Facing Our Immaturity
IT IS SERIOUS NOT GROWING UP, BUT EVEN MORE SO, WHEN YOU DON’T RECOGNIZE YOU AREN’T’ GROWING AND THAT YOU ARE STILL IMMATURE.
Hebrews 5:11-6:3 (NASB)
11 Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.
12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food.
13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant.
14 But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.
1 Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,
2 of instruction about washings and laying on of hands, and the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment.
3 And this we will do, if God permits.
11 Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.
12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food.
13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant.
14 But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.
1 Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,
2 of instruction about washings and laying on of hands, and the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment.
3 And this we will do, if God permits.
· It Is Possible To Gain Knowledge About The Bible, To Talk The Language Of The Church Even Have A Prayer Language And Yet Not Be Growing In God. We Must Not Lay Our Foundation Repeatedly.
Hebrews 6:1-3 (NASB)
1 Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,
2 of instruction about washings and laying on of hands, and the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment.
3 And this we will do, if God permits.
1 Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,
2 of instruction about washings and laying on of hands, and the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment.
3 And this we will do, if God permits.
HAVING TO LAY AGAIN THE FOUNDATION OF REPENTANCE.
· Many people confess Christ and then live in a state of Guilt
· They listen to the enemy’s lies and believe them.
· They don’t feel that are good enough, their needs aren’t important enough to talk to God. They don’t want to bother anyone about things that are bothering them.
· They don’t know for sure that are saved after hearing the lies that satan tells them yet they will continue doing their best to trudge along.
· The same old temptations are always there; they fail repeatedly and are repenting repeatedly over the same old sins.
Repentance: is to feel remorse, contrition, or self=reproach for that one had done or failed to do; To be contrite [feeling regret and sorrow for one’s sins or Offenses: Penitent.] Excerpted From the American Heritage Talking dictionary. Copyright ©1997 the learning company, inc. all rights reserved.
· Repentance is to feel such regret for past conduct as to change one’s mind regarding it; repented of intemperate behavior.
· Repentance means to make a change for the better because of remorse or contrition for one’s sins.
· Repentance is a Work of God like Salvation.
Hebrews 12:16-17 (NASB)
16 that there be no immoral or godless person like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal.
17 For you know that even afterwards, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought for it with tears.
16 that there be no immoral or godless person like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal.
17 For you know that even afterwards, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought for it with tears.
Acts 8:22 (NASB)
22 "Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray the Lord that, if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you.
22 "Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray the Lord that, if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you.
· Peter Found repentance, Judas did not. With the right attitude, you will find repentance.
Ezekiel 36:31 (NASB)
31 "Then you will remember your evil ways and your deeds that were not good, and you will loathe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and your abominations.
Psalms 52:9 (NASB)
9 I will give You thanks forever, because You have done it, And I will wait on Your name, for it is good, in the presence of Your godly ones.
Proverbs 28:13 (NASB)
13 He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, But he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion.
31 "Then you will remember your evil ways and your deeds that were not good, and you will loathe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and your abominations.
Psalms 52:9 (NASB)
9 I will give You thanks forever, because You have done it, And I will wait on Your name, for it is good, in the presence of Your godly ones.
Proverbs 28:13 (NASB)
13 He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, But he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion.
TRUST GOD’S WORD ABOUT REPENTANCE
Jeremiah 24:7 (NASB)
7 ~'I will give them a heart to know Me, for I am the Lord; and they will be My people, and I will be their God, for they will return to Me with their whole heart.
Ezekiel 11:18-20 (NASB)
18 "When they come there, they will remove all its detestable things and all its abominations from it.
19 "And I will give them one heart, and put a new spirit within them. And I will take the heart of stone out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh,
20 that they may walk in My statutes and keep My ordinances and do them. Then they will be My people, and I shall be their God.
Acts 2:37 (NASB)
37 Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brethren, what shall we do?"
1 John 1:9 (NASB)
9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
7 ~'I will give them a heart to know Me, for I am the Lord; and they will be My people, and I will be their God, for they will return to Me with their whole heart.
Ezekiel 11:18-20 (NASB)
18 "When they come there, they will remove all its detestable things and all its abominations from it.
19 "And I will give them one heart, and put a new spirit within them. And I will take the heart of stone out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh,
20 that they may walk in My statutes and keep My ordinances and do them. Then they will be My people, and I shall be their God.
Acts 2:37 (NASB)
37 Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brethren, what shall we do?"
1 John 1:9 (NASB)
9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
· Now Get That Foundation Built And Get To Work!
SHARING CHRIST
· Do you lack confidence in your experience that you can’t Share the Gospel with others?
Hebrews 5:12 (NASB)
12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food.
12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food.
· Jesus doesn’t expect you to be able to stand before a congregation and teach line upon line. He is saying growing up is having confidence in what God has done for and in you. You should be able to tell others about in on a one on one basis.
Hebrews 3:13 (NASB)
13 But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
13 But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
Hebrews 10:25 (NASB)
25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.
25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NASB)
11 Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.
11 Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.
2 Corinthians 12:9 (NASB)
9 And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
9 And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
MANY ARE STILL BABES IN CHRIST
· A baby is unable to eat on its own, Unable to take Solid food, still dependant on someone else to feed him or her
WORD OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
· Unable to use the word of righteousness, tools God give us to fight the battles
Hebrews 5:13 (NASB)
13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant.
