5 Warnings in Hebrews, Part 4

Danger of Despising

1) The Danger of Drifting, Don’t let the New Testament truth slip away (Heb. 2:1-4), The Warning to Pay Attention to the information you once believed and now are rejecting.

2) The Danger of Doubting. Don’t Harden your heart against the Holy Spirit (Heb. 3:7-19)

3) The Danger of not going on to Spiritual Maturity. The Danger of Deformity due to Immaturity. A Warning against Turning Away. Don’t Degenerate from Christ. (Heb. 5:11-6:12)

4) The Danger of Despising Christ. Don’t commit the willful sin of trampling under foot the Son of God. Counting His blood as common blood and doing insult to the Holy Spirit. Warning to Persevere (Heb. 10:26-31)

Heb 10:19,Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, ²⁰by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, (humanity) ²¹and since we have a great priest over the house of God, ²²let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, (w/Heb 4:16) having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. ²³Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; ²⁴and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, ²⁵not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

Let’s get the context. The writer is exhorting the believer to keep focused on the person and work of Jesus Christ. In vs. 24 - 25 we see the same type of exhortation we saw after the second warning not to be bitter grieving the Holy Spirit.

Eph 4:32, "But become kind toward one another, compassionate and forgiving each other, just as God also by means of Christ has forgiven us."

Heb 10:26 – 31, ²⁶For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, ²⁷but a terrifying expectation of judgment and THE FURY OF A FIRE WHICH WILL CONSUME THE ADVERSARIES. ²⁸Anyone who has set aside the Law of Moses dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. ²⁹How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace? ³⁰For we know Him who said, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY.” And again, “THE LORD WILL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE.” ³¹It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Each warning given in Hebrews is progressively worse. As we’ve seen there is the danger of drifting away from the truth (2:1-4); the danger of doubting and not entering into His rest (ch. 3-4); and the danger of not going on to maturity (ch. 5-6). All of these dangers and warnings are only for the child of God, not for the child of the world.

The danger of the unsaved is not to be saved and thus go to the lake of fire. The writer of Hebrews is not writing to his people, Israel, who are unbelievers. Matthew has done that. He is writing to us who are believers, who have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for our sins. Those who have made a good confession and even in the midst of suffering are faithful to the Lord. But persecution continues and intensifies as the believer advances.

So what is the problem that incites this warning? We need to patiently endure. We need to hold fast and not give up thinking that it is not worthwhile.

One of the key words of the book in Hebrews, therefore, is “patience” or “patient endurance.” When a person has love and a Godly disposition, that person will have patience and longsuffering. Now patience is a very important virtue for all of us.

How does a believer develop patience in his life? Well, first of all, he does not! So that ought to be comforting to many of you. Patience is developed by and is the production of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer.

Principles of Patience in the Believer

1. So first principle, Patience results from the filling of the Spirit. Gal 5:22, “but the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,”

2. Patience is developed through the power of the spirit and the power of Bible Doctrine in the soul of the believer. Col. 1:11, “strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience;” Steadfastness and patience is developed through the power of God.

3. Patience and longsuffering is a system of thinking, it is not an emotion. Col 3:12, “and so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart (right lobe of the brain) of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;” A patient person will be slow to anger. He will not get angry quickly.

4. Patience will give us the power and the gracious system of thinking to have great understanding and sensitivity toward others. Pro 14:29, “He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who is quick-tempered exalts folly.”

5. Patience with others will also help us resolve and reconcile differences. Pro 15:18, “A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but the slow to anger pacifies contention.”

6. Patience is a virtue which gives the believer fantastic strength under pressure. Pro 16:32, “He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city.”

7. Patience will also allow us to be discreet and overlook the sins of others. Pro 19:11, “A man's discretion makes him slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook a transgression.” When you're patient with people, you do not hold them accountable for the wrongs they have done against you.

8. Patience allows us to rest in the Lord and let the Supreme Court Judge handle any unfair or unjust treatment. Psa 37:7, “Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who carries out wicked schemes.” If someone is carrying out wicked schemes against you, be patient, relax; the Lord has everything under control.

