REVIEW
I’ve met so many believers who live in fear of their salvation.
They are living from one Social Media post to the next for their sound mind.
We brought clarity last week to a common tool of fear.
Hebrews 6:4, 6 NKJV Paraphrased
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, 6 if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance…
This is not about the BELIEVER.
BETTER THINGS!
Hebrews 6:9 NKJV
9 BUT, beloved, we are confident of BETTER THINGS concerning YOU, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner.
TRANSITION
This morning let’s shine the light of Jesus on another place that fear likes to hide.
SIN WILLFULLY
These verses have been used to instill fear into the hearts of believers for quite some time.
Hebrews 10:26-27 NKJV
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.
OUCH! Seems like we’re pinned in on this one!
If you don’t understand what SIN WILLFULLY is here, you’ll find yourself under a tremendous amount of pressure!
First of all, ALL SIN in the traditional sense is willful!
• You didn’t accidentally LIE.
• You didn’t accidentally STEAL.
• You didn’t accidentally LUST.
What is this “Willful Sin”?
SIN OF UNBELIEF
Hebrews 3:16-19 NKJV
16 For who, having heard, rebelled? Indeed, was it not all who came out of Egypt, led by Moses? 17 Now with whom was He angry forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose corpses fell in the wilderness? 18 And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey (sinned)?
What is this SIN of the Hebrews?
19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.
SIN = Unbelief in the Promise of God
Back to Hebrews 10:26 NKJV
26 For if we (universal “we”) sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,
We’ve heard all about what Jesus did for you. If we willingly choose to reject His sacrifice, there is no other sacrifice that will do. Going back to the temple to offer animals will do us no good. —BBT
FIERY INDIGNATION
Hebrews 10:27 NKJV
27 (what does remain is) a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation (raging fire) which will devour the adversaries.
Who is BURNED? Adversaries.
• God does not burn His children!
• God does not cast His children into Outer Darkness!
3 Parables from Matthew 25
I. Wise and Foolish Virgins
Matthew 25:11-12 NKJV
11 “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ 12 But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’
• Say, “That’s Not Me!”
POINT
What are you doing with the Gospel?
II. Parable of the Talents
Matthew 25:30 NKJV
And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
• Say, “That’s Not Me!”
III. Sheep and Goats
Matthew 25:46 NKJV
And these (goats) will go away into everlasting punishment…
• Say, “That’s Not Me!”
…but the righteous into eternal life.”
GOD’S PLEASURE
Back to Hebrews 10:35-37 NKJV
35 Therefore (believers) do not cast away your confidence (in what Jesus did), which has great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God (when this life is behind you), you may receive the promise:
37 “For yet a little while,
And He who is coming will come and will not tarry.
NO PLEASURE IN HIM
Hebrews 10:38 NKJV
38 Now the just shall live by faith;
But if anyone draws back,
My soul has no pleasure in him.”
I’ve heard preachers apply this to how God feels about His kids.
“I mean, after all, the Bible does say that God isn’t always pleased with us.”
IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE GOD
Hebrews 11:6a NKJV
But without faith it is impossible to please Him,
If you don’t have faith, God is not happy. —Common Misquote of Hebrews 11:6
PLEASE (Greek)
• To be well-pleasing
• Acceptable
Hebrews 11:6a NKJV rephrased
Without faith it is impossible to be well-pleasing to God.
Remember, God’s standard is perfect.
Hebrews 11:6b NKJV
for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
THIS IS NOT A CONDEMNING VERSE.
Jesus accomplished everything needed to fulfill God’s requirements for perfect Righteousness. Without Jesus, it is impossible to meet that standard. Come to God believing that Jesus is your reward! —BBT
So, WHO IS GOD WELL-PLEASED IN?
MY BELOVED
Matthew 3:17 NKJV
17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Ephesians 1:6 NKJV
He made us accepted (Charis - favored) in the Beloved.
You, child of God, are forever acceptable to God!
WE DON’T DRAW BACK
Back to Hebrews 10:38-39 NKJV
38 Now the just shall live by faith;
But if anyone draws back,
My soul has no pleasure in him.
Don’t stop at Verse 38…That’s not YOU!
HERE IS YOU!!!
39 But we are not of those who draw back to PERDITION (Destruction. i.e. Works), but of those who BELIEVE to the saving of the soul.*
Draw Back = Go back to the Law of Moses.
There are no DRAW BACKS to being loved by Jesus!
Romans 11:6 NKJV
And if (salvation comes) by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.
Salvation is either by grace or by works, but not a combination of the two. Guess what? Grace wins! —BBT
CONCLUSION
There are no draw backs as a child of God. You are safe and secure, and have no reason to fear His wrath or disapproval. As you grow in this confidence, that is, grow in faith, you will find greater fulfillment in life than you have previously imagined!