13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant.
WE MUST GROW UP
· Paul was trying to bring them to another level of understanding, But they were saying wait a minute; we don’t understand what you are saying.
· Just give us the basics; they are all we want.
· Since salvation, you have learned some simple truths about Christ’ He died for you sins; you have eternal life he has gone to prepare a place for you; he want to build the church.
· Do you have an appetite only for the basics or are you hungry for more?
· You will develop an appetite for more solid foods as you go through these studies
THE WORD OF RIGHTEOUSNESS IS THE TOOL OR WEAPON USED IN THE BATTLE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS. EVERY BELIEVER MUST BE TRAINED TO HANDLE THIS WEAPON. SOME OF THOSE USES ARE:
· The Word in mediation to feed themselves spiritually.
To meditate [ha-ga-h- hawgaw’; to murmur (in pleasure or anger): by implication to ponder. Imagine, meditate, mourn, mutter, roar, speak, study, talk, utter.]
· The Word to instruct and help others with their problems
· The Word Bring comfort to the sorrowful
· The Word being counsel to the perplexed
· the Word Used in intercession
· The Word drives back the attacks of Satan.
Ephesians 6:17 (NASB)
17 And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Hebrews 5:14 (NASB)
14 But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.
17 And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Hebrews 5:14 (NASB)
14 But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.
· The Word must be used to distinguish good from evil: such as a Business venture that looks good but isn’t completely honest.
· Someone who comes to your door passing out literatures that can mislead a new believer must be recognized as false doctrine.
Ephesians 4:14 (NASB)
14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming;
14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming;
He that has Ears to Hear
· If you lack ears to hear, how can you overcome?
Hebrews 5:11 (NASB)
11 Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.
11 Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.
· The Spiritual ear enables the heart to hear and understand.
Matthew 13:9 (NASB)
9 "He who has ears, let him hear."
Revelation 2:7 (NASB)
7 ~'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God.'
9 "He who has ears, let him hear."
Revelation 2:7 (NASB)
7 ~'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God.'
· These Christians had to the correct teaching but were dull of hearing and did not properly assimilated that teaching.
· It doesn’t mean they lack human intelligence. Natural wisdom is not the key to spiritual understanding.
Matthew 11:25-26 (NASB)
25 At that time Jesus said, "I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants.
26 "Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight.
25 At that time Jesus said, "I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants.
26 "Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight.
Luke 8:5-15 (NASB)
5 "The sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell beside the road, and it was trampled under foot and the birds of the air ate it up.
6 "Other seed fell on rocky soil, and as soon as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture.
7 "Other seed fell among the thorns; and the thorns grew up with it and choked it out.
8 "Other seed fell into the good soil, and grew up, and produced a crop a hundred times as great." As He said these things, He would call out, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."
9 His disciples began questioning Him as to what this parable meant.
10 And He said, "To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is in parables, so that SEEING THEY MAY NOT SEE, AND HEARING THEY MAY NOT UNDERSTAND.
11 "Now the parable is this: the seed is the word of God.
12 "Those beside the road are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their heart, so that they will not believe and be saved.
13 "Those on the rocky soil are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no firm root; they believe for a while, and in time of temptation fall away.
14 "The seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with worries and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to maturity.
15 "But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance.
5 "The sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell beside the road, and it was trampled under foot and the birds of the air ate it up.
6 "Other seed fell on rocky soil, and as soon as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture.
7 "Other seed fell among the thorns; and the thorns grew up with it and choked it out.
8 "Other seed fell into the good soil, and grew up, and produced a crop a hundred times as great." As He said these things, He would call out, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."
9 His disciples began questioning Him as to what this parable meant.
10 And He said, "To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is in parables, so that SEEING THEY MAY NOT SEE, AND HEARING THEY MAY NOT UNDERSTAND.
11 "Now the parable is this: the seed is the word of God.
12 "Those beside the road are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their heart, so that they will not believe and be saved.
13 "Those on the rocky soil are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no firm root; they believe for a while, and in time of temptation fall away.
14 "The seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with worries and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to maturity.
15 "But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance.
Verse 10: Comment on the Old Wind vs. New Wine – We personally are the wineskins that are designed to hold the wine. New wine will burst an old wine skin. As the new wine ferments and expands the old wine skin will no longer stretch but will burst thus the wine is spilled and no longer useful. You must put new wine in new wine skins only. When we are asking for additional anointing and revelation from God, or a move of God we must renew our spirits (Old Wineskins) and ask God to again make us pliable or flexible (like new wineskins) in order to hold the new wine we are asking for. Prayer, Praise and seeking (or waiting) on God can prepare us to receive what he wants for us in the spirit as we work in his vineyard.
The Seed is the word, hearing of the word determines the condition of the heart (or ground) in which the word will grow and produce.
· Path (hard ground not tilled but beat down)
· Rocky Ground (lack of soil for the seed to take root)
· Among thorns (lots of soil but the seed must compete with other plants to grow)
· Good ground (the seed can grow uninhibited and produce).
Hebrews 6:1 (NASB)
1 Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,
1 Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,
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