HEBREWS 5:12-14

FOR WHEN FOR THE TIME YE OUGHT TO BE TEACHERS, YE HAVE NEED THAT ONE TEACH YOU AGAIN WHICH BE THE FIRST PRINCIPLES OF THE ORACLES OF GOD; AND ARE BECOME SUCH AS HAVE NEED OF MILK AND NOT OF STRONG MEAT. ( 13 ) FOR EVERY ONE THAT USETH MILK IS UNSKILLFIL IN THE WORD OF RIGHTEOUSNESS: FOR HE IS A BABE. ( 14 ) BUT STRONG MEAT BELONGETH TO THEM THAT ARE OF FULL AGE, EVEN THOSE WHO BY REASON OF USE HAVE THEIR SENSES EXCERCISED TO DISCERN BOTH GOOD AND EVIL.

There’s a saying we often hear in our country today, that is ( the United States of America ). That sayig is this: ( the dumbing down of America ). Without many people realizing it; I believe that concept began in ( Our Churches )! I also believe it took years to accomplish that in both, our Churches and our Country.

My desire this morning was to teach starting in ( Hebrews 6:1 ) but, as I sought the face of God and, reread the lesson from last week with the last few verses in ( Hebrews 5 ); God’s Spirit changed my mind. By way of kicking this off, I’d like to ask a question. How many people understand the concept of being ( born again )? That; verses the concept of ( saying you believe in Christ ) ( being baptized ) and ( joining Church )? ( I believe ) within that question and, our ability to answer that question completely relates to what is being said in these verses and, what the Apostle is teaching in ( Hebrews 6 ).

Often, we misinterpret words such as teacher in scripture. Do you think that God calls you a teacher just because a Church allows you to stand and teach? I say not! Do you realize that the Apostle Paul said that he was taught ( at the feet of Gamaliel )? He was taught ( according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers ). He was also ( zealous toward God ). We see that in ( Acts 22:3 ).

Also, consider this, he was the last Apostle chosen, he said of himself ( I am the least of all Apostles ). Now, think about this as you consider these verses, there were men that actually walked with Jesus Christ, we can even take that all the way back to before Jesus Christ was born! The nation Of Israel were people ( chosen by God ) himself that he might raise them up to become a powerful voice in this world yet, the Apostle Paul, the very last one is now seeking to teach them. What do we see wrong in this picture? To add to this, he was rejected by them and, he turned to the Gentiles.

I dare say, just as humble as I know how and, with a great burden on my heart for members of our Churches and, the fact that very few know the concept of being ( born again )! There are people sitting in most Churches that ( should be teachers ) some ( even teaching ) ( even pastoring ) that are in need of being taught. The true problem is ( they reject ) those that can actually teach them!

Most pastors feed their congregations with a ( weekly dose of milk ) and the Church is ( unskillful in the word of righteousness ) ( FOR HE IS A BABE )! ( ( Verse 13 ) So, let’s take this to another level! Why was it that ( Gamaliel ) didn’t help ( Saul ) that became ( Paul ) in all that he taught him? The reason, Gamaliel didn’t understand the concept of being born again and, it was not important to him.

Most of our pastors go to school, universities, colleges and, are taught by ( a type of Gamaliel ). I wonder! Do they ever question their students about whether they are born again or not? Can those teachers explain being ( born again )? It’s almost like it becomes all about money. If I, ( even I ) decide to go to school, pay my money to be taught, what else would be required that I might attend? THe Apostle Paul is preachiung to the choir! All the teachers from the bottom to the top, although they might be teaching, have a need to be taught.

There is no teacher that can expound the word of God other than the Holy Spirit of God! However, that very concept is very seldom ever mentioned in our Churches. We hear quotes from professors, great theologians and are spell bound by the great things they teach and say. We love our pastors but very seldom question anything he teaches!

The very teaching of ( the concept of being born again ) can be considered as strong meat in scripture! Most people in our Churches will never even attempt to teach ( Hebrews 6 ), not in any form. Why would that be? Because within the concept of what he’s saying from ( verse 1 through 6 ) shows the very necessity of change once we are truly born again! ( WE CANNOT REMAIN THE SAME )! We can actually see in the verses there where if you still remain the same as you have always been the ( the act of being born again ) has never happened to you.

It’s much easier to simply leave these verses alone, have people believe that it’s speaking of lost people, not them, than to make people realize that ( spiritual growth ) is an essential part of being born again.

