Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in Heaven is perfect. (Matthew 5:48)

Just as a good foundation is important to a building in the natural world, a good spiritual foundation is important for the believer. Through the parable of the two builders we have learned that our spiritual foundations must be built on the Word of God. Hebrews 6:1-3 reveals that the foundations of the Christian faith are:

-Repentance from dead works           
-Faith toward God     
-Doctrine of baptisms
-Laying on of hands   
-Resurrection of the dead      
-Eternal judgment

These are basic doctrines on which we are called by God to build our spiritual lives.

In Hebrews 6:1-3 Paul gives us an additional step which is necessary: 

Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection. (Hebrews 6:1)

Repentance from dead works, faith toward God, baptisms, laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment are all principles of the doctrine of Christ. Two extremes are common among believers and even more visually among churches. One is that they have a knowledge of the Word of God and His doctrines but do not apply that knowledge to daily living, they don’t seek to have a relationship with Him. The other extreme is that believers emphasize having a personal relationship with God and experience the Holy Spirit but ignore doctrine. Both doctrine and relationship are important. A proper understanding of doctrine results in a fulfilling relationship with Him. But any spiritual experience that is not based on Biblical doctrine is not trustworthy.   

We must not only understand the basic doctrines of Hebrews 6:1-3 but we also have to experience them. Once we have built our lives on these doctrines and begun to apply them to our lives, we must learn how to "go on unto perfection.”   Which is great because that’s exactly what we are endeavouring to do today.

The word "perfection" means complete, finished, and mature.  A "perfect" Christian is one who has achieved spiritual maturity. This means his body, soul, and spirit are under the control of the Holy Spirit.   

The word "perfection" is similar to the word "sanctification" or "consecration" which are also used in the Bible. "Sanctification" means holiness and "consecration" means to be set apart in righteousness.  So relax, we are not being called to be perfect as in ‘flawless in our actions’ but perfect as in spiritually mature and under the control of the Holy Spirit. 

Many people begin with God. They hear the Gospel, repent from dead works, and have faith toward God, but they never progress beyond this point. They never complete their spiritual foundation and go on to perfection. A partial foundation in the natural world is not functional. You cannot construct a building on a partial foundation or it will collapse under stress. You must complete the foundation and then construct the building.

Believers who have not completed their spiritual foundations will have difficulty under stress. They will live "up and down" lives spiritually. Their spiritual building will not weather the storms of life. They cannot go on to perfection [spiritual maturity] because their foundation is incomplete.  I cannot say this enough; half a spiritual foundation will end up just like half a physical foundation.  So how do we complete our foundations and move on to perfection?

Paul told the Corinthian believers that it was time they should be teaching others the Gospel. Instead, they had to be taught the first foundational principles of God. He compared them to babies who only could drink milk. By "milk" he meant the first principles of God. Milk is very healthy and brings growth, but there comes a time when a baby goes on to solid foods: 

Whom shall He teach knowledge? and whom shall He make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. (Isaiah 28:9)

Just as weaning from milk is necessary in the natural world if a child is to develop properly, it is also necessary in the spiritual world. Believers must go beyond first principles on to spiritual maturity [perfection]. Spiritually mature believers are able to feast on the meat, not just the milk, of the Word of God.

There is only one example of what ‘spiritual maturity’, what perfection should look like.  Jesus is the example of perfection for believers: 

For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us,  leaving us  an example, that you should follow His steps (I Peter 2:21)

And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, (Hebrews 5:9)

God planned believers to be conformed, made like Jesus who is our example of perfection: 

For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. (Romans 8:29)        

Much of the history of the Old Testament records the inability of man to keep God's laws. God knew man would not be able to keep the law through his own efforts. But God had some specific purposes for giving the law. One of the purposes of the law was to show men their sinful condition. Another purpose was to show them that they could not become righteous by their own efforts: 

Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight: For the law is the knowledge of sin. (Romans 3:20)           

We can no more achieve true perfection as Jesus is, then the Israelites of the Old Testament could keep all of God’s laws.  We can however come into perfection as Paul meant it, spiritually mature.