9. Patience gives us the strength and power to handle undeserved suffering and mal-treatment and bring glory to the lord. 1 Pet 2:20, for what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God.

10. It is having your doctrine and the faith rest drill tested in your life, which will give you patience. Jam 1:3, knowing that the testing of your faith your doctrine/faith-rest drill produces endurance. Jam 1:4, and let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Perfect and complete lacking nothing does not mean sinless perfection; it means maturity and contentment.

11. The pastor-teacher must have extreme patience with members of his congregation. 2 Tim 4:2, preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.

The reason why it says to exhort with great patience and instruction is simply because you can teach doctrine accurately for years and people will still reject it when they need it. And this can be a source of discouragement to any man who is in the ministry.

12. The Lord has made many promises to you as a believer, and patience is also needed concerning the promises of God. Heb 6:12, that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Heb 6:15, and thus, having patiently waited, he Abraham obtained the promise.

13. Patience is also needed after you have done all that you are supposed to do and things in your life have still not changed. Heb 10:36, for you have need of patience, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.

14. Patience and longsuffering is a system of thinking. Col 3:12, put on a heart right lobe of patience;

15. Patience allows us to put up with people and each other as we continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Eph 4:2, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing forbearance to one another in love,

Now back to our warning. What is it to trample under foot the Son of God?

John 1:1, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 1:14, And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

It is not enough to know Christ; we must live Christ.

Rom 6:8; Gal 2:20; Phil 1:21; 2 Tim 3:12

Gal 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me."

Knowledge brings responsibility. Luke 12:48, “From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.”

A walk to live Christ, not just to have knowledge of Him.

A privilege to live Christ, not just know Him.

Because of the superiority of the Son and of His work, we have a superior walk and far superior privileges in this age.

So God gives us three Exhortations based on our privileges and responsibility. (Heb. 10:19-39)

1. Identifying our superior privileges (Heb. 10:19-25.)

2. Warning of the greater discipline (Heb. 10:26-31).

3. Reminder of your former endurance (Heb. 10:32-39).

1. Identifying our superior privileges (Heb. 10:19-25)

a. We have entrance into the Holy of Holies. Heb 10:19. No one in Israel could do this but the high priest alone, and he could only do this once a year, and then only according to specific instructions. He entered in “with fear.” Something of that fear is given in the fact that a rope was tied around his ankle. If anything went wrong, he was pulled out. No one else dared go in. Heb 4:16, Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

b. The high priest went around the veil; we go through the veil. Heb 10:20. Based on the sacrifice of His body and by means of His shed blood we enter straight in to the throne room of God.

Mat 27:51, And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook and the rocks were split. ⁵²The tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised;

Mark 15:38, And the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. ³⁹When the centurion, who was standing right in front of Him, saw the way He breathed His last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”

Luke 23:45, because the sun was obscured; and the veil of the temple was torn in two. ⁴⁶And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, “Father, INTO YOUR HANDS I COMMIT MY SPIRIT.” Having said this, He breathed His last.

Anyone who does not have the blood of Jesus Christ has no access to God. 2 Cor 3:16, but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.

c. Our Priest is Superior, and we share in the superior privileges of our Priest. Heb. 10:21

d. Based on our position we have a new nature that is undefiled. Through that position we have the privilege of confidence to do all things. Heb. 10:22

Phil 4:13, I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

e. We have the privilege of His promises to rely upon. Heb 10:23. He is faithful who promised. He has never failed to keep His word. Why do you think He will now?

f. We have the privilege to operationalize His power to edify the family of God. Heb 10:24. Here is the relation of one who is strong in clinging to the promises, in relation to one who is weak in faith. The fleshly reaction of the sin nature is to criticize them and push them even further down. The Spirit’s operation is just the reverse.

g. We have the privilege of fellowship, harmony and unity within the body of Christ, Heb. 10:25. Here is an explanation of good works in this crisis period. Negatively, did you realize that missing church attendance is a lack of a good work? Positively it is exhorting one another, and so much the more during this intensified stage of the Angelic Conflict. But never, never forget that hand-in-hand with superior privileges come superior responsibilities.

