Full Assurance Series: Messages from
Hebrews 6:1–12 Hebrews
INTRODUCTION
From 1960 to 1981, Walter Cronkite anchored the CBS News. It’s a position he might have never attained had he let an earlier experience tarnish his determination. At the age of twenty-one, Cronkite was doing what he dreamed of, reporting the news. At KCMO in Kansas City, Missouri, Cronkite was the entire news department of the then small radio station. When he did not handle a story the way his program director insisted, Cronkite was fired. Determination kept him from quitting and he eventually found great success in the newsroom.
Parade, Dec. 15, 1996, p. 16
Through the years, Vince Lombardi’s thoughts on winning have been frequently misquoted. The legendary coach of the Green Bay Packers is purported to have said, “Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing.” In reality, Coach Lombardi said, “Winning is not everything . . . but making the effort to win is.” Christians, more than any other group of people, should follow this advice and make every effort to win people to Christ.
Crossroads, Vol. 1, No. 1, p. 1
As Christians we can experience disappointment or have a set back that makes us just want to quit. We begin our walk with Christ full of excitement. Fully intending to do whatever it takes to make it all the way. But after a while, Christianity becomes too daily. It’s the same thing over and over again. The same prayers, the same worship, the same Bible stories; we want to follow Jesus but we begin to drift. We get distracted. The excitement cools, our dedication weakens, we begin to neglect prayer and study and church. Before we know it, our faith is weak, perhaps even dead. What then . . . ?
This is what the Hebrew writer is expressing in our text as he warns us and also encourages us to be diligent to the end. The result of this diligence allows one to have that full assurance of salvation that God has promised. To KNOW, without a doubt that you are saved, that when you die your home will be in Heaven.
The English Standard Version translates Hebrews 6:11 “and we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have FULL ASSURANCE of hope until the end.”
MAIN BODY
I. Don’t Give Up! Hebrews 6:1–8
A. Going on to Maturity. Hebrews 6:1–3
B. Warning against spiritual laziness. Hebrews 6:4–8
1. “It is impossible to bring them back”
2. Is there a sin or a certain amount of sin that God’s grace can’t cover?
C. NO! You can’t out sin the grace of God. Romans 5:20
D. Illustration: On January 24, 2000, Goshawk Syndicate filed suit to end its contract for underwriting the prize money on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. The London-based insurance company said the show was paying out too much prize money. Basing their profit margins on the original British version of the show where nobody has ever won the big prize, Goshawk said the questions were too easy and too many people were winning large sums of money. They declared a breech in the contract with ABC’s top-rated show. Aren’t you glad God doesn’t work like underwriters? He never gripes about too much grace being given out, and never asks his followers to toughen up the entrance exam.
Houston Chronicle, Feb. 11, 2000, p. 11A
God never complains in granting His grace. The questions are never going to be “made harder.” The conditions for receiving grace are set, unchangeable. But if we refuse his help, if we don’t complete the test, if we won’t trust him to pay and as a result, “walk away,” then as much as it breaks his heart, he cannot save. He cannot, will not, turn those who will not be turned. It’s impossible!
II. Confident of Better Things! Hebrews 6:9–10
A. Confidence in Salvation. Hebrews 6:9
B. God is a loving father waiting to receive back his children with open arms. Hebrews 6:10
C. God measures our service to him by our continued service to others.
1. Spiritual growth is measured not just in how much scripture we know, but how much we put into practice.
2. We know God’s will by doing God’s will.
III. Enduring till the End. Hebrews 6:11–12
A. In everyone’s life there are two paths to follow:
1. The Way of Neglect; characterized by:
a. Spiritual immaturity.
b. Falling away from God.
c. Crucifying Christ afresh.
2. The Way of Growth; characterized by:
a. Solid Spiritual food.
b. Service to others.
c. Being remembered by God.
B. All who are Christians have started down the path of obedience. What does it take to continue?
1. Faith. Galatians 5:5–6
2. Patience. Colossians 1:9–12
3. Diligence. 2 Timothy 4:7–8
CONCLUSION
The Parable of the Prodigal Son. Luke 15:1–32
1. The Prodigal Son enjoyed all the blessings of his fathers wealth while at home.
2. He left it all, turning his back on his family and his father.
3. Did the father not want him to come back home? What else could he have done for the boy? He knew the love that waited for him back home. He knew all that the father had done for him in his lifetime.
4. Once the son was gone there was nothing the father could do but wait.
5. Once the son decided to come home the father again shows his extreme love for the son.
6. He doesn’t make him beg at his feet for forgiveness. As soon as the father sees him coming down the road the runs to meet him with open arms!
