A Fearful Thing

INTRO

B/c of the blood of Jesus we are encouraged to approach God, hold fast w/o wavering, and encourage each other through our worship.

What happens if we fail to do that?

That is a fearful thing to consider.

DISCUSSION

A Fearful Expectation to those who continue in sin (26-27)

A Christian, a saved individual—received the knowledge of the truth (1 Tim 2:4; Acts 2:41)

Christian sins willfully

—deliberate sin that he persists in—PAPart.

Habit under consideration—forsaking the assembly

Any sin that you simply won’t give up—departing from the living God, renouncing Christianity (Heb 3:12; 1 Jn 5:16)

We can only expect judgment

No sacrifice remains—even in the OT—no recourse for deliberate sin Deut. 17:12. Ps. 19:13. Heb. 10:26. No sacrifice could be made

What remains (reserved for the future)--

fearful expectation—frightful expectation, terrible

Judgment (condemnation) will be accompanied with a fury of fire (zeal of fire)

persisting in sin = being an adversary of God (Jam 4:4)

If we persist in sin, we can only expect

The same condemnation of Sodom,

Nadab and Abihu,

those enquiring at Baalzebub (2 Kin 1)

A fearful Observation for those who continue in sin (28-29)

The NT is based on better things than the OT (HEb 8:6)

OT—if you rejected the Law, you die (Dt 17:6)

Far worse to reject Jesus than Moses

What punishment is fitting if we

Trample the Son of God underfoot—treat Him with the upmost contempt—we trample trash, boxes to the dump

Treat the blood of Christ as if it was like the blood of an ordinary death—

arrogantly insult the Holy Spirit (Mk 3:29)

A fearful retribution for those who continue in sin (30-31)

The expectation is sure b/c we know Him that has spoken

loves righteousness (Ps 11:7)

angry at the wicked (Ps 7:11)

Retribution—punishment for sin belongs to God (Dt 32:35-36)

How can God punish someone for eternity?

The only thing fitting for rejecting the blood of Jesus Christ and His Spirit of Grace!

This shall happen—assurance (Acts 17:30-31)

EXHORTATION

Fearful thing to fall in the hand of the living God

If you were to be judged right now, what kind of sentence would you receive?