WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:10.279 We're back in Hebrews 5 this evening, and if you want to open that up, page 1003, that'll be helpful. 00:00:12.280 --> 00:00:14.140 I did very badly at school. 00:00:16.920 --> 00:00:24.359 I know you find that hard to believe, and I knew it would be a job to convince you, so I brought my last report with me this evening. 00:00:26.580 --> 00:00:27.460 Here it is. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:32.000 Wellington College, Belfast. 00:00:32.560 --> 00:00:33.159 Reuben Hunter. 00:00:33.799 --> 00:00:34.780 Lower Sixth. 00:00:34.980 --> 00:00:35.420 Summer. 00:00:36.399 --> 00:00:37.039 1991. 00:00:38.719 --> 00:00:39.519 Subject. 00:00:40.579 --> 00:00:41.399 English Literature. 00:00:42.460 --> 00:00:43.140 Grade. 00:00:44.159 --> 00:00:44.439 U. 00:00:45.759 --> 00:00:46.600 Effort. 00:00:47.320 --> 00:00:48.179 One's the best. 00:00:48.280 --> 00:00:49.060 Five's the worst. 00:00:50.060 --> 00:00:50.420 Four. 00:00:52.740 --> 00:00:58.799 Reuben is a likable and cheerful student, but the study of literature at this level is beyond his natural ability and inclination, 00:00:58.799 --> 00:01:03.879 and he is not willing to undertake the work required to achieve an acceptable grade. 00:01:05.840 --> 00:01:08.079 Well, politics, maybe that's going to be a bit better. 00:01:08.979 --> 00:01:09.340 Grade. 00:01:09.659 --> 00:01:10.439 E plus. 00:01:11.640 --> 00:01:12.140 Effort. 00:01:13.200 --> 00:01:14.379 Three slash four. 00:01:16.579 --> 00:01:19.979 Reuben largely answered the paper from his general knowledge. 00:01:19.980 --> 00:01:28.980 He contributes well in class, but is not prepared to make the effort on his own. 00:01:30.560 --> 00:01:34.800 Reuben has good ideas, but his essay work is much too superficial. 00:01:35.300 --> 00:01:37.359 He lacks any real knowledge of course content. 00:01:38.640 --> 00:01:40.080 Maybe French for business. 00:01:40.340 --> 00:01:41.340 That was my third subject. 00:01:42.340 --> 00:01:42.800 Grade. 00:01:43.060 --> 00:01:44.359 C slash D. 00:01:45.359 --> 00:01:45.880 Effort. 00:01:45.879 --> 00:01:48.019 Three slash four. 00:01:49.439 --> 00:01:52.000 Reuben dislikes work, except on his own terms. 00:01:55.439 --> 00:01:56.539 Number of absences. 00:01:56.759 --> 00:01:57.179 17. 00:01:57.920 --> 00:01:58.739 Times late. 00:01:59.159 --> 00:01:59.640 18. 00:02:01.640 --> 00:02:02.539 Tutor's comments. 00:02:03.019 --> 00:02:06.299 Reuben's heart was never really in his schoolwork when he returned from Australia, 00:02:06.299 --> 00:02:08.620 and I think his decision to leave was correct. 00:02:08.620 --> 00:02:16.060 He added an extra dimension to my tutorial group, and I wish him well. 00:02:16.379 --> 00:02:18.980 Headmaster, I'm sorry to hear that Reuben is leaving. 00:02:19.219 --> 00:02:21.460 I wish him every success in the future. 00:02:23.560 --> 00:02:26.180 It's the effort marks, really, that say it all, isn't it? 00:02:26.939 --> 00:02:28.000 I couldn't be bothered. 00:02:29.960 --> 00:02:30.759 Now, children. 00:02:32.900 --> 00:02:34.860 That is not an example to follow. 00:02:34.860 --> 00:02:37.900 I say that, I tell you that to my own shame. 00:02:38.620 --> 00:02:41.120 I wasted a huge amount of time. 00:02:42.320 --> 00:02:50.000 But the point is, what we see this evening is the same problem doing the rounds among the Hebrews. 00:02:51.020 --> 00:02:52.060 Look at verse 11. 00:02:53.340 --> 00:02:58.360 So the author, remember last time the author talked about the priestly ministry of Jesus? 00:02:58.580 --> 00:03:00.500 Chapter 5, verses 5 to 10. 00:03:00.500 --> 00:03:09.340 And then he says, about this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 00:03:11.180 --> 00:03:15.039 Dull, it's the same word translated in 6, verse 12 as sluggish. 00:03:15.860 --> 00:03:20.479 It has the sense of the kind of willful laziness that I embodied at school. 00:03:22.360 --> 00:03:28.039 Some of the Hebrews simply can't be bothered to get to grips with the reality and the implications of this theology. 00:03:28.039 --> 00:03:30.500 They can't be bothered. 00:03:31.439 --> 00:03:32.859 It doesn't interest them. 00:03:33.620 --> 00:03:36.539 They can't think that it's important, and so they just don't bother. 00:03:38.019 --> 00:03:42.159 They're getting an effort grade 4 or maybe even 5. 00:03:44.019 --> 00:03:48.139 Now, what the writer says in the previous section is densely packed for sure. 00:03:48.280 --> 00:03:52.819 It is in some ways hard to explain, even to those of us who might be attentive. 00:03:52.819 --> 00:03:58.639 How the Psalms point to Christ's priestly calling in the line of this figure, Melchizedek. 00:03:59.180 --> 00:04:01.439 It is dense. 00:04:03.739 --> 00:04:11.180 And the writer explains how Christ was perfected through suffering in order to provide eternal salvation for all who obey him. 00:04:11.400 --> 00:04:18.139 It is hard, but it is deeply rich, deeply profound, deeply life-changing theology. 