Hebrews 6:4-20 - Series on the Epistles of Paul (139)

Well, good evening, brethren. The writer of Hebrews, most probably Paul, begins his epistle by demonstrating that Christ is superior to prophets, to the prophets, to angels, Moses, Joshua, and the very Levitical priesthood as ordained in the Old Covenant. As part of the Old Covenant, there was, or there is, the ceremonial sacrifices and duties of the high priest, and those foreshadowed Christ's greater work as our eternal high priest and mediator.

Now, the promise of rest is also discussed, and that promise of rest by entering the physical promised land for the Old Covenant remains, but with an even greater spiritual meaning for us, which is the eternal rest in the kingdom. Then we saw in Hebrews chapter 5 that the writer emphasizes Christ's qualifications as our high priest, while warning Christians against spiritual immaturity and becoming dull of hearing.

They, you know, those that the book of Hebrews are being addressed to, they were probably in the church for many, many years. They should have progressed sufficiently to become teachers, but instead, they still needed to have spiritual milk. They were not ready for solid spiritual food, and their spiritual maturity required exercising and growth. Their senses needed to grow to discern between good and evil, as we see on verse 14 of Hebrews chapter 5.

Then the writer, in the beginning of chapter 6, identifies six foundational doctrines. He lists them in three pairs, namely repentance and faith, baptisms and laying on of hands, and resurrection and eternal judgment. Now these six basic doctrines summarize much of the process of conversion and God's plan of salvation. However, understanding them in an intellectual manner is not the same as developing spiritual maturity. And so the key lesson, Yah, that we need to take from this up to this point, is that understanding these foundational doctrines is only the beginning.

We must build upon them. We must continually grow towards spiritual maturity. And as we read in Ephesians chapter 4 verse 13, basically it says, to all come to the knowledge of Jesus Christ to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. There is the spiritual maturity that we need to aim to become like Christ, to reach his level of being, of stature, of fullness. And so as the writer Yah talks about these basic doctrines, it then gives a warning starting from verse 4, which is a rather serious warning because spiritual immaturity could lead to sliding back and ultimately, deliberately and permanently rejecting God, particularly after receiving spiritual understanding.

So, not saying, I don't think the writer is saying, that these Christians were at the stage, but he was merely giving them a warning because apostasy from the very highest grace, level of grace that we received, we got so much mercy and loving kindness from God. Although what he's saying is, sliding back, sliding back, falling back is very possible if we're not careful. And so we continue today starting from verse 4. I'm going to read now verse 4 and 5. For it is impossible for those who were was enlightened and have tasted the heavenly gift and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come.

So, Yah is emphasizing five points. Five points are mentioned. First, being enlightened. Now, in Hebrews chapter 10 verse 32, 10 verse 32 says, But recall the former days in which after you were illuminated. You endured a great struggle with sufferings. So after you have received the truth, look at 2 Thessalonians chapter 2 verse 10. Because that is also a real serious warning. 2 Thessalonians chapter 2 verse 10 says, About these people that following the workings of Satan and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish because, look at that, they did not receive the love of the truth.

And so they had been enlightened. They had received the truth, but they did not hold on to it and loved it and held on to it with deep love and appreciation. And another example of being enlightened is, for instance, in John 16, John 16 verse 8 through 11. John 16 verse 8 through 11. Because Yah is talking about, in this case, Christ is now talking about the work of the Spirit. And he says that when God's Holy Spirit comes, He says, He will convict the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment.

And so we, as we are enlightened and we start understanding, we start understanding that of what sin is, that we are going to trust and follow Christ. We've got to understand that there is going to be righteousness in the need of true righteousness, and Christ was righteous, and therefore He was resurrected, and He went up to heaven.

And there's going to be a final judgment because Satan is already judged because by merely Christ overcoming the world and overcoming Satan, Satan's way is judged. So that first point here in Hebrews chapter 6 verse 4, it's talking about those who were once enlightened. You know, it's talking about people that have received truth, they were convicted, and then now lifted. They didn't hold on to the love of the truth.

The second point is, and have tasted the heavenly gift. In John 6 verse 51, John 6 verse 51, let's have a look at that, John 6 verse 51.

