You Have to Want This

Devotional

Day 1: From Milk to Meat: Trading Comfort for Spiritual Protein

The Christian life demands more than spiritual baby food. Just as algebra requires moving beyond basic arithmetic, maturity means wrestling with hard truths that stretch our understanding of God. Stagnation happens when we treat Scripture like a motivational quote rather than a living word that demands surrender. Growth requires embracing the discomfort of being corrected, challenged, and called deeper—not just collecting Bible trivia. Solid food believers let truth rearrange their priorities, relationships, and daily choices. [01:09:57]

“You need milk, not solid food! For everyone who lives on milk is still an infant, inexperienced in the message of righteousness. But solid food is for the mature—for those whose senses have been trained to distinguish between good and evil.”
(Hebrews 5:12-14, ESV)

Reflection: What “spiritual algebra” have you been avoiding—a truth you know requires action but feels too costly to apply? How might settling for milk be limiting your impact?

Day 2: Christ’s Supremacy: The Final Sacrifice, Not a Spiritual Side Dish

Compromise dilutes power. Trying to blend Jesus with old systems—whether religious rituals, self-reliance, or superstitions—creates a lukewarm faith that can’t transform. Like the Hebrews clinging to temple sacrifices, we often want Christ plus our preferred coping mechanisms. True strength comes when we stop propping up God’s work with our crutches. Peace isn’t found in controlled breathing but in raw dependence. He’s either the solution or we’re still negotiating. [01:22:56]

“He doesn’t need to offer sacrifices every day like the other high priests. They did this for their own sins first and then for the people’s sins. But Jesus did this once for all when he offered himself as the sacrifice for the people’s sins.”
(Hebrews 7:26-27, ESV)

Reflection: Where have you been saying “Jesus and…” instead of “Jesus only”? What backup plan are you reluctant to release?

Day 3: Dull Ears, Stagnant Hearts: When Truth Becomes Background Noise

Familiarity breeds apathy. The Hebrews didn’t start numb—they drifted into complacency by treating God’s word as common. Like students zoning out during a lecture, we miss life-changing truth when we assume we’ve “heard it all before.” Revival begins when we approach Scripture like archaeologists—digging for fresh revelation rather than skimming for comfort. What we dismiss as elementary might be the exact truth needed to break a decade-long stronghold. [01:28:15]

“We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand.”
(Hebrews 5:11, ESV)

Reflection: What biblical truth have you been “yeah, yeah”ing lately? How would your prayers change if you approached that truth as if hearing it for the first time?

Day 4: Mr. Richko’s Classroom: Showing Up Hungry for the Lesson

Fourth-grade enthusiasm fuels spiritual growth. Mr. Richko’s students learned because they arrived ready to engage, not because he performed miracles. Likewise, our growth depends less on a pastor’s eloquence and more on our willingness to lean in. Maturity isn’t about having a quiet time—it’s about bringing relentless curiosity to every text, every sermon, every trial. The teacher can’t force you to care, but the hungry will always find manna. [01:12:51]

“Make every effort to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth.”
(2 Timothy 2:15, ESV)

Reflection: When did you last approach Scripture with childlike wonder rather than duty? What question about God’s nature could reignite your curiosity?

Day 5: Beyond Survival Mode: Equipping Others with the Tools You’ve Gained

Maturity isn’t a trophy—it’s a toolbox. The Hebrews’ stagnation wasn’t just about their knowledge gap but their service gap. Spiritual adults reproduce. Like algebra tutors helping struggling classmates, believers are called to share hard-won faith lessons. Your breakthrough with anxiety, your victory over bitterness, your clarity in discernment—these aren’t just for you. Hoarded truth spoils; shared truth multiplies. [01:42:35]

“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you.”
(Matthew 28:19-20, ESV)

Reflection: What trial-tested truth have you been keeping to yourself? Who in your circle needs exactly what you’ve learned the hard way?

Sermon Summary

The writer of Hebrews sets Jesus before a Jewish church as the Son who “offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears,” learned obedience through suffering, was “made perfect,” and became “the source of eternal salvation” as God’s appointed High Priest in the order of Melchizedek. The text drives home that Jesus is not another priest from Aaron’s line offering endless sacrifices; Jesus is the sacrifice and the priest, the bread and the wine brought to completion. The argument that began in chapter one stays on the rails here: the Son is the radiance of God’s glory, greater than angels, greater than Moses, servant-into-Son, Lord over the house, and now the once-for-all priest.

The passage then hits a wall. The writer says there is much more to say, but it is hard to explain because the hearers are dull of hearing. The text says they “ought to be teachers,” yet they still need “milk, not solid food.” Milk becomes the image that exposes a church stalled at the basics, unable to “distinguish good from evil” because they have not trained by constant use. Solid food belongs to the mature who take truth out of the wrapper and put it to work.

Jesus, in this argument, demands a bow. The old covenant cannot be patched to the new. The contrast is stark: Christ cannot be mixed with anything to make truth easier to drink. If Jesus is supreme, then Jesus is enough. Strength cannot be Christ plus self-reliance. Peace cannot be Christ plus calming techniques. God’s word cannot be handled like a horoscope. The writer presses the crisis of usefulness: when truth gets treated as common, ears go numb, and even simple statements stop landing.

Milk, in this text, is not comfort food. It is an indictment. Infancy cannot last if Christ is Lord. The therefore lands hard: leave the elementary teachings and go on to maturity. Repentance, faith, baptisms, laying on of hands, resurrection, judgment, these foundations must be set so the house can be built. Maturity looks like disciplined Scripture reading and study, honest self-examination against the text, repentance without delay, humble teachability, and a trained palate for righteousness.

