Sermon: Grow Up, Learn, Discern Hebrews 5:11-14

 A couple of years ago I preached a sermon series entitled "Look to Jesus" at Forest Community Church. This sermon comes from Hebrews 5:11-14 and is entitled "Grow Up, Learn, Discern." I will post the sermon notes below as well as a link to the video. Please be aware that the video may not completely line up to the notes below. We had some announcements before the sermon, so the sermon itself starts around the 3:00 mark on the video. Thank you for watching and reading!

Video: Sermon Hebrews 5:11-14

Hebrews Series: Look to Jesus  

Hebrews 5:11-14—Grow Up, Learn, Discern  

Intro: The language of Hebrews shows a decided interest in the words “hearing” and “obedience.” There is a very close relationship between hearing God’s voice and obeying God’s commands. In Greek the words “hear” and “obey” are even related. The point seems to be that obedience demands attentive or responsive listening. Learn Obedience Like Jesus.

The author of Hebrews utilized Psalm 95 and the incident at Kadesh Barnea to drive this point home to his readers. Behind the formulation of Psalm 95:7-11 stands the insight that listening and obedience are related aspects of faith. Reluctance to listen and disobedience are related aspects of unbelief. Listen and obey is the goal.

Hebrews 5:1-10 reminded us that Jesus listened and obeyed (remember, he “learned obedience;” the reference here to learning and obeying is similar to the expectation the author has for his readers). Jesus actively obeyed God when he offered himself for us. He experienced fully the significance of obedience. It is as the “Obedient One” that he has been exalted (5:9). He is God’s Final Word—the final and complete Revelation of God—he is the one to whom we must listen and obey. We need to learn obedience.

The insight that obedience begins with attentive listening is essential to understanding Hebrews 5:11-6:20. The author of Hebrews has introduced Jesus as a priest after the order of Melchizedek, but before continues that line of thought he must deal with problems in his church. He thinks that his friends are no longer listening to the voice of God as revealed through Jesus, the final Word of God. They are acting as immature people, and they need to grow up. In 5:11, he mentions that they have become hard or dull or sluggish in their hearing. The development of a hearing problem is a significant danger for men and women who are called to obey God. The close proximity of 5:9 to 5:11 underscores the importance of attentive listening as a prerequisite of obeying God. Starting with 5:11, the author now introduces the central division of his sermon. He encourages his readers to grow up, to learn, and to discern.

Hebrews 5:11-6:20 serve as the preparation of the congregation for the rest of the sermon. This section consists of two major sections: 5:11-6:12—the peril of spiritual immaturity; 6:13-20—a basis for steadfastness. The author offers two possibilities—promise or peril. “They may expose themselves to extreme peril by closing their ears to God, or they may find a basis for stability by listening to the voice of God as expressed through oath and promise.” Bill Lane, Hebrews: A Call to Commitment

This section can be divided into four paragraphs with alternating tones: Paragraph 1 (5:11-14)—pessimistic; Paragraph 2 (6:1-3)—optimistic; Paragraph 3 (6:4-8)—pessimistic; Paragraph 4 (6:9-12)—optimistic. This alternation is the author’s way of trying to motivate his readers by warning and encouraging them. He is calling them to attentive listening and obedience in spite of the possible dire circumstances of their future. Our focus today is on the first pessimistic section—Read Hebrews 5:11-14

Here the author admonishes his people to grow up, to learn, and to discern. He reminds them that growing up requires practice. Failure to practice causes immaturity. Point 1—Age Alone doesn’t produce maturity/the marks of immaturity; Point 2—Maturity comes by constant obedience/practice.

