We Are Firmly Convinced Of Better Things

I. EXORDIUM:

Are you convinced of better things?

II. AUDIENCE PROFILE:

Believers

III. OBJECTIVES:

To remind us to be convinced and focused on spiritual things in heaven rather than on earth.

IV. TEXT:

Hebrews 6:9 (Amplified Bible)

6:9 Even though we speak this way, yet in your case, beloved, we are now firmly convinced of better things that are near to salvation and accompany it.

V. THESIS:

I am convinced of better things in Heaven, because JESUS has prepared a much, better place for me in Heaven. I always go for the spiritual, and prioritizes spiritual things in Heaven.

VI. TITLE:

We Are Firmly Convinced Of Better Things

VII. EXPLICATION:

A. Date of writing: Before AD. 70

B. Style of writing: Best Greek style

C. Authorship: Not specific, but generally attributed to Apostle Paul. Can be also ascribed to Barnabas, Luke, Apollos

D. Audience: Hebrew Christians

E. Theme: Christ is superior to the prophets; Christ is superior to angels—J. Vernon McGee's Thru The Bible

F. Purpose: The chief doctrinal purpose of the writer was to show the transcendent glory of the Christian dispensation, as compared with that of the Old Testament.—Thompson Chain - Bible Book Outlines

G. Keyword: better

VIII. MAIN BODY:

A. We are firmly convinced of better things

"Even though we speak this way, yet in your case, beloved, we are now firmly convinced of better things"

Persuaded or convinced came from the Greek word: "peitho" meaning:

1. to persuade, i.e. to induce one by words to believe

2. to be persuaded, to suffer one’s self to be persuaded; to be induced to believe: to have faith: in a thing

3. to trust, have confidence, be confident

We are persuaded and convinced people, we are not difficult to be persuaded, and persuaded or convinced people are convinced only by words, while the opposite needs proof. (signs, wonders and miracles) because we are convinced on the WORD of GOD.

Matthew 24:35 (Amplified Bible)

24:35 Sky and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.

If we are convinced by the WORD of GOD, we have witnesses: heaven and earth

Deuteronomy 31:28 (Amplified Bible)

31:28 Gather to me all the elders of your tribes and your officers, that I may speak these words in their ears and call heaven and earth to witness against them.

Take a look: people of GOD are convinced people, people of this world, they still need to see to believe, while we believe and we see. People of GOD pleases GOD by faith, while people of this world please only themselves.

Hebrews 11:1 (Amplified Bible)

11:1 NOW FAITH is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses].

Hebrews 11:6 (Amplified Bible)

11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come near to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him [out].

Galatians 1:10 (Amplified Bible)

1:10 Now am I trying to win the favor of men, or of God? Do I seek to please men? If I were still seeking popularity with men, I should not be a bond servant of Christ (the Messiah).

Galatians 6:8 (Amplified Bible)

6:8 For he who sows to his own flesh (lower nature, sensuality) will from the flesh reap decay and ruin and destruction, but he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.

B. We have better things near to salvation

"that are near to salvation and accompany it"

Better came from the Greek word: "kreitton" meaning:

1. more useful, more serviceable, more advantageous

2. more excellent

Better things in the Age of Grace, New Covenant:

1. We have better or best gifts, in the Bible, better and best is the same.

1 Corinthians 12:31 (Amplified Bible)

12:31 But earnestly desire and zealously cultivate the greatest and best gifts and graces (the higher gifts and the choicest graces). And yet I will show you a still more excellent way [one that is better by far and the highest of them all—love].

2. We have better things

Hebrews 6:9 (Amplified Bible)

6:9 Even though we speak this way, yet in your case, beloved, we are now firmly convinced of better things that are near to salvation and accompany it.

3. We have better hope

Hebrews 7:19 (Amplified Bible)

7:19 For the Law never made anything perfect—but instead a better hope is introduced through which we [now] come close to God.

4. We have a better testament, based on better covenant established upon better promises

Hebrews 7:22 (Amplified Bible)