Better Priest, Better Hope

Sermon Application Questions:Sermon Overview:This past Sunday we looked at Hebrews 5:11-6:12, a famous warning passage that progresses through three sections: 1. Admonition to a set of Christians (5:11-6:3)2. Warning to all who claim to be Christians – true and false believers (6:4-6:8)3. Reassurance for those who are faithful and patient (6:9-12)Digging Deeper:⦁ In 5:11-14 the author makes a comparison between two groups of people: those he refers to as needing milk and those he refers to as able to eat solid food. What are the marks that characterize those in each group?⦁ How does the writer characterize someone mature in the faith? [someone who discerns good from evil (5:14), and lives the right way (5:13)]⦁ Hebrews 5:14 states that we can practice our ability to discern good and evil. Is this something you desire? If so, how can we practice our ability to discern good and evil? How can we do this individually? As a community?⦁ Hebrews 6:1-3 is an exhortation for us to press on toward maturity. In what aspect of your Christian life do you most sense your need to press on toward maturity?  ⦁ Hebrews 6:3 makes it clear that God is sovereign over our sanctification, our pursuit of maturity. How does that land on you? What effect do you think the author desired it would have on his readers?Other Scripture clearly states that it is impossible to lose your salvation (see John 10:28, Ephesians 1:13-14). So, Hebrews 6:4-6 must describe someone who once seemed to be a Christian but never really was.Read Matthew 7:21-22.⦁ In this passage, how could you appear to be a true follower of Christ without really being one?⦁ What are the similarities between the person described in Matthew 7:21-22 and the person described in Hebrews 6:4-6?⦁ How can we make sure we are not this kind of person?⦁ The author mentions good crops in Hebrews 6:7 and describes some of those crops in verses 9-12. What “good crops” do you see in your own life?Take It Home:What is one thing you want to take away from this passage, sermon, and/or the discussion tonight?Prayer Requests:_____________________________Music and Lyrics Used by Permission CCLI# 1595532