Christian Growth (Hebrews 6:1-9)
Sermon Summary
Pastor David Yan
24 November 2019
"Grow up." "Act your age." We have all heard these sayings.
They are what the writer of Hebrews is essentially saying to his Hebrew readers. They must grow to maturity. But how are they to do so?
First, they must move on from elementary things (6:1). The elementary things are listed, namely the foundation of repentance from dead works, doctrine of baptisms (or washings), laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment (6:2). With God's help they will do so (6:3).
These elementary things may be reference to basic Christian gospel doctrine but more likely are reference to the Old Testament practices which some Hebrew believers were wanting to return to. The Hebrew believers must not revert to Old Testament sacrifices which were elementary or introductory only. There was now a better way - the way of Jesus and his perfect offering of himself for the sins of his people.
Next, the Hebrew readers must heed the warnings of the perils of going backwards (6:4-8).
Some people cite verses 4-8 as evidence that Christians can lose their salvation. But this is not what these verses teach. Instead they teach that people can outwardly experience the workings of the Holy Spirit and yet not be regenerated. They can be intellectually enlightened, taste the heavenly gift and become partakers of the Holy Spirit and taste the good word of God and the powers of the age to come (6:4-5) and yet not be true followers of Jesus Christ.
This is seen in the lives of such people as Judas Iscariot, Simon the magician and the anti-Christs who were present in the early Christian church. People can be within the church yet be unregenerate. Such people share in the externals of the gospel but are not true disciples of Jesus. Isn't this a major point in Jesus' parable of the sower?
Thirdly, believers must fulfil expectations (6:7-11). Just as the rain falls on the earth and brings forth good fruit or briers (6:7-8) so the heavenly rain of the gospel should bring forth the fruit of the Holy Spirit. This is the expectation the writer has of his readers - the things that accompany salvation (6:9).
The believers were already manifesting good works (6:10-11) but must not tire and by faith and patience show full assurance until the end (6:11). Jesus had expectations of his disciples. He said, “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Hebrews stresses the need for believers to bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit.
Finally, believers must imitate good examples of perseverance (6:12) and of such examples there are many. Hebrews chapter 11 gives encouraging examples for readers to study and follow.
Let us be assured of our salvation and grow to maturity. You cannot lose your salvation if God has done a work in your soul. Recall Paul who wrote that we have been saved by grace (Eph.2:8). This is in the Greek perfect tense which means we have been saved and are still saved even till now. Or consider Peter writing in 1 Peter 1:9 who said we are kept by the power of God. This is in the present tense which means God is keeping us by his power that we might receive our heavenly inheritance which is reserved and still is reserved (perfect tense) in heaven for us.
Praise God for the assurance of our salvation. But keep growing even unto maturity. The message to the Hebrews is the same message for Christians today.
Do not accept the false teaching that true believers can lose their salvation. The weight of Scripture teaches otherwise. Hebrews 6:1-9 warns us of unregenerate people in the church not of regenerate people losing salvation.