Hebrews: Fate or Hebrews: Fate or

Freedom?Freedom?

John Oakes, John Oakes, June, 2008June, 2008

Outline:

I. Overview of Hebrews

II. The history and the doctrine of predestination.

III. Hebrews and the preservation of the saints

IV. How to stay faithful and to grow in Christ to

the very end.

IntroductionIntroduction

• Audience: Christians in general, but Audience: Christians in general, but especially those who are of Jewish especially those who are of Jewish descentdescent

• Second generation disciples who are Second generation disciples who are tempted to lose heart in light of coming tempted to lose heart in light of coming persecutions.persecutions.– Remember those earlier days… Hebrews 10:32Remember those earlier days… Hebrews 10:32

• Date of writing: AD 60-70, probably Date of writing: AD 60-70, probably closer to AD 70.closer to AD 70.

Roman Emperor Nero

AD 54-68

Christian Persecutions AD 64

Roman Emperor Titus AD 79-81

Destroyed Jerusalem AD 70

By calling this covenant “new,” he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear. Hebrews 8:13

• Purpose: To give heart to Christians who Purpose: To give heart to Christians who have endured but are being tempted to have endured but are being tempted to waver in their faith.waver in their faith.– Warnings against “falling away.”Warnings against “falling away.”

• Theme: The preeminence of Jesus Theme: The preeminence of Jesus Christ!!!Christ!!!– His deityHis deity– The greatness of his ministryThe greatness of his ministry– The greatness of his sacrificeThe greatness of his sacrifice– The greatness of his covenantThe greatness of his covenant

The Greatness of JesusThe Greatness of Jesus

I Jesus is greater than all the prophets Heb 1:1-3I Jesus is greater than all the prophets Heb 1:1-3

II Jesus is greater than the angels Heb 1:4-14II Jesus is greater than the angels Heb 1:4-14

III Jesus is greater than Moses Heb 3:1-6III Jesus is greater than Moses Heb 3:1-6

IV Jesus the great High Priest Heb 4:14-5:10IV Jesus the great High Priest Heb 4:14-5:10

V The Priesthood of Melchizedek is superior to the V The Priesthood of Melchizedek is superior to the Priesthood of Aaron Heb 7:1-3, 7:11-28Priesthood of Aaron Heb 7:1-3, 7:11-28

VI Jesus is greater than Abraham Heb 7:4-10VI Jesus is greater than Abraham Heb 7:4-10

VII The New Covenant (in and through Jesus) is VII The New Covenant (in and through Jesus) is superior to the Old Covenant (through Moses) superior to the Old Covenant (through Moses) Heb 8:1-13Heb 8:1-13

VIII The heavenly Tabernacle is greater than the VIII The heavenly Tabernacle is greater than the earthly Tabernacle. Heb 9:1-10earthly Tabernacle. Heb 9:1-10

IX The sacrifice of Jesus is of far greater worth IX The sacrifice of Jesus is of far greater worth than the OT sacrifices Heb 9:11-10:18than the OT sacrifices Heb 9:11-10:18

Exhortations in HebrewsExhortations in Hebrews

• Exhortation #1 Pay attention Heb 2:1-18Exhortation #1 Pay attention Heb 2:1-18

• Exhortation #2 Do not turn back. Persevere Heb Exhortation #2 Do not turn back. Persevere Heb 3:6-4:133:6-4:13

• Exhortation #3 Grow up. Become mature Heb Exhortation #3 Grow up. Become mature Heb 5:11-6:205:11-6:20

• Exhortation #4 Summary exhortation. Living by Exhortation #4 Summary exhortation. Living by faith. Not making this world our home. Hebrews faith. Not making this world our home. Hebrews 10:19-12:2910:19-12:29

Question:

Do you believe in Predestination?

History of the Doctrine of History of the Doctrine of PredestinationPredestination

• Augustine of Hippo AD 354-430 “The City of Augustine of Hippo AD 354-430 “The City of God”God”

• Martin Luther (1483-1546): an Augustinian Martin Luther (1483-1546): an Augustinian monk.monk.

• Ulrich Zwingli (1484-1531) Reformed Ulrich Zwingli (1484-1531) Reformed Churches.Churches.

• John Calvin (1509-1564) “Institutes of the John Calvin (1509-1564) “Institutes of the Christian Religion”Christian Religion”

• A profound belief in the sovereignty of GodA profound belief in the sovereignty of God• Double Predestination and TULIPDouble Predestination and TULIP

TULIPTULIP

• TTotal depravityotal depravity• UUnconditional electionnconditional election• LLimited atonementimited atonement• IIrresistable gracerresistable grace• PPerseverence of the saint (once erseverence of the saint (once

saved, always saved)saved, always saved)

• Q: Scriptures which appear to Q: Scriptures which appear to support the doctrine of support the doctrine of predestination?predestination?

• Is a believer in this false doctrine Is a believer in this false doctrine lost?lost?

• Q: Scriptures which prove free will Q: Scriptures which prove free will and refute predestination? and refute predestination?