00:04:18.139 --> 00:04:21.099 But the Hebrews, they're dull of hearing. 00:04:22.819 --> 00:04:23.819 They're dull of hearing. 00:04:23.939 --> 00:04:25.800 They can't be bothered to learn its significance. 00:04:25.939 --> 00:04:27.800 And because of this, the writer rebukes them. 00:04:28.719 --> 00:04:31.379 He actually describes them, do you see, verse 12, as infants. 00:04:32.419 --> 00:04:33.979 It's actually a bit humiliating. 00:04:34.139 --> 00:04:39.959 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. 00:04:39.959 --> 00:04:42.199 You need milk, not solid food. 00:04:42.319 --> 00:04:48.779 For everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness since he is a child. 00:04:50.919 --> 00:04:52.219 It's quite a put down. 00:04:53.859 --> 00:04:56.060 These people have been Christians for a while. 00:04:56.859 --> 00:05:00.740 Now, just to be clear, I know some of you are young Christians and you think, 00:05:01.179 --> 00:05:04.379 I don't know the full significance of the priesthood of Christ. 00:05:04.500 --> 00:05:05.319 Well, that's okay. 00:05:06.839 --> 00:05:09.199 There's nothing wrong with being a young Christian. 00:05:09.199 --> 00:05:13.959 It's a great thing to be a young Christian in the same way there's nothing wrong with being a child. 00:05:14.060 --> 00:05:15.420 It's a great thing to be a child. 00:05:15.740 --> 00:05:20.019 But when children grow up and still behave like infants, that's when there's a problem. 00:05:20.979 --> 00:05:23.680 And the same is true for followers of Jesus. 00:05:24.060 --> 00:05:25.699 That's the reason for the rebuke. 00:05:26.159 --> 00:05:28.560 These people have been Christians for a while. 00:05:28.879 --> 00:05:31.639 And he expects that by now that they should be teaching others. 00:05:31.800 --> 00:05:33.699 He's not talking about them being ministers. 00:05:33.860 --> 00:05:36.079 He's not saying you should be pastors. 00:05:36.079 --> 00:05:41.919 But you should be able to help other people understand these things, find their way around this bit of the Bible. 00:05:42.639 --> 00:05:45.099 Instead, he's saying they're still in the creche. 00:05:45.959 --> 00:05:47.240 They're still on baby food. 00:05:47.779 --> 00:05:50.019 Still on the basics of the faith. 00:05:50.939 --> 00:05:52.240 And so he says, verse 13, 00:05:52.240 --> 00:05:58.340 This is a problem. 00:05:59.199 --> 00:06:00.960 It was a problem for them then. 00:06:01.199 --> 00:06:03.819 And it remains a threat to the church in every age. 00:06:03.900 --> 00:06:05.759 We think, oh, that's a bit dense. 00:06:05.900 --> 00:06:07.139 That's a bit hard for me. 00:06:07.379 --> 00:06:09.319 I'll leave the theology to the theologians. 00:06:09.840 --> 00:06:11.340 That's not a good enough attitude. 00:06:11.339 --> 00:06:21.359 So rather than be dull and apathetic and disengaged, when it comes to Christian truth, our author calls for action in three areas. 00:06:22.599 --> 00:06:24.199 He calls for action in three ways. 00:06:24.319 --> 00:06:26.539 First of all, he says, pursue maturity. 00:06:28.079 --> 00:06:29.120 Pursue maturity. 00:06:29.279 --> 00:06:32.539 That is part of what it means for us to be a Christian. 00:06:32.819 --> 00:06:33.339 Pursue maturity. 00:06:33.339 --> 00:06:37.759 By contrast with the immature, there are those who live on solid food. 00:06:38.719 --> 00:06:41.319 Those who press on to train themselves in doctrine. 00:06:41.699 --> 00:06:49.599 They have, verse 14, do you see, their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. 00:06:50.779 --> 00:06:53.899 That's the goal, actually, of all theological study. 00:06:54.439 --> 00:06:58.859 Whether it's listening to preaching, going to adult Sunday school, going to home groups. 00:06:58.860 --> 00:07:03.860 I hear from time to time people say they don't bother with doctrine. 00:07:04.000 --> 00:07:06.240 They don't bother with theology because it isn't practical. 00:07:08.800 --> 00:07:16.520 The author of the Hebrews tells us that the doctrine of Christ's priestly work is the solid food that we need in order to be able to distinguish good from evil. 00:07:17.199 --> 00:07:19.540 How much more practical do you want than that? 00:07:19.660 --> 00:07:22.420 The ability to make good decisions and not bad ones. 00:07:22.639 --> 00:07:25.520 The wisdom to know what is right and wrong in a complicated world. 00:07:25.819 --> 00:07:28.020 How much more practical can you get than that? 00:07:28.019 --> 00:07:34.299 When we look around in our culture and we see all the decisions that people are making that are leading in bad directions, 00:07:34.959 --> 00:07:44.959 how much more practical would it be for them to be able to distinguish good from evil in order to make good decisions, wise decisions? 00:07:46.539 --> 00:07:49.879 Certain ethical decisions require maturity. 00:07:50.899 --> 00:07:54.319 They require practice, constant practice in order to get them right. 