He says, I'm the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of the spread, he will live forever. And the bread that I shall give is my flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world. Christ is the living bread, and we've tasted Christ's mercy and work for us or dying for us. And therefore, we've tasted that grace and mercy. Look at 1 Peter chapter 2 verse 3. 1 Peter chapter 2 verse 3.

He says, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious. You know, we have experienced this merciful kindness of God, and then we turn back. That is very dangerous. That's a serious warning. Then also, let's look at the third example that the writer, which I believe is Paul, mentions, it says, is, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit. In other words, people have received the Holy Spirit. They have had the Holy Spirit, and they turn back. In Romans 8 verse 16, Romans 8 verse 16 says that God's Spirit itself bears witness with our human spirit. Romans 8 verse 16. Let me get to it. Romans 8 verse 16. The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God. We have been begotten. We are part of that family. And so, the Spirit witnesses that we are the children of God, so we become partakers of the Holy Spirit. And then continuing in Hebrews chapter 6, and then it says, and have tasted the good word of God. Yeah, we're basically talking about not just kind of reading the Bible, but have had personal experience by living God's way and actually living the way and understanding what God is telling us. So, it's not merely knowing it, but it's a real encounter. Not just a casual experience, but it's a real encounter, really knowing that the Bible is true. And we've internalized it, and it has become a joy to us when we study the Bible. It's a joy. It's encouraging. Look at Jeremiah chapter 15 verse 16. Jeremiah chapter 15. Jeremiah chapter 15 verse 16. Your words were found, and I ate them. And your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart. You see, so the other word is consumed. In other words, it's internalized, and the result is joy. And so, in other words, in this analogy, we have tasted the Word of God. We've internalized it. We understand it. And so, and then it says, and then, and in verse 5, Hebrews 6 verse 5, and the powers of the age to come. So, one has experienced the powers of the age to come. For instance, some examples. We have experienced answered prayer. And that is the powers of the age to come. For instance, we have experienced God's help, God's miracle, God's intervention in various situations in our lives. I mean, we've experienced the powers of the age to come. And so, yeah, Paul is describing somebody, people, that have had substantial exposure to God's truth and His spiritual blessings, rather than just a merely casual familiarity with, let's call it, so-called Christianity. And so, as we read there from verse 4 to verse 6, for it is impossible for those that have gone through these things, in other words, that had a substantial exposure for God's truth and the blessings. Then in verse 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. And so, what do we have here? It is impossible to renew them to repentance. Now, why? Why is the renewal to repentance described as impossible? Well, because they treat Christ's sacrifice, what they understand, what they understood very well with contempt. And that is very similar to what is described in Hebrews chapter 10, verse 26 through 29, because it says, For if we sin willfully, that is deliberately rejecting, after we have received the knowledge of the truth. So, it's similar concept that is referring, yeah, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins.

But a certain fearful expectation of judgment and fear in the fire in the nation, which will devour the adversaries. And so, it goes on. So, yeah, in Hebrews chapter 10, is warning of deliberately rejection after receiving knowledge of the truth. And so, the issue is a willful rejection of the very sacrifice through which forgiveness is possible. So, what we must not do? We must not confuse an individual who struggles with sin, but desires repentance, with someone who has decisively rejected God and refuses repentance.

And so, our Christian life is one of ongoing repentance. And ongoing repentance, therefore, remains absolutely sensual throughout our Christian life. And so, the existence of sin and the existence that we go through spiritual struggles does not, does not by itself establish that someone has committed an vulnerable sin. We must continue repenting and overcoming sin. The problem is, the decisive danger is when repentance permanently ceases. So, repeating it again, a repentant Christian who struggles with sin has not automatically committed the unforgivable sin.

You see, the warning, yeah, is about a much more serious rejection of God's grace. And so now, it moves in Hebrews chapter 6 to verse 7 and 8. For the earth which drinks in the rain, there often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessings from God.

But if it bears thorns and briars, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned. And so we have here the illustration of the land. There's two kinds of land in this example, yeah, in verses 7 and 8. Two kinds of land which receive the same rain. One kind of land produces useful vegetation and receives a blessing.

