Maturity versus Apostacy (Heb 6:1-6)

Dr. Paul Manuel--2021

 Text:

Heb 6:1 Let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, 2 instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And God permitting, we will do so.

Heb 6:4 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, 6 if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.

Outline:

      I.    Embrace maturity, which is redeeming (vv. 1-3).

            A. Profess the right doctrine.

                 1.   Faith in God

                 2.   Raising the dead

            B. Practice the right deeds.

                 1.   Instruction about baptisms

                 2.   Laying on hands[1]

Application: Every Christian possesses at least one spiritual gift, which he must exercise “for the common good” (1 Cor 12:7),

     II.    Eschew apostacy, which is condemning (vv. 4-6).

            A. Do not reject the Holy Spirit.

                 1.   The believer’s contact with God is secure.

                 2.   The believer’s connection to God is certain.

            B. Do not fall away from Christ.

                 1.   The believer’s fate without God is lonely.

                 2.   The believer’s future apart from God is condemning.

Application: God lays out two options for man, two ways he can conduct his life, only one of which ends well (Matt 7:13-14).

Introduction: Sometimes the solution to a problem is not really a solution at all but only creates a bigger problem.

Jeff’s teen-age daughter had just received her learner’s permit and was eager to drive the car. She got in the driver’s side, adjusted her seat and shoulder belt. After glancing at all the mirrors, she turned to her father with a puzzled look and complained, “I can’t see myself in any of these!”

Sometimes the solution to a problem is not really a solution at all but only creates a bigger problem. Adjusting what you think mirrors should reflect does not necessarily make for greater safety, just as adjusting what you think salvation should require does not necessarily accord with God’s requirements for salvation.

Background: Some biblical passages deal exclusively with historical events while other passages are more theological. The text for the message this morning treats the particularly difficult issue of eternal security—Is a person once saved always saved, or can a person lose his salvation? Does Heb 6:1-6 answer that question?

     The author is writing to Jewish believers, extolling the virtue of Jesus’ sacrifice and reminding them about its benefits, as well as counseling them to make wise choices as they grow in Christ.

      I.    Embrace maturity, which is a redeeming (vv. 1-3).

Heb 6:1 Let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death,[2] and of faith in God, 2 instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And God permitting, we will do so.

            A. Profess the right doctrine.

                 1.   Faith in God

    This is the most basic doctrine, the one tenant that unites all children of God regardless of denomination. Both Jews and Christians in every age hold this belief in common (Manuel 2007). They may differ on the details, but both agree on this central tenant: It is necessary to believe in God, to have a relationship with Him and reap the benefits that relationship brings.

    One of God’s great abilities is counteracting the inexorable trend of what every human being must face: the eventual end of his existence, which God reverses by…

The Order of Melchizedek (Heb 7:1-17)

 Dr. Paul Manuel—2021

Text:

Heb 7:1 Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, 2 and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, his name means “king of righteousness”; then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.” 3 Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God he remains a priest forever.

Heb 7:4 Just think how great he was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder! 5 Now the law requires the descendants of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, their brothers—even though their brothers are descended from Abraham. 6 This man, however, did not trace his descent from Levi, yet he collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. 7 And without doubt the lesser person is blessed by the greater. 8 In the one case, the tenth is collected by men who die; but in the other case, by him who is declared to be living. 9 One might even say that Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham, 10 because when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the body of his ancestor.

Heb 7:11 If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the law was given to the people), why was there still need for another priest to come—one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron? 12 For when there is a change of the priesthood, there must also be a change of the law. 13 He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, and no one from that tribe has ever served at the altar. 14 For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. 15 And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, 16 one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is declared: “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.”

Outline:

      I.    Melchizedek has no genealogy (vv. 1-3).
            A. He had no beginning.
            B. He had no ending.
     II.    Melchizedek has a limited ministry (vv. 4-10).
            A. He accepted the tithe.
            B. He represented the Levites.
    III.    Melchizedek has broad analogy (vv. 11-17).
            A. He foreshadowed the coming messiah.
            B. He preceded the coming messiah.
      I.    Melchizedek has no genealogy (vv. 1-3).
            A. He has no beginning.
[and]
            B. He has no ending.
 
      Melchizedek has a limited genealogy, with no beginning and no ending. Moreover…
 
     II.    Melchizedek has a limited ministry (vv. 4-10).
            A. He accepted the tithe.
            B. He represented the Levites.
 
Although the text only mentions Abraham’s offering, other people may have recognized Melchizedek’s priestly position by supporting him with their offerings. Furthermore, additional priests besides Melchizedek may have represented God during this period at other shrines.[6]
      Melchizedek has a limited genealogy and a limited ministry, having accepted the tithe and represented the Levites later. But…
 
    III.    Melchizedek has broad analogy (vv. 11-17).
            A. He foreshadowed the coming messiah.
            B. He preceded the coming messiah.
 

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Application: The time you have left on earth is strikingly short when compared to eternity; do not squander it (Deut 11:1).

Application: The tithe is a reasonable percentage from all that God has provided to His people (Ps 50:10).

Application: You determine how to spend your time and money according to their impact for the kingdom of God (Matt 24:44).

 

Introduction: Some things are more important to do than other things, even things that actually may be important by themselves:

A young boy came to Sunday School late. His teacher knew that he was usually very prompt and asked him if anything was wrong. The boy replied that he was going fishing but his dad told him that he needed to go to church. The teacher was very impressed and asked the boy if his dad had explained to him why it was more important to go to church than to go fishing, to which the boy answered, “Dad said he didn’t have enough bait for both of us.”

Some things are more important to do than other things, even things that actually may be important by themselves. Abraham came to a local shrine to make an offering. It was an appropriate expression of gratitude, given that God had just helped him rescue his kidnapped nephew Lot.