Hebrews 6 Talking Points

Introduction

In many circles even well meaning circles there are events that draw people into music and emotion causing Christians to get excited and “rededicate” their life to the Lord.

The issue the same person may do this a couple times in their life, they never leave the experience to grow in the Lord and their Christian walk.

Or the excitement wears off and what is left is is the normal Christian life. Those whose foundation was never set and built upon Christ, are always seeking to re-create the emotion that was in the beginning.

It is replaying the movie once you get to the middle without ever encountering the middle of a movie.

In a similar fashion the the writer of Hebrews is warning the Jewish/Christian of the same. Do not return back to types of shadows of the Old Covenant. Those are but elementary doctrines and we must graduate into Christ which is the New Covenant.

I want us to look at the New Covenant Doctrines which we are to graduate into, that which is life in the Kingdom of God.

Faith in God

The writers of Hebrews as already touched on the failing of the House of Mosses of not so much a works based salvation, but one that looks towards the promise through the doing of the law.

This is fulfilled in Christ, now in the New Covenant dead works are done away for faith in Christ.

At most carnivals there are signs that state you must X amount feet tall to ride. So the kid who is not tall enough will go ride the kiddie rides, each year measuring his height to ride that one ride that all the cool kids ride. The year finally comes where he is tall enough to ride the ride, but instead of getting on the coaster, he returns to the Kiddie park. Only to miss out on the greatest ride at the carnival.

This is the Jewish/Christian the greater has come, the Old Covenant is fulfilled. Now longer do you need to look for the promise, but the promise is here. Faith is alive, that which is hoped for is truly seen.

The writer of Hebrews is encouraging to say step into this living and active faith in God, leave your dead works at the door.

Washing

Baptism for the 21st century Christian is a sign of the Covenant upon the one Christ calls His. But baptism for the Jew has other significance, it was also ceremonial. Baptism was a way of cleansing ones self from defilement in order to please God.

But the writer of Hebrews is pointing now not to a baptism of works, but that of the Spirit.

That new life is now in Christ, He fulfilled the works. This baptism is not one of ceremonial cleaning, but one that marks you as forever clean because of Jesus.

It is greater the sign of circumcision, it is the sign and seal of the covenant of God.

Laying of Hands (Receiving the Spirit )

While in the Old Covenant we know of the Holy Spirit, but something new occurs in the New Covenant. No longer is the Holy Spirit active within men like David, but all those in Christ from their baptism now have the Holy Spirit.

The writers of Hebrews wants to know of the Holy Spirit which is God and How God is now forever dwelling within and among them.

Don’t look towards the promise of Pentecost, but rather know Pentecost is here.

Resurrection of the Dead

The Resurrection of the dead and enteral judgment. The writer of Hebrews is calling attention to their enteral state, it is one of great reality that indeed there is a Resurrection as some were still denying, and there is state of judgement that will be with all forever .

The calling is always Christ, but the reality of Christ is now. This is perhaps the most staunch of New Covenant teaching, the Messiah has come and the end is closing near.

Where will you spend eternity?

Living in the promise fulfilled (Kingdom Living)

The Kingdom for the Jews consisted of works to earn a rightenouness and victory, but Jesus fullfills this and brings us into His Kingdom.

The Kingdom of Israel was but a shadow of the greater Kingdom, where there is neither Jew nor Gentile. Rather it is all of God’s people, chosen before the foundation of the world.

His Kingdom is here and not yet; the Kingdom here is spiritual and that work does take on psychical aspects to which the writer of Hebrews encourages.

Application

Faith in God

Christian are you trusting in your experiences or trying to regain an experience as evidence of your salvation? Your salvation is in Christ alone. This is where you you place your faith and nothing else.

Washing

Holding to the promise of your baptism. You are the bride of Christ. so rather than looking back at experiences or for the Jew the law; look upon your baptism. This was God’s seal over you that you belong to Him.

Laying of Hands

Christian the Spirit of God is within and among you; you now can live out the life He has called you to by the faith you have marked in your baptism.

Living out the Kingdom of God through the church

The local church is important, this church is important. The question is not who is Waughtown Baptist, but where does Wuaghtown Baptist want to go. There is still great work being done in you and through you. This is part of the Christian life.

Live for enteral purposes

This is perhaps the hardest principle, because we often think when we die we either go to be with Christ or face judgement. But how much do we think about life enternal?

There are rewards in heaven, the beuaty is we cast them at the feet of Jesus. What we invest our time in here has eternal impact.

Closing Remarks