“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.
(2Sa 24:14) And David said to Gad, I am in great distress. Let us fall now into the hand of Jehovah, for His mercies are great. And do not let me fall into the hand of man.
(2Sa 24:15) And Jehovah sent a plague upon Israel from the morning even till the time appointed. And there died from the people, from Dan to Beer-sheba, seventy thousand men.
• We must fear the one who can destroy body and soul
(Mat 10:28) And do not fear those who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul. But rather fear Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
Application: Are you looking for another way to be saved, other than Jesus Christ? There is no other way!
II. THE REWARD OF NOT TURNING BACK(vs. 32-34)
A. You will experience God’s grace
1. Don’t forget the grace that was with you
a. When you stood your ground (picture of gladiators)
(Rev 2:3) And you have borne, and have patience, and for My name’s sake you have labored and have not fainted.
b. When you faced great suffering
(1Th 2:14) For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also have suffered these things by your own countrymen, even as they also by the Jews;
“I read these challenging and stirring words in the May issue of Mountain Mover Magazine:
"From its beginning the Church has faced those intent on destroying it. Saul, who later became Paul the missionary, wrecked havoc in the first-century church. He believed he was serving God to imprison Christians and threaten their lives.
"Today in parts of the world the Church still faces that kind of opposition. To become a Christian in some nations includes being willing to sacrifice family ties, reputation, employment, educational opportunities, and quite possibly life itself.
"These churches are not cowering and defeated; rather, they are vigorous and strong. Believers see martyrdom as the highest calling, the greatest honor. They know their Leader, the "man of sorrows and acquainted with grief" intimately, and they obey Him implicitly. Their suffering has drawn them into unity, and they uphold each other in prayer."
Did you know that in Egypt, Christians have the status of a protected minority? A Christian’s testimony in court counts only half that of a Muslim. A Christian pays taxes that no Muslim citizen must pay...and his children will have only those places at the university which are not taken by Muslims. A Christian congregation in Egypt may not make even minor repairs to its church without approval of the governor of the province -- an approval that often takes 10, 15, or 20 years to be granted!
Did you know that intimidation of Christians to induce them to convert to Islam is common through out the Muslim world? In Egypt, Christian men are offered a package deal -- a car, an apartment, a new wife (Muslim), a job, and a cash bonus...all totaling more that $30,000 -- if they will leave their Christian wives and convert to Islam.
When I read that report a question came to my mind. I wondered: For what price can you or I be bought?
About 9 months before he was murdered for his faith, the Superintendent of the Assemblies of God in Iran -- Haik Hovsepain Mehr -- preached at a conference in the Middle East. He challenged the church to face Islamic opposition with courageous action.
In his message, entitled "Paying the Price" Haik said:
"God is working in Iran. Perhaps in no other Muslim nation is the Holy Spirit bringing so many from Islam to Christianity.
We have witnessed our pastors being imprisoned. The bible society was closed, and 20,000 New Testaments were confiscated... We asked ourselves, "What should we do? Should we be like Jesus’ disciples and sit behind closed doors and wait for our destiny?" I thank God that instead of waiting and doing nothing, people of God in Iran have taken action.
We began by forming a music committee. One of our brothers, a talented singer...formed a band and traveled the country and sang. Even Armenians invited him to do gospel concerts in their clubs.
Next we planned how to get Bibles into Iran. This is such a great need, in spite of the risks. I appointed several people to bring in a quantity of Bibles from another country. When they arrived at the Tehran airport, I went to meet them. One brother faced a customs officer who told him to open his suitcase. Slowly, trembling with fear, he obeyed.
The officer looked at the Bibles, picked one up, examined it, and said, "This seems to be a Bible."
Fearfully our brother answered: "Yes, it is."
The officer said: "May I have a copy."
By that time I had reached them and I said: "We don’t have many Bibles, but you may have a copy."
(John A. Holt, Senior Pastor Bethel Assembly of Pittsburgh)
c. When you were exposed publicly and persecuted
(1Co 4:9) For I think that God has set forth us last, the apostles, as it were appointed to death; for we have become a spectacle to the world and to angels and to men.
It was a common custom to lead criminals through the theater. This was to humiliate them, and give the people a chance to ridicule the criminal.
B. You will stand with those who suffer
1. The mark of these believers
a. They would support them in person during their suffering
b. They would identify themselves as Christians, with the possibility of being persecuted themselves.
2. They sympathized with those in prison
3. They accepted (joyfully) the seizing of their property
(Mat 5:10) Blessed are they who have been persecuted for righteousness sake! For theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.
(Mat 5:11) Blessed are you when men shall revile you and persecute you, and shall say all kinds of evil against you falsely, for My sake.
(Mat 5:12) Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for your reward in Heaven is great. For so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Illustration of present persecution:
According to Christian groups working in the area, Christian leaders, in particular, pastors, “carry a price on their heads.” The “going price” being offered by Hindu militants to “kill a pastor is $250.” If a person isn’t willing to go that far, he can receive “foreign liquor, chicken, mutton and weapons” for destroying Christian property and churches. From BreakPoint®, December 2, 2008, Copyright 2008, Prison Fellowship Ministries.
C. You have great possessions in Heaven
1. You have so much to be thankful for
Earlier this week, I received a forwarded e-mail, and I thought the essence was worthy of sharing with you. The message came through loud and clear to me, and I trust it will speak to you as well. (The original e-mail was obviously written several weeks ago.)
