Listening, Learning, Maturing:Preparing our Hearts for the Sermon on the Mount
In this message from Hebrews 5, Pastor Shane lays groundwork for the upcoming series on the Sermon on the Mount. Click here for the recording of this 1/5/25 Service, and you can fast-forward to 24:23 to get to the start of the sermon.
Our text comes from Hebrews 5.11-14
11 Concerning him we have much to say, and it is difficult to explain, since you have become poor listeners.
12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the actual words of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food.
13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unacquainted with the word of righteousness, for he is an infant.
14 But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to distinguish between good and evil.
Introduction
Today, I fully intended to start a series on the primary teachings of Jesus, The Sermon on the Mount
A few days ago, the Spirit stopped me, and directed me to our text this morning
”How do you know that, Pastor?” All I can tell you, is that I know in my knower; Jesus said, ”my sheep know my voice”
This message is intended to prepare us, as a body, to lean into the primary teachings of Jesus in the next several weeks and months
About Hebrews…
No one knows who the author was- it is unsigned
It is written in the most sophisticated Greek of the NT- thus the author is likely highly educated
The author argues that the Jewish OT law was good as far as it went, and was eclipsed by the NT covenant and Jesus’ Cross
Some believe it was written in the mid 60s AD
The audience was likely Christians who had come from a heavily Jewish, religious background
The run-up to our text in Chapter 5…
Ch1- God speaks primarily through His Son, Who was/is greater than the angels, who were created to serve
Ch2- we are to pay closer attention to the gospel we’ve heard, lest we drift away; the writer warns that salvation can be neglected; His word was spoken by Jesus, confirmed by signs and wonders, and the HS gifts; Jesus conquered death and Satan via the Cross
Ch3- Jesus is our High Priest; the writer warns of falling away from Jesus and becoming hardened by sin, disobedience, and unbelief
Ch4- we can fall short of entering into God’s rest; the Word does not benefit some, because they don’t listen with faith; it is possible for those who have heard the Good News not to enter because of disobedience and hardness of heart; the Word is a scalpel that penetrates the heart and judges its thoughts and intents; we are all laid bare to Him to Whom we must answer; Jesus is our GREAT HIGH PRIEST, Who was tempted like us all, yet without sin; let’s approach His throne of grace with confidence to receive mercy, grace and help
Ch5.1-10- those called to the ministry are to deal gently with the ignorant and misguided since they too are clothed in weakness; during His humanity, Jesus offered up prayers with loud crying and tears to the One able to save from death;
He learned obedience through suffering;
He is the source of salvation for those who obey
To the text…
V11- the writer has much to say, but it is difficult to explain because his audience have become poor listeners; what causes this?
Thinking you already know the content being addressed (intellectual pride; ex- teaching evangelism in Cleveland)
A hardened heart, caused by unaddressed pain
Willfully neglecting one’s own care of the soul
Unaddressed sin- ”if I regard iniquity in my heart…” Ps 66.18
Distraction by the cares of life- read the parable of the sower
When you are exposed to the Word, written or preached (Are you with me?), are you really listening?
V12- some should be teachers, but you have to go back to the elementary principles (stoicheion- basic principles of the actual written Word); you need milk, and not meat (this statement makes the proud irate)
There are those who should be doing far more in the church than they are, but are spiritually incapable, or unwilling- 1 Cor 1.26- “not many wise, not many noble”
V13- if you don’t move from milk to meat, you are ignorant of the Word of right belief and right living, dikaiosunē
Why some don’t mature from milk to meat
Lack of biblical discipleship in the pulpit (for which preachers will be held accountable), small groups (teachers held accountable) - the pastor/teacher must do his/her part, Ja 3.1
- much evangelical preaching has become so poor that we have raised an entire generation of people who can’t recognize good preaching because they have never seen/heard itA lack of commitment (Gladwell’s 10k hrs) to one’s personal life of spiritual formation (for which you are held accountable/responsible)
Again, there is nothing the shepherd can do which will overcome what the sheep with not do
God will not violate your free will
V14- solid (stereos- strong, steadfast) food is for the mature (telios- complete, accomplished, fully developed, finished)
How did they get this way?
Practice (hexis- constant use or habit resulting in strictness of mind)
Training (gumnazō- exercise, disciple, train through use) of the senses (aisthētērion- internal senses or faculties)
Distinguishing (diakrisis- differentiate, discern) to judge between good/evil
And so…
Let Cornerstone commit herself to listening to and heeding the Word of God, rightly preached and taught
Commit yourself to the discipleship process- come to church, small group, and Bible study; bring your Bible; feed yourself via devotions during the week
Look for, and model maturity in your own life, and the sake of others who are watching your life
