In For the "Long- Haul"

IN FOR THE “LONG-HAUL” Spring Valley Mennonite; January 19, 2020; Hebrews 6:9-12 We find ourselves in the 6th chapter of Hebrews this morning. Last week we explored the question of whether a believer can lose his salvation. We concluded that although we are secure in our faith because of the awesome power of grace, there are immediate and lasting negative consequences for those who fall away from the faith. But following the sternest of warnings against giving up and giving in to quitting the faith is a most encouraging word, “But I am convinced of better things concerning you.” I have found that when we have a close and encouraging relationship with someone they tend to live up to our expectations. We are motivated to please the ones we love. And who loves us more than our Heavenly Father? And, our love for God should be our main motivation for seeking and following God’s commandments. We are to love God and love others. In a nutshell, this is how to live a life pleasing to God. The recipients of this letter were much like any evangelical congregation found today. The people were at all different levels of spiritual maturity, some demonstrating great maturity and ministering effectively. But there were others who for various reasons had digressed in their Christian walk. These are described in chapter 5 as having become “dull of hearing.” They were forgetful and were capable of digesting only spiritual milk and not solid food. Often these ones develop into what one of my mentors described as “VNP’s—very needy people.” They move from one crisis to another and are so self-absorbed in their problems that they contribute very little to the kingdom. They can take up great amounts of time and emotional energy. On the other hand, these immature believers often just disappear. They exist on the fringes of a church, and their attendance is so irregular that they may be missing for weeks before anyone takes notice. And we find that they have succumbed to the deceitfulness of sin, as the author described in chapter 3:12-13: “Take care, brethren, lest there should be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart, in falling away from the living God. But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called today lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” Did you catch what can prevent this falling away? Encouragement of one another. This is what the author does in our passage today, Hebrews 6:9-12. (Read the passage.) I. A WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT In contrast to the ones who had drifted away from the faith were those who had continued to move forward in their faith. They were the ones who had persevered and had been the field which had “brought forth useful vegetation” as verse 8 described. Two groups of people, one who moved forward in their faith while the other slid backward. Babies are delightful, and parents don’t mind changing soiled diapers. But they should normally grow out of diapers. Believers are expected to grow beyond spiritual infancy, but tragically some never do. The author wisely concentrates on the ones producing good fruit, for they are the ones who listen. He had observed definite fruitfulness, “the things accompanying salvation.” He is speaking of life changes which will naturally occur as a believer matures. Verse 10 gives a general description as he remembers their “ministry to the saints.” He encourages these saints, some of whom might have responded to the warnings by wondering if they were in danger of losing their rewards and would make it into heaven “by the skin of their teeth.” How should we consider these warning passages which speak primarily to those who are falling away? I think we all should respond to them by examining ourselves. After reminding the Corinthian church about the disobedience of the Israelites in the desert, Paul warned, “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” We don’t have to look very far to find those who once were strong in the faith now sitting on the sidelines because of the deceitfulness of sin. But to the faithful, God speaks in verse 10: “For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints.” God encourages us by saying, “Rest easy; don’t worry. I am keeping track of your love-motivated Kingdom work.” It is in keeping with God’s character of fairness and justice to notice and keep a record of what we do for Him. He doesn’t forget the extra time you spent encouraging a fellow believer. He doesn’t forget the times you were burdened and prayed for someone going through a tough time, or the meal you prepared for a grieving friend. He notices the extra time you took preparing that tasty dish for a potluck, or the money you put in the special missionary offering that you could have spent on yourself. God keeps track and will reward your actions that come from a redeemed heart. I often wonder about my motivation in doing good. Do you? I often ask myself, “Why am I doing this?” I remember Jesus’ condemnation of the Pharisees who outwardly looked so pious and righteous but were motivated by the applause and praise of others. They did the right things with a wicked heart. What is the proper motivation for Christian service? II. THE PROPER MOTIVATION The middle of verse 10 instructs us that God rewards our acts of ministry that come from “the love which you have shown toward His name.” The name of God is a frequent summary phrase which represents God Himself. This isn’t too difficult to understand if we think about our own name. Each of us have a name. This week I had to sign some official documents and I wrote my name. That signature stands for my person and my obligation to stand behind that signature. It represents who I am. So, the “name of God” represents all God is, and when we show love toward His name, it means our motivation for service is love for God. MacArthur tells us, “To love His name is to have a passionate desire for the glory of all that God is.” We love God when we put His interests before our own. We love God when we live