THE HEBREWS SERIES

HEAVEN, A BETTER COUNTRY–HEBREWS 11:8-16

Art Davison THE HEBREWS SERIES 0 Comment
HEAVEN, A BETTER COUNTRY
HEBREWS 11:8-16

Introduction:

Heaven is God’s dwelling place for Moses as said in Deuteronomy 26:15, “Look down from thy holy habitation, from heaven, and bless thy people Israel, and the land which thou hast given us, as thou swarest unto our fathers, a land that floweth with milk and honey.”

It is a place referred to as “Glory,” Psalm 73:24, “Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.”

It is a better country than what we have now, however, we can’t even imagine how much better, 1 Corinthians 2:9, “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”

I. THAT COUNTRY IS NOT FULLY REVEALED, BUT “BETTER”

A. It is a country more exalted than earthly things, 1 Kings 22:19, “And he said, Hear thou therefore the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left.”

B. It is more holy than anything we now know, Revelation 21:27, “And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”

1. The unrighteous will not inherit that kingdom, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10-Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.”

2. Peace and holiness will be the norm there, Hebrews 12:14, “Follow peace with all men , and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:”

C. It is a country where the nations are healed, Revelation 22:2, “In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.”

D. It is a happier country, Revelation 21:4, “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”

1. No bitterness, Ephesians 4:31, “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:”

2. No bereavement because of death, 1 Corinthians 15:26, 54-57, “The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death, 54- So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55- O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56- The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57- But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

E. Heaven Abides and its rewards never fade, 1 Peter 1:4, “To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you.”

II. BELIEVERS DESIRE TO SERVE GOD IN THAT COUNTRY

A. They have secured title to it, Galatians 3:26, “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.”

1. They received Christ as Savior, John 1:12-13, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13- Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

2. They are now the sons of God, Philippians 2:15, “That ye may be blameless and harmless , the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;”

B. They are heirs of God, Romans 8:17, “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”

1. To be with Jesus, John 17:24, “Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.”

2. We will be joint heirs with Jesus, Revelation 21:7, “He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.”

C. They labor and wait patiently for glory, 1 Thessalonians 1:10, “And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.”

1. They wait for the coming of Christ, Colossians 3:4, “When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.”

2. They maintain their testimony for the Lord, Jude 21, “Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life”

D. They speak of that hope, and live it, Psalm 146:2, “While I live I will praise the Lord: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being.”

1. Their hope is continual in the Lord, Psalm 71:14, 15, “But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more.”

2. They testify of the righteousness in God, Psalm 71:15, “My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers thereof.”

Conclusion

Heaven is a better country and God’s people wait patiently for the day when we will see Jesus coming for His people. The Apostle John wrote in 1 John 2:28, “And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.”

HE WHO BUILT THE HOUSE–HEBREWS 3:1-6

Art Davison THE HEBREWS SERIES 0 Comment
HE WHO BUILT THE HOUSE
HEBREWS 3:1-6
Introduction:

The Apostle Paul gives his second warning to hear the Lord. Here He makes a comparison between Moses and Christ. Moses was a great man among the Jews, however, Moses warned them about unfaithfulness. He mentions another “prophet” that would come.

Paul points out that Christ is the builder of the house and therefore, worthy of more honor than Moses who was only a servant in the house. Therefore, Jesus should be heard and obeyed.

I. THE SERVANT

A. The Chief of the Prophets.

1. Moses is faithful in all of God’s house, Numbers 12:7, “My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house.”

2. God spoke with Moses “mouth to mouth,” Numbers 12:8, “With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?”

3. Moses even saw the “similitude of the LORD.” Numbers 12:8, “With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?”

B. In the NT he is “the representative of the law.”

1. “The Law” is the first five (5) books of the Bible, the Pentateuch.

2. That is the Law of Moses, written by him under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

C. Moses is a type of Christ, John 1:45, “Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”

D. Moses is the only character in the Old Testament to whom Christ likens himself, Deuteronomy 18:15, 18, 19, “The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken.” Acts 7:37, “This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear.”

II. THE SON

A. This title occurs thirty-seven times in the New Testament.

1. The sonship of Christ denotes his equality with the Father, John 10:30, “I and my Father are one.” 1 John 5:7, “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.”

2. To call Christ the Son of God is to assert His true and proper divinity, John 8:58, “Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.”

3. He is the Son of God as to his divine nature, while as to his human nature he is the Son of David, Romans 1:3-4, “Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh. 4And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.”

a. Jesus was born of the virgin Mary who was in the royal line of King David.

b. Jesus’ Father is the God of Heaven; therefore He is the Son of God.

