Difficulties Understanding the

Word

Hebrew 5:11-14

1. They had become dull of hearing

LIKE THE EPHESIANS?

I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary. But I have this against

you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.

(Revelation 2:3-4 ESV)

1. They had become dull of hearingLIKE ITCHING EARED SAINTS?

For the time is coming when people will not endure sound

teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for

themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away

from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. (2

Timothy 4:3-4 ESV)

1. They had become dull of hearingLIKE ITCHING EARED SAINTS?

For the time is coming when people will not endure sound

teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for

themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away

from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. (2

Timothy 4:3-4 ESV)

1. They could not share with othersOne of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. He first found his own

brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). He brought him to Jesus…

(John 1:35-42 ESV)

The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” … Philip found

Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of

Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” (John 1:43-45 ESV)

1. They could not share with othersSo the woman left her water jar and went away into town

and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?” They went out of

the town and were coming to him. (John 4:28-30 ESV)

Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, “He told me all that I ever did.” So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days. And many more believed because of his word.(John 4:39-41 ESV)

1. They could not share with othersAnd on the following day they entered Caesarea. Cornelius

was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. (Acts 10:24 ESV)

And as he talked with him, he went in and found many persons gathered. (Acts 10:27 ESV)

So I sent for you at once, and you have been kind enough to come. Now therefore we are all here in the presence of

God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.” (Acts 10:33 ESV)

1. They could not share with othersbut in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared

to make a defense to anyone who asks you

for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet

do it with gentleness and respect,

(1 Peter 3:15 ESV)

1. They could not share with others

What did they lack?

• Study?

• Attendance?

• Attention?

3. They were on a milk diet

But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid

food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife

among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?

(1 Corinthians 3:1-3 ESV)

3. They were on a milk diet

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added

to you. (Matthew 6:33 ESV)

Not rocket science, but just putting the kingdom first, before…

3. They were on a milk diet

and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in

remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is

the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

(1 Corinthians 11:24-25 ESV)

Not complicated, just eating the Supper in remembrance of Him

3. They were on a milk dietEveryone who goes on ahead and does not

abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both

the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive

him into your house or give him any greeting, for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked

works. (2 John 1:9-11 ESV)

Not law school, just not fellowshipping those that go beyond/adds to the teaching of Christ.

4. They lacked discernment

• Study

• Prayer

• Decision making

= exercises senses

• Dull hearing

• Not sharing

• Milk diet

= exercises senses

4. They lacked discernment1. Babes struggle

with good teaching and error

…so that we may no longer be children,

tossed to and fro by the waves and carried

about by every wind of doctrine, by human

cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.

(Ephesians 4:14 ESV)

4. They lacked discernment1. Babes struggle

with good teaching and error

2. Double minded are always doubting God’ word

But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one

who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and

tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose

that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man,

unstable in all his ways. (James 1:6-8 ESV)

4. They lacked discernmentHis divine power has granted to us all things that

pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory

and excellence, (2 Peter 1:3 ESV)

For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with

knowledge, (2 Peter 1:5 ESV)

4. They lacked discernmentFor if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in

the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted

that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will

never fall. (2 Peter 1:8-10 ESV)

4. They lacked discernmentFor if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful

in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted

that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will

never fall. (2 Peter 1:8-10 ESV)

4. They lacked discernmentBut grow in the grace

and knowledge of our Lord and Savior

Jesus Christ. To him be the glory

both now and to the day of eternity.

Amen. (2 Peter 3:18 ESV)

Hebrew writer was serious about their difficulty in understanding the word

• Dull of hearing

• Couldn’t share w/others

• On a milk diet

• Lacked discernment