Building Spiritual Maturity on Christ's Foundation
Summary
### Summary
Tonight, we gathered to delve into Hebrews 6:1-3, focusing on the call to move beyond the elementary teachings of Christ and mature in our faith. The writer of Hebrews urges us to build upon our foundational beliefs, much like constructing a house. Just as a solid foundation is crucial for a home, our faith in Jesus Christ is the bedrock upon which we must build. However, we must not stop at the foundation; we need to continue building, adding walls and a roof to withstand life's storms.
The Jewish Christians of the time were under persecution and tempted to revert to the familiar practices of Judaism. They were more concerned with self, arguments, and human approval rather than service, action, and the Master. The writer encourages them to mature, to move beyond the basics like repentance, faith, and baptism, and to embrace deeper doctrines and practices.
We also explored the importance of doctrine, as outlined in 2 Timothy 3:16-17. Doctrine is essential for teaching, conviction, correction, and instruction in righteousness. True growth comes when we allow God to expose and correct our flaws, leading us to a life that reflects His holiness. Spiritual maturity involves not just understanding the truth but living it out in our daily actions.
Finally, we were reminded that God, who began a good work in us, will bring it to completion. Our journey of faith requires complete dependency on Him. Just as a house must be "dried in" to withstand the elements, our spiritual lives must be fortified with strong walls and a secure roof, built on the foundation of Jesus Christ. We are encouraged to keep building, to not be content with just the basics, but to strive for maturity in our walk with God.
### Key Takeaways
1. Foundation and Building: Just as a house requires a solid foundation, our faith must be built on Jesus Christ. However, we must not stop there; we need to continue building upon this foundation to withstand life's challenges. This involves moving beyond elementary teachings and embracing deeper spiritual truths. [24:51]
2. Doctrine is Essential: Doctrine is crucial for our spiritual growth. It teaches us who God is, what He requires of us, and how to live a life that pleases Him. Without a firm grasp of doctrine, we are vulnerable to challenges and false teachings. [32:30]
3. Conviction and Correction: True spiritual maturity comes when we allow God to expose and correct our flaws. This process, though painful, is necessary for growth. We must be willing to let God search our hearts and reveal areas that need change. [34:27]
4. Living Out the Truth: Maturity is not just about understanding the truth but living it out. Our actions must reflect our beliefs. When our lives align with God's truth, we become effective witnesses to those around us. [40:09]
5. Complete Dependency on God: Our journey of faith requires complete dependency on God. He who began a good work in us will bring it to completion. We must trust Him fully and allow Him to guide us through every stage of our spiritual growth. [42:30]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[23:08] - Opening Prayer
[24:51] - Introduction to Hebrews 6:1-3
[25:46] - Building a Solid Foundation
[26:50] - Moving Beyond Elementary Teachings
[27:56] - Addressing Jewish Christians' Persecution
[30:48] - Six Foundational Doctrines
[32:30] - Importance of Doctrine
[34:27] - Conviction and Exposure
[36:08] - The Role of Correction
[37:52] - Instruction in Righteousness
[40:09] - Spiritual Maturity and Discernment
[42:30] - Complete Dependency on God
[44:05] - Building Beyond the Foundation
[45:41] - Encouragement to Keep Building
[49:07] - Invitation to Come to Jesus
[50:36] - Offering Time
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Hebrews 6:1-3 (NIV): "Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about cleansing rites, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And God permitting, we will do so."
- 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV): "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
- Philippians 1:6 (NIV): "Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."
#### Observation Questions
1. What are the six foundational doctrines mentioned in Hebrews 6:1-3? ([27:56])
2. According to 2 Timothy 3:16-17, what are the four purposes of Scripture? ([32:30])
3. How does the analogy of building a house relate to our spiritual growth as described in the sermon? ([24:51])
4. What does Philippians 1:6 assure us about the work God has started in us? ([42:30])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it important to move beyond the elementary teachings of Christ according to Hebrews 6:1-3? ([26:50])
2. How does understanding and applying doctrine protect us from false teachings and challenges in life? ([32:30])
3. What does it mean to allow God to expose and correct our flaws, and why is this necessary for spiritual maturity? ([34:27])
4. How does complete dependency on God influence our spiritual growth and maturity? ([42:30])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own spiritual journey. Are there areas where you feel you are still focused on elementary teachings? How can you begin to move beyond them? ([26:50])
2. How can you make doctrine a more integral part of your daily life to ensure you are growing spiritually? ([32:30])
3. Think of a recent situation where you felt convicted or corrected by God. How did you respond, and what did you learn from it? ([34:27])
4. In what ways can you actively live out the truths you believe in your daily actions? Provide a specific example. ([40:09])
5. Identify an area in your life where you need to depend more fully on God. What steps can you take this week to trust Him more in that area? ([42:30])
6. How can you ensure that your spiritual "house" is not just built on a solid foundation but also fortified with strong walls and a secure roof? ([44:05])
7. Share a time when you faced a "storm" in life. How did your faith help you withstand it, and what can you do to strengthen your faith for future challenges? ([45:41])
Devotional
Day 1: Building Beyond the Basics
Description: Just as a house requires a solid foundation, our faith must be built on Jesus Christ. However, we must not stop there; we need to continue building upon this foundation to withstand life's challenges. This involves moving beyond elementary teachings and embracing deeper spiritual truths. The writer of Hebrews encourages believers to mature in their faith, moving past the basics like repentance, faith, and baptism, and to delve into more profound doctrines and practices. This growth is essential for spiritual resilience and effectiveness in our Christian walk. [24:51]
Hebrews 6:1-3 (ESV): "Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And this we will do if God permits."
