MILK, MEAT, AND MATURITY

The writer of Hebrews in chapter five, verses 12-14, chides the congregation for their lack of spiritual growth. The foundational principles ought to have been learned and built upon. When they should have been focused on growing, they were still fixated on grounding. The preacher must consider his audience and feed them appropriately.

Babes need MILK, “you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe,” (v. 12b-13). They would choke on meat. We should always have some infants in the audience. That means the church is engaged in evangelism and new spiritual babes are being birthed into the family of God. The preachers and teachers must consider them and nurture them. Only as they are given milk will they have healthy growth.

Adults need MEAT, “But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil,” (v. 14). If the preachers and teachers only offer milk and do not give meat when the believers need it, then their growth will be stunted and they may well seek another local church where meat is offered. There ought always be grown-ups in the congregation, for this means the church is dedicated to discipleship. Solid, substantial Scriptural truths are given to them to chew on as growth is sustained.

Soul nourishment brings MATURITY. Babies are precious, but if they never develop then there is a problem. As that is contrary to the normal physical pattern, it is likewise in the spiritual realm. 

This is evidenced by duplication, “For though by this time you ought to be teachers,” (v. 12a). Children have matured biologically when they can reproduce. They not only have the capacity to do so, but the competency for doing so. Maturing disciples multiply disciples. The taught become teachers. 

It is also manifested in discernment, “that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil,” (v. 14). The immature are easily led astray. Children are naive and gullible. You have to keep poisons locked away from them or they will consume them. The church may have those prone to drink toxins as if it were truth. Cult members target such. Adults have learned to weigh what is presented to them. There is discernment that detects what is good and they swallow it, but the evil doesn’t pass, “the smell test.” They sniff it, and usually turn from it, but if they taste it they spit it out!

The healthy church family is one where new babies are being birthed and given milk to mature them, and where maturing saints are discipled as they are given meat to multiply them. The church’s preachers and teachers must be mature and model this if they are thus to lead the congregation.

GRACE FOR SANCTITY IN THE AGED

And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.  And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.  ‎So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.”  And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him.  Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”  Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.  And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.   (Luke 2:25-38) 

Simeon and Anna were not actually Jesus’ grandparents, but we see in them the kind of sanctity which ought to be found in the elderly.  Sanctity may not be a familiar term, but it’s a fitting term which conveys godliness—and that is certainly evident in this old man and woman.  As we age biologically, we should mature spiritually through God’s grace operating in us. 

Paul told Titus that the older men and women of the church had a mentoring assignment with the young men and women.  Church at its ideal isn’t loaded with one particular demographic—whether white headed elderly or spikey haired youth—but is multigenerational.  Each has a dynamic to add: the vitality of youth and stability of age.

What kind of “grandparents,” whether literal or spiritual, do we need?  Consider these characteristics of Simeon and Anna.

There needs to be PURITY, “And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.  (v.25)  Simeon was just in his dealings with others and devout in his relationship with God.  Personal purity marked him.  He was a holy man.

Then the godly will exhibit PATIENCE.  Simeon had been “waiting” (v.25) for years for Messiah, and Anna, since becoming a young widow, had patiently served in the house of God, “and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.”  (v.37)   They did not allow time and trials to erode their hope.  That happens far too often.

Spiritually mature people possess PERCEPTION.

And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.  ‎So he came by the Spirit into the temple. … Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” (v.26-27a; 34-35)

Simeon had spiritual perception: he could see behind events, see through circumstances, and see beyond the immediate situation.  Those who are led of the Spirit can guide others.

The elders of the church ought to manifest PEACE, “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word” (v.29).  He was ready to go.  Simeon was at peace.  His life’s mission was fulfilled.  Do we face aging and death with contentment?

Furthermore, such sanctity is grounded and grown in PRAYER, “and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.” (v.37)  Many will leave behind material goods, but the greatest inheritance is intercession—not property, but prayers.  They remain before God having an eternal dimension.  Their efficacy works beyond our lifetime for generations to come

Older saints ought to be noted for their PRAISE,  “he took Him up in his arms and blessed God” (v.28); “And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.”  (v.38)   May we who are older members of the church be known for our helpfulness with the young and not our harping about them!  Too often we are sour rather than sweet; known for grumbling instead of gladness. 

I want to be a godly grandparent, and leave a heritage of holiness! 

 

THERE’S HOPE FOR THE WORLD: The Purpose Defined

Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed. (Luke 1:1-4)

In this prologue, Luke defines his purpose for writing.  Though others (by this time Matthew and Luke had penned their Gospels) had shared the story of Jesus, the missionary doctor believes he has a contribution to make to the greatest story ever told. 

Luke addresses this Gospel account to Theophilus—“friend of God” as the name means.  Maybe he was a “God-fearing” Gentile who was seeking salvation—and so Luke will share the Gospel.  Perhaps he was a new convert and Luke will feed him to mature him.  Both purposes are evidenced in this Gospel.

Luke’s purpose for writing can be defined as presenting THE SOURCE OF FAITH.  If Theophilus were not a saved man, but a seeking man, God connected him with the right person!  As Luke had found hope in Christ, so Theophilus could encounter the same eternal solution to the sin problem.  Christ is the only hope of the world and we must bear witness to Jesus!  Luke inspires us to do the same.