4. Christ was the Son of God before his incarnation, Galatians 4:4, “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law.”

B. Christ is the maker of the house.

1. Moses was but a member in the house as a servant, Hebrews 3:5, “And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after.”

2. Moses was a minister in the house.

a. He was instrumental under Christ in governing the house.

b. He was instrumental under Christ in edifying the house, John 5:46, “For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.”

C. Christ was the master of this house, as well as the maker.

1. Christ is the maker of all things, Hebrews 3:4, “For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God.”

2. Christ, as the Son, was over His own house, Hebrews 3:6, “But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.”

CONCLUSION

While Moses is help in high esteem, Christ is worthy of more glory in that He is the builder of the house. He is the Son of God.

Moses dealt with the symbols and types; however, the real thing has come to pass. Jesus is the promised Messiah and great High Priest of our profession.

HE ENDURED SUCH CONTRADICTION OF SINNERS AGAINST HIMSELF—HEBREWS 12:1-4

Art Davison THE HEBREWS SERIES 0 Comment
HE ENDURED SUCH CONTRADICTION OF SINNERS AGAINST HIMSELF
HEBREWS 12:1-4

Key verse: v. 3, “For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.”

Introduction:

When you become faint and discouraged by persecution and difficulties, CONSIDER what Christ SUFFERED from sinners.

UNDERSTANDING THE LORD JESUS is the KEY to the our whole problem.

Understand Jesus is the CURE for our doubt and hesitation.

CONSIDER Jesus by way of comparison with yourselves. We need to ATTENTIVELY REFLECT ON HIS EXAMPLE, that we may be ABLE to bear up to our trials in a manner pleasing to the Father.

I. CONSIDER HOW SINNERS SPOKE AGAINST HIS PERSON

A. They DENIED his DEITY, Acts 3:13, “The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go.”

1. Isn’t this the CARPENTER? Mark 6:3, “Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.”

2. The Jews REJECTED Him, John 1:11, “He came unto his own, and his own received him not.”

II. CONSIDER HOW SINNERS SPOKE AGAINST HIS OFFICES

A. They spoke against his sonship, Matthew 26:63, “But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God. 64 Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. 65 Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy.”

B. They MOCKED him as a King, Matthew 27:29, “And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!”

C. They DERIDED him as a prophet, John 7:52, “They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet.”

D. They treated him with the utmost CONTEMPT and DISHONOR, John 5:22-23, “For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: 23That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.”

1. As a Priest, Hebrews 5:10, “Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.”

2. As a Savior, Acts 5:30-31, “The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. 31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.”

III. CONSIDER HOW SINNERS SPOKE AGAINST HIS ACTIONS

A. Against His WORKS OF MERCY to the bodies of men, WHEN it was DONE on the SABBATH, John 5:16, “And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day.”

B. Against His EATING and CONVERSING with SINNERS for the good of their souls, AS IF he was an ENCOURAGER of them in SIN, Luke 15:1, “Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.”

C. Against His MIRACLES, as if they were done by the help of the devil, Matthew 12:24, “But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.”

IV. CONSIDER JESUS’ DETERMINATION TO DO THE FATHER’S WILL

A. It was PROPHESIED that Jesus came to do the God’s will, Psalms 40:7-8, “Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, 8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.”

B. Jesus dedicated Himself to do the Father’s will, John 5:30, “I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.”

1. Doing the FATHER’S WILL was FOOD for His soul, John 4:31-34, “In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat. 32 But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of. 33 Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat? 34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.”

2. Doing the Father’s will was the delight of His heart, Psalms 40:8, “I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.”

CONCLUSION

Understanding what the Lord went through to accomplish God’s will and to redeem us from our sins enables us to live how He lived. Without that understanding no Christian will be motivated to endure the difficulties of serving the Lord that died in our place on the Cross.

It can be our joy and it was His, Hebrews 12:2, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set dow at the right hannd of the throne of God.”

HAVING BOLDNESS TO ENTER INTO THE HOLY OF HOLIES–HEBREWS 10:19-31

Art Davison THE HEBREWS SERIES 0 Comment
HAVING BOLDNESS TO ENTER INTO THE HOLY OF HOLIES
HEBREWS 10:19-31
Introduction:
To come boldly unto the throne of grace is the admonition of Hebrews 4:16, Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Boldness = freedom in speaking, without ambiguity or circumlocution (beating around the bush), free and fearless confidence, cheerful courage. Let us examine what the Lord is telling here to see our position in Christ and its benefits.

