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Sermons

The New and Living Faith - Hebrews 10:22-25

Ed Rangel
11/17/19 - Sun AM

Series: Faith

The New and Living Faith

Hebrews 10:22-25

 

Introduction:

 

    1. The Hebrew writer addresses an important issue of faith and makes the argument that the O. T. system could only offer ritualistic purification of the flesh, but that the new and living way offered purification of the heart.  So, since this is so, then why would anyone want to go back to the Mosaic way of purification with the blood of bulls and goats?  (Hebrews 10:19-21)
    2. In Hebrews 10:22-25 we are told a most wonderful thing:
      1. We can really know God through Christ (2 Corinthians 3:7-17; cf., Exodus 34:35).
      2. We can commune and fellowship with God through Jesus (Genesis 3:17; Revelation 22).
      3. God’s presence and power can conquer all the enemies of life, including death (1 Corinthians 15:26).
    3. How can we lay hold of such a new and living faith-lay hold of the living God in our lives?  Hebrews 10:22-25 tells us exactly how:
      1. Let us draw near God (Hebrews 10:22)
      2. Let us hold fast our profession of faith (Hebrews 10:23)
      3. Let us stir up one another to love and do good works (Hebrews 10:24)
      4. Let us not forsake the worshipping together (Hebrews 10:25)

 

