I. "Therefore, let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on unto maturity" (Heb. 6:1 ESV).

• Everybody's got to GROW UP!
• Hebrews 5 and 6 is an admonition to "move up 'HIGHER," to mature, to become a spiritual adult. The rest of Hebrews from this point on is "for adults only."

II. Milk or meat? (Heb. 5:12-6:2)

Milk-the basic principles of Christ.

They are "unskilled in the word of righteousness." They know what Jesus DID on the cross and in the resurrection but have no idea what those two things practically mean in their lives.

Meat-the priestly ministry of Christ.

They know what happened after the resurrection and is happening right now at the throne of God.

III.Jesus, OUR GREAT HIGH PRIEST

A. We need a high priest.

1. JESUS NEVER SINNED. He came from heaven and lived a perfect life. How could he relate to us and "sympathize with our weaknesses" (4:15)?

B. Jesus learned obedience (vv. 7-8).

1. "In the days of His flesh"-His flesh was the human side of Him.
2. "With loud crying and tears"-His soul was crying out for deliverance.
3. "To save Him OUT OF [from] death-Jesus did not pray to be saved from death. The Greek word is "out of death."
4. "He LEARNED OBEDIENCE through the things that He suffered"-He became a man so that His obedience to the will of God could be TESTED. YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED UNTIL YOU TAKE A TEST.
5. "He became the SOURCE of salvation to all who OBEY HIM"-OBEDIENCE is the essence of salvation.

C. Obedience shows maturity (vv. 11-14).

1. Children can't hear. - A child has selective hearing. When we learn to listen, we are proving our maturity.
2. Children can't share. - A child is totally focused on their own pleasure and enjoyment. When we learn to share with and teach others, we are proving our maturity.
3. Children can't discern. - A child will put absolutely ANYTHING in its mouth. When we learn to discern good and evil, we are proving our maturity.

D. SIX basics for babies

1. REPENTANCE-I must change my mind, make a spiritual U-turn from anything that is disobeying the will of God.
2. FAITH TOWARD GOD-I must put my faith in what Christ accomplished for me on the cross and in His resurrection.
3. BAPTISMS-I need to be baptized in water and in the Holy Spirit.
4. LAYING ON OF HANDS-I need to know my purpose and be commissioned into service in the body of Christ.
5. RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD-All men of all ages will be resurrected and live forever.
6. ETERNAL JUDGMENT-Believers will be rewarded for their works (judgment seat of Christ), and unbelievers will be eternally judged in the lake of fire (great white throne).

IV.INVITATION

• Are you ready for the final judgment?
• Are you obeying the will of God?
• Are you growing in knowledge of who you are in Christ?