Point 1—vv. 11-12: Age Alone Does Not Produce Maturity—the marks of immaturity (Growing Up takes Practice): This pessimistic section starts with a confrontation (5:11). The members of the church who received this sermon have grown “sluggish” or “slow to learn.” They are not keeping pace with their situation. There may even be a serious erosion of faith and hope within the congregation. The lack is not due to time or growth. In fact, the author notes that “by now” they should be teachers—people mature enough in the faith to help others understand (5:12). Instead, they had regressed to point where they needed someone to teach them “again” the fundamentals (i.e., the ABC’s) of the faith—they needed milk, not meat (i.e., they have become infantile). They had learned these things before, but due to their sluggishness in hearing and obeying they needed some to go over their lessons with them again.

Ray Stedman (Hebrews, The IVP New Testament Commentary Series): “Immaturity is self-identifying. It has certain clear marks which provide a simple test that anyone can take to determine whether he belongs in this classification or not. There is an inability to instruct others.” 

Immaturity is costly too. Our author will spell this out more in chapter 6, but here he reminds his readers that stunted growth is NOT healthy and is in fact deadly. If we aren’t growing in maturity, we are languishing in the arrested development of immaturity. We need to move forward, we need to be mature, we need to be teachers of each other.

These individuals had received a rich exposure to God’s Truth, and yet they had regressed to being infants. The author is telling them that they must resume their responsibilities as adults. They cannot remain in an infantile stage in their hostile society. To remain immature will cost them dearly, they must move to maturity. They must grow up, but to do so requires learning and discernment. They must practice to grow up.

Point 2—vv. 13-14: Maturity Requires Practice—we must learn to discern, and to do that we must OBEY. With biting irony, the author addresses his audience as though they were on a “milk diet” instead of on a steady diet of adult food (5:13-14). They are “inexperienced in the word of righteousness.”

What is the reference to this “word of righteousness”? To what do these words refer?  Right speech; Moral actions; Proper theology; General teachings of Christianity; Instructions about Christian righteousness; teaching about Messiah (and his righteousness). Bill Lane (Hebrews: A Call to Commitment) thinks it may refer to instruction that stresses the cost and responsibilities of discipleship. Lane notes that the phrase is used with regards to persecution (in some cases—Polycarp). The phrase may be a technical reference of some sort. Lane states “The expression ‘word of righteousness’ signifies instruction concerning a willingness to experience martyrdom.” He uses Polycarp as a model (Cf. Mark 8:34-38).

Perhaps the members of this church were recoiling at the possibility of martyrdom due to persecution or the coming crisis. That is, they were still paralyzed by the fear of death (Heb. 2:15). Their regression to spiritual immaturity is a response to a life-threatening situation. The “adult” Christian recognizes the moral claim of God on his or her life even if it exposes the Christian to possible death. This is the situation that sets up our next major warning passage in Hebrews 6.

Conclusion:

If we no longer want to be immature, how we may clearly identify our arrested spiritual development and correct it? Are we concerned to consider the serious consequences of this immaturity?

Are we on milk or solid food? The babes who desire only mild doctrinal study are immature, whereas the mature desire solid food. Are we feasting on the Word of God, or do we go to listen only to what you already know. Is there a passion not for the religious fads, but for Christ and a greater knowledge of Him? How do we grow up? How do we mature in the Christian life? We grow by the use and frequent study of the Bible. We study it and meditate on it and put it into daily practice. Luther: “I study my Bible as I gather apples.  First, I shake the whole tree that the ripest might fall.  Then I shake each limb, and when I have shaken each limb, I shake each branch.  Then I look under every leaf.” We need the solid food of God’s Word. We must read it and obey it. We must put it into practice. Get into the Word of God. All spiritual progress is made by putting into practice what you already have received. Manna not eaten breeds worms. Milk undigested turns sour. This week read the following: Jeremiah 32; Psalm 91; Amos 6; 1 Timothy 6; Luke 16.

Are we teaching others? These Hebrews had been converted long enough to be ministering to others. Instead of teaching and making disciples, they need someone to teach them and to disciple them. They are so spiritually dull they need someone to teach them the same truths over and over again. They have no interest in hearing and obeying God. When we make ourselves available to God the Holy Spirit equips us to teach others. He nurtures us so we can build up others (Ephesians 4). We need to be sowing the truth God has taught us into the lives of other people. To be mature, we must ALL be teachers giving from our increase to others. This week write down a list of the things God has taught you in the past few months. Then make a point to share that list with someone else. Put obedience to your hearing!