  1. Let us draw near to God - access, heart, and conscience - (Hebrews 10:22)
    1. First duty is to draw near to God.  (Access)
      1. Christ is the way we come near to God (Hebrews 10:19-20), through His sacrifice-His death (Hebrews 9:12; John 14:6)
      2. We approach God through Christ, but the Hebrew writer addresses the HOW (attitude) we are to draw near to God.
    2. “…with sincere heart…” - Matthew 5:8; John 4:24
      1. sincere- true, genuine, honest, meaningful, without hypocrisy.  A true heart involves: appreciation, joy, and enthusiasm for being in the presence of God.
      2. Too many of us are too busy to draw near to God.  We forget the wonderful things Jesus has done for us - opened up the door to heaven through His flesh.
      3. We must continually draw near to God, continually acknowledge that we depend on God (Psalm 25:5)
    3. “…full assurance of faith…” -(heart)  this means that we have the complete assurance, unqualified faith in Christ, that He is the only and perfect sacrifice to give us access to God.  (Ephesians 2:18; Ephesians 3:12 <“in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in Him.”>)
      1. Many have divided loyalties, do not have full assurance of faith in Christ, that Christ is not sufficient…
        1. because they are good persons and do many good works
        2. because they are faithful in church attendance
        3. because they have been baptized
        4. because they are not really that bad, but in comparison to the rest of the world, they are good
      2. All of these are good traits and we should have them, but nothing we do can give us access to God, except the Christ.  Our faith should be in full assurance in the perfect sacrifice of Christ.
    4. “…having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience…”  We must hav our hearts and bodies perfectly washed in the blood of Jesus Christ.  The OT priests had to cleanse themselves before approaching the throne of God.  So must we, but not with ashes of a heifer and the blood of animals, but by the blood of Christ.
      1. John 10:9, “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved…”
      2. Acts 17:27; “that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us;”
      3. James 4:8; “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”
  2. Profession-Confession (Hebrews 10:23) - “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering…”
    1. A person who makes a true confession of our hope in Christ believes:
      1. that Jesus is the Savior from sin and death
      2. that Jesus is the perfect sacrifice for his sins
      3. that the blood of Jesus covers and forgives our sins giving us access to God.
    2. Once we become Christians and profess our faith then…
      1. We will not listen to outside influences that will pull us away from our profession.
      2. We will not waver in the faithful assurance that Christ died for us.
      3. We will not doubt in the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15).
      4. We will not allow our sufferings and circumstances in life to shake our faith in Christ.
    3. “…because He who promised is faithful.”
      1. 1 Corinthians 15:58, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.”
      2. Galatians 5:1, “It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.”
      3. 1 Thessalonians 5:21; Hebrews 3:6; Hebrews 4:14-16; Hebrews 10:23;  James 1:12; 1 Peter 1:13; 1 Peter 5:8-9; 2 Peter 3:17; Revelation 3:3)
    4. Our duty to each other - love -ministering - service
      1. “consider=give attention to, give continuous care; to watch over…What an exhortation to believers!”
        1. Give attention to one another.
        2. Fix your attention upon one another.
        3. Give continuous care to one another.
        4. Watch over one another.
      2. How different the Lord’s churches would be if all members gave careful attention to one another.  This means:
        1. that we are considerate to one another
        2. that we show concern for one another
        3. that we meet one another’s needs
        4. that we strengthen one another’s weaknesses
        5. that we help one another through every trial and temptation
      3. How different the Lord’s churches would be if we love one another in word and in deed (1 John 3:18)…
        1. we would clothe and feed the naked and hungry of the church
        2. we would make it a priority to visit the sick and shut-ins
        3. we would make it a point to relieve the needs of the widows and orphans
        4. we would become friends of the lonely and abandoned
      4. Remember that this is an exhortation to give attention to one another to not let up, that no one is slacking up-to stir one another to love and good works.
        1. John 13:34-35, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.  By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
        2. Matthew 5:16; John 15:12; Romans 12:9; Romans 13:9-10; 1 Thessalonians 3:12; 1 Timothy 6:18; Titus 2:7; Hebrews 10:24; James 2:17-18; 1 Peter 1:22; 1 Peter 2:12
  3. Church attendance and worship: “not 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.”  Hebrews 10:25
    1. We are to assemble together and never forsake our assembling together, not even for a brief time.  We are to assemble together…
      1. for worship
      2. for prayer
      3. for the study of God’s Word
      4. for the ministry and the teaching God’s Word
    2. True believers need each other, we need each others’ presence, love, passion, words of encouragement and prayers.
    3. Even then some had already forsaken the church assembly, as is true in every generation.  The church has always had issues with faithful attendance, but we should consider this:
      1. I am to attend faithfully because I am convinced of Jesus’ sacrifice to cleanse me of my sins and, to encourage others to be faithful to God, especially as we see the judgment coming.
      2. Faithful attendance is s sign of gratitude and dedication to the Lord and to the family of God!
        1. Ana the prophetess: Luke 2:36-37“And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years and had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers.
        2. Jesus’ custom was to be at the temple (Luke 4:16)
        3. The church at Jerusalem made sure all Christians were encouraged by meeting together on a faithful and regular basis (Acts 2:46)
        4. Luke 4:16; Luke 24:52-53; John 4:24; Acts 3:1; Acts 13:14; Deuteronomy 12:5; Psalm 23:6; Psalm 26:8; Psalm 27:4; Psalm 65:4; Psalm 84, 2-4; Psalm 84:10; Psalm 122:1

Conclusion:

    1. The true believers of Christ will make sure of their faith by considering the access to God we enjoy because of the Son of God.  Jesus is the one and true sacrifice that gives us salvation and a secure and sure hope of heaven.
    2. In the Kingdom of God, we are to love each other enough to encourage each other to love and good works.  We accomplish this by our faithful attendance and faithful assembling of ourselves with our family.

Bibliography

 

Girdwood, J., & Verkruyse, P. (1997). Hebrews. Joplin, MO: College Press.

King, D. H. (2008). The book of Hebrews. Bowling Green, KY: Guardian of Truth Foundation.

REESE, G. A. R. E. T. H. L. (2018). Hebrews: a critical & exegetical commentary. Place of publication not identified: SCRIPTURE EXPOSITION Book.

Leadership Ministries Worldwide. (1991). The Preachers outline & sermon Bible: New Testament, King James Version (Vol. 11). Chattanooga, TN.

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