Hebrews and Falling AwayHebrews and Falling Away

• They shall never enter my rest 3:11, 4:5They shall never enter my rest 3:11, 4:5• We have come to share in Christ We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly to if we hold firmly to

the end the confidence we had at first. the end the confidence we had at first. 3:143:14• They were not able to enter because of their unbelief They were not able to enter because of their unbelief

3:193:19• Be careful not to be found to have fallen short of it. 4:1Be careful not to be found to have fallen short of it. 4:1• Some… did not go in because of their obedience 4:6Some… did not go in because of their obedience 4:6• Let us make every effort to enter that rest Let us make every effort to enter that rest so that no so that no

one will fall by followingone will fall by following their example of their example of disobedience 4:11disobedience 4:11

• Do you get the point?Do you get the point?

 

Historical type/antitype in the Exodus

OLD TESTAMENT TYPE

NEW TESTAMENT ANTITYPE

SLAVERY IN EGYPT

LOST, SLAVE TO SIN

WANDERING IN THE WILDERNESS

SAVED, BUT LIVING THE LIFE OF A DISCIPLE

ENTERING THE PROMISED LAND

ENTERING HEAVEN

 

Hebrews 6:4-6 Who is he talking Hebrews 6:4-6 Who is he talking to?to?

• a. been enlightened (NT church a. been enlightened (NT church “enlightened” = baptized)“enlightened” = baptized)

• b. tasted the heavenly gift (salvation?)b. tasted the heavenly gift (salvation?)• c. shared in the Holy Spiritc. shared in the Holy Spirit• d. tasted the goodness of the wordd. tasted the goodness of the word• e. tasted the coming age (saved)e. tasted the coming age (saved)

• Yes, you can fall away! Conclusion: You had Yes, you can fall away! Conclusion: You had better move on toward maturity in Christ.better move on toward maturity in Christ.

Hebrews 6:4-8Hebrews 6:4-8

• It is It is impossibleimpossible… if they fall away, to be brought … if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance.back to repentance.

• They are crucifying the Son of God all over again.They are crucifying the Son of God all over again.

• Land that produces thorns… will be burned.Land that produces thorns… will be burned.

Falling Away Hebrews 10:26-31Falling Away Hebrews 10:26-31• Crucifying the Son of God all over again.Crucifying the Son of God all over again.• Subjecting Jesus to public disgraceSubjecting Jesus to public disgrace• Trampling the Son of God under foot. (Heb 10:29)Trampling the Son of God under foot. (Heb 10:29)• Insulted the Holy Spirit (Heb 10:29)Insulted the Holy Spirit (Heb 10:29)• Blasphemed (spoken against) the Holy Spirit (Matt Blasphemed (spoken against) the Holy Spirit (Matt

12:32)12:32)• Committed the unforgivable sin (1 John 5:16 )Committed the unforgivable sin (1 John 5:16 )

• What is the “unforgivable sin?” To willfully, What is the “unforgivable sin?” To willfully, deliberately continue in sin. (Hebrews 10:26)deliberately continue in sin. (Hebrews 10:26)

• Also; Hebrews 12:14-17, 12:25 you will not Also; Hebrews 12:14-17, 12:25 you will not escape… if you turn away…escape… if you turn away…

God’s Assurance: Hebrews 6:9-20

Two unchangeable things:

God’s Word

God’s Oath (Genesis 22:16-18)

Jesus, your anchor, is behind the veil with the Father

God’s Assurance: Hebrews 10:19-23

We have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place

Let us draw near to God… in full assurance of faith.

For he who promised is faithful.

Hebrews 10:35-36 Do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded…. You will receive what he has promised.

Practicals: How can we be assured Practicals: How can we be assured of making it into that Sabbath rest of making it into that Sabbath rest

with God?with God?

2:1-18 Exhortation #1 Pay 2:1-18 Exhortation #1 Pay careful attention!careful attention!

• ““pay attention” = pay attention” = prosechein prosechein = to fix, moor = to fix, moor a ship.a ship.

• ““drift away” = drift away” = pararrein pararrein = to slip away, as = to slip away, as with the tides, by careless inattention.with the tides, by careless inattention.

• violation = violation = parabasis = parabasis = outright rebellionoutright rebellion• disobedience = disobedience = parakoe = parakoe = careless hearing careless hearing

or unwillingness to hearor unwillingness to hear

• LISTEN UP!!!LISTEN UP!!!

Exhortation #2Exhortation #2

• Do not harden your hearts. (Hebrews 3:8)Do not harden your hearts. (Hebrews 3:8)• Do not turn away. (Hebrews 3:12)Do not turn away. (Hebrews 3:12)• Do not let your bodies fall in the desert. Do not let your bodies fall in the desert.

(Hebrews 3:17)(Hebrews 3:17)• Do not fall short. (Hebrews 4:1)Do not fall short. (Hebrews 4:1)

• Make every effort to enterMake every effort to enter (do not rest). (do not rest). (Hebrews 4:11)(Hebrews 4:11)– Don’t fall asleep at the switch. It takes work and Don’t fall asleep at the switch. It takes work and

attention.attention.

