The Joy in Responsibility

(An In-Depth Study of Hebrews)

Commentary

The Faith of Abel and Enoch

Hebrews 11:4-6 

Outline 

Through example, we will explore the meaning of verse 6; “without faith it is impossible to please God.” We will answer the question, “What is it to please God?” We begin to see the role of faith in the life of every believer. We are saved by faith… we are justified, sanctified, and glorified by and through faith. If God is pleased, it is our faith at work. No wonder faith is a gift from God.

Example One: Abel’s sacrifice

            Abel’s sacrifice was accepted and commended by God through faith:

• God and Abel communed by faith
• His life of faith still speaks 

What verse 4 says about Abel:

• Life that testifies of faith
• Righteous before God

Verse 4 points to Abel’s faith not the physical sacrifice offered. It is common to think that Abel’s sacrifice pleased God only because it was a blood sacrifice. Remember though, God required a blood sacrifice years later of the Levitical priesthood under the Law. The focus of our author is faith!

Example Two: Enoch’s translation

God allowed Enoch passage from the earthly to the heavenly realm by faith:

• God and Enoch communed by faith
• His life of faith still speaks

What verse 5 says about Enoch:

• Life that was rewarded
• Life that pleased God 

Genesis states Enoch “walked with God”. Our author now makes clear that walking with God is a life of faith. Enoch through faith believed God, loved God, and wanted to be with God. This is a heart attitude that pleases God.

Definition of Faith (Vs 6) –

• Believe that God exists
• Believe that God rewards those who draw near (by faith)

LIFE APPLICATION:

Only in faith can our obedience please God.

Our faith reflects who God is.

The better I know God, the deeper my faith becomes.

What is it to please God? Draw near to God. Know your God… like Enoch walk with your God. Your faith will reflect God’s excellence. Your faith will proclaim God’s greatness. God’s rewards will be yours, and this pleases God!

The Joy in Responsibility

(An In-Depth Study of Hebrews)

Commentary

One Life to Live

Hebrews 11:1-3 

Outline 

It is now obvious that the author of Hebrews desires that we all live a life that loves without being discouraged about the cost.

Americans watch the world from a comfortable seat in an amusement park. Comfort and Love are opposites in the mind of our author. Hebrews 10:34 For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. 

Faith (vs 1) 

What is faith?

–          Assurance of things hoped for

–          Conviction of things not seen 

People of Faith (vs 2) 

What does faith look like?

–          Faith has action

–          Faith receives commendation 

Life of Faith (vs 3) 

Do I have faith?

–          Molds my world view

–          Evidence points to God 

Life Application 

Faith only comes from a personal encounter with God

–          Scriptures

–          Prayer

–          Service

Faith is the objective grounds upon which subjective confidence may be based. Such faith springs from a personal encounter with God. This kind of faith enables one to venture into the future “supported only by the word of God.” Such faith “has the capacity to unveil the future so that the solid reality of events as yet unseen can be grasped by the believer.”^[1]

 

 

^[1] David L. Allen, Hebrews, The New American Commentary (Nashville, TN: B & H Publishing Group, 2010), 543.

The Joy in Responsibility

(An In-Depth Study of Hebrews)

Commentary

A Practical Look at Faith

Hebrews 10:32-39 

Outline 

It can be said that faith is the result of believing confidently in future events. Simply stated, it is only possible to faithfully endure suffering today if we believe things will be better in the future. Our text is all about practical aspects of faith.

Our author opens with a recount of days of Christian persecution: (Vs 32-33)

Two ways of suffering is given:

Direct persecution

Choosing to be persecuted with the persecuted

How can a Christian choose to alien with others that are suffering?

The answer is given in verse 34…

Knowing (having faith) that better possessions are in the future

Better and abiding possessions

What is the result of this suffering?

JOY! (Vs 34)

How is joy the result of loss? 

            Only when faith sees the grandest of gains!