00:07:54.419 --> 00:07:55.060 We know that. 00:07:55.060 --> 00:07:59.780 I'm not talking about whether or not you can kill your mom to get the inheritance. 00:08:00.220 --> 00:08:01.480 We all know the answer to that. 00:08:01.500 --> 00:08:06.579 Even the dumbest kid in the class, even back when I was at school, I would have known that that was wrong. 00:08:07.600 --> 00:08:15.019 But what does it take to discern the difference between pride, which is a sin, and confidence, which isn't a sin? 00:08:15.019 --> 00:08:24.799 Can you tell the difference between giving encouragement, which is a good thing, and flattery, which is a bad thing? 00:08:25.899 --> 00:08:31.579 What about the sin of fear of man or the virtue of humility? 00:08:31.579 --> 00:08:36.199 You can't make these kind of distinctions without maturity. 00:08:36.200 --> 00:08:41.320 Therefore, what does he say? 00:08:41.320 --> 00:09:03.580 He's saying these are the basic principles of the oracles of God that he's just spoken about in chapter 5, verse 12. 00:09:03.580 --> 00:09:06.960 He lists several things, but they all come under the heading of the basics. 00:09:09.120 --> 00:09:13.300 It's possible that these things actually were the content covered in a course for new believers. 00:09:15.379 --> 00:09:19.300 Repentance from the dead works of our own self-salvation project. 00:09:20.120 --> 00:09:21.000 Faith in God. 00:09:21.860 --> 00:09:23.600 Baptism in the laying on of hands. 00:09:23.780 --> 00:09:28.160 That act which was initiating them into the body of Christ in the realm of the Holy Spirit. 00:09:28.860 --> 00:09:30.440 Teaching about the last days. 00:09:30.440 --> 00:09:33.420 These are the basics, he's saying. 00:09:33.740 --> 00:09:35.380 These are the foundations of the faith. 00:09:35.760 --> 00:09:38.480 And the author wants us to go further than these things. 00:09:38.660 --> 00:09:42.160 Not just grasping the significance of these things, but to go further. 00:09:42.400 --> 00:09:44.160 Not that we go somewhere else. 00:09:44.800 --> 00:09:49.140 Going further doesn't mean that we go somewhere else, but that we build on that foundation. 00:09:51.540 --> 00:09:56.000 No builder stops at the foundation of a building, does he? 00:09:56.580 --> 00:09:59.020 He doesn't build the foundation and go, there we are. 00:09:59.019 --> 00:10:00.879 Job done. 00:10:01.620 --> 00:10:02.319 Let's go. 00:10:02.600 --> 00:10:04.039 If he did, you'd think he was a cowboy. 00:10:05.379 --> 00:10:06.500 He keeps going. 00:10:06.860 --> 00:10:08.039 Good builder keeps going. 00:10:08.360 --> 00:10:12.579 Not to build another foundation, but to build up higher on the one that is already there. 00:10:14.259 --> 00:10:16.319 And this is what we are to do with our doctrine. 00:10:16.840 --> 00:10:20.059 We get the basics in place in order to build on them. 00:10:21.240 --> 00:10:23.319 And we are, verse 3, chapter 6, verse 3, 00:10:23.320 --> 00:10:27.660 We are to give ourselves to this as long as God enables us. 00:10:28.320 --> 00:10:30.000 We will do this if God permits. 00:10:33.520 --> 00:10:40.480 Is it in your mind to keep going and growing as a Christian? 00:10:40.480 --> 00:10:44.519 Are you committed to pursuing maturity as a Christian? 00:10:44.659 --> 00:10:46.519 Some of you have been Christians for years, 00:10:46.700 --> 00:10:51.200 and there's a danger that you've settled in with every day with Jesus or two ways to live, 00:10:51.560 --> 00:10:52.279 and that's enough. 00:10:54.740 --> 00:10:57.000 Yeah, you believe that Jesus died for your sins, 00:10:57.480 --> 00:10:59.779 but you don't think you need to know any more than that. 00:10:59.860 --> 00:11:02.039 You say, well, I have a simple faith, and that's enough for me. 00:11:02.039 --> 00:11:09.919 The problem with that is that what do you do when the tricky questions that our culture brings come our way? 00:11:13.000 --> 00:11:16.099 We say, I'm settling in at the foundation. 00:11:16.099 --> 00:11:16.860 That's enough. 00:11:17.399 --> 00:11:19.039 And then a tricky question comes in. 00:11:21.079 --> 00:11:24.419 You have to scrabble around online for something that sounds faintly credible, 00:11:24.559 --> 00:11:27.179 and it may or may not be right or true or biblical. 00:11:27.439 --> 00:11:31.819 What about the tricky ethical questions that come up in our life or in the lives of our friends? 00:11:32.039 --> 00:11:36.120 If we've stopped at the foundation, we don't know what to do. 00:11:36.179 --> 00:11:37.120 We don't have an answer. 00:11:38.299 --> 00:11:43.019 And at best, we just come over as dumb, a bit foolish. 00:11:43.579 --> 00:11:46.240 At worst, we get washed away completely 00:11:46.240 --> 00:11:52.919 because we haven't got the maturity that we need to be able to stand in the face of the difficulties. 00:11:54.839 --> 00:11:59.599 Now, we heard this morning from Matthew 18 that we have to come to Jesus as children. 00:11:59.600 --> 00:12:04.220 We have to humble ourselves to do that, but we don't stay there. 