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

Lesson 23Lesson 23Hebrews 10:19 – 25Hebrews 10:19 – 25

Drawing Near to GodDrawing Near to God

I.I. IntroductionIntroductionA.A. Israel and the foundation of the Second Temple Israel and the foundation of the Second Temple

(Ezra 3:8-13; Haggai 2:1-9).(Ezra 3:8-13; Haggai 2:1-9).B.B. The setting of Hebrews -- My assumptions:The setting of Hebrews -- My assumptions:

1.1.Hebrews was written before the fall of Jerusalem Hebrews was written before the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the temple.and the destruction of the temple.

2.2.The Hebrew recipients had already experienced The Hebrew recipients had already experienced persecution (10:32-34).persecution (10:32-34).

3.3.Severe persecution was coming (12:4).Severe persecution was coming (12:4).4.4.Early persecution was at the hand of Jews (e.g. Early persecution was at the hand of Jews (e.g.

Paul, Paul, Acts 18:12ff.; Galatians 6:11-16).Acts 18:12ff.; Galatians 6:11-16).5.5.Eventually, persecution will be of Jews and Eventually, persecution will be of Jews and

Christians by Rome (see Acts 18:2).Christians by Rome (see Acts 18:2).

6.6.Hebrews’ Christians were “double dipping.”Hebrews’ Christians were “double dipping.”7.7.Pressure was being applied to forsake Jesus and Pressure was being applied to forsake Jesus and

return to Judaism (Galatians 6:11-16, esp. v. 12).return to Judaism (Galatians 6:11-16, esp. v. 12).8.8.The glory of the temple and Old Testament system The glory of the temple and Old Testament system

seemed greater than the simplicity of New seemed greater than the simplicity of New Testament worship (Psalm 137).Testament worship (Psalm 137).

a.a. House churchHouse churchb.b. Bread and wineBread and wine

9.9.Attendance and participation in the life of the Attendance and participation in the life of the church was beginning to fall off.church was beginning to fall off.

10.10.The danger was turning back to Judaism and the The danger was turning back to Judaism and the Old Covenant, and rejecting the New Old Covenant, and rejecting the New

Covenant Covenant (Christ).(Christ).

C.C. The argument of Hebrews through chapter 10The argument of Hebrews through chapter 101.1.Jesus, the “ultimate God-man” (chapters 1-2)Jesus, the “ultimate God-man” (chapters 1-2)2.2.Fallen man (chapters 3-4)Fallen man (chapters 3-4)3.3.The need for a MediatorThe need for a Mediator4.4.The better way through JesusThe better way through Jesus

a.a. A new & better priest (order of Melchizedek)A new & better priest (order of Melchizedek)b.b. A new & better covenantA new & better covenantc.c. A new & better place of worshipA new & better place of worshipd.d. A new & better sacrificeA new & better sacrifice

5.5.A “call to action/application” (10:19-25)A “call to action/application” (10:19-25)6.6.A strong word of warning (10:26-31)A strong word of warning (10:26-31)7.7.Words of encouragement (10:32-39)Words of encouragement (10:32-39)

II.II. An OvervieAn Overview of the text (10:19-25)w of the text (10:19-25)A.A. The structure of the passageThe structure of the passage

1.1.““Since” (2X) = the basis (a summary of the author’s Since” (2X) = the basis (a summary of the author’s argument thus far)argument thus far)

2.2.““Let us” (3X) = the application Let us” (3X) = the application

B.B. The essence is exhortation, but not without a strong The essence is exhortation, but not without a strong warning to those who resist (10:26-31).warning to those who resist (10:26-31).

C.C. While there is a “call to action,” this text is God-While there is a “call to action,” this text is God-centered. It is all about God. We are to act because centered. It is all about God. We are to act because of who He is and what He has done.of who He is and what He has done.

D.D. Note the actions urged (with encouragement):Note the actions urged (with encouragement):1.1.Draw near (v. 22)Draw near (v. 22)2.2.Hold fast (v. 23)Hold fast (v. 23)3.3.Encourage others (vss. 24-25) Encourage others (vss. 24-25)

E.E. Note the order of the three exhortations:Note the order of the three exhortations:E.E.Draw nearDraw nearF.F.Hold fastHold fastG.G.Encourage othersEncourage others

F.F. Note the individual and the corporate aspects Note the individual and the corporate aspects of the exhortations.of the exhortations.

G.G. Note the generality of these exhortations – Note the generality of these exhortations – where is the specific application? The first where is the specific application? The first specific application given pertains to our specific application given pertains to our place in the local church.place in the local church.

III.III. Conclusion Conclusion A.A. So what do we learn about the church in the So what do we learn about the church in the

Book of Hebrews?Book of Hebrews?1.1. We are not to forsake our gathering together with We are not to forsake our gathering together with

the church, and are to use this context to minister the church, and are to use this context to minister to others (verse 25).to others (verse 25).

