Paul's Epistles – Hebrews – Part 9: Therefore, It’s Time to Grow Up

Paul's Epistles – Hebrews – Part 9:

Therefore, It’s Time to Grow Up

Pastor Bruce A. Shields

House of Faith Church | www.PS127.org | www.TruthDigest.org | Online Audio Files

SERMON INTRODUCTION

The “official” writer of this epistle is unknown. However, I obviously believe it is Paul since I have included it in the “Paul’s Epistles” Sermon Series.

I believe there is enough evidence from early scholars to agree this was more than likely Paul’s work.

Last week we examined Jesus the Great High Priest.

This week, Paul will show Jesus is also the Perfect High Priest.

We have already seen in Hebrews so far;

·        Jesus is greater than angels

·        And that we are to pay the most careful attention to Jesus and His way so we do not stray

·        And how Jesus (New Covenant) is greater than Moses (Old Covenant)

·        Paul’s warning about unbelief

·        A Sabbath Rest for the People of God

·        Jesus the Great High Priest

·        Jesus the Perfect High Priest

TODAY’S SERMON

“Therefore, It’s Time to Grow Up!”

 SCRIPTURE REFERENCE

Hebrews 6:1-12

Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, ² instruction about cleansing rites, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. ³ And God permitting, we will do so.

⁴ It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, ⁵ who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age ⁶ and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace. ⁷ Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. ⁸ But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned.

⁹ Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are convinced of better things in your case—the things that have to do with salvation. ¹⁰ God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. ¹¹ We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. ¹² We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.

The overall message of this epistle to the church is;

“The Cure for Lacking Boldness or Courage in your Christian Faith and Backsliding is a Right beginning for the Glory and Work of Christ”

I. MOVE BEYOND ELEMENTARY TEACHINGS AND BE TAKEN FORWARD TO MATURITY

a. Teachings such as repentance from acts that lead to death

                                                                 i. Second death, spiritual, eternal judgment for un-repented sin

                                                              ii. Most know the basics of sin, right and wrong, what we are to do and not to do as followers.

                                                           iii. Continuously focusing on these things are for one of two reasons

1. You do not want to mature

2. You are looking for loopholes to continue in sin

b. Teachings such as Faith in God, instructions about cleansing rites, laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead, eternal judgment

                                                                 i. Faith in God is a basic instruction…trust Him and His word!

                                                              ii. Cleansing rites, meaning baptism

                                                           iii. Laying on of hands

                                                            iv. Resurrection of the dead

                                                               v. Eternal judgment

                                                            vi. All of these things are basic in teaching, and easily understood!

1. It is time to grow up

2. It is time to stop being babies in constant need of milk

3. It is time to get into the meat of the Word of God and become like teachers, bringing others into an understanding of salvation!

c. God permitting, we will do so!

                                                                 i. What will they do? Move beyond elementary teachings, and be taken forward to maturity

                                                              ii. The Hebrews, as with most of us in the church, have had plenty of time and teaching to get an understanding…we need to stop hiding in the shadow of professed ignorance, and share the gospel we do understand.

1. We are all guilty of sin

2. The penalty for sin is eternal separation from God (Hell)

3. However, Jesus paid the price on the cross

4. And anyone who Trusts in Him can have Salvation

a. Simply acknowledge Jesus is your Lord

b. Believe He died for you

c. Confess your sin and repent

d. You will receive forgiveness and Salvation

II.      FALSE CONVERTS AND THEIR DISGRACE

a. Those who were enlightened, tasted heavenly gift, shared in the Holy Spirit, tasted goodness of the Word of God and power of the coming age

                                                                 i. If fallen away, it is impossible to be brought back to repentance

1. Because they were false converts, and do not truly repent

2. Without true repentance, there is no forgiveness, without forgiveness, there is no salvation, they repeat a cycle of false conversion.

b. To their loss, they crucify the Son of God over and over, making Him a public disgrace

                                                                 i. This happens to often

                                                              ii. False converts who have never repented go right back to living in sin, there is no conversion; they do not become a NEW creation, a NEW creature in Christ Jesus…

                                                           iii. They continue to live in their sin

                                                            iv. Again and again they come to the cross asking forgiveness, but never repenting

                                                               v. Therefore they are never forgiven…and a false convert

                                                            vi. They say they are followers of Christ, yet willfully live in sin, and bring Christ to public disgrace

                                                         vii. Their fruits, the crop they produce in their life, reveal they are false converts.

c. Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God.