00:12:06.220 --> 00:12:08.860 We need to pursue maturity in the faith. 00:12:09.540 --> 00:12:13.779 We need to feed on the solid food of biblical doctrine that will get us there. 00:12:14.019 --> 00:12:16.379 In fact, some of the things that we were talking about this morning, 00:12:17.540 --> 00:12:24.620 embracing true biblical humility, embracing the qualities of a child is actually how we grow 00:12:24.620 --> 00:12:27.379 because we're always humbling ourselves. 00:12:27.519 --> 00:12:29.500 We never think that we're mature enough. 00:12:32.799 --> 00:12:36.700 Being more and more open to God's work in our lives, 00:12:36.799 --> 00:12:41.019 more and more receptive to Him through His Word and through the theology 00:12:41.019 --> 00:12:44.320 that in the history of the church we have at our disposal. 00:12:44.480 --> 00:12:46.060 Get theology on your agenda. 00:12:47.060 --> 00:12:48.039 I ask you to do that. 00:12:48.139 --> 00:12:49.180 Get it on your agenda. 00:12:49.179 --> 00:12:53.779 There are plenty of books on the bookstall that will put some solids in your spiritual diet. 00:12:54.219 --> 00:12:55.819 You might say, well, I'm not really a reader. 00:12:55.939 --> 00:12:56.839 Well, become a reader. 00:12:58.539 --> 00:13:00.139 Get audio books for your commute. 00:13:00.239 --> 00:13:01.199 I'm too busy, you say. 00:13:01.239 --> 00:13:01.819 No, you're not. 00:13:02.559 --> 00:13:05.179 You've got the same number of hours in the day as everyone else. 00:13:05.439 --> 00:13:06.620 Just use them a bit better. 00:13:07.359 --> 00:13:08.259 Prioritize them differently. 00:13:09.339 --> 00:13:12.719 Fifteen minutes a day, you can read Calvin's Institutes in three months. 00:13:12.959 --> 00:13:16.039 If you're an average speed reader, you can read Calvin in three months. 00:13:16.480 --> 00:13:18.000 Fifteen, maybe twenty minutes a day. 00:13:19.179 --> 00:13:21.319 You don't need to do that much, but I'm just saying, 00:13:21.879 --> 00:13:26.319 you can cover a lot in actually quite a short space of time if you're focused. 00:13:27.419 --> 00:13:29.240 Now, don't do this as an end in itself. 00:13:29.620 --> 00:13:31.500 Don't do it so you can say that you've done it. 00:13:32.039 --> 00:13:33.419 Do it to get to know God better. 00:13:34.579 --> 00:13:38.620 Do it so that there is biblical doctrine sinking down into your bones. 00:13:39.500 --> 00:13:40.980 So that you are growing. 00:13:42.059 --> 00:13:43.759 Theologically, you are growing. 00:13:46.039 --> 00:13:54.179 Now, if the desire to grow and be equipped to discern good and evil wasn't motivation enough, 00:13:54.259 --> 00:13:57.959 if that isn't motivation enough for you, the author then raises the stakes. 00:13:58.539 --> 00:13:59.199 Here's the thing. 00:13:59.259 --> 00:14:02.719 He says, if we choose to be dull of hearing, that reluctance, 00:14:03.000 --> 00:14:06.059 that reluctance to learn and to grow, to pursue maturity, 00:14:06.059 --> 00:14:08.159 might be a symptom of a deeper problem. 00:14:08.579 --> 00:14:11.659 So he urges us, secondly, point number one, pursue maturity. 00:14:11.659 --> 00:14:15.059 Point number two, beware apostasy. 00:14:16.539 --> 00:14:18.279 Chapter six, verses four to eight. 00:14:18.399 --> 00:14:21.620 If you're not interested in growing up in the faith, you don't just stand still. 00:14:22.120 --> 00:14:23.100 You go backwards. 00:14:24.159 --> 00:14:27.600 Verse four, it is impossible in the case of those who have once been enlightened, 00:14:28.059 --> 00:14:30.600 who have tasted the heavenly gift and have shared in the Holy Spirit 00:14:30.600 --> 00:14:33.980 and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come 00:14:33.980 --> 00:14:37.659 and then have fallen away to restore them again to repentance 00:14:37.659 --> 00:14:42.039 since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm 00:14:42.039 --> 00:14:44.300 and holding him up to contempt. 00:14:45.980 --> 00:14:49.580 What the author is saying here is that remaining in the foundational doctrines 00:14:49.580 --> 00:14:53.740 without pressing on creates the temptation towards apostasy, 00:14:54.480 --> 00:14:56.420 towards walking away completely. 00:14:56.419 --> 00:15:00.719 The four, at the beginning of verse four, makes that connection. 00:15:02.659 --> 00:15:10.379 Now, the Bible makes it clear that it is impossible for those who have been elected by God 00:15:10.379 --> 00:15:13.360 before the foundation of the world to lose their salvation. 00:15:16.259 --> 00:15:19.360 The main reason why that's the case, the main reason for this, 00:15:19.740 --> 00:15:24.759 is that salvation isn't a possession like a set of car keys that we can misplace, 00:15:25.000 --> 00:15:26.120 as if we owned it. 00:15:27.319 --> 00:15:30.620 It's not that we own our salvation, Christ owns us. 00:15:30.819 --> 00:15:32.979 That's a more biblical way to say it. 00:15:33.539 --> 00:15:35.120 We have been purchased by his blood. 