Near to the Heart of GodNear to the Heart of GodA Study of the Book of HebrewsA Study of the Book of Hebrews

Lesson 24Lesson 24Hebrews 10:26 – 39Hebrews 10:26 – 39

Should There Be Second-Class Saints?Should There Be Second-Class Saints?

I.I. IntIntroductionroduction A.A. Clyde Riddell – my high school teacherClyde Riddell – my high school teacherB.B. This is one of the “tough texts” in Hebrews.This is one of the “tough texts” in Hebrews.C.C. The argument of Hebrews 10The argument of Hebrews 10

1.1.Christ’s superior sacrifice (10:1-18)Christ’s superior sacrifice (10:1-18)2.2.Exhortation (10:19-25)Exhortation (10:19-25)3.3.Warning (10:26-31)Warning (10:26-31)4.4.Encouragement and exhortation(10:32-39)Encouragement and exhortation(10:32-39)

D.D. The structure of our text:The structure of our text:1.1.Strong warning (10:26-31)Strong warning (10:26-31)2.2.Words of encouragement (10:32-39)Words of encouragement (10:32-39)

II.II. Words of Warning (10: 26-31)Words of Warning (10: 26-31)A.A. ““For” links vss. 26-31 with vss. 19-25.For” links vss. 26-31 with vss. 19-25.B.B. Note the use of the pronoun “Note the use of the pronoun “wewe” – the author ” – the author

links himself and others with the warning. links himself and others with the warning. C.C. ““Deliberately keep on sinning” (See Numbers Deliberately keep on sinning” (See Numbers

15:27-31)15:27-31)1.1.The sin is willful, deliberate, and persistent.The sin is willful, deliberate, and persistent.2.2.The sin is further clarified in verse 29:The sin is further clarified in verse 29:

a.a. ““Has contempt for the Son of God”Has contempt for the Son of God”b.b. ““Profanes the blood of the covenant”Profanes the blood of the covenant”c.c. ““Insults the Spirit of grace” (see 1 Corinthians 12:3)Insults the Spirit of grace” (see 1 Corinthians 12:3)

D.D. The consequences of this kind of sin.The consequences of this kind of sin.1.1.““Fiery fury on God’s enemies” (v. 27; see Isaiah Fiery fury on God’s enemies” (v. 27; see Isaiah

26:11; 33:14)26:11; 33:14)2.2.Judgment worse than death under the law (vss. Judgment worse than death under the law (vss.

28-28- 29; see Deuteronomy 17:2-7).29; see Deuteronomy 17:2-7).3.3.God’s vengeance and judgment on His people (v. God’s vengeance and judgment on His people (v.

30; 30; see Deut. 32:5, 35-36).see Deut. 32:5, 35-36).4.4.The terror of falling into the hands of the living The terror of falling into the hands of the living

God God (v. 31).(v. 31).

III.III. Words of EncouragementWords of Encouragement (10:32-39) (10:32-39)A.A. Note the change in pronouns from “we” to Note the change in pronouns from “we” to

““youyou.”.”B.B. ““After you were After you were enlightenedenlightened” (See 6:4)” (See 6:4)C.C. The nature of their earlier persecution, The nature of their earlier persecution,

successfully endured (vss. 32-34):successfully endured (vss. 32-34):1.1.Personal abuse – public ridiculePersonal abuse – public ridicule2.2.Sharing in the sufferings of othersSharing in the sufferings of others

a.a. Showing sympathy to prisonersShowing sympathy to prisonersb.b. Having property confiscatedHaving property confiscated

D.D. The basis for their perseverance: assurance that The basis for their perseverance: assurance that true riches awaited them in heaven (compare 1 true riches awaited them in heaven (compare 1 Peter 1:3-9). Peter 1:3-9).

