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.

THE WAY, WHAT, AND WHY WE HEAR THE WORD

The parables of Jesus recorded in Mark 4 are about preaching and teaching the Word of God, and how that supernatural act brings spiritual life and growth to those who hear and heed it. As we come to the Lord’s Day and the gathering of the saints, let us do so with confidence that God’s intended results will come from that life-giving Book. We are likely familiar with the parable of the sower found in Mark 4:1-20. It deals with the condition of the soil—that is, the human heart. Only the soil that produces a crop (in varying measure) is good soil—one out of four hearers in this illustration. The Lord does not change the thrust of his sermon, as He proceeds further with four other parables, that we will group under three headings.

First, consider THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD IN SHINING LIGHT, (v. 21-23). 

Sin is for the shadows. This is the dark depravity of the human heart. The preacher is meant to take the Word of God as a Gospel light to summon men and women from the darkness to Christ who is the Light of the World. Pastors need to speak plainly. The light is not meant to be stuck under a basket of confusion or under the bed of comfort. The first type of teaching leaves the hearer scratching his head and the second style, rubbing his or her eyes. The preacher is not there to impress the people with his profundity or confound them with his obscurity. They need the light of truth plainly and simply communicated.  The congregation needs to come with preparation—ears to hear.  The best sermon will not help someone who is absent or absent-minded.  This has to do with the way we hear.

Second, note THE RECEPTIVITY OF THE WORD IN SHARING TRUTH, (v. 24-25). 

The church member has a responsibility to be selective in what they hear. They must make sure there is an alignment of the preacher’s sermon with the truth of Scripture. Obviously, the church needs caution to determine if the instruction is doctrinally sound or theologically deviant. If you attend a church or are part of a denomination that has departed from the Word, then you need to depart from that congregation. Saturate the place with your absence!  However, preaching can be so basic for so long as to end up giving people a bottle full of milk, sermon after sermon, and never nourish them with a plateful of meat!  Again, we do not start with fundamental matters and move on from them, for there will always be those in the fellowship who need the simple Gospel for they are lost, with others who are babes in Christ needing to be spoon fed. Yet, the preacher must give more than that for others are eager to grow, being receptive to the truth. Expository preaching produces a well-balanced diet for all stages of spiritual development. It will sort out the receptive hearers from the carnal crowd.  Some will ravenously consume it as they know it is feeding their soul. Others will spit it out and move on searching for a sugary sermonette that puts them in a spiritual slumber. This relates to what we hear.

Third, observe THE PRODUCTIVITY OF THE WORD IN SOWING SEED, (v. 26-‭32‬‬)

In both these parables, there is similarity in presenting the productivity of God’s Word when it is faithfully sown.  The preacher is not responsible for fruitfulness. He is accountable for his faithfulness. We do the sowing and God does the saving. It is not a product of human ability, but heavenly activity. The preacher must make certain to cultivate the soil, sow good seed in abundance, and prayerfully prepare in faith for a harvest. He must be capable of gathering and conserving.  Do not be disheartened if there seems small progress. God can grow a church into a large work, not only in terms of numbers, but in Kingdom impact. Preacher, trust God and press on!  This speaks to why we hear.

If the Word of God is faithfully proclaimed then there will be results. God has promised this supernatural impact. Everybody who sits under the Word will leave changed by it. It is to the welfare of those who receive it, “For whoever has, to him more will be given,” (v.25a). But, sadly, it is to the worsening of those who reject it, “but whoever does not have even what he has will be taken away from him,” (v.25b).

THE SUBTLETY OF THE WAYWARD

 

The devil is a roaring lion seeking to strike fear into his prey, but is also a sneaky snake that crawls in and waits in the darkness before injecting its fangs of false doctrine into the victim. This is how the serpent attacked Eve—first to doubt the accuracy of the Word of God with a question, “Did God really say?” and then to deny the authority of the Word of God with a contradiction, “No!  You will not die...” (Gen.3:1,4). 

In the prior letter, Paul set the order for the church—that men were responsible to be elders and teach doctrine in the church (1 Tim.2:11-15). The culture is increasingly feminized—masculinity is under attack—and this spirit is growing in the church in the name of equality. 

Of course, there is equality of dignity among men and women.  Neither sex is to be valued above the other. Yet, while there is no difference in dignity and worth, there is a difference in duty and work. We have different roles. The elders of the church are to be men who are the gatekeepers of sound doctrine while the women are to be the homemakers of young disciples. Women have a different role in the church and men have a different role in the home—neither less essential, but not identical.  

The warning here is to beware counterfeits like Jannes and Jambres who opposed Moses with their fake miracles (Ex.7:10-13).  Such frauds exist in Christendom today—offering the promise of miracles—bait that is wrapped around the poison of heresy.  We ignore this uncomfortable teaching to our own peril.

MENTORS FOR MEN OF GOD

Mentor was the elderly friend and adviser of Odysseus, hero of Homer’s epic poem, the Odyssey. When Odysseus went to fight in the Trojan War, he made Mentor the guardian of his son, Telemachus. From this name, we get our English term for a faithful and wise counselor. Mentoring is the process where the teacher’s life and teaching is poured into the disciple. We recognize it in the relationship of Moses and Joshua, of Elijah and Elisha in our text, of Jesus and the Twelve, and of Paul and Timothy.

Let’s consider first THE IMPORTANCE OF THE MENTORING PROCESS (2 Kings 2:1-11).  The Great Commission is about mentoring—reaching people and teaching people.

GOD HAS A SET TIME FOR HIS PEOPLE (v.1,11).  Elijah had a deadline he was going to keep. So do we. Therefore we must redeem the time and make our days count. The greatest thing we can leave behind is a heritage of faith that has been embraced by another generation.

GOD HAS A SUSTAINED TASK IN HIS PURPOSE (v.9).  God’s people come and go, but God’s purpose remains fixed. The mentor cultivates an understanding of the work to be done and develops a desire in the one mentored to continue that work. The bond between mentor and pupil is crucial (v.9-10).

Then, there is THE INTENTION OF THE MENTORING PROCESS (v.12-18).  The intent of the mentoring process is that the work continues undisrupted by the absence of the mentor.

Note THE SEVERING OF THE RELATIONSHIP (v.12).  The tearing of his garments was not only a sign of his dismay, but also a symbol of his dividing asunder from Elijah. The test of a successful mentor is whether the one mentored can stand alone.

Next we have THE SEIZING OF THE RESPONSIBILITY (v.13-15).  Elisha takes up the mantle and ministry of Elijah. An important part of that ministry was mentoring, so he will assume that role also. He will mentor the sons of the prophets. Paul told Timothy to take that which he taught him and commit it to faithful men who could teach others also (2 Tim.2:2).

We’ve seen the importance and intention of the mentoring process, and conclude with THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE MENTORING PROCESS (v.19-25).  There are profound implications when true mentoring occurs.

One of the unmistakable results is THERE WILL BE MINISTRY(v.19-22).  These people had a problem and turned to the man of God for a solution.  Anyone can spot problems, but good leaders solve problems.

THERE WILL BE AUTHORITY (v.23-25).  Those who mock God will mock us—we can expect it. But heavenly authority rests upon us. God will settle the scores.

Have you matured to the place where you can be a mentor? If not, are you being mentored so you can mature?

There is no success without a successor. God help us to become like Christ and be able to say with Paul, “Follow me in the same way I follow Christ.”

THE WORD OF GOD IN THE WORSHIP OF GOD

My lips shall utter praise,

For You teach me Your statutes.  (Psalm 119:171)

The psalmist makes the connection between his inspiration for the worship of God and his instruction in the Word of God.  They are inseparable.  This is why the pulpit stands at the center of our place of worship.  In the center of the pulpit, a Bible is placed, and the preacher centers himself behind it.  This is because the Word of God is central to our worship.  The preaching of God’s Word is at the very heart of all we believe and directs how we behave.  We do not gather to entertain the saints, but to expound the Scriptures.  We are not in the business of providing a show, but proclaiming a Savior.  There are three reasons suggested in these closing verses of Psalm 119.

The Word is central in our worship because it has PERPETUAL RELEVANCE (v.89-112).  We do not have to make the Word of God relevant; it is relevant!  It is as timeless as God is.  God has not changed—He has the same character.  Man has not changed—he has the same nature.  God’s expectation and provision have not changed.  Thus, the Scripture is relevant to every time, every culture, and every situation.  “Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven.”  (v.89).

The Word of God is central in our worship, also, because it brings POWERFUL RESULTS (v.113-136).  Spurgeon said that God’s Word did not have to be defended.  You don’t have to defend a lion, you just let it loose!  There is power in the Word—with power God spoke and creation came into existence.  There is still power in the Word!  Rather than the church having to defend the Word of God because of its weakness, we find that the Word of God defends us because of its power!  “You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word.”  (v.114).  I recognize there is a place for apologetics that can be helpful to those seeking faith or needing a shoring up of their faith, but “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Rom.10:17)

Another reason that the Word of God is central in our worship is it demands PERSONAL RESPONSE (v.137-176).  We will fall upon the Rock of Truth and experience brokenness in repentance or the Rock of Truth will fall upon us and crush us in judgment.  Jesus said that the words which He has spoken will judge us at the last day (John 12:48).  Thus, the exposition of the Word as its meaning is unfolded, leads to the application of the Word in its message for the hearer, and culminates in a decision—to submit to the truth or reject it.  Neutrality is not an option.  The sermon is not for mere information as in a lecture, or even inspiration as in a speech, but is for transformation since it is a sermon.  God is not making suggestions; He is issuing commands.  “LORD, I hope for Your salvation, And I do Your commandments.”  (v.166).

We hear God’s Word—perpetually relevant to us.  We can expect that it will bring powerful results.  The critical matter is our personal response to it, as we hear it, study it, and apply it.   Let every pastor know that he is accountable for proclaiming it clearly and courageously.  We must feed the sheep or fail in our service.  We will answer to God.

A NOTE TO REMIND YOU

“Therefore you shall love the LORD your God, and keep His charge, His statutes, His judgments, and His commandments always.”  (Deuteronomy 11:1)

I can be so forgetful.  When I make an appointment, I put it into my phone with all kinds of alarms to go off—along with the details of who, where, when, why, and the like.  Just yesterday, I needed to go to the store for three things and could only recall one of them.  It later dawned on me what it was, so, lest I forget again, I took a sharpie and all I had in the car to write on—a napkin—and made myself a note lest I forget once more!  An old fellow was asked, “Do you believe in the hereafter?”  His reply was, “Oh, yes!  I walk to the other end of the house to get something and by the time I get there, forget and ask, ‘What am I here after?’”

Deuteronomy 11 is a spiritual reminder note from God.  There is not any new material—the message was given before and is repeated.  The reemphasis is for two main reasons.  It was given to a generation that came out of Egypt as children.  They have meandered through the wilderness for forty years, until all their parents have died—Moses is soon to depart.  Only two of that older generation will survive to enter Canaan with them—Joshua and Caleb—because of their faith and obedience.  Therefore, the first reason for the repetition is to underscore that their fathers and mothers failure to follow the Lord’s instructions must not be the path they take.  The second reason for the repetition is—people have thick skulls!  It takes a lot to drum the truth into our noggin.  We forget—and we dare not!  Really, the Bible does not say many different things—it just repeats the same truths repeatedly.

The congregation addressed has reached maturity.  They have seen the mighty hand of God at work.  They are called to remember, and then to relay that baton of truth to their children.  Each generation must be faithful to transfer their testimony to the next one.  Do not drop the baton or the team will lose the spiritual race!  We have the privilege and responsibility of preparing the children and youth of today for their leg of the race tomorrow—and then as we complete ours, to cheer them on as they take off down the track.  I cannot understand why it is always such a chore to get church folk to work in the nursery, teach youth Sunday School, or help with Vacation Bible School.  God takes it seriously and we should!

They would come into a God-blessed land.  If Israel would be obedient, they would continue to experience those blessings, but, they are warned turning away into sin would bring God’s displeasure and with it, His discipline.  My generation grew up in such a place called America, but we have not taught our children well, and the results are what seems to be impending judgment—if we are not in it already.  There is no enemy within our gates or outside our borders, we would need to fear if we would fear God.  Failing in that, we have every right to expect the blessing to turn to cursing, and from being the victor to become the vanquished.  Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.  What is God saying to you today—again?  This is a note to remind you.

I SMELL SMOKE

The fire consumed their young men, and their maidens were not given in marriage. (Psalm 78:63)

Where there’s smoke, there’s fire!  That’s why having a smoke detector is critical to fireproofing your home.  The loud alarm can give you an opportunity to escape.  I smell smoke!  I am a spiritual smoke detector sounding a warning that is a life and death matter for your family.  Israel did not listen and perished.  They failed to set a pattern and teach the principles of the Word of God and so family life and national life became engulfed in hell’s inferno (Ps.78:1-8).