00:15:35.439 --> 00:15:36.120 He owns us. 00:15:36.179 --> 00:15:40.019 He has taken possession of us as his dearly loved children. 00:15:41.539 --> 00:15:47.599 But it is possible to belong to the church, but not to belong to Christ. 00:15:47.599 --> 00:15:49.959 And that is what our author is describing here. 00:15:51.939 --> 00:15:55.059 The language is very descriptive, isn't it? 00:15:55.059 --> 00:15:58.459 It can sound like these are genuine believers, so we need to drill down a bit. 00:15:58.539 --> 00:16:01.000 He describes them as those who have been enlightened. 00:16:01.619 --> 00:16:04.879 The church fathers thought that this was a reference to those who have been baptized. 00:16:05.339 --> 00:16:11.519 In the early church, when people came to faith, they were prepared for baptism with classes for up to a year. 00:16:11.519 --> 00:16:16.480 So he's describing people who have been taught the gospel message and have affirmed their trust in it, 00:16:16.579 --> 00:16:18.500 but for whom it has all just been external. 00:16:18.980 --> 00:16:20.659 It has all been put on on the outside. 00:16:20.659 --> 00:16:24.179 They've tasted the heavenly gift. 00:16:24.539 --> 00:16:26.799 This is the gift of Christ offered in the gospel. 00:16:26.919 --> 00:16:30.120 They've tasted it, but they didn't let it nourish them. 00:16:30.879 --> 00:16:34.159 They were impressed by Christ, but they weren't brought to him. 00:16:34.620 --> 00:16:37.379 In the end, in the end, they kept Christ at arm's length. 00:16:39.579 --> 00:16:40.779 Shared in the Holy Spirit. 00:16:41.000 --> 00:16:42.799 That sounds like conversion. 00:16:43.339 --> 00:16:46.480 But the Spirit is at work in all manner of ways apart from salvation. 00:16:46.480 --> 00:16:50.399 It is possible to be used by the Spirit, but not to possess the Spirit. 00:16:50.659 --> 00:16:51.340 Think of Saul. 00:16:51.620 --> 00:16:52.899 Think of Judas Iscariot. 00:16:53.180 --> 00:16:55.840 Used by God, but not ultimately belonging to him. 00:16:57.420 --> 00:17:03.500 Being used by God does not necessarily equate to the life and reality of being possessed by the Spirit. 00:17:05.480 --> 00:17:10.140 They've tasted the goodness of the Word of God and the powers of the age to come. 00:17:11.079 --> 00:17:12.599 You can enjoy the Bible. 00:17:14.099 --> 00:17:15.700 You can appreciate its literature. 00:17:17.279 --> 00:17:23.440 You can love the church community, the community of the Spirit, the community of the last days, 00:17:23.539 --> 00:17:25.819 the community in which Jesus is at work. 00:17:25.920 --> 00:17:28.339 You can enjoy and appreciate all of that. 00:17:28.599 --> 00:17:34.079 You can belong to the visible church, but not in the end belong to Christ. 00:17:34.079 --> 00:17:41.299 The sort of people the author is describing here are those, if we return to that list of basics, 00:17:41.299 --> 00:17:45.740 who have received the third on the list without the first two. 00:17:45.740 --> 00:17:59.460 They have received the external mark without the internal reality. 00:17:59.460 --> 00:18:04.700 And the truth is that the church will always have people like that in it. 00:18:05.039 --> 00:18:07.319 People who are Christian in name only. 00:18:07.319 --> 00:18:10.579 Well, who are these people? 00:18:11.659 --> 00:18:15.960 Well, I think perhaps two distinctions about the nature of the church might help us here as we think about this. 00:18:16.179 --> 00:18:19.500 First, we need to distinguish between the visible church and the invisible church. 00:18:19.500 --> 00:18:24.920 The invisible church is God's elect, those whom God has chosen for salvation. 00:18:25.960 --> 00:18:32.700 The visible church is the professing church in history marked out by baptism, the preaching of the Word, and the Lord's Supper. 00:18:32.700 --> 00:18:38.620 When someone falls away, they fall away from the visible church, not the invisible church. 00:18:39.019 --> 00:18:40.680 You can't fall away from the invisible church. 00:18:40.759 --> 00:18:44.819 If you are in the invisible church, God has elected you for salvation, you can't fall away. 00:18:46.340 --> 00:18:52.519 Another way to think about this is to distinguish between the church on mission and the church in glory. 00:18:52.920 --> 00:18:54.440 Now, these aren't two different churches. 00:18:54.900 --> 00:18:59.200 The church on mission is the church in the world with all her imperfections. 00:18:59.200 --> 00:19:03.319 The church in glory is the church at the end of time. 00:19:04.700 --> 00:19:07.480 The bride of Christ with every blemish removed. 00:19:07.580 --> 00:19:10.660 The church on mission is what we can see with our eyes now. 00:19:11.080 --> 00:19:18.019 The church in glory is that church at the end with all of the imperfections taken away. 00:19:19.660 --> 00:19:26.660 So this is why it is possible for a real warning to be given to real people in the real church, 00:19:26.660 --> 00:19:32.040 but to know that the real people of God, the elect, will never fall away. 00:19:34.120 --> 00:19:37.200 And the way you show yourself as genuine, according to the author, 00:19:37.620 --> 00:19:42.759 the way you avoid apostasy, is by continuing to grow up to maturity. 