Hebrews 6:9–20
Theme: God has assured us of eternal salvation!
Because of this we can press on to maturity in Christ through any difficulty. If
you are saved, there is no need to fear being eternally lost again.
Relevance: God sternly challenged these believers
to keep maturing in the previous section. So to avoid any misunderstandings and relieve
spiritual insecurity, He sought to encourage His people by assuring them of
salvation. He promised them eternal glory, a spiritual inheritance, and access
to Himself.
We also must persevere in spiritual growth. God never
challenges us to grow up or you’re going to Hell! To be sure all of us at times
feel we are not making the spiritual progress we should, but still we need
never fear that God will finally give up on us and condemn us to Hell.
Therefore God gave us several solid reasons to be assured of our salvation and
glorification. He also guarantees real
access to Him through Christ’s Cross and Priesthood throughout our Christian
journey. Therefore, press on to godly maturity (6:1), free of spiritual anxiety
and fear, assured that God has made every possible provision for our eternity
with Him.
Introduction:
Assurance
of salvation means the intellectual and spiritual certainty that you have a
relationship with God. You can know for sure that you currently possess eternal
life—salvation.
2
Timothy 1:12, For the which cause I also suffer these things:
nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I
know whom I have believed, and am persuaded
that he is able to keep that which I
have committed unto him against that day.
1
John 5:13, These things have I written unto you that
believe on the name of the Son of God; that
ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name
of the Son of God.
Philippians
1:6, Being confident
of this very thing, that he which hath begun
a good work in you will perform
it until the day of Jesus Christ:
God wants us to be sure we are truly saved for many
reasons. Assurance brings joy (1Jn. 1:4), confidence before God (1Jn. 3:19,
21), comfort of heart (Col. 2:2), and stability and decisiveness (Js. 1:8).
Assurance enables us to overcome the world (1Jn. 5:4, 5), and to effectively
serve the Lord by telling others about Jesus (Jn. 1:40, 41; 4:28, 29; Acts 16:10).
In Hebrews assurance enables us to press on to maturity
in Christ overcoming the temptations to quit or give up. In our text assurance
is related to several different things: (a) it rightfully accompany our
salvation (6:9), (b) our service to the Lord and others (6:10-12), and (c) God Himself
guarantees our salvation to encourage us (6:13-20).
Therefore, “let
us go on unto perfection!” There are three things God assures us of in
this text:
I.
Assurance
of our Salvation (6:9-12)
II.
Assurance
of our Inheritance (6:12-18)
III.
Assurance
of our Access to God (6:18-20)
Message:
I.
Be Assured of your Salvation as you
Pursue Maturity (6:1, 9-12).
One
Christian said to another, “You know there is nothing better than being saved.”
The other gentlemen responded by saying, there is one thing better than being
saved. The first brother enquires, “What could be better than being saved?” The
second gentlemen said, “It is better to be saved and know you’re saved.”
Assurance of salvation is certainly better. And I would add one more thing that
is better yet; it is better to know you are saved, and that you can never lose
it! Assurance and security are related concepts in the Christian’s experience;
both concepts are taught in this passage. Assurance is confidence about your
conversion because you trusted Christ and can see evidence of God’s work in
your life.
a. Press
on to Maturity—Assurance through Growth (6:1).
i.
“Perfection” (Heb. 6:1) is not sinlessness or flawless
living, but instead it refers to progressing in spiritual growth—growing up (Phil. 3:12-15; Col. 1:28; 4:12). God does not want us
to be spiritual babies forever; He wants us to grow up. Perfection refers to maturity.
1.
This
involves growth in knowledge and grace (2Pet. 3:18)—the
insight into transformed living and the power to make the changes (1Cor. 4:15-20).
We are to grow up in Christ (Eph. 4:15)—He is
the Source, Climate or Context, and the Aim and Goal of our spiritual
growth. Living in love toward all men is
the essence of spiritual maturity (Matt. 5:43-48). In doing so we behave like our Heavenly
Father!
2.
In
order to grow, we must expose ourselves often to the Word of God through our
devotions, family altar, church attendance, and personal Bible study (1Pet. 2:2; 2Tim. 2:15; 3:16,
17; 1Thess. 2:13). It is good to have music, programs, fellowship in
church, but we must have the Word of God taught and preached to help us grow.
