Hebrews 5:11-14 We have a great deal to say about this, and it is difficult to explain, since you have become too lazy to understand. Although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the basic principles of God’s revelation again. You need milk, not solid food. Now everyone who lives on milk is inexperienced with the message about righteousness, because he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature—for those whose senses have been trained to distinguish between good and evil. Ask yourself: Am I being honest with myself concerning my spiritual maturity? Big Idea: We should be growing in our faith. Hebrews 5:11 We have a great deal to say about this, and it is difficult to explain, since you have become too lazy to understand. Philippians 2:12 Therefore, my dear friends…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. One of the first symptoms of spiritual regression, or backsliding, is a dullness toward the Bible. Sunday School class is dull, the preaching is dull, anything spiritual is dull. The problem is usually not with the Sunday School teacher or the pastor, but with the believer himself. Warren Weirsbe If you aren’t moving forward, you’re moving backward. 2 Timothy 4:3-4 For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, will multiply teachers for themselves because they have an itch to hear what they want to hear. They will turn away from hearing the truth and will turn aside to myths. John 16:33 “I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.” Galatians 1:10 For am I now trying to persuade people, or God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. Hebrews 5:12 Although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the basic principles of God’s revelation again. You need milk, not solid food. "There is dust enough on some of your Bibles to write ‘damnation’ with your fingers." Charles Spurgeon Responses by Evangelical Christians who attend church once a week for Ligonier Ministries' State of Theology survey Statement 3: God accepts the worship of all religions, including Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. 54% either agreed or were not sure. 12% only somewhat disagreed. 34% strongly disagreed Statement 7: Jesus was a great teacher, but he was not God. 29% either agreed or were not sure. 66% strongly disagreed Statement 9: The Holy Spirit is a force but is not a personal being. 55% either agreed or were not sure. 37% strongly disagreed. Statement 11: The Holy Spirit can tell me to do something which is forbidden in the Bible. 24% either agreed or were not sure. 71% strongly disagreed. Statement 12: Everyone sins a little, but most people are good by nature. 59% either agreed or were not sure. 25% strongly disagreed. Statement 13: Even the smallest sin deserves eternal damnation. 47% either disagreed or were not sure. 38% strongly agreed. Statement 31: Religious belief is not about objective truth. 47% either agreed or were not sure. 39% strongly disagree. To see the full results of this survey CLICK HERE Hebrews 5:13 Now everyone who lives on milk is inexperienced with the message about righteousness, because he is an infant. Why is this verse problematic? We cannot stay as infants and expect to be effective for Christ. Hebrews 5:14 But solid food is for the mature—for those whose senses have been trained to distinguish between good and evil. Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. Topics in Theology: The Nature of God: Easier aspects: Belief in one eternal, omnipotent, omniscient God who created and sustains the universe. Harder aspects: Understanding God's transcendence (existing beyond physical realm) and immanence (God’s accessibility) together, His immutability (unchanging nature), and impassibility (not experiencing suffering), which require abstract thinking. The Deity of Jesus Christ: Easier aspects: Jesus as the Savior who died and rose again for human salvation. Harder aspects: The hypostatic union, meaning Jesus is fully God and fully human simultaneously, challenging human logic. The Trinity: Easier aspects: The concept that God is revealed in three persons. Harder aspects: The philosophical and theological challenge of understanding one God in three distinct persons who are each fully God, a concept that even theologians find difficult. The Doctrine of Salvation: Easier aspects: Salvation is a gift from God through faith in Jesus Christ. Harder aspects: The mechanics and extent of atonement, the nature of grace versus human free will, election, and predestination raise complex theological questions. The Authority of Scripture: Easier aspects: The Bible is seen as authoritative and foundational for faith. Harder aspects: Understanding the ontology of Scripture—its inspiration, inerrancy, infallibility, and how it relates to the church and tradition—can be contentious and complex. Next Step: I will study Scripture more consistently. Simple Bible Study Method (Click Here) Websites for in-depth Bible learning: Biblical Thinking (LINK HERE) Ligonier Ministries (LINK HERE) Stand to Reason (LINK HERE) “Discernment is not knowing the difference between right and wrong; it's knowing the difference between right and almost right.” Charles Spurgeon Next Step: I will commit to growing in my faith and knowledge of God. Next Step: I will repent and submit my life to Christ.