Hebrews The Superiority of Christ “Spiritual Immaturity” Hebrews 5:11-14 Part 1 of 2

Hebrews 5:11-14 (ESV) 11 About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food,

Hebrews 5:11-14 (ESV) 13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. 14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

4 topics the writer discusses

1) The PRESENCE of Spiritual Immaturity vs you need milk... vs unskilled... vs he is a child...

1) The PRESENCE of Spiritual Immaturity A) DEFINING what it is

Immature – exhibiting less than an expected degree of maturity or development – Webster's

Spiritually Immature – exhibiting less than an expected degree of spiritual maturity or development. Being nowhere near your potential in Christ in relation to your spiritual age.

1) The PRESENCE of Spiritual Immaturity A) DEFINING what it is Bible study, prayer, evangelism, fellowship, spiritual gifts, ministry, forgiveness, discipleship, worship....

1) The PRESENCE of Spiritual Immaturity A) DEFINING what it is B) DESCRIBING their state of being

→ they were apathetic to the message “dull of hearing” → they were unable to teach “you ought to be teachers” → they were unable to distinguish right from wrong “mature...who have their powers of discernment”

1) The PRESENCE of Spiritual Immaturity A) DEFINING what it is B) DESCRIBING their state of being C) DISCERNING where it comes from

False Teachers Poor Teachers / Pastors Lack of Resources LAZINESS Oppression

2) The PERIL of Spiritual Immaturity vs. 12 “...you need someone to teach you again...” vs. 12 “...you need milk...”

2) The PERIL of Spiritual Immaturity A) RETRAINING is needed “the basic principles of the oracles of God”

Some of the Oracles of God The Gospel The Purpose of the Old Testament The Great Commission The Purpose of the Church Church Ordinances

2) The PERIL of Spiritual Immaturity A) RETRAINING is needed B) RESOURCES must be changed “you need milk, not solid food”

Why this is Perilous? → Because there is a war raging and we cannot spend all our time in basic training → Because people are dying and going to hell and we cannot spend al our time learning how to tell them about Christ

Why this is Perilous? → Because there are those that are hurting and we cannot spend all our time learning how to give first aid → Because God is worth spiritual maturity not laziness and apathy

2) The PERIL of Spiritual Immaturity A) RETRAINING is needed B) RESOURCES must be changed C) REMEDIAL skills are the only resource

What is this like? It is like fighting a modern army with bows and arrows It is like being sick but the only medicine you can take is what they give to infants It is like trying to prepare for a weightlifting competition with only a 1 lb dumbbell

Practical Prayers → Lord forgive me for not maturing as I should in You → Lord please give me a passion for learning about You through Your Word → Lord help me mature spiritually that I might know and serve You more