Hebrews 6:9-15 PRBC Sunday May 23, 2010

We turn to our study through Hebrews, Hebrews chapter 6.

Chapter 6, let us ask the Lord to bless our time.

Gracious Heavenly Father, once again we come into your special presence at this time where your Word is open. We confess that we believe that we are listening to the very Word of God. And so we would pray that you would impress upon our hearts the importance of this time.

That you would protect us from distraction. That you would cause us to do the work of worship as we hear with obedient hearts and minds. We pray in Christ's name. We have been working our way through the book of...

The Warning and Exhortation in Hebrews 6

Together in this study we entered into the sixth chapter. A chapter that fortunately is frequently one of the only sections of Hebrews known to many in the modern day church. Because of the first few verses and apostasy.

We saw that this actually is a continuation. Higher section of warning and exhortation. By now we should be familiar I would think with this concept in warning and exhortation. We have seen it beginning in chapter 2.

We have warnings to the congregation. Do not go back to the old ways. There is nothing to go back to. Followed by exhortation to remain faithful in the path of following after Jesus Christ. And as we look at the text we see that the author back in chapter 5 verse 10 began talking about Melchizedek.

But then he sort of had to stop. He had to begin this lengthy section of warning and exhortation. Because he was concerned that what he was about to discuss in regards to Melchizedek. The concept of the priesthood and the fulfillment of Old Testament types and shadows in the ministry of Christ.

Would not be heard by those who have not been properly prepared. Both with warning and exhortation to listen carefully to what he has to say. And so you will notice if you just look at again the overall flow of the text.

That that is going to continue all the way through the end of this chapter. Finally in verse 20 of chapter 6. He will once again raise the name of Melchizedek. And then beginning in chapter 7 go into his explication of who this Melchizedek was.

A name we only encounter twice in the Old Testament. In Genesis and the Psalter. But he is going to expand greatly upon this priesthood after the order of Melchizedek. So we find ourselves this morning in that continued section of warning and exhortation.

We recall the last time we were together the strong warning that was given to the congregation. About those individuals who would be in the congregation. Who would benefit from the ministry of the Spirit of God.

And yet would fall away. Those who would not partake truly of regeneration and a commitment to Jesus Christ. The fact that they have been benefited would actually be their undoing. They would in essence by going back to the old sacrifices.

Be trampling underfoot the blood of the Son of God. They would be doing despite to his name. And there would be no renewing them again unto repentance. But then we saw that the author then immediately beginning in verse 9.

Better Things That Accompany Salvation

Which is where we will begin this morning. Begins a section of exhortation. There he says, though we speak in this way, yet in your case beloved. We feel sure of better things. Things that pertain to or belong to, relevant to salvation.

For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name. And serving the saints and continuing to serve the saints. And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness.

To have the full assurance of hope until the end. So that you may not be sluggish or lazy. But be imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. For when God made a promise to Abraham.

Since he had no one greater by whom to swear. He swore by himself saying, surely I will bless you and I will multiply you. And thus Abraham having patiently waited. Obtained the promise. For people swear by something greater than themselves.

And all their disputes and oaths is final for confirmation. So when God desired to show more convincingly the heirs of the promise. The unchangeable character of his purpose. He guaranteed it with an oath.

So by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie. We who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement. To hold fast the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul.

A hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain. Where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf. Having become a high priest forever. Melchizedek. We have a section by saying that beloved.

The terminology used throughout this section is very very personal. It's interesting that as soon as you have the strongest warning. You likewise have the strongest most heartfelt language used by the writer.

We are convinced concerning you brethren of better things. Things which accompany or belong to salvation. And so though the preceding section talked in the third person. About in the case of those who have done these things.

Now when the exhortation comes it becomes very personal. Now it is direct address. But concerning you beloved. We are convinced of better things. Things that accompany salvation. And so there is this warm encouragement.

Saying though we know that there are those like that. We are convinced of better things. Things that accompany salvation. Now if the preceding things that we are seeing in verses four and five. Signs of conversion.

What might be in the following section. In essence we have laid out for us. Something we have seen many times before. And I know that there are many within the sound of my voice. Who would like to be given.

A nice easy simple no hassle way. Of producing absolute assurance in the heart. And always being able to recognize who is a Christian and who is not. Well if that is what you came here this morning to get I am afraid.

Because the answer that scripture gives to that regular quell. What are the signs of truly following after Christ. The answer that is given is especially and particularly unpopular. In our microwave society.

Faithfulness until the end. To a steadfastness. To being rooted and grounded and built up. And having a conviction of the truthfulness of God's promises. This particular section. So the author knows that he is used.

He says even though we are speaking in this way. We are convinced of better things concerning you. Things which accompany salvation. For God is not unjust. God is not unjust. So as to forget. To overlook your work of love which you have shown in his name.

And so there is a work. And it is marked our facing that willing to do great deeds in behalf of others. Their love of country or their love of other people. And so how do we recognize a work of served.

That is the very term from which we get the diaconate. The ministry. It is a service ministry. Having served the saints and serving. And so the emphasis is on this is something you have done. And it is something you are continuing to do in the present.

There has been a consistency over time. In servanthood. In giving service. So notice. And so just as Jesus identified himself with his saints. It is seen as a work of love. It has been shown to the name of God.