                                                                 i. We are that land (Jesus’ parable of the seed, the Word of God, and the rain watering it, the Holy Spirit), when we receive the Holy Spirit we produce the Fruit of the Spirit, and we are useful to the Kingdom, and receive the Blessing of God

                                                              ii. ⁸ But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned.

                                                           iii. In other words, those who have received the message of salvation, and do not truly repent, produce thorns and thistles in their walk which are worthless to the kingdom.

                                                            iv. And they are in danger of being cursed AND in the end it will be burned.

1. In danger of means there is still hope for them

2. If they do not truly repent, in the end (judgment) they will be cast into the eternal fire

III.   TRUE CONVERTS AND SALVATION

a. Even though we speak about false converts, your case is better, these things have to do with Salvation (True Conversion)

                                                                 i. Do I feel I know false converts…Yes

                                                              ii. Have I tried to convince them to commit to Christ and truly repent? Yes

                                                           iii. In the end, THEY have to make the decision for Christ

1. No one can force them

2. No one can twist their arm

3. However, if they do not truly repent, if they die in their sin, they will be cast into Gehenna

b. God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.

                                                                 i. “Your work” is the useful crop produced by true converts

                                                              ii. The Fruit of the Spirit

                                                           iii. As well as the love you have shown God by helping His people, and continuing to help them!

1. You show God love by helping His people

2. Matthew 10:42 “And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”

                                                            iv. Even showing the slightest concern for one of Christ’s disciples is a blessing

c. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. 

                                                                 i. Don’t stop…continue this until the end!

                                                              ii. ¹² We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.

CONCLUSION – so move beyond the elementary teachings

Truly repent from your sin!

Show true thoroughness to the very end so that what you hope for (Salvation) may be fully realized.

Do not become lazy, but imitate those who through FAITH and PATIENCE inherit what has been promised!

Want to learn more about Salvation and Getting Saved?   

CLICK HERE!

Want to hear the audio to this sermon?   

CLICK HERE!

Paul's Epistles - Ephesians - Part 8: Unity & Maturity

Paul's Epistles - Ephesians - Part 8:

Unity & Maturity

Pastor Bruce A. Shields

House of Faith Church | www.PS127.org | www.TruthDigest.org

SERMON INTRODUCTION

In Paul’s 35 years of ministry, since his conversion in Damascus, we have recorded in the Holy Bible many of his epistles, or letters.

Paul’s first journey took place from 33AD (the year of his conversion), through 46AD, leaving Damascus in 38AD.

Paul’s 2^nd journey began in 50AD, four years later; during this time he wrote 1^st and 2^nd Thessalonians, and Galatians, with his second journey ending in 54AD.

Paul’s 3^rd journey began in 55AD and lasted until 58AD where he found himself imprisoned in Judea from 58-60AD. During his 3^rd journey Paul wrote 1^st and 2^nd Corinthians, and Romans. We have no record of writings from Paul during his prison time between 58-60AD in Judea.

After his release from Judea, Paul traveled on his voyage to Rome from 60-61AD, writing Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon, and finding himself in a Roman prison in 63AD.

Released soon after his incarceration, Paul then writes the epistles Hebrews, 1^st Timothy, Titus and his final letter before his death 2 Timothy, which was written from a Roman prison he was placed in during 66-68AD.

Though the bible does not tell us when or how Paul died, it is believed by scholars that he was beheaded in 68AD in May or June.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE Ephesians 4:1-16

4 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. ² Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. ³ Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. ⁴ There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; ⁵ one Lord, one faith, one baptism;⁶ one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

⁷ But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. ⁸ This is why it says:

“When he ascended on high,
    he took many captives
    and gave gifts to his people.”