00:19:45.040 --> 00:19:46.920 To be mundane for a moment. 00:19:48.300 --> 00:19:51.460 It's a bit like riding a bike. 00:19:51.460 --> 00:19:56.200 If you stop moving on a bike, you fall over. 00:19:57.420 --> 00:19:59.980 As long as you're moving, you're okay. 00:20:01.200 --> 00:20:04.480 But when you stop, there's only so long that you can stay there. 00:20:04.680 --> 00:20:05.940 I know some of you are going to say, 00:20:06.039 --> 00:20:08.000 Oh, well, actually, you can do this thing where you balance, 00:20:08.360 --> 00:20:09.559 and you can stay there for ages. 00:20:09.799 --> 00:20:12.920 There's a guy online who's done it for three days or something like that. 00:20:13.700 --> 00:20:15.840 There will come a point where you eventually fall over. 00:20:16.880 --> 00:20:19.200 Once you stop, that's when you fall. 00:20:19.200 --> 00:20:24.039 And so the point is, keep going and keep growing. 00:20:24.660 --> 00:20:27.220 Keep up the spiritual momentum. 00:20:28.180 --> 00:20:31.640 And the sharp edge of this warning comes in verses 7 and 8. 00:20:31.960 --> 00:20:36.080 You see, refusing to grow and so falling away is not like falling off a bike. 00:20:36.640 --> 00:20:39.400 Fall off a bike, you might scratch your knee, your elbow, 00:20:39.779 --> 00:20:41.360 you might cut your head, something like that. 00:20:41.700 --> 00:20:46.400 But here, consequences are dire. 00:20:46.400 --> 00:20:50.480 We are told that those who have received all these blessings from Christ, 00:20:50.560 --> 00:20:52.420 but then fall away, treat them with contempt. 00:20:52.980 --> 00:20:53.500 Verse 6. 00:20:56.180 --> 00:20:58.060 You don't keep pursuing maturity. 00:20:58.480 --> 00:20:59.880 You eventually fall away. 00:21:00.040 --> 00:21:03.000 And to do that is to treat him with contempt. 00:21:03.660 --> 00:21:04.840 One commentator says this, 00:21:04.839 --> 00:21:22.099 He's saying this. 00:21:22.099 --> 00:21:25.519 If you've publicly partaken in the church, 00:21:25.559 --> 00:21:26.099 if you've said, 00:21:26.199 --> 00:21:31.879 Yeah, I'm a Christian and I'm part of this community of people, 00:21:32.240 --> 00:21:35.899 and then you walk away and spurn it, 00:21:36.759 --> 00:21:39.059 you make a mockery of Jesus. 00:21:39.059 --> 00:21:42.460 And so all is left. 00:21:43.220 --> 00:21:44.480 It's absolutely chilling. 00:21:44.639 --> 00:21:45.179 Verse 7. 00:21:45.279 --> 00:21:46.419 All is left is judgment. 00:21:46.720 --> 00:21:50.299 For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it 00:21:50.299 --> 00:21:54.539 and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, 00:21:54.779 --> 00:21:56.039 receives a blessing from God. 00:21:56.299 --> 00:21:58.079 But if it bears thorns and thistles, 00:21:58.339 --> 00:22:01.579 it is worthless and near to being cursed, 00:22:02.059 --> 00:22:03.619 and its end is to be burned. 00:22:03.619 --> 00:22:05.759 Saying, 00:22:05.899 --> 00:22:06.599 As land, 00:22:06.779 --> 00:22:08.579 if you receive the blessing of rain, 00:22:08.659 --> 00:22:10.779 but then decide to grow thorns with it, 00:22:10.979 --> 00:22:12.359 all that is left is burning. 00:22:13.599 --> 00:22:15.339 It's the starkest of warnings. 00:22:18.159 --> 00:22:21.539 If you've experienced the blessings of God in these ways, 00:22:22.339 --> 00:22:23.459 meet them with faith. 00:22:25.000 --> 00:22:27.439 Receive them with faith. 00:22:27.539 --> 00:22:29.819 When you hear the voice of God, 00:22:29.979 --> 00:22:33.019 don't harden your heart as the wilderness generation did. 00:22:34.019 --> 00:22:36.059 They're probably the ones that are in view here. 00:22:36.719 --> 00:22:38.199 When he calls you to grow up, 00:22:38.779 --> 00:22:41.119 go and get some solid food and be nourished. 00:22:41.219 --> 00:22:44.099 When he calls you in this way to pursue maturity, 00:22:44.399 --> 00:22:45.479 go and pursue maturity. 00:22:46.519 --> 00:22:47.699 Do what he is telling you. 00:22:47.779 --> 00:22:47.939 Now, 00:22:48.439 --> 00:22:49.579 be sensible about it. 00:22:50.519 --> 00:22:52.139 If you haven't eaten a big meal for a while, 00:22:52.239 --> 00:22:53.279 don't overload your plate. 00:22:53.679 --> 00:22:57.139 Don't buy a systematic theology and resolve to read it before the summer. 00:22:57.939 --> 00:23:00.159 Eat according to the size of your appetite. 00:23:00.759 --> 00:23:01.119 Otherwise, 00:23:01.319 --> 00:23:02.359 you'll make yourself sick. 00:23:03.619 --> 00:23:06.959 Might just be that you need to start to read your Bible every day. 00:23:08.179 --> 00:23:13.659 Might just be that you decide you're going to get along to adult Sunday school each week. 00:23:15.279 --> 00:23:18.219 As a staff team and our staff meeting each week, 00:23:18.220 --> 00:23:21.640 we're currently reading through the Westminster Larger Catechism. 