Finally, walk in truth. This week obey God as he makes his desire known. Listen to him and then obey what you hear. Grow Up, Learn, Discern.

Sermon: Don't Resist A Rest, Hebrews 3:7-19

 I have the privilege of preaching occasionally at Forest Community Church in Forest, VA. Over two years ago I began a series on Hebrews entitled "Keep Your Eyes on Jesus." I decided to post the links to the videos for any who would like to watch them. This sermon covers Hebrews 3:7-19 and is called "Don't Resist A Rest." The sermon was originally preached on July 24, 2022. I'll post the notes/outline below (NOTE: the video may not follow the notes exactly!), but here is the video link: Hebrews 3:7-19. The sermon starts around the 3:00 minute mark. 

Hebrews Series: Look to Jesus

Do Not Resist A Rest, Hebrews 3:7-19

Prayer: O Lord, mercifully receive the prayers of your people who call upon you, and grant that they may know and understand what things they ought to do, and also may have grace and power faithfully to accomplish them; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

Intro: Importance of God’s Word and obedience for rest—Adam and Eve; Abraham, Isssac, and Jacob; Moses; children of Israel; David; Jesus. When we refuse to listen to God and obey what he says, we are resisting a rest. Rest comes from walking with Jesus (come to me) but can be resisted. Today, our author reminds us: Don’t Resist A Rest. God’s rest is something we can resist, and to avoid doing this, our author gives us three points to remember: 1) Israel Resisted God’s Rest—the Word (vv. 7-11), 2) Israel’s disobedience came at a price—the Warning (vv. 12-15), and 3) We don’t want to miss our opportunity—the Why (vv. 16-19). 

Main Point: Do not harden your hearts to rebellion like the Exodus generation. Do not resist a rest!

Word (vv. 7-11); Warning (vv. 12-15); Why (vv. 16-19)

If the first 6 verses of this chapter are the positive example of faithfulness, then the rest of this chapter focuses on a negative example and sets the tone for the discussion in chapter 4 where the author discusses the “rest” of God. This section begins an exhortation to the readers regarding faithfulness. To accomplish this goal, the author introduces a quote from Psalm 95.

The Word—Israel Resisted God (vv. 7-11): The reference to Psalm 95 would no doubt be familiar to the Jewish readers of Hebrews:

This Psalm was often read during the Festival of Tabernacles or Booths. It happened in the autumn, and people would go outside and live in little huts that they made. They would take their meals there for seven days to remember that they wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. And they would remember their mistakes that led to the wilderness (and to death for many in that wilderness). And they would remember God's grace and provision as well.

The author of Hebrews quotes Psalm 95:7-11. The Psalm may be divided into three parts:

Exhortation: “do not harden your hearts”

Example: “as you did in the wilderness”

Judgment: God speaks “Therefore I was angry”. Note: part of worship is to listen for God’s speech, and in this case God gives a harsh word.

The author of Hebrews brings this Psalm into the present experience of his readers for the following reasons:

They would be very familiar with it.

It was a sober reminder of the people’s lack of faithfulness..

It describes the importance of listening to God’s voice

It underscores the tragic price of faithlessness/refusal to hear and to act on God’s Word.

As the author interprets Psalm 95, it becomes clear that he has the events of Numbers 13-14 (Kadesh Barnea) in mind (Bill Lane--Call to Commitment):

People come to the edge of the land of promise. God tells them to send in 12 spies. Ten come back with a negative report. The people responded with hardness of heart to God’s Word. The people despair, and God judges them. The people try to respond after the fact (more hardness of the heart maybe?) and receive a crushing defeat (late obedience is often half-hearted and rarely rewarded—obey NOW! Do not wait! Do not resist a rest).

