Infant? Or Adult? (On to Maturity) Hebrews 5:11-14 Hebrews Series #12 1/9/11 AM

Hebrews 5: Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing you are dull of hearing. 12 For when for the time you ought to be teachers, you have need that one teach you again which are 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 uses milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a baby. 14 But strong meat belongs to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

We have arrived at a passage under much debate- including especially 6:1-8. Some might consider this a “wonder” passage. We have arrived at a passage under much debate- including especially 6:1-8. Some might consider this a “wonder” passage. This is one of several WARNING PASSAGES. 5:11-6:20 with four parts- 5:11-14; 6:1-3; 6:4- 8; 6:9-20. This is one of several WARNING PASSAGES. 5:11-6:20 with four parts- 5:11-14; 6:1-3; 6:4- 8; 6:9-20. I believe this is the severest language in Scripture directed at God’s people. I believe this is the severest language in Scripture directed at God’s people. Yes, it is possible that there are unregenerate folk in the reading audience, but most of what is written here is written to, at least, professing believers. Yes, it is possible that there are unregenerate folk in the reading audience, but most of what is written here is written to, at least, professing believers.

This morning we see in this passage a rebuke for the readers’ spiritual immaturity. These Christians have not grown up. Yes, they trusted Christ, but are not maturing. This morning we see in this passage a rebuke for the readers’ spiritual immaturity. These Christians have not grown up. Yes, they trusted Christ, but are not maturing. Don’t miss the excitement and blessing of growing in Christ. Don’t miss the excitement and blessing of growing in Christ. To put it bluntly, outgrow your pacifier and all your other baby “stuff.” To put it bluntly, outgrow your pacifier and all your other baby “stuff.” Leave the world of the infant and the toddler, and grow up. Leave the world of the infant and the toddler, and grow up. What is it that keeps us from Christian growth or maturity? What is it that keeps us from Christian growth or maturity?

The Refusal to Hear- A Hearing Problem. (vs. 11) Explanation Explanation –“of whom”- “Melchizedec” –“we have…to say”- notice future chapter 7 –“hard to be uttered”- a problem- not WRITERS’ fault –“seeing you are dull of hearing”- the reason  literally- “no push” > dull- lazy, sluggish, slothful (6:12)  Not a problem with ears but with hearts.  Hearing or LISTENING was not as important as it should have been to them. Illustration Illustration Application Application –In some things- some important things - we are dull of hearing. –What makes your ears perk up? What is worth listening to? –Because of ______ and hardness we are not interested.

The Refusal to Teach- A Teacher Shortage. (vs. 12a) Explanation Explanation –“For when for the time”- (chrones- chronology)- you have had plenty of time –“you ought to be teachers”- obligation. –“you have need…teach you again”-problem. –“the first principles”- ________ ___” “______” –“the oracles of God” (6:1) The Revelation of God to this point. –Enough time had elapsed for them to be well grounded. –They could have been teaching others. (I Peter 3:15) But look at them. Illustration Illustration –Not long ago after school I observed a boy sitting down with his little brother and patiently helped him with his “pile” of homework. Application Application –Every Christian should be able to give a testimony of his salvation. “This is what I believe….This is what has happened to me…This is what God’s Word says.”

The Refusal to Chew- A Menu Mix-up. (vs. 12b-14) Explanation Explanation –Illustration (12b)  “are become”- perfect tense.  “such as have need of milk” present tense- the necessity of milk  “not strong meat”- “atrophy due to malnutrition” Lacking firm, solid nutrition. –Explanation  (13) Milk Sippers- –unskilled (inexperienced) in the Word of Righteousness  God’s revelation of righteousness in life. Holy Living –A babe- infant  (14) Meat Chewers –Firm food is for mature people- those who by practice have their senses exercised and trained and have (present tense) discernment between honorable and evil things. Illustration- Illustration- –Over 16 billion diapers in the Twin City area in 1 year. Application Application –Signs of Immaturity- inexperience, ignorance, looseness, and laxity. –Signs of Maturity- discipline, discernment –Can you prove it? –Are you still sipping milk or are you chewing meat and growing strong?

What is being said… Spiritual babies are “unskilled in the word of righteousness,” while spiritual adults are those “who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” Spiritual babies are “unskilled in the word of righteousness,” while spiritual adults are those “who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” What he is indicating is that while both the spiritual baby and the spiritual adult have the Word, the baby is unable to use the Word to determine what is right and wrong, to use the Word to guide in his decisions, or to use the Word as His standard of life. On the other hand the spiritual adult is able to use the Word to determine what is right and wrong. What he is indicating is that while both the spiritual baby and the spiritual adult have the Word, the baby is unable to use the Word to determine what is right and wrong, to use the Word to guide in his decisions, or to use the Word as His standard of life. On the other hand the spiritual adult is able to use the Word to determine what is right and wrong. While the baby has the Word, he does not use the Word. The adult, on the other hand not only has the Word, he uses the Word. While the baby has the Word, he does not use the Word. The adult, on the other hand not only has the Word, he uses the Word. It is that continued use of the Word that causes a believer to progress from infancy to maturity… It is that continued use of the Word that causes a believer to progress from infancy to maturity… If a believer has used the Word in the past but now no longer uses the Word, he will move backward spiritually from maturity to immaturity. A Faith that Endures – J. Dwight Pentecost. If a believer has used the Word in the past but now no longer uses the Word, he will move backward spiritually from maturity to immaturity. A Faith that Endures – J. Dwight Pentecost.

“In order to grow from infant Christians to mature Christians, we must learn discernment. WE must train our consciences, our senses, our minds and our bodies to distinguish good from evil. Can you recognize temptation before it traps you? Can you tell the difference between a correct use of Scripture and mistaken one?” “In order to grow from infant Christians to mature Christians, we must learn discernment. WE must train our consciences, our senses, our minds and our bodies to distinguish good from evil. Can you recognize temptation before it traps you? Can you tell the difference between a correct use of Scripture and mistaken one?” –Life Application Study Bible p This comes through a saturation in the Scriptures. This comes through a saturation in the Scriptures. Try to teach some players the how-to’s of basketball, and you get this response. “I know.” or “That’s what I’m doing.” But there is no improvement and no concern. Try to teach some players the how-to’s of basketball, and you get this response. “I know.” or “That’s what I’m doing.” But there is no improvement and no concern. Try to teach a traditional Christian the reality or application of Biblical truth, and you get the same response. “I heard that.” I already know that.” I grew up in Church.” “My family had that in devotions.” But there is no concern with right and wrong. No genuine, inner, heart change. Try to teach a traditional Christian the reality or application of Biblical truth, and you get the same response. “I heard that.” I already know that.” I grew up in Church.” “My family had that in devotions.” But there is no concern with right and wrong. No genuine, inner, heart change. It is time to mature – time to grow up. It is time to mature – time to grow up.