Sermon
#27 Hebrews
Notes
Title: “Let Us Go On!”
Text: Hebrews 5:11-6:3
Readings: Rex
Bartley – Bob Poncer
Subject: Perseverance in Grace
Date: Tuesday Evening – August 22, 2000[1]
Tape # V-98b
Introduction:
You
will find the title of my message tonight in Hebrews 6:1. – “Let
Us Go On!”
·
(Hebrews 6:1) "Therefore
leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection;
not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith
toward God."
I am aware that Hebrews 6 is one of the most controversial
chapters in the New Testament. Heretics frequently point to the opening verses
of this chapter and use them to try to prove that saved men and women may be
lost again, that those who are the objects of God’s grace today may be the
objects of his wrath tomorrow. Of course, that is both nonsense and blasphemy.
The gifts and callings of God are without repentance. His mercy, love, and
grace are unchangeable. His salvation is forever. He gives eternal life to whom
he will, and declares that those to whom eternal life is given in Christ are
saved forever. – “I give unto them
eternal life; and they shall never perish!”
This is also a chapter about which faithful men, men who
believe and preach the gospel of God’s free and sovereign grace in Christ, are
often in disagreement. It is not my intention tonight to explore or settle
those conflicts of interpretation. I will gladly leave that task to those who
enjoy such things.
The fact is, this is a very instructive, encouraging
passage of Scripture. If you will read the entire passage carefully, beginning
at chapter 5 verse 11, you will see that the Spirit of God has reasons for
giving us the instruction found in these verses.
·
(Hebrews 5:11-14) "Of whom
we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of
hearing. (12) For when for the time
ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles
of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. (13) For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of
righteousness: for he is a babe. (14) But
strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to
discern both good and evil."
·
(Hebrews 6:1-3) "Therefore
leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection;
not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith
toward God, (2) Of the doctrine of
baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of
eternal judgment. (3) And this will
we do, if God permit."
1. These things are written to encourage us to persevere in
the faith of Christ, to continue looking to, trusting, following, and obeying
Christ.
·
This was a time of great apostasy.
·
We, too, live in a day of overwhelming apostasy (2 Thess. 2; Rev. 20).
2. The Holy Spirit here
encourages believers to grow in the
grace and knowledge of Christ.
·
We do not grow in acceptance with God; but we must grow in grace.
·
We do not grow in our position of favor before God; but we must grow in
the knowledge of Christ.
3. And this passage of
Inspiration is intended to encourage those who are still babes in Christ to “go
on unto perfection,”
maturity in the things of God. – The passage is designed to encourage us to
seek spiritual maturity, seeking to be strong, well-established, well-grounded,
useful believers.
Proposition: In this portion of Holy Scripture, the Spirit of God teaches
us that the righteous shall, indeed, hold on his way, and that he will grow and
bear fruit by the grace of God (Job 17:9).
·
(Job 17:9) "The righteous
also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and
stronger."
I. A Word of Concern (Heb. 5:11-14)
When
men and women who should be instruments of usefulness to others are often
spiritually immature. They are like babies and small children, must be
constantly instructed in elementary principles of the faith. This is what we
see in the latter part of chapter five.
·
(Hebrews 5:11-14) "Of whom
we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of
hearing. (12) For when for the time
ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles
of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. (13) For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of
righteousness: for he is a babe. (14) But
strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to
discern both good and evil."
Paul
had many things yet to say about Christ, our great Melchisdec. There were so
many great treasures to be revealed, so many great truths to be taught, so many
great mysteries to be unfolded; but it was difficult for him to plunge into the
great, wonders of Christ’s work as our Priest before God and the great
mysteries of his Person, because there were many among the Hebrew believers who
were still babes, “dull of hearing,”
immature. If he gave them strong meat, he knew that they would choke on it.
Therefore, before moving on to weightier matters (as he does in chapter 7), the
Holy Spirit inspired Paul to reprove those who continue in immaturity and urge
them to grow up.
A. Those who have been believers for a long time ought
to mature in the things of God; but many remain babes (v. 12).
·
(Hebrews 5:12) "For when
for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again
which be the first principles of the
oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong
meat."
Immaturity
is acceptable in children; but immature adults are an embarrassment to their
families and repulsive to others. Paul is here saying, “Brethren, it’s time for
you to grow up. Stop acting like children.”
1. Babies require milk, “first principles,” abc blocks, and
coloring books.
2. Mature believers need and feed upon the strong meat of the
Word.
B. Being unstable in the Word of righteousness,
spiritual babies must be spoon fed, lest they be tossed to and fro with every
wind of doctrine (vv. 13-14).
·
(Hebrews 5:13-14) "For
every one that useth milk is unskilful
in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. (14) But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have
their senses exercised to discern both good and evil."
1. Incapable of discerning good
and evil (doctrinal good and evil), such infantile men and women must be
constantly given the abcs of the gospel, the first principles of divine truth.
2. As long as you are satisfied
with such spiritual immaturity, you both rob yourself of great joy and
blessedness, and remain unprofitable in the kingdom of God.
3. Babies have childish minds,
behave in childish ways, are greatly affected by childish toys, and have
provide no real usefulness to others.
II. A Word of Exhortation (Heb. 6:1-2)
·
(Hebrews 6:1-2) "Therefore(lest we remain in a state of spiritual
immaturity and uselessness) leaving the principles of the doctrine of
Christ, let us go on unto perfection (maturity
as the sons and daughters of God); not laying again the foundation of
repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, (2) Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of
resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment."