— From a Methodist minister —
What a Great Day This Is! This morning, as I was driving to work, I heard that the market had gone down another 500 points. It has now dropped from a high of over 14,000 to 9,000. This is not good news. It has messed with my retirement plan and made my net worth go from pride to hide. It has turned easy street into a mean street. The bottom line is that I do not have nearly as much money or assets as I had just a short while ago. Let me share with you what I also discovered this morning:
1. I was breathing and, in general, feeling pretty healthy.
2. My wife gave me a kiss and told me she loved me.
3. I was driving to WORK! I have a job.
4. All of my children have jobs and are safe and well.
5. My two grandchildren still light up my life and give wonderful hugs and sugars.
6. I am a citizen of the greatest nation on the face of the earth and I will get to vote soon on how to make it better.
7. A good friend called and wants to go out to dinner and a show. (I have a friend.)
8. I am still a United Methodist minister.
9. My home is safe, warm, secure and nearly paid for.
10. I got an e-mail that told me my new book was changing their church for the better (someone is reading it).
11. I ate breakfast and lunch and will have dinner later. (Many won’t get three meals today.)
12. I am actually sitting down in a building I own, at a desk I bought, typing on a $2,000 machine I can barely use.
13. I have a big huge bottle of wonderful fresh clean water right down the hall or I could choose to drink right from the tap all I can hold.
14. I am wearing clean clothes today, and tomorrow I will wear something different. In fact, I could wear something different every day this month if I wanted to.
15. I HAVE A SAVIOR WHO WILL NEVER LEAVE ME.
It is a shame that it took losing so much money for me to realize how rich I really am! This week may be one of the best weeks of my life.
"Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations" (Psalm 100:4, 5).
Copyright © 2008, Focus on the Family.
All rights reserved. International copyright secured.
2. You are not storing your treasure on Earth
(Mat 6:19) Do not lay up treasures on earth for yourselves, where moth and rust corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal.
(Mat 6:20) But lay up treasures in Heaven for yourselves, where neither moth nor rust corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.
(Mat 6:21) For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
THERE IS NO RECESSION IN HEAVEN! THERE IS NO NEED FOR BAILOUTS! GOD HAS GIVEN US ALL THINGS RICHLY TO ENJOY!
Application: T.D. Jakes said “You will never know that you have faith until you are in a good fight.” How about you, are you faithful to the one who called you?
III. THE REMINDER TO PERSEVERE(vs. 35-39)
A. Your confidence will be rewarded
1. Don’t cast away your confidence
a. This is a picture of the soldier who runs from the battle and leaves his shield. This action was punished by death.
b. In ancient times, Mothers told their sons; “Bring back your shield or be brought back on it.”
2. The reward is knowing that you did not give up
a. You will have the pleasure of your Lord
b. You will be rewarded richly
LET US BE LIKE SOLDIERS WHO ARE BROUGHT BACK ON OUR SHIELD. WE WERE FAITHFUL TO OUR KING, WE PRESERVED THE SHIELD. WE DID NOT RUN FROM THE BATTLE WE RAN TO THE BATTLE!
3. We must exercise our patience
a. Pace ourselves in the race of Life
(Heb 12:1) Therefore since we also are surrounded with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily besets us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
b. Let patience work in us
(Jas 1:2) My brothers, count it all joy when you fall into different kinds of temptations,
(Jas 1:3) knowing that the trying of your faith works patience.
(Jas 1:4) But let patience have its perfect work, so that you may be perfect and entire, lacking nothing.
B. You will receive what has been promised
1. Patience is the earmark of Christian service
“We must be God’s waiting servants, when we can no longer be his working servants.” (Matthew Henry)
2. That which is promised is to those who exercise faith and patience
(Heb 6:11) And we desire that each one of you show the same eagerness to the full assurance of hope to the end,
(Heb 6:12) that you be not slothful, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
3. The promises also are true when it comes to those who have not been faithful.
a. The Lord will not delay His coming
(Luke 21:27) And then they shall see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
(Luke 21:28) And when these things begin to happen, then look up and lift up your heads, for your redemption draws near.
b. The righteous one will live by faith
• This one is just by actuality (He has been justified)
• This one is just by appearance (He has been sanctified)
(John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible)
c. The un-righteous one will shrink back
• This word means to seek safety, not seeking God for deliverance.
• He is exposed to God’s divine wrath
d. We are not to shrink back
• We are to believe the message of the Gospel
• We are the ones who are to be saved
CONCLUSION: In the city of Mashed, Pastor Soodman, a Muslim convert was hung for his faith in Christ. His assistant took over the leadership of the church. The assistant was arrested and released, but each week was interrogated by the authorities. The pressure was intense, and his wife feared he might break. She said to him, "If you ever deny Christ, then you can move out and return to your father’s house. There is no room in our house for a person who denies his faith."
Pastor Haik gave other accounts of persecution and martyrdom and then closed his sermon saying: "The only way to win a nation is to be willing to pay the price for victory. This dedication should be part of our living."
About nine months after speaking these words, Pastor Haik was martyred. Two other leading pastors in Iran have also been martyred.
Missionary Mark Bliss who serves in the same area of the world reports: "Pastors receive harassing telephone calls frequently, threatening their lives or the lives of their families. Muslim converts face extremely difficult circumstances. In spite of all these things, the churches are filled with worshippers. Hungry hearts seek the satisfaction that comes only through knowing Jesus Christ. Since these martyrdoms, weak believers have expressed a deeper commitment, declaring that they will never deny their faith in Christ or turn back to Islam." The same kinds of stories are lived out in Cuba, Croatia, and many other countries of our world. The words of Hebrews 10 have become a living reality for these believers.”
(John A. Holt, Senior Pastor Bethel Assembly of Pittsburgh)
