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
the author or beginning of our
faith.
There is a finish line - Jesus. When we meet him in heaven.
To get out of the race is to take a step toward backsliding.
X. LET US OFFER - Heb. 13:15
We need to give God praise for all that he has done for us.
Do we live so as to bring praise to God? If we live a life
that does not give praise to God or bring praise to God is to
take a step toward backsliding.
IN CLOSING ---
Heb. 3: 7, 15
Heb. 4: 7
Today is the day to decide which way we will live?
Today is the day to decide if we will press on, fear, labor,
get busy, run the race, and lay aside the sins and weights.
If you decide one way it will lead to eternal blessing and
reward. If you decide the other way it will lead at the least
to a life of uselessness and then sorrow on that day when we
ought to be looking for an eternal crown.
