Spiritual Meat I. Introduction A. 1 Corinthians 3:1-3, Hebrews 5:12-6:3 1. The Biblical basis behind the idea of "spiritual meat" 2. Something we are to press on to B. It is good to ask some questions about this spiritual meat 1. What is spiritual meat? 2. Where do we find spiritual meat in the Bible? 3. What should we watch out for regarding spiritual meat? C. Let us examine the Scriptures to determine these answers II. Understanding Spiritual Meat A. What is spiritual meat? 1. In many ways, spiritual meat is defined on the basis of its counterpart, spiritual milk 2. According to Hebrews 5:12-6:3, spiritual milk consists of the basic doctrines and understandings of Christianity: plan of salvation, the resurrection, the judgment, etc. 3. Spiritual meat, then, would be development and understanding beyond these basic tenets of the faith B. We can also understand many things about spiritual meat when examining the metaphor in detail 1. "Spiritual meat" is manifestly a metaphor relating to practices and doctrines which go above and beyond that which is "spiritual milk" 2. In the New Testament, partaking of this spiritual meat is associated with maturity in the faith 3. It is manifest, then, that matters of spiritual meat are for those more developed in the faith, who on the basis of having their senses trained to discern good from evil, will be able to understand and appreciate these matters without being disturbed in the faith 4. Those who are not yet ready for spiritual meat, still not yet settled in the foundational doctrines of the truth, will not as easily understand matters of spiritual meat, and may even have their faith disturbed by them 5. Caution, then, is in order regarding matters of spiritual meat C. While there are many matters of spiritual meat, there are two basic forms of them: higher understandings of doctrines and "esoteric" doctrines D. Higher Understanding of Doctrines 1. There are many fundamental doctrines of the faith concerning which, over time, one will have a better developed and more mature understanding 2. Example: baptism 3. While in the conversion accounts in Acts, baptism is simply commanded, and the purpose (for remission of sins) is mentioned (cf. Acts 2:38, Acts 8:34-39, Acts 16:31-33, Acts 19:1-6, etc.)... 4. ...in the letters of Paul to Christians, he further elaborates on the nature of baptism, demonstrating how it is a type of Christ's burial and resurrection (Romans 6:3-7), that baptism is a putting on of Christ (Galatians 3:27), and the like 5. Therefore, we see that many times, as one initially hears the Gospel, the message presented is very basic, and later on, the full ramifications of the events are described 6. These represent higher understandings of basic doctrines E. Esoteric Doctrines 1. Esoteric: the word originally means "private," speaking about matters kept in private and not publically lest people misunderstand their true nature: the way I am using it here, to describe doctrines which require a higher level of Biblical knowledge to appreciate 2. An example would be Christ as High Priest in the order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 7) a. to understand what the Hebrew author is speaking of, you have to already have a basic understanding of who Melchizedek was and his engagement with Abraham b. likewise, you have to understand the Levitical priesthood system, at least the basics of it c. furthermore, you have to understand why Jesus cannot be in the Levitical priesthood system and the basis in the Psalms of the priesthood in the order of Melchizedek and how Jesus fits into it 3. From this example it should be manifest why these doctrines require a more developed faith, one well-grounded in the foundations of the truth F. Seeing, then, how we are to understand matters of spiritual meat, where do we find matters of spiritual meat in the Bible? III. Examples of Spiritual Meat A. A secondary distinction can be made in matters of spiritual meat, between matters relating more to practices and matters relating more to beliefs and doctrines 1. This distinction is more fine, since all practices are on the basis of doctrines and doctrines lead to practices 2. ...yet some matters of spiritual meat are more suited to be put into practice than others B. Spiritual Meat Relating to Practice: Law and Profitability 1. One matter of spiritual meat that relates to practice is the idea of law vs. profitability 2. Scriptural basis: 1 Corinthians 10:23 3. As we develop in the faith, we see that many times, things branded as "sinful" may not actually be sinful according to the law but be unprofitable a. classic example: alcohol consumption b. While the New Testament does condemn the