- March 8 Title: The Power of Warning Hebrews 6:4-10
- One time Crystal, Faith and I were traveling in an Airport. We were going down a long escalator, like really long and someone (not me) lost control of their roller bag. It began to slide, unbelievably fast down towards a person at the bottom of the escalator. With Headphones on
- I screamed, literally, at the top of my lungs LOOK OUT. Repeatedly. They nonchalantly turned and stepped aside and kept walking. It seriously could have taken them out.
- Some warnings need to have gusto. They need to startle you and get you to pay attention
- This scripture is a startle scripture. It starts with a challenge, but it ends with encouragement
- There’s power in this warning. Lets get into it.
- A good warning makes you think
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- Just like the warning on the escalator, if a warning isn’t delivered strongly, it doesn’t track.
- I’m not a guy that slow-plays the warning. Loud. Swift. Clear. With the consequences.
- The writer of Hebrews makes this stark warning- It is impossible– 6 if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance. That’s a strong word. Its saying it is not possible.
- If you take the Bible seriously, a warning like this should sober you///
- Lets unpack it a bit. Notice the structure of this verse of who he is actually talking about
- Once enlightened- You’ve met God, known Jesus and walked with him. You’ve “tasted the heavenly gift” this isn’t casual following. You’ve “become partakers of the Holy Spirit” and You’ve “tasted the good word” and “the powers of the age to come”. Not casual faith
- So he’s talking about a blood bought, holy Ghost filled, touched tasted and seen Christian
- But notice He’s not saying “had a bad weekend” “committed a heinous sin” “Struggling”
- He says “If they fall away” Which isn’t a determination, it’s a possibility. For anyone. ///
- Now I don’t dig into the Greek much, but its important here. Parapesontas from Parapipto
- to fall beside, fall away, deviate, commit apostasy, turn away after previously being aligned
- It’s the opposite of repentance. Repentance is turning towards God, this is turning away from
- So the literal idea is: to fall away from a position one previously occupied. Choose to turn.
- There’s an Aorist Principle here in the Greek-
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- Why this matters in Hebrews 6 It points toward a decisive act of apostasy. A settled rejection.
- a deliberate turning away after full exposure to the truth. You declare- I am rejecting Christ
- Aorist = the action is treated as a single decisive event. Not a process, habit, struggle. One act.
- So the author is describing a decisive turning away, not ordinary spiritual struggle or weakness.
- Why is this important? Because drifting is drifting. Struggling is struggling, but if you ever come to a point where you decisively say “I no longer believe In Jesus as my savior” You apostatized.
- The NET translates-and then have committed apostasy NLT and who then turn away from God
- Tertullian, A deliberate renunciation of Christ after receiving the fullness of Christian initiation.
- Now the important part- “impossible” what’s the deal with that word?
- Hebrews 6:18 it is impossible for God to lie Hebrews 10:4 it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins Hebrews 11:6 without faith it is impossible to please Him
- There are impossibilities with God. Some things are not possible. It’s the same language.
- And in this text here’s the impossibility- since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.
- Simply put- Once you’ve experienced the forgiveness of the cross and you reject it, there’s nothing else that can save you because you’re rejecting the only thing that can save you.
- If someone knowingly rejects that sacrifice and treats it as worthless, there is no other sacrifice left to bring them back. They’ve already experienced God’s best and theres no hope for them
- Hebrews 10:26 there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins
- So the impossibility is not that God lacks power to forgive.
- The impossibility is that there is no other path of repentance once Christ is rejected. None///
- The danger is not losing religion. The danger is rejecting the only sacrifice that can save you.
- The main focus of the entirety of the book of Hebrews is challenging the Hebrew reader- Don’t go away from Christ once you’re there- Don’t do it. There’s nothing for you away from him
- You’re at the bottom of the escalator- listen to the writer of Hebrews- LOOK OUT- it happens
- Hebrews 2:1 drift away; 3:12 depart from the living God; 3:13 hardened by deceitfulness of sin; 3:17 fell in the wilderness; 3:18 did not obey; 4:11 fall through disobedience; 5:11 dull of hearing; 6:6 fall away; 10:26 sin willfully; 10:29 trampled the Son of God; 10:38 draw back; 12:15 fall short of the grace of God; 12:25 do not refuse Him who speaks.
- A good warning makes you look
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- Lets really beat the dead horse of this illustration- If you’re not in the path of the luggage, the warning doesn’t apply, but you should still look to make sure. Everyone heard me, only for 1 per.
- Here’s the truth The fruit of your life shows the root of your life. READ V 7-8
- If its watered correctly, it will bring forth herbs as a blessing. If its bringing for thorns, burned.
- This is the same language of Jesus- Matt 3:10 And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire
- To Jesus and the writer of Hebrews- the both make the same case- your fruit matters. ///
- To look at your fruit is quite easy- you look internally and externally and say- Is there evidence?
- One- Do you have a love for God. Not ‘the tenets of Christianity are amenable to me”
- John 14:15 If you love Me, keep My commandments.
- This means, if Jesus tells you something to do or not do you do it willfully and cheerfully
- Not begrudgingly. These foot dragging never want to do nothing Christians. Hope to make it
- We’ve dealt with this for decades- Many in the church who like Church, don’t love Christ.
- This is the most important fruit of your life. Is Jesus worthy enough for your full devotion in all
- Two- Does your life reflect that you have met this Jesus?
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- Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
- this isn’t an ALWAYS am I, but am I increasing? None of us are perfect in this, but there’s got to be some budding fruit in this area of your life. It must be increasing in some form of your life
- Or are you just the exact same person you were before you got saved? Nothing changed?
- Again, I’m amazed at people who come here with no love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness or self control and profess Christ for YEARS. Who did u meet?
- Three- Are you abiding John 15:5 I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
- Sure pastor, I’m abiding. I think. I think I’m trying stay close to the savior. You know how?
- John 15:10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.
- Obedience is love that produces fruit in the life of the believer. You know your areas of disobedience. Usually connected to fear, doubt, laziness, selfishness and lust. Or non convert
- You refuse to look at the fruit in your life and are holding on to some weak thread of a half hearted confession that didn’t change the direction of your life. You think you’re good.
- Your fear shouldn’t be that you’re falling away, it should be that you never took root!
- A good warning is directed at the right person
- When I was yelling at the top of my lungs in the airport everyone within ear shot heard me. But it was only directed at the person who needed to hear it the most.
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- Some of you here the morning so desperately want to serve God, honor him, love him and follow him that you’re always beating yourself up- “oh Lord not me” “is it I Lord” etc.
- The writer of Hebrews comes back quickly to a Gospel truth to these Hebrews. Its not you.
- 9 But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner.
- If you’re walking with Jesus, loving him, keeping his commandments, you’re good. No fear.
- 1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.
- Perfect love casts out fear. I am not fearful of this verse because it will never apply to me
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- I may sin, or fall short or have a bad day. I might have moments of despair or momentary pain
- But I will never,can never,can’t ever deny Jesus died on the cross for this sinner right here
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- 1 Corinthians 6:11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.
- These verses shouldn’t terrorize you they should encourage you! Bless God, I’m trusting him!
- This sermon and this scripture is not directed towards those who are holding on to the cross
- But here’s what I know-In Matthew 4 The devil challenged Jesus with 3 things. Stone into bread, test if God will save you, turn from the Father and I’ll give you the kingdoms of this world.
- And those 3 same challenges come to the believer today. It’s the same temptation
- One- Bread without obedience- Give up this Christian struggle. Go get your own bread without having to trust God. You can take care of yourself. You don’t need the crutch of religion
- Two- Results without Faith. Stop trusting God. You aren’t seeing results, take matters into your own hands. If God can’t show himself, then stop serving him. Force results on your own.
- Three- Grow your own kingdom. The path the most influence is to build your own kingdom, don’t subject yourself to be a subject. Renounce Christ, the world will love you and get famous
- And who of us hasn’t had the Devil attack us with these same thoughts. Turn from him
- Turn from him and you’ll have more. Quit giving your money and time. You could have MORE
- Turn from him and produce more. Quit waiting for the fruit that comes from him. You grow it!
- Turn from him and be somebody. No one cares about you and your small life. Give it up. Insta
- 9 But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner.
- Most of you are good to go. You’re consistent. You love, serve, forgive, worship, pray, give, etc
- You’ve seen the goodness of God and you can’t deny it. You could never walk away from it.
- Like the disciples we say- Jn 6:68 Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.
- A Good warning gives an escape
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- What good is a warning if there’s no escape from it. The writer of Hebrews sternly warns the reader and then he provides the solution- Continue in Love.
- 10 For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
- 6:10 in NLT says it this way- 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.
- These Hebrew believers were currently working hard for the Lord, and actively loving believers
- So what’s your escape from the falling away? continue in love. Keep doing what you’re doing
- John 13:34–35 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.
- You stay in the grace of God when you stay in the Love of God. Obey him, serve him, love him
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- Hebrews has two strong remedies to stay in love. Keep getting together. Deal with your sin
- Heb 10:24–25 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another.
- Heb 3:13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
- as your pastor, when I’m constantly encouraging you to come here and be here its for you
- I know that the coal that isn’t next to the fire goes out. Sin where the salve of forgiveness isn’t applied leads to hardness of hearts. When we get together we stay in the love of God.
- And it can happen. People renounce Christ. They ‘deconstruct their faith’ to leave God
- Most people don’t suddenly abandon the faith; it usually follows a slow progression drifting, dullness, hardening, drawing back, and finally open rejection of Christ.
- People who write great worship songs, famous pastors, band members, pastors and their kids
- Were they ever saved? don’t know. I do know once saved people who don’t believe anymore
- the answer is very clear. We stay in Love. We walk in love. We stay together. Don’t go back!
- 1 Pe 4:8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for love will cover a multitude of sins.
- How do you show fervent love? You serve them, encourage them, help them, listen to them.
- And here’s the deal. Quit beating yourself up. If you’re saved you’re saved. You’re good
- If you are truly walking with Christ, you don’t have to live in fear of this warning. Stay the course
- 1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
- This Christian life aint no joke. Its not without its challenges, but its not impossible to gain Christ
- You simply think when you hear a warning, you look at your life and see if its at you, you look to see if its for you and if not, you continue in love for God and others. Simple. Move on
- You watch for drift. Don’t entertain doubt. Flee from immorality. Keep God First. Watch out for the luggage coming down the escalator so no one has to scream at you.
