A Massage From The Book Of Hebrews

A MESSAGE FROM THE BOOK OF HEBREWS

TEXT - Heb.4: 1, 11 - 16

INTRO. - The writer of the Book of Hebrews is in question.

Some say it is Paul, others say Barnabas or Apollos. Any

could be true or all could be wrong. The answer is of little

matter since the book has been included in the canon of

Scripture. The book is a part of the Word of God. It is a

message from God.

It was written to Hebrew Christians who were in danger

of going back into Judaism. They were being tempted into

returning to the religion of their past, to the ritualism of

the Old Testament, to a Christless faith. They were potential

backsliders just as we all are if we move away from the truth

as found in Jesus Christ. There are seven great warnings in

the Book of Hebrews that cry out to the believer DON’T GO

BACK ON GOD. There is also a message in the Book of Hebrews

of encouragement to go forward for God.

Look for a few minutes at the "Let us" exhortations of the

book.

I. LET US FEAR - Heb. 4:1

We need the right attitude toward God. This "fear" is a fear

in the context of love. It is a holy respect for God. "The

fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." There is not

much fear of the Lord today. Lack of fear is a step toward

backsliding.

II. LET US LABOR - Heb. 4:11

We need to be active for God. "Labor" means to be actively

diligent and urgent. Faith shows itself in works. Let us show

our faith. If your faith hasn’t changed your life, it

certainly hasn’t saved your soul. Doing nothing for your soul

is a step toward backsliding.

III. LET US HOLD FAST - Heb. 4:14 (also see Heb. 10:23)

We need a stedfastness for God. Don’t waver in your love,

trust and commitment to God. "Profession" in this verse

means "confession". Hold fast your confession. Going back on

your confession, your profession, is a step toward

backsliding.

IV. LET US COME BOLDLY - Heb. 4:16

We need to keep a relationship of prayer with God. Jesus said

to watch and pray lest ye enter into temptation. Prayer moves

the hands of God. We need to pray and pray believing. How

much do you pray? To slack up on your prayer life is to take

a step toward backsliding.

V. LET US GO ON TO MATURITY - Heb. 6:1

We need to grow a spiritually. Grow in grace and in the

knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Plants need

things to help them grow. Animals need things to help them

grow. We need things to help us grow spiritually. We need the

Word of God, the Spirit of God, prayer, fellowship with other

believers, the church and even testings and trials. If we do

not go on, we will begin to go back. To not go on is to take

a step toward backsliding.

VI. LET US DRAW NEAR - Heb. 10:22

What this is saying is that we need to stay close to the foot

of the cross. Stay near the place of safety. "Draw near"

means to "continue drawing near". Continue what you started

when you first came to Jesus. You came near to the foot of

the cross. To not draw near is to take a step toward

backsliding.

VII. LET US CONSIDER - Heb. 10:24

We need to show concern and consideration for others. We can

We need to show good works to others. We need to show love to

others. Not sharing our faith is a step toward backsliding.

VIII. LET US LAY ASIDE THE WEIGHTS AND SINS - Heb. 12:1

We need to realize that many things that hinder us in our

Christian lives could not be labeled as a sin. There are

things not morally wrong that sap our spiritual strength.

It may be a sport that is to engrossing. It may be a worldly

friendship that hurts us. There are weights that are not

sins. We need to lay aside weights and the sin which so

easily besets us. Most people will give up alot to live for

God but the besetting sin is that sin that keeps tripping a

person. The besetting sin is the closest, dearest, most

gripping sin. To allow sin and weights is to take a step

closer toward backsliding.

IX. LET US RUN WITH PATIENCE THE RACE - Heb. 12:1

There is a race to be run and won.

The course is well defined - "set before us"

The race is a long distance run - we need "patience"

There is a starting line - Jesus. When we got saved. He is