Hebrews 11:29-31 An Imperfect Faith

This Sunday, I intended to finish chapter 11 in Hebrews. However, as I studied the Old Testament backgrounds of the three examples of faith mentioned in Hebrews 11:29-31, the faith mentioned in these verses took me by surprise. As we have walked through chapter 11, studied these great examples of faith, and reminded ourselves of the author’s call to hold fast to our faith, some might very well begin to think "faith" is synonymous with "strength." As if Hebrews is saying faith is being strong, capable, and unfaltering in devotion. These are, of course, attributes we should strive for, but "faith" is not strength. In fact, faith often grows "strong" out of weakness. In Hebrews 11:29-31, we find three examples of faith commended by God that are surprising. The text of Hebrews is quite simple and to the point, not going into detail about the events it records because the Hebrew readers knew these accounts like the back of their hands. Yet we may need to remind ourselves of these events. So, this Sunday, we will approach the text a little differently. We will examine not only the text of Hebrews 11:29-31 but also the Old Testament events these verses describe. In doing so, we find that the faith commended here was weak, simple, and sometimes so lacking it had to be stirred up by others. Yet, here they are, commended by God in this list. A "mustard seed" sized faith is still faith, and though God surely grows our faith, it is its presence, not its amount, that the righteous live by.

I. God Commends A Weak Imperfect Faith (Hebrews 11:29; Exodus 14:1-16)

II. God Demonstrates His Power Through Imperfect Faith (Hebrews 11:30; Joshua 6:1-17)

III. God Receives Sinners Through Simple Faith (Hebrews 11:31; Joshua 2:1-24)

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Hebrews 11:23-28 As Seeing Him Who Is Invisible

The righteous will live by faith. That quote from Habakkuk chapter 2 is quoted three times in the New Testament. (Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11; Hebrews 10:38). As fallen people following Jesus in a fallen world, there is no end to temptation, trial, and suffering in this life. The Hebrew Christians were indeed experiencing this as they suffered persecution for following Christ. At the end of Hebrews 10, we were told how we endure, "the righteous will live by faith." Then chapter 11 begins a description of "living by faith" by reminding the readers of how the Old Testament saints endured by faith. This Sunday, our study focuses on Moses, the mediator of God’s law. To the Hebrews, Abraham and Moses were the most important figures in history. As the Hebrew Christians weighed the possibility of returning to the law and sacrifices, they may have thought they were returning to Moses’ faith. Hebrews 11:23-28 demonstrates that to be untrue. Moses endured temptation and, by faith, chose to follow God despite the hardship. The writer says, "By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin" (11:24-25). Then in a statement that would grab the attention of these Hebrews, he says, "He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward" (11:26). Yes, you read that right! Moses bore the reproach of Christ and he himself, knew that Jesus is better. Moses looked to the reward of following God as more valuable than all the wealth, power, and glory of the Egyptian royal family. In this example, the author shows his readers that faith (without which it is impossible to please God - v.6) trusts that Jesus is better than a life without persecution and suffering. Jesus is better than all the wealth and comfort of this world. 

IX. Faith Obeys When it Doesn’t Make Sense (v. 17-19)

X. Faith Submits Our Will To God’s (v. 20)

XI. Faith Endures To The Very End (v. 21-22)

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Hebrews 11:8-16 Living As Exiles By Faith

Hebrews 11:8-16 continues describing faith by showing the example of Abraham and Sarah. Last week, as we began walking down this list, we saw Abel, Enoch, and Noah. From their lives, Hebrews taught us:

I. Faith Commends Us As Righteous (v. 4)

II. Faith Is Necessary To Please God (v. 5-6)

III. Faith Acts On God’s Word (v. 7)

As we continue the thread of this outline, Abraham’s call and life shows us:

IV. Faith Obeys Without Explanation (v. 8)

V. Faith Endures Seasons Of Waiting (v. 9-10)

VI. Faith Expects God’s Faithfulness (v. 11-12)

VII. Faith Looks Toward Future Reward (v. 13-16)

By emphasizing Abraham’s life of obedient, expectant, forward-looking faith, the author shows the suffering Hebrew Christians what living by faith looks like when trials and temptations abound. The life of faith is an expectant trust in the Lord, looking forward to a "better country." 

