Are You Ready for the Next Level?
Don't Stop Now!
A study of the NT book of Hebrews
by Pastor Frank Rice
Hebrews 5:11-14
In a recent dialogue with a high-school teacher, the teacher exasperatingly shared how many students are ill-prepared for the advanced class into which they were placed. They should have arrived with the necessary tools to handle the material presented in this class but valuable time was wasted trying to bring them to the level they should’ve been at when they arrived! The writer of Hebrews faces a similar situation. His readers should’ve been at a higher level of spiritual proficiency! But they weren’t. We can feel a sense of frustration as he chides them for their lack of spiritual initiative! (Let’s listen in…and learn!)
I. There Is So Much to Learn on Our Spiritual Journey (V. 11)!
v The author recognizes the challenge of trying to teach those who were not ready to move to the next level!
1. He refuses to continue but switches gears. He moves from “preaching to prodding,” from edification to exhortation.
2. It is a waste of time and energy trying to teach those who are not prepared for what is planned!
v The author cites two reasons for his reluctance to continue.
1. The subject matter was rather difficult to explain. He looked at his “syllabus” and knew they would never get it.
He may be referring to Melchizedek’s priesthood, which he had just mentioned, in comparison to Christ’s priesthood.
2. To further complicate things, they had “sluggish ears!” They knew what “lazy ears” meant! They weren’t really interested in taking the time and energy necessary to listen and learn!
“Sluggish ears” is an acquired condition characterized by an inability to listen to spiritual truth! It is not natural slowness or intellectual deficiency, but spiritual laziness.
There are later indicators that the subject matter had to do with a “practical righteousness” which they were ignoring.
II. There Is So Much to Teach on Our Spiritual Journey (Vv. 12-14)!
v The author tells them by this time they had a moral responsibility (ought) to be communicating biblical truth to others (v. 12a).
1. Enough time had passed since they had come to faith in Christ and been discipled. Now it was time to disciple others.
2. The concern is communicating spiritual truth to others, not necessarily formal preaching or teaching.
3. God expects a certain level of proficiency from His children. Those claiming to know Him are expected to make progress.
v The author tells them of their need for remediation (v. 12b). Not only are they not teaching, but they need to be re-taught!
1. They needed to be taught what they should have already known, the ABC’s of Christianity! This is frustrating and time consuming! They had regressed instead of progressed!
2. They’re likened to infants who need milk and can’t handle “big people” food! They weren’t able to process it! This is a little embarrassing!
v The author points out their culpable inexperience and lack of skill in living out biblical truth (v. 13). (Ouch!)
1. They had not sought to practice or live out the principles of scripture which they had learned! “The word of righteousness would refer to God’s revelation about righteousness of life which is expected of every believer. Christian faith is not an abstraction. It is never divorced from life. The content of doctrine to which the believer assents must issue in a transformed life or something is radically wrong. Scripture gives no comfort whatever to the person whose claim to have trusted Christ has not resulted in a life of righteousness.” (Kent)
2. They lacked the skill which goes with maturity and which results in the ability to make appropriate moral choices.
3. The issue is not knowledge! It is the daily application of knowledge to specific life situations!
4. The author was NOT unduly harsh in his treatment when we realize that the survival of the church is at stake!
v The author challenges them to grow toward usefulness (v. 14)! You need to train by practice your senses and mental faculties!
1. You need to be able to discriminate between what is morally good and noble, what is spiritually health producing.
2. You need to learn and be able to distinguish between what is evil and contrary to divine or human law, what is detrimental to spiritual health.
3. You need to respond correctly to the author’s admonition!
(a) Just ignore him and hope he’ll go away.
(b) Become defensive. “You’re wrong, unloving, and harsh.”
(c) Listen objectively. “Is what he is saying true?” Self-evaluation is essential for spiritual progress.
Do I listen for the purpose of doing (James 1:22)?