Guided Question

Are you growing older in your faith—or truly growing up through intentional application of God’s Word?

Summary

In this sermon from Fellowship Bible Church, Dr. Robert Lewis challenges believers to examine whether they are spiritually maturing or merely aging in the faith. Drawing from Epistle to the Hebrews 5, he addresses Christians who had followed Christ for decades yet remained spiritually immature.

He describes three evidences of spiritual stagnation: dull hearing, an ailing appetite for truth, and failing discernment. Spiritual truth is never neutral—if not applied, it hardens the heart. Using the parable of the talents from Gospel of Matthew 25, he emphasizes that unused truth is eventually lost.

The heart of the message centers on intent and application. Maturity is not measured by biblical knowledge but by practiced obedience. Christianity becomes boring when it is merely acknowledged—but becomes an adventure when lived.

Through a powerful real-life story of a woman who chose obedience during a painful divorce, the sermon concludes with a compelling reminder: abundant life cannot be defined without application.

Outline I. Introduction: Growing Older vs. Growing Up

Age does not equal maturity.
Christians can expend energy yet remain spiritually stagnant.
The “spiritual treadmill” problem.

II. Context: Hebrews 5 and Spiritual Immaturity

Written to believers mature in years but immature in growth.
The writer pauses discussion of Melchizedek to address stagnation.

III. Three Evidences of Spiritual Stagnation (Hebrews 5:11–14) 1. Impaired Hearing (Dull of Hearing)

Spiritual calluses form when truth is not applied.
Two root causes:
- Utility — Failing to see Scripture as useful.
- Intent — Never intending to fully live it out.
If truth is not used, it is lost (Matthew 25 principle).

2. An Ailing Appetite (Milk Instead of Meat)

Stuck on elementary principles.
Immaturity is lack of experience, not lack of knowledge.
Maturity = practiced obedience, not accumulated information.

3. Failing Faculties (Lack of Discernment)

Without practice, life becomes guesswork.
Repeated conflict and instability often stem from lack of biblical discernment.
Meditation integrates Scripture with daily living.

IV. The Proposal: An Exciting Christian Life

The difference between reading about something and experiencing it.
Christianity is not a job—it’s an adventure.
Radical obedience breeds:
- Joy
- Freedom
- Anticipation
- Abundant life

V. Illustration: Obedience in Divorce

A woman applies 1 Corinthians 6 instead of retaliating.
Intentional obedience brings freedom and restoration.
Application leads to true spiritual adventure.

VI. Conclusion

Abundant life cannot be defined without application.
Choose adventure over boredom.
Apply one specific truth this week.

Key Takeaways

Growing older in Christ does not guarantee spiritual maturity.
Spiritual truth is never neutral—it either softens or hardens.
If you don’t use what you’ve been given, you lose it.
Maturity is measured by practiced obedience, not Bible knowledge.
Discernment comes through application.
Christianity without application is boring.
Christianity with radical intent is an adventure.
Abundant life begins where obedience begins.

Scripture References

Hebrews 5:11–14 — Spiritual immaturity revealed through dull hearing, spiritual infancy, and lack of discernment.
Matthew 25:14–29 — What is not used is lost; faithful application leads to growth and joy.
Proverbs 14:12 — What seems right without wisdom leads to destruction.
Psalms 1:1–3 — Meditating on God’s Word produces stability and fruitfulness.
1 Corinthians 6:7 — Better to suffer wrong than abandon obedience among believers.
3 John 1:4 — True joy comes from walking in the truth.

Recorded 3.14.82