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Hebrews 11:4-7 Without Faith Impossible To Please God

Sunday, we begin walking down the list of faith-filled Old Testament saints in Hebrews 11. Having encouraged the professing Hebrew Christians to “live by faith” at the end of chapter 10, chapter 11:1-3 opened with a description of faith, saying, “1Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 For by it the people of old received their commendation.” In v. 4, the writer begins showing example after example of those who lived in the assurance of things hoped for and by the conviction of things not seen. This Sunday, we will examine the first three examples, Abel, Enoch, and Noah (v. 4-7). I originally planned on preaching through v. 13, but it quickly became apparent that there wouldn’t be time to deal with the text adequately. It is easy to get lost in the details of these Old Testament saint’s lives and miss the point Hebrews is making, so as we work through this chapter, we will emphasize the purpose of this list repeatedly. The writer shows the suffering Hebrews what “living by faith” looks like by giving examples of the righteous who have done so. In each example, we see godly individuals who endured hardship or trials as they lived “being assured of what they hoped for and convinced of what they could not see.” The writer calls the Hebrews to do the same as they face the pressures of persecution and temptation for Christ’s name. Just as they, we are called to hold fast to our profession that Jesus is better and trust that God is a rewarder of those who seek Him, even when doing so in this world means denying our desires and facing a hostile world. The righteous are those who live by faith.

I. Faith Commends Us As Righteous (v. 4)

II. Faith Is Necessary To Please God (v. 5-6)

III. Faith Acts On God’s Word (v. 7)

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Hebrews 11:1-3 What Faith Is & Does

Having just exhorted the professing Hebrew Christians to “Live by faith” as they are suffering persecution, the author will give a varied list of Old Covenant saints who lived by faith, trusting the word of God even when trial resulted. The Hebrew Christians were tempted to return to the religious ways of Abraham, Moses, and David, but the author of Hebrews shows that it was by faith that these Old Covenant saints looked forward to the fulfillment of the promises. They looked forward to the fulfillment that the Hebrew Christians are being tempted to turn from! However, before launching into the list, the author of Hebrews explains what faith is and what faith does. Hebrews 11:1-3 is very short, but its depth is massive and relevant today.

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Hebrews 10:32-39 Endure To The End

This Sunday, we will finishe Hebrews 10 as we examine verses 32-39. Beginning in 10:19, the author shows the suffering Hebrew Christians how they are to live in light of the profound theological truths of the first ten chapters. “Jesus is Better” is the central theme of this book, but what does that mean for those suffering because they follow Jesus? Hebrews 10:19-25 showed us what to do in the face of hardship and temptation. We are to draw near to God, hold fast to our confession, and consider how we can help one another as we do not neglect to assemble together as the church. This is how believers endure in faith to the end, despite the circumstances. Then, in verses 26-31, we are given another severe warning for those who “go on sinning deliberately after receiving knowledge of the truth.” After that warning, the author returns to encouragement and instruction on how believers endure in faith, with three more exhortations. These are vital for living faithfully in the face of hardship, suffering, and persecution. The author admonishes us to:

I. Recall Your Former Faith & Endurance (32-34)

II. Remember Your Coming Reward (35-36)

III. Resolve To Live By Faith (37-39)

Endurance will be the major theme all the way through chapter 12’s beginning. After showing that we must live by faith (v. 37-39), chapter 11 defines and describes this faith through the examples of Old Testament saints. As chapter 12 begins, the author writes, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (12:1). Endurance by faith is the key theme throughout the next several sections, showing that the born again believer, eternally secure, will endure to the end in faith. 