One of the ways we can do this is by accepting God’s correction when we go off course; and the Word of God can provide correction which results in perfection: 

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. (II Timothy 3:16-17)           

Just studying God's Word will not perfect you, prayer, self-control, submission to the Holy Spirit, as well as study and positive response to spiritual correction are all needed to bring us into a right relationship with God. You must not only look into God's law, but continue to live according to it.

But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. (I John 2:5)

Spiritual maturity does not mean advancing in God's favour. It does not gain you access to Heaven, because this was done through the death of Jesus Christ. It is through Jesus you are justified before God. It is through Him you are saved and have the promise of Heaven.

Perfection does not come by maintaining a set of standards. It is possible for a person to maintain standards that give an outward spiritual appearance yet be unspiritual and maybe even unsaved.

Spiritual maturity does not depend on how you feel emotionally. It does not come automatically through years of being a Christian or by Christian service. Spiritual maturity comes through an increase in and application of spiritual knowledge. This increase in knowledge comes by study of God's Word.

This study results in understanding of the processes for perfection and the commandments of our Lord Jesus Christ. Personal application of what you learn leads to spiritual maturity through the enabling power of God.

The Desire for Spiritual Maturity -> Study Of God's Word -> An Increase In Spiritual Knowledge -> When Applied Through God's Power -> leads to Spiritual Maturity (Perfection).

We have come to the conclusion of our study of foundations of the Christian faith. But in reality we will never really finish.  As Paul said, we must now... ...go on to perfection (Hebrews 6:1).

Our new objective, for the next chapter of our lives, is perfection...

For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; it is he who will save us. (Isaiah 33:22) 

Last time we discussed what the word judgement meant.  We talked about Christ and the authority God the Father gave to Him regarding judgement.  Also, we discovered the standard we have been, are, and will be judged by.  Finally, we looked at two special judgements from our past; the judgement of Satan and the judgement of this world.

Today, we will be concluding our look at eternal judgement by seeing what present judgments we are undergoing, and what our future, final judgement will look like. 

There is a present judgment that goes on continuously. All men are presently judged as sinful or righteous before God. The present judgment of man is on the basis of whether or not he has accepted Jesus Christ as his or her Saviour: 

He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:18) 

God's present judgment on unbelievers is by showing His wrath because they hinder the truth: 

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,  because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. (Romans 1:18)

God's present judgment of believers is in love. He corrects them when they do wrong: 

My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor detest His correction; For whom the Lord loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights. (Proverbs 3:11-12)

Just as a natural father corrects his children, God judges the behavior of His children. If they sin, God corrects them in love just as a father does his son. God's chastisement [correction] of His children is for a specific purpose: 

Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. (Hebrews 12:11)       

It is the future judgment to which Paul refers in Hebrews 6 when he speaks of "eternal judgment.” Eternal judgment happens after death: It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment. (Hebrews 9:27) 

Now you might be wondering why it is I am using so much Scripture in this sermon series.  When we are talking about something as important and life effecting as the basic foundations we build our faith upon.  I don’t think we can look to Scripture enough.            

As you may remember when we looked at the doctrine of resurrection, after a person dies it is immediately determined whether or not he or she enters the presence of God. The destinies of the righteous and the unrighteous are different after death. But the final judgment confirming their eternal destinies occurs after the end of the world and the resurrection: 

I charge thee therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His Kingdom.(II Timothy 4:1) 

And we see again in the book of Jude: 

...Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of His saints, to execute judgment upon all... (Jude 14-15) 

How then should we live?  How should the doctrine of eternal judgment affect our lives as believers? When writing on the subject of future judgment, the Apostle Peter answered this question: 

Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,  looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?  Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; (II Peter 3:11-14)

Understanding of eternal judgment should result in a spiritual maturity in the life of the believer. The subject of Christian maturity, which Paul calls "going on to perfection," or Peter calls “without spot and blameless.” will be the subject of our next sermon, the last sermon in this series based on Hebrews 6:1-3, I have loved sharing this insight into these verses and I promise to make my next series a little shorter.  