⁹ (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions^[c]? ¹⁰ He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) ¹¹ So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers,¹² to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up ¹³ until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

¹⁴ Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. ¹⁵ Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. ¹⁶ From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Paul explains the Body of Believer’s MUST be in UNITY and MATURITY

The message of this epistle to the church is “The Church, The Body of Christ”.

    I.      LIVE A LIFE WORTHY OF THE CALLING YOU HAVE RECEIVED

a. Be completely humble

                                                                                  i. Gentle

                                                                               ii. Patient

                                                                            iii. Bearing with one another in love

                                                                              iv. The love of I Corinthians 13

b. Make every effort to keep unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace

c. There is one body

                                                                                  i. One Spirit

                                                                               ii. Just as you were called to one Hope

                                                                            iii. One Lord

                                                                              iv. One Faith

                                                                                 v. One baptism

                                                                              vi. One God

                                                                           vii. And one Father of all, who is

1. Over all

2. Through all

3. And in all

II.      ASCENDED IMPLIES THROUGH REASON HE FIRST DESCENDED

a. Vs. 7-8

                                                                                  i. But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. ⁸ This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.”

b. He ascended higher than the heavens (ouranos) or “the starry region”

                                                                                  i. In order to fill the whole universe

1. “fill” (playro’o) meaning literally to Satisfy

c. So Christ gave Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, Teachers

                                                                                  i. To equip His people (the Church or Body of Christ) for service

                                                                               ii. So that the Body of Christ may be BUILT UP…not tore down

d. Until we all reach unity in faith and knowledge of the Son of God

                                                                                  i. Becoming mature attaining the whole fullness of Christ

III.      THEN WE WILL NO LONGER BE INFANTS

a. Tossed back and forth by the waves

b. Blown here and there by every wind of teaching

                                                                                  i. By cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming

c. Instead, we who are mature will

                                                                                  i. Speak the Truth in Love

                                                                               ii. Be joined and held together by every supporting ligament (other mature believers)

                                                                            iii. And grow and build the Body of Christ up in love

1. As each part does its work

CONCLUSION – FROM HIM, THE WHOLE BODY IS JOINED

           

Held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

If you are living a life WORTHY of being called a Christian, you will be;

·        Completely humble, gentle, patient and bearing with one another in the love described in I Corinthians 13

·        You will be making EVERY effort to keep unity of the Body of Christ through the bond of peace

·        You will no longer act as immature; the reason Paul uses the term infant, is because he is saying those who are immature spiritually are being babies in the Lord!

o   Spiritual immature infants are self-centered

o   They cry a lot, especially when they don’t think their needs are being met

o   They are messy, causing messes and not cleaning them up

o   They are impatient, they want what they want and they want it five minutes ago

o   They do not cooperate, cannot submit to others, understand deep things, are unable to apologize and resist sharing

o   They are explosive and can “go off” at anything

o   And spiritual infants are irresponsible; they’re great at expecting a lot from others and nothing from themselves. They always know who is to blame for all that’s wrong

It’s the nature of the immature to be childish. It’s the natural order of things for babies to be infantile. We’re not saying otherwise. We love babies.

Babies can love and laugh and add a great deal to any gathering. The biggest huggers in any church and the ones most likely to call out a hearty ‘amen’ to the sermon are the newer members, those “fresh in from the cold.” They add a lot to the church.

But we don’t want to keep our children as toddlers forever. They should grow.

We’re not against spiritual babies; we just say don’t turn over the church to them and that everyone goes through that developmental stage.

But to remain a baby forever is unnatural.

Growing into maturity is the natural order of things. “By this time you ought to be teachers,” the writer of Hebrews said to some unnamed disciples. “But you need to return to the first grade and start over with the basic truths of the kingdom” (Hebrews 5:12;  paraphrase).

We don’t tell our babies to grow. It’s the natural order. If we feed and nurture them, protect and care for them, they will grow. In the Kingdom of God, Spiritual Growth is a CHOICE, and we ALL must choose to if a Body of Christ is going to survive.

Want to learn more about Salvation and Getting Saved?    CLICK HERE!