overconsumption of alcohol as sinful, and being a stumbling block to others by drinking alcohol as sinful, no Scripture actually condemns putting alcohol to one's lips as sinful c. however, we can recognize that alcohol consumption is closer to the works of the flesh than the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:19-23), that it is not necessary to drink alcohol, and therefore it is not profitable to do d. in the end, one still does not drink alcohol e. it is a matter of spiritual meat, since one whose faith is not as well-established and one who has not yet well discerned the difference between good and evil might only hear the "not sinful" part and ignore the "not profitable" part, and be prompted to go out and drink f. more on this later 4. Likewise, as we develop in the faith, we will find things that are allowed but yet may not be the most profitable a. example: divorce for sexually deviant behavior b. while the New Testament certainly gives the right for one to divorce their spouse if the latter has engaged in sexually deviant behavior, it might not be the most profitable thing to do c. in such a circumstance it might be more profitable to forgive and be reconciled than to engage in the divorce 5. There are many other examples of such matters, and while this understanding may not be necessary for salvation, it is certainly beneficial and edifying, for one is a better handler of the Scripture and more aligned with the thinking present in the New Testament C. Spiritual Meat Relating to Doctrines: Old Testament interpretation 1. An example of spiritual meat relating to doctrine is interpreting the Old Testament 2. We often use the Old Testament to demonstrate how Jesus is the Christ, and that is well and good 3. Yet, as we develop in the faith, it is good for us to look into the Old Testament and see how its messages were first intended for its original audience, how its messages were intended for Israelites and Jews of later days, of course how they referred to Christ, and also the messages present for us 4. We can even understand Old Testament events in New Testament terms, as Paul described the Israelites in the Exodus and the Wilderness in Christian terms in 1 Corinthians 10:1-4 for our edification 5. All of these matters are not strictly necessary to be saved, but they help us understand the message better and be further edified in the faith D. There are many, many other such examples: after all, any time you get beyond the basics of the faith, you have entered the realm of spiritual meat E. Spiritual meat also can go beyond the Scriptures, when used properly F. Apocryphal works and Josephus 1. There was no prophet during the time between Malachi and John the Baptist, yet there were still writings from the Jews in that time 2. These writings, while not inspired, can help us better understand Israel in the first century CE and the world in which Jesus lived 3. Likewise, Josephus, a first-century Jewish author, can help us understand similar things G. Commentaries and other writings of men 1. Commentaries, when used properly, can provide a wealth of insight and background to a book of a Bible 2. On the other hand, if one is not well-versed in the Scriptures, commentaries can easily lead you down the wrong track 3. As with any writing of man, one must have the ability to discern what is good and in harmony with the Scriptures, and disagree with all that is not in accordance with the Scriptures H. Textual Criticism and Evidences 1. Furthermore, one can read material about the history of the Biblical text and how we can be sure that the text is what was written by the Apostles 2. Likewise, one can spend time in evidences of the faith, various proofs that demonstrate why we can believe with confidence that Jesus is the Christ, that the Bible is the Word of God, and such matters 3. These things can help to encourage and strengthen our faith, but we must already have a foundation in the faith before turning to these matters I. We have seen, therefore, that there are many types and examples of spiritual meat 1. All of them point to the encouragement and edification of our faith, and the recognition of why we do what we do and why we refrain from things we do not do 2. All of them also require a developed faith J. Having looked at many forms of spiritual meat, it is good to now examine how to best handle spiritual meat IV. Handling Spiritual Meat Appropriately A. Spiritual meat, on account of its overall esoteric nature, must be handled appropriately B. We must avoid many pitfalls in regards to spiritual meat C. Pitfall #1: Getting Away from the Basics 1. Just as in our physical diet, we move on beyond milk alone to also eat meat, yet we also still drink milk for nourishment... 