The other kind of land produces thorns and briars and faces judgment. The analogy is very important. You see, the rain illustrates blessings being received. And the different crops illustrate the contrasting results. Now, for instance, if we look at Matthew 13. Matthew 13, starting in verse 3 to 9, we've got the parable of the sower. Matthew 13, verse 3 to 9. And then the apostles ask Christ, why are you speaking to us in parables? And Christ gives a very, very stunning answer to some people that don't understand what God is doing, because it's not their time to understand yet.

And then from verse 18 through verse 23, Christ explains the parable of the sower. And it says in verse 19, when anyone hears the word of the kingdom, the word of the kingdom, this knowledge of truth, this understanding of the truth, is the rain. In the sonology of Hebrews 6, it's the rain, and it's a blessing that is being received. And then in verse 19, he's basically talking about those on the wayside, that he says that they don't understand it, and the wicked comes and snatches it away.

What was sown in their heart? Interesting. What's sown in their heart? But very shallow, and it's gone by the wayside. And then he goes on, verse 20 and 21, talks about the seed in stony ground or stony places. And he says he hears the word. It was the word of the kingdom, the gospel, hears it, and immediately receives it of great joy. How many times have I come across people, come to the truth, understand the truth, and it's a great excitement, but it doesn't last.

That is frightening. He says he receives it with joy. Yet he has no root in himself, but in Jewish only for a little while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. So when certain trials, certain difficulties, all you've got to keep is a sabbath, well, it's the fix of my job, and I'll just give it up.

So there are certain trials that come because of knowing the truth, knowing that you've got to live God's way, and maybe you've got to be different than society. You don't keep the pagan holidays, and you will be different. But the pressure, well, okay, I'll do it then. So it does not have root. It's stony places. And then in verse 22, it talks about those amongst thorns, and that is the deceitfulness of this world. You know, the cares of the world, the physical things around us, the deceitfulness of riches.

Just the person doesn't do prayer, Bible study, kind of starts fading away and becomes unfruitful. And then in verse 23, it talks about he that received the seed on good ground, and he is the word and understands it, and bears fruit and produces.

And people produce different percentages at different levels, different ways. And so that goes in, for instance, with John 15, where Christ says, I am divine, abiding me, and bear fruit. So we receive spiritual blessings by knowing the truth, by knowing the way. And these spiritual blessings, by being the church, spiritual blessings, by having our early spirit, create a responsibility in us to produce spiritual fruit. And so, up to here, in Hebrews chapter 6, we see that there was some spiritual immaturity.

They needed to build on the foundational doctrines, basically the way of salvation. They needed to build on that. And he was saying, be careful, don't slip up, because we have a duty to bear fruit. And now, even though this warning is very severe, Paul now is very encouraging, and he expresses confidence in the spiritual future of the readers.

And he promises encouragement, and he provides, indeed, that encouragement for the people to remain faithful. So let's read verses 9 through 12.

But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you. Yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner. 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. And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope and to the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

And so, yeah, Paul is saying, we are confident of better things concerning you. Yes, things that accompany salvation. And so, Paul is being encouraging, and he acknowledges four basic things, their work and labor of love. We are in verse 10, for God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love, which you have shown toward his name. And then that reminds us, as a parallel scripture, of Galatians chapter 6, verse 9 and 10. Galatians chapter 6, verse 9 and 10. And yeah, we read. And let us not grow weary while doing good. You see, because we mustn't grow weary of the work and labor of love. For in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. Especially to those who are of the household of faith. Then in Hebrews chapter 6, then the next statement here in verse 10, it says, And in that you have ministered to the saints and do minister.

And so they have been doing service to the saints. And we know, for instance, we read about Christ in Matthew 23 verse 11, where he says, If you want to be those great among you are those that serve. So service to the saints and do minister. They continue being faithful. They continue being faithful. So he was being encouraging.

He was saying, yes, they use spiritual immaturity, but you have been providing service. You have to doing this. So he's saying to them, Hey, keep working hard and produce more fruit, as we'll see in a moment. Don't be sluggish about it, as he says a little later. And so they needed to continue their faithfulness. And he says, and you do minister. So you need to continue that. An example of that is in 1 Corinthians chapter 15. 1 Corinthians chapter 15, the resurrection chapter, and then there towards the end, it says, Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

And so we've got to continue, be steadfast and immovable. And then back to Hebrews chapter 6 verse 11. And it says, And the desire that each one to show the same diligence to the full assurance of the hope until the end. The need of diligence and perseverance to endure till the end.

