Our understanding of truth increases as we mature in our willingness to
hear, believe, and obey. Believers in Christ, both in the first century and
today, must grow up in order to go up. As long as the readers of Hebrews
remained sluggish, dull, complacent, or stagnant, they would be unable to
digest the “meaty” message regarding Melchizedek and Christ (Heb 5:11-14). In
addition they risked the very real danger of falling away, past the point of no
return. So the inspired writer challenged them, warned them, and encouraged
them.
There is no doubt that these powerful words are needed today as much as
ever. Their significance is even more striking, in light of the Calvinistic
doctrines of unconditional election and eternal security that are so popular in
our time. Many confidently proclaim, “Once you’re saved, you’re always saved,
no matter what,” or, “A Christian can never fall away and be eternally lost.”
Hebrews 6 offers us continuing blessed assurance, while making it clear that
such assurance results from our continuing precious faith in the promises of
God.
6:1-3 Pursuit
Let us press on to
maturity …
6:4-12 Perseverance
with diligence,
hope, and assurance …
6:13-20 Promise
… because God
guarantees His Word!
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6:1-3 Pursuit
Let us press on to
maturity …
We need the ABC’s, the foundation, the fundamentals.
However, maturity requires that we build upon that base.
Possibly three pairs of basic doctrines here:
Repentance from dead works faith
toward God
Instruction about washings laying
on of hands
Resurrection of the dead eternal
judgment
We will press on, if God permits.
Christianity is not a matter of treading water, keeping house, or holding
one’s own. If we stay where we are, we miss where God could cause us to be.
The hymn, “Higher Ground,” by Johnson Oatman, Jr., expresses this truth
so well.
1.
I’m pressing on the upward way; new heights I’m gaining every day;
Still praying as I onward
bound, “Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”
Refrain: Lord, lift me up, and
let me stand by faith on Canaan’s tableland;
A higher plane than I have
found, Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.
2.
My heart has no desire to stay where doubts arise and fears dismay;
Though some may dwell where
these abound, my prayer, my aim, is higher ground.
3.
I want to live above the world, though Satan’s darts at me are hurled;
For faith has caught the
joyful sound, the song of saints on higher ground.
4.
I want to scale the utmost height and catch a gleam of glory bright;
But still I’ll pray till rest
I’ve found, “Lord, lead me on to higher ground.”
6:4-12 Perseverance
Let us press on to
maturity …
with diligence,
hope, and assurance …
Can a Christian abandon the faith, fall away,
and be lost? What Scriptures answer this
question?
Matt 13:20-21; Jn 15:1-11; 2 Pet 2:20-22
Gal 5:4, 7, 19-21; Jas 5:19-20
Heb 2:1-3; 3:6, 12; 4:1; 6:6; 10:26-31
However, we will not fall if we remember …
The Six P’s of
Perseverance
We will finish
strong if we remember …
1. The Privileges
The Blessings of
Salvation
Hebrews 6:4-5
4 (For) it is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who
have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 who have
tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age,
We will finish
strong if we remember …
2. The Peril
“Fall Away”
Hebrews 6:6
6 if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their
loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to
public disgrace.
We will finish
strong if we remember …
3. The Permanence
“Impossible … to
renew to repentance”
Hebrews 6:4, 6
4 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have
tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 who have tasted
the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, 6 if they
fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are
crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.
We will finish
strong if we remember …
4. The Parable
Rain, Ground, and
Fruit
Hebrews 6:7-8
7 Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a
crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. 8 But
land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being
cursed. In the end it will be burned.
We will finish
strong if we remember …
5. The Prod
“We are Confident
About You.”
Hebrews 6:9-10
9 Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are confident of
better things in your case—things that accompany salvation. 10 God is not
unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you
have helped his people and continue to help them.
We will finish
strong if we remember …
6. The Promise
“Imitate Those who
Inherit the Promises.”
Hebrews 6:11-12
11 We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in
order to make your hope sure. 12 We do not want you to become lazy, but to
imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.
6:13-20 Promise
… because God
guarantees His Word!
The God of the Iron-Clad
Guarantee
What makes these promises so precious and powerful?
Background: Gen 22:16-18 (God speaking to Abraham after his offering
Isaac)
1. The Giver of the
Promise
Imagine Almighty God taking an oath!?
In whose name? In what court? For what purpose?
Discuss the character of God regarding His promises.
Num 23:19; Josh 21:44-45; 2 Cor 1:20; Tit 1:2; Jas 1:17
Principle: historical solidarity, God’s “track record”
2. The Nature of the
Promise
Two unchangeable things: the promise and the oath.
Strong encouragement for today, certain hope for tomorrow.
Sure: cannot totter, be knocked loose.
See Acts 2:36.
Steadfast: cannot give way, even under extreme weight.
Hymn: “Will Your Anchor Hold?”
by Priscilla J. Owens:
1 Will your anchor hold in the storms of life,
when the clouds unfold their wings of strife?
When the strong tides lift, and the cables strain,
will your anchor drift, or firm remain?
[Refrain:]
We have an anchor that keeps the soul
steadfast and sure while the billows roll;
fastened to the Rock which cannot move,
grounded firm and deep in the Saviour’s love!
2 Will your anchor hold in the straits of fear,
when the breakers roar and the reef is near?
While the surges rave, and the wild winds blow,
shall the angry waves then your bark o'erflow? [Refrain]
3 Will your anchor hold in the floods of death,
when the waters cold chill your latest breath?
On the rising tide you can never fail,
while your anchor holds within the veil. [Refrain]
4 Will your eyes behold through the morning light
the city of gold and the harbour bright?
Will you anchor safe by the heavenly shore,
when life's storms are past for evermore? [Refrain]
3. The Recipients of
the Promise
The promise cannot fail, because the God of
the promise cannot fail.
However, one’s faith in that promise can fail.
How would you describe those who receive it?
Not sluggish – imitators – faith – patience – waiting.
We have laid hold; now we must keep that
hold.
Compare “the hope set before us” to “the joy / Him.” 12:2
Don’t flee from Jesus to escape; flee to Him
for refuge!
Jesus has entered inside the veil.
So can (must) we!
Conclusion
So, in light of these great truths, what shall we do?
Let’s heed these words:
Heb 6:11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as
to realize the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 so that you will not be
sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the
promises.
As another great hymn, “Standing on the Promises” by R. Kelso Carter says:
1. Standing on the promises of Christ my King,
through eternal ages let his praises ring;
glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
standing on the promises of God.
Refrain:
Standing, standing,
standing on the promises of Christ my Savior;
standing, standing,
I'm standing on the promises of God.
2. Standing on the promises that cannot fail,
when the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
by the living Word of God I shall prevail,
standing on the promises of God.
(Refrain)
3. Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord,
bound to him eternally by love's strong cord,
overcoming daily with the Spirit's sword,
standing on the promises of God.
(Refrain)
4. Standing on the promises I cannot fall,
listening every moment to the Spirit's call,
resting in my Savior as my all in all,
standing on the promises of God.
(Refrain)
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