3.
How
To See Growth In Christ
Dr. Bonar once said that he could tell
when a Christian was growing. In proportion to his growth in grace he would elevate
his Master, talk less of what he himself was doing, and become smaller and
smaller in his own esteem, until, like the morning star, he faded away before
the rising sun. —D. L. Moody
4.
You
must understand the basis for assurance of salvation is the Word of God and not
your feelings. Genuine Christian
experience is another basis of assurance.
a.
1 John 5:11-12, And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in
his Son. 12 He that
hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not
life.
b.
Believers
must take God at His Word; believe the record!
c.
Many people struggle with a lack of assurance of
salvation because they depend more on their feelings than the Word of God. The
problem is feelings change. One day we feel saved, and another day because of
circumstances, we don’t feel saved.
d.
You have something more than feelings to go by. You have the unchanging promises of the Word
of God (John 3:14-18; Acts 16:30-34).
ii.
“Perfection” also anticipates spiritual glorification (Rom. 8:28-30; Phil. 3:20, 21; 1Cor. 15:51-58).
iii.
Beware
of the possibility of falling away (Heb. 6:6). Since there are various degrees
of “falling away” believers need to beware. There are many who once were
faithful and committed but today they are out of fellowship with God, out of
church, and out of His will, enduring the chastening of our Heavenly Father.
b. Press
on with your Ministry—Assurance in and through Service (6:9-10).
i.
God
will make our service fruitful if we abide in Christ (Jn.
15:5). To sense that God is truly using us in service also affords
assurance through our Christian experience.
ii.
God
will not forget your service and labors of love.
1.
He
is aware of all your works of service to His Name—“I know thy works” (Rev. 2:2, 9, 13, 19; 3:8, 15).
2.
He knows
how you have sacrificed time, energy, money, privileges, and opportunities to
advance His will.
3.
God
knows when your motives in service are for “His Name” and in “love.”
4.
He
knows when you served His people secretly, discreetly, and silently behind the
scenes and away from public view.
5.
It
is not the character of God to forget those who have served His people for His
Name’s sake!
6.
God
encourages us to keep it up while assuring us that He is conscious of all our service
and is available to help us in any needed way (1Cor.
15:58).
7.
Assurance Produces More Work
During
the first part of the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco,
no safety devices were used, and 23 men fell to their deaths. For the last part
of the project, however, a large net, costing $100,000, was purchased and employed.
At least 10 men fell into it and were saved. But an interesting development is
the fact that 25 percent more work was accomplished when the men were assured
of their safety! —Dennis J. De Haan;
Tan, Paul Lee: Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations
iii.
God
will reward your service to Him and His people at the Judgment Seat of Christ (2Cor. 5:9, 10; 1Cor. 3:9-15).
c.
Press on with Diligence—Assurance through
Experience (6:11).
Why have faith in Jesus if there is no
hope for a glorious future? Why love others if it doesn’t matter in the end? If
we have no hope in the afterlife, then “we are of all men most miserable”
(1Cor. 15:19). But, since we have the assurance of a brilliant future, we press
on in Christian experience. So what should be do?
i.
Every
Believer is to diligently pursue maturity making every effort to grow in the
Lord and serve others.
1.
Continue
to progress in the grace and character of the Lord in the power of the Holy
Spirit (2Pet. 1:5-8, 11).
2.
“Go
On, Sir”
When Arago, the astronomer, was young, he
became thoroughly discourage over mathematics. One day he found on the flyleaf
of a textbook a few words from the famous D’ Alembert to a student who had been
discouraged like himself.
D’Alembert’s advice was very short; it
was, “Go on, sir, go on!”
Arago said afterwards that that sentence
was the best teacher of mathematics that he ever had. Following it doggedly he
went on until he became the leading mathematician of his day. No man has ever
exhausted the power that lies in the words, “Go on.” Going ahead, steadily and
perseveringly, step by step, is the secret of material, moral, and spiritual
success. — Tan, Paul Lee: Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations
ii.
Every
believer is to possess “the full assurance of hope”
(6:11, 18, 19; 2Pet. 1:10).
1.