In many texts we do so. Especially this out. I mean you may come to. So here in. Demonstrate to his saints. His own name. And that he is glorified in that. Then the redeemed heart goes out to God. And to those who likewise have received the same kind of faith.

I have a serious. It is marred by imperfection and sin. But if we see. That it is. If we are so different from one another. Different lives and different gifts. And different finds us together. What is it over again.

To the believers. You have received the spirit of God. You have been baptized in the Holy Spirit. He is what binds us together. He is that down payment. That God places into the life of every regenerate believer.

As his pledge. That he is going to finish. The work that he has begun. He is involved by the Holy Spirit. I recognize my imperfection. By that same Holy Spirit. I should recognize others who are likewise involved by the Holy Spirit.

And should be the first one to be forgiving of their shortcomings. Unless I myself do not. And to be unwilling. We cannot. Of the saints. Has been given. But it is a service. Not based. Some type of servile.

Show. Same term that was used. Did each one of. Zeal. Such a rich phrase. I want us to. It is literally. Toward. The full assurance of hope. Unto the end. It seems. We truly have. A heartfelt desire. Not just for you as a group.

But for each. One of you. You give. A show of. Zeal. The opposite of what we are going to see later. True desire. Not zeal. But that you. Give evidence of a true zeal. Toward something. Toward this. Full assurance.

Of hope. Until. The end. Sometimes when they. Examine themselves. It is that period of time. When. You are switching. From belief. And so it involves. Examination. Of the trustworthy. Creation. Sermons.

Teach. And preach. I am so often. Boring you. With background information. And things. That I know. In knowing. Why you. Have to deal with people. Who when they hit that time. In their life. They come to conclusion.

The source. That they have been trusting. Are not trustworthy. Because those sources. Have not laid a foundation. Given a demonstration. Of their trustworthiness. And their consistency. And obviously my.

My understanding. Of the faith. Grand issues. Of assurance. Selection. And predestination. And all those. This was. That many of those. From whom I received. Snippets of. These questions. An individual.

And upon. Humankind. Of life. I suggest. To you. That as believers. We have no right. Perspective. Must. Be marked. First. By divine. Light. So that we might see. God's purposes. First. And foremost. And then.

See ourselves. As we relate. To those purposes. Not the other way around. Yet so. Many. People. Create their theology. First and foremost. On. What's God doing with me. And then creating a God. The conclusions.

They come to. At that point. The result. Is ramped. Higher sections. Why do I raise this here. The full assurance. Of suggest. To you. Is found. We've seen this. In the history. Of the American church.

There. When. Whenever. The focus. There. Arrive. Christianity. Formed. By. Today. A tremendous amount. Of music. And singing. And various. Other vocal. Participation. In-depth. Presentation. Need to get people.

And charged up. So they can make it to Wednesday. Give them a quick. Jumper charge. On Wednesday. And hope they make it through. To Sunday again. So you can get them. The full charge again. And make it through.

To Wednesday again. See. It's all based upon. The focus. Upon the God. Centeredness. Of the faith. And that he's. The one accomplishing. His purposes. Once it's all me. Well then. I've got. Because I've got to get this faith.

Flowing in myself. And I've got to bring this out of myself. And me and the spirit. We've got to work together. See here. People standing there. As if the. Show zeal. And assurance. Of hope. Throughout the Christian life.

I can be flat lining. There is supposed. Is always. In the promise. Giving God. When Abraham. What's being said here. Is. It's anchored. To use a term later. In the trust. So this desire. Is a. Zeal. The same earnestness.

Assurance of hope. Until. The end. Hope. Should be something. It should be there. In. Just as it needs to be there. Only by the power of. A saint of God. I never had a chance. So that you may not become sluggish.

So you may not become glorify God. Sluggish. I've shined one of those. Doesn't work that way. Takes faith. Takes patience. Saving. Faith. Patience. These the ones. We purchased some. Certainly someone who knew.

To Abraham. Something said. I have to try to make some. And it's so common. Truth. So help me. What I'm saying is true. The very one who keeps me alive. The very one who will judge me someday. For everything I say.

I swear by him. That what I'm saying is true. There was a day. So when God. Argument. But. Surely I will bless you. And multiply you. And it's. It's really interesting at this point. And I. I don't like.

Mentioning this to you. But I think it is important to see. Fourteen. When it says. Surely. I. Originally says. Multiply you. To the Psalter. You will see over and over. The same word. Twice. Hebrew thought.

Very very clear. Reflects. What God originally said. To Abraham. And the way that he said it. And so God makes. A promise. Surely I will bless you. And multiply you. And thus Abraham. So. Verse. Desire to show.

More. The unchangeable. Character of his purpose. He guaranteed. This evening. But. Demonstrate. Possibility of confusion. The unchange. Back to. That. Loving. In between that time. Stuck with me ever since then.

God of Mormonism. Was once something he is not now. He has progressed. To become. Now. I don't. And to have to. Enflow. The way that your. Zeal for him. Does. Be a wonderful. Will confess. With your. Change tomorrow.

As given. As. For as long as he has. He has been building. His church. He has been saving. No. He has proven. His. We thank you. That even though we change. And are so changeable. To rejoice. In this.

Help us to consider. The great. Benefit. This is. To us. The great treasure. It should be. Make us passionate. For your truth. So we might truly have. Full. Assurance of hope. We do thank you. For this wonderful.

Preserved for us. May we hear it. Obey it. Love it. Amen. Amen.