"Continued Growth in Christ Is the Norm"
I. Grow out of the Basics (Hebrews 6:1-3)
Hebrews 6:1–3 – “1 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, 2 and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And this we will do if God permits.”
Mark 1:15 – “and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.””
Acts 2:38 – “And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Acts 3:19 – “Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out,”
II. Time Reveals the Heart (Hebrews 6:4-8)
Hebrews 6:4–8 – “4 For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. 7 For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. 8 But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned.”
Matthew 18:15-17 ““If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.”
III. How to Fight Against Unbelief
1. Store up God’s word in your heart
2. Gather with God’s people
Hebrews 10:19–25 – “19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
3. Encourage one another (Accountability)
Discussion Questions:
1. Why is the temptation to try to earn our salvation through works so strong? Why do we still sometimes find ourselves returning to fruitless attempts to win God’s favor through works even though we know better?
2. The author of Hebrews was encouraging his people not to divide their trust in Christ’s righteousness with things that could not save them. In what elementary doctrines of the faith do you sometimes trust rather than resting in the righteousness secured for you in Christ?
3. What does it mean to recrucify the Son of God?
4. Why can’t this warning be referring to true believers losing their salvation? Why can’t the warning be merely hypothetical?
5. How can believers be confident that their salvation is secure? What are some of the marks of true conversion and genuine salvation? Can we actually ever be sure, this side of heaven, if someone is a genuine believer? Why or why not?
6. How does the tension between God’s sovereignty and human responsibility play itself out in this passage? Are there other places in Scripture where you see this tension? If so, list them.
7. How does this author use God’s sovereignty and “if God permits” in verse 3 to motivate his congregation into prayerful and obedient action?
8. How do other agricultural illustrations in the Bible inform our reading of this warning passage? What does the author want to enforce by using this illustration?
9. Why is it significant that the author concludes this warning with words of hope in Hebrews 6:9–10? How does this encourage you?
R. Albert Mohler Jr., Exalting Jesus in Hebrews (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2017), Heb 6:4–8.