Full Assurance of Faith

Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses. How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace? For we know him who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. For, “Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay; but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.” But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.

Here the author is referring back to the Old Testament and talking about the holy of holies again. Remember that only the High Priest could go into the holy of holies area…the area behind the veil? Jesus Christ changed all that and now gives us access to Him through the blood that he shed on the cross.

The author kind of goes over this fact again in the first few verses and then he changes…notice the change in Vs 24

Notice the Shift - Verses 24 & 25

Hebrews 10: 24-25

Hebrews 10:24–25 ESV

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Committed to one another and their well being

Turn to the person you’re sitting beside and say - “I’m concerned about you”. That kinda sounds funny doesn’t it? We’re not used to being concerned about somebody unless they are ill, not doing well, close family member or friend.

Just as much as we belong to Jesus - we belong to each other

Story about 2 brothers fighting…observer didn’t know they were brothers and decided to help one of them out...

Committed to love and good works

Have you noticed how critical commitment and love are to any relationship? If you have commitment, but not love - the relationship fails. If you have love, but not commitment - the relationship fails.

Jesus displayed the ultimate example of commitment and love

Romans 5: 8

Romans 5:8 ESV

but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Commitment to love and good works are essential for Christians

Committed to gathering and encouraging each other

We need to be committed to God. We need to be committed to gathering together as Christians. We tend to allow non-essential activities become priorities over meeting together…that is a sin!

I’m not talking about being sick, or vacation, or visiting family types of things. What I’m talking about is when we let our schedules to become SO busy with non-essential activities that we place them over going to church. WE CHOOSE them over going to church. What type of example does that set to other Christians and more importantly to our KIDS? We are telling them that God is not PRIORITY #1

Is is important to gather?

First off, the Bible instructs us to not neglect gathering together so the answer is simple - YES!

David Platt - “People have been deceived. They have been told that it is possible to make a commitment to Christ apart from a commitment to the church. The reality, however, is that it’s biblically impossible to follow Christ apart from joining his church. In fact, anyone who claims to be a Christian yet is not an active member of a church may not actually be a follower of Christ at all.” Notice the word - active!

John MacArthur - “For a Christian to fail to participate in the life of a local church is inexcusable. In fact, those who choose to isolate themselves are disobedient to the direct command of Scripture…the Bible does not envision Christian life as one lived apart from other believers. ALL are to be actively and intimately involved in local assemblies.”

We are expected to demonstrate the validity of our faith by our actions.

However, righteous living is not the root of salvation, but it is the fruit of genuine salvation!

Matthew 5: 16

Matthew 5:16 ESV

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Spurgeon states - “I would not give much for your religion unless I can see it! Lamps do not talk, but they do shine.”

People can see our faith when we obey Christ.

Notice the shift again - Verses 26 - 31

Hebrews 10: 26-31

Hebrews 10:26–31 ESV

For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses. How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace? For we know him who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Disobedience deserves Punishment

If we deliberately and willfully keep on being disobedient, choosing to live for ourselves instead of for Christ - we can expect some form of judgement from God.

Hebrews 12: 6

Hebrews 12:6 ESV

For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.”

Choose to follow Jesus and make our actions represent our faith. We must be intentionally seeking after Christ. It won’t happen naturally - sin is what happens naturally and without effort.

Children learn to lie naturally and by themselves - you don’t have to teach your children to lie.

Disobedience deserves punishment

Notice the Final Shift - Verses 32-39

Hebrews 10: 32-39

Hebrews 10:32–39 ESV

But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. For, “Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay; but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.” But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.

It is a message of Hope!

It is for those who are suffering. Whatever it is that you may be going through - remember the only person you need to please is God. Somebody might be lying about you, trying to destroy you, wanting to ruin your name…but it is God that you will stand before one day - not those people.

God can turn your suffering into a ministry. God can use your suffering to make you stronger in Him. YOU must choose whether you are going to focus on GOD or the sin of the world.

Hope that if you are struggling with things of the world - JESUS is our hope…not the things of this world. Do we trust him???

Keep on walking by faith while on purpose until He returns

Summarize - full assurance of faith

No sin is too big.

Gather together as Christians

Seek after Christ - let our actions be proof of our faith

Have hope for the future!

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