Jesus Christ and Your Promised Maturation

Hebrews 5:11-6:20

In this passage, Hebrews makes a few side points before continuing the idea of Jesus as a high priest of a new and better covenant. This week's sermon will focus on these side points. Essentially, this passage encourages us to reflect upon our maturation in Christ. We should assess our growth, but also have confidence that our growth is ultimately based on God's promise that is fulfilled in Christ.

First, Hebrews chides the people for their lack of growth. The root cause of their lack of growth is that they have become dull of hearing. Thus, this rebuke is a continuation of a previous passage where Hebrews repeatedly warns, "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts" (3.7-8, 15; 4.6). On this point, I will explain the importance of hearing the Word being preached.

Hebrews then warns the people of not maturing in their faith. These verses have been subject to much debate (6.4-6), but the general point is that all of us should reflect upon our maturation in Christ. On the one hand, other parts of Hebrews make it clear that those who are in Jesus Christ can be assured that we will never fall away but will be brought to glory because Jesus Christ is our faithful forerunner and great high priest (1.3; 2.10; 6.19-20; 12.2). On the other hand, if we are truly in Christ, then will will grow, mature, and bear fruit (6.7-8).

Therefore, we will reflect upon our maturation in Christ. Our reflections often become too introspective or biased, so it's important to see how this passage can guide us. In short, our current fruit (e.g., actions, attitudes, thoughts) is a symptom of our maturation while God's promise fulfilled in Christ is the underlying source of our maturation.

Questions:

1. One of the repeated emphases in Hebrews is the importance of hearing the Word of God. From this week's passage, sermons are vitally important to maintain an otherwise impossible balance: to lead us to repentance for the ways that we are sinning while assuring us to keep our focus and hope in Christ. 

a) How would you define a sermon? And how is a sermon different from other kinds of speeches (e.g., motivational speeches, self-help talks, etc.)?

b) Take a moment and review your sermon notes from this sermon series. How has the current sermon series been helping you to put your focus on Christ and to run this race together?

2. The sermon encouraged us to reflect upon our maturation in Christ, which involves two steps. 

a) First is to assess some of the symptoms of our maturation in Christ. These could be actions, attitudes, or thoughts that are influenced by the Holy Spirit--even if we don't recognize the Spirit's influence at the time. Take a moment to assess this current season of your life. What are some symptoms or signs that show your maturation in Christ? Conversely, what are some indications that show your lack of maturation in Christ?

b) The second step is to be encouraged/humbled that our maturation in Christ is firmly established by God's promise that has been fulfilled by Christ himself. This step is critical because we often drown ourselves in unhealthy introspection and/or proudly overestimate our abilities instead of looking to Christ. Take a moment to preach Christ to your own soul, that regardless of how mature or immature you have been, your growth in Christ is secure only because God is faithful to fulfill all of his promises. Share with one another how the Spirit is speaking to you in this regard.