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Hebrews 10:26-31 The Danger Of Turning From Christ

The book of Hebrews contains five incredibly severe warnings that warn readers not to turn from Christ. We have already studied three of these warnings. Sunday, we come to the fourth. Although we must examine these texts in sections because of limited time, Hebrews 10:19-39 is a complete unit and must be read as such. Many spurious interpretations have come from isolating this warning from the surrounding text and ignoring the intent and context of the author. Last week, the author began this section by showing how the reader must apply the truths of Jesus’ perfect sacrifice and priesthood. V. 19-25 said since we who are born again have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, we must 1. Draw near to God with true hearts, 2. Hold Fast to the confession of our hope, and 3. Consider how to stir one another to love and good works, not neglecting to assemble together. These commands are more than just our duty of obedience. They are the means by which God has given us to persevere in following Jesus to the end. After the “Let us” appeals, the author explains why he commands these things. V. 26-27 says, “26 For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries.” We will meticulously study v. 26-31 on Sunday to understand the warning. Yet, after this stern and frightening warning, the author returns to encouragement in v. 32-39, telling the readers that they need endurance, as they showed after first being converted. As with all the other warnings in Hebrews, we will see two ways this warning can be misunderstood. First, many use it to teach that true, born-again Christians may lose the gift of salvation. That is certainly untrue. Second, many misunderstand these warnings by dismissing them as if they do not apply to us because believers are eternally secure. Both of those are misapplications of this text. We cannot trust our own hearts and to do so is folly. We must draw near to God, hold fast to our confession that Jesus is better, and consider how to stir one another to love and good works, not neglecting assembling together. (v. 19-25)

I. The Content Of The Warning (v. 26-27)

(this is where we will spend most of our time)

II. The Reasoning For The Warning (v. 28-29)

III. The Certainty Of The Warning (v. 30-31)

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Hebrews 10:19-25 Putting Our Position Into Practice

Sunday, we will begin the final movement of the book of Hebrews. From 10:19 through the book’s end, the author shows us how we must live in light of the truths he has taught. Through ten chapters, the author has demonstrated from the Old Testament Scriptures that Jesus fulfills God’s covenant promises. He is the perfect High Priest and the perfect sacrifice. Jesus is the priest-king, enthroned at the Father’s right hand. Yet, this rich theological truth is not just for the Hebrew Christians to understand. Jesus’ sufficiency should inform the way we live. The writer repeatedly calls the Hebrew Christians not to turn from Christ, even in tribulation and suffering. Trusting that Jesus truly is better than all other things should draw the Hebrews closer to Christ when the world seems to be crumbling around them. To that end, the writer not only gives the reader exhortations and commands to live faithfully, but his appeals also show how we avail ourselves of the blessings God has provided to help His people persevere. Before giving these commands, Hebrews grounds our response in what Jesus has already given. We are bound to live by the writer’s commands because of the perfect salvation we have already received. 

I. Our Responsibility Flows From Our Possession (v. 19-21)

II. Our Responsibility To Draw Near (v. 22)

III. Our Responsibility To Hold Fast Our Confession (v. 23)

IV. Our Responsibility To One Another (v. 24-25)  

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Hebrews 10:11-18 Four Essential Truths Part 2

This Sunday, we will complete the final section in Hebrews’ doctrinal case for the supremacy of Jesus. Throughout the book, the author has given numerous scriptural and theological proofs that Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s covenant promises and the goal to which all the Old Covenant has pointed. We have also been warned several times not to turn away from Christ. In 10:1-18, the author brings the case to a close with four conclusions based on all that has come before. We examined two of them last week in verses 1-10.

I. Our Sacrifices and Offerings Can Never Take Away Sin (v. 1-4)

II. Christ’s Sacrifice Has Sanctified Us Forever (v. 5-10)

This Lord’s Day, we will finish the section with the last two essential truths.

III. Christ’s Sacrifice Perfects Those Being Sanctified (v. 11-14)

IV. Christ’s Sacrifice Is The Only Offering For Sin (v. 15-18)

As we said last week, these four truths are essential for walking in the gospel of Christ when it seems the whole world seeks to turn us away. When our own hearts tempt us to find sufficiency in our works or feel incomplete in our failures, these four truths keep us grounded in the truth. The writer has gone to great lengths to prove Jesus’ superiority and fulfillment of all things, so these concluding truths are essential for us to absorb before moving into his instruction for how we must live in light of them.