Hope
makes all the difference. The Christian’s hope is a confident expectation.
It is both “set
before us” and this “hope we have as an anchor
of the soul.” This confident expectation is our future promise and our present
comfort!
2.
Our
hope is “laid up” (Col. 1:5; 2Tim. 4:8) or stored in heaven, where Christ
returned to be with the Father. Our hope will be fulfilled in the future. We
look forward to a hope that is awaiting us; yet we also have that hope with us,
enabling us to live our Christian lives with unhindered faith and love. Our
confidence gives us stronger faith in God and deeper love for others.
iii.
Every
believer is to have a sure expectation (Hope) of a specific “end” or outcome.
1.
What
is “the end” or goal of our hope in Christ?
2. It is glorification (“sanctification”)
and forever with God (Heb. 9:12, 14, 15, 24-28;
10:10, 14). Every believer should be assured of this expectation!
3. The
Sacrifice of Christ took away sin forever and sanctified every believer, which
is the will of God. Through
Christ’s sacrifice, believers have a status in God’s presence that is
“perfect.” That is we may confidently
approach God through the blood of Christ knowing we are fully accepted on the
basis of His single sacrifice.
4.
Be
assured of you glorious future!
iv.
Think of a time when you worked hard to
reach a personal goal. What helped you to persevere? Perhaps
you would say, a love one kept encouraging me.
Maybe there was a mentor or a certain accomplished person who inspired
you. Perhaps it was a commitment you made and you were determined to see it
through. Some persevere through difficulties because they feel they have come
too far to quit. They believe they’ve
invested too much money, time, and energy to stop short of realizing their
dreams.
v.
But
as believers, we press on because of a sense of calling (2Pet. 1:3; Rom. 8:29-30). We should be willing to do whatever is
required to continue because we know/believe God has summoned us to it.
Therefore with passion we believe the journey is worthwhile, as well as the
goal. God repeatedly guarantees our
final triumph. He promises us ultimate victory, help in this worthy task—spiritual
progress—and the completion of our salvation. Armed with these promises, we can
continue in Christ. Assurances help us to continue even when facing serious
difficulties in our growth. We should have a sense of calling in this
worthwhile endeavor supported by the reassuring promises of God.
d. Refuse
to be Lazy—which results in a lack of assurance and immaturity (6:12). But How?
i.
Refuse
to respond slowly to Christ or to learn truth slowly (Heb.
5:11).
See “dull.”
ii.
Refuse
to remain immature and unskilled with the Word of righteousness (Heb. 5:12-14).
iii.
Refuse
to regard the basics of the faith, without choosing to advance in the faith (Heb. 6:1, 2; 4: 11-16).
iv.
Refuse
an immature and insecure ‘Christian’ experience. Great spiritual anxiety, unrest, unfruitfulness,
worldliness, and doubting marks the life of a Christian who is not growing in
the Lord (2Pet. 1:8, 9). Some suffer quietly
wondering if they are truly saved. Others are plagued with such great upheaval
in their soul, that they will anxiously confide in another in an effort to find
peace. But when God begins to change things deep down inside of us and we begin
to behave differently as a result of this, it is solid evidence of genuine
conversion.
v.
Woman
Who Grew Backwards
The lady who grew backward was a woman
who lived in Virginia some years ago. In the Virginia Medical Monthly her
doctor told the story:
She had grown normally, married, and had
three children. Life was happy until the husband and father died when the
children were in high school. The mother doubled her devotion to the children.
She changed her clothes to those of a girl of twenty, joined in her children’s
parties and fun.
In a few years the children noticed that
as they grew older their mother was growing younger. Psychiatrists call it
“personality regression,” which means “a person walking backward.” Usually such
people stop going backward at a certain age.
But not this woman. She slipped backward
at the rate of one year for every three or four months of time that went
forward. Although she was 61 years old she acted and talked like a 6-year-old.
She was sent to a sanitarium, where she insisted on wearing short dresses,
playing with toys, and babbling like a child.
Then she became like a three-year-old;
she spilled her food, crawled on the floor, and cried “Mama.” Backward still
farther to the age of one, she drank milk curled up like a tiny baby. Finally,
she went back over the line and died. —Selected; Tan: Encyclopedia of 7700
Illustrations
II.