The point here is that “hardness of heart” seems to signify treating the Lord and his Word with contempt. It is a refusal to believe God and to act on that belief. Do not resist a rest by refusing to hear and to obey God. When he calls, obey immediately. If we resist a rest, there is trouble ahead. Let’s consider the warning—they paid a price for resisting! Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.

The Warning—They paid a price for resisting. (vv. 12-15): In Hebrews 3:12-19, the author underscores the urgency of listening to and properly responding to God’s voice. George Guthrie states that he uses ideas like “heart,” “day,” “today,” “hear,” “enter,” “test,” “rest,” and “unbelief” from the Psalm to create a commentary and exhortation for his readers.

There are two clear exhortations here (Guthrie--NIV Application Commentary):

Take care to listen to God and avoid hardness of heart.

Encourage each other daily.

The price for resisting God is a loss of rest—judgment. We need to be careful NOT to resist a rest. We need to encourage each other and press each forward to obedience and faithfulness. Resisting a rest comes at a price, so we need to be careful that we don’t miss our opportunity. Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.

The Why—Don’t Miss Our Opportunity (vv. 16-19): In a type of “question and answer” format, the author weaves his commentary by quoting parts of Psalm 95 and responding with the corresponding events in Numbers 13-14 (Lane--Call to Commitment):

V. 16 “who heard and provoked God” (Psalm 95)—were they not those who “came out of Egypt with Moses” (Numbers 14)

V. 17 “With whom was he angry for 40 years” (Psalm 95)—”Was it not with those who sinned, and whose bodies fell in the wilderness?” (Numbers 14)

V. 18 “To whom did he swear” (Psalm 95)—those who were “disobedient” (Numbers 14)

Our author is warning his readers to avoid the hard hearts of the Jews and the judgment of Kadesh Barnea (Psalm 106 too!). The preacher then draws two significant conclusions:

We have become partners/partakers with Christ (v. 14), but this presupposes a firm intent to continue faithfully to the end

Israel was unable to enter God’s promised rest due to unbelief and disobedience (v. 19)

Hebrews’ author ends his section with a continued call to faithfulness. The example of Jesus (and Moses) form the positive model. The example of the Jews in the wilderness are the negative.

As before, our author warns of the consequences of continued disobedience or unfaithfulness—there are, in other words, problems when we neglect God:

Neglect of God leads to hardness of heart

Hardness of heart leads to loss of rest

There is retribution for ignoring God and his voice

Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.

Conclusion:

Bill Lane asks the following questions for application of this passage:

Do we possess a hardened heart?  Do we display a deeper concern for the counsel of others than for the counsel of God?

Does an attitude of unbelief characterize our lives?  Are we living in fear of the “giants in the land” instead of relying on God for provision?

Does our disposition display a quickness to grumble and complain about our circumstances?

Do we tend to extend a calloused and unappreciative attitude towards one another?

At a critical moment the Jews refused to listen to God.  Their refusal to listen reveals a lack of faith or a fundamental refusal to trust God.  Their rejection of God reveals this shocking truth:

“A participant in the redemption provided by God can choose to disbelieve God.  It is possible to display unpardonable indifference to the promise of God.” (Bill Lane--Call to Commitment)

What do you think?

Five principles of faithfulness are found here:

A healthy focus on Jesus encourages one to faithfulness.

Faithfulness is volitional as well as intellectual or emotional.

The twin failings of sinfulness and unbelief hinder faithfulness.

The faithful persevere in their commitment.

Faithfulness is communal, it is not simply individual.

What do you think? How would you apply this text to your community of faith?

Passages: Amos 8; Psalm 95; Numbers 14; Matthew 11; Colossians 1

Thank you for reading! 

Sermon from August

Hello all:

I preached at Rocky Mount Baptist Church about a month ago, and Pastor Jeffrey Robinson posted my sermon on their web page. If you want to hear me preach, feel free to check it out. The sermon is on John 11. Here is the link: What Does Worship Smell Like ? Comments are welcome!

Thanks for reading!