A Bold Faith

2020-09-06

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

 

Hebrews 10:19-25 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and having a High Priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

 

1. The Confidence of the Believer

Vss 20-21 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and having a High Priest over the house of God,

  • “new” – made possible by Christ’s death
  • “living” – because of His resurrection
  • “way” – the path by which we must walk

– Jesus called Himself the WAY in John 14:6

– Early Christians described their newfound faith as “people of the way”

2. The Closeness of the Believer

Vs 22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

  • “true heart” – absolute commitment to our faith, not hypocrisy
  • “full assurance of our faith” – confidence as discussed in the previous verse
  • “hearts sprinkled” – continual and constant confession of our sins

 

3. The Consistency of the Believer

Vs 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

  • We must continue to hold tightly to the promise we have in Christ

“Faith reposes completely in the love of God: Hope vividly anticipates that God will fulfill His promises in a particular way”[1]– Westcott

4. The Commitment of the Believer

Vs 24-25 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

a. We have a responsibility, not only to Christ, but to each other

b. This responsibility includes:

i. Encouragement

ii. Serving

iii. Gathering

iv. Exhorting

 

‘The Bible knows nothing of solitary religion.’[2]– John Wesley

 

It is interesting that this kind of love is thus a product of community activity, for it is a virtue that requires others for its exercise. One may practice faith or hope alone, but not love.[3]– Leon Morris

 

 

[1]Leon Morris, “Hebrews,”in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Hebrews through Revelation, ed. Frank E. Gaebelein, vol. 12 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1981), 104.

[2]Raymond Brown, The Message of Hebrews: Christ above All, The Bible Speaks Today (Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1988), 186–187.

[3]Leon Morris, “Hebrews,”in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Hebrews through Revelation, ed. Frank E. Gaebelein, vol. 12 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1981), 105.

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