02 26-12 - the individual warning of salvation (for web)
Transcript of 02 26-12 - the individual warning of salvation (for web)
The Individual Warning of Salvation
Heb 10:26-39
Parable of the Sower Matthew 13
PathwayRocky Soil
Thorny SoilGood Soil
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The Word goes forth, but gets
snatched away and trodden underfoot
The Word is joyfully received, but finds no root, and withers as
soon as troubles arise
The Word is received, and growth is
apparent, but it “proves unfruitful”
when choked by cares of this world
The Word takes root and grows
to maturity, bringing forth fruit in varying
abundance
The book of Hebrews, written to a people outcast by two societies
(Jewish & Greco-Roman),is a call to affirm a new community –
those who routinely “draw near” in confidence to Godwhile awaiting the return of their Savior
& the revelation of their ultimate salvation.
Present Reality
Future Reality
Present Reality
Future Reality
a new communitywho routinely “draws near”
while waiting
The danger is that, instead of drawing near, they would– Drift away (2:1)– Go astray (3:10)– Fall away (3:12 / 6:6)– Turn away (12:25)– Be led away (13:9)– Throw away (10:35)– Shrink back (10:39)– Be defiled (12:15)– Consider God’s Word insignificant, and therefore,
incapable of bringing them to completion (4:1)– Fail to obtain God’s grace (12:15) – Fail to enter God’s rest (4:6, 11)
Instead, awaiting the future, they are encouraged to:
– Hold their original confidence firm to the end (3:14)– Hold fast their confession (4:14)– Have the full assurance of hope until the end (6:11)– Hold fast to the hope set before them (6:18)– Hold fast the confession of their hope (10:23)– Stir up one another (10:24)– Encourage one another (10:25)– Embrace endurance to accomplish God’s will and
receive God’s promise (10:36)– Run with endurance the race before them (12:2)– Bear the reproach Christ endured (13:13)
Instead, awaiting the future, they are encouraged to:
– Hold their original confidence firm to the end (3:14)– Hold fast their confession (4:14)– Have the full assurance of hope until the end (6:11)– Hold fast to the hope set before them (6:18)– Hold fast the confession of their hope (10:23)– Stir up one another (10:24)– Encourage one another (10:25)– Embrace endurance to accomplish God’s will and
receive God’s promise (10:36)– Run with endurance the race before them (12:2)– Bear the reproach Christ endured (13:13)
The author strategically moves the audience to see no middle ground between pressing on to the goal and falling away.
– DeSilva, 220
Warning Passages in HebrewsPassage Text Picture
2:1-4
3:7-18
6:4-8
10:26-31
12:25-39
Warning Passages in HebrewsPassage Text Picture
2:1-4How shall we escape if we
neglect such a great salvation?
3:7-18
6:4-8
10:26-31
12:25-39
Warning Passages in HebrewsPassage Text Picture
2:1-4How shall we escape if we
neglect such a great salvation?
An anchorless ship that “drifts away”
3:7-18
6:4-8
10:26-31
12:25-39
Warning Passages in HebrewsPassage Text Picture
2:1-4How shall we escape if we
neglect such a great salvation?
An anchorless ship that “drifts away”
3:7-18Take care, lest there be in any
of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away
from the living God
6:4-8
10:26-31
12:25-39
Warning Passages in HebrewsPassage Text Picture
2:1-4How shall we escape if we
neglect such a great salvation?
An anchorless ship that “drifts away”
3:7-18Take care, lest there be in any
of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away
from the living God
Hard hearts the result in dead bodies that “fall away”
6:4-8
10:26-31
12:25-39
Warning Passages in HebrewsPassage Text Picture
2:1-4How shall we escape if we
neglect such a great salvation?
An anchorless ship that “drifts away”
3:7-18Take care, lest there be in any
of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away
from the living God
Hard hearts the result in dead bodies that “fall away”
6:4-8It is impossible, in the case of those once enlightened and then fallen away, to restore them again to repentance
10:26-31
12:25-39
Warning Passages in HebrewsPassage Text Picture
2:1-4How shall we escape if we
neglect such a great salvation?
An anchorless ship that “drifts away”
3:7-18Take care, lest there be in any
of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away
from the living God
Hard hearts the result in dead bodies that “fall away”
6:4-8It is impossible, in the case of those once enlightened and then fallen away, to restore them again to repentance
Thorn-bearing field, “near to being cursed,”
ready to be “burned”
10:26-31
12:25-39
Warning Passages in HebrewsPassage Text Picture
2:1-4How shall we escape if we
neglect such a great salvation?
