WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.800 Well, good morning. Good to see you this morning. That's a great, great, great, great song. 00:00:09.240 --> 00:00:17.400 Love that song. Just that last chorus. Some super things to be able to sing from the heart, I hope. 00:00:17.519 --> 00:00:22.400 It's just such great truth. One of the great things about visiting other churches, 00:00:22.400 --> 00:00:25.879 you get some really innovative ways of doing your announcements. 00:00:25.879 --> 00:00:30.579 So I'm going to take some thoughts back with me to the Corubbers this morning 00:00:30.579 --> 00:00:35.579 and see if I can change my clothes and make all the intimations the way you guys did here this morning. 00:00:36.939 --> 00:00:44.259 Okay, great. Hebrews chapter 5. If you turn to Hebrews chapter 5, you're in a series here in Hebrews. 00:00:44.579 --> 00:00:50.340 I want to thank John for giving me what could be perhaps one of the most difficult passages in the Bible 00:00:50.340 --> 00:00:56.760 to preach through and for being so generous and giving me 30 minutes to do it. 00:00:58.780 --> 00:01:04.260 Okay, so we need to move. Okay. We need to really move. 00:01:04.320 --> 00:01:08.200 I think John popped onto the Corubbers website at some point and found out that it took me, 00:01:08.340 --> 00:01:13.219 I think, three 45-minute messages to get through probably just a bit of this section. 00:01:13.219 --> 00:01:20.400 So we are going to have to work through here. It's a great book, isn't it? 00:01:20.420 --> 00:01:25.239 You guys have been in Hebrews now. I assume for a while it is a great epistle of the New Testament. 00:01:27.539 --> 00:01:31.420 One of, I think, one of the most incredible, what is Hebrews? 00:01:32.120 --> 00:01:33.960 In its essence, what is Hebrews? 00:01:33.959 --> 00:01:46.659 I think it has to be one of the most incredible expositions of the greatness of Jesus anywhere in the Bible, isn't it? 00:01:47.299 --> 00:01:49.659 You probably have gotten some background on this. 00:01:49.739 --> 00:01:55.099 You'll know by now, I'm sure, that there are different ideas and different approaches to the book of Hebrews. 00:01:55.799 --> 00:02:00.259 I think it's important to study hard before you even get into Hebrews 00:02:00.260 --> 00:02:05.260 because I think that depending on your view of the audience, 00:02:06.060 --> 00:02:07.520 we're not quite sure who wrote the letter, 00:02:07.920 --> 00:02:11.360 but depending on who you think the audience of the letter is, 00:02:11.700 --> 00:02:15.920 helps you, I think, to understand something of what the writer is saying here 00:02:15.920 --> 00:02:19.599 and to interpret some of the really difficult passages 00:02:19.599 --> 00:02:23.659 like this one here this morning in the book of Hebrews. 00:02:23.800 --> 00:02:28.620 But regardless of what you think about the specifics of the difficult warnings 00:02:28.620 --> 00:02:31.180 and those kind of things that come in the book of Hebrews, 00:02:31.300 --> 00:02:37.819 it is one of the most incredible expositions of how great Jesus is, isn't it? 00:02:38.140 --> 00:02:40.180 I mean, again and again and again and again, 00:02:40.259 --> 00:02:43.840 the author just comes back to the greatness of Jesus. 00:02:44.060 --> 00:02:47.759 So keep that in mind as you wrangle about some of the specifics. 00:02:48.040 --> 00:02:55.840 Keep in mind that overarching in this whole thing is how great Jesus really is. 00:02:55.840 --> 00:03:00.300 The letter is written, it seems to me, to a group of people 00:03:00.300 --> 00:03:07.180 who are somehow gathering around this great gospel message 00:03:07.180 --> 00:03:09.860 of the greatness of who Jesus is and what he's done. 00:03:10.480 --> 00:03:12.960 They're gathering around this great message 00:03:12.960 --> 00:03:17.420 in some horrendously difficult circumstances. 00:03:18.099 --> 00:03:19.539 Things are hard for these people. 00:03:19.620 --> 00:03:20.439 That's obvious. 00:03:20.439 --> 00:03:26.439 If you just sense and feel the background radiation in the book of Hebrews, 00:03:26.900 --> 00:03:30.819 you'll recognize that things are really hard for these guys 00:03:30.819 --> 00:03:38.780 and they need to be hugely encouraged to continue to trust in Christ no matter what. 00:03:38.860 --> 00:03:41.099 So it's a really good epistle for us, isn't it? 00:03:41.139 --> 00:03:45.240 Because times get hard no matter where we're at or who we are. 00:03:45.240 --> 00:03:50.719 Life is just a varied mix of highs and lows and good and bad, right? 00:03:50.980 --> 00:03:51.620 Ins and outs. 00:03:51.840 --> 00:03:52.900 I mean, we're going to get it. 00:03:53.719 --> 00:03:56.420 We're studying Job just now at Grubbers. 00:03:56.659 --> 00:03:58.200 So, you know, we're in the thick of it. 00:03:58.659 --> 00:03:59.960 But life is just like that. 00:04:00.020 --> 00:04:02.879 That is what life is like in a fallen world, 00:04:03.260 --> 00:04:05.360 in a sinful world, in a broken world. 00:04:05.540 --> 00:04:06.640 Life is just hard. 00:04:07.460 --> 00:04:08.219 Life is hard. 00:04:08.320 --> 00:04:09.620 This isn't all that there is. 00:04:09.800 --> 00:04:11.200 This isn't the end of the story, 00:04:11.280 --> 00:04:12.520 but this is the here and now. 00:04:12.520 --> 00:04:16.420 And we can't avoid the fact that even as followers of Christ, 00:04:16.540 --> 00:04:18.860 there are difficult times that come. 00:04:19.000 --> 00:04:22.240 And so this is a great epistle for them. 00:04:23.019 --> 00:04:25.620 It's a great epistle for us. 00:04:25.759 --> 00:04:28.860 It is an exhortational masterpiece. 00:04:29.660 --> 00:04:32.840 It is an exhortational masterpiece, 00:04:32.840 --> 00:04:36.560 both to believers who need to hang on 00:04:36.560 --> 00:04:39.960 and who need to move on in Christ. 00:04:39.959 --> 00:04:42.939 But it's also an exhortational masterpiece 00:04:42.939 --> 00:04:46.819 to those, I think, who aren't quite there yet. 00:04:47.739 --> 00:04:49.599 They're not quite there yet. 00:04:50.779 --> 00:04:52.560 Many years ago, I went to Israel 00:04:52.560 --> 00:04:54.459 on a short-term missions trip. 00:04:55.199 --> 00:04:57.759 And one of the books that we used again and again and again 00:04:57.759 --> 00:04:59.000 with Jewish people, 00:04:59.319 --> 00:05:03.379 we went down to the kind of holiday resort of Eilat, 00:05:03.459 --> 00:05:05.959 down at the very bottom of Israel, 00:05:06.899 --> 00:05:07.959 by the border of Egypt. 00:05:07.959 --> 00:05:12.139 And we shared the gospel with Jewish people. 00:05:12.279 --> 00:05:14.279 And one of the books that we used again and again and again 00:05:14.279 --> 00:05:15.659 was the book of Hebrews. 00:05:17.039 --> 00:05:19.759 This is an epistle written as well, 00:05:19.819 --> 00:05:22.019 I think, to those who aren't quite there yet. 00:05:22.099 --> 00:05:25.620 They need to fully trust Christ as the fulfillment. 00:05:25.839 --> 00:05:26.120 Listen. 00:05:27.039 --> 00:05:30.439 The fulfillment of what the writer says 00:05:30.439 --> 00:05:35.079 are all of those shadowy insufficiencies 00:05:35.079 --> 00:05:37.259 of the Old Covenant. 00:05:37.759 --> 00:05:38.980 They had a purpose. 00:05:39.420 --> 00:05:40.180 They were there. 00:05:40.500 --> 00:05:41.480 They told a story. 00:05:42.000 --> 00:05:45.420 They prepared the world for what was to come. 00:05:45.740 --> 00:05:48.240 But they were shadows, the writer says. 00:05:48.759 --> 00:05:51.379 You'll get there more as you go on in the book of Hebrews. 00:05:51.500 --> 00:05:52.300 They were shadows. 00:05:52.399 --> 00:05:52.959 And not only that, 00:05:53.019 --> 00:05:55.519 they were shadowy insufficiencies. 00:05:55.519 --> 00:05:58.919 They weren't sufficient. 00:05:59.240 --> 00:05:59.919 The Old Covenant, 00:06:00.079 --> 00:06:02.500 the Old Testament sacrificial system 00:06:02.500 --> 00:06:06.639 wasn't sufficient to deal fully and finally with our sins. 00:06:06.740 --> 00:06:06.959 Right? 00:06:07.799 --> 00:06:13.500 So one of the things that is being exhorted here 00:06:13.500 --> 00:06:15.500 is to trust fully in Christ 00:06:15.500 --> 00:06:18.539 as the fulfillment of all those shadowy insufficiencies 00:06:18.539 --> 00:06:19.759 of the past. 00:06:20.159 --> 00:06:22.359 There's a massive contrast here 00:06:22.360 --> 00:06:25.300 between those shadowy insufficiencies of the Old Covenant 00:06:25.300 --> 00:06:26.600 and the glorious fulfillment 00:06:26.600 --> 00:06:28.560 of all those shadows in Christ 00:06:28.560 --> 00:06:30.460 in the New Covenant. 00:06:30.680 --> 00:06:33.040 And as we get to this passage now 00:06:33.040 --> 00:06:34.439 in Hebrews 5, 00:06:34.500 --> 00:06:36.520 the end of Hebrews 5 and Hebrews 6, 00:06:36.680 --> 00:06:39.900 I think we come again to one of those exhortations. 00:06:41.699 --> 00:06:42.340 And it's kind of, 00:06:42.420 --> 00:06:45.080 it's a double-edged sword. 00:06:45.199 --> 00:06:48.379 The exhortation can be for those of us trusting in Christ 00:06:48.379 --> 00:06:50.180 to hang on and to move on 00:06:50.180 --> 00:06:51.900 and to not get stuck 00:06:51.900 --> 00:06:55.220 and to take all that God has for us, 00:06:55.300 --> 00:06:56.920 but it could be an exhortation as well 00:06:56.920 --> 00:06:59.259 for those who are not quite there yet. 00:06:59.759 --> 00:07:02.220 They know something of who Jesus is. 00:07:02.560 --> 00:07:04.600 They've been informed in some way 00:07:04.600 --> 00:07:06.259 as to what Jesus has done 00:07:06.259 --> 00:07:09.120 to fulfill all those shadowy insufficiencies of the past, 00:07:09.120 --> 00:07:12.500 but they've not yet jumped on board. 00:07:13.720 --> 00:07:15.680 And so I'm approaching it in that way. 00:07:15.680 --> 00:07:20.620 One of these exhortations is maybe one of the most difficult in the book. 00:07:21.319 --> 00:07:21.519 Okay? 00:07:22.040 --> 00:07:23.860 Folks are being encouraged to move on 00:07:23.860 --> 00:07:25.860 beyond the elementary teachings about Christ 00:07:25.860 --> 00:07:27.500 and to grow up. 00:07:27.620 --> 00:07:29.740 I think you got a growth passage here. 00:07:30.579 --> 00:07:30.819 Okay? 00:07:30.860 --> 00:07:32.259 And that's the way I'm going to hit it this morning. 00:07:32.399 --> 00:07:35.939 To grow up into all the fullness of Christ. 00:07:36.060 --> 00:07:38.560 To steal some of Paul's terminology from Colossians. 00:07:38.639 --> 00:07:42.180 To grow up into all the fullness of Christ. 00:07:42.180 --> 00:07:47.300 What a huge theme of growth there is right through this passage. 00:07:47.459 --> 00:07:49.160 So number one here this morning, 00:07:49.340 --> 00:07:53.620 admonishing those who are slow to grow. 00:07:54.920 --> 00:07:55.680 All right? 00:07:55.759 --> 00:07:57.259 I think at the end of chapter 5, 00:07:57.319 --> 00:07:58.899 there's an admonishment here 00:07:58.899 --> 00:08:01.199 to those who are following Christ, 00:08:01.319 --> 00:08:02.980 but they're slow to grow. 00:08:04.100 --> 00:08:04.780 All right? 00:08:04.860 --> 00:08:07.220 Hebrews 5, verses 11 to 14. 00:08:07.220 --> 00:08:10.020 And it seems to me 00:08:10.020 --> 00:08:12.440 that there's a bit of a whooping coming in here. 00:08:12.500 --> 00:08:13.060 You know what I mean? 00:08:13.720 --> 00:08:14.960 There's a bit of a whooping coming 00:08:14.960 --> 00:08:17.560 to the people who are here 00:08:17.560 --> 00:08:18.580 who are following Christ, 00:08:18.700 --> 00:08:21.360 but they're not quite moving on as they should. 00:08:21.440 --> 00:08:22.960 There's a bit of a spanking 00:08:22.960 --> 00:08:24.420 that they're going to get here, 00:08:24.460 --> 00:08:25.240 and every now and again, 00:08:25.620 --> 00:08:26.980 it's good to get one of those. 00:08:27.260 --> 00:08:27.400 Okay? 00:08:27.500 --> 00:08:28.000 Verse 12. 00:08:28.420 --> 00:08:31.920 For though by this time, he says, 00:08:32.180 --> 00:08:34.560 you guys have had enough time 00:08:34.559 --> 00:08:36.959 to become teachers, he says, 00:08:37.000 --> 00:08:39.179 to have moved on to a place 00:08:39.179 --> 00:08:43.799 from having been taught things about Christ 00:08:43.799 --> 00:08:45.299 and what the Bible has to say 00:08:45.299 --> 00:08:47.119 about the Old Testament 00:08:47.119 --> 00:08:48.599 and Old Covenant insufficiencies 00:08:48.599 --> 00:08:49.699 and the fulfillment of Christ. 00:08:49.859 --> 00:08:52.279 You have had enough time now, he says. 00:08:52.419 --> 00:08:54.019 And this is a good pastoral thing. 00:08:54.699 --> 00:08:59.439 This is a good kind of pastoral place in the epistle. 00:09:00.079 --> 00:09:01.279 And I guess it's good for me 00:09:01.279 --> 00:09:03.399 to kind of swanee in and swanee out here today 00:09:03.399 --> 00:09:04.399 and give you a good whooping 00:09:04.399 --> 00:09:05.939 because I don't have to come back next Sunday. 00:09:06.959 --> 00:09:07.639 Right? Okay? 00:09:07.939 --> 00:09:09.799 So I can do this for John this morning. 00:09:10.439 --> 00:09:11.340 Every now and again, 00:09:11.419 --> 00:09:13.399 I think as congregations and followers of Christ, 00:09:13.480 --> 00:09:14.259 we need a good whooping. 00:09:14.819 --> 00:09:15.279 Don't we? 00:09:15.799 --> 00:09:17.519 We need to just get whooped into shape 00:09:17.519 --> 00:09:21.079 and to be admonished to grow up, 00:09:21.240 --> 00:09:22.179 to move on, 00:09:22.240 --> 00:09:23.959 to take advantage of everything 00:09:23.959 --> 00:09:24.980 the church is offering, 00:09:25.139 --> 00:09:26.159 the Spirit is offering, 00:09:26.699 --> 00:09:29.620 and to just make the most of the time 00:09:29.620 --> 00:09:30.579 God has given us. 00:09:30.720 --> 00:09:33.240 You ought to be teachers, he says. 00:09:33.399 --> 00:09:34.279 By now. 00:09:35.120 --> 00:09:38.620 God plans for his people to grow, doesn't he? 00:09:39.500 --> 00:09:41.379 He plans for his people to grow. 00:09:41.740 --> 00:09:43.740 What is spiritually alive, listen. 00:09:44.459 --> 00:09:47.179 What is spiritually alive grows. 00:09:47.860 --> 00:09:48.439 Doesn't it? 00:09:48.720 --> 00:09:49.480 Makes sense. 00:09:50.059 --> 00:09:53.319 Everything that's alive, by definition, grows. 00:09:53.899 --> 00:09:56.459 So what's spiritually alive grows. 00:09:56.460 --> 00:10:00.420 If nothing is growing in your body right now, 00:10:00.680 --> 00:10:03.379 if nothing is growing in your body right now, 00:10:03.440 --> 00:10:04.360 you're not alive. 00:10:05.300 --> 00:10:05.560 Okay? 00:10:05.780 --> 00:10:07.019 And by the looks of some of you this morning, 00:10:07.840 --> 00:10:08.240 okay? 00:10:08.240 --> 00:10:15.620 I am told that by the time that I finish this sentence, 00:10:16.120 --> 00:10:19.759 over 50 million new cells will have grown in our bodies. 00:10:19.759 --> 00:10:21.379 Because that's what happens when you're alive. 00:10:22.120 --> 00:10:22.320 Okay? 00:10:22.379 --> 00:10:22.860 That's a lot. 00:10:22.960 --> 00:10:25.060 That's pretty staggering, isn't it? 00:10:25.059 --> 00:10:28.500 But what's true physically is also true spiritually, 00:10:28.639 --> 00:10:29.259 according to God. 00:10:29.439 --> 00:10:32.099 So that even as your outer man is decaying, 00:10:32.159 --> 00:10:34.299 it's growing, but it's dying. 00:10:34.579 --> 00:10:36.399 It's a bit of a contradiction, but it's true. 00:10:36.819 --> 00:10:38.439 Even as your outer man is decaying, 00:10:38.479 --> 00:10:39.719 2 Corinthians 4.16, 00:10:40.159 --> 00:10:41.659 your inner man is what? 00:10:43.079 --> 00:10:45.299 It's being renewed day by day. 00:10:45.399 --> 00:10:45.919 It's growing. 00:10:46.259 --> 00:10:49.079 There is spiritual growth that God designs for you 00:10:49.079 --> 00:10:52.659 the moment you enter into fellowship with him. 00:10:52.659 --> 00:10:55.059 When you're born again, from that moment on, 00:10:55.159 --> 00:10:58.039 God's design for you is to grow. 00:10:58.159 --> 00:10:58.939 To live is to grow. 00:10:59.019 --> 00:10:59.980 It's what God wants. 00:11:00.079 --> 00:11:01.939 Ephesians 4.14-15, 00:11:02.079 --> 00:11:04.159 being built up to a mature manhood, 00:11:04.519 --> 00:11:06.799 no longer children tossed to and fro by the waves 00:11:06.799 --> 00:11:08.959 and carried about by every wind of doctrine, 00:11:09.079 --> 00:11:11.899 by human cunning and craftiness of deceitful schemes. 00:11:12.079 --> 00:11:15.199 Rather, God wants us to be speaking the truth in love 00:11:15.199 --> 00:11:16.620 and to grow up. 00:11:18.299 --> 00:11:20.339 He wants us to grow up 00:11:20.340 --> 00:11:22.980 in every way into him who is the head, 00:11:23.340 --> 00:11:24.019 even Christ. 00:11:24.120 --> 00:11:26.019 It's what God expects. 00:11:26.379 --> 00:11:29.800 And he provides everything that his people need to grow. 00:11:29.920 --> 00:11:30.920 Verse 13, look at it. 00:11:30.980 --> 00:11:32.620 He provides everything that we need. 00:11:33.000 --> 00:11:34.060 He doesn't just say grow, 00:11:34.300 --> 00:11:37.120 go find some food somewhere and grow. 00:11:37.259 --> 00:11:40.600 No, he provides spiritually everything we need. 00:11:41.160 --> 00:11:42.660 He gives us the food that we need 00:11:42.660 --> 00:11:45.720 and the spirit by which that food is incorporated 00:11:45.720 --> 00:11:47.279 into our hearts and our lives 00:11:47.279 --> 00:11:50.060 and brings about spiritual growth. 00:11:50.160 --> 00:11:52.259 I don't know the dynamics necessarily 00:11:52.259 --> 00:11:53.240 of how all that happens, 00:11:53.340 --> 00:11:55.420 but I know that he gives us all that we need. 00:11:55.500 --> 00:11:59.080 Verse 13, there's milk for the infants, right? 00:11:59.779 --> 00:12:01.139 There's milk for the infants 00:12:01.139 --> 00:12:05.740 and there is solid food for the mature, he says. 00:12:05.820 --> 00:12:07.879 God doesn't ram a steak down your throat 00:12:07.879 --> 00:12:09.100 if you're still teething. 00:12:10.660 --> 00:12:11.040 Okay? 00:12:11.860 --> 00:12:13.959 If you're a baby, you get it poured, 00:12:14.480 --> 00:12:15.399 the sense is here. 00:12:15.559 --> 00:12:18.219 If you're a toddler, you get it mashed. 00:12:19.079 --> 00:12:21.839 If you're a teenager, you get it from the chippy. 00:12:23.319 --> 00:12:25.419 If you're an adult, you get it medium rare 00:12:25.419 --> 00:12:27.019 with peppercorn sauce, right? 00:12:27.139 --> 00:12:30.539 I mean, it's just, that is what God gives us. 00:12:30.759 --> 00:12:32.339 The nature of it is here. 00:12:32.740 --> 00:12:33.399 There's milk. 00:12:33.539 --> 00:12:35.740 If you're immature, you get milk first. 00:12:35.839 --> 00:12:36.919 That's God wants you to have. 00:12:37.099 --> 00:12:38.819 But you don't stay with milk. 00:12:38.819 --> 00:12:40.259 You just, you don't. 00:12:40.259 --> 00:12:41.179 Nobody just stays. 00:12:41.259 --> 00:12:43.340 If you stay with milk, you're not gonna grow 00:12:43.340 --> 00:12:46.580 and become strong as God wants you to become strong. 00:12:46.679 --> 00:12:51.500 And so God gives us spiritually what we need in his word. 00:12:53.279 --> 00:12:54.559 And I've said this many times 00:12:54.559 --> 00:12:56.200 as I've gone through this passage 00:12:56.200 --> 00:12:57.519 and thought it many times 00:12:57.519 --> 00:12:58.639 as I've gone through this passage. 00:12:58.860 --> 00:13:00.819 There are many things about the Christian life. 00:13:00.919 --> 00:13:03.059 There's so much about the Christian life 00:13:03.059 --> 00:13:04.480 that I just so enjoy doing. 00:13:04.659 --> 00:13:06.700 I love to share fellowship with God's people. 00:13:06.799 --> 00:13:08.860 On a Sunday, it's one of my favorite days of the week. 00:13:08.860 --> 00:13:10.960 It's one of my busiest work days, but I love it. 00:13:11.759 --> 00:13:13.100 But that's not my spiritual food. 00:13:14.940 --> 00:13:17.200 I love to sing, right? 00:13:17.300 --> 00:13:18.879 Some great songs, good band. 00:13:19.100 --> 00:13:20.960 I love to sing, but that's not my spiritual food. 00:13:23.360 --> 00:13:24.279 I love to pray. 00:13:26.139 --> 00:13:28.919 Communion with God through the veil that is torn, 00:13:29.000 --> 00:13:30.759 that is Christ, that God has made a way for me to do. 00:13:30.759 --> 00:13:31.639 That's not my spiritual food. 00:13:31.639 --> 00:13:35.220 Specifically in the Bible. 00:13:35.319 --> 00:13:37.279 I mean, my spiritual food might be incorporated 00:13:37.279 --> 00:13:38.299 in some way there, 00:13:38.379 --> 00:13:40.519 but my spiritual food that God has given me 00:13:40.519 --> 00:13:41.939 is specifically his word. 00:13:42.819 --> 00:13:43.860 And the writer says here 00:13:43.860 --> 00:13:46.539 that you need to be trained by it, trained by it. 00:13:46.720 --> 00:13:47.419 You have to use it. 00:13:47.480 --> 00:13:48.840 You have to exercise with it. 00:13:49.120 --> 00:13:50.799 You have to be trained by it 00:13:50.799 --> 00:13:52.539 so that you can grow. 00:13:53.100 --> 00:13:55.860 And that is exactly what he provides for us in his word. 00:13:56.100 --> 00:13:57.519 So that, look at this, 00:13:57.519 --> 00:14:02.419 we can grow so that we can help others to grow, right? 00:14:03.500 --> 00:14:05.259 Listen, he says, pleading with him, 00:14:05.539 --> 00:14:08.699 you ought to be what by now? 00:14:09.659 --> 00:14:11.860 Teachers, teachers, I want you to grow 00:14:11.860 --> 00:14:13.379 so that you can pass this on. 00:14:13.639 --> 00:14:15.079 You got to teach somebody else. 00:14:15.720 --> 00:14:16.659 God is going to take his word. 00:14:16.720 --> 00:14:17.639 He's going to pour it into your heart. 00:14:17.699 --> 00:14:18.720 That happens in Sunday services. 00:14:18.819 --> 00:14:19.879 That happens in your Bible studies. 00:14:20.000 --> 00:14:21.559 That happens when you open the word of God 00:14:21.559 --> 00:14:22.419 in your private devotions. 00:14:22.480 --> 00:14:23.439 It happens in loads of places. 00:14:23.759 --> 00:14:24.939 The word is the source. 00:14:25.600 --> 00:14:27.340 The spirit is the power, the interpreter. 00:14:27.519 --> 00:14:28.279 of that. 00:14:28.399 --> 00:14:29.759 And by it, God causes us to grow. 00:14:29.840 --> 00:14:30.799 But it doesn't stop there. 00:14:30.860 --> 00:14:32.620 You don't just become big and fat. 00:14:32.779 --> 00:14:37.220 You exercise that in how you serve and teach others. 00:14:38.360 --> 00:14:41.220 But he says, you need now someone to teach you 00:14:41.220 --> 00:14:44.919 the elementary truths of God's word all over again. 00:14:45.240 --> 00:14:46.539 Can you hear his breaking heart? 00:14:46.620 --> 00:14:49.159 I want you to be somewhere you're not there. 00:14:49.919 --> 00:14:51.559 It's a very pastoral epistle here. 00:14:52.000 --> 00:14:52.980 I want you to be somewhere, 00:14:53.039 --> 00:14:55.779 and I think every pastor probably feels this about their flock. 00:14:55.779 --> 00:14:57.279 The elders feel this way about their flock. 00:14:57.279 --> 00:14:59.899 You just want people to be, listen, 00:15:00.059 --> 00:15:02.519 I want to be beyond where I know that I am. 00:15:04.139 --> 00:15:06.459 I want to be beyond where I know that I am, 00:15:06.480 --> 00:15:10.539 and we want our churches to be beyond where we know that they are. 00:15:10.600 --> 00:15:11.579 It's breaking his heart. 00:15:13.079 --> 00:15:15.740 And that's why we have training and equipping ministries in the church, 00:15:15.799 --> 00:15:16.220 isn't it? 00:15:16.620 --> 00:15:18.639 Why we encourage people to read their Bibles, 00:15:18.779 --> 00:15:21.159 because after we're taught, God wants us to teach. 00:15:21.240 --> 00:15:23.339 2 Timothy 2.2, the things that you've heard from me 00:15:23.340 --> 00:15:25.800 in the presence of many witnesses, Paul says to Timothy, 00:15:25.899 --> 00:15:30.019 I want you to entrust the faithful men who will then be able to teach others. 00:15:30.280 --> 00:15:32.840 Also, there are four generations there. 00:15:32.920 --> 00:15:35.780 I've got a photograph at home of my brother's family 00:15:35.780 --> 00:15:39.639 with my grandfather, my father, my brother, and my nephew. 00:15:39.759 --> 00:15:40.540 Four generations. 00:15:41.340 --> 00:15:42.440 And there's four generations here. 00:15:42.440 --> 00:15:42.920 It's great. 00:15:43.060 --> 00:15:43.560 It's great. 00:15:43.760 --> 00:15:45.280 That is what God wants us to do. 00:15:45.360 --> 00:15:46.880 It's called discipleship. 00:15:47.460 --> 00:15:49.260 Verse 14, to be spiritually discerning, 00:15:49.580 --> 00:15:51.000 to distinguish good and evil, 00:15:51.360 --> 00:15:53.980 literally to discern what is good and what is not. 00:15:54.340 --> 00:15:56.600 So to know God, to know self, to know truth, 00:15:56.720 --> 00:15:57.960 to know good, to know evil, 00:15:58.500 --> 00:16:00.840 and not just to know it, 00:16:00.880 --> 00:16:03.600 but to have our senses trained to discern it. 00:16:03.640 --> 00:16:06.100 That's what the word of God does for us. 00:16:06.100 --> 00:16:11.639 Spurgeon once said of Bunyan that Bunyan's blood, 00:16:11.759 --> 00:16:13.240 he thought, was bibline. 00:16:14.320 --> 00:16:16.960 The guy's blood, he said, was bibline. 00:16:17.240 --> 00:16:19.159 That means you could cut him anywhere 00:16:19.159 --> 00:16:21.019 and he would just bleed Bible verses. 00:16:22.180 --> 00:16:24.100 He would just bleed Bible verses. 00:16:25.080 --> 00:16:27.399 And I think that is the definition of Christian maturity. 00:16:27.860 --> 00:16:30.540 It is when your involuntary responses, 00:16:30.539 --> 00:16:36.319 when your involuntary responses are biblical. 00:16:36.839 --> 00:16:37.799 That's Christian maturity. 00:16:38.139 --> 00:16:38.959 So you don't have to think, 00:16:39.039 --> 00:16:40.240 well, I got to go run, find my Bible 00:16:40.240 --> 00:16:41.740 to figure out how I respond to this situation. 00:16:41.819 --> 00:16:45.620 No, your involuntary responses are biblical. 00:16:45.779 --> 00:16:46.360 You just do it. 00:16:46.439 --> 00:16:47.120 It's in your blood. 00:16:47.539 --> 00:16:48.079 It's okay. 00:16:48.279 --> 00:16:50.120 That's kind of the idea here. 00:16:50.379 --> 00:16:54.360 Okay, so he's exhorting them not to be slow to grow 00:16:54.360 --> 00:16:57.019 because, and here's the second point, 00:16:57.439 --> 00:16:59.360 believe it or not, there are those, 00:16:59.360 --> 00:17:02.600 there are some who say no to grow. 00:17:04.380 --> 00:17:07.039 There are some who say no to grow. 00:17:07.140 --> 00:17:09.740 And I think that's the first eight verses here of chapter six. 00:17:09.819 --> 00:17:11.039 It's a very tricky passage. 00:17:11.180 --> 00:17:13.599 There's loads of different ideas 00:17:13.599 --> 00:17:16.019 about what the writer may be saying here. 00:17:16.099 --> 00:17:18.220 It's not an easy passage to interpret, 00:17:18.420 --> 00:17:20.660 but he's following on in whatever you think. 00:17:20.819 --> 00:17:23.579 He is following on directly from what he's just said here 00:17:23.579 --> 00:17:24.500 at the end of chapter five 00:17:24.500 --> 00:17:26.980 because he starts chapter six with the word therefore. 00:17:26.980 --> 00:17:30.059 So he's following on directly in some way 00:17:30.059 --> 00:17:31.920 from what he's just said. 00:17:33.160 --> 00:17:38.279 Therefore, because it's so crucial 00:17:38.279 --> 00:17:41.019 that we grow as those born again in Christ, 00:17:41.259 --> 00:17:42.420 because that's true, 00:17:42.500 --> 00:17:45.720 because God so wants that for us as his children, 00:17:46.339 --> 00:17:47.980 the writer says, let's move beyond. 00:17:48.720 --> 00:17:52.799 Let's not just stay with those elementary teachings. 00:17:52.799 --> 00:17:58.639 Let's not just stay with the ABCs of the Christian life. 00:17:58.720 --> 00:18:00.259 Let's move beyond that. 00:18:00.319 --> 00:18:02.700 Let's not get stuck in infancy. 00:18:03.119 --> 00:18:06.879 Let's move forward to maturity, he says, verse three. 00:18:07.220 --> 00:18:09.259 And this we will do. 00:18:10.579 --> 00:18:12.519 As followers of Christ, as believers in Christ, 00:18:12.579 --> 00:18:14.299 he says, this we will do. 00:18:14.440 --> 00:18:16.599 God's entire intention for us 00:18:16.599 --> 00:18:19.319 is through the gospel to be born again. 00:18:19.319 --> 00:18:21.059 And then as we're born again as infants, 00:18:21.279 --> 00:18:23.339 to feed upon his word and to grow. 00:18:23.480 --> 00:18:24.599 That's what God wants. 00:18:24.859 --> 00:18:26.159 And this we will do. 00:18:26.240 --> 00:18:29.599 We will move on from those elementary principles. 00:18:31.539 --> 00:18:34.579 And then he says this, if God permits. 00:18:35.980 --> 00:18:39.799 Now, that's a strange thing to say, I think. 00:18:40.740 --> 00:18:42.720 And could be a hinge here, 00:18:42.759 --> 00:18:46.519 or it could be a hint here in understanding the passage. 00:18:46.619 --> 00:18:47.379 I think it is. 00:18:47.380 --> 00:18:49.080 It's a strange thing to say, why on earth 00:18:49.080 --> 00:18:53.700 would God not permit growth in Christ? 00:18:54.800 --> 00:18:57.640 Why would God not permit growth in Christ? 00:18:57.760 --> 00:18:59.260 Well, here's what I think he's saying. 00:18:59.500 --> 00:19:01.660 I think he's saying that growth in Christ 00:19:01.660 --> 00:19:05.020 requires life in Christ. 00:19:07.240 --> 00:19:07.680 Okay? 00:19:07.960 --> 00:19:10.300 Growth in Christ requires life in Christ. 00:19:10.360 --> 00:19:10.960 Does that make sense? 00:19:12.220 --> 00:19:14.320 Growth in Christ requires life in Christ. 00:19:14.319 --> 00:19:18.200 Could it be that there are people here among this crowd 00:19:18.200 --> 00:19:21.279 that he's writing to who are trying to grow in Christ, 00:19:21.619 --> 00:19:23.059 but who don't yet have him? 00:19:23.740 --> 00:19:25.240 They're trying to grow in Christ. 00:19:25.319 --> 00:19:27.919 They hear the exhortations that are coming down 00:19:27.919 --> 00:19:30.339 from the writer here, and they're trying to grow in Christ, 00:19:30.460 --> 00:19:33.720 but there's a problem with them being able to grow in Christ 00:19:33.720 --> 00:19:35.899 because they don't yet have Christ. 00:19:35.900 --> 00:19:37.980 I remember a young girl at Corubbers years ago 00:19:37.980 --> 00:19:42.200 sharing her story that for years she had come along to church 00:19:42.200 --> 00:19:45.160 and she tried to live the Christian life without Christ. 00:19:45.240 --> 00:19:46.060 That was her words. 00:19:47.500 --> 00:19:49.580 And she said, for years I've been trying to live 00:19:49.580 --> 00:19:51.140 the Christian life without Christ. 00:19:51.240 --> 00:19:53.320 I've been a part of this kind of Christian community, 00:19:53.320 --> 00:19:55.160 and I've been going through all emotions, 00:19:55.880 --> 00:20:00.019 but I had never responded to Christ personally. 00:20:00.500 --> 00:20:03.080 And I was just, she was killing herself. 00:20:03.079 --> 00:20:04.599 She was killing herself. 00:20:05.679 --> 00:20:09.079 Can you imagine trying to produce spiritual life 00:20:09.079 --> 00:20:11.220 when there's no spiritual life in you? 00:20:12.000 --> 00:20:14.779 Can you imagine trying to evidence the fruit of the Spirit? 00:20:15.299 --> 00:20:17.859 You know, trying to love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, 00:20:18.000 --> 00:20:19.720 kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, 00:20:19.819 --> 00:20:21.779 to do all that without the Spirit? 00:20:22.460 --> 00:20:22.939 And you know what? 00:20:22.960 --> 00:20:23.960 I think a lot of people do. 00:20:24.980 --> 00:20:26.159 I think a lot of people do. 00:20:26.500 --> 00:20:28.579 And sometimes the fruit even looks like fruit, 00:20:28.659 --> 00:20:31.740 but if you were to grab it and be like one of those pieces 00:20:31.740 --> 00:20:34.460 is a Christmas plastic fruit that you see. 00:20:34.799 --> 00:20:35.539 You'd bite into it. 00:20:35.559 --> 00:20:36.120 It wouldn't be real. 00:20:36.160 --> 00:20:37.700 It just looks good, but it's plastic. 00:20:38.579 --> 00:20:40.579 Trying to live the Christian life without Christ. 00:20:40.759 --> 00:20:42.500 Folks, I think a lot of people do this. 00:20:42.960 --> 00:20:44.819 And why would it be any different in the first century? 00:20:45.799 --> 00:20:48.980 Especially when many of these folks, 00:20:49.059 --> 00:20:50.940 it seems like, had a very good working knowledge 00:20:50.940 --> 00:20:52.359 of the Old Covenant, the Old Testament. 00:20:53.059 --> 00:20:54.299 But something that I learned, 00:20:54.440 --> 00:20:56.359 especially when I went to Israel and talked to these Jews, 00:20:56.440 --> 00:20:57.559 is you can't stop there. 00:20:57.839 --> 00:20:59.299 That is not the end of the story. 00:20:59.299 --> 00:21:00.700 That's only the beginning of the story 00:21:00.700 --> 00:21:02.859 and is the preparation for something 00:21:02.859 --> 00:21:05.359 that is the fulfillment of all the shadowy insufficiencies. 00:21:05.539 --> 00:21:07.599 You can't stop with the shadowy insufficiencies 00:21:07.599 --> 00:21:09.599 and expect to grow in Christ 00:21:09.599 --> 00:21:11.240 when you haven't embraced Christ. 00:21:13.200 --> 00:21:13.519 Okay? 00:21:13.779 --> 00:21:17.440 And I think that's what seems to be going on here. 00:21:19.440 --> 00:21:20.720 Could it be that some of these Hebrews 00:21:20.720 --> 00:21:23.039 are still hanging on to the shadowy insufficiencies 00:21:23.039 --> 00:21:23.859 of the Old Covenant, 00:21:24.079 --> 00:21:26.379 and the reason why God won't permit further growth 00:21:26.379 --> 00:21:27.779 and development spiritually for them 00:21:27.779 --> 00:21:30.139 is because some of them don't even have a life 00:21:30.139 --> 00:21:31.940 to grow in the first place. 00:21:32.740 --> 00:21:33.220 Verse 4. 00:21:33.339 --> 00:21:35.859 It's impossible for those who have not watched this, 00:21:35.980 --> 00:21:37.119 because here's a tough bit. 00:21:37.339 --> 00:21:38.839 It's impossible for those who have been, 00:21:38.940 --> 00:21:40.440 once been enlightened. 00:21:42.180 --> 00:21:43.779 I want you to think through how, 00:21:43.899 --> 00:21:44.920 particularly Paul teaches, 00:21:45.000 --> 00:21:46.799 some people think Paul is the author here, 00:21:46.839 --> 00:21:47.480 I'm not quite sure. 00:21:48.700 --> 00:21:49.779 But I want you to think specifically 00:21:50.339 --> 00:21:51.379 of a book like Romans 00:21:51.379 --> 00:21:54.339 and how crystal clear Paul is 00:21:54.339 --> 00:21:55.899 in the terminology that he uses 00:21:55.900 --> 00:21:57.080 when he addresses salvation. 00:21:58.280 --> 00:21:59.380 Think about the New Testament 00:21:59.380 --> 00:22:00.820 and how crystal clear 00:22:00.820 --> 00:22:02.560 the epistle writers are 00:22:02.560 --> 00:22:04.019 when they use terminology 00:22:04.019 --> 00:22:05.540 to refer to salvation. 00:22:05.720 --> 00:22:06.900 And then listen to what he says here. 00:22:07.100 --> 00:22:09.100 Who have once been enlightened, 00:22:10.259 --> 00:22:13.980 who have tasted the heavenly gift, 00:22:14.540 --> 00:22:16.240 who've shared in the Holy Spirit. 00:22:16.340 --> 00:22:17.000 Now watch that one. 00:22:17.040 --> 00:22:18.980 Who've shared in the Holy Spirit. 00:22:20.060 --> 00:22:22.120 I didn't say become temples of the Holy Spirit 00:22:22.119 --> 00:22:23.000 or indwelt by the Holy Spirit. 00:22:23.079 --> 00:22:24.699 Just shared in the Holy Spirit. 00:22:24.799 --> 00:22:26.439 Who've tasted all this, 00:22:26.579 --> 00:22:27.799 this is kind of funny terminology. 00:22:28.199 --> 00:22:28.739 It's different. 00:22:28.899 --> 00:22:29.299 It's different. 00:22:30.179 --> 00:22:31.359 Regardless of what you think of it here, 00:22:31.379 --> 00:22:31.939 it's different. 00:22:33.019 --> 00:22:33.639 Very different. 00:22:34.039 --> 00:22:35.759 Tasted the goodness of the Word of God 00:22:35.759 --> 00:22:37.019 and the powers of the age. 00:22:37.119 --> 00:22:38.679 There's a lot of tasting going on here. 00:22:38.739 --> 00:22:39.559 Have you guys ever gone to like 00:22:39.559 --> 00:22:41.079 a taste kind of deal with food? 00:22:41.839 --> 00:22:42.779 And you're not really eating it, 00:22:42.819 --> 00:22:44.039 you're just kind of sampling it? 00:22:44.959 --> 00:22:45.679 Okay, you right? 00:22:45.779 --> 00:22:46.159 You with me? 00:22:46.259 --> 00:22:46.659 Just kind of, 00:22:46.739 --> 00:22:48.539 it's a taste session or whatever. 00:22:48.539 --> 00:22:50.119 I don't like going to those 00:22:50.119 --> 00:22:50.940 because if I really like it, 00:22:50.980 --> 00:22:52.200 I want to just kind of gouge myself. 00:22:52.399 --> 00:22:53.639 You can't do that. 00:22:55.200 --> 00:22:56.480 Taste of the powers of the age has come. 00:22:56.839 --> 00:22:57.759 It's impossible for them 00:22:57.759 --> 00:22:59.299 who've had that experience 00:22:59.299 --> 00:23:00.579 and who have fallen away, 00:23:00.740 --> 00:23:01.579 gone back. 00:23:03.579 --> 00:23:04.940 It is impossible, he says, 00:23:04.980 --> 00:23:06.879 for them to be brought back to repentance 00:23:06.879 --> 00:23:08.159 because to their loss, 00:23:08.460 --> 00:23:09.940 they're crucifying the Son of God 00:23:09.940 --> 00:23:10.819 all over again 00:23:10.819 --> 00:23:13.819 and subjecting Him to public disgrace. 00:23:13.819 --> 00:23:20.079 So they're being given 00:23:20.079 --> 00:23:22.399 all that they need to have 00:23:22.399 --> 00:23:25.539 to move on from those shadowy insufficiencies, 00:23:25.720 --> 00:23:27.939 but something's not moving on. 00:23:28.899 --> 00:23:29.559 They're being given, 00:23:29.779 --> 00:23:31.480 these guys I think have been exposed to, 00:23:31.779 --> 00:23:33.359 and they've been given all that they need 00:23:33.359 --> 00:23:35.000 to move on from the shadowy insufficiency, 00:23:35.119 --> 00:23:36.139 but I don't think they yet have. 00:23:36.200 --> 00:23:37.659 They've somehow gone back 00:23:37.659 --> 00:23:39.119 to the shadowy insufficiency. 00:23:39.419 --> 00:23:42.220 So yes, they've been exposed to gospel truth. 00:23:42.740 --> 00:23:43.439 They've been enlightened. 00:23:43.440 --> 00:23:44.259 I think a lot of people 00:23:44.259 --> 00:23:45.400 are exposed to gospel truth 00:23:45.400 --> 00:23:47.220 and are enlightened, right? 00:23:47.279 --> 00:23:48.380 Every time we share the gospel 00:23:48.380 --> 00:23:49.160 with an unbeliever, 00:23:49.299 --> 00:23:50.920 they've been enlightened to gospel truth. 00:23:51.279 --> 00:23:52.660 They now have heard gospel truth 00:23:52.660 --> 00:23:53.799 and we believe that the Holy Spirit 00:23:53.799 --> 00:23:55.340 can take that gospel truth, 00:23:55.460 --> 00:23:56.519 Romans 1.16, 00:23:56.640 --> 00:23:57.500 and that is the power of God 00:23:57.500 --> 00:23:58.640 for salvation, the gospel. 00:23:59.180 --> 00:23:59.820 But it doesn't mean 00:23:59.820 --> 00:24:01.100 that just when they hear the gospel truth, 00:24:01.160 --> 00:24:02.100 they're automatically saved. 00:24:02.279 --> 00:24:02.820 We know that. 00:24:02.880 --> 00:24:03.820 We know we share the gospel 00:24:03.820 --> 00:24:04.640 with a lot of people 00:24:04.640 --> 00:24:06.259 who aren't automatically saved. 00:24:06.480 --> 00:24:07.580 So they've been enlightened. 00:24:08.019 --> 00:24:08.500 They now know 00:24:08.500 --> 00:24:09.500 what they didn't know before, 00:24:09.640 --> 00:24:10.940 and wow, that's a great thing 00:24:10.940 --> 00:24:11.860 that we can do for them. 00:24:11.860 --> 00:24:13.259 They've been exposed to gospel truth. 00:24:13.620 --> 00:24:14.600 Yes, these people here 00:24:14.600 --> 00:24:16.799 have tasted the heavenly gift, 00:24:17.059 --> 00:24:17.720 just tasted. 00:24:18.980 --> 00:24:21.180 Yes, they've shared in the Holy Spirit, 00:24:21.240 --> 00:24:22.600 and I suggest they've shared 00:24:22.600 --> 00:24:23.160 in the Holy Spirit 00:24:23.160 --> 00:24:24.420 in the sense that they've partaken 00:24:24.420 --> 00:24:25.620 of his convicting 00:24:25.620 --> 00:24:27.240 and illuminating work in their lives. 00:24:27.279 --> 00:24:28.620 But that is not the end of the story. 00:24:28.680 --> 00:24:29.220 The Bible says 00:24:29.220 --> 00:24:30.940 that we have to then believe. 00:24:31.680 --> 00:24:33.059 It's not just when the Spirit of God 00:24:33.059 --> 00:24:34.420 convicts us that we're saved. 00:24:34.539 --> 00:24:36.279 We have to respond to that, don't we? 00:24:36.400 --> 00:24:38.820 As many as received him, 00:24:38.820 --> 00:24:39.980 John 1.12, 00:24:40.259 --> 00:24:41.039 he gave the right 00:24:41.039 --> 00:24:42.099 to become children of God. 00:24:42.200 --> 00:24:43.680 Not just giving them the truth. 00:24:43.779 --> 00:24:44.799 We have to respond 00:24:44.799 --> 00:24:45.920 to the truth. 00:24:46.639 --> 00:24:47.119 And I could give you 00:24:47.119 --> 00:24:47.920 a whole story 00:24:47.920 --> 00:24:48.759 about my own life there, 00:24:48.819 --> 00:24:49.599 but I don't have time. 00:24:51.200 --> 00:24:51.559 Okay? 00:24:52.299 --> 00:24:53.240 They've partaken 00:24:53.240 --> 00:24:53.899 of the convicting, 00:24:54.059 --> 00:24:54.759 illuminating work 00:24:54.759 --> 00:24:56.339 of the Spirit in their lives. 00:24:56.379 --> 00:24:56.879 If you have a problem 00:24:56.879 --> 00:24:57.339 with somebody 00:24:57.339 --> 00:24:58.779 sharing in the Holy Spirit 00:24:58.779 --> 00:24:59.740 and not being a believer, 00:25:00.039 --> 00:25:00.680 be a believer, 00:25:00.779 --> 00:25:02.200 then think of Judas Iscariot. 00:25:02.600 --> 00:25:03.500 Because as far as I know, 00:25:03.559 --> 00:25:04.220 Judas Iscariot, 00:25:04.259 --> 00:25:05.180 along with the other 12, 00:25:05.259 --> 00:25:07.380 went out when the 12 were sent out 00:25:07.380 --> 00:25:08.259 and he had the power 00:25:08.259 --> 00:25:09.240 of the Spirit in his life 00:25:09.240 --> 00:25:10.420 to do the, you know, 00:25:10.559 --> 00:25:12.039 to cast out the demons 00:25:12.039 --> 00:25:12.680 and heal people 00:25:12.680 --> 00:25:13.860 just like the rest of them did. 00:25:14.420 --> 00:25:14.860 And yet we know 00:25:14.860 --> 00:25:15.779 that he was a son of perdition. 00:25:15.840 --> 00:25:16.580 So the Spirit was there. 00:25:16.620 --> 00:25:17.460 You can be a sharer, 00:25:17.840 --> 00:25:18.400 I would say, 00:25:18.480 --> 00:25:19.819 in the work of the Spirit 00:25:19.819 --> 00:25:20.400 in your life, 00:25:20.740 --> 00:25:21.779 but not be a believer. 00:25:21.880 --> 00:25:22.799 And yes, the writer says here, 00:25:22.860 --> 00:25:23.700 they've tasted again 00:25:23.700 --> 00:25:24.180 of the goodness 00:25:24.180 --> 00:25:25.340 of the Word of God 00:25:25.340 --> 00:25:25.940 and the powers 00:25:25.940 --> 00:25:27.120 of the coming age. 00:25:27.180 --> 00:25:27.500 In fact, 00:25:27.640 --> 00:25:28.340 some of these, 00:25:28.880 --> 00:25:31.000 some theologians would think, 00:25:31.000 --> 00:25:31.980 some of these folks 00:25:31.980 --> 00:25:33.259 that are being written to here, 00:25:33.339 --> 00:25:34.720 some of them may have even seen 00:25:34.720 --> 00:25:36.140 the Lord Jesus Christ in person. 00:25:36.640 --> 00:25:37.799 Some of them may have even seen 00:25:37.799 --> 00:25:39.079 the Lord Jesus Christ in person. 00:25:39.519 --> 00:25:40.259 And if not, 00:25:40.819 --> 00:25:41.779 then they've certainly 00:25:41.779 --> 00:25:42.859 heard the apostles. 00:25:43.079 --> 00:25:43.900 We know that from earlier 00:25:43.900 --> 00:25:44.680 chapters of Hebrews. 00:25:45.000 --> 00:25:45.759 They've certainly heard 00:25:45.759 --> 00:25:46.279 the apostles 00:25:46.279 --> 00:25:47.740 and may have even seen 00:25:47.740 --> 00:25:48.720 the miraculous works 00:25:48.720 --> 00:25:50.500 that the apostles have done 00:25:50.500 --> 00:25:52.019 as a taste of the power 00:25:52.019 --> 00:25:52.779 of the age to come. 00:25:52.839 --> 00:25:53.279 They've seen it, 00:25:53.319 --> 00:25:53.799 they've tasted it. 00:25:53.799 --> 00:25:54.279 And I think it's what 00:25:54.279 --> 00:25:54.980 he's referring to. 00:25:55.740 --> 00:25:56.140 However, 00:25:56.279 --> 00:25:57.460 what it seems that some of them 00:25:57.460 --> 00:25:58.400 haven't done, 00:25:58.400 --> 00:26:00.740 and this is why 00:26:00.740 --> 00:26:02.060 they can't move on to maturity. 00:26:02.400 --> 00:26:03.360 What they haven't done 00:26:03.360 --> 00:26:04.960 is they haven't broken away 00:26:04.960 --> 00:26:05.620 from the shadows 00:26:05.620 --> 00:26:06.340 of the Old Covenant. 00:26:06.880 --> 00:26:07.940 They haven't broken away 00:26:07.940 --> 00:26:08.480 from the shadows 00:26:08.480 --> 00:26:09.180 of the Old Covenant. 00:26:09.900 --> 00:26:10.880 And they haven't placed 00:26:10.880 --> 00:26:11.620 their faith and trust 00:26:11.620 --> 00:26:12.380 fully and completely 00:26:12.380 --> 00:26:13.640 in the New Covenant 00:26:13.640 --> 00:26:14.560 work of Christ. 00:26:14.820 --> 00:26:15.780 That's what he's exhorting 00:26:15.780 --> 00:26:16.400 them to do. 00:26:16.480 --> 00:26:17.620 You have to do this. 00:26:18.200 --> 00:26:19.340 They're fully aware 00:26:19.340 --> 00:26:20.519 of the Old Covenant. 00:26:20.720 --> 00:26:21.420 He writes to them. 00:26:21.500 --> 00:26:22.480 He makes mention 00:26:22.480 --> 00:26:24.200 constantly back 00:26:24.200 --> 00:26:26.320 to the writings 00:26:26.320 --> 00:26:26.960 of the Old Testament. 00:26:27.040 --> 00:26:27.860 So they're very familiar. 00:26:27.859 --> 00:26:28.659 If they're not Jews, 00:26:28.819 --> 00:26:29.899 they're at least familiar 00:26:29.899 --> 00:26:30.659 with the Old Covenant. 00:26:31.679 --> 00:26:32.479 But that's where 00:26:32.479 --> 00:26:33.759 they have stopped. 00:26:34.439 --> 00:26:35.159 They've not fully 00:26:35.159 --> 00:26:35.839 embraced Christ. 00:26:35.919 --> 00:26:36.679 And if that's right, 00:26:36.919 --> 00:26:38.099 then all these descriptions 00:26:38.099 --> 00:26:39.399 about tasting and sharing 00:26:39.399 --> 00:26:40.679 are all demonstrations 00:26:40.679 --> 00:26:42.139 of something of the work 00:26:42.139 --> 00:26:43.039 of the Spirit of God 00:26:43.039 --> 00:26:43.859 and the grace of God 00:26:43.859 --> 00:26:45.159 in these people's lives. 00:26:46.259 --> 00:26:47.500 Enlightened, tasted, shared. 00:26:47.819 --> 00:26:48.759 But he never says 00:26:48.759 --> 00:26:49.539 they've believed. 00:26:49.699 --> 00:26:50.359 He never says 00:26:50.359 --> 00:26:51.019 they believed. 00:26:51.799 --> 00:26:52.599 And that has always 00:26:52.599 --> 00:26:53.259 bothered me 00:26:53.259 --> 00:26:54.000 about this section. 00:26:54.119 --> 00:26:54.759 He never says 00:26:54.759 --> 00:26:55.579 they've believed. 00:26:55.919 --> 00:26:56.579 He never says 00:26:56.579 --> 00:26:57.720 that they've been transformed. 00:26:58.659 --> 00:26:59.240 He never says 00:26:59.240 --> 00:27:00.339 that they've been saved, 00:27:00.539 --> 00:27:00.899 delivered. 00:27:01.059 --> 00:27:02.059 That's terminology 00:27:02.059 --> 00:27:03.019 that the New Testament 00:27:03.019 --> 00:27:04.059 uses again and again 00:27:04.059 --> 00:27:04.379 and again 00:27:04.379 --> 00:27:05.799 with respect to salvation. 00:27:05.919 --> 00:27:06.480 On the contrary, 00:27:06.599 --> 00:27:07.960 they can't grow in Christ 00:27:07.960 --> 00:27:09.139 because they don't have 00:27:09.139 --> 00:27:10.199 life in Christ. 00:27:10.659 --> 00:27:11.500 Even though they've been 00:27:11.500 --> 00:27:12.500 exposed to everything 00:27:12.500 --> 00:27:13.559 they need to get it. 00:27:14.319 --> 00:27:15.039 Think about that. 00:27:16.159 --> 00:27:16.919 I think that's exactly 00:27:16.919 --> 00:27:17.720 why then he gives 00:27:17.720 --> 00:27:18.839 this illustration 00:27:18.839 --> 00:27:19.919 about the land 00:27:19.919 --> 00:27:21.399 that comes next 00:27:21.399 --> 00:27:22.079 that John read. 00:27:23.039 --> 00:27:23.740 That's why I think 00:27:23.740 --> 00:27:24.559 he gives the illustration. 00:27:24.779 --> 00:27:25.379 Think about it. 00:27:25.380 --> 00:27:26.760 The illustration 00:27:26.760 --> 00:27:27.360 of the land. 00:27:27.500 --> 00:27:27.820 First, 00:27:28.080 --> 00:27:28.720 about the land 00:27:28.720 --> 00:27:29.960 that drinks in the rain 00:27:29.960 --> 00:27:31.480 that often falls on it 00:27:31.480 --> 00:27:32.920 and produces a crop. 00:27:33.420 --> 00:27:34.120 I think those 00:27:34.120 --> 00:27:36.060 are the ones 00:27:36.060 --> 00:27:37.560 who have received 00:27:37.560 --> 00:27:38.160 the gospel 00:27:38.160 --> 00:27:39.680 and now the job 00:27:39.680 --> 00:27:40.960 is to drink in the rain 00:27:40.960 --> 00:27:41.420 and grow. 00:27:41.540 --> 00:27:42.540 Don't be slow to grow. 00:27:43.580 --> 00:27:44.040 There are some 00:27:44.040 --> 00:27:44.800 that drink in the rain 00:27:44.800 --> 00:27:45.360 that falls upon it 00:27:45.360 --> 00:27:46.000 and produce a crop. 00:27:46.100 --> 00:27:47.740 Useful for whom 00:27:47.740 --> 00:27:48.660 it's farmed. 00:27:48.780 --> 00:27:49.520 They receive the blessing 00:27:49.520 --> 00:27:49.880 of God. 00:27:49.960 --> 00:27:50.520 But second, 00:27:51.040 --> 00:27:52.140 the land that drinks 00:27:52.140 --> 00:27:53.100 the same rain. 00:27:53.099 --> 00:27:55.459 The land that drinks 00:27:55.459 --> 00:27:56.399 the same rain 00:27:56.399 --> 00:27:57.199 but produces thorns 00:27:57.199 --> 00:27:57.719 and thistles. 00:27:58.000 --> 00:27:58.579 No life. 00:27:59.019 --> 00:27:59.859 No evidence of life. 00:27:59.939 --> 00:28:00.439 It's worthless 00:28:00.439 --> 00:28:01.759 and it is in danger 00:28:01.759 --> 00:28:03.119 of being cursed. 00:28:04.019 --> 00:28:06.299 Two kinds of ground there, 00:28:06.399 --> 00:28:06.619 right? 00:28:06.719 --> 00:28:07.299 Regardless of how 00:28:07.299 --> 00:28:07.980 you interpret it. 00:28:08.240 --> 00:28:10.000 Two kinds of ground. 00:28:10.159 --> 00:28:11.139 One that drinks 00:28:11.139 --> 00:28:11.639 and produces. 00:28:11.919 --> 00:28:12.559 One that drinks 00:28:12.559 --> 00:28:13.699 and doesn't produce. 00:28:13.700 --> 00:28:17.059 And I think we know 00:28:17.059 --> 00:28:17.440 that there are 00:28:17.440 --> 00:28:18.519 two kinds of people 00:28:18.519 --> 00:28:21.680 in the world. 00:28:21.940 --> 00:28:22.799 Sometimes even 00:28:22.799 --> 00:28:23.500 in the church. 00:28:24.920 --> 00:28:25.860 Those who do move 00:28:25.860 --> 00:28:26.480 on to maturity 00:28:26.480 --> 00:28:27.519 because they have life 00:28:27.519 --> 00:28:28.460 and those who are exposed 00:28:28.460 --> 00:28:29.279 to the same grace, 00:28:29.400 --> 00:28:29.940 same gospel, 00:28:30.340 --> 00:28:30.980 same convicting 00:28:30.980 --> 00:28:31.620 and convincing 00:28:31.620 --> 00:28:32.580 Holy Spirit 00:28:32.580 --> 00:28:33.299 but don't produce 00:28:33.299 --> 00:28:33.680 a crop 00:28:33.680 --> 00:28:34.860 because they don't 00:28:34.860 --> 00:28:35.519 have the life 00:28:35.519 --> 00:28:36.039 that it takes 00:28:36.039 --> 00:28:36.720 to move on 00:28:36.720 --> 00:28:37.720 to maturity. 00:28:37.720 --> 00:28:38.380 Having never 00:28:38.380 --> 00:28:38.960 gotten beyond 00:28:38.960 --> 00:28:39.600 the shadowy 00:28:39.600 --> 00:28:40.340 insufficiencies 00:28:40.340 --> 00:28:42.660 of the past. 00:28:42.660 --> 00:28:43.580 Even though they've 00:28:43.580 --> 00:28:44.019 been exposed 00:28:44.019 --> 00:28:44.660 to the reality, 00:28:44.800 --> 00:28:45.140 the power, 00:28:45.240 --> 00:28:45.720 the sufficiency, 00:28:45.960 --> 00:28:47.500 the eternal adequacy 00:28:47.500 --> 00:28:47.960 of Christ, 00:28:48.120 --> 00:28:49.019 they've turned back 00:28:49.019 --> 00:28:49.660 to the shadows 00:28:49.660 --> 00:28:50.500 and they have forfeited 00:28:50.500 --> 00:28:51.259 the grace of God. 00:28:51.540 --> 00:28:52.279 I think this happens 00:28:52.279 --> 00:28:52.800 in our churches. 00:28:53.220 --> 00:28:54.120 I think people come in. 00:28:54.360 --> 00:28:54.580 Listen, 00:28:54.900 --> 00:28:55.680 everybody that just 00:28:55.680 --> 00:28:56.220 comes in through 00:28:56.220 --> 00:28:57.220 the doors of the church 00:28:57.220 --> 00:28:58.279 isn't automatically 00:28:58.279 --> 00:28:59.140 saved, right? 00:28:59.360 --> 00:29:00.180 You guys don't have 00:29:00.180 --> 00:29:01.259 some special doors. 00:29:02.720 --> 00:29:03.240 Do you? 00:29:03.519 --> 00:29:04.480 You don't have wool. 00:29:04.560 --> 00:29:04.920 If you do, 00:29:04.960 --> 00:29:05.740 I want to get a set. 00:29:06.779 --> 00:29:07.140 Right? 00:29:07.300 --> 00:29:08.279 Your doors aren't special 00:29:08.279 --> 00:29:08.920 and as soon as somebody 00:29:08.920 --> 00:29:10.220 comes through your door, 00:29:10.279 --> 00:29:10.920 they're nice doors, 00:29:11.040 --> 00:29:11.600 they're glass doors. 00:29:11.680 --> 00:29:12.340 We like the whole deal 00:29:12.339 --> 00:29:13.139 that you've done out there 00:29:13.139 --> 00:29:14.240 but they're not 00:29:14.240 --> 00:29:15.299 the doors that save. 00:29:16.500 --> 00:29:16.659 Right? 00:29:16.740 --> 00:29:17.339 So people don't come 00:29:17.339 --> 00:29:17.859 through the doors 00:29:17.859 --> 00:29:18.199 and they say, 00:29:18.339 --> 00:29:19.699 people come into this church 00:29:19.699 --> 00:29:20.379 and they've got 00:29:20.379 --> 00:29:21.319 all kinds of questions 00:29:21.319 --> 00:29:22.139 and it's not just 00:29:22.139 --> 00:29:22.779 sitting here 00:29:22.779 --> 00:29:23.319 like you guys 00:29:23.319 --> 00:29:23.939 are sitting here 00:29:23.939 --> 00:29:25.059 that makes you 00:29:25.059 --> 00:29:26.319 born again, 00:29:26.539 --> 00:29:27.339 transformed by 00:29:27.339 --> 00:29:29.179 the great power of God. 00:29:29.519 --> 00:29:30.419 You may hear it 00:29:30.419 --> 00:29:31.099 week after week 00:29:31.099 --> 00:29:31.480 after week 00:29:31.480 --> 00:29:32.039 but you got to do 00:29:32.039 --> 00:29:32.839 something about it. 00:29:34.359 --> 00:29:34.720 Right? 00:29:35.459 --> 00:29:36.179 You got to do 00:29:36.179 --> 00:29:36.799 something about it 00:29:36.799 --> 00:29:37.339 and that might be 00:29:37.339 --> 00:29:37.859 you this morning. 00:29:37.980 --> 00:29:38.959 I don't know all you guys. 00:29:39.359 --> 00:29:40.019 That might be you 00:29:40.019 --> 00:29:40.399 this morning. 00:29:40.500 --> 00:29:41.119 You might have been 00:29:41.119 --> 00:29:41.579 coming around 00:29:41.579 --> 00:29:42.339 for a long time now 00:29:42.339 --> 00:29:42.919 but you may have 00:29:42.919 --> 00:29:43.599 never responded. 00:29:43.719 --> 00:29:43.859 Hey, 00:29:44.579 --> 00:29:44.919 you know, 00:29:45.079 --> 00:29:45.899 now's as good 00:29:45.899 --> 00:29:46.539 a time as any. 00:29:48.059 --> 00:29:48.819 Today is a day 00:29:48.819 --> 00:29:49.379 of salvation, 00:29:49.559 --> 00:29:49.699 boy. 00:29:49.779 --> 00:29:50.319 Now's as good 00:29:50.319 --> 00:29:50.699 a time 00:29:50.699 --> 00:29:51.879 as ever. 00:29:52.819 --> 00:29:53.099 Okay? 00:29:53.239 --> 00:29:53.639 And I think 00:29:53.639 --> 00:29:54.279 that's why he says 00:29:54.279 --> 00:29:55.139 in the very next verse, 00:29:55.219 --> 00:29:55.739 verse 9, 00:29:56.339 --> 00:29:56.939 that even though 00:29:56.939 --> 00:29:58.159 we speak like this, 00:29:58.239 --> 00:29:58.579 he says, 00:29:58.639 --> 00:29:59.119 dear friends, 00:29:59.219 --> 00:30:00.159 this drastic language 00:30:00.159 --> 00:30:00.779 and terminology, 00:30:01.119 --> 00:30:01.979 we're actually convinced 00:30:01.979 --> 00:30:02.919 of better things 00:30:02.919 --> 00:30:03.699 in your case. 00:30:03.979 --> 00:30:04.359 And now I think 00:30:04.359 --> 00:30:05.019 he's speaking again 00:30:05.019 --> 00:30:06.119 to those who can grow. 00:30:06.619 --> 00:30:07.059 I think the guy, 00:30:07.139 --> 00:30:07.659 the writer here, 00:30:07.699 --> 00:30:08.500 realizes he's writing 00:30:08.500 --> 00:30:10.359 to a group of people 00:30:10.359 --> 00:30:11.400 gathered around the gospel 00:30:11.400 --> 00:30:12.400 in difficult times. 00:30:12.700 --> 00:30:13.299 Some of them 00:30:13.299 --> 00:30:14.500 have come to Christ. 00:30:14.660 --> 00:30:15.039 Some of them 00:30:15.039 --> 00:30:15.859 are really close. 00:30:16.019 --> 00:30:16.960 So now he's just saying, 00:30:17.039 --> 00:30:17.140 look, 00:30:17.920 --> 00:30:18.900 we're moving back 00:30:18.900 --> 00:30:19.539 to your case, 00:30:19.599 --> 00:30:20.000 those of you 00:30:20.000 --> 00:30:20.920 who are trusting in Christ, 00:30:21.059 --> 00:30:22.359 the things that do 00:30:22.359 --> 00:30:23.759 have to do with salvation. 00:30:23.880 --> 00:30:24.460 Isn't that interesting? 00:30:24.839 --> 00:30:25.599 I've just talked about, 00:30:25.660 --> 00:30:26.180 it seems to me, 00:30:26.200 --> 00:30:26.680 he's just saying, 00:30:26.900 --> 00:30:27.819 I've just talked about 00:30:27.819 --> 00:30:28.920 things that have to do 00:30:28.920 --> 00:30:30.440 with those who don't 00:30:30.440 --> 00:30:31.079 have salvation. 00:30:31.319 --> 00:30:32.099 Now I'm coming back 00:30:32.099 --> 00:30:32.700 to talk to you, 00:30:32.779 --> 00:30:33.940 those who do have 00:30:33.940 --> 00:30:34.779 salvation. 00:30:35.559 --> 00:30:35.759 Okay, 00:30:35.799 --> 00:30:36.420 if you are trusting 00:30:36.420 --> 00:30:36.859 in Christ, 00:30:36.920 --> 00:30:37.779 then in your case 00:30:37.779 --> 00:30:38.619 it does have to do 00:30:38.619 --> 00:30:39.000 with salvation 00:30:39.000 --> 00:30:40.000 and you can move on 00:30:40.000 --> 00:30:40.680 in Christ. 00:30:40.779 --> 00:30:41.200 And that's how 00:30:41.200 --> 00:30:42.139 he ends now 00:30:42.139 --> 00:30:43.599 in verses 9 to 12. 00:30:44.680 --> 00:30:45.579 There are those 00:30:45.579 --> 00:30:46.839 he starts off with here 00:30:46.839 --> 00:30:47.980 who are slow to grow. 00:30:48.720 --> 00:30:49.119 Listen, 00:30:49.559 --> 00:30:50.500 don't be there. 00:30:50.920 --> 00:30:51.980 Don't stay a baby. 00:30:52.339 --> 00:30:52.940 There are those, 00:30:53.099 --> 00:30:53.619 believe it or not, 00:30:53.639 --> 00:30:54.500 even in the church, 00:30:55.440 --> 00:30:56.480 certainly in our world, 00:30:56.539 --> 00:30:57.519 who say no to grow. 00:30:57.639 --> 00:30:57.819 No. 00:30:58.940 --> 00:30:59.799 I'm just going to stay 00:30:59.799 --> 00:31:00.500 with my old kind 00:31:00.500 --> 00:31:01.399 of works system. 00:31:01.500 --> 00:31:02.299 I like that system. 00:31:03.019 --> 00:31:04.240 I like the works system. 00:31:04.779 --> 00:31:05.379 I like trying 00:31:05.379 --> 00:31:06.299 to do my best. 00:31:07.200 --> 00:31:07.960 Most of my family 00:31:07.960 --> 00:31:08.559 is still there. 00:31:09.720 --> 00:31:10.480 They're stuck 00:31:10.480 --> 00:31:11.519 in a works system. 00:31:11.779 --> 00:31:12.619 I think most of the world, 00:31:12.700 --> 00:31:13.319 if you were able 00:31:13.319 --> 00:31:14.339 to get to nuts and bolts 00:31:14.339 --> 00:31:14.899 with people, 00:31:15.379 --> 00:31:15.660 really, 00:31:16.139 --> 00:31:19.019 as to whether or not 00:31:19.019 --> 00:31:21.639 they think when they die 00:31:21.639 --> 00:31:22.279 if there is a heaven 00:31:22.279 --> 00:31:22.980 they might go, 00:31:23.079 --> 00:31:24.339 I think predominantly 00:31:24.339 --> 00:31:25.200 they would say 00:31:25.200 --> 00:31:26.619 that if they are 00:31:26.619 --> 00:31:27.579 going to be with God 00:31:27.579 --> 00:31:29.259 in this heavenly place, 00:31:29.279 --> 00:31:30.079 it's because they think 00:31:30.079 --> 00:31:30.819 they've lived a good life. 00:31:31.619 --> 00:31:32.599 Most people in our world 00:31:32.599 --> 00:31:33.619 still think that. 00:31:33.619 --> 00:31:34.739 That's clearly not 00:31:34.739 --> 00:31:35.479 what the Bible teaches, 00:31:35.579 --> 00:31:36.179 but most people 00:31:36.179 --> 00:31:37.019 either think that's 00:31:37.019 --> 00:31:37.699 what the Bible teaches 00:31:37.699 --> 00:31:38.359 or that's their own 00:31:38.359 --> 00:31:39.619 philosophy of life. 00:31:40.239 --> 00:31:41.819 They just say no to grow. 00:31:41.939 --> 00:31:42.539 They'd rather stick 00:31:42.539 --> 00:31:44.239 with their works salvation. 00:31:44.519 --> 00:31:45.839 So those who are slow 00:31:45.839 --> 00:31:46.179 to grow, 00:31:46.279 --> 00:31:47.399 those who say no to grow, 00:31:47.500 --> 00:31:48.139 and then finally, 00:31:48.579 --> 00:31:50.239 in verses 9 through 12, 00:31:50.779 --> 00:31:51.599 I would say those 00:31:51.599 --> 00:31:52.879 who actually get up 00:31:52.879 --> 00:31:53.919 and go to grow. 00:31:54.379 --> 00:31:54.939 Sorry about that, 00:31:55.000 --> 00:31:56.579 but I had to keep 00:31:56.579 --> 00:31:57.259 the theme going, 00:31:57.359 --> 00:31:57.599 all right? 00:31:57.659 --> 00:31:58.439 But those who actually 00:31:58.439 --> 00:31:59.399 get up and go to grow, 00:31:59.479 --> 00:32:00.699 those who actually do it, 00:32:00.899 --> 00:32:01.179 boom! 00:32:01.180 --> 00:32:03.360 Come, get out there 00:32:03.360 --> 00:32:03.980 and do it. 00:32:04.279 --> 00:32:05.240 And I think that follows, 00:32:05.360 --> 00:32:06.820 this follows something 00:32:06.820 --> 00:32:07.940 of the theme of Hebrews 00:32:07.940 --> 00:32:08.460 to me. 00:32:08.900 --> 00:32:09.860 This little passage 00:32:09.860 --> 00:32:10.519 follows, 00:32:10.660 --> 00:32:11.019 I don't want to make 00:32:11.019 --> 00:32:11.580 too much of this, 00:32:11.640 --> 00:32:13.019 but it follows something 00:32:13.019 --> 00:32:13.840 of the big theme 00:32:13.840 --> 00:32:14.740 of Hebrews to me. 00:32:14.960 --> 00:32:15.920 Because what do you got 00:32:15.920 --> 00:32:16.340 in Hebrews? 00:32:16.640 --> 00:32:18.060 You've got 10 chapters. 00:32:18.220 --> 00:32:19.279 The first 10 chapters 00:32:19.279 --> 00:32:19.880 of Hebrews 00:32:19.880 --> 00:32:22.539 are this great exposition 00:32:22.539 --> 00:32:24.340 of the majesty 00:32:24.340 --> 00:32:25.299 and supremacy 00:32:25.299 --> 00:32:26.039 and the greatness 00:32:26.039 --> 00:32:26.920 of Christ, right? 00:32:27.259 --> 00:32:28.140 He's greater than the apostles, 00:32:28.299 --> 00:32:28.920 he's greater than the prophets, 00:32:29.060 --> 00:32:29.640 he's greater than Abraham, 00:32:29.779 --> 00:32:30.299 he's greater than the Moab, 00:32:30.299 --> 00:32:31.399 everything, boom. 00:32:32.519 --> 00:32:33.539 He's just greater, 00:32:33.700 --> 00:32:34.379 greater high priest, 00:32:34.460 --> 00:32:35.480 he's got a greater sacrifice, 00:32:35.819 --> 00:32:37.419 he's a greater tabernacle, 00:32:37.859 --> 00:32:38.919 he's just a greater covenant. 00:32:39.159 --> 00:32:39.680 No, it's a, 00:32:39.919 --> 00:32:40.799 chapters 1 to 10. 00:32:41.119 --> 00:32:41.819 There he is! 00:32:41.980 --> 00:32:43.240 He presents them with Jesus. 00:32:43.379 --> 00:32:43.960 Now, what does God 00:32:43.960 --> 00:32:44.919 want us to do with Jesus? 00:32:45.339 --> 00:32:46.599 Oh, chapter 11. 00:32:47.680 --> 00:32:49.799 It's all about faith. 00:32:50.039 --> 00:32:51.059 Believe it, believe it, 00:32:51.379 --> 00:32:51.960 believe it. 00:32:52.279 --> 00:32:53.079 Like these people did 00:32:53.079 --> 00:32:53.339 who believe, 00:32:53.399 --> 00:32:54.500 some of them conquered 00:32:54.500 --> 00:32:55.079 and went on 00:32:55.079 --> 00:32:55.599 and just great, 00:32:55.680 --> 00:32:56.839 other people had to suffer 00:32:56.839 --> 00:32:58.079 but they believed it 00:32:58.079 --> 00:32:58.859 and God called them 00:32:58.859 --> 00:33:00.439 to a life that demonstrated 00:33:00.439 --> 00:33:01.639 the greatness of who he was 00:33:01.639 --> 00:33:02.299 in their lives. 00:33:02.799 --> 00:33:03.500 So here's Christ, 00:33:03.699 --> 00:33:04.479 chapters 1 to 10. 00:33:04.639 --> 00:33:05.399 What does he want you to do? 00:33:05.419 --> 00:33:06.339 He wants you to believe it 00:33:06.339 --> 00:33:06.899 and then what happens 00:33:06.899 --> 00:33:07.959 in chapters 12 and 13? 00:33:08.299 --> 00:33:08.919 Run the race. 00:33:09.179 --> 00:33:09.959 Get out there 00:33:09.959 --> 00:33:11.899 and run that race. 00:33:11.959 --> 00:33:12.759 Not in your own strength 00:33:12.759 --> 00:33:13.459 but because now 00:33:13.459 --> 00:33:14.339 you've trusted in Christ, 00:33:14.679 --> 00:33:15.359 get out there 00:33:15.359 --> 00:33:15.919 and run the race 00:33:15.919 --> 00:33:17.119 and I think chapters 12 and 13 00:33:17.119 --> 00:33:17.519 of Hebrews 00:33:17.519 --> 00:33:18.139 are those who then 00:33:18.139 --> 00:33:19.439 get up and go to grow. 00:33:20.439 --> 00:33:21.439 Get up and grow, 00:33:21.719 --> 00:33:22.319 go to grow. 00:33:23.379 --> 00:33:24.319 God rewarding them, 00:33:24.359 --> 00:33:24.759 look at this 00:33:24.759 --> 00:33:25.559 and we're just about finished. 00:33:25.559 --> 00:33:26.980 God rewarding them, 00:33:27.039 --> 00:33:27.539 verse 10, 00:33:28.200 --> 00:33:30.379 for their gospel invested life. 00:33:34.000 --> 00:33:36.639 God will not overlook 00:33:36.639 --> 00:33:38.019 if you have come 00:33:38.019 --> 00:33:38.879 to put your faith 00:33:38.879 --> 00:33:39.700 and trust in Christ 00:33:39.700 --> 00:33:40.559 and you are seeking 00:33:40.559 --> 00:33:41.359 to live for him. 00:33:41.579 --> 00:33:41.799 Listen, 00:33:41.960 --> 00:33:43.740 none of us will do it perfectly, 00:33:43.899 --> 00:33:44.240 will we? 00:33:44.399 --> 00:33:46.399 We all wish we did better 00:33:46.399 --> 00:33:47.980 but if you are seeking 00:33:47.980 --> 00:33:50.679 to invest your life for Christ, 00:33:50.980 --> 00:33:52.220 God will never overlook that. 00:33:52.220 --> 00:33:54.680 He will never overlook 00:33:54.680 --> 00:33:57.120 one small little cup of water 00:33:57.120 --> 00:33:58.160 that you give to somebody 00:33:58.160 --> 00:33:58.819 in his name. 00:33:59.620 --> 00:33:59.940 Right? 00:34:00.579 --> 00:34:02.059 He'll never overlook it. 00:34:02.339 --> 00:34:04.440 So every investment you make 00:34:04.440 --> 00:34:06.480 for the sake of the gospel 00:34:06.480 --> 00:34:07.860 in this world, 00:34:08.320 --> 00:34:09.559 God will reward you for that. 00:34:10.460 --> 00:34:11.460 He just loves that. 00:34:11.599 --> 00:34:12.360 He loves that. 00:34:12.460 --> 00:34:13.240 Rewarding them 00:34:13.240 --> 00:34:15.099 for their gospel invested life. 00:34:15.199 --> 00:34:16.500 Not forgetting your work 00:34:16.500 --> 00:34:19.059 and the love that you've shown God 00:34:19.059 --> 00:34:20.420 by doing that. 00:34:20.420 --> 00:34:22.440 the love you've shown God 00:34:22.440 --> 00:34:23.740 and his people 00:34:23.740 --> 00:34:26.200 to continue to help them. 00:34:26.300 --> 00:34:27.220 Investing your life 00:34:27.220 --> 00:34:27.720 in the things 00:34:27.720 --> 00:34:29.320 that count for eternity. 00:34:29.920 --> 00:34:30.579 And in verse 11, 00:34:30.900 --> 00:34:31.700 being diligent. 00:34:32.079 --> 00:34:33.460 So these are those 00:34:33.460 --> 00:34:34.420 who are moving. 00:34:35.539 --> 00:34:36.099 Get up there. 00:34:36.220 --> 00:34:37.760 Get up and go to grow. 00:34:38.480 --> 00:34:39.320 Being diligent 00:34:39.320 --> 00:34:40.579 to the very end, 00:34:40.639 --> 00:34:41.240 he says, 00:34:41.420 --> 00:34:43.240 so that what you hope for 00:34:43.240 --> 00:34:44.440 may be realized. 00:34:44.539 --> 00:34:45.559 What a fantastic thought. 00:34:45.619 --> 00:34:46.300 We sit around here, 00:34:46.659 --> 00:34:47.000 you know, 00:34:47.039 --> 00:34:48.559 as we become more and more aware 00:34:48.559 --> 00:34:49.659 of who God is 00:34:49.659 --> 00:34:51.259 and what God has for us 00:34:51.259 --> 00:34:53.179 and the hope of the return of Christ 00:34:53.179 --> 00:34:55.019 and all that he's going to bring us 00:34:55.019 --> 00:34:56.500 when he comes back 00:34:56.500 --> 00:34:57.920 and transforms us completely 00:34:57.920 --> 00:34:58.840 into his likeness. 00:34:58.960 --> 00:35:00.880 All that we hope for 00:35:00.880 --> 00:35:04.099 as we often feel the weight 00:35:04.099 --> 00:35:06.579 of the brokenness 00:35:06.579 --> 00:35:07.519 of our own life 00:35:07.519 --> 00:35:09.219 and all that we hope for 00:35:09.219 --> 00:35:10.739 to be realized. 00:35:10.940 --> 00:35:11.659 Oh man, 00:35:11.739 --> 00:35:14.299 what a thought that is here 00:35:14.300 --> 00:35:15.519 that he gives us. 00:35:16.180 --> 00:35:17.100 Hope that is seen, 00:35:17.220 --> 00:35:18.380 Paul says in Romans 8, 00:35:18.640 --> 00:35:19.800 is not hope. 00:35:21.420 --> 00:35:21.960 So there's going to be 00:35:21.960 --> 00:35:22.680 an element of this 00:35:22.680 --> 00:35:23.340 that you have to just 00:35:23.340 --> 00:35:24.320 trust God for. 00:35:24.400 --> 00:35:24.980 Hope that is seen 00:35:24.980 --> 00:35:26.060 is not hope. 00:35:26.160 --> 00:35:26.820 But if we hope 00:35:26.820 --> 00:35:28.420 for what we do not see, 00:35:28.700 --> 00:35:30.160 then with perseverance, 00:35:31.000 --> 00:35:32.280 watch this now, 00:35:32.420 --> 00:35:33.500 with perseverance, 00:35:34.100 --> 00:35:36.920 we diligently wait for it. 00:35:36.920 --> 00:35:40.340 How do you diligently wait 00:35:40.340 --> 00:35:42.139 with perseverance? 