For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; it is he who will save us. (Isaiah 33:22) 

Eternal judgment is the last of the six foundation principles of the Christian faith. In the Old Testament the word "judgment" is used in two ways. One refers to the laws of God; and the other concerns God's judgment on men and nations. In the New Testament, God uses this second definition when referring to judgement.     

The word "to judge" means to separate or make a difference between. This includes bringing to trial, examining evidence, determining guilt or innocence, and deciding the penalty for sin. Eternal judgment is the great and final judgment spoken of in the Bible which determines the eternal destiny of all souls. 

So who has the right to judge the righteousness of a man’s soul?  Who can contain the power to decide the fate of nations?

For the Lord is our Judge, The Lord is our Lawgiver, The Lord is our King; He will save us. (Isaiah 33:22)

He judges the sinful behaviour of mankind, but God's real desire is not judgment but that all men come to the knowledge of Jesus Christ. 

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:17) 

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (II Peter 3:9) 

God's desire is that all men (and women) everywhere repent. If they do not repent of sin they will experience His judgment. 

In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.” (Acts 17:30-31)

God has given this authority to judge to the one He appointed the one He raised from the dead, His Son, Jesus Christ.

The standard by which we all will be judged is pure and simply the Word of God.  It is not the standards, creeds, or traditions of man by which we will be judged. It is not on the basis of organizational or denominational rules. The standard by which we will be judged is the fixed standard of the Word of God. 

Your word, LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. (Psalms 119:89)          

The Bible reveals that judgment is necessary because of ungodliness, unrighteousness, unbelief, trespasses, and evil deeds. Although these are all different words, they are all words for sin.    


Men and nations will be judged according to the knowledge of God which was given them. Jesus said some would be judged more severely than the cities of Sodom, Gomorrha, Ninevah, Tyre, and Sidon. These were evil cities mentioned in the Old Testament which God judged and punished.

For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. (Romans 1:20) 

A general revelation of God is given to all men through the wonders of creation, and is the basic standard by which everyone will be judged. Those who receive additional revelation by hearing God's Word will be judged by a higher standard of knowledge.  And do not think judgment determining individual eternal destiny will be done on a group basis. It will be on an individual basis according to the truth, and on the basis of personal conduct. 

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. (II Corinthians 5:10)

A friend of mine once asked me, “So if all of the sins you have ever committed, or ever will commit have been forgiven; why not enjoy life and commit whatever sins you want?  After all, if he’s already paid for the car why not take it out for a spin?”  In truth he had me stumped for a minute.  I knew he was wrong and that there was something he was overlooking but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it.

Then I remembered that the more our relationship with God grows, the more we become responsible for our actions.  Jesus died and all of our unintentional sin was forgiven; but what about intentional sin?  That requires repentance for:

God's record of man's "works" covers not only actions but also thoughts and motives.  God looks on the heart, not just on the outward appearance (I Samuel 16:7).

According to Scripture there is a past, present, and future judgment.  Today we will be looking at two special judgements delivered by God, and then next time we will look at the present and the future judgements.

The Bible itself is a history of God's past judgment, from the time of Adam and Eve it records God's judgment of nations and individuals. The Bible records two special past judgments that are important to believers. These are the judgments of Satan and of the world.

Satan has already been judged by God. He is allowed limited activity until he is cast into the lake of fire at the end of the world but he is already condemned as guilty. Satan's angels, who left their original position in Heaven as angels of God to join him in rebellion, were also condemned by this judgement.    

As for the world, Jesus said:

 Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. (John 12:31) 

When Jesus was crucified on the cross for our sins, the physical world was condemned by God's judgment.

