Sunday Night Bible Study Hebrews 10:26-39 August 14, 1994 Hebrews 10:26-39 26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. :26 For if we sin wilfully... This is a misunderstood verse (and passage). Sometimes when we read it we think that we have somehow blown it and that our sins can no longer we covered by the blood of Jesus Christ. That's how the devil wants us to misunderstand this passage. Things to keep in mind to help understand this passage: The writer is talking to Jewish believers, people who have grown up knowing and understanding the Mosaic law and sacrifices, then have come to accept Jesus as their Messiah. He is writing to persecuted believers who have been tempted to give up their relationship with Jesus Christ and go back to simple Judaism because of the persecution. :26 there remainesth no more sacrifice for sins He's not talking about Jesus not being able to cover your sins with His sacrifice. That was taken care of once and for all on the cross. Heb 10:14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. But He's talking to Hebrew Christians who are thinking that they can just go back to the Mosaic system of sacrifices to cover their sins before God. Once a person has "received the knowledge of the truth", the truth being that Jesus is the Christ, that His death fulfills all the Old Testament sacrifices and that Jesus' death paid for all your sins... Then that person can't any longer go back and depend on the old sacrifices. The Mosaic sacrifices were shadows of the real thing. They were pictures that were intended to teach a person that sin needed paying for, and that it was paid by sacrifice, and that the ultimate sacrifice was Jesus. When a person under the Law made a sacrifice for their sins, they were trusting God to somehow take the payment for their sins. But in reality the animal itself wasn't enough to pay for the sin, it was an act of faith, charging to God's credit line, which would be in actuality paid off by Jesus' death on the cross. It's kind of like some of my son's video games. You get the character on the screen to jump onto a cloud, but the cloud only last for a little while, so you have to jump on to the next cloud, then the next, etc. The clouds disappear after a little while, so you have to move on. And you can't go back once you've used them. But the writer is trying to say,. after building up all this evidence through the letter that Jesus' death fulfilled, and even replaced the entire sacrificial system, that after these believers have understood about Jesus' death for their sins, they just can't go back to Judaism anymore. The Hebrew system of sacrifices isn't good for them anymore because they have understood what the whole thing was pointing to. Jesus. Now that they've understood that Jesus died in their place, covering their sins with His blood, they can't go out, sin, and then think that they can take care of it with a goat. :27 judgement and fiery indignation He will discuss this in the next few verses 28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance [belongeth] unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. 31 [It is] a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. :28 He that despised Moses' law died By breaking the law, as in committing murder. Le 24:17 And he that killeth any man shall surely be put to death. By blaspheming God's name. Le 24:16 And he that blasphemeth the name of the LORD, he shall surely be put to death, [and] all the congregation shall certainly stone him: as well the stranger, as he that is born in the land, when he blasphemeth the name [of the LORD], shall be put to death. Even by committing adultery Le 20:10 And the man that committeth adultery with [another] man's wife, [even he] that committeth adultery with his neighbour's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death. I'll bet the divorce rate was a lot lower in those days! But only by two or more witnesses De 17:6 At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; [but] at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death. :29 of how much sorer punishment Here's the contrast: If someone could be put to death under Moses' law, because they disregarded the law and broke it, and if Moses' law was just a shadow of the real thing, Jesus, think of the punishment facing those who will disregard the real thing. :29 who hath trodden under foot the Son of God NIV: Heb 10:29 How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? These are some pretty heavy descriptions. Can a person lose their salvation? You could probably make a point that this is talking about a person who never came into a relationship with Jesus. But in reality, the writer has been exhorting the readers to draw near to God, hold fast to their professions, and stimulate each other to love and good deeds, lest they turn away from Jesus. We saw this in chapter three: Heb 3:12-15 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; 15 While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. And again in chapter six: Heb 6:4-6 For [it is] impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put [him] to an open shame. I may be taking these verses wrong, but I think we should be careful not to water down the warnings given throughout this book. Whether you want to say that a person has lost their salvation, or is backslidden, or never really knew the Lord isn't the point. The point is to get right with Jesus, and stay close with Him! If you're not walking with Him, then turn around and start doing it! BUT: I think we need to keep a clear head about this passage. This passage isn't talking about a struggling Christian who is sinning occasionaly, or even one who is caught