A. INTRODUCTION
1. Our text passage this morning represents an enormous "pause" in a complicated theology lesson. The writer of the epistle has begun teaching about the priesthood. He has reminded his readers of their historical priesthood; he has just mentioned the mysterious Old Testament figure regarded by the Jews as the very first priest: M __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __; he is now trying to explain the great high priesthood of Jesus Christ; and he is moving toward one of the most radical aspects of the Christian life in the minds of first century Christians ( nearly all of whom were Jews ): the p __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ of all believers. Suddenly, he stops -- almost in mid-sentence -- in 5:11. He stops because he knows that what he is teaching is complicated and difficult to understand. It will require a depth, a level of spiritual maturity not yet attained by those to whom his letter is addressed. Once he reminds his readers of their inadequacy, he will reprove them sharply in 5:12 - 6:3, warn them sternly in 6:4-8, and seek to encourage them in 6:9-12.
2. The specific issue of the priesthood of all believers is not so strange to the ears of most modern-day believers. It is a widely-accepted doctrine in the minds of most of us. But the greater issue of Hebrews 5:11 - 6:8 -- the matter of spiritual maturity -- continues to loom large in the church.
a. "Ear trouble, today, is the big problem of believers. Christ as a priest after the order of Melchizedek is a difficult subject, and the writer is going to deal with it forthrightly. To understand the subject requires sharp spiritual perception. It requires folk to be spiritually alert and to have a knowledge of the Word of God and to be close it. The Hebrew believers who are being addressed here had a low SQ, not an IQ, but an SQ -- spiritual quotient. It was hard to teach them because it was difficult to make them understand. They were babies, as many of the saints are today, and they want baby talk even from the preacher. They don't want to hear anything that is difficult to understand. This is the reason some preachers are getting away with murder in the pulpit -- they murder the Word of God. They absolutely kill it and substitute something from their own viewpoint, and the congregations like that kind of baby talk." - J. Vernon McGee: Hebrews ( Volume 51, Through-the-Bible Commentary Series )
b. "Before the writer develops the theme of the high priestly office of the Son of God, it was necessary for him to address the fact that the community for whom he was writing had become sluggish and unreceptive to the claims of the gospel. They appeared to be unwilling to accept the deeper implications of faith and obedience. Dullness in understanding is a dangerous state for those who have been called to obedience." - William L. Lane: Hebrews 1 - 8 ( Volume 47, Word Biblical Commentary )
c. ref: Matthew 13:3-15
John 16:12-15
B. TEXT: Hebrews 5:11 - 6:12
1. In 5:11-14 the writer sets forth four marks of spiritual immaturity.
a. D __ __ __ __ __ __ __ toward the Word (v.11)
(1) The Greek word translated here means "sluggish in hearing" or "slow to learn."
(2) Spiritual dullness may be seen as an early symptom of a "h __ __ __ __ __ __ __ heart."
(3) Antithesis: 1 Thessalonians 2:13 [ NKJV ]
For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.
b. The inability to s __ __ __ __ the word of God with others (v.12a)
(1) Note that the writer here is not referring to the spiritual gift of teaching, but to the simple sharing with another from the treasury of what a believer has learned for himself about the Lord.
(2) "If they had been growing as they should, they ought by now to be able to pass the great truths of the faith along to others." - Ray C. Stedman: Hebrews ( Vol. 15, The IVP New Testament Commentary Series )
c. A diet of spiritual "b __ __ __ f __ __ __" (v.12b-13)
(1) "Evidently these people had not merely not advanced, they had actually lost their understanding of 'the first principles.' They needed to go back to square one. The instruction required was as basic as that. It is a tragic commentary on their spiritual grasp. No wonder the writer finds it difficult to communicate his message.
"The contrast between milk and solid food is not intended to make them mutually exclusive, but to suggest a normal development from one to the other. The milk phase is as essential as the solid food, but those who never reach the latter stage are sadly deficient." - Donald Guthrie: Hebrews (Vol. 15, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries )
(2) ref: I Corinthians 3:1-2
I Peter 1:1-3
(3) Someone has said that the difference between spiritual "milk" and spiritual "meat" for a growing believer is the difference between learning what Christ has done and what Christ is doing in my life.
d. U __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ in using the Word (v.15)
(1) The Greek word translated as "unskilled" in most English translations means literally "untried," which seems to indicate that a lack of skill is directly linked to a lack of practice. This is very different from ignorance, isn't it?
(2) "The things of God require something more than a nodding acquaintance. The writer unhesitatingly places his readers in the milk category. They had never developed the necessary skills." - Donald Guthrie: Op. cit.
