Seven Solemn Warnings to Christians

Seven Solemn Warnings to Christians

A saved man cannot possibly fall away and be lost, but he may fail to realize God’s purpose in saving him. In this connection the writer of Hebrews warns Christians of seven things. Failure to heed these warnings may result in God’s chastening here and now (. Cf. . ) and a loss of their reward later on (). What are the warnings to which we should give heed? What are the dangers which face us as Christians?

I. Drifting like a ship without a rudder;

So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it. 2 For the message God delivered through angels has always stood firm, and every violation of the law and every act of disobedience was punished.

1 So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it.

2For the message God delivered through angels has always stood firm, and every violation of the law and every act of disobedience was punished.

3 So what makes us think we can escape if we ignore this great salvation that was first announced by the Lord Jesus himself and then delivered to us by those who heard him speak?

A. “Let them slip” refers to “drifting away”; how easy it is to just drift along in the Christian life, and how dangerous!

B. Christians drift because they are preoccupied with things which are unimportant in the light of eternity;

II. Having an evil heart of unbelief;

12 Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God. 13 You must warn each other every day, while it is still “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God.

12 Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God. 13 You must warn each other every day, while it is still “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God.

13 You must warn each other every day, while it is still “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God.

14 For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ. 15 Remember what it says: “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled.”

15 Remember what it says: “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled.”

A. The danger of unbelief is the danger of not taking God at His Word;

B. The Christian may hear the Word of God without mixing it with faith; Luke tells us:

Then he asked them, “Where is your faith?” The disciples were terrified and amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “When he gives a command, even the wind and waves obey him!”

25 Then he asked them, “Where is your faith?” The disciples were terrified and amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “When he gives a command, even the wind and waves obey him!”

III. Being content with spiritual immaturity:

11 There is much more we would like to say about this, but it is difficult to explain, especially since you are spiritually dull and don’t seem to listen. 12 You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food.

11 There is much more we would like to say about this, but it is difficult to explain, especially since you are spiritually dull and don’t seem to listen. 12 You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food.

12 You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food.

13 For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right. 14 Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.

14 Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.

A. Christians may be dull of hearing;

B. Christians should be teachers but instead they need teachers;

C. Christians should be mature but they are only babies;

D. Christians lack discernment;

E. Christians should go on to “developed manhood”;

IV. Backsliding seriously and not repenting;

For it is impossible to bring back to repentance those who were once enlightened—those who have experienced the good things of heaven and shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the power of the age to come

4 For it is impossible to bring back to repentance those who were once enlightened—those who have experienced the good things of heaven and shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the power of the age to come—

5who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the power of the age to come—

6 and who then turn away from God. It is impossible to bring such people back to repentance; by rejecting the Son of God, they themselves are nailing him to the cross once again and holding him up to public shame. 7 When the ground soaks up the falling rain and bears a good crop for the farmer, it has God’s blessing.

7 When the ground soaks up the falling rain and bears a good crop for the farmer, it has God’s blessing.

8 But if a field bears thorns and thistles, it is useless. The farmer will soon condemn that field and burn it. 9 Dear friends, even though we are talking this way, we really don’t believe it applies to you. We are confident that you are meant for better things, things that come with salvation. 10 For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do.

9 Dear friends, even though we are talking this way, we really don’t believe it applies to you. We are confident that you are meant for better things, things that come with salvation. 10 For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do.

10 For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do.

A. What happens when a believer falls into sin and does not repent? He is in danger of becoming one of God’s castaways;

B. What happens if repentance never comes? He is in danger of becoming sick in body, dying, and suffering loss at the Judgment Seat of Christ.

V. Committing deliberate, willful sin;

26 Dear friends, if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice that will cover these sins. 27 There is only the terrible expectation of God’s judgment and the raging fire that will consume his enemies.

26 Dear friends, if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice that will cover these sins. 27 There is only the terrible expectation of God’s judgment and the raging fire that will consume his enemies.

27 There is only the terrible expectation of God’s judgment and the raging fire that will consume his enemies.

28 For anyone who refused to obey the law of Moses was put to death without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 Just think how much worse the punishment will be for those who have trampled on the Son of God, and have treated the blood of the covenant, which made us holy, as if it were common and unholy, and have insulted and disdained the Holy Spirit who brings God’s mercy to us.

29 Just think how much worse the punishment will be for those who have trampled on the Son of God, and have treated the blood of the covenant, which made us holy, as if it were common and unholy, and have insulted and disdained the Holy Spirit who brings God’s mercy to us.

A. The writer is here speaking of willful sin. Is there forgiveness for willful sin? Yes;

B. The Christian who sins willfully will be chastened in this life with a loss of reward in the next life;

VI. Being thoroughly careless and going undisciplined.

12 So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. 13 Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.

12 So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. 13 Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.

13 Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.

14 Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. 15 Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.

15 Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.

16 Make sure that no one is immoral or godless like Esau, who traded his birthright as the firstborn son for a single meal. 17 You know that afterward, when he wanted his father’s blessing, he was rejected. It was too late for repentance, even though he begged with bitter tears.

17 You know that afterward, when he wanted his father’s blessing, he was rejected. It was too late for repentance, even though he begged with bitter tears.

A. Christians get spiritually slack then discouraged;

B. Christians need to determine to go straight ahead in the Christian life;

C. Christians need to pursue holiness in a peaceable manner.

D. Christians need to be watchful in all things.

VII. Refusing to hear the Word of God;

1. As He spoke to Moses from Sinai; .

2. As He speaks to us from Zion; .

And now, dear children, remain in fellowship with Christ so that when he returns, you will be full of courage and not shrink back from him in shame.

28 And now, dear children, remain in fellowship with Christ so that when he returns, you will be full of courage and not shrink back from him in shame.

B. Those who refuse to hear God’s Word will be ashamed when the Lord Jesus comes;

Are you ashamed at the name of Jesus? Do you coward down when others are around? Do you whisper when praying so others do not hear you?

Step up, be courageous, let all that you come into contact with know..........You are a follower of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen

Francis W. Dixon, “Seven Solemn Warnings to Christians,” in Heart-Touching Sermon Outlines, Dollar Sermon Library Series (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1974), 52–53.