Be Assured of your Inheritance by God’s
Promises, Confirmation and Character (6:12-18).
In verse 12, God says, “through faith and patience inherit the promises.” Then
in verse 17, he refers to the “heirs of promise.”
Believers are heirs and they can expect an inheritance from God (Acts 26:18)! We are further described as “heirs of
God” and “joint-heirs with Christ” who will inherit glory (Rom. 8:16-18).
God’s will includes believers receiving this inheritance (1Pet. 1:3-5; Heb. 10:10). It is guaranteed by God
Himself! So what should we do to be assured of this inheritance?
a. Follow
Good Examples of Faith and Perseverance (6:12).
i.
The
believer must do his part. We must not be lazy but apply ourselves to the
spiritual resources God has given us. We have the promises from God. We should
exercise faith and patience and claim these promises for ourselves! Like Caleb
and Joshua, we must believe God’s promise and want to go in and claim the land!
–Wiersbe: The Bible Exposition Commentary
ii.
We
know the promises God made to us are secure because He cannot lie and has
confirmed them by His own nature, character, and oath. Since
these promises are secure, we should not
be sluggish, allowing our feet to drag and our spirits to lag. We must
press on, imitating all true
believers who through faith and
patience inherit the promises. See
Hebrews 11.
b. Follow
Abraham’s Example of Endurance to Realize What God Promised (6:13-18).
So what does Abraham’s example teach us? Abraham is a great
example of faith and patience in God’s promise
(see v. 12).
i.
He
was Assured by God’s Promise to Him (13-14).
1.
He
waited 25 years from the time the promise was first made until Isaac, the
promised son, was born (see Gen. 12:4; 21:5).
2.
We
likewise should be convinced by the promises of eternal life and complete
salvation in Christ (Heb. 7:25; Jn. 3:16; Rom. 10:8-12;
1Jn. 5:9-13)
ii.
He
Endured Until He Received what God Promised (15).
1.
All
believers are heirs of the promises through Abraham’s spiritual Seed—Jesus
Christ (Gal. 3:29; 4:7). We too must endure in
faith and patience because we are the heirs of the promises!
2. We
have the promise of
eternal salvation. This is for all who believe on Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
When God made a promise of a seed to Abraham, the promise found its full and
ultimate fulfillment in Christ (Gal. 3:13-16, 26-29),
and all the blessings that flow from union with Christ were therefore included
in the promise.
3.
We
Have The Promise
of “Entering Into
His Rest” (Heb. 4:9-11).
a.
This
is the rest God gives to believers involving His peace, confidence of
salvation, dependence on His power, and assurance of a future home in heaven (Matt. 11:29).
b.
Since Christ Jesus, the
Son of God, has completed the work of redemption and is at rest, we must accept
it, rely on it and enter into His rest. Accept Christ’s peace for the
conscience, the heart, and the mind by faith.
4. We Have the Promise of a Compassionate High Priest in heaven affording
us Full Access to God (4:14-5:10).
a. Because
Jesus is both God and Man, He is an adequate link between us and the Father. So
the Scripture says, “Let us therefore come boldly unto
the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time
of need” (v. 16).
b. When
we fail and are ashamed, or when we are overwhelmed and need help desperately,
we need never draw back. Jesus, human like us, will understand. And Jesus, God
as is the Father, is able to aid us.
iii.
We
must Receive God’s Encouragements to Press On with Confidence—Be Convinced by His
Confirmation (6:16-18). God not only gave Abraham a promise, but He confirmed
that promise with an oath to guarantee its fulfillment. The promises of God are
affirmed for our benefit also (6:13-17).
1.
Consider
an Oath of Confirmation in Court (6:16). An oath in court has convincing power
among people and usually settles any dispute.
2.
Consider
an Oath of Confirmation by an Honest God (6:13-18).
a.
It
was Affirmed by the Character of God Himself (v. 13) “He sware by Himself”. When God made that promise, He swore by Himself since He could swear by no one greater. God pledged Himself, His own
nature and character, to carry out this promise, and therefore its fulfillment
is assured.
b.
