Moving Forward…
Have you ever been in a meeting that was being bogged down by someone belaboring a point, and someone else trying to argue about it? Usually the leader of the meeting will say something like, “Moving forward…”
That is what Paul is saying in our passage today.
In Hebrews 6:1-3 – Leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
And this we will do if God permits.
In the next few minutes we will talk about…
Moving Forward Beyond the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ.
What is he saying here? – He seems to be saying that it is time to move beyond focusing upon the work Christ has done, the work of salvation, and grow up in the faith.
Moving Forward to Perfection
The power of God’s love to bring us into perfection, maturity or completeness.
Moving Forward, Beyond the Foundation of Repentance
Moving Forward, Beyond the Doctrine of Baptisms:
Moving Forward, Beyond Laying On Of Hands:
It appears that he is saying, “Let’s not focus on being given a special gift, or being commissioned with a title: But let us accept those things and move on into service.
Moving Forward, Beyond The Resurrection and Beyond Eternal Judgment:
The Message: Simply Grow Up! – It is time to move forward, beyond a diet of milk into a diet of solid food.
Translation: It is not about you but it is about what you can do to help other believers to grow into maturity.
Have you ever been in a meeting that was being bogged down by someone belaboring a point, and someone else trying to argue about it? Usually the leader of the meeting will say something like, “Moving forward…”
That is what Paul is saying in our passage today.
In Hebrews 6:1-3 – Leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
And this we will do if God permits.
In the next few minutes we will talk about…
- Moving Forward, Past The Principles of Christ:
- Moviing Forward, To Perfection:
- Moving Forward, Beyond The Foundation of Repentance:
- Moving Forward, Beyond the Doctrine of Baptisms:
- Moving Forward, Beyond Laying On Of Hands:
- Moving Forward, Beyond The Resurrection:
- Moving Forward, Beyond Eternal Judgment:
Moving Forward Beyond the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ.
What is he saying here? – He seems to be saying that it is time to move beyond focusing upon the work Christ has done, the work of salvation, and grow up in the faith.
- Heb 5:12 – For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food.
- 13 – Those who are satisfied with milk only, are not skilled in righteousness, and are babes.
- 14 – Solid food is for those who are growing and grown.
- Paul is trying to lead these believers into maturity in the journey of faith.
Moving Forward to Perfection
- tel-i-ot'-es – (the state of) completeness (mentally or morally)
- One other place used in NT – Colossians 3:14 – “Above all things put on (agape) love, which is the bond of perfection”
The power of God’s love to bring us into perfection, maturity or completeness.
- Not perfect in the flesh, but perfect in the heart.
Moving Forward, Beyond the Foundation of Repentance
- “Repentance from dead works”
- Romans 6 – Paul deals with the works of flesh (dead works) in which we were “dead in sin” – But made alive in Christ.
- As we grow in grace and mature in our faith sin becomes less of an issue.
Moving Forward, Beyond the Doctrine of Baptisms:
- Baptism in water is a normal step in the process of salvation and living in faith.
- Baptism of Hole Spirit should be the norm for believers.
- Paul seems to be saying, “You need to be baptized in water and in the Spirit, then move on in your spiritual journey.
- I have seen people seek God for Holy Spirit baptism as if it were the goal of perfection, then, once they feel they have received that baptism they feel like they have made it.
- Paul is calling believers to move beyond these baptisms.
Moving Forward, Beyond Laying On Of Hands:
- The “laying on of hands,” was used in the early church for:
- Anointing for service; deacons, elders and apostles. – Acts 6:6
- Prayer for the sick. – James 5:14
- Conferring spiritual gifts. – 1 Timothy 4:14
It appears that he is saying, “Let’s not focus on being given a special gift, or being commissioned with a title: But let us accept those things and move on into service.
Moving Forward, Beyond The Resurrection and Beyond Eternal Judgment:
- Some people only want to use Jesus as a fire escape.
- Growing into maturity, perfection, is moving past those things and committing to service simply because it is the right thing to do.
The Message: Simply Grow Up! – It is time to move forward, beyond a diet of milk into a diet of solid food.
Translation: It is not about you but it is about what you can do to help other believers to grow into maturity.
