The Joy in Responsibility

(An In-Depth Study of Hebrews)

Commentary

Full Assurance of Hope (Part 2)

Hebrews 6:13-18 

Outline 

Let’s set the scene:

Once again we find our text founded on the Old Testament. Our author knows it’s common ground on which we can agree God is faithful. We have a history with God!

Genesis 22: Abraham offers Isaac (A Case Study)

Abraham’s faith is put to the test and found genuine.

God promises Abraham (Genesis 12, 13, 15, 17, 18, 21 and 22) and Abraham’s faith grows

God waits for worldly hope to die (Sarah is childless and too old) and Abraham’s faith grows

God sends the promise and Abraham’s faith grows

God places the promise at risk to show His keeping power and Abraham’s faith grows

Conclusion: It is through faith and patience that we inherit the promises. (Vs 12)

The main idea of the text: God has a desire for you; through strong encouragement you hold fast to hope that endures to the end! (Verse 18)

You are described two ways in the text:

Heirs of the promise (Verse 17) – future glory

We who have fled for refuge (Verse 18) – present day holding fast

To you God offers two unchangeable things:

A Promise – to bless

With an oath – to keep (God cannot lie)

The aim of verses 12 and 13 is the same found in this week’s text. God wants you to have the full assurance of hope. God never wants your hope to be weak or flapping in the wind based on circumstances. If you become sluggish or dull you can start to think that God’s promises and the hope that He offers aren’t as real as the hope offered by the world. That’s the danger that this book warns against over and over. Drifting in the Christian life is dangerous. You must fight to keep your hope in God strong, compelling, and alluring.

LIFE APPLICATION:

The world calls us to DUTY.

Life for the sake of duty can only exhaust you; and in the end sees you fall away.

God calls us to HOPE.

Life for the sake of hope stirs passion and joy; and in the end sees you grow stronger and finish well.