2.2. What do we learn about What do we learn about evangelismevangelism??a.a. Hebrews is the gospel.Hebrews is the gospel.b.b. The church gathering is not primarily for evangelism, but The church gathering is not primarily for evangelism, but

rather is primarily for the rather is primarily for the edification of saints (verse 25).edification of saints (verse 25).c.c. Evangelism occurs as the church goes outside the camp Evangelism occurs as the church goes outside the camp

(13:12-13).(13:12-13).d.d. “ “What goes on in church does not stay in the church.”What goes on in church does not stay in the church.”

e.e. We need not (indeed, dare not) use gimmickry or We need not (indeed, dare not) use gimmickry or manipulative methods (see Paul in 2 Cor. 2:17; 4:1-4) manipulative methods (see Paul in 2 Cor. 2:17; 4:1-4) since since God writes His law on men’s hearts (2 Cor. 3:3-6; God writes His law on men’s hearts (2 Cor. 3:3-6; see also see also Romans 10:6-10).Romans 10:6-10).f.f. We can be bold in our proclamation of the gospel, due to the We can be bold in our proclamation of the gospel, due to the

New Covenant (2 Corinthians 3-4; esp. New Covenant (2 Corinthians 3-4; esp. 3:3).3:3).

3.3. What do we learn about What do we learn about worshipworship??a.a. Worship is surely one way of drawing near to God.Worship is surely one way of drawing near to God.b.b. No need for a certain earthly place (Jerusalem, or the temple), No need for a certain earthly place (Jerusalem, or the temple),

but only the presence of Jesus (see John but only the presence of Jesus (see John 4:20-26).4:20-26).c.c. Worship centers around Christ and the New Covenant Worship centers around Christ and the New Covenant

inaugurated by His blood.inaugurated by His blood.d.d. How often should we celebrate this by observing the How often should we celebrate this by observing the

Lord’s Table?Lord’s Table?e.e. Simplicity: We do not need huge gatherings & fancy Simplicity: We do not need huge gatherings & fancy

accommodations, but only a few believers, bread, and wine.accommodations, but only a few believers, bread, and wine.

4.4. What do we learn about What do we learn about priesthood and ministrypriesthood and ministry??a.a. Jesus is seated in heaven. His one offering is sufficient and He Jesus is seated in heaven. His one offering is sufficient and He

lives forever; we need but one Great lives forever; we need but one Great High Priest (Hebrews 7:23-High Priest (Hebrews 7:23- 25; 9:11-15, etc.).25; 9:11-15, etc.).b.b. We need no mediator other than Christ.We need no mediator other than Christ.c.c. We are a kingdom of priests; no separate, elite group of priests.We are a kingdom of priests; no separate, elite group of priests.d.d. Ministry is no longer “top-down,” but mutual (“one another”), Ministry is no longer “top-down,” but mutual (“one another”),

for which the church regularly gathers for which the church regularly gathers (10:25).(10:25).e.e. We should not gather merely to receive ministry, but to We should not gather merely to receive ministry, but to

minister to others.minister to others.f.f. A New Testament gathering as described in the Scriptures best A New Testament gathering as described in the Scriptures best

encourages and facilitates the teaching encourages and facilitates the teaching of Hebrews (e.g. 1 of Hebrews (e.g. 1 Corinthians 14).Corinthians 14).

5.5. Why is New Testament church polity and practice so Why is New Testament church polity and practice so important?important?

a.a. Because it is the first specific exhortation in the Because it is the first specific exhortation in the conclusion to Hebrews.conclusion to Hebrews.b.b. Because of what Jesus taught (Matthew 16:18; 18:15-Because of what Jesus taught (Matthew 16:18; 18:15-

20).20).c.c. Because of Paul’s teaching & practice (1 Timothy 2:1-7; Because of Paul’s teaching & practice (1 Timothy 2:1-7;

3:15; 1 Cor. 12:27; Ephesians 3:15; 1 Cor. 12:27; Ephesians 4:12; Colossians 1:24).4:12; Colossians 1:24).d.d. Because the church is to go out with the gospel and Because the church is to go out with the gospel and

plant plant new churches.new churches.e.e. Because it works: N.T. ecclesiology is Because it works: N.T. ecclesiology is

portable/transportable.portable/transportable.

B.B. Exhortation: Make a commitment to follow the Exhortation: Make a commitment to follow the author’s exhortations, and to then seek to find author’s exhortations, and to then seek to find specific applicationsspecific applications

Copyright © 2009 by Robert L. Deffinbaugh. This is the edited PowerPointCopyright © 2009 by Robert L. Deffinbaugh. This is the edited PowerPointpresentation of Lesson 23 in the series, presentation of Lesson 23 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 18, 2009.prepared by Robert L. Deffinbaugh for January 18, 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.