00:23:22.000 --> 00:23:24.319 And it is hugely helpful. 00:23:25.960 --> 00:23:27.660 It's very short, 00:23:27.960 --> 00:23:28.279 simple, 00:23:28.440 --> 00:23:28.680 pithy, 00:23:28.759 --> 00:23:30.200 but very profound. 00:23:30.200 --> 00:23:34.880 Grab a copy on the bookstall. 00:23:34.880 --> 00:23:35.880 decide to make it. 00:23:35.880 --> 00:23:37.160 Decide to make it part of your quiet time. 00:23:37.300 --> 00:23:38.500 Start where you can. 00:23:38.820 --> 00:23:40.300 And like all growing children, 00:23:40.440 --> 00:23:43.260 your appetite will increase as you grow. 00:23:44.320 --> 00:23:44.620 Now, 00:23:45.340 --> 00:23:47.380 hear this. 00:23:47.380 --> 00:23:50.220 The stark warning is stark indeed, 00:23:50.220 --> 00:23:51.760 but it isn't the last word. 00:23:52.520 --> 00:23:53.520 It isn't the last word. 00:23:53.600 --> 00:23:55.340 The author follows it with a word of comfort. 00:23:55.460 --> 00:23:56.460 I want us to see this. 00:23:57.000 --> 00:23:58.240 We are to pursue maturity, 00:23:58.240 --> 00:24:00.480 and we are to beware apostasy, 00:24:00.720 --> 00:24:01.480 but we're also, 00:24:01.680 --> 00:24:02.000 thirdly, 00:24:02.340 --> 00:24:03.880 to know security. 00:24:04.540 --> 00:24:06.200 We are to know security. 00:24:06.200 --> 00:24:08.799 verses 9 to 20. 00:24:10.120 --> 00:24:13.279 If Christians come away in despair from Hebrews 6, 00:24:13.360 --> 00:24:14.460 they have misread the text. 00:24:15.080 --> 00:24:16.740 If you're panicking at this moment, 00:24:17.480 --> 00:24:18.880 you have misread the text. 00:24:19.200 --> 00:24:20.000 Zone in here. 00:24:20.100 --> 00:24:20.620 Verse 9. 00:24:21.000 --> 00:24:22.380 Though we speak in this way, 00:24:22.779 --> 00:24:24.140 yet in your case, beloved, 00:24:24.240 --> 00:24:25.680 we feel sure of better things, 00:24:25.960 --> 00:24:27.660 things that belong to salvation. 00:24:28.700 --> 00:24:29.819 For God is not unjust, 00:24:30.019 --> 00:24:31.220 so as to overlook your work 00:24:31.220 --> 00:24:32.799 and the love that you have shown for his name 00:24:32.799 --> 00:24:33.740 in serving the saints, 00:24:33.799 --> 00:24:34.700 as you still do. 00:24:34.700 --> 00:24:37.539 Now, it's clear that this apostasy 00:24:37.539 --> 00:24:38.759 that he's talking about here 00:24:38.759 --> 00:24:40.360 hasn't happened among his readers. 00:24:40.900 --> 00:24:42.059 They are laboring for the Lord. 00:24:42.160 --> 00:24:42.580 Verse 10. 00:24:42.660 --> 00:24:43.740 They are loving his name, 00:24:43.799 --> 00:24:45.100 and they are loving his people. 00:24:47.299 --> 00:24:48.900 So whilst the warning stands, 00:24:49.220 --> 00:24:50.440 and the warning is real, 00:24:51.440 --> 00:24:52.700 there is great comfort for those 00:24:52.700 --> 00:24:53.860 who display the qualities, 00:24:54.000 --> 00:24:54.500 verse 9, 00:24:54.559 --> 00:24:55.960 that belong to salvation. 00:24:56.460 --> 00:24:57.519 What are those qualities? 00:24:57.900 --> 00:24:58.440 What is it? 00:24:58.799 --> 00:24:59.720 So he's saying, 00:25:00.080 --> 00:25:02.080 though we speak in this way, 00:25:02.160 --> 00:25:03.480 yet in your case, beloved, 00:25:03.480 --> 00:25:05.240 we feel sure of better things. 00:25:05.480 --> 00:25:07.640 We feel confident that you are not 00:25:07.640 --> 00:25:08.980 going to apostatize 00:25:08.980 --> 00:25:11.559 because we see the things 00:25:11.559 --> 00:25:12.620 that belong to salvation. 00:25:12.799 --> 00:25:13.319 What are they? 00:25:13.779 --> 00:25:15.400 Full assurance of hope 00:25:15.400 --> 00:25:16.500 until the end. 00:25:16.539 --> 00:25:17.079 Verse 11. 00:25:19.440 --> 00:25:21.180 Faithful and patient inheritance 00:25:21.180 --> 00:25:22.680 of God's promises. 00:25:22.880 --> 00:25:23.519 Verse 12. 00:25:25.140 --> 00:25:27.319 The unchangeable character 00:25:27.319 --> 00:25:28.779 of God's purposes to save. 00:25:28.920 --> 00:25:29.740 Verse 17. 00:25:29.740 --> 00:25:32.500 So when God desired 00:25:32.500 --> 00:25:34.000 to show more convincingly 00:25:34.000 --> 00:25:35.039 to the heirs of the promise 00:25:35.039 --> 00:25:36.620 the unchangeable character 00:25:36.620 --> 00:25:37.319 of his purpose, 00:25:37.700 --> 00:25:39.240 he guaranteed it with an oath. 00:25:40.640 --> 00:25:41.559 Strong encouragement 00:25:41.559 --> 00:25:42.819 for those who have fled 00:25:42.819 --> 00:25:43.900 to him for refuge. 00:25:44.019 --> 00:25:44.660 Verse 18. 00:25:45.200 --> 00:25:46.319 Assurance, steadfast, 00:25:46.480 --> 00:25:47.440 anchor for the soul. 00:25:47.539 --> 00:25:48.180 Verse 19. 00:25:48.460 --> 00:25:49.539 And a certain hope 00:25:49.539 --> 00:25:50.480 in Christ's work 00:25:50.480 --> 00:25:51.440 on our behalf 00:25:51.440 --> 00:25:53.640 in the presence of God. 00:25:55.440 --> 00:25:56.940 People talk about Hebrews 6 00:25:56.940 --> 00:25:58.779 as an apostasy passage. 