Finally, the argument says growth is not private property. Truth was never meant to stop at a life; it was meant to move through a life. The Great Commission assumes graduates of milk who can now feed others. Jesus raises a people who want this, who “go deeper” so they can give away what they have come to love.

Key Takeaways

1. Jesus learned obedience through suffering Jesus does not stand far off; he enters the furnace. His loud cries and tears are not a failure of faith but the shape of reverent submission. His perfected obedience becomes the pipeline of eternal salvation for those who obey him. [69:04]
2. Christ plus anything shrinks Christ The throne cannot be shared with old props for strength or peace. When the heart clings to backup plans, supremacy becomes a slogan instead of salvation. Jesus must replace, not supplement, every rival trust. [82:56]
3. Numb ears make truth weightless Dullness does not start loud; it slides in when Scripture is treated as common. Statements stop sticking, conviction stops cutting, and nothing changes. Attentiveness must be chosen before depth can be given. [87:36]
4. Milk habits starve a grown soul Foundations must be laid, not relaid forever. Solid food belongs to those who train by constant use, who test and practice truth until they can discern. Infancy is unsafe when battles require adult strength. [100:02]
5. Maturity gives truth away Growth that ends at the self turns holy things selfish. Disciples are formed to disciple, to carry the word into confusion, pain, and questions. The Great Commission expects mouths ready to teach what hearts have obeyed. [103:42]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[68:22] - Summer break and Scripture reading
[69:04] - Jesus’ prayers and obedient suffering
[69:28] - Source of salvation and Melchizedek
[69:57] - Milk versus solid food
[70:22] - Leave the elementary teachings
[75:48] - Jesus greater than Moses and Aaron
[78:55] - Priest in Melchizedek’s order explained
[80:12] - The sticky point of bowing to Jesus
[82:56] - No mixing Christ with anything
[84:52] - False peace props versus Christ’s peace
[87:36] - Dull of hearing and numb truth
[99:45] - Progress beyond milk to maturity
[104:53] - What maturity looks like daily
[108:50] - Stand to commit and pray

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading
Hebrews 5:7-6:3 (ESV)
During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek. We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. 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.

Observation Questions

What does Hebrews 5:8 say about how Jesus learned obedience, and how does this connect to His role as our salvation’s source?
According to Hebrews 5:12-14, what distinguishes those who need "milk" from those ready for "solid food"?
The sermon mentions that "milk" is an indictment, not comfort food. What specific behaviors or attitudes does the passage associate with spiritual infancy?
What foundational teachings does Hebrews 6:1-2 list as essential to move beyond?

Interpretation Questions

Why might the writer of Hebrews use the metaphor of "milk" versus "solid food" to address the church’s stagnation? What does this reveal about the dangers of complacency?
The passage warns against treating God’s word as "common" (Hebrews 5:12). How does dullness of hearing develop over time, and why does it make truth "weightless"? [01:27:36]
Hebrews 6:1 urges believers to "leave the elementary teachings." Does this mean foundational doctrines like repentance or resurrection are unimportant? Why or why not?
The sermon argues that "Christ plus anything shrinks Christ." How does mixing Jesus with other sources of strength or peace undermine His supremacy? [01:22:56]

Application Questions

In what area of your life have you settled for "milk" (relying on basic truths without pursuing deeper obedience)? What practical step could you take this week to "train yourself" through Scripture?
The passage warns against numbness to truth. When have you treated God’s word like a horoscope or motivational quote instead of a life-changing authority? How can you reset your approach to Scripture? [01:29:58]
Identify one "backup plan" you rely on for strength or peace (e.g., self-reliance, distractions). How might surrendering this habit help you experience Christ’s sufficiency more fully?
The sermon says maturity involves giving truth away. Who in your life could you intentionally disciple or encourage this month, even in a small way? What truth could you share? [01:43:42]
Hebrews 6:1 lists foundational doctrines like repentance and resurrection. How would your daily choices change if you actively built your life on these truths instead of just acknowledging them?
Reflect on a time when obedience to God felt like "loud cries and tears" (Hebrews 5:7). How does Jesus’ example in suffering challenge your perspective on difficult obedience today?

Sermon Clips

35s

“Listen, he can't be your strength ever when you're satisfied with your own strength. I'm just telling you today that if you want to see the strength of God in your life, then that means that you have to accept that you will come to a place of absolute weakness where you don't know what to do, don't know how to get yourself out of it, and aren't gonna try to do it and allow God to be your strength in the situation. Where you emotionally don't even know how you're gonna cope with the situation and you have to turn to him because in your weakness, it says that God is strong.”

31s

“We can hear the truth but not receive it. Man, it says they were slow to learn, dull of hearing. Arthur Pink in his commentary in Hebrews quotes doctor j Brown. He explains that this way. He says, it's descriptive of a state of mind in which statements may be made without producing any corresponding impression, without being attended to, without being understood, without being felt. In a word, it's descriptive of mental listlessness.”

30s

“You gotta get this stuff down. You gotta be able to explain this stuff. When somebody says to you, What how do I get saved? You ought to be able to explain that. If somebody asked you as a new believer and they were like, what is water baptism? You should be able to explain that. And if you're sitting here today and you're telling me, pastor, I don't know if I could explain that well. Well, you're drinking too much milk and you need to get into the Bible and understand water baptism so you can it's not just about you.”

53s

“And it's not being a know it all, but it's being humble to receive instruction and even correction when I might be wrong. That's a big one. Spiritual believers, mature believers know how to receive correction. Infant drinkers don't because you know who infant drinkers are? They're babies. And so when you try to discipline an adult who thinks they're a spiritual powerhouse and they throw they throw a fit, I'm just telling you right now, I I already know. You've been drinking milk way too long. Because those who are on solid foods, they've tested this stuff. They've seen this. They've seen the power of this truth.”

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