“Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity…” (Heb. 6.1, ESV)

______________

To be bear fruit as disciples of Jesus, we must grow in His word (2 Peter 3.18). It is only when we are growing and abounding in God’s word, faith, and love that we can “go on to maturity”. In fact, one of Paul’s purposes of preaching and teaching was that “we may present everyone mature in Christ” (Col. 1.28).

Why, then, do we not sometimes see growth in our life or the lives of other Christians? In Hebrews, the writer identified many reasons for a lack of spiritual growth. Let us notice a few of them.

Hebrews 5.11-6.6 reads, “About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 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, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. 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, and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And this we will do if God permits. 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, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, 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.”

The Bible tells us that some had become dull of hearing (spiritual laziness in learning the word of God), had not grown enough (because they were stuck on a spiritual milk diet – the first principles of the Scriptures), would not allow the word to change them (where they could truly learn God’s will of what is right and wrong), and failed to “go on to maturity”, thereby leading some to fall away.

If we are not maturing in God’s word and if His love is not being perfected in us (see 1 John 2.5), then we are dull of hearing and are developing an unbelief that leads to falling away from God.

Can we help you grow to be a mature person in Christ? If you are not a disciple of Jesus, then first things first! Become a Christian by obeying the gospel and then let us help you. Contact us today! E-mail | Message us on Facebook | Call/text 903.308.4905

“Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word.” (Acts 8.4, ESV)¹

____________________________________

¹In the context, Christians were dealing with persecution including prison time, beatings, and/or death (See the books of Acts). Despite this, Christians went about preaching the word. In fact, since the Christians were so diligent in teaching others, Luke recorded in Acts that the church multiplied by the thousands and yet persecutions abounded!

What’s our excuse for not teaching others? Is it the television? Coming home after a long day and putting up our feet to watch T.V. sounds great. Is it the internet? Spending time surfing the net and social media sites like Facebook and Twitter is very relaxing. Is it tiredness? Indeed, forty to fifty hours a week at work can be exhausting. Too many activities? Little Johnny has soccer, Suzie has softball, Bobby has piano lessons, Bill has chess club, etc. Of course, these activities are necessary.

Surely one can see the sarcasm above. Simply put, we put too much before our God. We focus on the wrong things. We fill our lives with so much that we neglect spiritual things. If we find ourselves not teaching sinners, isn’t it time we examine our lives and discover what we need to eliminate to make time?

Perhaps time is not the issue. Perhaps a lack of knowledge is the reason why we do not teach. What are we doing about that, brethren? Are we diligently studying? Are we seeking to learn God’s word to teach our family or friends?

Here are the facts: If Christians in the first century lived in a time with no electricity and no modern-day comforts, and dealt with constant hardship due to persecution and yet still taught sinners, then God will not accept our excuses of being too tired, wanting to watch our favorite television shows, or that little billy has football practice every afternoon, etc. It is scary how many of us will be using those excuses on judgment day!

If you want to learn about God’s will, please e-mail Bryan Garlock, message us on Facebook, or text 903.308.405.

“How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.” (Psalm 119.9, ESV).¹

_____________________________

¹It is important to guard our hearts against immorality. One way to do this is by guarding it according to the word of God. God’s word teaches us how to recognize, avoid, and overcome sin. Be diligent in your studies and application of the word and you can keep your way pure!

We would love to help you study and grow. If you’re interested in learning more about guarding your heart, contact Bryan Garlock, message us on Facebook, or text 903.308.4905.

“…preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.” (2 Tim. 4.2, ESV)¹

______________________________

¹Paul told Timothy to “preach the word”. Unfortunately, people do not like to hear God’s word. In fact, to keep people coming, many preachers and pastors preach jokes, funny stories, or feel-good-motivational-speeches instead of the word of God. Sadly, people leave having heard nothing more than fluff and “positive preaching*”.

Yet, Paul charged Timothy to preach the word “in season and out of season”; in other words, when they like it (Acts 2.37-41) and when they do not like it (Acts 7.51-60). Mixed with preaching is “reproving, rebuking, and exhorting, with complete patience and teaching”. Interestingly, notice that there are two negatives (reproving, rebuking) and one positive (exhorting) included in preaching. One such reason is because God’s word is meant to prick us in the heart to do better (cf. Acts 2.37). Therefore, these things are necessary for our growth in the word (Acts 20.32; 2 Tim. 3.16-17; Eph. 4.11-16).

However, if we are not built up in the faith then we will no longer want to endure sound teaching, and having itching ears we will accumulate for ourselves teachers to suit our own passions (see 2 Tim. 4.3-4). For example, imagine a man who loves to smoke going to ten different doctors until he found one who will tell him that it is OK to smoke. He is simply seeking a doctor that will suit his evil lust. Paul says that once that happens men will wander from the truth into fables or myths.

If you’re interested in learning more about the truth of God’s word and avoiding religious error and myths, e-mail Bryan Garlock or text 903.308.4905.

*This writer does not believe there is such a thing as “negative and positive preaching” as we are often told to “refrain from so much negativity from the pulpit”. If one was to distinguish between the two, both are necessary for the growth of the saint. However, every sermon that presents God’s word and causes a soul to repent of sin or remain faithful is positive. We ask: “Where’s the negativity in that?”

“May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.” (2 Peter 1.2).¹

______________________________

¹Every New Testament writer desired the same thing: grace and peace for all those in Christ Jesus (Rom. 1.7; 1 Cor. 1.3; Gal. 1.3; 2 John 1.3, etc.). However, for one to have grace and peace it must first be rooted “in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.” This means that one cannot have grace and peace when what he believes or teaches is established in false doctrines. Therefore, the result is one will be anathema and without “the Father and the Son” (Gal. 1.6-9; 2 John 9). Fortunately, God has given us His truth (John 17.17) and “all things that pertain to life and godliness” (2 Peter 1.3), and as we increase in this truth, that is, “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3.18) then grace and peace is multiplied to us.

If you desire to know more about God and enjoy the increasing grace and peace only found in His precious book, e-mail Bryan Garlock or text 903.308.4905.