An anchorless ship that “drifts away”
3:7-18Take care, lest there be in any
of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away
from the living God
Hard hearts the result in dead bodies that “fall away”
6:4-8It is impossible, in the case of those once enlightened and then fallen away, to restore them again to repentance
Thorn-bearing field, “near to being cursed,”
ready to be “burned”
10:26-31If we go on sinning
deliberately…how much more punishment will be deserved
12:25-39
Warning Passages in HebrewsPassage Text Picture
2:1-4How shall we escape if we
neglect such a great salvation?
An anchorless ship that “drifts away”
3:7-18Take care, lest there be in any
of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away
from the living God
Hard hearts the result in dead bodies that “fall away”
6:4-8It is impossible, in the case of those once enlightened and then fallen away, to restore them again to repentance
Thorn-bearing field, “near to being cursed,”
ready to be “burned”
10:26-31If we go on sinning
deliberately…how much more punishment will be deserved
A “fury of fire that consumes”
12:25-39
Warning Passages in HebrewsPassage Text Picture
2:1-4How shall we escape if we
neglect such a great salvation?
An anchorless ship that “drifts away”
3:7-18Take care, lest there be in any
of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away
from the living God
Hard hearts the result in dead bodies that “fall away”
6:4-8It is impossible, in the case of those once enlightened and then fallen away, to restore them again to repentance
Thorn-bearing field, “near to being cursed,”
ready to be “burned”
10:26-31If we go on sinning
deliberately…how much more punishment will be deserved
A “fury of fire that consumes”
12:25-39See that you do not refuse
Him who is speaking, for if they did not escape,
much less will we
Warning Passages in HebrewsPassage Text Picture
2:1-4How shall we escape if we
neglect such a great salvation?
An anchorless ship that “drifts away”
3:7-18Take care, lest there be in any
of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away
from the living God
Hard hearts the result in dead bodies that “fall away”
6:4-8It is impossible, in the case of those once enlightened and then fallen away, to restore them again to repentance
Thorn-bearing field, “near to being cursed,”
ready to be “burned”
10:26-31If we go on sinning
deliberately…how much more punishment will be deserved
A “fury of fire that consumes”
12:25-39See that you do not refuse
Him who is speaking, for if they did not escape,
much less will weA “consuming fire”
Review of 6:4-8
Flow of text
It is impossible . . .– In the case of those who have:
• Been enlightened• Tasted of the heavenly gift• Shared in the Holy Spirit• Tasted the goodness of the Word of God• Tasted the powers of the age to come• Fallen away
. . . to renew them (those in this case) unto repentance• Reason• Illustration
Flow of text
It is impossible . . .– In the case of those who have:
• Been enlightened• Tasted of the heavenly gift• Shared in the Holy Spirit• Tasted the goodness of the Word of God• Tasted the powers of the age to come• Fallen away (to abandon relationship/act faithlessly – 4x in Ezk)
. . . to renew them (those in this case) unto repentance• Reason• Illustration
To intentionally forsakeTo “sell out”
To “apostasize”
Two Examples
Peter• Denied Christ
amidst intense pressure
• “Fell away” – stumbled
• Went out & wept bitterly
• Reinstated & used greatly
Judas• Decided Christ
wasn’t worth the silver it afforded him to betray Him
• Walked away – “sold out”
• Went out & hanged himself
• Better never born
Both…• Were personally called
by Christ to be disciples• Experienced Christ’s
teaching/explaining• Experienced Christ’s
miracles/healings• Were sent to proclaim
Kingdom–preach/heal• Were with Him at Last
Supper (Kingdom meal)• Denied Christ
Flow of text
It is impossible . . .– In the case of those who have:
• Been enlightened (brought to the light, marks beginning – 10:32)• Tasted of the heavenly gift (experience fully – cf. 2:9)• Shared in the Holy Spirit (“partners” – cf. 1:9 / exper. His work)• Tasted the goodness of the Word of God (gospel, not judgment)• Tasted the powers of the age to come (cf. 2:4 – Cr. doing Θ’s will)• Fallen away (to abandon relationship/act faithlessly – 4x in Ezk)
. . . to renew them (those in this case) unto repentance• Reason – they themselves crucify Christ afresh• Illustration To personally display open contempt
To personally confirm ultimate rejection
Heb 10:26-31 – A Warning• Condition:
– We go on sinning deliberately– After receiving full-knowledge of the truth
• Consequence:– There no longer remains a sacrifice for sins– (What does remain is) a fearful expectation of judgment
• A fury of fire that will consume the adversaries
Heb 10:26-31 – A Warning• Illustration:
– “Setting aside” the Mosaic Law– Death without mercy– Lesser → Greater (How much more . . . !)
• Considerations:– They have spurned the Son of God
Heb 1:1-2
God . . . in these last days
has spoken to us in a Son . . .
Son of God
Son of Man
Son of David
Deity
Humanity
Supremacy
Son of God
Son of Man
Son of David
The One descended from
the Father
The One ascended to the Father
The glorificationof the carnal
The incarnation of the divine
Suffering
ExaltationDesignated High Priest
“Days of His flesh”Under the LawConfirmed w/ Oath
CompassionateForerunner(Like Us!)(Like Him!)
