Hebrews 06:01-08 The Peril of Not Progressing

Old - G E L N D J J R 1S 2S 1K 2K 1C 2C E N E J P P E S I J L E D H J A O J M N H Z H Z M
New - M M L J A R 1C 2C G E P C 1Th 2Th 1T 2T T P H J 1P 2P 1J 2J 3J J R - Topical - All - Archive

Text: Hebrews 6:1-8

Introduction

1. The normal Christian life is to be one of spiritual growth and progression

a. Starting as babes in Christ, we feed on the milk of the Word

b. As our spiritual senses are exercised to discern good and evil, we are then able to progress to solid food (meat)

c. In this way we grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ – 2 Peter 3:18

2. But as we saw in last week’s lesson, not all grow as they should, and some are:

a. Dull of hearing

b. Unable to teach others

c. Getting a diet of milk only

d. Unable to discern good and evil – Hebrews 5:11-14

3. But if we don’t grow spiritually as we should, so what?

a. Is spiritual growth really that essential?

b. Is there a danger involved in not progressing spiritually?

Body

I. THE DUTY OF PRESSING ON TO PERFECTION (Hebrews 6:1-3)

A. THE PERFECTION WE SEEK IS TWO-FOLD

1. Maturity in religious knowledge

a. We need the Word of God, that we may grow thereby – 1 Peter 2:2

b. By receiving the Word with humility into our hearts, it can save our souls – James 1:21

2. Full development of spiritual life

a. To faith and knowledge, we must add the qualities of godly character – 2 Peter 1:5-8

b. As we develop this godly character, we truly come to know the Lord

B. BEFORE THIS WE NEED THE ELEMENTARY PRINCIPLES OF CHRIST

1. Our text reveals that this involves teaching on such subjects as:

a. Repentance from dead works

1) Turning from works which produce spiritual death, not life

2) Paul describes such works in Ephesians 2:1-3

3) Sorrow for sin and a purpose to turn from it

b. Faith toward God

1) That trusting conviction in God and His promises that is essential to pleasing Him – Hebrews 11:6

2) This faith is produced by the Word of God itself – Romans 10:17; John 20:30-31

c. The doctrine of baptisms

1) In the first century A.D., there were many ritual washings practiced by various sects of the pagans and Jews

a) Such practices needed to be carefully distinguished from Christian baptism

b) Just as John’s baptism was distinguished from baptism into Christ – Acts 19:1-5

2) Today, it is important to understand the different kinds of baptisms practiced

a) Nearly all Christian religions practice some sort of baptism

b) But most do not baptize for the reasons stated in the Scriptures – Acts 2:38; 22:16; Romans 6:1-6

d. Laying on of hands

1) In the early church, this was done for various reasons:

a) By Jesus, and others with the gift of healing, to heal the sick – Luke 4:40; Mark 16:18; Acts 28:8

b) By Jesus, to bestow special blessings upon others – Mark 10:16

c) By the apostles, to impart the Spirit in a miraculous measure – Acts 8:14-25; 19:1-7

d) By church leaders, to appoint different ones for service – Acts 6:1-6; Acts 13:1-3

2) Note that the laying on of hands was often accompanied with prayer; perhaps the imposition of hands being the outward symbol of the prayer

e. Resurrection of the dead

1) A central theme of preaching was the resurrection of Jesus – Acts 2:31-32; Acts 10:40

2) They also preached in Jesus our own resurrection, which is our precious hope! Acts 4:2; 24:15; 1 Corinthians 15:20-23

f. Eternal judgment

1) Another theme of apostolic preaching – Acts 17:30-31; Acts 24:24-25

2) Also stressed in their epistles – Romans 2:16; Romans 14:10-12; 2 Corinthians 5:10

2. Understanding these concepts serves as the beginning of spiritual growth!

a. Sadly, some who have been Christians for years still need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God;

b. Such people are still babes who need milk and not solid food. – Hebrews 5:12

C. BUT WE ALSO NEED TO GO ON TO PERFECTION

1. Once we have laid the foundation, we need to build on it

2. With an understanding of the doctrines previously described, we are ready to receive more difficult knowledge

a. Such as the high priesthood of Christ – Hebrews 5:9-11

b. We might also add the work of Christ as our King of kings and Lord of lords, as depicted in the book of Revelation

