Don't Turn Back

“DON’T TURN BACK”

Hebrews 10:26-39

December 7, 2008

Pastor John L. Harper

Warden Assembly of God

1 Corinthians 11:23-31 (King James Version)

King James Version (KJV)

23For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: 24And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 26For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come. 27Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. 30For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. 31For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

SERVE COMMUNION:

• Distribute elements

• (Have Worship Team play during this time)

• Serve Deacons

• Have Deacon pray for the bread

• (Partake of bread)

• Have Deacon pray for the cup

• (Partake of the cup)

26For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.

Introduction: We have come to the last part of Chapter 10, and the author is warning us not to turn away from Christ. Listen to Warren Wiersbe as he sums up the progression of turning away from Christ. “The believer who begins to drift (Heb. 2:1-4) away from the Word will soon start to doubt the Word (Heb. 3:7-4:13).Soon he will become dull towards the Word (Heb. 5:11-6:20) and become lazy in his spiritual life. This will result in despising the Word, which is the theme of this exhortation.” (The Bible Exposition Commentary New Testament Vol. 2; Warren Wiersbe Copyright 2001). We must not turn away from Christ and back to our sin. If we do this we are rejecting the only salvation from sin. Today we want to look at the results of turning back, the reward of not turning back, and are reminded that perseverance pays off.

I. THE RESULT OF TURNING BACK(vs. 26-31)

A. There will be no other savior

1. If we continue on the course of sinning

a. voluntary action

b. no restraint

“The sacrifice made for sin by the redeemer is never to be repeated, and if that is deliberately rejected, the soul must be lost.” (Barnes, Albert E-Sword 2007)

2. If we ignore the knowledge of truth

(1Ti 2:3) For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,

(1Ti 2:4) who will have all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

B. There will be punishment

1. Example of fiery judgment

a. Sodom and Gomorrah

b. Nadab and Abihu

c. Korah and the rebellion

2. Extreme disdain for the work of Christ

a. They would like to trample the Son of God underfoot

(Heb 6:6) and who have fallen away; it is impossible, I say, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify the Son of God afresh to themselves and put Him to an open shame.

b. They would like to treat the blood as common

C. The Lord will exact revenge on the disobedient

1. The Lord will not tolerate the insults to the work of the Holy Spirit

a. They have denied Christ is God

b. They have attributed the work of God to devils

(Mar 3:28) Truly I say to you, All sins shall be forgiven to the sons of men, and blasphemies with which they shall blaspheme.

(Mar 3:29) But he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never shall have forgiveness, but is liable to eternal condemnation.

2. God will be the one to avenge

a. He will repay the deeds of wicked men

(Rom 12:19) not avenging yourselves, beloved, but giving place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord."

b. The Lord will judge His people

GOD DOESN’T LOVE VENGEANCE, BUT HE HATES SIN!

c. What terror to fall into the hands of the living God

(In opposition to idols)

• The meaning of this is to be arrested and brought before God awaiting the sentence of condemnation.

• It is best for us to fall into His hands as His children, and to obtain mercy.