2026-04-29. From Shadow to Substance.

Notes:

4 For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. 7 For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. 8 But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned.

9 Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things—things that belong to salvation. 10 For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do. 11 And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Theme of Sluggish

Inclusion: Big Mac.

Tom Long: “It is impossible to restore again to repentance those who have once been enlightened… and then have fallen away.” (6:4-6).

“These fearsome, seemingly irrevocable words appear to imply that any believing Christian who subsequently lapses from the faith is forever a lost cause with no hope of restoration, no second chances. There are clues, however, that the Preacher’s warning, though surely stern, is not quite as severe as it may sound at first. To begin with , the Preacher’s main goal seems to be encouraging his congregation, not to scare them. He realizes that his words are harsh, but he says, ‘Even though we speak in this way, beloved, we are confident of better things in your case.” (6:9). In other words, the principal aim of painting a terrible picture of Christians falling away into disaster is to provide a motivational contrast between that dire predicament and the more hopeful circumstances of his congregation. He is saying, in effect, ‘But I am sure you will not veer from the truth. You will, I am confidence, remain on course steady and true.’ The preacher is like a parent trying to encourage a struggling teenager by saying, ‘You know, when a kid goese bad early, they stay bad. But you are a good kid, a really fine kid, and I am positive that you will work this out. Second, it is very likely that the Preacher’s lament over the impossibility of restoring lapsed Christians reflect s a practical frustration in ministry rather than an absolute claim about the patience and mercy of God. When the Preacher says that restoration is ‘impossible,’ he is not pointing to limits on the grace of God; he is, rather, pointing to the actual and sad experience of his own church.” p. 73.

When solid Christians turn their back on the depths of the gospel, it is indeed an irreversible tragedy.

But God’s grace is still bigger!

Josh Harris’ apparent turn around.

Irreversible Rebellion

But that’s Not You!

You’re not so dull as to turn your back to the Gospel.