00:35:43.039 --> 00:35:44.019 How do you wait? 00:35:44.460 --> 00:35:45.400 Perseverance isn't waiting, 00:35:45.519 --> 00:35:45.880 is it? 00:35:46.360 --> 00:35:47.519 You want to get out there 00:35:47.519 --> 00:35:48.159 and do something, 00:35:48.300 --> 00:35:48.579 but no, 00:35:48.659 --> 00:35:50.019 there's a sense in which 00:35:50.019 --> 00:35:51.400 we have to be doing something 00:35:51.400 --> 00:35:52.159 while we wait. 00:35:53.000 --> 00:35:53.220 Okay, 00:35:53.260 --> 00:35:53.980 that's the idea. 00:35:54.680 --> 00:35:55.800 Investing your time 00:35:55.800 --> 00:35:56.519 in the waiting room. 00:35:58.280 --> 00:35:59.039 Investing your time 00:35:59.039 --> 00:35:59.740 in the waiting room. 00:36:00.880 --> 00:36:02.260 Jesus talks in Matthew 19, 00:36:02.320 --> 00:36:03.159 29 about everyone 00:36:03.159 --> 00:36:04.039 who's given up houses, 00:36:04.200 --> 00:36:04.380 brothers, 00:36:04.500 --> 00:36:04.700 sisters. 00:36:04.780 --> 00:36:05.280 Remember that one? 00:36:05.280 --> 00:36:06.880 Fathers, 00:36:07.000 --> 00:36:07.160 mother, 00:36:07.280 --> 00:36:07.500 children, 00:36:07.640 --> 00:36:08.540 property for my sake. 00:36:09.200 --> 00:36:09.820 Jesus says, 00:36:10.380 --> 00:36:11.600 they will receive 00:36:11.600 --> 00:36:13.140 a hundred times 00:36:13.140 --> 00:36:14.820 as much in return 00:36:14.820 --> 00:36:18.360 and will have eternal life. 00:36:18.519 --> 00:36:19.640 Just for good measure, 00:36:19.740 --> 00:36:20.600 we'll throw eternal life 00:36:20.600 --> 00:36:21.140 in there as well. 00:36:21.519 --> 00:36:23.160 And will have eternal life. 00:36:23.220 --> 00:36:23.340 Listen, 00:36:23.420 --> 00:36:24.060 can you imagine 00:36:24.060 --> 00:36:26.260 a 100-fold return 00:36:26.260 --> 00:36:26.980 on your investment? 00:36:27.380 --> 00:36:27.760 Some of you guys 00:36:27.760 --> 00:36:28.380 making investments. 00:36:28.680 --> 00:36:29.400 You want to invest well, 00:36:29.480 --> 00:36:30.180 what God has given you. 00:36:30.440 --> 00:36:30.640 Right? 00:36:30.700 --> 00:36:31.160 You got banks, 00:36:31.240 --> 00:36:31.560 you got whatever, 00:36:31.640 --> 00:36:32.200 you're making investments. 00:36:32.320 --> 00:36:32.860 Can you imagine, 00:36:33.540 --> 00:36:34.160 I don't know, 00:36:34.260 --> 00:36:35.220 what's the rate, 00:36:35.280 --> 00:36:35.960 what's the interest rate now? 00:36:36.019 --> 00:36:36.600 Half a percent? 00:36:37.280 --> 00:36:37.900 That's pretty bad. 00:36:38.780 --> 00:36:39.460 Can you imagine 00:36:39.460 --> 00:36:40.460 getting, 00:36:40.720 --> 00:36:40.880 you know, 00:36:40.900 --> 00:36:41.260 there's a bank 00:36:41.260 --> 00:36:41.960 that's going to offer you 00:36:41.960 --> 00:36:43.360 a 100-fold 00:36:43.360 --> 00:36:45.700 return on your investment? 00:36:47.240 --> 00:36:47.860 That's pretty good, 00:36:47.900 --> 00:36:48.180 isn't it? 00:36:48.500 --> 00:36:49.200 I'd go for that. 00:36:50.040 --> 00:36:50.280 Right? 00:36:50.920 --> 00:36:51.700 You've never seen anything 00:36:51.700 --> 00:36:52.640 like that in a bank account. 00:36:52.700 --> 00:36:53.440 I've seen 7%, 00:36:53.440 --> 00:36:53.940 5%, 00:36:53.940 --> 00:36:54.440 3%. 00:36:54.440 --> 00:36:54.940 We're down to about 00:36:54.940 --> 00:36:55.560 a half a percent 00:36:55.560 --> 00:36:56.360 just now. 00:36:56.620 --> 00:36:57.200 But what if somebody 00:36:57.200 --> 00:36:57.540 offered you 00:36:57.540 --> 00:36:58.400 a 100% return 00:36:58.400 --> 00:36:59.000 on your investment? 00:36:59.100 --> 00:36:59.480 You'd take it. 00:36:59.519 --> 00:37:00.420 Would you jump all over that? 00:37:00.920 --> 00:37:01.800 You'd jump all over that. 00:37:02.060 --> 00:37:02.700 Just think about that. 00:37:02.780 --> 00:37:02.960 Wow, 00:37:03.120 --> 00:37:03.260 boy, 00:37:03.600 --> 00:37:04.720 let's do it. 00:37:05.680 --> 00:37:06.500 But that's not even 00:37:06.500 --> 00:37:07.300 what he's talking about here 00:37:07.300 --> 00:37:08.519 because 100% return 00:37:08.519 --> 00:37:09.260 on your investment 00:37:09.260 --> 00:37:10.360 is only two-fold. 00:37:13.380 --> 00:37:14.320 That's only two-fold. 00:37:16.220 --> 00:37:16.960 It's just double. 00:37:17.640 --> 00:37:18.080 And that's not 00:37:18.080 --> 00:37:18.920 what Jesus says here. 00:37:19.060 --> 00:37:19.480 He doesn't say 00:37:19.480 --> 00:37:20.080 he's going to give you 00:37:20.080 --> 00:37:21.360 100% return 00:37:21.360 --> 00:37:22.740 on your gospel-invested life. 00:37:22.860 --> 00:37:23.820 He says he's going to give you 00:37:23.820 --> 00:37:24.600 a hundred-fold. 00:37:26.400 --> 00:37:27.420 A hundred-fold 00:37:27.420 --> 00:37:29.980 return on your gospel-invested life. 00:37:30.180 --> 00:37:30.880 Do you know what that is? 00:37:31.700 --> 00:37:33.220 That is 10,000%. 00:37:35.280 --> 00:37:37.360 That is 10,000%. 00:37:37.360 --> 00:37:38.200 Okay, 00:37:38.240 --> 00:37:38.920 I think Santander 00:37:38.920 --> 00:37:39.519 down the road there 00:37:39.519 --> 00:37:39.900 might be over. 00:37:39.980 --> 00:37:40.080 No, 00:37:40.180 --> 00:37:40.600 excuse me. 00:37:42.360 --> 00:37:43.160 10,000%. 00:37:43.160 --> 00:37:43.760 Anybody want to make 00:37:43.760 --> 00:37:44.519 a gospel investment? 00:37:47.280 --> 00:37:47.960 Anybody want to make 00:37:47.960 --> 00:37:48.720 a gospel investment? 00:37:48.820 --> 00:37:49.660 Because that's what Jesus says 00:37:49.660 --> 00:37:50.200 he's going to give you 00:37:50.200 --> 00:37:51.080 on your gospel investment. 00:37:52.080 --> 00:37:53.920 10,000%. 00:37:53.920 --> 00:37:54.200 So, 00:37:54.280 --> 00:37:54.640 verse 12, 00:37:54.740 --> 00:37:55.260 don't be lazy. 00:37:57.060 --> 00:37:57.660 Imitate those 00:37:57.660 --> 00:37:58.320 who through faith 00:37:58.320 --> 00:37:58.920 and patience 00:37:58.920 --> 00:37:59.440 inherit 00:37:59.440 --> 00:38:01.200 what has been promised. 00:38:01.300 --> 00:38:01.820 Don't panic. 00:38:02.140 --> 00:38:02.640 Stand firm. 00:38:02.639 --> 00:38:03.539 stay close 00:38:03.539 --> 00:38:04.759 and seek his kingdom 00:38:04.759 --> 00:38:05.339 and his righteousness 00:38:05.339 --> 00:38:06.719 and continue to invest 00:38:06.719 --> 00:38:07.199 your life 00:38:07.199 --> 00:38:07.679 for the sake 00:38:07.679 --> 00:38:09.159 of his glorious name 00:38:09.159 --> 00:38:10.299 and inherit 00:38:10.299 --> 00:38:13.079 what has been promised. 00:38:13.960 --> 00:38:14.839 Is it worth it? 00:38:15.619 --> 00:38:16.400 Is it worth it? 00:38:16.659 --> 00:38:16.879 Listen, 00:38:17.299 --> 00:38:19.679 10,000% worth it. 00:38:20.440 --> 00:38:21.000 Right? 00:38:21.559 --> 00:38:23.059 10,000% worth it 00:38:23.059 --> 00:38:23.799 and more. 00:38:24.679 --> 00:38:25.460 And more. 00:38:25.539 --> 00:38:26.139 Eternal life. 00:38:26.839 --> 00:38:27.059 Wow. 00:38:27.900 --> 00:38:28.159 Well, 00:38:28.259 --> 00:38:28.480 anyway, 00:38:28.619 --> 00:38:29.480 that's for your submission. 00:38:29.599 --> 00:38:29.960 You have something 00:38:29.960 --> 00:38:30.400 to talk about 00:38:30.400 --> 00:38:31.099 over lunch now. 00:38:31.940 --> 00:38:32.299 Okay? 00:38:33.420 --> 00:38:34.079 Let's pray. 00:38:36.000 --> 00:38:36.440 Lord, 00:38:37.819 --> 00:38:40.719 tough book. 00:38:41.079 --> 00:38:41.779 Great book. 00:38:41.920 --> 00:38:42.420 Great letter. 00:38:43.699 --> 00:38:44.480 Some of these things 00:38:44.480 --> 00:38:45.380 that have been written 00:38:45.380 --> 00:38:46.539 in the scriptures for us 00:38:46.539 --> 00:38:47.839 are very, 00:38:48.019 --> 00:38:50.000 very quickly comprehensible. 00:38:50.440 --> 00:38:51.179 Some of these things 00:38:51.179 --> 00:38:51.940 you've written to us 00:38:51.940 --> 00:38:52.900 seems like, 00:38:53.039 --> 00:38:53.139 Lord, 00:38:53.219 --> 00:38:53.940 you're calling us 00:38:53.940 --> 00:38:54.679 to dig deep, 00:38:54.799 --> 00:38:55.239 dig deep, 00:38:55.360 --> 00:38:55.779 dig deep, 00:38:55.880 --> 00:38:56.299 dig deep. 00:38:57.139 --> 00:38:58.299 And as we dig deep, 00:38:58.400 --> 00:38:59.400 we hope and pray 00:38:59.400 --> 00:38:59.880 and trust 00:38:59.880 --> 00:39:00.799 that you would lead us 00:39:00.800 --> 00:39:02.300 to where you want us 00:39:02.300 --> 00:39:02.820 to be, 00:39:03.260 --> 00:39:03.900 understanding 00:39:03.900 --> 00:39:04.900 what your word 00:39:04.900 --> 00:39:05.800 has to say, 00:39:06.880 --> 00:39:08.260 but not just being 00:39:08.260 --> 00:39:08.860 big-headed 00:39:08.860 --> 00:39:10.960 followers of Christ, 00:39:11.080 --> 00:39:12.000 but being big-hearted 00:39:12.000 --> 00:39:14.019 followers of Christ 00:39:14.019 --> 00:39:15.960 and putting into practice 00:39:15.960 --> 00:39:17.580 what we learn. 00:39:17.700 --> 00:39:18.519 And I pray that we would 00:39:18.519 --> 00:39:18.980 do that 00:39:18.980 --> 00:39:19.900 today 00:39:19.900 --> 00:39:21.480 and in days to come. 00:39:21.600 --> 00:39:22.340 In Jesus' name. 00:39:22.519 --> 00:39:22.760 Amen. 00:39:22.760 --> 00:39:22.840 Amen. 00:39:22.840 --> 00:39:22.900 Amen. 00:39:22.900 --> 00:39:22.940 Amen. 00:39:22.940 --> 00:39:22.960 Amen. 00:39:22.960 --> 00:39:22.980 Amen. 00:39:22.980 --> 00:39:23.060 Amen. 00:39:23.060 --> 00:39:23.080 Amen. 00:39:23.080 --> 00:39:23.100 Amen. 00:39:23.100 --> 00:39:23.160 Amen. 00:39:23.160 --> 00:39:23.180 Amen. 00:39:23.180 --> 00:39:24.980 Amen. 00:39:24.980 --> 00:39:25.019 Amen. 00:39:25.019 --> 00:39:26.980 Amen. 00:39:26.980 --> 00:39:27.019 Amen. 00:39:27.019 --> 00:39:27.060 Amen. 00:39:27.060 --> 00:39:27.100 Amen. 00:39:27.100 --> 00:39:27.120 Amen. 00:39:27.120 --> 00:39:27.140 Amen. 00:39:27.140 --> 00:39:30.780 Amen.