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Hebrews 10:1-10 Four Essential Truths (Part 1)

Hebrews 10:1-18 is the final section of the author’s doctrinal argument. Here, we are given the conclusion of all the arguments in the last few chapters. Beginning in Hebrews 10:19, the author will begin showing his readers how to live in light of Jesus’ sufficiency and superiority to the Old Covenant. Given all that we have examined in the book of Hebrews, the author’s conclusions in 10:1-18 won’t be new truths we haven’t heard before. Yet, the conclusions drawn in this section are vital for the Hebrew Christians (and us) to anchor themselves in the face of suffering and persecution. The same is true for us. Though we may feel that we are already familiar with these truths, they are the bedrock and foundation upon which we must stand to walk out this Christian life. The author concludes the doctrinal section of Hebrews with four vital truths.

I. Our Sacrifices & Offerings Can Never Take Away Sins (1-4)

II. Christ’s Sacrifice Has Sanctified Us Forever (5-10)

III. Christ’s Sacrifice Perfects Those Being Sanctified (11-14)

IV. Christ’s Sacrifice  Is The Only Offering For Sin (15-18)

This Sunday, we will work through the first two points (v. 1-10) and the final two next week. Let these four concluding statements (found in v. 4, v. 10, v. 14, v. 18) be the compass that continually points us to the truth when our hearts and the world draw us toward other things.

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Hebrews 9:15-28 A Mediator's Death That Redeems

we return to the book of Hebrews and continue in Chapter 9. Several weeks ago, we worked through the first 14 verses. In those sections, the writer gave us a quick tour of the Tabernacle and explained its message, saying, “By this the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the holy places is not yet opened as long as the first section is still standing (which is symbolic for the present age). According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper” (Heb. 9:8-9). Then, in verses 11-14, the writer explained that Jesus, the better High Priest, and sacrifice did what the Old Covenant elements could not do. He has permanently cleansed our sins and consciences so that we may enter God’s presence through Him. All this culminates in a conclusion stated in verse 15. “ Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant” (v. 15). There is so much packed into this conclusion statement that the rest of the chapter will explain and expand on this verse. Jesus has provided the promised inheritance that the Old Covenant works and sacrifices could only point toward. The blood of Jesus cleanses in a way that no other can. The argument of Hebrews 9:15-28 is difficult to follow. Therefore, I would encourage you to read Hebrews 9:11-28 multiple times before Sunday. To help you prepare, I have provided a more detailed outline to see the flow of the argument. Ultimately, the writer shows why Jesus’ death is necessary to inaugurate and consummate the New Covenant and how Jesus fulfilled everything necessary to have an eternal relationship with God.

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Hebrews 9:1-14 How Can We Enter The Holy Place?

By now, the continuous exposition of Hebrews may be wearing on you. The context and argument of Hebrews is a bit foreign to us as modern Western readers. This world of sacred tabernacles, altars, priests, and ceremonial rites is not part of our upbringing or customs. We are certainly not tempted to return to such practices as the first Hebrew readers were. So, what does this intricately detailed comparison and contrast of Jesus’ new covenant and the old covenant have to do with me? In our text (9:1-14), the author will tell us what the Holy Spirit teaches us through the old covenant Tabernacle. “By this (the limited access to God’s presence), the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the holy places is not yet opened as long as the first section (the Tabernacle) is still standing” (Heb. 9:8). This has everything to do with us. The Tabernacle shows us that the way into God’s presence is closed because of His holiness and humanity’s sin. The Tabernacle kept God’s people at a distance so they would not die from His holy presence. The Tabernacle in Israel’s camp was a constant reminder that though God dwelled among them, they must keep out of that tent or die. However, this section also shows us that the Tabernacle and the Old Covenant system were never intended to be the final answer. The Old Covenant could never cleanse the conscience and allow complete access to God (v. 9-10). Then, Hebrews shows us the contrast of Jesus’ sacrifice and high priestly work that not only secures our eternal redemption but also cleanses the conscience so that now, in Christ, we enter into the full presence of God without fear. Today, you are not tempted to build a sacred tent and start sacrificing goats, but we are all tempted to forsake the way of Jesus and follow some other means to be accepted by God. Yet, just like the works of the Old Covenant, nothing other than Christ can cleanse us on the inside so that we may draw near to God.