(3) The chief symptom: lack of d __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ ; difficulty in separating t __ __ __ __ from e __ __ __ __ in preaching and / or teaching.
(4) Christians are called upon by God to "e __ __ __ __ __ __ __ [ themselves ] toward g __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __." As a shepherd of this congregation, I am responsible to exhort each member of the flock to this end with all authority -- the Word of God. But no pastor can exercise another person toward godliness; each must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Christ. Real effort is involved here, and not just on the part of the pastor! He has all he can do to exercise his own sorry self toward godliness!
(5) Far too many of us are spiritual "'tweeners," sweating out a tough, hand-to-mouth life in a kind of spiritual wilderness. God has brought us out of Egypt but we refuse to enter the Promised Land!
(6) V.6 presents a picture of the mature believer who has become all the things that those to whom the epistle is addressed.
But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
(7) "The maturity needed to grasp Christ's priestly ministry is not intellectual sophistication, but spiritual discernment arising from consistent obedience to God's will." - from Study Notes on Hebrews 5:14 in the New Geneva Study Bible
ref: Philippians 1:9-11
1 John 4:1-6
I Timothy 4:1-8
2 Timothy 4:1-4
2. In 6:1-2 the writer of Hebrews lists six of those "oracles of God" ( "ABC's of doctrine" ) which his readers should have long ago mastered and used as a sure foundation to step out in a life of active faith. In order for them to "go on to maturity" these "elementary teachings about C __ __ __ __ __ " must be known, established in their hearts, and built upon. Interestingly, each of these is taught explicitly in Judaism, but expanded upon considerably in the gospel of Jesus Christ. ( The following list is taken from Irving Jensen's Self-study Guide on Hebrews.
a. repentance from dead w __ __ __ __
"Repentance was one of the teachings of Judaism. Repeatedly, through the voice of His prophets, God called the people of Israel to turn from their wicked ways of murder, adultery, and idolatry and to come back to obedience to Him.
"In New Testament days more emphasis was placed on the fact that repentance was genuine sorrow for sinful thoughts as well as sinful acts ( read Matthew 5:21-22, 27-28 )."
(1) Old Testament ref: Ezekiel 14:6
Joel 2:12
Zechariah 1:2-4
(2) New Testament ref: Matthew 3:1-2
Matthew 5:21-22
Romans 6:21
b. F __ __ __ __ toward God
"This was also one of the teachings of Judaism (cf. Hebrews 11 ). Throughout their history, from Moses to Malachi, the people were being exhorted, through their leaders and prophets, to put their faith in God -- the God of Israel. "When Christ came, faith was personalized in the sense that now the very Saviour of God's salvation was the object of a saving faith ( Acts 20:21 )."
(1) Old Testament ref: Genesis 15:6
Exodus 14:13
Joshua 1:9
Isaiah 7:9
Habakkuk 2:4
(2) New Testament ref: Acts 2:20-21
Acts 2:36-38
1 Peter 1:18-21
c. Doctrines of b __ __ __ __ __ __ __ ( "washings" )
"The Jews made much of various kinds of washings. Judaism taught the need of cleansing in order to have fellowship with God.
"In the New Testament there is deeper teaching regarding this subject of cleansing. It is not cleansing from physical defilement but from heart defilement that God requires. It is the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Spirit that is necessary to make us fit for the presence of God."
(1) Old Testament ref: Exodus 30:17-21
Leviticus 6:27
Deuteronomy 21:6
Ezekiel 36:25
(2) New Testament ref: John 3:5
Titus 3:5
Mark 16:16
d. Laying on of h __ __ __ __
"This was the commissioning of someone for a divinely-appointed task, such as was done for Joshua ( Numbers 27:18-19 ). In New Testament days such imposition of hands was associated especially with the impartation of the Holy Spirit ( cf. Acts 13:2-3 )."
(1) Old Testament ref: Numbers 27:18
Deuteronomy 34:9 ( see also Leviticus 1:4 and 3:2 and Numbers 8:12 )
(2) New Testament ref: Acts 6:6
Acts 13:3
1 Timothy 4:14
2 Timothy 1:6
e. R __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ of the dead
"This was a doctrine also taught in Old Testament Judaism. It is not mentioned in the Old Testament as frequently as the other doctrines on this list.
In the New Testament there is much fuller teaching regarding the resurrection of the dead, because of the contemporary context of the historical event of Christ's resurrection."