for the good of others. After Peter denied Christ, recall Jesus’ words: “Peter, do you love Me?” Three times, corresponding to the three denials, Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him. Then Jesus said, “Take care of My sheep.” Our sole motivation for service is to be our love for God. We don’t serve to guarantee a place in heaven. We don’t serve for any rewards we might receive. And we certainly are not to serve just to please others. I must admit that often I do things with mixed motives. I am in a unique position being employed as a Pastor. As one Pastor told his congregation, “I get paid to be good; you have to be good for nothing!” But we all are called to examine our motivation for serving, but also to realize that we are all on the road to “becoming.” I admit that I often fall short of having pure motives, but I want to make that my goal. How do we grow in this area? I think it helps if we put our focus on what Jesus has done and continues to do for us. I John 3:1: “See how great a love that Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God…” “We love because He first loved us.” I have found that the more I know God, and the closer I draw to Him, the more I love Him. Consider what the Holy Spirit means by this “ministry to the saints.” III. THE MINISTRY TO THE SAINTS Notice we are speaking of service within the body of believers. This doesn’t take much explanation, especially for this congregation which does an extraordinary job in caring for one another. We do well in utilizing our spiritual gifts. The teachers are teaching, the Elders are governing, the servants are serving. But this ministry is to reach out to the greater church also. And I would commend you in how we support others through the outreach of the Mennonite Central Committee, as we gathered to tie comforters these last two days. That is “ministering to the saints.” I commend those who have spent countless hours on quilts and other things. Those who volunteer for the many jobs at the MCC Sale are “ministering to the saints.” A great way we can minister is through our prayers for one another and for the needs of believers beyond our four walls. Our prayers for our missionaries accomplish more than our donations. Our personal prayer ministry is a method of “ministering to the saints” that is often underestimated in its impact. We minister to one another through our close relationships of bearing one another’s burdens, caring and giving to the needs of the saints. Hebrews 10:24: “Let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds…” I want to urge all of you to be more vocal in describing how the Lord has blessed or used you in ministering to others. I understand the hesitancy of speaking of how the Lord used you, but it is a great encouragement to others and gives us an opportunity to glorify God. Verses 11-12 speak of the need to be committed for the long-haul in ministry. IV. MINISTERING WITH DILIGENCE WITH THE “LONG VIEW” READ VV. 11-12. Two words stand out to me in these verses: Diligence and sluggishness. Diligence carries the idea that we cannot rest on yesterday’s accomplishments. We need to “keep on keeping on.” Too often I hear, especially from older saints, “Let the younger people do that; I’ve served my time.” Such thoughts are not from God but come from the flesh. There is no retirement from serving God. We may change our ministries to reflect our physical limitations as we grow older, but we are to continue in His service. We older saints are indispensable as examples to those younger. Just think of the effect older believers have had in your lives. I was privileged to grow up in a church with many older saints who had a profound effect on my life. Diligence means that every day I examine my motives, walk in love and recommit myself to love and good deeds. Every day I must “put to death the flesh”, my selfish self-interests. Every day I must put on the armor of God and join the battle against the world, the flesh and the devil. Every day I must battle against the distractions that sap my emotional energy. And every day I must ask God, “How can I build Your Kingdom today?” For my flesh will always encourage me to “take it easy”; to let someone else do it. We will be as lazy and sluggish as we allow ourselves to be. Here is where we can be encouraged by those who are actively serving God, as verse 13 encourages us to be, “imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” Such a life of selfless service is impossible apart from the grace and power of God. But with God all things are possible. As we yield to God’s Holy Spirit, acknowledging our weakness, and confessing our sin, God will enable us to “keep on keeping on.” We are in this for the long-haul, and there is great reward in serving Him, both now and forever. I found this collection of encouraging verses put together under the title “My Beloved.” God would encourage you with these words: MY BELOVED Come to Me when you are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Come to Me when you are thirsty, come to the waters and drink. Come to Me, you who have no money, come buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Listen, listen to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to Me; hear Me, that your soul may live. Seek Me while I may be found; call on Me while I am near. Turn away from your wicked ways and your evil thoughts. Come to Me and I will have mercy on you; turn to Me and I will freely pardon you. Come to My throne of grace. Come to Me with freedom and confidence. By the blood of Jesus, enter the Most Holy Place. Draw near to Me with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, cleansed from a guilty conscience and washed with pure water. Come before me with thanksgiving and praise, with music and joyful songs. Rejoice in My name all day long. Tell others of My righteousness. Come to Me, My beloved, for in My presence is fullness of joy, and eternal pleasures are in My right hand. (Psalm 89:16; 100:4; Isa 55:1-7; Mt 11:28; Jn 7:37; Ac 2:28; Eph 3:12; Heb 4:16; 10:19-22)