2. Warning of the greater discipline (10:26-31). THE FOURTH WARNING. The second problem is the nature of the sin. What sin is this that the cross of Christ does not cover in time?

a. The nature of the sin (Heb. 10:26). It is a voluntary sin which the believer wills to commit after he has been saved and comes to the full knowledge of the truth. Now every time a believer sins, it is because he “willed” to sin. He did not have to sin. This is the doctrine of Romans 6, 7 and 8.

The act here, however, is something different. It is present tense and may be translated “if we keep on sinning willfully after we have received full knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins.” This sin is, then, a deliberate, premeditated sinning with full knowledge that it is wrong.

b. The willful sin involved repudiation of former actions that were good, spiritual, joyful, and for which they were fully aware of future rewards (10:32-35).

c. It would involve a repudiation of their previous confession of Jesus Christ as their Savior (Heb 10:23; cf. 3:1; 4:14). Openly or subversively.

d. By comparing 10:32-37 with 10:23-25 we may correctly say the sin is a separation of the believer from other believers permanently, and a return to the religion/legalism or the cosmic system to escape the present persecution that is upon you. Persecution involves: Guilt (on your own part) or (someone laying a guilt trip on you), pressures from family or friends, verbal attacks, talking behind your back, ostracism, etc.

e. This sin involves a denunciation of:

(1) The person of Christ (Heb. 1:1–4:13),

(2) The work of Christ (Heb. 4:14-10:18), and

(3) The ministry of the Holy Spirit of God in the life of the believer (Heb. 10:19–13:25). This is why verse 29 states all three categories.

The final question is what is the nature of the judgment? It just comes down to this. Desiring to escape man’s judgment, they will fall into the judgment of God. The judgment cannot be loss of eternal salvation or of eternal life (Heb. 5:9 w/ 10:39). If it is possible to lose eternal salvation, then it is not eternal salvation. Heb 5:9, And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation.

“Obey”, be subject to; respond to, accept, adhere to; answer (the door)

Thayer Definition:

1) to listen, to hearken

a) of one who on the knock at the door comes to listen who it is, (the duty of a porter)

2) to hearken to a command

a) to obey, be obedient to, submit to, to make answer when called, Odyssey, Theocratic.

The judgment involves loss of spiritual rewards (Heb. 10:35-36).

The judgment involves God's discipline in three stages, 1 Cor 11:30, resulting in: The judgment of physical death. (Heb 10:28-29). For this is certain to come if we continue and persist in turning our back on Him.

3. The exhortation to continue the fight. (Heb. 10:32-39). Our Lord is exhorting us to remember our first love and the exhilaration we had. To remind us of the fruit we produce as we grow towards and achieve Spiritual Maturity.

Remember how you persevered utilizing His power, don’t lose heart now. Remember the fruit you produced and the faith rest drill you applied. Remember the future rewards. Remember His promises. Remember He is coming soon.

You have a strength which is available 24 – 7. We are saved by the blood of Christ and the eternal guilt of sin is removed forever, but it is possible to neglect this so great salvation and to carelessly drift from it through indifference. It is possible to stop short of a life of rest and peace which the Lord has planned for us as His child, simply because we never go on living a life of faith and therefore never come to experience the best that God has for us. It is possible to never mature in the Lord and never grow up, but to be infants in spiritual things all of our lives. Such a person has years of wasted service where all that is produced is “good-for-nothing” but burning. It is also possible to sin willfully or deliberately with full understanding of the sin and the consequences of our action, and have the hand of God discipline us in time in life even to the point of physical death.

We are saved by grace, but grace does not mean that we can do anything we want (Hebrews 10:22-25). So be careful of the Danger of Despising Christ. Don’t commit the willful sin of trampling under foot the Son of God. Keep on, Pressing on! “Persevere!”