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Hebrews 8:7-13 Better Promises of The New Covenant

As we spring into daylight savings time this Sunday, we will work our way through Hebrews 8:7-13. In the last few sections, we have spent significant time understanding and glorying in Jesus as our perfect High Priest, mediator, and intercessor. Now, the writer discusses the covenant our Priest mediates to us. We ended in verse 6 last week, which said Christ is superior to the old priests because the covenant He mediates is based on better promises. Hebrews 8:7- 13 contrasts the old and new covenants to explain those “better promises” that Jesus mediates. Most of Hebrews 8:7-13 is a direct quote from Jeremiah 31:33-34 as the prophet foretold God’s intention to establish a new and better covenant with His people. Hebrews 8 uses Jeremiah’s text to show that God Himself declared the old covenant insufficient because of the people’s sinful hearts, and He promised to remedy mankind’s “heart problem” with a new covenant. Rather than a covenant based on the efforts of God and humans, as the Mosaic covenant stipulated, God Himself would change the hearts of His people, dwell with them, and accomplish complete and perfect forgiveness. The “fault” in the old covenant (man’s sinful inability to keep the law) is overcome by the “better promises” of the new. Jesus satisfies the justice of the law and, as our High Priest and sacrifice, accomplishes what the law could not do. In Christ, God’s new covenant promises are poured out fully through Him, and the sinner’s heart is transformed as God Himself writes His law upon it by the Spirit. As the writer continues to make his case to the Hebrew Christians, it becomes increasingly clear that attempting to worship and serve God through the old covenant law is futile and foolish when better promises have been given.

I. The "fault" In The Old Covenant (v. 7-9)

II. The Better Promises Of The New Covenant (v. 10-12)

III. The Exclusive Nature Of The New Covenant (v. 13)

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Hebrews 8:1-6 We Have Such A High Priest

Hebrews 8:1-13 describes Jesus’ “more excellent” ministry as our perfect High Priest and the better covenant of which He is our mediator. This Sunday, we will examine the first six verses as the writer demonstrates that, though the Hebrew Christians no longer take part in the sacrifices and priests of the earthly temple, they still have a perfect priest, a true tabernacle, and an eternally sufficient sacrifice. As I studied the text and prayed this week in preparation, I found myself thinking, “How much more do we really need to know about Jesus as our High Priest?” Honestly, we have considered the writer’s arguments pretty deeply through chapters 5 & 7. Yet, the deeper I investigated Hebrews 8:1-6, the more convicted I became of that mindset. Jesus representing us as our High Priest and sacrifice is the gospel! I had forgotten the basic context of the book’s intent. The writer of Hebrews isn’t calling his readers to learn about Jesus’ High Priesthood. He is calling them to trust in it and stake their lives and eternity on it! The truths of Jesus’ priestly ministry in the true heavenly tabernacle are not just theological reflection to be studied, they are the heart and soul of our salvation. By intricately explaining Jesus’ superior intercession and sacrifice in the real holy of holies, the Book of Hebrews intends to spur our hearts to depend upon Jesus more, to repent of our sin more, and to worship Christ as the all-sufficient Lord of Glory. For the author, this is not a mere instructional lecture on Christ’s nature and ministry, he places Jesus’ priesthood before that we might turn more deeply to Him and hold fast to our confession without wavering. The Hebrew Christians have a Priest who reigns over all things (8:1), a true tabernacle which all the earthly temples point to (8:4-5), and an offering that saves to the uttermost presented by our perfect Priest (8:3). Though we may be coving ground we have trod before, we should not think of these truths as repetitive mundane doctrine to be learned. This is an exploration of our identity in Christ that should draw our hearts deeper into worship and dependence. Don’t just learn it – depend on it. This text doesn’t just show us that such a Priest exists. He says, "We have such a priest" (8:1).

