Death at Birth”

Hebrews 6:4-8 For it is impossible to bring back to repentance those who were once enlightened…

The Knottiest Passage in Scripture: “Death at Birth”

1. Are these Christians?•“I need a savior…”“Enlightened”•Know a personal relationship“Tasted Heavenly Gift”

•Companionship with God“Partakers ..Holy Spirit”

•Joy of the promises of God“Powers..Age to Come”

•Their case is hopeless!“Cannot restore”

The Knottiest Passage in Scripture: “Death at Birth”

1. Are these Christians? Possibly “Hebrews” unable

to accept change. Possibly Non-Christians

unable to accept change. Possibly Christians unable

to accept change. Get stuck in their growth Wasting life away…

“Enlightened”

“Tasted Heavenly Gift”

“Partakers ..Holy Spirit”

“Powers..Age to Come”

“Cannot restore”

Same

The Knottiest Passage in Scripture: “Death at Birth”

1. Are these Christians?“Enlightened”

“Tasted Heavenly Gift”

“Partakers ..Holy Spirit”

“Powers..Age to Come”

“Cannot restore”

The Knottiest Passage in Scripture: “Death at Birth”

1. Are these Christians?2. How do they “fall away”?

Moment of Faith• “Conversion Joy”• “Milk Drinkers”

Facing Personal Cost• Get “All Shook Up”• “Meat Eaters” – Learn REST

“2 Points of Crisis”

The Knottiest Passage in Scripture: “Death at Birth”

1. Are these Christians?2. How do they “fall away”?

Conception Gestation Period Delivery

“Entering God’s Rest”

My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you— Galatians 4:19 (NASB)

The Knottiest Passage in Scripture: “Death at Birth”

1. Are these Christians?2. How do they “fall away”? New Christians are “Embryos” Fed by the Faith of Others Seem to start well… But they never “own” their faith. So they get perpetually stuck.

The Knottiest Passage in Scripture: “Death at Birth”

1. Are these Christians?2. How do they “fall away”? New Christians are “Embryos” Fed by the Faith of Others Seem to start well… But they never “own” their faith.

Examples

The seed on “rocky ground”

“Triumphal Entry”

Judas Iscariot

The Knottiest Passage in Scripture: “Death at Birth”

1. Are these Christians?2. How do they “fall away”? New Christians are “Embryos” Fed by the Faith of Others Seem to start well… But they never “own” their faith.

Examples

The seed on “rocky ground”

“Triumphal Entry”

Judas Iscariot

They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be shown that they all are not of us. 1 John 2:19

The Knottiest Passage in Scripture: “Death at Birth”

1. Are these Christians?2. How do they “fall away”?3. Why “Impossible to bring

back…” ? The Key: “If God Permits”

“I swore in my wrath ‘They’ll never enter my rest…’” – Heb 4:3

The Knottiest Passage in Scripture: “Death at Birth”

1. Are these Christians?2. How do they “fall away”?3. Why “Impossible to bring

back…” ? The Key: “If God Permits” They become “enemies of the cross

of Christ…”For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ.

Philippians 3:18

…and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame.

Hebrews 6:6 (NASB)

The Knottiest Passage in Scripture: “Death at Birth”

1. Are these Christians?2. How do they “fall away”?3. Why “Impossible to bring

back…” ? The Key: “If God Permits” They become “enemies of the cross

of Christ…” More “help” only produces thorns…When the ground soaks up the falling rain and bears a good crop for the farmer, it has God’s blessing. But if a field bears thorns and thistles, it is useless. The farmer will soon condemn that field and burn it. Hebrews 6:7-8 (NLT)

The Knottiest Passage in Scripture: “Death at Birth”

I recently de-converted from Christianity, the faith I have been brought up in for the past 17 years. I wanted to give an explanation as to how I came to this, and why.

At 16, I “gave my life to Christ” and was baptized. After that event, I was in evangelist mode. I passed out Gospel tracts, witnessed to people, read my Bible everyday, studied apologetics, etc. I was quite sincere in this, but about 5 or 6 months ago, I began to experience doubt.

The Knottiest Passage in Scripture: “Death at Birth”

Part of this was due to my study of the Old Testament, which prior to this I had avoided reading. In the Old Testament I encountered a God I had not seen before. You described his behavior quite eloquently in chapter 2 of your book. I sought explanations for the cruelty of a God whom I had henceforth believed to be “loving” and “just”. None were satisfactory. This gnawing skepticism led up to the day I went to the public library and checked out a copy of “The God Delusion”.

The Knottiest Passage in Scripture: “Death at Birth”

All of my life, I have been taught that the world is 6,000 years old, created by the Judeo-Christian God, and I believed it without question. Needless to say, when I began reading “The God Delusion” I was floored.

I started to see the world as it really is, and appreciate my life far more than I did as a Christian. I want to thank you for this book, which has helped remove the shaded glasses I have been wearing, and view the world in it’s full light. Best wishes to you.

The Knottiest Passage in Scripture: “Death at Birth”

People I’ve Known…

They went out from us, but they were not really of us... 1 John 2:19

Beyond Immaturity to Fruitfulness! (6:9-12)

Dear friends, even though we are talking this way, we really don’t believe it applies to you. We are confident that you are meant for better things, things that come with salvation.

Beyond Immaturity to Fruitfulness! (6:9-12)

For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do.

Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true. Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance.

Beyond Immaturity to Fruitfulness! (6:9-12)

For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do. ..

He Sees True Evidence of Their Salvation:

1. Their Love 2. Deeds of Compassion3. Not Just Words.

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Beyond Immaturity to Fruitfulness! (6:9-12)

What does it mean? Do you live in uncertainty? Troubling doubt? Guilt?

Wake Up! Get Serious! Learn to “enter God’s Rest”! “Keep on loving others as long as

life lasts!” You’ll have a “full assurance of hope”

that makes others look to you!

Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true. Hebrews 6:11

Family Vacation 1993Starting in Orlando, Florida…

Atlanta 4” SnowControl

Dar & I Drove Here: