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Sermon Introduction

The author explained the superiority of Christ over Judaism; Christ is better  than the prophets, the angels, Moses, Joshua, and Aaron. The author rebuked  the recipients of the letter. He said that he has much to write, but that they have  become poor listeners. The author gave a firm rebuke stating that some of the  recipients should be teaching about Christ already, but they became dull. The  writer could not proceed to explain more because they would not understand.  What they needed was milk instead of meat. 

Dr. Ed Pilapil Jr. Senior Pastor

Hebrews 5:11-6:3 NASB

5:11 Concerning him we have much to say, and it is difficult to explain, since you have become poor listeners. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the actual words of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unacquainted with the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to distinguish between good and evil.

6:1 Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 of instruction about washings and laying on of hands, and about the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment. 3 And this we will do, if God permits.

Notes

The author explained the superiority of Christ over Judaism; Christ is better  than the prophets, the angels, Moses, Joshua, and Aaron. The author rebuked  the recipients of the letter. He said that he has much to write, but that they have  become poor listeners. The author gave a firm rebuke stating that some of the  recipients should be teaching about Christ already, but they became dull. The  writer could not proceed to explain more because they would not understand.  What they needed was milk instead of meat. 

The Jewish recipients should move on from the elementary Jewish  teachings about Christ. Instead of focusing on traditional teachings, they should  rather press on to maturity. Apparently, not everyone in the Jewish church  community was a believer. They still had to be convinced about the elementary  teachings about Christ. Perhaps some merely tagged along or participated  without genuinely committing to Christ. 

1. The author mentioned that the recipients became hard to teach. They should  be teachers about Christ, but they did not mature, needing milk instead of  meat. The babies were not acquainted with the word of righteousness (11-14). 

2. The author instructed them to move on from the Old Testament teachings of  Christ: repentance from dead works (works of the law), faith toward God,  instructions on washings (ceremonial), laying on of hands (ceremonial),  resurrection from the dead, and eternal judgement (6:1-2). 

3. The author instructed them to stop dwelling on the shadows but focus on  Christ. He said, “if God permits,” which shows that he acknowledged the  sovereignty of God, especially in the knowledge of the word (6:3). 

Application

1. Let us be teachable, willing to understand the gospel. If we are not teachable,  we will keep needing milk instead of meat. Learning requires submission and  consistency. Do not harden the heart. 

2. Let us keep learning God’s word. Let us also grow beyond Christian clichés  and common statements. We must study God’s word more intently so we may  mature, deciphering from what is biblical and what is not. 

3. Let us continuously acknowledge that it is God who gives understanding. God  willing, we shall know Christ and mature spiritually. We must press on to  study and apply Scripture, which is a lifetime endeavour.

Discussion Guide

1. Why did the author say that the recipients have become poor listeners?

2. What should the recipients do according to the text discussed?

3. In what ways may we apply the lessons in the present day?