2. ...in our spiritual diet, we must also continue to be nourished by spiritual milk (1 Peter 2:2) 3. Many have gone astray because they became so involved with matters of spiritual meat that they departed from the truths of the foundational doctrines (Colossians 2:18-19) 4. When we develop to reach the point of needing spiritual meat, and as we enagage in matters of spiritual meat, we must also be continually refreshed and reminded of the basic truths of the faith D. Pitfall #2: Arrogance 1. Initial spiritual maturity and tackling matters of spiritual meat can lead to arrogance 2. As Paul says, knowledge puffs up (=makes arrogant); it is love that edifies (1 Corinthians 8:1) 3. One may begin to feel superior to brethren who have not advanced as far in the faith, or be otherwise puffed up in mind on account of having knowledge 4. The Biblical metaphor of running a race, as seen in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, is not intended to cast Christianity into a mould of competition with brethren 5. Indeed, it is not a competition amongst ourselves as much as a cooperative effort: in the race we all work to keep one another going and to help one another develop, and not have attitudes of superiority 6. When we maintain the love and humility that is to mark the Christian (Philippians 2:1-11), we will be able to develop and mature into matters of spiritual meat while not being arrogant toward those perhaps not as developed E. Pitfall #3: A Cause of Offense 1. 1 Corinthians 8 2. It is possible, through a more nuanced understanding of the faith, to in deed or in word cause one who is less developed to stumble, and have sinned yourself 3. In the matter described, some knew that there was no such thing as an idol and there is no distinction between sanctified and common foods 4. On the other hand, not all had this knowledge, and might believe that a Christian was honoring an idol when he was doing no such thing, and such a one might be influenced to go honor idols because of it 5. Modern example: a bar. While it may not be the most profitable thing to do, it is certainly not inherently sinful for a Christian to walk into a bar. If, however, one weaker in faith sees you go into a bar, and deduces from such that he can go into a bar and drink, then you have caused him to stumble by your advanced understanding of the faith 6. We must make sure, then, that if we act or teach something in accordance with our understanding of matters of spiritual meat, we do not give cause for another to stumble because of it F. We can see, then, that there are some pitfalls to watch out for in regards to spiritual meat, and we must always make sure to hold fast to the Head in love, lest we fall away and/or act improperly V. Conclusion A. We have examined the matter of spiritual meat today B. We have seen that spiritual meat is essentially all matters relating to the faith that go beyond the basic, foundational doctrines of the truth C. It must be asked today: are you able to digest spiritual meat, or are you as the Corinthians or the Hebrews, not ready for spiritual meat when you ought to be teachers? 1. Hebrews 5:12-6:3 is actually a rebuke of the Hebrew brethren, for they had made unsatisfactory progress in the Gospel 2. They ought to have been teachers by that time, yet still needed basic instruction 3. While we can never force a timeline onto spiritual growth, it should be noted that the Hebrew brethren had been Christians for no more than 30 years when the Hebrew author wrote the work 4. So, especially for those of you who have been in the faith 20, 25, 30+ years: are you yet teachers, or do you still need instruction in matters of milk? D. Let us all strive to maturity, to be able to digest spiritual meat, and then feed ourselves a diet of spiritual meat 1. From where do you receive spiritual instruction? 2. Is all you get what comes from the pulpit twice a week? 3. Is that level of study sufficient for you to gain maturity? 4. Let us continue to strive to always be better students of God's will, both within and without the assembly E. Songbook/invitation F. Engaging in spiritual meat, of course, requires that one be a Christian 1. If you are not a Christian, we would urge you to consider making that choice today 2. Come to obedient faith in Christ Jesus G. Perhaps you are a Christian, but you have not matured as you ought, and have been taken in by some sin; let us pray with you and for you today H. Or perhaps you simply require encouragement to keep maturing and developing in the faith I. Whatever you may need, let us help and encourage you today; come to the front as we stand and sing