In essence, what was the children of Israel interested in? They were interested in someone caring for their every physical need, even if it meant to be in salvery. If you remember, God fed them with manna however, as soon as he stopped they told Moses that they were better off in Egypt. They were completely unwilling to pay any price to move foward from where they were.

Let’s be honest folks, most people are slaves to their Church! If that Church ceases to give them what they like, they’ll look far another. Another way to say it is this; it doesn’t matter what God they serve as long as they are satisfied. The average pastor knows this; therefore he feeds them what they desire to be fed, just like Israel!

I want to ask you a question. I do this just to make you stop and think! Just how close can any person get to hell without actually going? If you tell me you are born again, now, you also tell me where you are spiritually? That is axactly what is being said here!

What does it mean to be born again? What happens to any person that actually goes through that transforming act of being born again? Being born again means that you have seen yourself as a sinner and, that ( just like you are ) you cannot be pleasing to God the Father. You realize that, unless you find away to be transformed from the sinner you are thern, ( HELL WILL BE YOUR HOME ). You become willing to be transformed because ( YOU HATE ) who you are and, ( willingly ) ask ( GOD’S SPIRIT ) to move into your heart to begin to direct your path to ( SPIRITUAL MATURITY ).

You realize that Jesus Christ loved you so much that he suffered for you as an unworthy sinner! From the moment you are born again, every aspect of you being begins to change! The very things you use to love are now being changed, you begin to walk in a different light, you are not the same! If your salvation is locked in your desire to attend Church, be baptized, be seen as a ( CHURCH MEMBER ) then I would advise you to ( MAKE YOUR CALLING AND ELECTION SURE )!

This was exactly what was wrong in the Nation of Israel! ( the assumed ) since they were ( Of Israel ) God would protect them. We ( often assume ) just because we are Church members ( God will protect us )! we often think we can still be ( as we are )!

( I believe ) simply by study that there is a long ways from the bottom of hell to standing right in the presence of Jesus Christ. That distance includes to ( top and bottom ) of Hell and ( the top and bottom ) of the kingdom we will live in, being born into his family.

I often hear people say. Well, I’m saved, that’s all I’m looking for! I’m not sure that’s all God wants you to be! And, that mindset will cost you in the end! The Apostle Paul seen this same mindset in the Nation Of Israel. He was seeking to help them see that, to God the Father ( spiritual maturity ) was a necessity; and that,of every believer!

I really don’t want to get into ( Hebrews 6 ) but, I feel impressed to point this out. In ( verse 1 ) he make this statement ( NOT LAYING AGAIN THE FOUNDATION OF REPENTANCE FROM DEAD WORKS ). Maybe you know someone that tells you they are saved but, they continually come to you, having to say ( I’m sorry ) for doing the same thing to you or, someone time and time again. They can’t realize that ( you do forgive them ) but, you’re not the one with the problem, they are!

Can you see a picture of Israel, year after year, doing exactly the same things and, each year bringing a sacrifice to God for that same thing; over and over?

Look at this verse: ( 2 Corinthians 7:10 )

For Godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. ( look at the next verse ) : ( 11 ) For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, ( WHAT CAREFULNESS IT WROUGHT IN YOU, YEA, WHAT CLEARING OF YOURSELVES, YEA, WHAT INDIGNATION, YEA, WHAT FEAR, YEA, WHAT VERHEMENT DESIRE, YEA, WHAT ZEAL. YEA, WHAT REVENGE! IN ALL THINGS YE HAVE APPROVED YOURSELVES TO BE CLEAR IN THIS MATTER.

WOW! Can you see that dramatic change? This brings into focus what the Apostle Paul is trying to get across. You see, saying ( I sorrow ) is not repenting. That, either with a Nation or, an individual. However, we can see ourselves as ( Godly sorrowful ), that very thing will bring about change in our lives! Within that, we can also see the ( BORN AGAIN EXPERIENCE ) You won’t be perfect however, ( you will be indignate, fearful, with verhement desire,, zeal, revenge,

What’s he saying? ( I believe ) that God’s Spirit is so real in each ( born again believer ) that when we begin to think ( worldly things ) allow ( jealousy, hate and so on ) to be felt in our hearts then, right then ( the spirit we now follow ) will begin to churn in our hearts making us ( indignate, fearful, with verhement desire, zeal, bound and determine not to go back to being what we were, but to be just as close to a picture of Christ as possible! That’s ( godly sorrow ) What a Change!

Marshall Clayton

2 Timothy 1:7