Unswerving Faith

It’s Important to be Confident in Your Faith

The author of Hebrews is talking to New Covenant believers

They have witnessed the persecution of Christians and the abuse they have received form their oppressors.

And the author is urging them to remember the Truth of the Gospel and their salvation.

To not life steer them away from God

1. We Have Bold Access to God

Hebrews 10:19–21 NIV

Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God,

No longer is their a separation from God, because of Jesus’ sacrifice.

Their is not a moment in your life where you can not cry out to Him and He will listen/answer.

Demonstrate the Old Temple with images on Screen

Matthew 27:51 ESV

And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split.

What Should we do with this access?

2. We Must Hold Firm to Our Faith

Hebrews 10:22–23 NIV

let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

There are two things we should take from this.

1. As Christians that have been born again, our sins have been forgiven

We should not feel ashamed or unworthy to talk to our creator, we have been given a clean heart.

How many of us often feel ashamed to even come to God with our requests and feelings

2. Let our faith be unswerving

Don’t let others and this world sway our confidence in our faith in Jesus Christ.

Thats why it is important to surround yourself with fellow believers who can encourage you and support you.

Hebrews 10:24–25 ESV

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Let us not forget how the Church first started in Acts Chapter 2

Acts 2:42–47 ESV

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

We can not do life alone!

What Happens if We do Fall From Faith?

The Authors gives us a harsh and descriptive illustration of what we can expect.

Hebrews 10:26–30 NIV

If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge his people.”

Don’t allow yourself to be subject to God’s wrath!

We have the tools to stand firm, we just need to harness them and use them.

We have friends and community.

AND WE HAVE HIM!

Use the recent example of Ravi Zacharias

3. We Must Persevere to the End

Hebrews 10:32–36 ESV

But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.

Let us not forget how Holy Spirit filled we felt when we first gave our lives to Christ

Like the early Church, we felt like we could do anything and get through any struggle.

It’s Still There! Don’t lose site of that!

The Enemy has so many tricks up his sleeve, but they aren't new.

We have seen them all and have heard them all.

The reward we have waiting for us in Heaven is worth much more than anything the enemy tries to entice us with!

Revelation 21:4 ESV

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

Invitation