Dull Of Hearing

Hebrews 5:1-14 (KJV)

1 For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins:

2 Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity.

3 And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.

4 And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.

5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.

6 As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;

8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;

9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

10 Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.

11 Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.

12 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.

13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.

14 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.

>A child has this incredible talent = where they can listen yet they will not hear.

>Have you ever listened to a sermon, but not really hear a sermon.

Mark 4:8-9 (KJV) “And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.”

James 1:22 (KJV)

22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

It can reach you ears and not heart.

It can reach your heart, but not your life.

I can attest to the fact that I have heard many message that I didn't hear; and I have heard messages that I heard – knew I needed action – but in foolishness walked away not doing anything about what I was – knowing who I needed to be.

The writer of Hebrews is dealing with the Work of Christ

But greater than Just the Work of Christ. He is dealing with the Work of Christ in the life of a believer.

Notice this Scripture:

He gives five qualifications of men being a high priest:

i. The High Priest must be anointed by God (v1)

ii. The High Priest must offer gifts and sacrifices for sins (V1)

iii. The High Priest must deal with men with compassion (v2)

iv. The High Priest must offer sacrifices for His Own Sins (V3)

v. The High Priest must be God-appointed and not self-appointed (V4) ~ As Aaron

The Pastorate today should never be about a Career. It’s always about a calling. The pastor is established and ordained and appointed by God.

Five Qualifications for the GREAT HIGH PRIEST:

1. Christ was begotten or born as a man (v5)

2. Christ Sacrificed HIMSELF (V7)

Probably a picture of Gethsemane

When he prayed so strongly – it was like great drops of blood

3. Christ willingly sacrificed Himself and suffered for man (V7)

4. Christ was Perfect: He is the Author of Salvation (V9)

5. Christ was appointed High priest by God: Salvation is of God (V10)

In the comparison of the failure of the Human High Priest.

To the GREAT HIGH PRIEST.

The Savior of the WORLD.

The writer is rebuking this church for their lack of growth.

>It wasn't because they had no resources

>It wasn't because they had no help

>It wasn't because they had no power

>They had the Great High Priest > so do we.

The Problem was they were not listening.

They were not digesting the TRUTH OF THE BIBLE.

“THEY WERE DULL OF HEARING”

The Word dull here means “lazy or sluggish”

Hebrews 6:11-12 (KJV)

11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:

12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.