Persevering in Christ's Promise

Introduction

Where are we in Hebrews?

Jesus is Better

1. Christ superior to the prophets (1:1-3)

2. Christ superior to the angels (1:4-2:18)

3. Christ superior to Moses (3:1-4:13)

4. Christ superior to Aaron (4:14-10:18)

Interspersed warning passages

The book of Hebrews contains several warning passages that exhort believers to persevere in their faith. These passages are typically identified as Hebrews 2:1-4, 3:7-4:13, 5:11-6:12, 10:19-39, and 12:14-29.

The warnings are directed to Christians and emphasize the importance of continued trust and obedience to God. They reference the historical failure of the Sinai wilderness generation as an example not to be repeated, reminding readers that God punished those who distrusted and disobeyed him in the past.

The passages warn against apostasy, describing the severe consequences for those who deliberately continue sinning after receiving knowledge of the truth. However, the author's aim is to encourage faithfulness and fruitfulness among believers, not to suggest that genuine Christians can lose their salvation.

The warnings serve as a means of preserving from apostasy those who may be struggling, emphasizing that perseverance is a mark of genuine belief.

Bible Passage: Hebrews 10:18–39

Big Idea: In a world of uncertainty, we must fervently encourage one another to hold onto the promises of Christ, as our perseverance reflects our faith and communal strength.

1. Confidently Approach with Assurance

Hebrews 10:18–25 CSB

18 Now where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer an offering for sin. 19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have boldness to enter the sanctuary through the blood of Jesus—20 he has inaugurated for us a new and living way through the curtain (that is, through his flesh)—21 and since we have a great high priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water. 23 Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, since he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works, 25 not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.

v.28 “forgiveness of these” - these what?

Hebrews 10:17 “17 and I will never again remember their sins and their lawless acts.”

v.19 “boldness to enter the sanctuary”

v.21 “true heart” - genuine singleness of purpose and dedication

v.23 “confession of our hope” - 1) public declaration of faith, as at baptism; 2) expectation of future promises

hope - a confident expectation of good things to come, rooted in faith

v.24 “provoke love and good works” - The aim of our lives is not just loving and doing good deeds, but helping to stir up others to love and to good deeds

v.25 “to gather together” - in worship, fellowship

2. Consider the Consequences of Straying

Hebrews 10:26–31 CSB

26 For if we deliberately go on sinning after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of a fire about to consume the adversaries. 28 Anyone who disregarded the law of Moses died without mercy, based on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 How much worse punishment do you think one will deserve who has trampled on the Son of God, who has regarded as profane the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know the one who has said, Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, and again, The Lord will judge his people. 31 It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

v.26 - what is the scenario? One who deliberately turns away from the faith. In what sense is there no longer a sacrifice for sins? In the sense that such a person as rejected it.

v.28 What sins were capitol crimes in Israel?

Striking or reviling parents, blasphemy, Sabbath-breaking, witchcraft, adultery, rape, incest, kidnapping, and idolatry. The law also mandated capital punishment for murder, which was viewed as a crime against the sanctity of human life. Lying and bearing false witness in certain cases were also capital offenses.

To murder is to do injustice to one made in the image of God; how much worse is it to “trample on the Son of God”?

v.30 “vengeance is mine” (Deut 32:35)

“The Lord will judge (vindicate) his people” (Deut 32:36) ; Carson - “vindicating the true by removing the false”

This is fearful! (“terrifying”, v.31)

3. Cultivate Endurance Through Trials

Hebrews 10:32–36 CSB

32 Remember the earlier days when, after you had been enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings. 33 Sometimes you were publicly exposed to taunts and afflictions, and at other times you were companions of those who were treated that way. 34 For you sympathized with the prisoners and accepted with joy the confiscation of your possessions, because you know that you yourselves have a better and enduring possession. 35 So don’t throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. 36 For you need endurance, so that after you have done God’s will, you may receive what was promised.

v.32-34 Such a good start, in spite of difficulties: verbal abuse; friends abused, thrown into prison; possessions confiscated

v. 35 - Confidence is needed

v.36 - Endurance is needed

Cross country racing - 3 miles. If you had gone 2 miles, you might encounter your coach for encouragement.

4. Continue Forward in Faith

Hebrews 10:37–39 CSB

37 For yet in a very little while, the Coming One will come and not delay. 38 But my righteous one will live by faith; and if he draws back, I have no pleasure in him. 39 But we are not those who draw back and are destroyed, but those who have faith and are saved.

v.37-38 - Quote from:

Habakkuk 2:3–4 CSB

3 For the vision is yet for the appointed time; it testifies about the end and will not lie. Though it delays, wait for it, since it will certainly come and not be late. 4 Look, his ego is inflated; he is without integrity. But the righteous one will live by his faith.

v.3 “the vision” - a prophetic message that God gave to Habakkuk

v.4 “his ego” - the proud or "puffed up" soul that is not upright in God's eyes. This could be a symbolic reference to Babylonia, a nation that had become proud and was facing God's judgment.

v.39 “those who draw back” - those who abandon the faith. But we are not among that group!

Hebrews Application: Hebrews 10:19–39

Great preachers have always been good at comforting the afflicted and afflicting the comfortable

(Chuck Swindoll)

“we are…those who have faith and are saved”

The text calls for a response of gratitude, loyalty, and reverence towards Jesus, motivating believers to maintain their commitment to the Christian community and its Lord