Captives and Slaves
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(Sermon
June 13, 2010)
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June 13, 2010 - Colossians 2.6-7 (Hebrews
5.11-6.12)[1]
Open It
What
are some immature, childlike habits or actions that simply would not be
tolerated if seen in an adult?
What
theological truth or biblical concept is most difficult for you to comprehend?
What
is the most disgraceful or damaging thing ever done in God's name?
What
hero did you emulate and imitate as a kid? Why?
Explore It
What
was wrong with the group of Hebrew believers originally addressed in this
passage? (5:11-14)
What
are the marks of spiritual maturity? (5:11-14)
Of
what are infant or baby Christians ignorant? (5:13)
What
is the benefit of "solid food"? (5:14)
What
challenge did the author give to his readers? (6:1)
What
fundamental or basic doctrines form the foundation of our faith? (6:1-2)
In
the end, what enables us to reach spiritual maturity? (6:3)
What
are maturing, committed Christians like? (6:7)
What
are those who fall away from the faith like? (6:8)
What
does it show when Christians help other Christians? (6:10)
What
danger did the author warn against? (6:12)
Get It
What
is "solid food"?
How
would you describe your present level of spiritual maturity?
What
actions and attitudes would you expect to find in a mature Christian?
How
have you grown since you first became a Christian?
What
decisions are you facing that call for extra discernment?
Of
what does your spiritual diet consist?
How
does it disgrace Christ when a person lapses back into his or her old way of
life?
In
what way can a Christian become useless to God?
What
can we do to move forward, or become more mature, in our relationship with
Christ a little each day?
How
can you rely on the goodness of God's Word for discernment in the decisions you
must make?
Apply It
In
what concrete ways can you strengthen your hold on Christ this week?
What
changes can you make in your daily routine over the next three days to combat
laziness and exercise discipline?
NOTES
Hebrews 5:12,13 These Jewish Christians
were immature. Some of them should have been teaching others, but they had not
even applied the basics to their own lives. They were reluctant to move beyond
age-old traditions, established doctrines, and discussion of the basics. They
wouldn't be able to understand the high-priestly role of Christ unless they
moved out of their comfortable position, cut some of their Jewish ties, and
stopped trying to blend in with their culture. Commitment to Christ moves people
out of their comfort zones.
Hebrews 5:12-14 In order to grow from
infant Christians to mature Christians, we must learn discernment. We must
train our consciences, our senses, our minds, and our bodies to distinguish
good from evil. Can you recognize temptation before it traps you? Can you tell
the difference between a correct use of Scripture and a mistaken one?
Hebrews 5:14 Our capacity to feast on deeper knowledge of
God ("solid food") is determined by our spiritual growth. Too often
we want God's banquet before we are spiritually capable of digesting it. As you
grow in the Lord and put into practice what you have learned, your capacity to
understand will also grow.
Hebrews 6:1,2 Certain elementary teachings are essential for
all believers to understand. Those basics include the importance of faith, the
foolishness of trying to be saved by good deeds, the meaning of baptism and
spiritual gifts, and the facts of resurrection and eternal life. To go on to
maturity in our understanding, we need to move beyond (but not away from) the
elementary teachings to a more complete understanding of the faith. And this is
what the author intends for them to do (Heb 6:3). Mature Christians should be
teaching new Christians the basics. Then, acting on what they know, the mature
will learn even more from God's Word.
Hebrews 6:3 These Christians needed
to move beyond the basics of their faith to an understanding of Christ as the
perfect high priest and the fulfillment of all the Old Testament prophecies.
Rather than arguing about the respective merits of Judaism and Christianity,
they needed to depend on Christ and live effectively for him.
Hebrews 6:4-6 In the first century, a
pagan who investigated Christianity and then went back to paganism made a clean
break with the church. But for Jewish Christians who decided to return to
Judaism, the break was less obvious. Their life-style remained relatively
unchanged. But by deliberately turning away from Christ, they were cutting
themselves off from God's forgiveness. Those who persevere in believing are
true saints; those who continue to reject Christ are unbelievers, no matter how
well they behave.
Hebrews 6:6 This verse points to
the danger of the Hebrew Christians returning to Judaism and thus committing
apostasy. Some apply this verse today to superficial believers who renounce
their Christianity, or to unbelievers who come close to salvation and then turn
away. Either way, those who reject Christ will not be saved. Christ died once
for all. He will not be crucified again. Apart from his cross, there is no
other possible way of salvation. However, the author does not indicate that his
readers were in danger of renouncing Christ (see Heb 6:9). He is warning
against hardness of heart that would make repentance inconceivable for the
sinner.
Hebrews 6:7, 8 Land that produces a
good crop receives loving care, but land that produces thorns and thistles has
to be burned so the farmer can start over. An unproductive Christian life falls
under God's condemnation. We are not saved by deeds or conduct, but what we do
is the evidence of our faith.
Hebrews 6:10 It's easy to get
discouraged, thinking that God has forgotten us. But God is never unjust. He
never forgets or overlooks our hard work for him. Presently you may not be
receiving rewards and acclaim, but God knows your efforts of love and ministry.
Let God's love for you and his intimate knowledge of your service for him
bolster you as you face disappointment and rejection here on earth.
Hebrews 6:11,12 Hope keeps the Christian from becoming lazy or feeling bored. Like an athlete, train hard and run well, remembering the reward that lies ahead (Philippians 3:14).
[1]Adult Questions for
LESSONMaker, (Austin, TX: Wordsearch, 1992), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, Under:
"Warning Against Falling Away - Hebrews 5:11-6:12".
Adult
Questions for LESSONMaker, (Austin, TX: Wordsearch, 1992), WORDsearch CROSS e-book,
Under: "Warning Against Falling Away - Hebrews 5:11-6:12".
Life Application Study Bible, (Wheaton, IL:
Tyndale, 1988), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, Under: "Chapter 5". , Life
Application Study Bible, (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale, 1988), WORDsearch CROSS e-book,
Under: "Chapter 6".
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