This week in our Hebrews series, Pastor Chris challenged us to move beyond spiritual immaturity and press on to maturity in Christ. Just as a seed is expected to become a thriving plant, and a child to grow and develop, so too should our faith move from the basics toward depth and strength. Through sobering warnings and hopeful encouragements, Scripture calls us to examine our faith and pursue a life marked by discernment, endurance, and fruitful obedience. The goal isn’t simply gaining knowledge—but growing deeper in our relationship with Jesus.

Hearing But Not Growing

Hebrews 5:11 (ESV)

11 About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.

Romans 1:21–23 (ESV)

21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.

3 Distinct Groups of Jews

  1. Believers (Knowledge, Agreement, Commitment).
  2. Unbelievers who were intellectually convinced of the gospel (Knowledge & Agreement).
  3. Unbelievers who were attracted by the gospel with no final conviction about Him (Some Knowledge).

Hebrews 5:12–14 (ESV)

12 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, 13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. 14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

Parable of the Sower Heart Types (Matthew 13)

  • Rebel Faith (Blind) ~ Value of God’s message not understood and is disregarded.
  • Rocky Faith (Rocky) ~ Contentment in intellectual faith in God, skips dedication to depth needed to stand firm.
  • Choked Faith (Rebellious) ~ Destructively allows worldly priorities to compete with faith in God as primary.
  • Fruitful Faith (Remaining) ~ Enduring faith in Jesus, fruitfully understands and practices God’s word.

Hebrews 6:1-3 (ESV)

1 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, 2 and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And this we will do if God permits.

Titus 3:5 (ESV)

5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,

A Warning to the Nominal

Hebrews 6:4 (ESV)

4 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,

Matthew 5:45 (ESV)

45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

Hebrews 6:5-6 (ESV)

 5 and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 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.

John 6:60, 66 (ESV)

60 When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” 66 After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him.

Matthew 12:31–32 (ESV)

31 Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32 And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.

Hebrews 6:7-8 (ESV)

7 For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. 8 But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned.

From Warning to Encouragement

Hebrews 6:9-12 (ESV)

9 Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things—things that belong to salvation. 10 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. 11 And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

1 Thessalonians 1:3–4 (ESV)

3 remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 4 For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you,

Discussion Questions:

  1. What’s the difference between knowing about Jesus and committing your life to Him?
  2. What are practical ways to move toward maturity and discernment in your walk with Christ?
  3. What does it look like to be the “fruitful” heart in your day-to-day life?
  4. What encouragement do you draw from verses 9–12?

Application Questions:
       1.  What’s one step you can take this week to grow from “milk” to “solid food” in your faith?

       2.  How can you encourage others in their calling as chosen children of God this week?