Five Warnigs of Hebrews

THE FIVE WARNING OF THE BOOK OF HEBREWS

INTRO:  When studying Hebrews, one finds five distinct warnings to Christians along with their consequences.  Taken out of context, these warnings are frightening, but a proper understanding will give the believer a greater appreciation of his salvation and spur him to greater service.

   I.  The Danger of Neglect  (Heb. 2:1-3) -- “…let them slip [by] …”, Angels at Sodom spoke the truth

       A.  This reaffirms there is no other way of salvation.  (John 14:6)

             ILLUS:  Ghandi --  “all the world’s religions are a means to the same end, so what does                           it matter how you arrive at the end” (Prov. 16:25)

       B.  This verse helps us understand where we would be without Christ, and why those who                 don‘t believe are in so much danger. (Rom 2:8-9)

 II.  The Danger of Unbelief  (Heb. 3:12;19;4:1-2)

       A.  Salvation comes through belief alone-- i.e. faith  (Eph 2:8-9)

       B.  Condemnation, therefore, comes through unbelief alone.  You cannot be saved except                   you believe in Christ.  No Muslims or Jews or Hindu or Buddhists can be saved.

             ILLUS: Israelites couldn’t enter Canaan, but Joshua and Caleb could. (Num 14:22-24)

III.  The Danger of Spiritual Immaturity  (Heb 6:1-6)

       A. This seems to teach one can lose his salvation, but looking closer, it does not. (v.6)

       B.  It teaches that since you are saved, it’s time to grow spiritually and leave behind the milk             of the gospel -- Dig deeper; learn to walk in the Spirit; tell others. (Heb 5:12-14) Context!

      C.  If it were possible to lose your salvation, you could not get it back.

             ILLUS: Free will Baptists, et al, who believe you can be saved over and over

IV.  The Danger of Backsliding  (Heb 10:26-31)

       A.  This is a scary passage that seems to say that if we willfully sin after being saved, there is              no forgiveness of that sin.  If that be true, then you could not be with God for He is holy.

       B.  The Jewish law had no sacrifice for willful sin, but for the Christian, Christ’s sacrifice                    covered all sin, so there is no longer a need for a sin offering of any kind. (Heb 10:16-17)

       C.  Though forgiven, our willful sin is an insult to God and the Holy Spirit, that would                        otherwise cost us an even more severe punishment than the unsaved.  Don’t do it!!!

             ILLUS:  Modern Christianity is rife w/those who count the blood a common thing

 V.  The Danger of Refusing God  (Heb 12:25-29)  Read beginning in v. 18 if there is time.

       A.  Those in the OT who heard the prophets and refused to obey, did not escape punishment.

             ILLUS:  The captivities; Korah’s rebellion--the ground opened up (Num 16:28-33)

       B.  We who have heard God’s Son should not escape, then if we refuse to serve God.

       C.  A Christian can live a life of no service, but his life is deserving of punishment from God

             ILLUS:  We are going to mission field

CONC:  So, the warnings found in Hebrews aren’t a frightening collection of judgments designed to void salvation.  Rather, these warning help us understand how precious salvation is, and how important it is to move on to greater service for God and to tell others of Him.