Christian Maturity

Hebrews 5.11-6.3
Christian Maturity

      Immature?  Or mature? 
                                  

A. THE AUTHOR’S INTENTION: We have much to say…

      1.  We have a great high priest in Jesus  [4.14]

      2.  What is needed in a priest  [5.1-4]

      3.  How Jesus qualifies as our high priest  [5.5-10]

B. THE AUTHOR’S FRUSTRATION: It is hard to make it clear to you…

      1.  You have become sluggish  [5.11]

      2.  You have fallen behind  [5.12]

      3.  You have become childish  [5.13]

      4.  You have lost your skill  [5.14]

               a.  discernment

               b.  choices

C. THE AUTHOR’S AMBITION: Let us be taken forward to maturity [6.1-3]

      1.  Maturity is for everyone 

      2.  Maturity builds upon foundational principles 

               Soteriology            Repentance
                                            Faith
               Ecclesiology           Baptism
                                            Laying on of hands
               Eschatology           Resurrection
                                            Judgment

      3.  Maturity moves beyond the fundamentals 

      4.  Maturity is God’s work in us

               The thought is not primarily of personal effort,
                         but of personal surrender to an active influence.  [BF Westcott]

John Olson