It
was Affirmed by the Commitment of God Himself (v. 14) “I
will” God would personally see to the fulfillment of this promise by His
own will and might. Again the fulfillment of the promise is not dependent on
human performance, but God’s alone. This
is an unconditional promise.
c.
It
was Affirmed by the Consideration of God Himself (v. 17) “God willing more abundantly to shew…” The
word “willing” (v. 17) refers to a desire that
is based upon the reasoning faculties and does not arise from the emotions.
God, facing human weakness, was minded to guarantee His promise with and oath.
Aren’t you thankful for God’s consideration of our slowness to believe and
respond to Him?
3.
Consider
the Strong Consolation God Gave Us (6:18).
a.
God demonstrated incredible
consideration for our human weakness in making an oath. Since the oath has
convincing power among men (v. 16), God disregards the insult implied in man
doubting His Word, and condescends to human infirmity, confirming His Word by
an oath.
b.
Why? God wanted His believing people to be absolutely assured that what
He promised would come to pass. Actually
His bare promise would have been enough, but He wanted to make clear it’s greater importance by adding an oath to the promise.
c. The word “immutability”
means God will not change His position as to His promise. Having made the promise,
He will stand by it. He is not a turncoat. He will not change His position
because that promise rests upon His counsel, which is also, unchangeable.
d.
Albert Barnes said, “The immutability of his
counsel” refers to His fixed purpose. He meant to show in the most solemn
manner that his purpose would not change. The plans of God never change; and
all the hope which we can have of heaven is founded on the fact that his
purpose is immutable.–Barnes’ Notes
e. The Triune
God in council convened brought forth this counsel to the effect that the soul
might find a sure refuge in the Lord Jesus. This counsel is immutable. —Wuest,
Kenneth S.
III.
Be Assured of your Access and Security
through Jesus Your Savior (6:18-20).
In
the remainder of chapter 6 we have four figures to drive home the utter
reliability of the Christian hope: (1) a harbor of refuge, (2) an anchor, (3) a
forerunner, and (4) a High Priest.
a. Jesus
is Our Harbor of Refuge and Security in Salvation (6:18).
i.
The
phrase “fled for refuge” (Heb 6:18) suggests
safety and security! We have fled to
Jesus Christ, and He is our eternal refuge.
ii.
My soul in sad exile was out on life’s
sea, so burdened with sin, and distrest, till I heard a sweet voice saying,
“Make me your choice!” And I entered the Haven of Rest.
I
yielded myself to His tender embrace, and faith taking hold of the Word, my
fetters fell off, and I anchored my soul—The “Haven of Rest” is my Lord.
Chorus:
I’ve anchored my soul in the Haven of Rest; I’ll sail the
wide seas no more; the tempest may sweep o’er the wild, stormy deep—In Jesus
I’m safe ever more. –Osbeck: Amazing
Grace
b. Jesus
is Our Anchor of Hope and Security in Heaven (6:19).
i.
What
anchors are to a ship in stormy water, the conscious presence of Christ is to a
Christian during the storms and stresses of daily living. Christians have never
been promised an exemption from any of life’s storms. The Scriptures teach that
“man is born unto trouble as the sparks fly upward” (Job 5:7). It is our
reaction to life’s storms that reveals the level of our spiritual maturity. We
can either become bitter and belligerent, or we can use the experience to
develop greater spiritual strength as we learn to rely more fully on our Lord.
–Osbeck: Amazing Grace
ii.
Our
hope in Christ is like an anchor for the soul. The anchor was a popular symbol
in the early church. At least sixty-six pictures of anchors have been found in
the catacombs. The Greek stoic philosopher Epictetus wrote: “One must not tie a
ship to a single anchor, nor life to a single hope.” Christians have but one
anchor - Jesus Christ our hope (Col 1:5; 1 Tim 1:1).
iii.
However,
this spiritual anchor is different from material anchors on ships. For one
thing, we are anchored upward - to heaven - not downward. We are anchored, not
to stand still, but to move ahead! Our anchor is “sure” - it cannot break - and
“steadfast” - it cannot slip. No earthly anchor can give that kind of security!
iv.
