I. Introduction (Hebrews 5:5-10; 7:1-4)
A. Paul is teaching about Melchisedec
“So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee. As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.” (Hebrews 5:5,6)
- Lived at the time of Abraham
- 500 years before the Jewish nation began
- An example of the kind of priest the Messiah would be
B. There was so much to learn about Christ from Melchisedec
- King of Salem, priest of the most high God
- Abraham gave him a tenth
- King of righteousness, King of peace
- Without father, without mother - made like unto the Son of God
C. But the truths were hard to explain (Hebrews 5:11)
“Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.”
D. Not because the truths were complex…
E. But because the audience was “dull of hearing”
- Dull means heavy, overwhelmed, worn out
- Not interested anymore, not attentive
- Their ears and hearing was already full
- Like after a big Christmas dinner - sleepy
II. The Problem: Spiritual Immaturity (Hebrews 5:12-14)
A. They Should Have Been Teachers
- By this time
- Given how long they’d been believers
- But they still needed to be taught
B. Back to Baby Food
- Milk instead of meat
- Basic things, not deeper truths
- Unskillful in the word of righteousness
C. Characteristics of Spiritual Babies
- Can’t handle strong teaching
- Need constant attention
- Don’t know right from wrong
III. The Goal: Spiritual Maturity (Hebrews 6:1)
“Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection.”
A. What “Perfect” Means
- Not sinlessness
- But maturity, completeness
- Grown up in the faith
B. Moving Beyond the Basics
- Foundation is important
- But don’t stay there
- Build on it
C. Pressing On
- Continuous growth
- Never arrived
- Always learning
IV. How to Grow Up
A. Stay in the Word
- Continue in it daily
- Go deeper
- Apply what you learn
B. Exercise Your Senses
- Practice discernment
- Use what you know
- Develop spiritual muscles
C. Engage with Difficult Truths
- Don’t avoid hard passages
- Study things you don’t understand
- Wrestle with Scripture
D. Teach Others
- Teaching solidifies learning
- Share what you know
- Disciple someone else
Conclusion
God doesn’t want you to stay a spiritual baby. He wants you to grow up, to become mature, to become “perfect.” It takes time, effort, and commitment to His Word. Press on to maturity!