Reflection: What are some elementary teachings of Christ that you feel you have mastered? How can you challenge yourself to go deeper in your faith this week?
Day 2: The Importance of Doctrine
Description: Doctrine is crucial for our spiritual growth. It teaches us who God is, what He requires of us, and how to live a life that pleases Him. Without a firm grasp of doctrine, we are vulnerable to challenges and false teachings. The Apostle Paul emphasizes the importance of doctrine in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, highlighting its role in teaching, conviction, correction, and instruction in righteousness. Embracing sound doctrine helps us to grow in our understanding of God and equips us to live out our faith effectively. [32:30]
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV): "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."
Reflection: What specific doctrines do you find challenging to understand or accept? How can you seek to deepen your understanding of these doctrines this week?
Day 3: Embracing Conviction and Correction
Description: True spiritual maturity comes when we allow God to expose and correct our flaws. This process, though painful, is necessary for growth. We must be willing to let God search our hearts and reveal areas that need change. Conviction and correction are essential aspects of our spiritual journey, as they help us to align our lives with God's will and reflect His holiness. Embracing this process leads to a deeper relationship with God and a more authentic Christian witness. [34:27]
Hebrews 12:11 (ESV): "For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel God is convicting you? How can you respond to His correction and make necessary changes this week?
Day 4: Living Out the Truth
Description: Maturity is not just about understanding the truth but living it out. Our actions must reflect our beliefs. When our lives align with God's truth, we become effective witnesses to those around us. This involves not only knowing God's Word but also applying it in our daily lives. Living out the truth requires intentionality and a commitment to embodying the principles of our faith in every aspect of our lives. [40:09]
James 1:22-25 (ESV): "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing."
Reflection: Think of a specific truth from God's Word that you know but struggle to live out. What practical steps can you take this week to align your actions with this truth?
Day 5: Complete Dependency on God
Description: Our journey of faith requires complete dependency on God. He who began a good work in us will bring it to completion. We must trust Him fully and allow Him to guide us through every stage of our spiritual growth. Just as a house must be "dried in" to withstand the elements, our spiritual lives must be fortified with strong walls and a secure roof, built on the foundation of Jesus Christ. This dependency on God ensures that we are equipped to face life's challenges and grow in our faith. [42:30]
Philippians 1:6 (ESV): "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you find it difficult to depend on God completely? How can you practice trusting Him more fully this week?
Quotes
1. "You see, he's saying that it's time to move beyond the elementary aspects of faith and to build upon them. It's time to move up. You see, these Jewish priests. These Christians were among those who believe in Judaism, and they were under scrutiny. They were under persecution because of their beliefs. And so in our scripture on tonight, he's addressing the fact that they are shying away." [26:50] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "You see the most basic and foundational doctrine is that we must know Jesus Christ. As God in the flesh who bore sins on his body, who took them to the cross, who died, was buried, and was raised from the dead. And as we are justified, justified by faith through him. That is the most foundational doctrine for the believer." [31:48] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Because there's going to be things that come up in our life that's going to challenge everything. There's going to be people that challenge that. There's going to be situations that challenge what we believe. But when we are sure, we are standing upon doctrine, then we know that we're standing on a foundation that we can build on." [32:30] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "True maturity comes when you say, oh God, search me. Search me. Not because you need to know, but because I need to know my evil ways. Search me, and not only search me, expose those things to me. So not only that I see them, but that I may put action. To them. Because I desire to mature in Christ." [34:27] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "For I know that for to grow as a Christian, I need correction. I need God to point out when I'm wrong, so that I may correct myself. Or it need be, he may correct me. So we're going to move on, to maturity. We need to make sure that we're willing to allow God to correct us." [36:08] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "We need to ask God, that he show us how he sees us. That we compare ourselves to the standard that he has for us. Because I know you guys all know most people won't read a Bible, but they'll read you. And as Christians, we're always being judged. And so it's important that we understand that we are walking upright. We understand that our character is reflecting a holy God." [37:52] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Maturity is when you understand truth and your actions are one in the same you know that's saying something you know you can understand something but when you put action to it that's good that's when you tell you're truly committed when your actions reflect the things that you know truth to be." [40:09] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "If we're going to grow, if we're going to move beyond these elementary things, we need to completely depend on God. We need to make sure our faith is entirely within him. see, a foundation is important because it bears the weight of the entire house. It's critical. And you must get the foundation right." [44:05] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "But I know a God who was there in the midst of the rain. He told me, lean upon me for I am your help. Be not discouraged for I am with you. And so on tonight, I want to encourage you to don't stop at the foundation, but to keep on building. All glory to God." [45:41] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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