in an habitual sin. 1Jo 2:1-2 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for [the sins of] the whole world. We believe that our salvation is based on faith in Jesus, not based on our works or deeds. (Eph.2:8-9) We may not always be doing every thing perfectly, but that's not the point, the point is are we trusting in Jesus? This passage is talking about someone who has picked themselves up, lock stock and barrel and has turned away from trusting in Jesus for their salvation and has turned to trusting in the Old Testament Law to cover their sins. Look again at the words used to describe their turning from Jesus: trodden under foot the Son of God Counted the blood of the covenant ... an unholy thing done despite (insulted) unto the Spirit of grace These are serious words. If you've been caught in a sin, and you're struggling because you're afraid that you have blown it once too many times and that Jesus is now completely fed up with you, you don't qualify here. The fact that you care shows you haven't gotten this far. Why all this warning? Mt 5:10-12 Blessed [are] they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye, when [men] shall revile you, and persecute [you], and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great [is] your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. 2Ti 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. If you are truly following Jesus Christ, you will suffer persecution. Not just by being obnoxious, but for being godly. Joh 3:19-21 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. You better be ready or it will blow you away. Mt 13:20-21 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; 21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. These people were being persecuted, and they were thinking about giving up Christianity to get away from the heat of persecution. Lesson: Prepare for persecution. 32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions; 33 Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used. 34 For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. :32 call to remembrance The writer invites his readers to think about their past and how they handled persecution as new believers. NIV: Heb 10:32-34 Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering. 33 Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. 34 You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. I think about Jesus' words to the church of Ephesus Re 2:4-5 Nevertheless I have [somewhat] against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. A people in Hebrews are struggling because they've forgotten what it used to be like, during their first love days. :34 ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance We need constant reminders of this. Mt 6:19-21 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Do you want a nice mansion here, to enjoy for 80 years? Or a mansion in heaven to enjoy forever? It's a lot easier to face persecution if you keep in mind where you're heading. 35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. 36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. 37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. 38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if [any man] draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. 39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. :35 Cast not away therefore your confidence Their confidence in Jesus to save them from their sins. It's this trusting in Jesus that has great reward: Heaven! :36 For ye have need of patience We always need patience. hupomone - to remain under. How do we get patience? Jas 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing [this], that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have [her] perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. We get it through trials! :37 he that shall come will come Just hold on a little longer, because Jesus is coming back! Saul and Samuel: They had an arrangement. Whenever King Saul was to get the people to go to war, they were to wait for seven days for Samuel the prophet to show up. Then Samuel would be able to ask God for advice and they could do whatever God wanted them to do. So Saul got the people together to fight against the Philistines (1Sam.13). They waited for seven days, but no Samuel. 1Samuel 13 8-14. And he tarried seven days, according to the set time that Samuel [had appointed]: but Samuel came not to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him. 9 And Saul said, Bring hither a burnt offering to me, and peace offerings. And he offered the burnt offering. 10 And it came to pass, that as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might salute him. 11 And Samuel said, What hast thou done? And Saul said, Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and [that] thou camest not within the days appointed, and [that] the Philistines gathered themselves together at Michmash; 12 Therefore said I, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication unto the LORD: I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering. 13 And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever. 14 But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him [to be] captain over his people, because thou hast not kept [that] which the LORD commanded thee. Doesn't that happen to us? We get too impatient and act too quickly, and blow the whole deal sometimes. God is looking for people with hearts after His, people who will wait until they hear from God. People who won't move until God speaks. :39 But we are not of them who draw back The writer's confidence in where the readers are now in the Lord. Yet there is still this heavy warning.