Like we read, for instance, in Hebrews chapter 10 verse 35 and 36. Hebrews chapter 10. Therefore, do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward, for you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise. And so we have to endure. I understand. I know that sometimes things are difficult.

We go through many difficult trials. Sometimes they're very pressing and wear us down. But we need to be diligent and persevere. We need to endure. And so, continue now in Hebrews chapter 6, but now in verse 12, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Do not become spiritually sluggish.

Now, this connects directly with Hebrews. Chapter 5 verse 11, because there he said, since you have become dull of hearing. So don't be sluggish. Don't be spiritually sluggish. And so what Paul is saying is that spiritual maturity requires continuing diligence, faith, patience and perseverance. Like we read in Matthew 24 verse 13, we got to endure till the end. So spiritual maturity is demonstrated not merely through knowledge, but through faithful conduct over time.

Faithful conduct over time. And he says, and then he says, but imitate those who through faith and patience, he inherit the promises. Now he moves on to the certainty of God's promises. And in Hebrews 6 verse 13 through 18, Hebrews 6, 13 through 18, he shows that certainty of the promises. And he says that God's promises are absolutely trustworthy because God cannot lie. And so he then uses Abraham as an example of those that have gone before us.

Because that's what he said in verse 12. That he says, imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. And he uses the example of Abraham. And then he, yeah, in verse 15 through 15, let's read this section. For when God made a promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no one greater, he swore by himself, saying, Surely blessing I'll bless you and multiplying I'll multiply you. And so after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. You see, yeah, the writer is using Abraham as example. God made a promise to Abraham and confirmed it with an oath.

Let's look at that in Genesis 22. In Genesis 22, this section of Genesis 22 is the section of that Abraham is tested in which he has to take his and only son Isaac, whom you love, and offer him his event offering. And so we see that Abraham demonstrated his willingness to sacrifice Isaac. And we read from verse 8 that, My son, and Abraham said, My son, God will provide for himself the lamb. So Isaac was asking, Where's the lamb? And then he came to the place. And then Abraham bound Isaac, his son. So quite often we think about it's an act of faith of Abraham. I think it's an act of faith of Isaac too, because he was not very small. He was very probably already, you know, in his late teens. And so, and he was bound. So that was quite an act of faith of both Abraham and Isaac. But anyway, so Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, Abraham, Abraham. So he said, Here I am. So he said, Do not lay your hand on the lad. We'll do anything to him. For now I know that you fear God, since you have not without your son, your only son, from me. And so, and then we can see, and then Abraham called the place the Lord will provide. In verse 15, and then he says, in verse 14, and then verse 15, And the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time. And then look at the eye in verse 16. By myself I have sworn, says the Lord, because you've done this thing and have not without your son, your only son, blessing I'll bless you and multiply I'll multiply you. Descendants, your descendants are the stars of heaven and as a sand which is on the seashore. And your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies. So, Yah is a promise that God made to Abraham and God not only promised, but he says, as we see in verse 16, By myself I've sworn. And so, God confirmed his promise with an oath. In Hebrews, chapter 11, which is the 5th chapter, in Hebrews chapter 11, Hebrews 11, verse 8 through 10, Yah, we see the story of Abraham being referred to by faith, Abraham obeyed when he was called to God to the place when he should receive an inheritance and went out not knowing when he was going. That was in Genesis, earlier in Genesis. Genesis, I think it was Genesis 12, if I remember correctly. And then he said, In faith he went into the land of promise, as in a foreign country dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs of the same promise. For he waited for a city which has foundations, whose boulder, and maker is God. You see, Abraham had faith and persevered. He persevered in faith, even though the complete fulfillment of the promises lay in the future. A future city which has foundations, whose boulder and maker is God. So he was actually looking towards, already, to beyond the millennium, to beyond the great white throne judgment, to the new heaven and new earth when the holy city will come down, whose boulder and maker is God. So, and we can see them a little later.

