Growing toward Maturity - Pr. Antonio Nasser - MR Jan, 25th, 2009

Hebrews 5:11-6:3(NIV)

Elementary Teachings? Are you familiar with those subjects?
Hebrews says that those are Basic in Christian Life.
1. Foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death,
2. Faith in God,
3. Instruction about baptisms,
4. The laying on of hands,
5. The resurrection of the dead,
6. And eternal judgment.

I. Two Causes of Sluggishness
Hebrews 5:11 (NKJV) … since you have become dull of hearing.
Hebrews 6:12 (NKJV) 12 that you do not become sluggish but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
In Greek, we have the same word in both verses, meaning: laziness.

1. Following the easiest way: To obey the flesh
I Corinthians 3:1-3
"1 Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly--mere infants in Christ. 2 I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. 3 You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarrelling among you, are you not worldly?" "Are you not acting like mere men?
In greek, Paul uses the word "flesh" translated as "worldly".

2. Lacking of Practice: Must learn again…
Hebrews 5:14 (NIV)
"14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil".
Greek words: "constant use" = Hexis = to practice
"trained" = Gymnazo = prepared after training.

II. Relevant Statements about Maturity
1. Milk is not bad
We all need to start from somewhere. Elementary Teachings are extremely necessary for our spiritual growth.

2. Milk will not produce maturity
Milk is for kids… Kids are not mature people. Mature People eat solid food!

3. Maturity is a team work
Ephesians 4:11-13 (NIV) 11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

4. Maturity is moulded through suffering
James 1:2-4 (NIV) 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

5. Maturity comes through prayer
Colossians 4:12 (NIV) 12 Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.

Decisions:

I will obey the Lord Jesus Christ, my GOD,
I will practice the Bible everyday,
I will eat solid food, to grow spiritually,
I will receive training from God’s servants,
I will rejoice in every situation,
I will pray for others, that they may grow!