“Are You Growing ‘In Christ’?!” Hebrews 6:1-20

What if we remain on the milk of the Word and never graduate to the meat of the Word?...

Here is a picture that is described as “a breakthrough in 3D snapshots tracking one’s brain development… If our spiritual growth were mapped out in like fashion, how would it look?

If you and I are not growing in these areas then we are not growing “in Christ.” If we are not growing “in Christ” there is extreme peril according to our text today.

to better understand the urgency behind growing in Christ Purpose: to better understand the urgency behind growing in Christ

2 Peter 3:17-18 “…be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ…” 6

I The Call to MATURITY (vv 1- 3) A. Maturity in Knowledge (as a Means)

Romans 10:2 “For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge.” 8

“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” Romans 10:17 “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” 9

Philippians 3:8 “More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ.” 10

I The Call to MATURITY (vv 1- 3) A. Maturity in Knowledge (as a Means) B. Maturity in Godly Living (as to the End) 11

II The Danger of APOSTASY (vv 4-8) A. Privileges Some Apostates Enjoyed B. How Far They Had Deserted 12

Galatians 5:4 “You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.” 13

2 Peter 2:20-22 “For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment handed on to them. It has happened to them according to the true proverb, ‘a dog returns to its own vomit,’ and ‘a sow, after washing, returns to wallowing in the mire.’” 14

“It is one thing to ‘yield’ to sin contrary to the new life in Christ, it is another thing to ‘abandon’ that new life altogether.” John Lightfoot

Marion Jones – Olympic medal winner (three gold and two bronze) recently admitted to cheating. She was stripped of all medals, banned from track and field, and served a sentence of six months in prison….

III The Certainty of God’s Promises (vv 9-20) A. God Never Forgets Our Work (vv 9-10) B. God Desires Diligence to the End 17

nwqros Literally means “slow, sluggish or untoward” – dull is a good translation… 18

2 Peter 1:5-10 “Now for this very reason, applying all diligence… Therefore, brethren be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble.” 19

“…Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” Revelation 2:7 “…Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” 20

Romans 2:10 “…to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life.” 21

III The Certainty of God’s PROM- ISES (vv 9-20) A. God Never Forgets Our Work (vv 9-10) B. God Desires Diligence to the End (vv 11-12) C. God Keeps His Promises (vv 13-20) 22

Too many are chiseling their own lives out, ignoring their absolute need for Christ as Lord, Savior and High Priest of their lives. Growing in Christ is letting Him chisel out your life and surrendering the temptation to do it on your terms

This creature is found abundantly on the southern Atlantic coast of the U.S. This little crab has a long arm with a powerful claw at the end which it holds upright like a fiddle, hence the name…

Conclusion and Summary Such is what the Lord deserves of us. Surrender of all to Him! Thus, are you growing in Christ? If so, then let these words sink deep into your soul.

Hebrews 6:11-12 “And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” 26