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Hebrews 7:23-28 Able To Save To The Uttermost

For the next several chapters, Hebrews will continue to show us the purpose and result of Jesus as our perfect High Priest. Through the first 22 verses of chapter 7, the writer proved to the Hebrew Christians that Jesus’ priesthood is superior to the Levitical priests. Jesus’ priesthood is shown using the picture of Melchizedek, a mysterious priest-king from Genesis 14. Last week, we worked through Hebrews 7:1-22, which was a very complex argument proving Jesus is our perfect priest. If you haven’t listened to the sermon walking through this dense section, I encourage you to do so before Sunday because this week, we will finish chapter 7, examining the conclusion of the writer’s argument. Hebrews 7:23-28 will be much more straightforward. Because Jesus is the perfect priest who lives forever representing us eternally, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him (v. 25). Verse 25 is one of the most profound and beautiful truths in the Scripture. Jesus is able to save because He lives forever interceding for His people. Today, our priest is interceding for us by His perfect life and sacrifice. As the Hebrew Christians suffered persecution, they needed to know that their advocate still stands at the throne on their behalf. Their trial is not without purpose or hope. And because Jesus is our priest by God’s own sworn oath (v. 28) our mediator perfectly satisfies every aspect of our justification, our ongoing sanctification, and our future glorification. Jesus is superior and sufficient because only He is able to save to the uttermost.

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Hebrews 7:1-22 Jesus is A Better Priest

In Hebrews 5:1-10, the writer began teaching that Jesus is the true and perfect High Priest. He quoted Psalm 110:4, showing that God swore His Messiah would be a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek. However, before explaining what he meant, he stopped this line of teaching because the Hebrews were “dull of hearing” and needed to go on to maturity (5:11-6:20). Sunday, as we come to chapter 7, the author will pick up where he left off, teaching what it means that Jesus is a priest in the order of Melchizedek. Chapter 7 is very dense and often confusing in our context because we are not steeped in the culture of Judaism. If someone says, “Jesus is a perfect priest, greater than all the Levitical priests in the Old Covenant,” we would say, “We agree! Let’s move on to something else.” Yet, the author of Hebrews spends considerable time and energy proving that Jesus is better than the Levitical priests. He does this because these Hebrew Christians facing persecution and suffering were tempted by the arguments of their fellow Jews. They were tempted by questions like, “How can Jesus be a priest at all since God’s law commands all priests be Levites?” “Why did God give a law for the priesthood if He always planned on changing the priesthood?” Although we will only preach through verse 22 Sunday, the main point of chapter 7 is found in v. 25. “Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.” Though the depth of argument may not be necessary to convince us Jesus is our perfect High Priest, it was for the Hebrews. Likewise, we also learn how the Scriptures had always foretold and pointed to the true priesthood of Jesus Christ. We need a priest to perfectly represent us eternally before the Father – and we have one! Jesus is the “guarantor of a better covenant” (v.22).

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Hebrews 6:13-20 An Anchor For The Soul

Though the last two sections of Hebrews have been challenging, the author doesn’t leave his readers without hope before returning to the exposition of Jesus’ High Priestly work. Sunday, we will examine Hebrews 6:13-20, the last part of the digression, before returning to his central teaching about Jesus. For the first five chapters, the author extolled the glories of Jesus and His superior nature. In chapter 5, he began teaching about Jesus as our perfect High Priest, but from 5:11-6:20, he stops to give a command (Go on to maturity), a warning of falling away, and an encouragement of hope. Hebrews 6:13-20 is the encouragement. Using Abraham as an example of one who held fast to his hope, the author shows that the Christian’s hope is not found in how well we hold fast but in the promise of God. The writer shows us that God not only gave us a promise but swore an oath that His promise will never fail. By these two unchangeable things (the promise and the oath), we have a hope that anchors our soul in the presence of God. God didn’t have to swear an oath because His Word is trustworthy. However, He swore by Himself because when “God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose he guaranteed it with an oath.” (v. 17). The reason He did so is so that “we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.” (v. 18). Sunday, we will examine the promise and oath to Abraham and the promise and oath we have in Christ.

