Sunday, January 4, 2015 am
LET US GO ON TO PERFECTION
Introduction
Hebrews 6:1
Having discussed many of the basics, this year we want to address what’s
next. In our text, what is
next is going on to maturity, going on to perfection.
With that as our theme, we want to address living the Christian
life. We are going to use
the same format this year, addressing various topics for a month (or 2)
at a time. Because of
the enormity of subjects we need to address, I intend to make this a 2
year study. I also am
considering some “breaks” as we go through this study.
Some of the topics we want to address include:
ü
What do we mean by
perfection? And the mind of
a Christian.
ü
Spiritual growth – some
necessary attitudes to grow the way we ought to
ü
What does it mean to be
a Christian?
ü
The need for examination
– spiritual indicators
ü
What is sin and how do
we deal with it?
ü
Worshipping God in
spirit – proper attitudes toward worship
ü
Living a moral life – we
will examine several areas of morality
ü
Discerning between good
and evil
ü
Challenges we face as
Christians – discouragement, disappointments, rejection, persecutions,
avoiding apathy and indifference, etc.
ü
The example of a
Christian – we will be reminded of the power of a proper example
ü
Relationships and our
concern for others – we ought to care about our brethren, our neighbors,
our community, even our enemies.
ü
We are brethren – how
are we to treat each other?
What attitudes do we need?
How do we deal with brotherly conflicts?
These are some of topics we want to devote a handful of lessons to over
the next year or so.
You
will notice considerable emphasis on attitudes in the various areas we
will address, as well as our conduct.
a.
Let - a
word that in English means to permit or allow; also an imperative
(necessary or required) expression to a request.
The Hebrew writer is giving instructions that are NOT optional.
This is a continuation of the rebuke of their failure to mature in Heb.
5:12-6:2.
b.
Us
– all of us. I would apply
this in 2 different ways.
i.
Each one of us – many times when an author speaks to an audience, he expects individual
application for each one who reads.
For example in 2 Cor. 5:10 we read, “For we must all appear
before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things
done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.”
ii.
All of us together
as the body of Christ.
For maturity as a church we need each other.
If the church is to grow, it is
dependent upon each of us doing our share (Eph. 4:16, Rom. 12:4-5)
c.
Go on to –
action in a positive direction.
An examination of the context shows concern that they had not matured
the way they ought to. The
writer says, MOVE ahead!
We need to be growing! 2
Pet. 3:18 – grow in the grace and knowledge
Colossians 1:10 of being fruitful in every good work and increasing in
the knowledge of God.
Phil. 3:12-14, Paul knows that he is not yet perfected.
Therefore he presses on, forgets what is behind, reaches forward
to what is ahead and presses toward the goal…
1 Cor. 9:24-27, Paul speaks of running in a race to win.
HE himself keeps moving forward.
d.
Perfection
– (τελειότης, teleiotēs) In English this word can mean either without
any defect or flaw OR mature.
BOTH have their place in scripture.
Matthew 5:48 uses the root of the word in our text, (τέλειος)
which speaks of the perfection of God (“Therefore you shall be
perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.”)
1 Cor. 13:10, “But when that which
is perfect has come…”
(cf. James 1:25)
In our text the word seems to mean, completeness or maturity.
A concept emphasized throughout the New Testament.
Col. 3:14, “But above all these things put on love, which is the bond
of perfection.”
1 Cor. 2:6, Paul mentions speaking “wisdom
among those who are mature…”
Eph. 4:13,
“till we all
come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God,
to a perfect man, to the
measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;”
Heb. 5:14 speaks of “those who are
of full age”
e.
Our writer intends for
his audience to become mature (complete, perfect).
a.
Within our context
(Heb. 5:12-6:3) we find several marks of maturity
i.
You ought to be teachers – Heb. 6:12, “By this time”
Evidently enough time had passed that they should have been able to
identify the error of the false teachers before them and expose that
error.
This addresses being prepared.
We understand how not everyone can teach in every capacity, but within a
reasonable length of time, we ought to possess sufficient knowledge to
identify error and reject it.
1 Peter 3:15, Eph. 4:14 – we are no longer “tossed to and fro…”
Eph. 6:11 calls for us to put on the WHOLE armor of God to withstand the
wiles of the devil.
ii.
A good grasp of “first principles” (the basics, the elementary, milk, etc.) of the utterances of
God – depending on how long you have been a Christian, is your level of
understanding greater now than when you first obeyed?
How much has your understanding matured?
Do you understand the fundamentals we have addressed this past year?
(And others)
iii.
Grown up – (of
full age)
Again, the indication is you have matured in your understanding.
In 1 Cor. 2:6 speak wisdom among those who are mature.
1 Pet. 2:2 calls for us to as new born babes to desire the pure milk of
the word.
Eph. 4:15 notes that we strive to reach a point where “but, speaking
the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the
head—Christ—”
iv.
Able to digest “solid food” - those who are “grown up” or “of full age” are able to eat a
complete diet. The same is
true spiritually.
Paul had a similar problem in Corinth - 1 Cor. 3:1-2.
v.
The mature are “skilled” in the word of righteousness.
2 Tim. 2:15 speaks of handling the word accurately (rightly
dividing the word of truth).
Rom. 6:13 calls for us to present ourselves as INSTRUMENTS (a tool) of
righteousness to God.
vi.
Able to discerning good and evil
– Heb. 5:14,
This is the application of mature understanding.
Our senses exercised.
We know right and wrong.
And it doesn’t have to be spelled out.
We grasp attitudes and principles with which we can make due
application. As we
live our lives, there are times that because of our wisdom, things just
don’t seem right so we further investigate.
WE reject the impure, etc.
Phil. 1:9-11 - approve the things that are excellent.
NOTE: This includes false doctrine – WE have learned enough that we can
spot the fake (the false).
Recall the writer’s point in this letter – you have Jewish brethren
considering returning to Judaism and heeding the reasoning of false
teachers.
b.
There are other marks of
maturity in other passages that time will not permit us to examine
today, but they will surface throughout our studies.
i.
Controlling one’s tongue
– James 3:2 he who controls his tongue is “a perfect man, able to bridle
the whole body”
ii.
Loving your enemies –
Matt. 5:44-48 (being “perfect” like God”)
iii.
Realizing one’s
imperfections – Phil. 3:11-15
iv.
2 Pet. 1:5-11 – building
upon your faith toward maturity with the various qualities mentioned in
this text.
v.
If Christ is your all!
You will do whatever to keep Him first.
Cf. Matt. 19:21 - the
rich, young ruler.
Am
I growing as a Christian? It
is my hope that in this lesson we can see a great need to go on to
perfection. Our studies this
year are intended to move us in the direction of maturity.
IF we find that we are not moving forward, passages like this one
call for us to repent! So
where do you stand?