But another purpose is accomplished in this message and it is to provide THE SURETY OF FAITH.  If Theophilus were a converted man, he needed to become a confident man.  We are built up in the faith through the teaching of the Word.  Luke testifies to the truth, “that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed.”  We need to avail ourselves of the opportunity to make our faith sure, settled and strong by hearing the Word as it is taught by others and studying the Word for ourselves.  Each week a Bible-preaching/teaching church prepares a spiritual banquet for you.  Come and feast!  The Holy Spirit speaks from the Holy Scriptures!

There is hope for you!  There is hope for the world!  That is Luke’s message and it is ours to joyfully share 2,000 years after he wrote—and all the way until the end of the age.

 

THE SHEPHERD’S STANDARD: The Importance of Maturity

“A bishop then must be… not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil.” (1 Timothy 3:2, 6 NKJV)

What about Paul?  As soon as he was converted, he began to preach Jesus.  But, we must not argue from the exceptional rather than acknowledging the typical.  Few are like Paul!  Another salient point is this—even though he began to preach immediately, his leadership of the church only began after a period of seasoning.  So, he practiced what he preached.

To be "puffed up with pride" in the Greek literally means to be obscured in smoke—the smokescreen of pride.  Such a man is, “inflated with self-conceit and exaggerated ideas of his own importance, he cannot see himself or others in the true light (1 Ti 6:4; 2 Ti 3:4).”^[1] He thinks more highly of himself than he ought.  That is the road to ruin.

This is the hubris exemplified in those who built and steered the Titanic.  Thinking it unsinkable—that not even God could sink it—the tragic consequences are well known.  Our world is full of icebergs as the ship of the church sails these waters.  When a man relaxes his watch, then danger is imminent.  The inexperienced are more likely to be caught offguard.

This term makes me think of our expression, “blowing smoke.”  There are a lot of preachers that do that—not just the young, of course—but that is a particular weak spot for many novices.

“Ancient leadership ideology required leaders to be tested in lower offices, to demonstrate their skills before being promoted….”^[2]   If you want to wreck a company, put someone in as CEO who is a young “hotshot,” gifted, yet inexperienced.  They will likely become intoxicated with power and their arrogance not tempered by maturity will be their downfall—bringing down the company as well—or, at the least, setting it back.  Many a church has been damaged or destroyed the same way.

A PRAYER

Ancient of Days,

You know all things—the end from the beginning.  You never get in a rush.  As Your Word declares in Ecclesiastes, there is a season for all things.  For all the young men called into ministry, let them be patient and “wait” on You.  May they give themselves to discipline to learn and grow until such a time as they are ready to serve in leadership.  Help Your churches not pick green fruit, jeopardizing the potential of the novice, and threatening the church itself.  For all Your mature men who have so much to share, stir them to invest in young men.
In Christ’s Name and for His Sake,
Amen.

---

^[1] Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1 Ti 3:6). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

^[2] Keener, C. S. (1993). The IVP Bible background commentary: New Testament (1 Ti 3:6–7). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

THE SHEPHERD’S STANDARD: The Value of Experience

“A bishop then must be…one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?); not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil.” (1 Timothy 3:2,4-6 NKJV)

The experiences a man has in leading his family have great value in preparing him for effective ministry in the church.  That does not mean that a single man cannot be a pastor.  Would you think that the Apostle Paul would be a poor pastor?  What about Jesus?  Neither was married, but both would be eminently qualified to lead a local church—and Jesus preeminently!

Yet, having said that, relationships in the home and the direction of our spouse and children are experiences which are very helpful.  Roman Catholicism takes the approach, that unless you are celibate, you cannot serve as a clergyman.  These verses directly contradict that.

Experience is a great educator—not just in the home, but every dimension of life.  This is why the novice is excluded from serving as a pastor.  He hasn’t had enough life lessons under his belt to prepare him to do ministry in the real world.  Even the failures of life convey important truths that help the pastor grow and serve.  We gain wisdom from walking with the mature—it is a journey with no instant attainment.  It takes time.

So the office of the pastor is sometimes referred to as an “elder.”  This is not strictly a matter of biological age, for Paul was writing to a young man Timothy, who was spiritually maturing and intent on continuing on that course.  I’ve also known a few older preachers who were still big babies!

We must recognize that there is a special peril for the young.  Older men aren’t exempt from it—but young pastors are in the Devil’s crosshairs.  It is this business of pride.  How tempting it is for a young man to let his position go to his head, and be foolish enough to believe all those nice things people tell him going out the door after the sermon.

This sin is so horrible that it turned a beautiful angel into a devil.  Pride can ruin us.  Humility marks the mature man.  Scripture says, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (1 Pet.5:b)  Pastors have enough resistance from the congregation—they surely don’t want to be resisted by God!  They need all the grace they can have—and only the humble receive it!

A PRAYER

Father of Light,

Every good and perfect gift comes from You, and one of the best is wisdom.  How we need it!  Yet, You demand that we ask in faith—that we realize we know so little and You must teach us.  How else can we teach others?  Thank You for the life lessons conveyed through experiences—even the painful ones.  Grow us in grace!  Make us seasoned servants.
In the Name of Our Elder Brother and Teacher, Jesus Christ,
Amen.