Maturing in the Faith
Hebrews 5:11-6:12
I. It is very important that in viewing this passage of scripture that we are very careful in seeking to interpret what God’s Word is saying to us. This is perhaps one of the most difficult passages in the Bible to understand.
A. The reason why it is so difficult is that people approach its meaning from their own individual belief, and not what the Word is saying.
1. We need to understand that among believers, or denominations that are really Christian, there is a wide theological gap.
a. To understand this, picture a line running from left to right.
(1) Now place on the left the word Arminian, and on the left place the word Calvinism.
2. These two groups look upon salvation in two very different opposing sides, and came into existence during the Reformation, after Martin Luther posted his complaints against the Roman Catholic Church.
a. Arminians believe that when a person becomes a Christian, they must be very careful how they live their lives, not for their witness to Jesus, but as to the possibility that they could loose their salvation for sin in their life. These people, unfortunately, do not know what and when someone “falls from grace”.
b. Calvinists who are on the opposite right believe that God has already chosen those who will be saved, and there is no possibility for anyone else to be saved, and that true believers can never “fall from grace”.
3. Please note that these two terms are not Biblical, but are defined as such by some theologians to categorize various denominations, and how they fall within this grouping.
B. Most denominations do not take their beliefs from this man-made grouping, but fall into this grouping by how people view their beliefs. Let us take a couple of denominations and see where they fall by viewing the line below.
Arminian Calvinistic
____________________________________________________________________________
Methodists Holiness Churches Southern Baptists Presbyterians
1. Now let us look at the text today, and see why problems exist between these various groups in their belief system.
II. Hebrews 5:11 to 5:14.
A. The Bible is not an easy book to understand due to the simple fact that it is written in Greek, and I know of no translation that is without error.
1. The Bible (that is: the original Greek texts) are without error, they do not have any inconsistencies, and are God-breathed to the writers.
a. There is great depth to the Bible, because it does contain all the answers that man needs to know in life.
(1) Verse 11 says that “hard to be uttered” which from the Greek means “hard to interpret in speech”. The problem is seen in how it is translated to modern day speech.
(2) In Ephesians 4:11-12, the Word says that “the teaching Pastor must equip the Saints for Ministry.
(a) This does not mean that the Pastor is infallible in his teaching but that his teaching will be proved.
b. There are demands placed by the Word on the individual believer and his responsibility to learn and then to teach.
(1) We are to teach others in both example and in word.
(2) The existing problem is our inexperience and lack of knowledge that appears in the life of 75 to 80 % of our church members.
(a) The writer of Hebrews states in verse 12 that it appears that we need to be taught things over and over.
c. This is contrasted with the use of milk and meat in verse 12 and 13. The Baby is only able in the beginning to digest milk, and with the proper growth is able to move on to meat.
(1) The only way we grow is through digestion, and through this growth we
enhance our Christian senses. In verse 14, we are told that our abilities to
discern between good and evil is able to grow.
2. Failure to grow leaves us in a state of non-growth, and in a state of inability to properly function in the Christian life. This is what causes problems in the church, for when people are sold out to the Lord, their minds will function in the same manner.
III. Hebrews 6:1 to 6:3.
A. Note that the writer states emphatically that we are to leave the principles of the doctrines of Christ.
1. There is no need to lay the foundations over and over again of repentance, but to turn our attention to faith.
a. Repentance is the act of man. It is the state of turning around into a new direction, or as we say in the military: “about face”. This is where the term
repent comes from in the Greek.
(1) In Acts 20:21 it says: “... repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ”.
(2) It was against God that man sinned, and thus man must direct his repentance to God.
(a) Faith now becomes the extension of God’s grace. In Ephesians 2:8,9 it states: “For it is by grace you have been saved through faith - and this not from yourselves it is the gift of God - not of works - so that no one can boast”.
2. The basic principles are found in verse 2, and they are:
a. Doctrines of baptism, laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead and the eternal judgment of God.
3. In verse 3 we are told that our ultimate purpose is to serve God, that is our call and our purpose.
IV. Hebrews 6:4 to 6:8.
A. It is at this point that so many lose their ability to see the truth. Are we saved by faith or are we saved by works? There are three types or groups that view this verse differently.
1. First, those who believe that they can loose their salvation. Problem here.
a. How many sins? What kind of sin? Over what period of time?
b. Who provided the original salvation?
(1) There is a text that may be one of the worst translated in the Bible. It is found in I John 3:9. Read the King James Version, the Niv or some othere passage. Here is what the Greek says:
“Whosoever is born of God does not habitually sin (habit of sin), for his seed is in him, and he cannot habitually sin, for he has been born of God”.
2. Second, there are those who say that these people were never born again.
a. If one looks at these passages it is obvious that these people had been born again, as they are defined as “babes in Christ”, as well as having been part of receiving the Holy Spirit and been enlightened to the mysteries of God.
3. Thirdly, there is the group that believes you cannot loose your salvation.
a. Southern Baptists fall into this group. Remember:
(1) Man repents as the portion he must do. He turns to another direction and begin his walk with God.
(2) By the Grace of God, Faith is the binding seat. In Hebrews 11:1, we will find that this becomes his title deed, or proof of his salvation.
b. What would have to happen if it was possible to loose our salvation?
` (1) According to the text it would be impossible to regain it.
(2) Thus, could never be saved again.
(3) Christ would be put to shame
4. Part of the problem in understanding this is the lack of knowledge that many Christians have about the Christian life.
IV. Let us start with the meaning of what eternal life encompasses.
A. When a person becomes a Christian, Paul tells us in Romans 8:1 that we face no fear of ever facing any judgment by God.
1. Many Christian have the idea that they will someday stand before God and be judged for their sins. This is seen in Revelation 20:11 where all the lost of all generations will appear to be judged for their sins.
a. The sins of Christian have been removed from us when Christ died at Calvary. We are not subject to again be judged. In verse 8 of our text please
note that what we will loose is all that we have accumulated through our works for God.
(1) In I Corinthians 3:1-15, Paul discusses the works of man that are performed through the mercy of God. He concludes that every man’s
work shall be declared openly, and if it has not been of God, it will be
“ ... be burned, he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire”.
2. What was Paul speaking about? The answer is found in II Corinthians 5:10.
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that everyone may receive the things done in his body according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad”.
a. Notice this about this passage.
(1) Judgment Seat is the Greek word “bema” which means the rewarding seat”. This was the place that the representative of the Empower sat to give out
rewards for those who competed.
(a) Christians will never be judged, but they will be rewarded.
(2) There are five rewards all containing the word Crown (or Greek word Stephanos)
This may be found at:
I Cor. 9:25 —-----Crown of Temperance
II Timothy 4:8 — Crown of Righteousness
James 1:12 -------- Crown of Life
I Peter 5:4 -------- Crown of Glory
I Thes. 2:19 ------- Crown of Witnessing
B. Our judgment is: “We must all appear before the rewarding Seat of Christ to
receive for what we have done, useful or useless.
C. Can we loose our salvation? Oh we can loose, but it will be Our Crowns of Reward that will be burned for lives lived out of the will of God. In Revelation 4:10, we see what we
will loose. “... and cast their crowns before the throne ...”.
1. What a joy, to cast our rewards at the feet of Christ who enabled it all.