In the storms and trials of life
this hope serves as
an anchor of
the soul. The knowledge that our glorification is as certain
as if it had already happened keeps us from drifting on the wild waves of doubt
and despair. The anchor is not cast in the shifting sands
of this world but takes hold in the heavenly sanctuary. Since our hope is the anchor, the meaning is that our hope is secured in
God’s very Presence behind the veil.
Just as sure as the anchor is there, we shall be there
c. Jesus
is Our Forerunner in the Presence of God on our behalf (6:20).
i.
Paul
now clinches the argument: our Savior is our “forerunner”
who has gone ahead to heaven so that we may one day follow! (Heb 6:20) Jesus
has gone into the inner shrine and His presence there insures the ultimate
entrance of all who belong to Him. It is no exaggeration to say that the
simplest believer on earth is as certain of heaven as the saints who are
already there.
ii.
Anderson-Berry writes:
The
word translated “forerunner” is found nowhere else in the New Testament. This
expresses an idea never contemplated in the Levitical economy, for the high
priest entered the holiest only as a representative. He entered where none
could follow. But our Forerunner is a pledge that where He is, we also shall
be. As Forerunner He (1) announced our future arrival there; (2) took
possession of heaven’s glories on our behalf; and (3) has gone to be able to
bid His people welcome when they come, and to present them before the Majesty
of heaven.
d. Jesus
is Our Everlasting High Priest with God providing everlasting life, security,
and access to the Father (6:20).
i.
The fourth figure is that of High Priest.
Christ is “within the veil” as our High Priest.
We can therefore come boldly to His throne and receive all the help that we
need. In fact plan to live within the veil with God!
ii.
Our Lord has become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.
His eternal priesthood guarantees our eternal preservation. Just as surely as
we have been reconciled to God by His death, so surely are we saved by His life
as our Priest at God’s right hand (Rom. 5:10).
iii.
Because Jesus is our High Priest, we
are freed from doubts and uncertainties, and can go on in our Christian lives,
confident of our salvation. —Richards, Larry
Conclusion:
Do
not misunderstand, live in confidence because we are saved and have full access
to God secured for us by Jesus (4:14-16). God desires for us to know we have a
relationship with Him. Our access to Him is guaranteed by His oath (6:17), so
that we who have fled to Christ and have taken hold of our hope may be greatly
encouraged (6:18). This hope affords us a firm and secure anchor for our soul. Our
hope enters the inner sanctuary of His Majesty—the holy of holies—behind the
holy curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf as our
Forerunner (6:18–20). In the Presence of God, Christ our High Priest, ever
lives making intercession for every believer. For these reasons we should have
assurance of our salvation—confident that we are indeed saved.
God has given us several solid reasons to be assured of our salvation and ultimate glorification. He also guarantees real access to Him through Christ’s Cross and Priesthood throughout our Christian journey. Therefore, press on to godly maturity (Heb. 6:1), free of spiritual anxiety and fear, assured that God has made every possible provision for our eternity with Him.
ReplyDeletehttps://maxevangel.blogspot.com/2014/12/too-sure-to-quit.html
#Eternity #Faith #Anxiety #Assurance #Diligence #Fear #Scripture #HighPriest #Jesus #Persevere #MaxEvangel
What anchors are to a ship in stormy water, the conscious presence of Christ is to a Christian during the storms and stresses of daily living. Christians have never been promised an exemption from any of life’s storms. The Scriptures teach that “man is born unto trouble as the sparks fly upward” (Job 5:7). It is our reaction to life’s storms that reveals the level of our spiritual maturity.
ReplyDeletehttps://maxevangel.blogspot.com/2014/12/too-sure-to-quit.html
#Access #Assurance #Life #Scripture #Teach #Christ #Jesus #MaxEvangel #Spiritual #Maturity #Grace
What anchors are to a ship in stormy water, the conscious presence of Christ is to a Christian during the storms and stresses of daily living. Christians have never been promised an exemption from any of life’s storms. The Scriptures teach that “man is born unto trouble as the sparks fly upward” (Job 5:7). It is our reaction to life’s storms that reveals the level of our spiritual maturity.
ReplyDeletehttps://maxevangel.blogspot.com/2014/12/too-sure-to-quit.html
#Access #Assurance #Life #Scripture #Teach #Christ #Jesus #MaxEvangel #Spiritual #Maturity #Grace