00:25:59.559 --> 00:26:00.220 But when we think 00:26:00.220 --> 00:26:01.120 on that list, 00:26:03.100 --> 00:26:03.860 faithful and patient 00:26:03.860 --> 00:26:05.100 inheritance of God's promises. 00:26:05.700 --> 00:26:07.140 The unchangeable character 00:26:07.140 --> 00:26:08.840 of God's purpose to save. 00:26:09.620 --> 00:26:10.620 The great encouragement 00:26:10.620 --> 00:26:11.200 that there is 00:26:11.200 --> 00:26:12.059 for those who have fled 00:26:12.059 --> 00:26:13.180 to Christ for refuge. 00:26:13.980 --> 00:26:14.640 The fact that he is 00:26:14.640 --> 00:26:16.039 a sure and steadfast anchor 00:26:16.039 --> 00:26:16.820 for the soul. 00:26:18.680 --> 00:26:19.640 We think on those things 00:26:19.640 --> 00:26:20.440 it feels more like 00:26:20.440 --> 00:26:21.779 a chapter on our security 00:26:21.779 --> 00:26:23.200 than it does about apostasy. 00:26:23.500 --> 00:26:25.039 The everlasting security 00:26:25.039 --> 00:26:25.860 of the one who puts 00:26:25.860 --> 00:26:26.740 their trust in Christ. 00:26:26.940 --> 00:26:28.120 If you have genuinely 00:26:28.120 --> 00:26:29.259 put your faith in Jesus, 00:26:29.460 --> 00:26:30.759 you're not left to wonder 00:26:30.759 --> 00:26:31.920 or to worry. 00:26:32.360 --> 00:26:33.220 You are secure. 00:26:34.259 --> 00:26:36.360 You are secure. 00:26:38.180 --> 00:26:39.039 And the strength 00:26:39.039 --> 00:26:40.000 of our comfort here 00:26:40.000 --> 00:26:40.960 is based squarely 00:26:40.960 --> 00:26:41.660 on the unchanging 00:26:41.660 --> 00:26:42.580 character of God. 00:26:43.019 --> 00:26:43.880 That is why we can 00:26:43.880 --> 00:26:44.620 say these things. 00:26:44.940 --> 00:26:45.900 That's why we can 00:26:45.900 --> 00:26:46.620 trust his word. 00:26:46.880 --> 00:26:47.700 That's why we can 00:26:47.700 --> 00:26:48.460 trust his promise. 00:26:48.759 --> 00:26:49.940 That is our refuge. 00:26:51.980 --> 00:26:53.120 If your salvation 00:26:53.120 --> 00:26:54.100 depended on you, 00:26:54.279 --> 00:26:55.299 you'd be lost. 00:26:55.299 --> 00:26:56.259 And there would be 00:26:56.259 --> 00:26:57.139 nothing of comfort 00:26:57.139 --> 00:26:57.899 in this chapter. 00:26:58.259 --> 00:26:59.339 But don't look at yourself. 00:27:00.079 --> 00:27:00.659 Look away. 00:27:01.399 --> 00:27:02.919 Look away from your sins 00:27:02.919 --> 00:27:04.319 and away from your doubts 00:27:04.319 --> 00:27:05.759 and away from your struggles. 00:27:06.119 --> 00:27:07.159 And don't second guess 00:27:07.159 --> 00:27:07.619 your motives. 00:27:07.759 --> 00:27:09.059 Look away from yourself. 00:27:10.359 --> 00:27:11.259 And look instead 00:27:11.259 --> 00:27:12.740 to a hill 00:27:12.740 --> 00:27:13.940 outside Jerusalem 00:27:13.940 --> 00:27:15.279 2,000 years ago. 00:27:18.819 --> 00:27:19.799 Look to the hill 00:27:19.799 --> 00:27:20.519 where Christ 00:27:20.519 --> 00:27:21.460 was crucified. 00:27:21.460 --> 00:27:23.420 to accomplish God's 00:27:23.420 --> 00:27:24.460 unchanging purposes 00:27:24.460 --> 00:27:25.200 and salvation. 00:27:25.700 --> 00:27:27.720 He is our hope. 00:27:28.579 --> 00:27:29.500 He is himself 00:27:29.500 --> 00:27:30.279 assurance, 00:27:30.440 --> 00:27:31.360 steadfast anchor 00:27:31.360 --> 00:27:32.539 for our souls. 00:27:32.740 --> 00:27:33.319 You might say, 00:27:33.400 --> 00:27:34.660 well, I want to know 00:27:34.660 --> 00:27:35.519 though that I'm part 00:27:35.519 --> 00:27:36.259 of that salvation. 00:27:36.460 --> 00:27:36.900 Well then, 00:27:38.160 --> 00:27:39.120 look away 00:27:39.120 --> 00:27:40.380 to that hill. 00:27:41.299 --> 00:27:42.059 Look to Christ. 00:27:43.000 --> 00:27:44.079 Because when you do that, 00:27:44.140 --> 00:27:44.960 you will see him. 00:27:44.960 --> 00:27:47.460 and when you see him, 00:27:47.519 --> 00:27:48.579 your heart will swell 00:27:48.579 --> 00:27:51.240 and your assurance 00:27:51.240 --> 00:27:52.799 will rise. 00:27:54.400 --> 00:27:55.220 Let's pray together. 00:27:55.660 --> 00:27:55.660 00:27:55.660 --> 00:27:55.660 00:27:55.660 --> 00:27:55.660 00:27:55.660 --> 00:27:55.660 00:27:55.660 --> 00:27:55.660 00:27:55.660 --> 00:27:55.660 00:27:55.660 --> 00:27:55.660 00:27:55.660 --> 00:27:55.660 00:27:55.660 --> 00:27:55.660 00:27:55.660 --> 00:27:55.660 00:27:55.660 --> 00:27:55.660 00:27:55.660 --> 00:27:55.660 00:27:55.660 --> 00:27:55.660 00:27:55.660 --> 00:27:55.660 00:27:55.660 --> 00:27:55.660 00:27:55.660 --> 00:27:55.660 00:27:55.660 --> 00:27:55.660 00:27:55.660 --> 00:27:55.660 00:27:55.660 --> 00:27:55.660 00:27:55.660 --> 00:27:55.660 00:27:55.660 --> 00:27:55.660 00:27:55.660 --> 00:27:55.660 00:27:55.660 --> 00:27:55.660 00:27:55.660 --> 00:27:55.660 00:27:55.660 --> 00:27:55.660 00:27:55.660 --> 00:27:55.660 00:27:55.660 --> 00:27:55.660 00:27:55.660 --> 00:27:55.660 00:27:55.660 --> 00:27:55.660 00:27:55.660 --> 00:27:55.660 00:27:55.660 --> 00:27:55.660 00:27:55.660 --> 00:27:55.660 00:27:55.660 --> 00:27:55.660 00:27:55.660 --> 00:27:55.660