Exhortation #3Exhortation #3

• Grow up!Grow up!

• Move on to maturity.Move on to maturity.• Mature in life and docrine (1 Timothy 4:16)Mature in life and docrine (1 Timothy 4:16)

• Do not be Do not be nothros nothros (slow-moving in mind, torpid, (slow-moving in mind, torpid,

witlessly forgetful, dull of hearing)witlessly forgetful, dull of hearing) • Are you on a diet of milk?Are you on a diet of milk?• Read a book of theology, Read a commentary, Read a book of theology, Read a commentary,

Take a classTake a class• Let your Bible study time and your life with God Let your Bible study time and your life with God

be an adventure…. Part of a never ending story.be an adventure…. Part of a never ending story.

Exhortation #4: Salad time!Exhortation #4: Salad time!

• 10:22 10:22 Let usLet us draw near [to God] draw near [to God]• 10:23 10:23 Let usLet us hold to our confession of hold to our confession of

hope without waveringhope without wavering• 10:24 10:24 Let usLet us be concerned about one be concerned about one

another and encourage one another another and encourage one another toward love and good deedstoward love and good deeds

• 10:25 10:25 Let usLet us not stop meeting not stop meeting together.together.

• 10:25 10:25 Let usLet us encourage one another. encourage one another.

Hebrews 11 Heroes of the FaithHebrews 11 Heroes of the FaithThe key to perseverence is faithThe key to perseverence is faith

• Hebrews 11:1, 11:6 Definition of Hebrews 11:1, 11:6 Definition of faithfaith

• Heb 11:1 Faith is being certain of Heb 11:1 Faith is being certain of what we do not see.what we do not see.

It requires that we deny our senses.It requires that we deny our senses.

Why were these men and women Why were these men and women commended by God?commended by God?

• They refused what the world calls greatness and They refused what the world calls greatness and

staked everything on God.staked everything on God. • They chose what is unseen rather than what is They chose what is unseen rather than what is

seen.seen.

Lesson: In many ways, our worst enemy is success Lesson: In many ways, our worst enemy is success and prosperity. What the world seeks is what and prosperity. What the world seeks is what will destroy everything that is important.will destroy everything that is important.

Example: Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego Example: Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego Daniel chapter 3Daniel chapter 3

Those of whom the world was not Those of whom the world was not worthyworthy

• Hebrews 11:13 Hebrews 11:13 Still Still living by faithliving by faith (not by sight) (not by sight) when they died.when they died.

• xenoixenoi foriegners, aliens, strangers, refugees in this foriegners, aliens, strangers, refugees in this world.world.

• parepidemosparepidemos sojourners, temporary residents, green sojourners, temporary residents, green card holders, people who do not put down roots.card holders, people who do not put down roots.

• Lived by faith despite never seeing the promise Lived by faith despite never seeing the promise fulfilled.fulfilled.

• Therefore, God is not ashamed to call them his.Therefore, God is not ashamed to call them his.

Hebrews Ch. 12 If They Can DoHebrews Ch. 12 If They Can Do It, So It, So Can WeCan We

• Throw off whatever hinders you in the race.Throw off whatever hinders you in the race.– What are you unwilling to throw off?What are you unwilling to throw off?

• Keep your eyes on the goal: in heaven with Jesus.Keep your eyes on the goal: in heaven with Jesus.

• Look at Jesus (and the cloud of faithful witnesses Look at Jesus (and the cloud of faithful witnesses in ch. 11)in ch. 11)– The pioneer, trail blazer, The pioneer, trail blazer, archegos.archegos.– The perfector, completer, race-finisher, The perfector, completer, race-finisher,

teleios.teleios.

• Accept hardship as discipline from a loving Accept hardship as discipline from a loving father/God.father/God.

Attitudes Toward Discipline are Attitudes Toward Discipline are ImportantImportant

• Accept it with resignation.Accept it with resignation.• Accept it and get it over with as soon as Accept it and get it over with as soon as

possible.possible.• Accept it with a “woe is me” attitude.Accept it with a “woe is me” attitude.• Accept it but think of it as punishment.Accept it but think of it as punishment.• Accept it as it is; discipline given Accept it as it is; discipline given

reluctantly by a loving Father who cares reluctantly by a loving Father who cares about you.about you.

SummarySummary• Predestination, understood correctly, is biblical, but Predestination, understood correctly, is biblical, but

so is free will.so is free will.

• One thing for sure: Hebrews warns against “falling One thing for sure: Hebrews warns against “falling away.” The purpose of the book is to prevent this away.” The purpose of the book is to prevent this happening!happening!

• In order to prove faithful to the end and to make it In order to prove faithful to the end and to make it to heaven two things are required:to heaven two things are required:– Know and understand how unimaginable fantastic Jesus is.Know and understand how unimaginable fantastic Jesus is.– Mature in your faith, with the emphasis being on your faith.Mature in your faith, with the emphasis being on your faith.

• Listen to God!Listen to God!• Grow up!Grow up!• Believe in things unseenBelieve in things unseen