Warning #4 - Willful Sin

Introduction:

Pledge

Passage:

English Standard Version Chapter 10

19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus,

20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh,

21 and since we have a great 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 with pure water.

23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.

24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,

25 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.

26 For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,

27 but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries.

28 Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses.

29 How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace?

30 For we know him who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.”

31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

32 But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings,

33 sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated.

34 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.

35 Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.

36 For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.

37 For,

“Yet a little while,

and the coming one will come and will not delay;

38 but my righteous one shall live by faith,

and if he shrinks back,

my soul has no pleasure in him.”

39 But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.

Pray

Segway:

Have you ever done something you know you should’t do or shouldn’t be doing but you continue to do it anyway?

Give illustration of me getting a tick for doing a donut in a snow covered parking lot.

I knew I wasn’t suppose to be doing it.

Didn’t care of the consequence

Too much Fun

Wasn’t willing to listen to reason (to others)

Consequence was steep

6 points off my license

Insurance increased dramatically

$180 Ticket

I have a whole new definition for Tickets ....

Paid advice telling you not to do again what you just got caught doing.

How many of you can relate to this?

Not the wreck-less driving part but the thought of doing something you know you shouldn’t be doing but you do it anyway.

Maybe you are still doing it today?

You know you are not suppose to be doing it!

You are not thinking or caring about the negative consequences of it!

You have been convinced its just too much fun.

Not listening to good/sound advice

Advice from those who care and love you (Have your best interest at heart)

Not recognizing (blinded to) the steep consequences if things goes south

AND they WILL go SOUTH

Maybe you do recognize it but have bought into the lies from the enemy ....

It’s just Fun!

It feel right!

No one will get hurt!

(The list of lies could go on ....)

Body:

Over the last 3 weeks we have looked at these warnings found in Hebrews!

Drifting

Unbelief

Apostasy: Denial of Faith we use to believe in

What warning is the author revealing to us today?

“WILLFUL SIN”

Anyone know what God’s word says about Sin?

Define sin as: A willful transgression against a known law of God.

We can condense this down to 4 words: Willfully denying Gods Word

Let’s see what God word has to say about “Willfully Sinning!”

This warning is found in Vs 26-31

“Anyone who” ......

“deliberately” : Used 2 times in the NT

Without compulsion ( shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you....)

shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you

Not being told to do it, just doing it

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles)

Intentional (10:26) Sinning (willfully denying God’s truth.)

“After receiving” .....

“the knowledge” : Epignosis - More intense than just GNOSIS (To know).

It expresses a more thorough participation in the acquiring of knowledge on the part of the learner.

it expresses a more thorough participation in the acquiring of knowledge on the part of the learner. In the NT, it often refers to knowledge which very powerfully influences the form of religious life, a knowledge laying claim to personal involvement.

In the NT, it often refers to knowledge which very powerfully influences the form of religious life, a knowledge laying claim to personal involvement.

“of the truth” When ever you read this is scripture it most likely referring to God’s Word.

“No Longer”

When someone says, “No longer” they imply there once was ...... but no longer!

“Remains” This Greek word could actually be defined as “Can be made”

“A Sacrifice”

What the author is saying (Willfull Sinning) is the rejection of privilege of drawing near to God through the blood of Jesus, its confession of hope, and its mutual concern, encouragement, and participation in love and well-doing.

Willfully sinning is deliberate, persistent, and with full knowledge.

The author references back to Moses and the consequence of someone who would try to give a sacrifice but continued to sin (Stoned to death - Duet. 17:2-6)

The author here states that someone who willfully sins with the knowledge of knowing not to ..... It will be worse for them.

He then reminds them of how the Lord feels about Sin and what he states, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay” and “The Lord will judge His people.”

Climax:

A great questions would be for us today then, How can we safe guard ourselves from “Willful Sin?”

This passage makes reference to it ..... “Confidence” (Vs 19 & 35)

The author brings this idea of “Confidence” to light as a result (OR) accomplishment of faith.

Paul gives 3 things in this pericope that would be a good start to help with our faith.

You want your faith to mature / your want you faith to grow?

(Vs 22) Let us draw near!

Can I just say this …

If we are not moving toward something we are moving away from it.

If we are not moving toward being a better parent we are moving away from it

If we are not moving toward being a better spouse we are moving away from it

A better employee / a better friend

If we are not progressing toward something positive we are moving toward something negative.

If this is true for what I have jest stated then ....

“If we are not drawing near to God then we are drawing near to the enemy (Satan).”

The phrase “draw near” has two meanings:

The phrase “draw near” has two meanings:

to move toward (Generic meaning)

Approach to (OR) entry into a deity’s presence

You want to draw closer to God ...... BE INTENTIONAL!

(Vs 23) “Hold Fast”

In the Greek there a couple of different means for this phrase “Hold Fast”

To prevent/hinder/restrain

Posses/confine/take into ones possession

Lay claim/hold the course

But how this word is used in this verse is ....

Hold firmly to tradition/conviction/or belief (FAITH)

You want to hold fast to you faith ...... Be sensitive to your convictions!

(Vs 24) “Stir up”

This phrase could be viewed as “Attack of a fever” - Convulsions

Another definition could be as a “Sharp Disagreement” - () And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus.

The definition of the word Paul is using here is .... Rousing to activity. (Almost like when your trying to get your kids up in the morning.)

And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

You want to Stir things up in your faith .... Get Passionate!

You are willing to get passionate about your football teams why not get passionate about Jesus/your faith?

Conclusion:

Have you ever done something you know you should not do or shouldn’t be doing but you continue to do it anyway?

Have the Praise team come back up ....

Step 1 - STOP DOING IT/DON’T DO IT

Step 2 - Safe Guard yourself

DRAW NEAR

HOLD FAST

STIR UP

Maybe the Lord has stirred up something in you today?

ALTAR CALL