“The Danger in

Growth Failure”Hebrews 6:1-8

DANGER!!!•As I watched Tyrannie grow up, I was always aware the dangers that could be around every corner•The world is not getting any better, getting worse and more wicked by the minute•If our children and grandchildren remain defenseless, they will face constant danger

DANGER!!!•So how about the ideas last week about spiritual lack-of-growth?•Last week we talked about the marks of spiritual maturity and immaturity•The “author” continues to expound on this idea through chapter 6•Today we look at three elementary precepts of Christianity that we must grow past, AND a greater danger in backsliding

“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. 4 For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to

come, 6 and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame. 7 For ground that drinks the rain which often falls on it and brings forth vegetation useful to those for whose sake it is also tilled, receives a blessing from God; 8 but if it yields thorns and thistles, it is worthless and close to being cursed, and it ends up being burned.”

Hebrews 6:1-8 (NASB)

A. Moving Past Elementary…•Vs 1-3,

“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.”

Hebrews 6:1-3 (NASB)

A. Moving Past Elementary…•Vs 1-3, one main objective of the Christian walk is growing up spiritually; not rehashing the basics you learned that brought salvation

1. Conversion – Repentance•Without repentance one cannot be born again•Repenting includes changing your mind about your life and walking a new direction– not just feeling remorse for wrong-doings•After true repentance, faith kicks in and seals the deal

“…9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.”

Romans 10:9-10, NASB

“…9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.”

Romans 10:9-10, NASB

“…9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.”

Romans 10:9-10, NASB

3 Elementary Precepts…1. Conversion – Repentance2. Church Practices – Baptism •In the NT, when a person receives Jesus as one’s Savior and Lord, that person is encouraged to be baptized and connect with a solid, Bible teaching church, so that he or she can grow•Let’s be clear– Baptism does NOT impart salvation

“8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

Ephesians 2:8-9, NASB

3 Elementary Precepts…1. Conversion – Repentance2. Church Practices – Baptism 3. Chronology of the Future – Resurrection

and the Final Judgements•Nothing more exciting than eschatology– but we must have understanding of every-day-walk-stuff•Balanced diet…•I want you to be the best-fed-meat-eaters in USA!

B. Danger of Backsliding•Vs 4-8,

“4 For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame. 7 For ground that drinks the rain which often falls on it and brings forth vegetation useful to those for whose sake it is also tilled, receives a blessing from

God; 8 but if it yields thorns and thistles, it is worthless and close to being cursed, and it ends up being burned.”

Hebrews 6:4-8 (NASB)

B. Danger of Backsliding•Vs 4-8, There are many different ways to teach/study the Word•Expository– this is the Bible’s way•Topical/ Systematic Theology•There are two weaknesses with Topical style1. Preacher chooses the topics, can skip huge swaths2. Preacher can twist the text to fit his theology•These are some of the Devil’s favorite verses. Why?

B. Danger of Backsliding•Calvin-ism vs. Arminian-ism•Baptists are of the lot of Calvin•Other denominations, including Charismatics, believe Arminian precepts•Calvinists believe that once you are saved, nothing can un-do what God has done in you•Arminians believe that you lose your salvation every time you sin, and have to be re-saved

“4 For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame.”

Hebrews 6:4-6, NASB

“4 For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame.”

Hebrews 6:4-6, NASB

“4 For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame.”

Hebrews 6:4-6, NASB

“4 For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame.

Hebrews 6:4-6, NASB

C. Fruitful, or Fruitless…•Vs 7-8,

“7 For ground that drinks the rain which often falls on it and brings forth vegetation useful to those for whose sake it is also tilled, receives a blessing from God; 8 but if it yields thorns and thistles, it is worthless and close to being cursed, and it ends up being burned.”

Hebrews 6:7-8 (NASB)

C. Fruitful, or Fruitless…•Vs 7-8, Anyone ever told you to “Grow up!” ?•The Christian life has to be more than just getting a Heaven ticket•We are here for a purpose; to get to serve Him!•I don’t mind being His servant– it beats the alternative– Hell– Herein is a sobering warning

“Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.”

1 Corinthians 10:12 (NASB)

Take Home!! •Let the Bible speak to you as the Lord intended in context; don’t try to bend it to fit your own theology or interpretation•No one is immune to falling or failing; keep your eyes on Jesus and walk circumspectly