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Nov 26, 2023

Hebrews: Minus Jesus; Plus Jesus; Only Jesus

Passage: Hebrews 5:11-6:8

Speaker: Brian Land

Series: Hebrews: Fulfilled in Christ

Category: Grace Brevard

Keywords: hope, salvation, fear, security

This is one of the most difficult passages in Scripture because, on it's surface, it seems to tell us that we can lose our salvation (and not even be allowed to ever come back) which contradicts the rest of Scripture. This passage is written to Jews that were either merely adding Jesus to their works-based faith or enjoying the Gospel-community without actually enjoying Jesus himself. But the foundation of scripture is that we are saved by nothing by God's grace through the sacrifice of His Son. If our behavior couldn't get us in, then our behavior can't get us out. In this passage we can feel the conviction of not living as mature believers while also being comforted that the Lord is the one that has planted us, is making us grow, and produces fruit from our lives that nourished the world.

CENTRAL TEXT:

Hebrews 5:11 - 6:8

11 About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, 13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. 14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

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. 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.

SERMON DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

  • What are some characteristics of a “mature” Christian? ... “immature” Christian?
  • What is the author so frustrated about? What do you think is happening?
  • When you come upon a really hard bible passage, what do you do?
  • What might a “Minus Jesus” theology/life look like?
  • What might a “Plus Jesus” theology/life look like?
  • How is it that the heart of the Gospel is “Jesus Plus Nothing”? What’s it mean?
  • With that in mind, how would you respond to someone who wonders if they are truly a Christian? ...maybe they’ve “said the prayer” or been baptized over and over but still wonder, or are afraid that Jesus will say “I never knew you”.
  • What do the 2 different fruits look like in real life?
  • How is the “healthy fruit” connected to “mature” believers in 5:14?
  • What is a “take away” for you from this passage?