I. LIBERTY TO ENTER THROUGH CHRIST.

A. To come BOLDLY, Ephesians 3:12, “In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.”
1. We have free access through Christ, Romans 5:2, “By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”
2. We have confidence to enter, Ephesians 3:12, “In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.”
B. To come BOLDLY to obtain mercy, Ephesians 2:4-5, “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)”
1. His mercy is shown through His great love, Psalm 145:8, “The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.”
2. His mercy is demonstrated in that we obtained mercy, 1 Timothy 1:13, “Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.”
C. To come BOLDLY to find grace to help.
1. It was the grace of God that led us to salvation by faith in Christ, Ephesians 2:8, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:”
2. It is by grace that we are justified, Romans 3:24, “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:”
3. We are admonished to grow in grace, 2 Peter 3:18, “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.”
II. LET US DRAW NEAR…

A. With a true heart, Hebrews 10:22, “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.”

B. In full assurance of faith, James 1:6, “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.”
1. Here is where our confidence becomes evident – in prayer before the Lord.
2. Here the confidence of our heart is manifested in our treatment of our brethren, 1 John 3:18, “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. 19-And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.”

III. LET US HOLD FAST OUR PROFESSION.

A. Without wavering, Hebrews 4:14, “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.”

B. Hold fast so as not to lose your reward, Revelation 3:11, “Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.”
1. Faithful service in God’s house, Hebrews 10:25, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”
2. Faithful before a great cloud of witnesses, Hebrews 12:1, “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,”
C. Let us consider one another, Hebrews 10:24, “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:”
1. To PROVOKE (to stimulate, spur on, urge) one another TO LOVE, Hebrews 6:10, “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.”
2. To PROVOKE one another to GOOD WORKS, Titus 3:13, “And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.”

3. Boldness to enter into the very presence of our God and Saviour is ours by faith in Jesus Christ.

4. We have the liberty to enter into the Holy of Holies by the blood of Jesus Christ. Therefore we are admonished to come freely to obtain mercy and grace to help in time of need.

CONCLUSION

GOING ON TO PERFECTION–HEBREWS 5:12–6:1-6

Art Davison THE HEBREWS SERIES 0 Comment
GOING ON TO PERFECTION
HEBREWS 5:12–6:1-6
Introduction:

Paul is talking about maturity in the things of God to these Hebrew Christians. His evaluation of their spiritual condition is that they are still babes in Christ. They are still taking milk when they should be on strong meat. They were not ignorant, but inexperienced. They didn’t lack information, but had not learned to put “the teaching about righteousness” to effective use.

Paul refuses to go back over the elemental doctrines of the Word of God, rather, he encourages them to go on to maturity. In this passage Paul states a hypothetical case in verses 4-6 involving the impossibility of losing ones salvation. This involves going back to Judaism, which some professed believers were teaching.

I. SALVATION INVOLVES THE WILL

A. The will of man, 1 John 5:1, “Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.”

B. The will of God.

1. It is not God’s will that any should perish, 2 Peter 3:9, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

a. God has no pleasure in man’s death, Ezekiel 33:11, “Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?”

b. God wants man saved, 1 Timothy 2:4, “Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”

2. God goodness leads us to repentance, Romans 2:4, “Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?”

II. IT IS THE WORK OF GOD THAT TRANSFORMS MAN

A. From Darkness to Light.

1. Satan has blinded men to keep the light out, 2 Corinthians 4:4, “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”

2. In Christ God is revealed to man, Luke 10:22, “All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.”

B. From Death to Life, John 5:24, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”

1. To trust His message and that of His Father, is to have in this present time eternal life, John 3:36, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”

2. No judgment will come in the future that is, he will not be condemned, John 3:18, “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

3. The believer has already passed from one realm—DEATH—into another—LIFE, Ephesians 2:1, 5, “And you hath he quickened , who were dead in trespasses and sins; 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, ( by grace ye are saved;)”

C. From a Child of the Devil to a SON of God, Romans 8:14, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”

1. Believers have received the Spirit of sonship, Romans 8:15-16, “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:”

2. Believers become heirs with Christ, Romans 8:17, “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him , that we may be also glorified together.”

III. IT IS A COMPLETED REGENERATING WORK

A. He has made PERFECT FOREVER those who are sanctified, Hebrews 10:19-22, “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20- By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21- And having an high priest over the house of God; 22- Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.”

B. He has been made PERFECT BY THE GRACE of God, Ephesians 2:8, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:”

CONCLUSION

It is impossible to fall away from Christ after having trusted Him as Savior. If that were possible, which it is not, there would be no other offering for sin. The believer is to continue on trusting, Hebrews 10:23-25,“Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; ( for he is faithful that promised;) 24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is ; but exhorting one another : and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”