That sinful generation is described as UNGRATEFUL (Ps.78:9-16)  They forgot all that God had done for them.  He had blessed them and blessed them, and they just took it for granted those blessings would always be there—and they forgot that a gracious God was the source and the blessings were undeserved.  I smell smoke!  We have modeled ungratefulness as parents and now we have a young generation that virtually has stricken, “Thank you,” from their vocabulary.  Like pigs coming to a trough, we begin to gorge ourselves at the table, few of us raising our heads to the God in heaven who blesses us.  A lack of gratitude in our personal life and family life is an indicator of a destructive fire ablaze.

They were also UNBELIEVING (Ps.78:17-33).  God delivered the Jews from Egyptian slavery by miraculous deeds.  He opened up a highway through the Red Sea to bring them out.  When they were thirsty, He gave them water from the rock.  He fed them bread from heaven.  Yet, every time they faced adversity, they would wring their hands and whine in despair.  They doubted the ability and veracity of God to keep His Word—and that is a horrible sin!  It would shut them out of the Promised Land.  The sin of unbelief is all that will shut us out of heaven.  Yet, I have heard some parents say the stupidest thing, “I’m not going to force religion on my child.  You know my parents made me go to church and I’m not going to do that to my kid.”  Well, I’m sorry that your parents gave birth to such morons!  You may be sentencing your children to hell.  The world will gladly indoctrinate your children if you don’t!

The people of Israel were UNREPENTANT (Ps.78:34-55). They would say the right thing, but it was all a show.  When they got in trouble, they would promise God anything, and as soon as the pressure was off, they were back to their old ways.  Jesus warned, “Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”  Repentance means we turn from sin and turn to God sincerely.  It’s going to take a miracle to fireproof your home.  It will require the power of God.  I am convinced, however, that no matter how spiritually toxic the culture may be, God can bring us and our loved ones safely through--but not if we don’t take our faith seriously. 

Finally, they were UNFAITHFUL (Ps.78:56-72)  They abandoned their love for the Lord and went whoring after other gods— they were spiritual adulterers.  Unfaithfulness to our marriage vows will certainly burn a home down, but that is rooted in unfaithfulness to God.  I smell smoke and where there’s smoke there’s fire!  If we are not faithful to God as parents, then what hope is there for the generations to come?

With the help of God, let us fireproof our home!

THE CHURCH’S TASK

Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”  (Luke 24:46-47)

All kinds of books have been—and still being—written about what the church is to be and do.  You will read titles like, “The Attractional Church,” “The Purpose Driven Church,” “The Multipying Church,” “The Five Star Church,” “Sticky Church,” “The Intentional Church,” and on and on we could go.  Some of these provide solid insights; most of them give some help.  There is value in reading them.  The best book ever written on church life, however, is the Good Book!  The Word of God is our instruction manual.  Jesus said that He would build His church, so let us hear the task that He assigned us.

The church’s task is to WIDEN people’s understanding of the Word of God (Luke 24:44-45).  Jesus wants us to grow in the grace and knowledge imparted from Scripture.  He wants us to widen our comprehension of His ways, deepen our convictions from His Word, and heighten our consecration in our walk.  The teaching and preaching of the truth of Scripture is indispensable—it is how disciples are developed.

Receiving the truth, we are equipped to WITNESS for the Lord (Luke 24:46-49).  The church is not to be a reservoir where the Gospel is stored, but a river where the Gospel is streamed.  Good news is meant for sharing!

• We have a message (v.46-47).  Jesus died and rose so that repentance from sin is experienced and remission of sins extended.
• We have a mission (v.48).  Those who know Christ have the responsibility to introduce Him to others.
• We have the might (v.49).  Our assignment is too big for us, but we don’t have to depend on our ability and ingenuity.  We have the power of the Holy Spirit!

Knowing the truth and sharing the truth is grounded in—and strengthened by—our WORSHIP in the church (v.50-53).  What we do can only be accomplished in community.  Throughout this text plural pronouns are used: “they” (v.45); “them” (twice in v.50 and twice more in v.51).  We assemble to celebrate our Savior and connect with the saints.  After we gather and scatter, then we reassemble to rejoice in what God has done in and through us!  Those we reach are welcomed into the family through baptism, united in communion and grounded in instruction.  An environment of love for God and our fellowman is provided.  The church is a hothouse for growing disciples.

It is simple isn’t it?  That reminds me of another book: “Simple Church”!  Yet, it is true.  We just need to do a few things well—and only those matters commanded by our Master.  Like a three-legged stool, take out just one: our inspiration in worship, our instruction in the Word, our involvement in witness—and that local church cannot stand.  Now, let’s open the Book, open our hearts, and open our mouths!