A Foundation To Build On

Hebrews 6:1-3 NKJV "Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection [literally 'maturity'], not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgement. And this we will do if God permits."

Are you aware that God wants you to go further than you are right now? He wants you to grow and become spiritually mature believers. He wants you to graduate from elementary school - so to speak - and move onto deeper and higher things. But that has to be intentional on your part....it isn't simply a process of time.

There are a lot of gray-headed infants in churches across America today. People who have been "saved" for decades, but haven't grown up at all. I don't want you to be like that! I want you to become a full-grown, fully-mature son or daughter of God! I don't want you to just be "saved"....I want you to go beyond being born-again. My dream for you is to become a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The first step to growing up spiritually is to become born-again. Congratulations! You're on your way!

After salvation, you then need to come to a working realization of who you are now in Christ. After all, Hebrews 6:1 calls these the "elementary principles of Christ."

A Foundation to Build On

Now we come to some basic doctrines that every believer should have as a foundation in their life. As you grow and mature in your walk with God, these principles will be the bedrock that you'll build on. These are what you'll base everything in your life on.

Jesus speaks of this foundation in Matthew 7:24-25, "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock."

If you build your life on the right foundation, you can withstand the rain, the floods, and the winds...and not be shaken. You won't get washed away by trouble and pressure. You won't get blown over by false teachings and religious ideas. And if you set your foundation deep enough, even a flood of opposition from the world will have no effect on you. Does this sound like something you want?

What is this foundation? What are these elementary principles that need to be laid in your life? Hebrews 6:1-2 goes on to tell us what these doctrines are:

1 - Repentance from dead works and faith toward God.

2 - Baptisms.

3 - Laying on of hands.

4 - Resurrection of the dead.

5 - Eternal judgement.

When these are in place, and you've settled your mind on what the Bible says about them, then you are founded on the rock. 

But without these, you'll never have the foundation for the life that God wants you to have. If you're not founded on the Rock of God's word, then you'll be founded on the sand of your own opinion. And that is a life that's doomed to disaster.

Actually Hebrews 6:4-6 shows us what this unfounded life ends up looking like:

"For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame."

This is a life that was not founded. This is a person that tried to move onto maturity without having the elementary principles in place first. What happened to them? The storms came, the winds of false doctrine blew...and they collapsed. And then...because there is no longer a desire in them to repent, they're done.

So let's set these stones in place shall we?

Moving On...

Hebrews 6:1 "Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to maturity..."

Notice, this verse doesn't say we should ever leave the principles themselves. That would be foolish. If these things make up your foundation, then leaving them would destroy you! No, look at how this verse is phrased...we are called to move on from the discussion of these principles...not the principles themselves.

A mature believer is someone who has these principles in place, and is so firm in them that they no longer need them to be taught over and over again. Now, this doesn't mean a church shouldn't teach them. After all, there should always be new converts who need the same foundation in their life that you have. But you shouldn't need to be constantly reminded about these things. You should be free to go on to maturity.

I want you to see one more thing from this verse..."leaving the discussion...let us go on..."

Until you have these five doctrines set like a foundation, you'll never be able to go on to other things. Isn't this what you want: Maturity?

Growing up should be your heart's desire. It's what God wants for you...it's what I want for you too!

Ephesians 4:15-16 "...but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head - Christ..."

Let's lay a firm foundation....and then move on to maturity!