Jesus Christ is our judge by the authority of God the Father; He is the only one who has the right or ability to judge us.  He wants nothing more than for us to come to Him free of the shackles of sin and has done everything He can to insure we have that opportunity.  Let us pray now and thank our Father for His grace.

Cleanliness is next to Godliness... or at least that's what I have heard.  It is true that a clean body does wonders for energy, self respect and happiness; but how often do you wash your spirit?  Weird question I know. 

How many times a week do you shower, seven times? Could be more, quite often less depending on how old you are.  That being said, how often do you study your Bible? I'm not talking about flipping through it or reading a verse or two. I'm talking about taking the time to read and then digest what you have read.  Once a week, twice?  Once a month?  Some of us put it off for months then start as a New Years resolution, (lasts about 2 weeks).  

This may be hard to hear, and some of you are probably not going to be happy with me.  If you are not able to take the time to read Scripture and learn how to apply it to your life, then your relationship with Christ will never reach the level He has planned for you. To have a real and abundant relationship with Jesus. 

Don't believe me? Think I'm being a little harsh? Consider this:

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (Psalms 119:105) 
Without the Word of God being applied to our lives we can never see the road ahead.

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. (Romans 10:17) If we do not delve deeper into the Word and brand it into our hearts, how can we hope to hear the still small voice of the Holy Spirit and by it, grow in faith?

Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near. (Revelation 1:3) Will we even recognize God's blessings if we do not soak in His Word? 

See to it that no one takes you captive by empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. (Colossians 2:8)  God's Word is a measure by which everything else in our lives should be measured.  

There are dozens and dozens of examples of how application of Scripture to our lives can benefit our lives and our relationship with God.  So... how do we do it? What is keeping us from learning all that God has for us and how to use it?  Well, that's the point, many of us don't know how to use it.  How do we use what we read and live lives by it?  We could ask our pastors but they work 8-12 hour days 6 days a week and often are not available on the spur of the moment to answer our every question and query. We need to be able to build our own Theology.  Theology literally means; God "Theo" Talking "ology".  We need to learn to talk to God and develop a dialogue with Him through His Word. 

That being said lets get back to cleaning up.  So when you wash your body you use soap, (I hope).  When you are in the Word and washing your spirit, you need to use S.O.A.P. as well.  S.O.A.P. stands for:

Scripture
Observation
Application
Prayer

I've broken this down below into questions you can ask yourself as you are reading your Bible.  You can even go further by writing your answers down, and going over them latter in the day.  Or you can take what you have learned and make an appointment with your pastor.  Approaching him with direct questions so he will be better able to help you find the answers you are looking for, (Or direct you to Scripture that helps you find God's answers).  

Whatever you do, always remember to direct your focus to Jesus.  Jesus is your answer, your guide, your hope.  He is the Word of God.

S.O.A.P

Scripture:
– To whom was the scripture written
– Who are the main persons mentioned in the scripture?
– What is the overall message of the passage?
– In what way is God revealed in this passage? (Father, Son, Spirit, Trinity, Characteristics)
– If the passage is short enough can you paraphrase it? (Great way of making sure you get it)
– You could also make it personal:!"God so loved ME that He gave His only begotten Son..."

Observations:
– Words or phrases repeated or stressed?
– Commands to follow?
– Promises from GOD?
– List of Contrast? (GOD is like, we are like; the righteous are, the unrighteous are...)
– Errors to avoid?
– Truths to believe?
– Other observations?

Applications:
– Scripture that I should memorize? (Scripture that summarize the theme of the passage.)
– Things that I can do that I have not been doing or have quit doing.
– Things that I should stop doing?
– How I can share what I have learned to help someone else? Who I plan to share it with?
– How my perspective should change based on what I have learned.

Prayer:
– Things to pray about? People to pray for?
– End in prayer (just as you should begin in prayer).