Be sure you understand what Paul is telling us here. He is
not telling us that we are to…
·
lose the first principles.
·
forget the first principles.
·
deny the first principles.
·
or cease to preach the first principles.
Rather, we are to build upon them. We lay these
first principles in our hearts as the foundation of all that we are and have in
Christ. Then, we go on to build upon that foundation.
What
are these “first principles of the
doctrine of Christ”? The Holy Spirit here identifies six specific things as
first principles. They are…
A. “Repentance from dead works”
– (Phil. 3:4-8)
·
(Philippians 3:4-8) "Though
I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he
hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: (5) Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of
the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; (6) Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the
righteousness which is in the law, blameless. (7) But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for
Christ. (8) Yea doubtless, and I
count all things but loss for the
excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered
the loss of all things, and do count them but
dung, that I may win Christ,"
Nothing in my hands I bring.
Simply to Thy cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for
dress;
Helpless, look to Thee for
grace!
George Whitefield said, “No man has truly repented until he
has repented of…
·
his sin –
·
his sins –
·
and his righteousness!”
B. “Faith toward God”
(Rom. 4:23-5:1)
“I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son
of the living God.” This is the faith of God’s elect, the confession of
every true believer.
·
(Romans 4:23-25) "Now it
was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; (24) But for us also, to whom it shall
be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; (25) Who was delivered for our
offences, and was raised again for our justification."
·
(Romans 5:1) "Therefore
being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus
Christ."
C. “The doctrine of baptisms”
1. Baptism in the Holy Spirit
at Pentecost (Acts 2)
2. Believer’s Baptism – One
Baptism (Rom. 6:4-6)
·
(Romans 6:4-6) "Therefore
we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up
from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in
newness of life. (5) For if we have
been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: (6) Knowing
this, that our old man is crucified with him,
that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not
serve sin."
D. “Laying on of hands”
1. This refers to that special
power given to the Apostles of Christ, by which they conveyed to others the
apostolic gifts of the Spirit (Acts 8:17; 1 Tim. 4:14).
2. In the early church, when
deacons and preachers were ordained, the presbyters laid hands upon them (Acts
6:6; 13:3).
3. Paul warned Timothy to
exercise great caution in laying hands upon men (1 Tim. 3:13-18).
E. “Resurrection of the dead”
(1 Thess. 4:13-18)
·
Christ is coming again.
·
There will be a general resurrection.
F. After the resurrection, “Eternal
judgment” (Acts 17:31; Rev. 20:11-12)
These
are “the first principles of the doctrine
of Christ.” This is where we begin in Christ. We must always continue to
believe, preach, and rejoice in these things. But, do we need to prove them
over and over again to those who claim to believe them, to those who say they
have experienced them? Certainly not. “Let
us go on!” I want to show you more. I want you to know and experience more.
We want to go on to maturity.
·
In The Knowledge Of Christ
·
In The Love And Unity Of Christ
·
In Conformity To Christ
III. A Word Of
Hope (Heb. 6:3)
Look at verse 3 for a minute.
·
(Hebrews 6:3) "And this
will we do, if God permit."
Paul
is saying, “By the will of God, by the grace of God, we will, as the children
of God, go on to maturity in Christ.” When he says, “this will we do,” the Apostle is saying…
A. We will lay the foundation.
B. We will build upon the
foundation, growing in spiritual maturity, in faith, hope, and love.
C. We will persevere in the
faith of Christ by the grace of God (Phil. 1:6).
We
will go on, for it is impossible for a true believer to do otherwise. We must
either go on or go back; and it is impossible for the child of God to go back!
It is impossible for a true believer not to grow up in Christ.
1. The Son of God keeps his own (John 10:27-28).
·
(John 10:27-28) "My sheep
hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: (28) And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never
perish, neither shall any man pluck
them out of my hand."
2. Christ nourishes his body (Eph. 5:25-27).
·
(Ephesians 5:25-27)
"Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church,
and gave himself for it; (26) That he
might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, (27) That he might present it to
himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but
that it should be holy and without blemish."
3. Our heavenly Father graciously causes his sons and
daughters to grow up and makes them fruitful (John 15:1-6).
He
has four great tools by which he accomplishes this great end.
1. The Chastening Rod (Heb.
12:5-12)
2. The Shepherd’s Rod
3. The Pruning Knife
·
(John 15:1-6) "I am the
true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
(2) Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth
it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
(3) Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. (4) Abide in me, and I in you. As the
branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can
ye, except ye abide in me. (5) I am
the vine, ye are the branches: He
that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for
without me ye can do nothing. (6) If
a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men
gather them, and cast them into the
fire, and they are burned."
4. The Ministry of the Word
(Eph. 4:11-16; Heb. 13:7, 17)
·
(Ephesians 4:11-16) "And he
gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some,
pastors and teachers; (12) For the
perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the
body of Christ: (13) Till we all come
in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a
perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: (14) That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried
about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; (15) But speaking the truth in love,
may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: (16) From
whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every
joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every
part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love."
·
(Hebrews 13:7) "Remember
them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God:
whose faith follow, considering the end of their
conversation."
·
(Hebrews 13:17) "Obey them
that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your
souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not
with grief: for that is unprofitable
for you."