Category Archives: Sermon Notes & Announcements

Sep 24, 2023. Hebrews 6:7-12

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A BETTER HOPE. Hebrews 6:7-12. 09/24/2023. #19.

7 For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God; 8 but if it bears thorns and briers, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned. 9 But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner. 10 For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

1. Wheat and tares

                a. Hebrews uses farming as an illustration (common in NT)

                                a1. The field does not bear life without rain

                                a2. Rain enlivens the seeds in the field

                                a3. Both good grain and weeds grow in field

                b. The herbs (botané – English word botany) means any crop which is beneficial to the farmer and men

                                a1. The field and rain are the same

                                a2. The seeds yield according to its own kind

                c. 2 approaches have been taken to this passage:

                                a1. I Corinthians 3:11-15 the tares that are burned up are the useless works done by immature believers (burned up like wood, hay, stubble)

                                a2. The tares are false believers growing among the grain (as the seed that fell on thorny or stony ground or the false branches on the vine mentioned in John 15)

                d. Since true believers are never called thorns or briers, the warning is probably to false believers

                                a1. Both Paul (Philippians 2:12) and Peter (2 Peter 1:10) urged readers to make sure they were saved by growing in Christ

                                a2. Without growth = no evidence of salvation

                                a3. II Corinthians 13:5 like the Corinthians, the author is concerned with the salvation of the Hebrews

2. A note of optimism

                a. Just as Paul expressed confidence in the faith of the Corinthians believers, Heb. expresses confidence in the faith and direction of the Jewish believers

                b. The author sees some positive signs in readers:

                                a1. Works of labor and love for the Lord

                                a2. They minister to fellow believers

                                a3. They continue serving the Lord

                c. Heb. encourages them to continue to serve in the hope of the Lord to the end

                                a1. Their service was in contrast to their holding onto the vestiges of the Law

                                a2. By completely focusing on their relationship with the Lord, they show evidence of a dynamic growing faith (Mark 4:1-9)

                d. Full assurance of salvation is seen in a relationship with the Lord that leads to godly service

                                a1. James 2 though no one can discern the salvation of another, it easier to detect in believers who show their love, joy, and eagerness to serve the Lord

                                a2. A labor of love points to what you love

                e. No one should leave their profession of faith in doubt (it should be obvious to all around you)

3. Removing tares

                a. Two categories destined for fire:

                                a1. Revelation 20 the unsaved, separated from Lord

                                a2. I Corinthians 3 worthless works of believers

                b. Should avoid both types of ruination

                                a1. To be a tare is to be a false believer who is destined for eternal condemnation

                                a2. To be an immature believer is to be useless in the service of the Lord and unrewarded

                c. Heb. encourages us to imitate (lit., mimic) spiritual believers, so we can be assured, useful, and rewarded

                                a1. I Corinthians 11:1 Paul urged Cor. to imitate him     

                            a2. Not to be motivated to grow fosters doubt

Sep 10, 2023. Hebrews 6:1-6

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TO MATURE OR WHITHER. Hebrews 6:1-6. 09/10/2203. #18.

1 Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this we will do if God permits. 4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.

1. ABCs of Christianity

                a. Three basic approaches to passages:

                                a1. Those who are in Christ, but then back away lose their salvation (too many versus indicate that a believer can’t lose his or her salvation: Ephesians 1:13-14, Romans 8, John 6:47…)

                                a2. It is impossible for a believer to repent if he refuses to leave the elementary things of Christ in order to grow (remaining a carnal, immature Christian – I Corinthians 3)

                                a3. It is impossible for those who have initially entered into fellowship with the church, but who have not come to faith yet, to repent and be saved since they have rejected the Gospel

                b. The author of Hebrews chastises the Hebrew believers for remaining in the trappings of the Old Testament Law

                                a1. While professing Christ, they were still participating in rituals of washings and laying on of hands, praying for the dead, etc.

