Latest revision as of 23:21, 8 May 2019

Objectives

• Students will desire to learn deeper truths of Christ.

Introduction

In Mark 4:1-8 we see that just as a plant needs depth of soil to grow so do we. We see that trials will come but depth of soil will result in real growth in the midst of trial. In fact, trials and persecution are not just a possibility but rather an expectation. Jesus promised as much in Mark 13:9-13. However, the trials and persecutions result in our own spiritual growth. Look at Job 23:10 and James 1:3. So we need to accept that we will be tried, but these trials will be for our good if we have the right soil.

• So, how do you make the soil of your heart good for growth?

• • We must grow in grace and knowledge according to 2 Peter 3:18.

Main Body

God desires for us to be mature in our knowledge and understanding of Him.

The Problem (5:12-14)

The Evidence of Immaturity (V. 12)

• What issue does the writer of Hebrews 5:12 raise?
  • In Hebrews 5:12 the writer argues the readers should be further along in their spiritual maturity. They had apparently been saved for a long time but despite this period of time to grow they were not developing. In fact, the writer argues that these readers should have been mature enough to be teachers themselves. These individuals should have had a solid grasp but instead they were failing to grow in maturity.

• What does the word "again" mean?
  • The word again carries the idea that something has already occurred before. In the context of verse 12 this means that the readers had already been taught the "basic principles of the oracles of God." Yet, apparently, they did not learn. When I teach I am always amazed at how often people don't learn something. There is an old adage that in teaching you need to 1) Tell people what you about to tell them 2) Tell them 3) Tell them what you told them. In many cases it is simply because people don't pay attention well. When it comes to spiritual things we need to be careful to pay attention so that we don't have to be taught again.

• What was it that the readers needed to be taught again?
  • In the passage we see the phrase basic principles. The Greek word is στοιχειον and really means something most basic. Hodges states it well "In alluding to the elementary truths the writer employed an expression which could refer to the letters of the alphabet as they might be learned by a school child. “You seem to need your ABCs reviewed,” his rebuke suggested," ^[1]. It was not that the readers were stuck on something hard, no the readers were struggling with the very basics they needed to go deeper.

• What point of comparison does the writer make at the end of verse 12?
  • Bruce states that "The contrast between milk and solid food in this spiritual sense appears to have been commonplace in the early church, as it was in Greek moral philosophy." ^[2]

The Problem With Immaturity

• According to verse 13, what is wrong with just desiring the basics?
  • According to the verse, "For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe."^[3]. What does this mean? Consider a baby, a baby has eyes to see, a nose to smell, hands to feel, and even a mouth to taste. The baby is an information gathering monster. It is especially fun to watch a 6 month old child observe their world, everything is new and there is so much to learn. However, we spend a bunch of money childproofing our houses because that same curious baby can get into a lot of trouble, and the consequences can be devastating. When I was a child I stuck a knife into an electrical socket, thankfully, I only learned a lesson about pain and nothing more. Similarly, the young Christian has tons of information but lacks the discretion to make appropriate choices.

• Remember back to verse 12, what was it that the writer used as evidence of immaturity?
  • They should have been teaching not struggling to learn the basics. Wiersbe argues that

    The ability to share spiritual truth with others is a mark of maturity. Not all Christians have the gift of teaching, but all can share what they learn from the Word. One of the hardest lessons children must learn is the lesson of sharing. The recipients of this letter had been saved long enough to be able to share God’s truth with others. But, instead of helping others to grow, these Hebrew Christians were in need of learning again the simple teachings of the Christian life. They were experiencing a second childhood!^[4]

    The truly skilled mature Christian is able to make wise decision and in so doing is able to teach others of Christ a true act of maturity, sharing.

The Contrast With Immaturity (v. 14)

• If milk is for a baby, what is it that an adult should be eating?
  • The writer distinguishes solid food from milk. Bruce writes, "It is ethically mature people, those “who through practice have had their senses trained to distinguish between good and evil,” who have built up in the course of experience a principle or standard of righteousness by which they can pass discriminating judgment on moral situations as they arise."^[5]. Weirsbe states "Milk is predigested food, and it is specially suited to babies. But only those who have teeth can enjoy meat. The writer defines the “milk” as “the first principles of the oracles of God” (Heb. 5:12). The “meat” of the Word is the teaching about our Lord’s ministry now in heaven as our High Priest. The writer wanted to give this “meat” to them, but they were not ready for it." ^[6]
  • I don't know about you, but I still enjoy a glass of milk, which is perfectly reasonable, but I cannot get all my nutrition from a glass of milk. I need more.

The Solution (6:1-3)

Move Beyond Basics

• What are we told to move beyond in 6:1?
  • The elementary doctrines of Christ. Literally, the first doctrines. Notice that the writer does not start by going over the basics again. No the writer quite emphatically states, "it is time to move on." For these readers going over things again serves no purpose at all. These readers need to be stretched and need to learn something deeper. For these readers it is time to move on.

• What does the writer mean by "not laying again the foundation of repentance?"
  • Christ has died for our sins and we are no longer slaves to sin, this is great news but we need to live for Christ going forward. We should celebrate the Gospel and proclaim the Gospel so don't misunderstand what I am saying when I say we need to move on from the Gospel. We need to move into living for Christ in light of the Gospel.

• What examples of basics does the writer give in verse 2?
  • Instruction about washing
    • βαπτισμος - Ritual cleansing
  • Laying on of hands
    • Perhaps the readers were too focused on initiations.
  • The resurrection of the dead
    • Perhaps they doubted that the dead would be raised.
  • Eternal judgement
    • This may be an over interpretation, but salvation is far more than fire insurance. More likely is that in their failure to go deep they were at risk of withering away, and they were at risk of abandoning even the doctrines of resurrection and judgement.

• How does the writer describe such works in verse one?
  • The writer describes these as dead works.

The Source of Moving Beyond the Basics

• According to verse 4, from where does our ability to grow come?
  • It comes from God.

Matthew Henry summarizes three facts:

1. That right resolution is very necessary in order to progress and proficiency in religion. 2. That resolution is right which is not only made in the sincerity of our hearts, but in a humble dependence upon God for strength, for assistance and righteousness, for acceptance, and for time and opportunity. 3. That ministers should not only teach people what to do, but go before them, and along with them, in the way of duty. ^[7]

Conclusion

• In Mark 4 we saw that as Christians we need deep soil so that when trials come we can endure. In order to lay deep soil we must go deeper and desire more than milk but the riches that God has for us in salvation life. The only way we will ever develop the ability to eat the meat of the Word is if we place our focus squarely on Christ and his Word.

References

1. ↑ Zane C. Hodges, “Hebrews,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 792.
2. ↑ F. F. Bruce, The Epistle to the Hebrews, Rev. ed., The New International Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1990), 135.
3. ↑ NKJV
4. ↑ Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 294.
5. ↑ F. F. Bruce, The Epistle to the Hebrews, Rev. ed., The New International Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1990), 136.
6. ↑ Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 294–295.
7. ↑ Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume (Peabody: Hendrickson, 1994), 2389.