Pressing on to Perfection

TEXT:  Heb. 6:1-3

INTRODUCTION:

A.  LEAVING THE DOCTRINE OF FIRST PRINCIPLES …

          1.  Some merely stand on the rim … they never hike in.

          2.  Some merely become members … never walk far into that newness of life.

B.  WE NEED TO LEARN THE FIRST PRINCIPLES à THEN PROCEDE FURTHER.

I.      GOD EXPECTS US TO GROW (2 Pet. 3:18).

A.  NEW IN CHRIST è BABIES.

          1.  Born again (1 Pet. 1:3, 23;  John 3:3-5).

          2.  Raised with what expectations? (Rom. 6:3-4;  2 Cor. 5:17).

          3.  Special Diet (1 Pet. 2:1-2;  Heb. 5:13;  Acts 20:32).

          4.  Guardians (Eph. 4:11-12).  For what purpose?

                   a.  Strength and Independence. (vs. 12-14).

                   b.  Usefulness in his cause (vs. 15-16).

B.  SO WE GROW.  HOW?

          1.  Proper diet (Heb. 5:11-14) à Repetitions (Psa. 1:1-2).

          2.  Exercise (Heb. 5:14) à Repetitions (1 Tim. 4:7-8).

          3.  Eliminate poisons (1 Pet. 2:1-2;  Phil. 4:8;  Col. 2:9-10).

C.  WHAT IF WE DON’T EXERCISE? à Pleasure in accomplishment.

D.  WHAT IF WE ONLY FEED ON MOTHER’S MILK? à Other wonderful foods.

II.     THE PROBLEM OF HEBREWS 6.

A.  JESUS PRESENTED AS OUR HIGH PRIEST.

          1.  Function of the priest (Heb. 5:1-3).

                   a.  Offerings for sin.

                   b.  Compassionate and understanding of ignorant and erring,

                             also victimized by sin (1 Cor. 10:12).  à Jesus (Heb. 4:15).

                   c.  offers not only for the people, but himself à Jesus (Heb. 7:26-28)..

          2.  Appointment by God (Heb. 5:4-6).

                   a.  Not by self … God’s chosen.

                   b.  After the order of Melchizedek (Psa. 110:4;  Heb. 7).

B.  THE SUBMISSION OF JESUS (Heb. 5:7-9).

          1.  The prayer è “Let this cup ó not my will, but thine” (Mark 14:32-36).

                   a.  Did God hear him?  Yes!  And his answer was yes.

                   b.  What was the prayer?  “Thy will be done.”

                   c.  What was God’s will? (John 3:16;  Acts 2:22-23).

          2.  Learned obedience through his death (Phil. 2:5-8).

C.  NOW LET’S TALK ABOUT MELCHIZEDEK I Oops! (Heb. 5:11).

          1.  Not enough foundation – Babes?  No! (Heb. 10:32-34).  30 YEARS!!!

          2.  Not enough interest – Dull of hearing! No appreciation (Heb. 10:28-30).

D.  FOR WHEN BY REASON – BUT UNFRUITFUL (John 15:1-2).

          1.  Duties of service includes teaching (Heb. 5:12-14).

          2.  Includes exercise of other talents (Rom. 12:4-8).

E.  THE RESULT Ü APOSTASY!

          (Heb. 2:1, 3;  3:12-13;  3:18-4:1;  6:4-6:  10:25-31;  10:35-39).

III.    PERSUADED OF BETTER THINGS.

A.  PROGRESS FROM MILK TO MEAT – 1^st PRINCIPLES TO PERFECTION.

B.  THEIR PAST ZEAL (Heb. 6:9-12).

C.  HOPE AS AN ANCHOR (Heb. 6:13-19).

          1.  Born of trust (Heb. 11).

          2.  His oath and promise (Heb. 6:17-19).

D.  ELIMINATE DISTRACTIONS (Heb. 12:1-2).

          1.  Every weight – things of the world (Matt. 6:24).

          2.  And the sin (Heb. 12:14).

          3.  Mind the things of the spirit.

CONCLUSION:

A.  SOME ARE TOO YOUNG IN THE FAITH.  ARE YOU WELL GROUNDED?

B.  ARE YOU PRESSING ON TO PERFECTION?