A Guide for Growing Up

'About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.'

- Hebrews 5:11-14 ESV

God made us to grow in spiritual maturity.

There’s more than one measure of spiritual maturity.

Spiritual maturity includes growing in our knowledge of God.

You need milk, not solid food...

- Hebrews 5:13

'Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And this we will do if God permits.'

- Hebrews 6:1-3 ESV

How do mature Christians read Bible passages that are difficult to understand?

1. With God’s help

2. With humility

3. With context 

4. With the witness of the Word

5. With God’s people

6. With a goal

'For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. '

- Hebrews 6:4-6 ESV

Spiritual maturity is about more than what we know. It’s about discerning what to do with it.

But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.'

- Hebrews 5:11-14 ESV

'Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things—things that belong to salvation. For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do. And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.’

- Hebrews 6:9-12 ESV

Made for More

11 There is much more we would like to say about this, but it is difficult to explain, especially since you are spiritually dull and don’t seem to listen. 12 You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. 13 For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right. 14 Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong. 

- Hebrews 5:11-14 NLT

Grow Deep

“13 For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right. 14 Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.”

- Hebrews 5:13-14

Stand Firm

“While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears…”

- Hebrews 5:7a

“Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered. 9 In this way, God qualified him as a perfect High Priest, and he became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey him.”

- Hebrews 5:8-9

Lead Others

“You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others…”

- Hebrews 5:12b

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

- Matthew 28:20 ESV

He Who Wields the Word

'For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.'

- Hebrews 4:12-16 ESV

The Word of God is alive.

The Word of God changes us.

We can come to God with confidence.

Christ is both caring and capable.

'In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him…'

- Hebrews 5:7-9 ESV

High Above All, Close Enough to Help

14 So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. 15 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. 16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

- Hebrews 4:14-16

Come close

9 So there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God. 10 For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world. 11 So let us do our best to enter that rest. But if we disobey God, as the people of Israel did, we will fall.

- Hebrews 4:9-10

Come closer

12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable.

- Hebrews 4:12-13

Come anyway

14 So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. 15 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. 16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

- Hebrews 4:14-16

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.

- Romans 8:1

Where We Reside

Beware a “hardened heart.”

'So, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the wilderness, where your ancestors tested and tried me, though for forty years they saw what I did. That is why I was angry with that generation; I said, ‘Their hearts are always going astray, and they have not known my ways.’ So I declared on oath in my anger, ‘They shall never enter my rest.’ ” See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. '

- Hebrews 3:7-13 NIV

The leading cause of a hardened heart is a distracted life.

‘Their hearts are always going astray, and they have not known my ways.’

- Hebrews 3:10 NIV

God built rest into the rhythm of creation.

'For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: “On the seventh day God rested from all his works.”’

- Hebrews 4:4 NIV

Take a break from the noise and listen for God’s voice. 

'Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.'

- Hebrews 4:11 NIV

'“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light… At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath…’

- Matthew 11:28-30 and 12:1a

We can reside in God’s rest.

There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his.'

- Hebrews 4:9-10 NIV

High Above All

'In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.'

- Hebrews 1:1-2 NIV

Jesus is high above all.

He is God Most High.

'The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.'

- Hebrews 1:3

He holds the place of highest honor and authority.

'So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs. For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father”? Or again, “I will be his Father, and he will be my Son”? And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.” In speaking of the angels he says, “He makes his angels spirits, and his servants flames of fire.” But about the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.'

- Hebrews 1:4-8

He is the great High Priest.

'In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered.'

- Hebrews 2:10

'For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.'

- Hebrews 2:17

We can find help from on high.

'Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.'

- Hebrews 2:18

'No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.'

- 1 Corinthians 10:13

'For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age…”

- Titus 2:11-12

Anchored in Christ

"Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away."

- Hebrews 2:1 NKJV

Life on earth, if not anchored in Christ, causes you to drift away.

"...when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God..."

- Genesis 3:5 NIV

"...then the eyes of both of them were opened..."

- Genesis 3:7 NIV

Today, people who don't have Jesus are lost!

"Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don't believe."

- 2 Corinthians 4:4 NLT

“The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to.”

- Luke 4:5-6 NIV

3 Things We Must Do to Not Drift Away:

1) Believe and Trust the Word (Jesus)

“Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be SURE to all the seed…”

- Romans 4:16 NKJV

“These things I have written to you who BELIEVE in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to BELIEVE in the name of the Son of God.”

- 1 John 5:13 NKJV

2) Hold on to the Word (Jesus)

“Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God…”

- Heb 2:17 NKJV

““What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’” - Luke 15:4 NKJV

3) Identify yourself in Jesus

“Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren.…. “

- Hebrews 2:17 NKJV

“For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.”

- Hebrews 2:18 NKJV

Jesus identified with us.

“Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.”

- Luke 24:39 NKJV

Paul Identified himself in Christ.

“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

- Galatians 2:20 NKJV

John Identified himself in ChrisT.

“Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.”

- 1 John 4:17 NKJV

Identify yourself in Christ.

“When Christ WHO IS OUR LIFE appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.”

- Colossians 3:4 NKJV

“fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”

- Hebrews 12:2 NKJV

Not Even Close

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

- Hebrew 1:1-4

Jesus speaks 

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.

- Hebrews 1:1-2

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” 8 Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?

- John 14:6-9

Jesus sustains

He upholds the universe by the word of His power.’

- Hebrews 1:3

16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities — all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

- Colossians 1:16-17

Jesus stands alone

For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”?

- Hebrews 1:5

“Let all God's angels worship him.”

- Hebrews 1:6

And to which of the angels has he ever said, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”? 14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?

- Hebrews 1:13-14

Jesus: the True and Better Tabernacle

"And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them."

- Exodus 25:8, NKJV

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us..."

- John 1:14, NKJV

God wants to dwell with His people.

In the Garden of Eden

The Tabernacle in the Desert

"Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned…"

- Romans 5:12, NKJV

Sin was imputed to Jesus.

"saying, 'Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.'"

- Luke 22:42, NKJV

"For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."

- 2 Corinthians 5:21, NKJV

Mary saw the real Ark.

"But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain."

- John 20:11-12, NKJV

Jesus presented the sacrifice to the Father.

"Jesus said to her, 'Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, "I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God."

- John 20:17, NKJV

Jesus: the True and Better Tabernacle

"But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption."

- Hebrews 9:11-12, NKJV

God's presence with His People is restored through Jesus.

"'This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them,' then He adds, 'Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.'"

- Hebrews 10:16-17, NKJV

Pentecost Sunday - The True and Better Sinai

When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested[a] on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. 5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. 7 And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language?

- Acts 2:1-8 (ESV)

12 And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.” Peter's Sermon at Pentecost 14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words.

- Acts 2:12-14 (ESV)

37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”

- Acts 2:37-39 (ESV)

Heaven makes a sound

And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.

- Acts 2:2 (ESV)

The world starts asking questions

 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”

- Acts 2:12 (NIV)

Somebody has to speak

Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say.

- Acts 2:14 (NIV)

When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

- Acts 2:37 (NLT)

How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard?[a] And how are they to hear without someone preaching?

- Romans 10:14