                                a2. OT ceremonies pointed to Christ

                c. Once Christ died and rose, the old rites were obsolete

                d. The ceremonial law was baby’s milk and as long as they were sucking on milk, they could not mature

2. Backing away

                a. Just as Paul was concerned for the carnal Corinthians, Hebrews was concerned for the immature Jews

                b. Just as it was hard to recognize if a carnal believer is saved by his actions, it is hard to know if an immature believer is saved by his lack of growth

                c. Those who back away had every advantage:

                                a1. Enlightened – heard and understood the Gospel and the Word of God

                                a2. Tasted the heavenly gift – they were around believers and experienced what salvation was

                                a3. Shared in Holy Spirit – benefitted from the fellowship and wisdom of Spirit filled believers

                                a4. Tasted the Word and its power – heard the teaching of the Word and felt its power

                d. The lack of growth and leaving Old Covenant, indicated that perhaps they had not truly come to faith

3. Impossible repentance

                a. The grave danger of participating with believers, but not coming to faith, is permanent rejection of Lord

                b. Several passages indicate that false believers exist

                                a1. 1 Jn. 2:19 those who leave us = never saved

                                a2. Mt. 13 there are tares among the wheat

                                a3. 2 Cr. 11:26 Paul dealt with false brethren

                                a4. 2 Th. 2:8-11 God will send a lie to deceive those who knew, but rejected the Gospel

                c. Those who reject the Gospel after having seemingly received it can’t come back since they rejected the only way of salvation (HEB. 10:26-31)

                                a1. This passage does not refer to those who are still seeking or believers struggling with sin

                                a2. Those who reject Christ after knowing fully who He is and what He did, are lost (Demus)

                d. Those who try to maintain OT sacrifices and rituals crucify Christ again by going back to vain offerings

                                a1. Puts Christ to open shame by trying to add futile offerings to His eternal offering

                                a2. Must depend on Christ alone to be saved

                e. I don’t know who is beyond repentance (a warning!)

Hebrews 10:26-31

26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. 28 Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Sep 3, 2023. Hebrews 5:12-14

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FROM MILK TO MEAT. Hebrews 5:12-14. 09/03/2023. #17.

12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

1. Obligation neglected

                a. The author is very disappointed that the readers had not grown to spiritual maturity

                                a1. God was disappointed in the immaturity of the Jews from the wilderness to the Exile

                                a2. That which does not grow, dies

                b. By this time they ought to be teachers (ophelo = owe a debt, place under obligation)

                                a1. We are obligated to grow in Christ

                                a2. Tt. 2:1-5 mature believers are obligated to teach immature believers in spirituality

                                a3. 1 Tm. 3 church leaders are obligated to teach those over who they have charge

                c. They had been believers long enough to be teaching others, but they were not doing so

                                a1. Having been believers for years, they still know very little Scripture, doctrine, or principles of the God

                                a2. Very little fervency for the things of God

                d. Obligation = we are held accountable to grow

                                a1. 1 Cor. 3:12-15 loss or gain will in part be determined by desire to know the Word

                                a2. God can use us only in proportion to how much of the Word of God is within us

                                a3. Not to be equipped is not to be useful

2. To be retaught

                a. Those who forget the truth must be retaught it

                b. The Word must constantly be reviewed

                                a1. We cannot learn something once and then we have mastered what we have learned

                                a2. Rev. 2:1-5 the Ephesian church was told to remember from where they had fallen and go back and do the first works

                c. They had the need to be fed spiritual milk (galaktos), when they should be eating adult food

                                a1. Believers should grow to know sound doctrine and principles (2 PT. 3:14-18)

                                a2. Believers who have been saved for 20 years should still not be seeking answers taught in a beginner’s discipleship class

                d. Without a good understanding of the Word, its references, its meaning, and how to apply it, we are unskilled in both witnessing to others and helping them grow in Christ

3. Choose to grow

                a. Solid food is for the mature

                                a1. Just as children begin to eat full meals, a mature believer learns greater truths

                                a2. In order to eat nourishing food it must be sought after, prepared, and consumed

                b. Just like body and mind fitness, our spirits must be exercised (our word for gymnasium)

                                 a1. Just as bodily exercise is a choice, exercising our spiritual minds is a choice

                                a2. Bible study, memorization, and meditating on Scripture must be consistently done

                c. Christians do not grow naturally over time

                                a1. Ps. 1 there must be engagement on our part

                                a2. To exercise senses is to become fully aware of spiritual training and call to spiritual action

                d. The acuteness of a spiritually driven believer discerns the battle of good and evil and his part in it

                                a1. Moves from dullness of mind to sharp focus

                                a2. Developing a keen curiosity and passion for God’s Word and His will

                e. Devotionally level Christianity can’t produce spiritual growth just as milk alone can’t maintain health

Key verse: 2 Peter 3:14-1814 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; 15 and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, 16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures. 17 You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; 18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.

Aug 27, 2023. Hebrews 5:5-11

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AFTER THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK. Hebrews 5:5-11. 8/27/2023. #16.

5 So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He who said to Him:

“You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.” 6 As He also says in another place: “You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek”; 7 who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, 8 though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. 9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, 10 called by God as High Priest “according to the order of Melchizedek,” 11 of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.

1. Appointed High Priest

                a. The author of Hebrews makes clear that Jesus was not seeking to honor Himself

                                a1. He did not appoint Himself High Priest

                                a2. He sought no glory for Himself

                b. God the Father appointed Jesus to fulfill His role

                                a1. God had begotten His Son

                                a2. God had appointed Him to sacrifice for sin

                                a3. Through the cross, Christ emerged as the High Priest

                                                b1. Not after Aaron, the Levite

                                                b2. Jesus was a High Priest after the order of Melchizedek, who was both priest and king

                                a4. Jesus’s priesthood is effective, eternal, and elevated (next to the throne of God)

                c. Gen. 14 Melchizedek was both the king of Salem (later, Jerusalem) and the priest of the Lord

2. The agony of the cross

                a. Luke 22:39-46 Jesus was in great agony before going to the cross

                                a1. The Father could save Him from the agony of the cross (spare His life)

                                a2. Christ had to submit if sins were to be paid for

                b. Christ had a legitimate choice to make

                                a1. In His flesh, He was in great agony

                                a2. God did not force Him to submit

                                a3. Christ could have chosen not to go through the agony of trial and crucifixion

                c. The idea that Christ as God had to die is not correct

                                a1. God left the choice of action up to His son

                                a2. Through suffering Christ learned to obey and trust His Father

                                                b1. His emptying (kenosis) of the powers and privileges of His Godhood were so complete that He faced death as a man with all its terrors

                                                b2. Christ felt the gut-wrenching terror of facing pain, humiliation, suffering, bearing the sins of the world, and the agony of the soul with all the weakness of His humanity

                d. Christ had to learn obedience just like any man

                                a1. He triumphed over His fears as a man, for it was His humanity that was subject to death and His divinity that gave His sacrifice the worth to defeat Satan and sin

                                a2. His godly reverence in His humanity made Him choose suffering over sparing Himself

                e. Christ became perfected (complete) in His suffering

                                a1. By choosing to endure the cross, the ministry of Christ finished the work of atonement

                                a2. Eternal salvation (used only here in NT) was accomplished by His obedience (ever saved)

3. The order of Melchizedek

                a. Psalm 110:4 only after Christ obeyed His Father did He become priest and king after the pattern of Melchizedek

                b. Genesis 14 much can be said of Melchizedek, but the readers were dull of hearing (not well studied in doctrine)

                                a1. Symbolism of Abraham giving tithes to Melchizedek and Melchizedek offering bread and wine to Abraham

                                a2. Understanding the symbols strengthens faith

                c. Christ fulfilled all that was prophesied about Him

Key Verse: Luke 22:39-46

39 Coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him. 40 When He came to the place, He said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.”

41 And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.”43 Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. 44 And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. 45 When He rose up from prayer, and had come to His disciples, He found them sleeping from sorrow. 46 Then He said to them, “Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation.”