We lose stuff, we gain a person and a salvation:

Victorious King (2:15)

Rest in the Kingdom (4:9)

No more enemies (10:13)

Perfect conscience (9:14)

Sin forgotten (8:12)

Draw near to God (7:19, 25)

LIFE APPLICATION:

Faith destroys two key things in our life that cause us to be burdened;

FEAR and GREED

No fear – I no longer consider security, safety, ease and comfort as greatest value in this life.

No greed – I no longer hoard things because I have a great treasure in Christ.

The Joy in Responsibility

(An In-Depth Study of Hebrews)

Commentary

In the Hands of an Angry God

Hebrews 10:26-31 

Outline 

Our text is not the most popular in our Christian culture. We love the Grace and Mercy of our God (as we should) but some find the Wrath and Anger of our God repugnant.

However, Scripture utilizes both aspects of God as motivators:

Blessings / Glory Promised (10:14)

Wrath / Darkness Promised (2:3, 3:11-12, 6:4-6)

God’s Wrath (vs 26-27)

Judgment – Courtroom (Legal)

Fury of Fire – Anger (Emotional)

Consumes adversaries – Physical

God’s Punishment (vs 28-29)

Greater than death

Break the Law – put to death

Trample the Son of God – punishment greater than death

God’s Vengeance (vs30-31)

Terrifying thing

I WILL repay

When is God wrathful?

Vs 26 – When there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins.

Two states of being:

1. Sacrifice for sins
2. Terrifying judgment

For whom is there no longer a sacrifice for sins?

1. Those who are willful in their sin.
2. Those who are adversaries of God.
   • Profane the Blood
   • Outrage the Spirit of Grace

From where did these people come?

They possessed the knowledge of Truth

The people of God (the visible Church)

The sanctified

LIFE APPLICATION:

The best definition of the love of God is… that God made escape from the wrath of God by the sacrifice of the Son of God for sin.

This is the main reason for joy in the Christian life.

The Joy in Responsibility

(An In-Depth Study of Hebrews)

Commentary

Faith that Draws Near

Hebrews 10:19-25 

Outline 

Life is all about relationships:

In one sense, it’s all about getting closer.

First, getting closer to God.

Second, getting closer to each other.

It is all achieved by FAITH!

CLOSENESS:

Let us draw near (vs 22)

Since we have a living way:

Opened by His Body

Paved by His Blood

With a True Heart

A Gift of the New Covenant

CONFIDENCE:

Let us hold fast (vs 23)

Since the Great High Priest is for us:

He is faithful

With a True Heart

In full assurance of Faith

CHARACTER:

Let us stir one another to love and good works (vs 24)

Since the Day draws near

Meet together

Encourage each other

Get excited about the future

LIFE APPLICATION:

How saving faith defeats sin in our lives:

Past – forgotten

Present – overcome

Future – No fear!

Faith = Assurance

The Joy in Responsibility

(An In-Depth Study of Hebrews)

Commentary

Perfected For All Time

Hebrews 10:1-18 

Outline 

Chapter 10 opens with another look at the Old Testament Law vs. New Covenant:

Main Point –

OT Law = Inadequate

(Verse 1-3) God meant for it to be inadequate

(Verse 4) System for handling sin is flawed

(Verse 5-8) Psalm 40 spoken by Messiah

(Verse 10) Transitions to New Covenant with comparison

(Verse 11-13) Standing Priest vs. Enthroned Messiah

New Covenant = Perfect

(Verse 14)       Offering – Christ’s death on the Cross

He – Jesus Christ

Has perfected…those being sanctified

Has perfected:

(Verse 15-18) Christ effectively puts away sin from His people.

1. In God’s courtroom there is no evidence of remembered sin.
2. We have a clean conscience in Christ.
3. We are able to approach God (Most Holy Place) in Christ.
4. We are inheritors of the New Covenant promises.

Those being sanctified:

(Verse 10) The finished work of Christ on the cross has a sanctifying effect on believers.

LIFE APPLICATION:

It all about Jesus, it’s really not about me.

We can only be perfect by faith, not works.