Hebrews – Stay Committed

2021-11-14

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

The book of Hebrews is one of the key books within the New Testament which speaks to the universal problem of individuals falling away from their commitment to Christ because of the noise and distractions of their circumstances. This book has a clear and convincing message of the superiority of Christ. While the book was aimed at a group of first century Jewish Christians, it is also aimed squarely at those within the 21st century as well.

 

Hebrews 3:1-4 (CSB) Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession. 2 He was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses was in all God’s household. 3 For Jesus is considered worthy of more glory than Moses, just as the builder has more honor than the house. 4 Now every house is built by someone, but the one who built everything is God.

Hebrews is a critical reminder to Stay Committed

1. Christ’s promises are absolute

Vs 6a But Christ was faithful as a Son over his household.

  • The writer points out the difference between Moses and Jesus in that Jesus was the SON
  • Moses was a servant “in all God’s household” but Jesus was “over His household”

 

2. Our commitment is not

Vs 6b And we are that household if we hold on to our confidence and the hope in which we boast.

  • Key word is “if” because this is clearly a warning to remain faithful to our following of Christ
  • The writer wants to make sure the message is clear…we must stay committed to Christ

Vss 7-11 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: Today, if you hear his voice, 8 do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness, 9 where your ancestors tested me, tried me, and saw my works 10 for forty years. Therefore I was provoked to anger with that generation and said, “They always go astray in their hearts, and they have not known my ways.” 11 So I swore in my anger, “They will not enter my rest.”

  • Thomas Lea states, “Hardening the heart takes place whenever someone rejects God’s call or instructions.”[1]
  • “I was provoked to anger” is a direct quote from the Holy Spirit that our actions indeed have consequences

[1] Thomas D. Lea, Hebrews, James, vol. 10, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999), 47.

3. Stay committed in your trust in God

Vs 12 Watch out, brothers and sisters, so that there won’t be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.

  • Warren Wiersbe says, “The emphasis in Hebrews is that true believers have an eternal salvation because they trust a living Saviour who constantly intercedes for them. But the writer is careful to point out that this confidence is no excuse for sin.”[1]
  • The writer of Hebrews was pointing back to the decisions, actions and consequences of those who wandered in the wilderness for 40 years because of their lack of trust in God

[1] Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 288–289.

4. Develop relationships which will help you grow

Vs 13 But encourage each other daily, while it is still called today, so that none of you is hardened by sin’s deception.

  • The clear message is that we must strengthen each other in our quest to stay committed
  • Isolation will lead to separation

5. Christ’s promises are absolute!

Vs 14 For we have become participants in Christ if we hold firmly until the end the reality that we had at the start.

  • The Christian life is not a job that can be accomplished part-time
  • The commitment Christ has made to us is one which cannot falter
  • But, we must always remember, our commitment must not falter either

 

 

John Dungey says, “The Lord Jesus Christ is God’s final word and man’s only Savior”[1]

[1] The Christian Life Study Bible, Edited by Porter Barrington, Thomas Nelson Publ, Nashville, Tn, pg 1235.

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