Hebrews 6:1-3 (NKJV) 1 Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this we will do if God permits.

Meat of the Word Last month we introduced our theme for 2016, “Digging Deeper” We not only introduced the theme, but we examined the scripture that goes along with it (Heb. 5:12-6:1) We understand the need to continue to grow in our faith

Meat of the Word The Hebrew writer spoke of the idea of solid food vs. milk This is not the only place in scripture that we see this idea of milk and solid food We see 3 other places where it is mentioned…

Meat of the Word I Corinthians 3:1-3 I Peter 2:2-3 I Corinthians 14:20 We also see the idea of Christian infancy in Ephesians 4:14 and I Corinthians 13:11

Meat of the Word Hebrews 6:1-2 tells us about the milk of the word It lists out 6 things that are considered to be “elementary principles of Christ” These things are considered foundational

Meat of the Word Hebrews lists those things that are “milk” or first principle However, it does not give us a list of what might be considered “meat” So that leaves us with this important question, “Just what is the ‘meat’ of the word?”

Meat in Meaning Perhaps some understanding into what is meat comes from the word itself “Solid food” or “strong meat” is what we usually see as the translation We understand the meaning it carries with it

Meat in Meaning Meat is something that can only be handled with growth and development Meat can only be handled by someone with “teeth” to chew it It is something that has to be worked up to

Meat in Meaning There are many concepts that you cannot throw at someone who is a babe in Christ There has to be a foundation of Bible basics, or milk, before the meat can be chewed Ex. Instruments in worship

Meat in Meaning So meat would be anything that would have to be chewed on It’s not something that can be read and understood at a glance Meat would require some study, research, thought, reasoning and some struggle to understand

Meat in Context Another way to understand what is meat is to look at it’s use in the context of the passage Sandwiched around this idea, the Hebrew writer is discussing something a bit more complex He is looking at Jesus as a High Priest

Meat in Context Looking at Jesus, we see Him in different lights… –We see Jesus the Son of God –We see Jesus the Savior –We see Jesus the Word –We see Jesus the Shepherd –We see Jesus the Mediator

Meat in Context Here Jesus is depicted as a High Priest The problem on the surface is that Jesus was not a Levite, but rather from Judah Jesus is described as a priest after the order of Melchizedek

Meat in Context To see this parallel, it takes some thought It takes an understanding of the OT and the characters and dates It takes being able to see that and study it to understand how Christ was a High Priest like Melchizedek

Meat in Mindset Paul gives us another clue on the meat of the word in I Corinthians Paul told the Corinthians that he could not give them meat because their minds were not spiritual (3:1-3) Rather their minds were carnal, still set on worldly things

Meat in Mindset If our minds are on worldly things, then we will not be searching for the meat of God’s word In other words, we will not be that into Bible study When our minds are set on spiritual things, then we will see the spiritual things in God’s word