TEXT: Hebrews 5:11-6:20

SUBJECT: Exposition of Hebrews #6: Be Alert!

Today brings us to the sixth sermon in our study of Hebrews, the theme of which is Christ Over All. In chapter 5, He is compared favorably to Israel's High Priest, Aaron. Why? Because the Lord's Priesthood is derived from an earlier--and superior--model, Melchizadek's. About him, the writer of Hebrews has a good deal to say--but can't at the moment. He tells us why in the verses to follow.

"Of whom we have much to say and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing". The Hebrew believers had begun well, but--over the years--they had become mentally lazy. They weren't learning much and forgetting a good deal of what they once knew. The evangelist is unhappy with them! Peter had told them to "Gird up the loins of your mind"--but they weren't. The Lord Himself had urged them to "Love the Lord your God with all of your...mind"--but they weren't doing this either. And so, to chide them for their sloth, he draws two unflattering word pictures.

The problem of mental laziness is not unique to these early Christians. We can be equally tempted to it. Many young believers are inflamed with a zeal for knowledge. But, in time, their flame is reduced to a flicker. This is a serious defect. Peter tells us to "...keep on growing in the grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ". Even preachers can be guilty of this. I once asked a Presbyterian minister, "Why do you baptize infants?" He replied, "Let me check my class notes". Evidently, he hadn't studied the issue since Seminary. Baptists--by the way--are often worse.

The Hebrew Christians had "become dull of hearing". It hadn't occurred in a day, a week, a month, or a year. But over the years, their minds grew slack. They were criticized for it. And justly so.

What should they do about it? 6:1-3 make it plain. They must do two things:

They must "leave the elementary principles of Christ" . What are they? They are the "first lessons" learned. The lessons are true; the lessons are good; the lessons are needful. But the lessons are not sufficient. They were "elementary principles" because more advanced ones must follow.

He illustrates this under the figure of a builder: "...not laying again the foundation of..." A foundation is necessary for a stable house. But a foundation is not the house! It's a good beginning, but a very poor ending.

What are these "elementary principles?" Examples are given: "repentance from dead works, faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment". The list has given many readers a fit. Some of them are obvious Articles of Faith. But "baptisms"? "Laying on of hands"? What do these mean? I don't know. But here's the point: It doesn't matter much. The subject is not, "what are the essentials of the faith", but "moving on" from them.

Secondly, "Let us go on to perfection". "Perfection" means full maturity. "Let us go on" connotes progress. The object (in context) is our minds. The meaning, therefore, is plain: Fully develop our minds.

This is agreeable with the uniform testimony of Scripture. See, for example, I Corinthians 14:20 and Ephesians 4:14. Cornelius van Til was on to something when he said the Christian's goal is to "Think God's thoughts after Him". This is what the Holy Spirit wants us to do. He wants us to "move on from the first lessons of the faith to the more advanced studies of Christ".

Attached to this directive is a solemn warning, 6:4-8. The word "for" connects v.4 to vv.1-3. This is the argument: "We must exercise our minds because--if we don't--we will be in grave danger". The Christian cannot "stay where he is"; he must advance or retreat. If he keeps retreating, he will eventually quit the Lord Jesus. If he does this, he is doomed.

What kind of person is in danger of apostasy? A disturbing picture is drawn for us.

I must stop for a moment to put in a pastoral word. Many Christians have been terrified by these verses. They truly believe they have committed this sin and so give up all hope. Have they? Let's remember precisely what the sin is. It is not a terrible sin. Peter denied the Lord thrice, but was renewed. It is not a repeated sin. Abraham gave his wife to another man--twice and was renewed. It is not a sin from which you don't repent for a long time. David committed adultery--and did not repent for nearly a year. He was also renewed

And so, what is the sin for which it is "impossible to be renewed"? It is the sin of apostasy--giving up Jesus Christ. This alone fits the context. And only this makes sense. Why? Because Christ is the only Savior. If He is given up, therefore, there can be no hope of salvation. None whatever. As long as you have Christ, you have hope. But if you renounce Him--fully and finally--you are left "without God and without hope". It cannot be otherwise. God offers but One Savior.

To these sobering words, the Evangelist adds a much-needed encouragement, 6:9-20.

He expresses his hope for them, v.9: "But beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner". He has been stern; now he will be gentle. He has criticized their faults, not he must recognize the grace he sees in them. What does he single out for praise?

Their brotherly love, v.10. "For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister".

This mark of grace are not the one we so often laud, is it? He is "confident" that they are doing well--not because they never miss church--but because they continually "minister" (serve) the people of God. This is why he wrote--a bit later--"Let brotherly love continue". For all their faults, they did love one another. And by this one trait, the Evangelist knew they belonged to Christ. John 13:35.

They're doing well in brotherly love. In vv.11-12, they're urged to be just as active in their faith. "And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of the hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises". This is a bit wordy; I'll try to unpack it. He wants them to apply the same energy to faith in Christ as they had to brotherly love. This renewed faith will produce a strong hope. Of what? Of inheriting the promises of God in Christ. Which ones are they? All of them! II Corinthians 1:20.

Why should they believe with such fervor? Because God is faithful.

He was faithful to Abraham, wasn't He? Of course! Vv.13-15: "For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, saying, `Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you', and so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise".

Abraham's faith was long tried. For thirty years, the promise was unfulfilled. And each year, he and Sarah became less and less likely to have children. But--in the appointed time--"the LORD made them laugh", the promised son was given. Abraham's faith, therefore, latched on to something real--the promise of God. We must do the same. His God is our God. Worthy of entire trust.

Why should we believe? Because God has promised, vv.16-18: "For men indeed swear by the greater, and an oath for confirmation is for them an end of all dispute. Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us".

"God cannot lie". Therefore, His promise is true to everyone in Christ. But this is not enough. The LORD takes an oath. He knows our unbelief; He knows that we won't trust Him unless He swears by His promise. What condescension! The True God has to "prove Himself to us"--and is willing to do it! As though His Word were not enough, He swears to it! The promise of salvation to everyone in Christ is beyond dispute. Why? Because God "confirmed it by an oath".

Why should we believe? Because Christ has gone before us, vv.19-20: "This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek".

The oath of God has given us "hope". This "hope...enters the Presence behind the veil". The "Presence behind the veil" is God in the Holy Place, i.e., heaven. Believers are not physically in heaven, of course. But, by hope, we have access to the "Presence". But how can we be so sure? Because Christ is our forerunner--He's gone before us into the "Presence". And He has "entered for us"--to open the way for us into "The Presence behind the veil". And this isn't a temporary arrangement. For, in so doing, He acts as a Priest. But what kind of Priest? Like Aaron who died? No. The "High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek".

And so, we must devote our minds to the meditation of Christ! Why? Because their is horrific danger to those who don't and supreme glory to those who do.

Therefore...

"If you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind of things above, not on things on the earth".