March 8, 2009
Morning Service

Hebrews 6

 

Review:

1.      The writer of Hebrews is encouraging the Christians, from the descendants of Abraham, to be steadfast, and not go back into Judaism.

2.      He began this letter by telling how God in time past spoke unto the Fathers through Prophets, but has in these last days spoken unto us through His Son Jesus Christ. 

3.      The writer has shown how that Jesus, because of His divinity, is superior to all that have came before Him, even Moses.

4.      The writer has given different warnings, the first being that of NEGLECT, then of HARDENING THEIR HEARTS, then to FEAR, lest any seem to short of the promise of entering into His rest, and then the warning of becoming DULL OF HEARING.

5.      In chapter 5 the writer speaks of how Jesus, though a Son, through suffering, learned obedience, and therefore became the author of eternal salvation.  Called by God, a High Priest, after the order of Melchizedek.  And this is where he said, “I have much to say concerning this, but you have become dull of hearing.  And though by this time you should teachers, you have need that one teach to you again the first principles of the oracles of God.”

6.      We have spent much time on these Principles, or first things, in the Doctrine of Christ. 

• Repentance from dead works.

• Faith toward God.
• The doctrine of Baptisms.
• The laying on of hands.
• The resurrection of the dead.
• And of eternal judgment.

7.      I mentioned once before, that God would have us to move on from the milk of the Word, the Principles, to strong meat, or perfection, which is “MOVING FROM FAITH TO LOVE, LOVE TO TRUST, TRUST TO FAITHFULNESS, AND FAITHFULNESS TO SERVITUDE.”  Hopefully we will see this unfold as we move through this letter of Hebrews. 

 

Today we move on to a very controversial subject.  Renewing someone to repentance that has fallen away from their walk with God.

Heb 6:1-8  Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,  (2)  Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.  (3)  And this will we do, if God permit.  (4)  For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,  (5)  And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,  (6)  If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.  (7)  For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God:  (8)  But that which beareth thorns and briars is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.

 

NOW LET’S LOOK AT THIS STATEMENT:

(4)  For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened,

• To be enlightened meant that one had understood the message concerning Jesus Christ, and had accepted it, and been baptized.    Paul is a perfect example of someone being enlightened.
• Paul said it like this; Eph 1:18  The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

and have tasted of the heavenly gift,

• The heavenly gift, is eternal life.  Paul said, Rom 6:23  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.  That sounds like a heavenly gift to me.

 

and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 

• Partaking, or sharing all the many blessings that the Holy Ghost produces in life. 
• This is eternal life.  Christ, the Holy Ghost, living His life in you.  You, receiving His Spirit, is what produces the gift of God in you, eternal life.  There is no eternal life without the presence of the Holy Ghost, for He alone is eternal.  1Ti 1:17  Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

(5)  And have tasted the good word of God,

·         Oh, the precious Word of God.  It is difficult to find words that would explain how we love the Word of God. 

and the powers of the world to come, 

·         The powers;  the many wonderful things that you have personally seen God do in people’s lives.  It’s marvelous.  To what some people call extraordinary, we call the power of God working miracles.

(6)  If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance;

• However, this is what we see when we break this down, “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, to renew them again unto repentance.”
• This is a very bleak, and disturbing section of Scripture.
• I have seen both sides of this situation, the backslidden, who stay away from God, and those that have come back to God.

 

Now we know that no one is perfect, and does not miss the mark from time to time. 

There are five definitions of sin given us in the Bible:

1. Pro 24:9  The thought of foolishness is sin:
2. Rom 14:23  for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
3. Jam 4:17  Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
4. 1Jo 3:4  Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
5. 1Jo 5:17  All unrighteousness is sin:

 

First of all there is nothing impossible with God.

• Mat 19:26  But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.  Which means nothing is impossible.
• Mar 9:23  Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
• And I believe this is the way we should pray at all times, especially for someone that has gone back on God.  “Mar 14:36  And Jesus said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.”

One commentator said it very well;  “A thing is said to be morally impossible, when in itself it is possible, but attended with difficulties or circumstances which give it the appearance of being impossible.”

 

I believe this is the situation.  

 

Jesus said, “All manner of sin, and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men, but the blaspheming of the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.”  (Matt. 12:31.) 

John said, “1Jo 1:10  If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”

Isaiah said, “COME LET US REASON TOGETHER SAITH THE LORD, AND THOUGH YOUR SINS BE AS SCARLET, I WILL MAKE THEM WHITE AS SNOW, THOUGH THEY BE RED LIKE CRIMSON, THEY SHALL BE AS WOOL.”

 

I BELIEVE THE PARABLE OF THE PRODIGAL SON SAYS IT ALL.  A YOUNG MAN WHO GREW UP KNOWING 

( ENLIGHTENED ) THE GOOD THINGS OF THE FATHER, YET STRAYED, AND WASTED HIS LIFE, BUT RETURNED TO THE OPEN ARMS OF HIS FATHER WHO WAS WAITING FOR HIM TO COME HOME.

 

IF YOU ARE ONE WHO HAS WANDERED AWAY FROM GOD, HE STANDS WITH OPENED ARMS WAITING FOR YOU TO COME HOME…..WON’T YOU COME THIS MORNING?