Verse 13, Hebrews 11 verse 13 says, These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, were assured of them, embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

You see, so Abraham is an example for us, for us who will ultimately also inherit the promises of faith and patience. And so the question may be in verse 16 and 17 of Hebrews 6. Hebrews 6 verse 16 and 17, that says, Why did God have an oath? Why did Lily swear? He says here in verse 16, For men indeed swear by the greater, and an oath for affirmation is for them and end of all the spirit. Thus God determined to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath. You see, human beings normally swear by someone greater than themselves. And because God was trying to relate to a human being and making it very clear to him of his promise, and because there was no one greater than God, he swore by himself. God did not need an oath to make his promise truthful. No, he did not need. But God provided additional assurance to the heirs of the promise. And one of the assurance is God cannot lie. We read that in Titus 1 verse 2. But then here in verse 18 says, Thereby two immutable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, Titus 1 verse 2, we might have strong consolation who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. See, there's two immutable things. That's why he says two immutable things here in verse 18. And therefore, those two immutable things is that God can't lie. And in other words, God's promise and his oath because God can't lie. Those are the two immutable things he promised and he gave an oath. And so through this, God provides strong encouragement for those who place their hope in God. And now verse 19 and 20, he says, The soap we have is an anchor of the soul. Our hope is anchored in Jesus Christ. Now an anchor, for instance, keeps a boat, a vessel secure despite winds, currents and storms. So when the boat is anchored near the seashore, it gives a certain security even when there's winds and currents because it stays in that place. Likewise, Christian hope, Christian hope. That's why he says this hope we have as an anchor, it is so important for us to have hope. We got to look forward to the future, to the promise of God that Christ is going to come and Christ can establish his kingdom. We need that hope because we can look things around us. And if we don't have that hope, we will be most disgraceful, most unhappy, most anxious because of the way things are going in the world. But we have a hope and it's solid. We know Christ is going to come. We know he's going to resolve these problems. Yes, we know there's going to be difficult times ahead, but we have that hope. But we also have a hope that he says he will protect us if we remain faithful to him. And so this provides spiritual stability, security and confidence in God's promises because we have the hope when we have difficulties, trials, discouragement, health issues, whatever it may be, or any uncertainty. And so our hope is secure and steadfast because Christ has entered God's presence as our eternal High Priest. He says, yeah, this hope we have is an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the presence behind the veil.

So through this hope, we have a hope that we will enter to God's presence behind the veil, ultimately in the world tomorrow. But even today, when we pray, we have access to that as we read, for instance, in Hebrews chapter 10, that through a new and living way, let's have boldness to enter the holiest by the blood of Jesus, Hebrews chapter 10 verse 19 and 20. So we have this, but it says through Christ, this hope, which is future, the real final fulfillment, is still future, but it's sure and steadfast. And this hope is one that enters the presence behind the veil where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus. In verse 20, our forerunner, Christ has entered God's presence ahead of us and for us, opening the way for those of us to follow Him. And so this connects directly with the sanctuary and the priesthood and under the Levitical system, under the ceremonial law of the Levitical system, the high priest entered the most only place on the Day of Talmud, only on the Day of Talmud, for us. And so, for instance, we read in Hebrews chapter 9 verse 11 and 12, it says, And then in verse 24, So it's using again the word for us. And so, Christ entered into the throne of God for us, so that we can ultimately be there. And that's why it says He's the forerunner. In verse 20 of Hebrews chapter 6, He has entered for us, even Jesus, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. And so, as we look at Hebrews chapter 6, in the sense as a point of review, we see spiritual maturity in the first three verses, one through three, that we are to build upon the foundational doctrines and continue growing. Then, in verses 4 to 8, a warning against apostasy, against rejecting the truth and the grace we've received from God. So don't do that deliberately. You've got to be very careful. It's a warning. Then, in verses 9 through 12, He emphasizes things like perseverance. We've got to demonstrate our faith through love, service and continued diligence. And then, in verses 13 through 20, He gives us assurance of salvation by trusting God's promises and remain anchored in the hope of what Christ is doing for us. And so Hebrews 6 combines a serious warning with great, tremendous encouragement. Now, we must not remain spiritually mature or turn away from God. Instead, we must persevere in faith, trusting His promises and holding firmly to the hope made possible through Jesus Christ, our Eternal High Priest. And so, on the last verse of Hebrews 6, He says that He became our priest. I priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. And so now, He prepares us for Hebrews 7, which is what we will do, God willing, and cover next week.