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Hebrews 6:4-12 The Warning Of Apostasy

I hope you have read and re-read Hebrews 5:11-6:12 over the past week. If not, I would encourage you to do so before Sunday. This Sunday, we finish the second part (6:4-12), perhaps the most controversial, debated, and difficult text in Scripture. Throughout Christian history, there have been a myriad of interpretations and applications of this text. The language of this text is shocking and terrifying, making the reader sit up and notice. That reaction is exactly what the author of Hebrews intends. This is a warning – a real warning - for the professing Hebrew Christians tempted to turn back to Judaism. However, saying, “It is impossible…to renew them again to repentance” (v. 4-6) is incredibly severe. In preparing to present this passage, I don’t have the luxury of simply telling you what the text “can’t” mean. To be faithful to God’s word, I must tell you clearly and correctly (as best I am able by God’s grace) what the text does mean, and how it applies to us today. Therefore, as we dissect the text, we will probably answer many of the questions most ask concerning this passage, but we cannot divert from the author’s intent in the context. This passage is a warning for the professing Christians. This warning echoes the previous warnings in Hebrews. (3:6-7; 14). The content of this warning teaches the same truth with differing emphasis. I don’t know if we will answer every question you may have about this passage, but we will seek to be faithful to the author’s meaning, tone, and application. Again, I would suggest reading and re-reading 5:11-6:12 so that you will have a working knowledge of the passage as we dive into it on Sunday.

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Hebrews 5:11-6:3 Go On To Maturity

Sunday, we begin a very captivating and complex section in the book of Hebrews. For five chapters, the writer has exalted the glories of Jesus and repeatedly shown how He is better than all else. As Hebrews continues to call the readers to hold fast to Christ, chapter 5 began explaining the depths of Jesus as our perfect High Priest. As the author mentions Jesus as a priest in the order of Melchizedek, he stops this line of teaching and gives one of the strongest warnings in all of Scripture. Hebrews 5:11-6:12 is a single unit, but we will examine this section in two sermons. Here, the writer admonishes the Hebrew Christians for being “dull of hearing” and needing milk instead of solid food. Hebrews 5:11-6:3 will be our text Sunday, as we see the danger of spiritual immaturity and learn why and how we “go on to maturity” (Heb. 6:1). The following Sunday, we will examine what is perhaps the most debated text in the Bible, Heb. 6:4-12, which is a warning about apostasy. However, please read the whole section (5:11-6:12) for this Sunday. The writer does not separate these two concepts but shows that regressing into spiritual immaturity is the first step toward apostasy. I will readily confess that this has been the most challenging section of Scripture I have ever had to explain. There is no end to the different interpretations of the writer's words. Therefore, I hope to show you what the text means and how I came to my conclusions. You may be surprised Sunday as we challenge the common definitions of milk, solid food, spiritual maturity, and progress in the Christian life.

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Hebrews 5:1-10 Our Perfect High Priest

Sunday, we continue in Hebrews 5:1-10 as the writer shows Jesus not only qualifies as a High Priest but exceeds the qualifications of any other High Priest. Jesus is a superior High Priest to all who have come before. This may not seem like a profound revelation to us, but the implications for our Christian walk are immense. The writer gives three qualifications of any priest in verses 1-4. They must represent the people before God with offerings, identify with the people’s weaknesses, and be appointed by God to the task. Through verses 5-10, the writer takes these qualifications in reverse order, showing that Jesus has fulfilled them all more than any earthly priest could. This week as I studied this passage, verses 7-8 regarding how Jesus identifies with our weakness (yet without sin) deeply impacted me. Those verses say, “7 In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence (reverent submission) 8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. I look forward to working through this text with you as the Holy Spirit applies the word to our lives.

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