3. By comprehending the meatier parts of the Word of God, we are more likely to remain steadfast in our faith

4. We need the attitude of striving toward perfection as described by Paul – Philippians 3:7-15

II. THE DANGER OF IRREVERSIBLE APOSTASY (Hebrews 6:4-8)

A. NOTE THE PRIVILEGES SOME APOSTATES HAD ENJOYED

1. They were once enlightened

a. This likely refers to their conversion – Hebrews 10:32

b. By the second century, the word enlightenment was used as a synonym for baptism (Justin, Apology, 1.61.65)

2. They have tasted of the heavenly gift

a. The word taste suggests a deep personal experience – 1 Peter 2:3

b. Their tasting the heavenly gift refers back to the past experience of salvation

1) In which they experienced the forgiveness of sins

2) In which they began to receive the spiritual blessings of being in Christ

3. They have become partakers of the Holy Spirit

a. This also refers back to their conversion – Acts 2:38

b. The word partakers (metochous) is significant

1) Christians are partakers (metochoi) of the heavenly calling – Hebrews 3:1

2) They are partakers (metochoi) of Christ – Hebrews 3:14

3) So they are also partakers in the Holy Spirit!

4. They have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come

a. Again the word tasted suggests personal experience

b. They had experienced the good things the word of God promises

c. They had experienced the powers of the age to come

1) The age to come is the Messianic age, ushered in with the first coming of Christ, and consummated with His second coming

2) The powers of the age they had experienced:

a) Certainly included the power experienced by all Christians – Ephesians 1:19; Ephesians 3:20; Ephesians 6:10

b) But perhaps even signs and wonders, and gifts of the Holy Spirit – Hebrews 2:4

5. Can these be anyone other than true Christians who had once believed in Jesus?

B. NOTE HOW FAR THEY HAD FALLEN

1. It was now impossible…to renew them again to repentance – Hebrews 6:4-6

a. It is apparent that Christians can fall away

1) Paul warned that one can become estranged from Christ and fall from grace – Galatians 5:4

2) Peter described those once saved – 2 Peter 2:20-22

b. Here we learn that some can fall away to the point they are beyond rescue!

1) We cannot say when a person reaches that point

2) But there is a point where renewal becomes impossible!

2. In such a state they crucifying again for themselves the Son of God and putting Him to an open shame.

a. This is not a Christian who sins out of weakness or ignorance

b. This is one who knowingly and openly rejects Christ publicly!

1) It is one whose heart has been so hardened by sin that in unbelief they have departed from the living God – Hebrews 3:12-14

2) It is one who despises Jesus, His blood, and the Spirit of grace – Hebrews 10:29

c. It is one thing to yield to sin contrary to the new life in Christ, it is another thing to abandon that new life altogether!

d. But such can happen if we are not careful to go on to perfection!

C. NOTE THE FEARFUL DESTRUCTION RESERVED FOR THEM

1. Like unproductive branches, they are rejected…whose end is to be burned

a. Having received blessings from God, they should have produced good fruit

b. But instead they are like thorns and briars, taking nourishment but not producing useful fruit in return – Hebrews 6:7-8

2. With a similar illustration, Jesus warned His disciples! – John 15:1-8

a. By abiding in Him, we are able to bear fruit to God’s glory

b. But if we do not bear fruit, we will be cut off and burned!

Conclusion

1. From this stern passage, we learn some sobering truths

a. Receiving wonderful blessings from God does not preclude the impossibility of apostasy

b. For those who fall away to the point of casting off their faith, destruction awaits!

2. In view of such truths

a. The peril of not progressing is very real!

b. We need to heed the exhortation: let us go on to perfection

1) We cannot be content with spiritual immaturity

2) We must be diligent to press on in our spiritual growth

3. Does this mean we must live our Christian lives with insecurity regarding our salvation? No

4. As we will see in our next lesson, there are things upon which we can base our hope and trust for the future. But the warnings in this passage should be heeded!

5. Brethren, what are you doing with the blessings you have received in Christ…?