MediatorHigh Priest
Man
GodHoly
The use of hosios in Heb 7:26 is unique. It is used absolutely in the way in which elsewhere it can be used only of God. As high priest, Christ is completely hosios, completely sinless and utterly pure, so that his offering is sufficient, once for all. Acts 2:27 and 13:35 refer to God’s promise not to let His Holy one (hosios) see destruction – a promise not fulfilled in David but only in Christ. By virtue of the resurrection Jesus is the true Holy One.
– NIDNTT
The Holy One
Virtuous in Life
(1 Pet 2:22)
Virtuous in Death(Isa 53:11)
The Holy One of Israel
(Isa 54:5)
The Holy Oneof God(John 6:69)
Resurrected Incarnated
Rejected
MediatorHigh Priest
Man
GodHoly InnocentUnstainedSeparated from sinnersExalted above the heavensNot!
MediatorHigh Priest
Man
GodHoly InnocentUnstainedSeparatedExalted
Son of God
Son of Man
Son of David
Heb 10:26-31 – A Warning• Illustration:
– “Setting aside” the Mosaic Law– Death without mercy– Lesser → Greater (How much more . . . !)
• Considerations:– They have spurned the Son of God– They have profaned the blood of the covenant
Rev. 4
Heb 10:26-31 – A Warning• Illustration:
– “Setting aside” the Mosaic Law– Death without mercy– Lesser → Greater (How much more . . . !)
• Considerations:– They have spurned the Son of God– They have profaned the blood of the covenant– They have outraged the Spirit of grace
Heb 10:26-31 – A Warning• Condition: Continual deliberate rejection• Consequence: Fiery judgment• Illustration: Lesser → Greater• Considerations:
– Spurning the Son of God– Profaning the blood of the covenant– Outraging the Spirit of grace
• Conclusion:– Quote from Deut 32:36 (song of Moses – cf. 31:19-20)– It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God
“The Living God”The title “the Living God” is generally used throughout Scripture to remind God’s people of the reality greater than the realities we see:
Used in conjunction with . . . • God’s Revelation (Deu 5:25-26 / Jer 23:36)
• God’s Reputation (1 Sam 17:36 / 2 Kgs 19:16)• God’s Presence (Psa 42:1-2 / Psa 84:1-2)• God’s Mission (Mat 16:16 / 1 Tim 4:9-10)
“The Living God”While several books contain this title up to 2 times, the book of Hebrews is without equal in its use of the title 4 times – conveying a specific purpose, and doing so with powerful effect.
• (Heb 12:18-22) For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest 19 and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. . . . But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God,
New Revelation = A New RealityIn Christ, man has been brought into God’s immediate Presence
“The Living God”While several books contain this title up to 2 times, the book of Hebrews is without equal in its use of the title 4 times – conveying a specific purpose, and doing so with powerful effect.
• (Heb 9:14) How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.
• (Heb 12:18-22) For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest 19 and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. . . . But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God,
This new reality equips us to be an active part of God’s Mission
“The Living God”While several books contain this title up to 2 times, the book of Hebrews is without equal in its use of the title 4 times – conveying a specific purpose, and doing so with powerful effect.
• (Heb 3:12) Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God.
• (Heb 9:14) How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.
• (Heb 12:18-22) For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest 19 and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. . . . But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God,
The new reality of enjoying God’s presence is not automatic, but requires faith
“The Living God”While several books contain this title up to 2 times, the book of Hebrews is without equal in its use of the title 4 times – conveying a specific purpose, and doing so with powerful effect.
• (Heb 3:12) Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God.
• (Heb 9:14) How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.
• (Heb 10:31) It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
• (Heb 12:18-22) For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest 19 and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. . . . But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God,
An old reality is still in effect:God’s Judgment is still on all who reject Him
Heb 10:32-39 – An Encouragement
cf. 6:9
Yet in your case, beloved, we are sure of better things– things that belong to salvation.
Heb 10:32-39 – An Encouragement
• Reminder: – Actually, an imperative to “remember”– You’ve struggled successfully – v. 32– You’ve professed publically – v. 33– You’ve labored compassionately – v. 34– You’ve suffered joyfully – v. 35
Heb 10:32-39 – An Encouragement
• Reminder: You’ve come so far already!• Exhortation:
– Do not throw away (cast off) your boldness (cf. 10:19)• Reason:
– Endurance is required to arrive at your destination– Obedience is required to receive your reward– Those who truly belong to God operate in this life by faith– Those who abandon faith will be destroyed
• To “shrink back” is literally to let down or pull in the sails
But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed,
but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.
The justshall live
by faith.
Let faith fill your sail
to bring you safely home