Sermon Tone Analysis

THE PRESERVING OF THE SOUL

HEBREWS 10:26-39

INTRODUCTION

We need to approach this section of Hebrews with tremendous caution.

It is very important for us to remind ourselves the book of Hebrews was written primarily to the Jewish people.

This in no way means these words do not or cannot apply to each of us, but it does mean we must remember to whom it was written and why.

It is also important for us to remember the writer of Hebrews was trying to teach the Jewish people how the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross was superior to the Old Testament sacrificial system.

If we do not keep these two things in mind, we will be led down the pathway of believing one can be saved and later lose their salvation.

We might say this another way.

We might believe one can be born again and later be unborn again.

There is no possibility of this happening.

It is also important for us to remember the writer of Hebrews was trying to teach the Jewish people how the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross was superior to the Old Testament sacrificial system.

THE PRESERVING OF THE SOUL FROM WILLFUL SIN

The first thing we read in this section is a warning about committing willful sin after receiving a knowledge of the truth.

The knowledge of the truth is Jesus is the supreme sacrifice for the sins of the entire world.

No other sacrifice has the power to cleanse sins.

This is the reason the writer is telling his readers if they reject Jesus “there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins.”

When a person chooses to reject Jesus, the only thing they can expect is “a terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries.”

The judgment of God can be avoided because Jesus went to the cross and shed His blood as the only sacrifice for our sins.

INTRODUCTION

WILLFUL SIN

Hebrews

THE PRESERVING OF THE SOUL FROM DEATH WITHOUT MERCY

This can be found in the book of Deuteronomy.

The writer uses an Old Testament teaching to help his readers to understand how the punishment will be much more sever for those who have trampled the blood of Jesus under their feet in order to hold on to the Old Testament sacrificial system.

When a person chose to elevate an Old Testament sacrifice above the atoning sacrifice of Jesus, he considered His sacrifice to be unclean.

In other words, the blood of the New Covenant by which the person was sanctified was considered unclean.

It was also an insult to the Spirit of grace when one elevated the blood of animals above the blood of Jesus.

Hebrews

These phrases contain a warning to professing believers who were threatening to turn against Christ.

Any who turned from Christ could expect divine judgment and eternal rejection.

The Heavenly Father is the one who will avenge the blood of Jesus through death without mercy.

We know this to be the second death.

When we come to God, we do not want to receive his judgment but his mercy.

The result of falling into God’s hands is fearful.

The apostate who experiences God’s hand in judgment should know that it would be a frightening experience.

The anticipation of judgment by the living God should fill sinners with dread (see ).

When we come to God, we do not want to receive his judgment but his mercy.

The result of falling into God’s hands is fearful.

The apostate who experiences God’s hand in judgment should know that it would be a frightening experience.

The anticipation of judgment by the living God should fill sinners with dread (see Heb. 12:29).

Thomas D. Lea, Hebrews, James, vol. 10, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999), 189.

THE PRESERVING OF THE SOUL THROUGH LIVING BY FAITH

Hebrews 10:31

Hebrews 10:32-34

These verses urged the readers to remember the days after their conversion when they stood their ground while they faced threats to their faith.

They were to remember their previous record.

What a positive record it had been!

They had refused to compromise when they faced persecution for their faith.

Sometimes they had become publicly exposed to insult and persecution.

They had endured scorn and threats from crowds.

The words of 12:4 suggest that they had not yet suffered martyrdom.

Hebrews

The confidence of these believers had caused them to endure much suffering.

They were urged, “Don’t throw away your confidence which will bring you great reward.”

They were already receiving a reward in their present steadfastness.

They could expect even greater reward in the future.

God’s goodness and faithfulness would make their rewards certain.

They were encouraged to live their lives by faith because they needed to endure.

They would be rewarded for living by faith and enduring the sufferings of this life.

Hebrews 10:

Living by faith is the only possible way to please the Lord Jesus.

Habakkuk 2:3-4

This chapter of Hebrews closes with an expression of blazing confidence.

These believers were not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.

The stern warnings were an effort to prod the readers of Hebrews to faithful commitment.

CONCLUSION

CONCLUSION

CONCLUSION

The one thing we can be sure of in our walk with the Lord is His sacrifice was sufficient for the cleansing of our sins.

The preserving of our soul can only be possible through faith in Jesus and His atoning work on the cross.

There is no other sacrifice for our sins.

The preserving of our soul produces the ability to endure persecutions and hardships.

Our life of faith also helps us to have love in our hearts for others, especially those who are experiencing persecution and hardships in their lives.

Prepared for First Baptist Church Oakdale - August 20, 2017