(1) Old Testament ref: Exodus 3:6
Job 19:25-26
Psalm 16:20
Psalm 17:15
Isaiah 26:19
(2) New Testament ref: Luke 24:39
1 Corinthians 15:20-22
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
Philippians 3:11
1 John 3:2
f. Eternal j __ __ __ __ __ __ __
"Judaism looked upon God as Judge of all the earth and of His people in particular. Divine judgments would continue throughout history, to be summed up in the eschatological judgment of Daniel 7:9-14.
"In regard to the New Testament teaching on judgment, the following facts are prominent:
Christ is the Judge;
Calvary is the place where the sins of believers have been judged;
the wages of sin is death -- eternal separation from God.
The New Testament furnishes more details concerning future judgment."
(1) Old Testament ref: Genesis 18:25
1 Chronicles 16:33
Psalm 9:7-8
Ecclesiastes 12:14
Isaiah 33:22
(2) New Testament ref: Matthew 25:41
John 5:22, 27
Acts 17:31
Revelation 20:10, 15
3. Hebrews 6:4-6 is perhaps the single most controversial passage of Scripture in all the Bible. It has been offered as the primary reason why Western church leaders took a dim view of accepting the Epistle to the Hebrews into the New Testament canon.
a. Bible scholar William Barclay called it "one of the most terrible passages in Scripture."
b. It's implications are so terrifying that, as late as the 4th century A.D., some groups of believers delayed baptism until late in life because post-baptismal sin appeared to incur such dire consequences.
c. Three practices of the Roman church surely owe at least part of their origins to this passage:
(1) the need for administering "last rites" to a dying believer;
(2) the entire doctrine of purgatory; and
(3) the administering of acts of penance by priests to the believer who has confessed to him post-baptismal sin. Most Catholics still believe that saving grace can be forfeited by any grievous sin but recovered by sufficient penance.
d. Those who reject the doctrine of eternal security use this passage as the very foundation of their belief that salvation can be chosen and lost by the free will of a believer. They counter the "dogmatic assurance" of many of the Reformers with scriptural calls to determined, steadfast faithfulness. "Warning" passages indicate clearly, they would argue, that believers -- yes, those who are "truly saved: -- can lost their salvation by failing to maintain their faith. Even the regenerate, they insist, can by grieving the Holy Spirit fall away and perish eternally.
e. Hebrews 6:4-6 has been explained through many different interpretations over the centuries. Among them:
(1) The "u __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ sin" interpretation
ref: Mark 3:28-29
Matthew 12:31-32
1 John 5:16
(2) The "hypothetical case" interpretation
The use of the word "impossible" indicates that, since what the writer is describing cannot, in fact occur, he must be speaking hypothetically.
(3) The "p __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __" interpretation.
We are invited to study this passage alongside 1 John 2:18-23, where the apostle categorizes those who have deserted the fellowship of believers and deny the deity of Jesus Christ prove by their actions that they never really were authentic Christians, butwere merely "professors" of faith in Christ.
Consider the "we" and "us" in v.1-3 with the "they" and "them" in v.4-6, and ask yourself: Do the five descriptive phrases used of "them" indicate that they have fully partaken of God's "salvation experience?"
- They have been "once e __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __."
- They have "t __ __ __ __ __ the heavenly gift."
- They have become "p __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ of the Holy Spirit."
- They have "t __ __ __ __ __ the goodness of the Word of God."
- They have tasted the "p __ __ __ __ __ of the age to come."
(4) The "historical context" interpretation
Proponents suggest that the writer is referencing those who, under the earliest systematic persecution of Christians by the Roman government, saved their skins by denying belief in Christ. When things cooled down, some of these returned to the fold, recanting their denials. A great debate developed over whether or not the "lapsed" or "apostate" could again be included in the life of the church or should instead suffer excommunication.
(5) The "reward vs. sonship" interpretation
ref: 1 Corinthians 3:11-15
(6) the "s __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ vs. r __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __" interpretation
J. Vernon McGee writes: "The writer of Hebrews is talking about the fruit of salvation, not about the root of salvation."
The use of the word "repentance" instead of "salvation" in v.6 is seen as the key to this interpretation. Repentance, proponents note, is something that God asks believers to do. See Revelation 2 and 3, where God tells seven churches to repent.
(7) the "spiritual vs. psychological" interpretation
"If one has experienced all that has described the believer in the above phrases and then turns his back on such a Savior, how under any circumstances can he crawl back? Is this a psychological impossibility or a spiritual impossibility?" - Louis H. Evans, Jr.: Hebrews ( Vol. 10, The Communicator's Commentary )
(8) the "read it like it reads" interpretation
"The natural, unforced interpretation...points to a real, though rare, condition. Real, because of the detailed descriptions of v.4-5; rare, because even the serious backslidden condition of the readers did not kill the optimism of the writer concerning them ("We are persuaded better things of you," 6:9)." - Irving L. Jensen: Hebrews: A Self-study Guide
4. In 6:7-8 the writer uses prophetic imagery from the Old Testament to reinforce the warnings of v.4-6. Similar imagery was used by our Lord in the Parable of the Sower ( Matthew 13:3-9 ) His presentation of Himself as the True Vine ( John 15:1-8 ).
