March 8, 2009
Evening Service

Heb. 6:9-20

 

Review:

1.      This morning we looked at the verse that would lead one to believe that it was impossible for someone to return to the Grace of God, after once being saved.  We have to believe that we are not understanding this Scripture properly.  There are too many other Scriptures that teach more clearly, and just the opposite of this. 

·        Such as:  Jam 5:19  Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Jam 5:20  Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

2.      The writer is making a very dramatic statement, trying to discourage these Hebrew Christians from going back into Judaism.

3.      To show what a severe warning he gives them, listen again to the example ;  Heb 6:7-8  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.

·        They knew about hell.  Psa 9:17  The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.

Hell was talked about in the O.T. by the Prophets, but the more accurate description, and what happens is delivered by Jesus Christ, in Whom we are instructed to listen too.

 

Notice as we continue in chapter 6.

 

Heb 6:9-20  But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. 

·         You know, I’ve given you this very stern warning, but I really don’t think that you are going to go back into Judaism.  You know I just want you to know the seriousness of it.

(10)  For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 

·         Now he gives them words of encouragement. 

(11)  And we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: 

·         Jesus’ cry to the seven churches was “to him that overcomes”.

·         The words of encouragement to carry on till the end.  Persevere, be stedfast.

(12)  That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. 

 

Slothful  "indolent, sluggish," is rendered "slothful" in Heb_6:12, AV, See DULL, and synonymous words there, and SLUGGISH.

• Are we sluggish, and dull, as Christians?  If we are, shame on us.
• Behold what manner of love has the Father bestowed on us, that we should be called the sons of God.  WE ARE CALLED SONS, AND DAUGHTERS OF GOD.  THINK OF IT. 
• Rom 8:17  And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; 
• Think about that.  Jesus said when you pray, say: “Our Father.”
• Our Father can whip any Father on the block.  Even in the world.  HE IS AWESOME.
• We should not be sluggish, and dull, but vibrant, alive, and exciting to be around.

LOOK AT HOW THE WRITER NOW ENCOURAGES US:

(13)  For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he swore by himself,  (14)  Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.  \

• God promising these blessings to Abraham, and his descendants.

 

(15)  And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. 

• You look back on all that Abraham went through, however, he remained true, and obtained the promise.

(16)  For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.  (17)  Wherein God, willing more abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:  (18)  That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: 

• I really like this;  WHO HAVE FLED FOR REFUGE.  You better believe it.  I have fled to Jesus that I might miss the wrath of God that is coming on this world. 
• When I first came to the Lord, repenting of past sins, and dead works, I received His mercy, and forgiveness, and became a child of God.  Little did I know of all the wonderful benefits that came along with being His child.  One of them being, never experiencing His wrath.

NOW HERE IS A LITTLE TASTE OF MEAT THAT THE WRITER PROMISES:

(19)  Which hope ( THAT OF ETERNAL LIFE ) we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;  (20)  Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.

• These Hebrews knew what he meant when he said, “within the veil.”  You see only the High Priest was able to go into the Holy Of Holies, within the veil, and that once a year, and not without blood, to offer this for his, and the people’s sins.
• But notice;  the writer says that Jesus has entered this area for us.  He is the forerunner, one day we will enter into that Holy of Holies, right into the very presence of God Almighty.
• God has made Him our great High Priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.

 

WE TAKE SO MUCH FOR GRANTED.  WE READ THINGS LIKE THIS, AND DON’T FULLY UNDERSTAND THAT THESE THINGS ARE REVEALED TRUTHS THAT GOD WANTS US TO UNDERSTAND, AND GROW IN KNOWLEDGE CONCERNING HIM, AND HIS WILL.

 

THIS LETTER IS FULL OF WONDERFUL TRUTHS THAT STEM FROM OLD TESTAMENT EXAMPLES, AND WE KNOW THAT JESUS FULFILLED ALL THESE OLD TESTAMENT TYPES, AND SHADOWS.

 

LET US NOT BE DULL, AND SLUGGISH, BUT VIBRANT, AND FULL OF LIFE, LOOKING FOR THE SOON RETURN OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR, WHICH IS THE BLESSED HOPE.  

 

Tit 2:13  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ;