Sunday, July 30, 2017

Paul's Epistles – Hebrews – Part 10: The Certainty of God’s Promise

Paul's Epistles – Hebrews – Part 10:
The Certainty of God’s Promise
Pastor Bruce A. Shields


SERMON INTRODUCTION
The “official” writer of this epistle is unknown. However, I obviously believe it is Paul since I have included it in the “Paul’s Epistles” Sermon Series.

I believe there is enough evidence from early scholars to agree this was more than likely Paul’s work.

Last week we examined Jesus the Great High Priest.

This week, Paul will show Jesus is also the Perfect High Priest.

We have already seen in Hebrews so far;

·        Jesus is greater than angels

·        And that we are to pay the most careful attention to Jesus and His way so we do not stray

·        And how Jesus (New Covenant) is greater than Moses (Old Covenant)

·        Paul’s warning about unbelief

·        A Sabbath Rest for the People of God

·        Jesus the Great High Priest

·        Jesus the Perfect High Priest

·        Therefore, It is Time to Grow Up

TODAY’S SERMON
“The Certainty of God’s Promise”

 SCRIPTURE REFERENCE
Hebrews 6:13-20
When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, 14 saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.” 15 And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.
16 People swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. 17 Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. 18 God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged.19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, 20 where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.

The overall message of this epistle to the church is;
The Cure for Lacking Boldness or Courage in your Christian Faith and Backsliding is a Right beginning for the Glory and Work of Christ”


I. GOD’S PROMISE
a. God swore a promise to Abraham
                                                                 i. since there is none greater to swear by, God swore by Himself

                                                              ii. one of the most well known examples of someone receiving the promises of God through inheritance (John 8:58)

b. “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.”
                                                                 i. This refers to justification by faith shown in Genesis 22:17

                                                              ii. God promised that because of Abrahams faith, God would bless him through his seed

                                                           iii. Abrahams seed would become a nation, and through that nation will come the promise (Jesus) through whom every believer becomes a “child of promise” (Galatians 4:28)

c. and so, after “waiting patiently”, Abraham received what was promised
                                                                 i. There is always time between PROMISE and POSSESSION
1. this is where faith GROWS!

                                                              ii. Immediate meaning was Abraham received Isaac
1. The eternal meaning though is justification by faith

                                                           iii. This justification by faith would come by Isaac’s seed, which was Christ (Galatians 3:16)



II.      A PROMISE BY GOD ENDS ALL DEBATE
a. People swear by someone greater than themselves
                                                                 i. an oath confirms what is said and puts an end to argument

                                                              ii. This is why we;
1. Swear to God
2. Swear on the Holy Bible (in courts)
3. Swear by “all that is Holy”, etc...

                                                           iii. We also swear “oaths” to put an end to questions about our commitment
1. Boy scouts Oath
a. On my honor, I will do my best 
To do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; 
To help other people at all times; 
To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.

2. Pledge of allegiance
a. "I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

3. Police officers swear an oath, military branches swear oaths, etc...

                                                            iv. This promise and swearing of an oath is an oral contract
1. By the way, oral contracts are still legal contract in the United States

b. Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of His purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised
                                                                 i. God confirmed it with an oath

c. God did this so that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie;

                                                                 i. One - The promise to Abraham of a coming redeemer (Christ)

                                                              ii. Two - and the oath given that Christ is a Priest forever after the Order of Melchizedek

                                                           iii. It is impossible for God to lie, therefore, Abraham WILL receive Isaac, Isaac WILL give birth to a nation, from that nation Christ WILL be born, and Christ IS and ALWAYS WILL BE the High Priest forever in the Order of Melchizedek



III.   JESUS ENTERS THE INNER SANCTUARY ON OUR BEHALF
a. we have this hope as an anchor for our soul, firm and secure
                                                                 i. Paul making reference to a ship in a safe harbor

                                                              ii. Our souls need not wander, but coming to Christ we have safe harbor, refuge, protection, firm and secure


b. It (hope) enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain (where God resides)
                                                                 i. Jesus enters the Holy of Holies to be face to face with God on our behalf!


c. This hope is Jesus who enters on our behalf
                                                                 i. This is a picture of the Great Day of Atonement

                                                              ii. When the High Priest was to enter the Holy of Holies on behalf of the people

                                                           iii. Which represents what Christ is going to do for those who belong to Him on Judgment Day

1. When Jesus will stand before God on our behalf!


CONCLUSION – he (jesus) has become a high priest forever

in the order of Melchizedek

This presents Christ, not in the line of Aaron from which all earthly priests come, but another Order all together.

The old Levitical Order had an ending, This Order has no ending, Christ is an Eternal High Priest!


Want to learn more about Salvation and Getting Saved?   

Want to hear the audio to this sermon?   





Sunday, July 23, 2017

Paul's Epistles – Hebrews – Part 9: Therefore, It’s Time to Grow Up

Paul's Epistles – Hebrews – Part 9:
Therefore, It’s Time to Grow Up
Pastor Bruce A. Shields


SERMON INTRODUCTION
The “official” writer of this epistle is unknown. However, I obviously believe it is Paul since I have included it in the “Paul’s Epistles” Sermon Series.

I believe there is enough evidence from early scholars to agree this was more than likely Paul’s work.

Last week we examined Jesus the Great High Priest.

This week, Paul will show Jesus is also the Perfect High Priest.

We have already seen in Hebrews so far;

·        Jesus is greater than angels

·        And that we are to pay the most careful attention to Jesus and His way so we do not stray

·        And how Jesus (New Covenant) is greater than Moses (Old Covenant)

·        Paul’s warning about unbelief

·        A Sabbath Rest for the People of God

·        Jesus the Great High Priest

·        Jesus the Perfect High Priest

TODAY’S SERMON
“Therefore, It’s Time to Grow Up!”

 SCRIPTURE REFERENCE
Hebrews 6:1-12
Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about cleansing rites, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And God permitting, we will do so.
It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace. Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned.
Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are convinced of better things in your case—the things that have to do with salvation. 10 God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. 11 We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. 12 We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.

The overall message of this epistle to the church is;
The Cure for Lacking Boldness or Courage in your Christian Faith and Backsliding is a Right beginning for the Glory and Work of Christ”


I. MOVE BEYOND ELEMENTARY TEACHINGS AND BE TAKEN FORWARD TO MATURITY
a. Teachings such as repentance from acts that lead to death
                                                                 i. Second death, spiritual, eternal judgment for un-repented sin

                                                              ii. Most know the basics of sin, right and wrong, what we are to do and not to do as followers.


                                                           iii. Continuously focusing on these things are for one of two reasons
1. You do not want to mature
2. You are looking for loopholes to continue in sin

b. Teachings such as Faith in God, instructions about cleansing rites, laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead, eternal judgment
                                                                 i. Faith in God is a basic instruction…trust Him and His word!
                                                              ii. Cleansing rites, meaning baptism
                                                           iii. Laying on of hands
                                                            iv. Resurrection of the dead
                                                               v. Eternal judgment

                                                            vi. All of these things are basic in teaching, and easily understood!
1. It is time to grow up
2. It is time to stop being babies in constant need of milk
3. It is time to get into the meat of the Word of God and become like teachers, bringing others into an understanding of salvation!


c. God permitting, we will do so!
                                                                 i. What will they do? Move beyond elementary teachings, and be taken forward to maturity

                                                              ii. The Hebrews, as with most of us in the church, have had plenty of time and teaching to get an understanding…we need to stop hiding in the shadow of professed ignorance, and share the gospel we do understand.
1. We are all guilty of sin
2. The penalty for sin is eternal separation from God (Hell)
3. However, Jesus paid the price on the cross
4. And anyone who Trusts in Him can have Salvation

a. Simply acknowledge Jesus is your Lord
b. Believe He died for you
c. Confess your sin and repent
d. You will receive forgiveness and Salvation


II.      FALSE CONVERTS AND THEIR DISGRACE
a. Those who were enlightened, tasted heavenly gift, shared in the Holy Spirit, tasted goodness of the Word of God and power of the coming age

                                                                 i. If fallen away, it is impossible to be brought back to repentance
1. Because they were false converts, and do not truly repent

2. Without true repentance, there is no forgiveness, without forgiveness, there is no salvation, they repeat a cycle of false conversion.


b. To their loss, they crucify the Son of God over and over, making Him a public disgrace
                                                                 i. This happens to often

                                                              ii. False converts who have never repented go right back to living in sin, there is no conversion; they do not become a NEW creation, a NEW creature in Christ Jesus…

                                                           iii. They continue to live in their sin

                                                            iv. Again and again they come to the cross asking forgiveness, but never repenting

                                                               v. Therefore they are never forgiven…and a false convert

                                                            vi. They say they are followers of Christ, yet willfully live in sin, and bring Christ to public disgrace

                                                         vii. Their fruits, the crop they produce in their life, reveal they are false converts.


c. Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God.
                                                                 i. We are that land (Jesus’ parable of the seed, the Word of God, and the rain watering it, the Holy Spirit), when we receive the Holy Spirit we produce the Fruit of the Spirit, and we are useful to the Kingdom, and receive the Blessing of God

                                                              ii. But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned.

                                                           iii. In other words, those who have received the message of salvation, and do not truly repent, produce thorns and thistles in their walk which are worthless to the kingdom.

                                                            iv. And they are in danger of being cursed AND in the end it will be burned.
1. In danger of means there is still hope for them

2. If they do not truly repent, in the end (judgment) they will be cast into the eternal fire


III.   TRUE CONVERTS AND SALVATION
a. Even though we speak about false converts, your case is better, these things have to do with Salvation (True Conversion)

                                                                 i. Do I feel I know false converts…Yes

                                                              ii. Have I tried to convince them to commit to Christ and truly repent? Yes

                                                           iii. In the end, THEY have to make the decision for Christ
1. No one can force them
2. No one can twist their arm
3. However, if they do not truly repent, if they die in their sin, they will be cast into Gehenna


b. God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.
                                                                 i. “Your work” is the useful crop produced by true converts

                                                              ii. The Fruit of the Spirit

                                                           iii. As well as the love you have shown God by helping His people, and continuing to help them!
1. You show God love by helping His people
2. Matthew 10:42And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”

                                                            iv. Even showing the slightest concern for one of Christ’s disciples is a blessing


c. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. 
                                                                 i. Don’t stop…continue this until the end!

                                                              ii. 12 We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.



CONCLUSION – so move beyond the elementary teachings

Truly repent from your sin!

Show true thoroughness to the very end so that what you hope for (Salvation) may be fully realized.

Do not become lazy, but imitate those who through FAITH and PATIENCE inherit what has been promised!




Want to learn more about Salvation and Getting Saved?   

Want to hear the audio to this sermon?