The Importance of Maturity

I. Being Exercised in Our Christian Life - Hebrews 5:11-14
A. Exercised to be nourished - Heb. 5:12-14; 6:4-5; 1 Cor. 3:1-2; 1 Tim. 4:6; 6:3
B. Exercised to hear properly - Heb. 5:11; 6:12; Luke 8:18; James 1:22-25
C. Exercised to make progress - Heb. 4:12; Luke 2:52; 1 Tim. 4:15-16
D. Exercised in every part of our being - Heb. 5:14
1. In our conscience - Acts 24:14
2. In our spirit - 1 Tim. 4:7-8; 2 Pet. 1:3; 1 Cor. 2:12-16
3. In our mind - Heb. 5:14; Rom. 12:1-2
E. Exercised with our environment - Heb. 12:11
F. Exercised to function and serve - Heb. 5:12
II. Being Brought On in Our Christian Life
A. The example of the children of Israel
1. The history of Exodus through Joshua
2. The history of the wilderness wanderings in Hebrews 3 and 4
3. The example of Israel set up in 1 Cor. 10:1-13
B. Understanding our beginning and foundation - Heb. 6:1-2
C. The attitude in our being brought on - Heb. 6:3 (cf. 1 Cor. 10:12)
1. Dependent upon His blessing - Heb. 6:7
D. The goal of our being brought on
1. The kingdom reward or loss - Heb. 6:6-9; 1 Cor. 3:10-15; 9:27
E. The factors of being brought on
1. Cooperation with God - Heb. 6:1; Phil. 2:12-13
2. Revelation and enjoyment - Heb. 6:4-5
3. Growth and proper fruit - Heb. 6:7-10 (cf. 2 Pet. 1:1-11)
4. Diligence to persevere in faith - Heb. 6:11-12
a) The example of faith - Heb. 6:13-15
5. The strong encouragement to be brought on
a) The promise and the oath - Heb. 6:16-18
b) An anchor of the soul - Heb. 6:19
c) The heavenly ministry of the Forerunner - Heb. 6:20