Maturity: Its Necessity and Characteristics

Dennis Tuuri

Outline: Hebrews 5:11-6:12 Maturity: Its Necessity and Characteristics Sermon Outline for June 19, 2005 by Pastor Dennis R. Tuuri Structure and Context I. 1:1-4 The Father’s Final Word - The Bright and Shining Son LINK TO II. – 1:4 “having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. II. 1:5-2:18 A Better Name Than Angels - Son of God and Son of Man LINK TO III. – 2:17 “that He might be  a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God” III. 3:1-5:10 A Better High-Priest: Source of Faithfulness, Rest, Compassion LINK TO IV. – 5:9,10 “And  having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, called by God as High Priest  “  according to the order of Melchizedek,  ” IV. 5:11-10:39 Christ, A Priest Like Melchizedek , High Priest of GoodThings  to Come V. 11:1-12:13 We should live with faith and endurance. VI. 12:14-13:19 Strong Hands, Straight Paths - Living in Heavenly Community on Earth VII. 13:20-25 Benediction: Completeness Unto Every Good Work Revolt Against Maturity and Neverland; Kids in Adult Clothes, Adults in Diapers Today’s Text: 11 of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing . 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 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness , for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. 6:1 Therefore, 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,2 of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.3 And this we will do if God permits. 4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift , and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit ,5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come ,6 if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.7 For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God;8 but if it bears thorns and briars, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned. 9 But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner.10 For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister .11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end,12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.