E.E. Exhortations (10:35-39):Exhortations (10:35-39):1.1.Don’t throw away your confidence, which has Don’t throw away your confidence, which has

great great reward (v. 35).reward (v. 35).2.2.You need endurance to do God’s will and receive You need endurance to do God’s will and receive

His His promised blessings (v. 36).promised blessings (v. 36).3.3.It won’t be long before Christ returns to judge His It won’t be long before Christ returns to judge His

enemies and reward His own (v. 37).enemies and reward His own (v. 37).4.4.You must endure by faith, for God is not pleased You must endure by faith, for God is not pleased

with those who shrink back in fear (v. 38).with those who shrink back in fear (v. 38).

F.F. Final word of encouragement: Look whom we Final word of encouragement: Look whom we are among (v. 39).are among (v. 39).

IV.IV. How do I resolve the tensions in the text?How do I resolve the tensions in the text?A.A. There is a tension. I believe those being warned There is a tension. I believe those being warned

are believers, and that the judgment described is are believers, and that the judgment described is mainly eternal judgment that is executed when mainly eternal judgment that is executed when Christ returns.Christ returns.

B.B. The worth of Christ’s work & His work is to be The worth of Christ’s work & His work is to be measured by benefits and consequences.measured by benefits and consequences.

C.C. Believers can learn from God’s dealings with the Believers can learn from God’s dealings with the lost (see Proverbs 19:25).lost (see Proverbs 19:25).

D.D. There are two choices as to how one will There are two choices as to how one will respond to Christ’s sacrifice, and the author respond to Christ’s sacrifice, and the author spells out both, and their consequences. spells out both, and their consequences. Compare Romans 6.Compare Romans 6.

V.V. Conclusion Conclusion A.A. These conclusions are those that nearly all These conclusions are those that nearly all

should agree with, regardless of our differences should agree with, regardless of our differences in the solution to the problems of this text.in the solution to the problems of this text.

B.B. Principles, implications and applications.Principles, implications and applications.1.1. A deeper understanding of the supremacy and A deeper understanding of the supremacy and

sufficiency of Christ is the ground and basis for our sufficiency of Christ is the ground and basis for our faith. (No wonder the author persisted in dealing faith. (No wonder the author persisted in dealing with the deeper, poorly grasped truths of our Lord’s with the deeper, poorly grasped truths of our Lord’s priesthood.)priesthood.)

2.2. Greater knowledge brings greater responsibility Greater knowledge brings greater responsibility (see Luke 12:45-48).(see Luke 12:45-48).

3.3. Suffering is no excuse for silence. Our identification Suffering is no excuse for silence. Our identification with Christ and His church must be public – no with Christ and His church must be public – no secret believers.secret believers.

4.4. Our identification with Christ includes and Our identification with Christ includes and necessitates identification with His church, necessitates identification with His church, specifically with suffering saints.specifically with suffering saints.

5.5. If you are not drawing near you are drifting (and If you are not drawing near you are drifting (and drifting is dangerous).drifting is dangerous).

6.6. Carnal Christianity is not acceptable.Carnal Christianity is not acceptable.7.7. Moving forward in our faith sometimes require us Moving forward in our faith sometimes require us

to look back.to look back.8.8. The greatness of Christ’s saving work must not be The greatness of Christ’s saving work must not be

viewed as a pretext for sin (see Romans 6 as well).viewed as a pretext for sin (see Romans 6 as well).9.9. The Christian life is not a solo – once again the body The Christian life is not a solo – once again the body

of Christ is emphasized.of Christ is emphasized.

Copyright © 2009 by Robert L. Deffinbaugh. This is the edited PowerPointCopyright © 2009 by Robert L. Deffinbaugh. This is the edited PowerPointpresentation of Lesson 24 in the series, presentation of Lesson 24 in the series, Near to the Heart of God, A Study ofNear to the Heart of God, A Study ofthe Book of Hebrews the Book of Hebrews prepared by Robert L. Deffinbaugh for January 25, 2009.prepared by Robert L. Deffinbaugh for January 25, 2009.Anyone is at liberty to use this lesson for educational purposes only, with orAnyone is at liberty to use this lesson for educational purposes only, with orwithout credit.without credit.