5. In 6:9-11 he moves from exhortation to encouragement, warmly reminding his readers that, in
spite of their lack of maturity in some areas, they have demonstrated their true spiritual nature by "the things that accompany their s __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __," summed up, it seems, in their ministry toward the saints.
C. APPLICATION
1. Let us each one consider those things which accompany our salvation. And let us not look only to the past -- to the moment of our salvation -- or only to the future -- to the final heavenly benefit of our salvation. Let us consider what should accompany our salvation today, in the absolute and on-going present tense.
2. Let us fend off any tendency toward spiritual dullness by remaining diligent to the end -- the end of each day as well as the end of our earthly walk.
3. "Verse 11 states again the truth found everywhere in Scripture: The only reliable sign of regeneration is a faith that does not fail and continues to the end of life. It may at times falter and grow dim as it faces various trials and pressures, but it cannot be wholly abandoned, for Jesus has promised, "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand." ( John 10:28 )" - Ray Stedman: Op. cit.
4. The Christian life is designed to be lived in three sometimes overlapping phases:
a. "C __ __ __" - GATHERING
(1) This phase begins with the invitation to receive Christ as Saviour and Lord.
(2) It is usually presented via "preaching" ( kerygma ) - the proclamation of the Word.
(3) ref: Matthew 11:28
Hebrews 2:1-3
John 3:1-11
Revelation 3:20
John 14:23
b. "Get R __ __ __ __" - PREPARING
(1) This phase develops through "teaching" ( didache ) and "nurture" ( paideia ).
(2) It's purpose is to stimulate spiritual growth toward spiritual maturity, the goal of which for all believers is f __ __ __ __ - bearing, which consists of honouring and glorifying God and ministering to the world for which He so deeply cares.
(3) ref: Colossians 1:28
John 15:7-8
Matthew 13:4-8, 13
c. "G __" - BEING SENT FORTH
(1) This phase is manifested in ministry and mission -- the "go into all the world" of the Great Commission.
(2) " {Jesus} set the criteria by which the nations and the members of the kingdom will be judged; by feeding the hungry, giving water to the thirsty, welcoming the stranger, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and the imprisoned.
"In the closing verses of his gospel, Matthew records Jesus as instructing His disciples to go into all the world and preach to all creatures, baptizing them and teaching them in all the things He had commanded.
"We might summarize this apostolic mandate as one to the spiritual, intellectual, physical, social, economic, political, and human needs of all humanity -- a whole gospel to the whole person in the whole world. There is no evidence whatsoever that the Gospel was divided into a dichotomy of soul-saving or social action. Both were part of one great plan to touch every human need with the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The fulfillment of the mandate was the evidence of maturity ( teleiotes ) to these early Christian teachers and exhorters." - Louis H. Evans, Jr.: Op. cit.
(3) ref: Matthew 25:31-46
Matthew 28:16-20
Acts 6:1-8
D I S C U S S I O N G U I D E
1. Read 1Peter 1:1-3 and 1 Corinthians 3:1-2.
a. What is the difference between "spiritual milk" and "spiritual meat?"
b. Give an example of each.
MILK:
MEAT:
2. Read again the "Four Marks of Spiritual Immaturity" as listed in Hebrews 5:11-14. Suggest a solution for each.
a. "dullness of hearing" / SOLUTION:
b. "inability to share the word" / SOLUTION:
c. "a 'baby food' spiritual diet" / SOLUTION:
d. "unskillful in the word of righteousness" / SOLUTION:
3. Read Hebrews 6:4-6.
a. What is the difference between what is depicted in this passage and what we call "backsliding?"
b. What is "apostasy?"
c. Choose one of the eight interpretations of this passage which were included in today's sermon notes and present a case for it. Include Scripture to support your argument.
4. One of the issues which stands before the Church of the Saviour at Myersville, Maryland just now is what -- if anything -- to do about a "permanent location" for our fellowship. Some have distilled this issue down to a single question: What is the best way for a local congregation to further the kingdom of God? with a "real" church building? with some other kind of "permanent" location? or by using our financial resources to meet needs in our community instead of spending it on any kind of structure? What do you think?
