Mandarin Chicken

From MC: tonight Shivonne ate a Murphy family staple: Trader Joe's Mandarin Chicken. She liked it.

Sermon notes: Clay Smith JFBC Hebrews 5:11-6:12.

The most famous foot race was the tortoise and the hair. Slow and steady wins the race. It's not how you start, it's how you finish. The Hebrews were tempted to quit. They grew up as Jews under Old Testament law. It was hard to be a Christian. Persecuted. Jesus came to save us.

Can I lose my salvation? Numbers 14: after the Israelites were passed over. They didn't trust God instead going back into slavery. God did not lead them into the promised land.

Can I be assured I have salvation?

1. What is the point of this passage? V 11 you have become poor listeners. A comfort to those afflicted v 12. Three examples... 

A. you should be a preacher teacher distributor instead of a taker.

B. solid food is for the mature. Advance from the milk.

C. The mature are trained to distinguish wisdom.

V 6:1-3 The point is to press on to maturity. This we will do if God permits, and experience the full blessings of God.

Three couplets: (a) repent put faith in Jesus, (b) Baptism is  washing, and (c) Heaven.

Building on what you've learned from the basics to more advanced concepts. 

2. Who is this passage addressed to? v 4-6 what does it mean to fall away? Is the passage addressed to believers or unbelievers? Some think they are believers, but they're not. Wheat and rates. Jesus says 'I never knew you'. Clay thinks the passage is written to believers who have fallen away.

3. What is the warning? Apostasy is not in this text. Fallen away vs unfaithful Ezekiel 13-14 the warning is for unfaithful believers who missed out on the blessing. Don't let this happen to you. God forgives but you still miss out on the blessing. Moses is in heaven but forfeited his blessing. Don't miss out. The same ground can produce good crops or thorns and thistles. I Cor 11 the Lord's Supper. Some died because of their unfaithfulness, even though they were Christians.

4. What do we do with this passage? It's comforting and challenging v 9 God is not unjust. God doesn't forget your faithfulness and good works. Gathering together means more since Covid. Church is not an event or concert but a family. Demonstrate diligence. Grow up.  Attributes: from self to others, from controlling to surrendering, living for the eternal. How selfless am I? Am I willing to serve?

5. Can I lose my salvation? If you're worried about your salvation, you genuinely care about this question and are probably saved. Some were never saved. Unbelievers don't care. Verses of comfort...

I John 5:12-13

Roman's 8:16

Philippians 1:6

JOSH DONALDSON  [B-R Bio] played for the Auburn University Tigers 2005-2007. He won the AL MVP in 2015 playing for TOR. Mike Trout was the only other player receiving first place MVP votes. Josh won his first Silver Slugger in 2015 and scored 122 runs, leading the majors. He  scored 122 more in 2016 which tied for second with Mookie Betts, just behind Mike Trout's 123. Josh played nine games in the field in 2010, two at 1B and seven at catcher. After catching three games in June of his second season, he has never caught since.