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9 Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things—things that belong to salvation. 10 For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do. 11 And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. (6:9-12) “Though we speak this way,” marks a transition from exhortation to encouragement. The author expressed his love for his readers and assures them that greater blessings will flow from their salvation. He tells them that God knows their good works, the love they show to fellow believers. The writer encourages them to remain steadfast “until the end.” He concludes these thoughts by encouraging them to follow the example of those who are more mature in the faith, living out their salvation, and receive the resulting blessings. Challenge: Where do you fit in your fellowship? Are you an example for less mature believers or do you need to release the Spirit within? “God will meet you where you are in order to take you where He wants you to go.” —Tony Evans

1 Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And this we will do if God permits. 4 For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. 7 For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. 8 But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned. [1] The writer defines three principles of the faith: (6:1-8) The writer expands his concern over his readers falling away. They failed to understand and experience the blessings available through salvation. They had participated in, been taught, and observed faith in action. There was great evidence of their unbelief. He questioned whether their repentance was real, had rejected Jesus and his saving grace, had become apostate, or trusted only themselves. Principles of the faith (1-2): They were failing to apply what they had been explained to them: (1) Repentance, (2) faith in God, (3) instruction on baptism, (4) laying on of hands – ordination), (5) the resurrection of the dead, and (6) eternal judgement. Dependence (3): the author was committed to do the will of God as he works in and through the community (Philippians 2:13). Maturity (4-6): the audiences’ faith was not genuine. Their faith was like that of the Israelites at Kadesh Barnea. Being Productive (7-8): The rain came but the land produced weeds. The readers had been blessed but there is no evidence of fruit. Fruit is produced by being connected to the vine (John 15:5). Challenge: Are you enjoying all the benefits of your Salvation? Are you experiencing “Christ in me”? Is the Lord working through you? The abundance of fruit comes out of intimacy with the Lord. Heidi Baker

11 About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, 13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. 14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. (5:11-13) Ill Prepared: Having begun a discussion on the priesthood of Melchizedek, he expressed concern, knowing what he had to say was deep and that his audience was not able to understand what he was saying. He was alarmed that they were so immature at this point in their spiritual journey or had fallen back in their faith that they had no foundation for grasping the truths he was about to reveal. Admonition: As a result, he moves from exhortation to scolding his readers because he expected them to be: (1) teachers and not students, (2) familiar with the fundamentals of the faith, (3) grasp what they had heard at a deeper level, and (4) able to apply the Word to their lives. Unlike the Gentiles, they should have been able to deal with and apply the principles of their faith to daily living. Challenge: Where are you in your spiritual journey? Are you gleaning truths from scripture with the help of the Spirit? Are you a student or teacher? To me, growing into spiritual maturity is becoming less self-conscious and more God-conscious. Mark Batterson

5 So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”; 6 as he says also in another place, “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.” 7 In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. 8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. 9 And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, 10 being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek. (Hebrews 5:5-10) Son and Priest (5-6): The author again draws on Psalm 2:7 and 110:4 to make his point that Christ (as Messiah) was appointed as the Great High Priest. Son of Man (7-9): He goes on to emphasize that Jesus was in his human nature: (1) the Son of God, (2) continually offered powerful prayers and appeals to the Father for the people, (3) was saved him from death, (4) was made obedient by suffering, (5) was perfect – without sin, and (6) is the eternal path to salvation. The Great High Priest (v10): God made a new order of priesthood, distinct from that of Aaron, to which he appointed and consecrated Jesus. Like Melchizedek, there is no hereditary successor. Jesus is the eternal High Priest. Challenge: Are you assured that Jesus is the mediator between you and the Lord? Are you convinced that he hears you’re your petitions and confession? “[Jesus] stands between us and God, and for that very reason he stands between us and all other men and things. He is the Mediator, not only between God and man, but between man and man, between man and reality. Since the whole world was created through him and unto him (John 1:3; 1st Cor. 8:6; Heb. 1:2), he is the sole Mediator in the world. Dietrick Bonhoefer

1 For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. 3 Because of this he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins just as he does for those of the people. 4 And no one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was. (Hebrews 5:1-4) Continuing the thought in 4:15, the writer reminded his readers of the role, calling, and limitations of the high priest: · He was a man and therefore understood human weaknesses · Acted as an intermediary or mediator between God and man · Offered meal offerings and sacrifices for the people · Had to sacrifice for himself because he was a sinner · Dealt with sins of the people that were willful, intentional, and presumptive (wayward) and hidden or unintentional (ignorant). See Psalm 19:12-13. · Called to the office by God (Scholars point out that in Christ’s day, they were from a family who had purchased control of the office.) The High Priest’s Resume: These are things of which his audience should have been very familiar. But the writer thought it necessary to lay a foundation before moving into the argument that Jesus is the great high priest once for all. Confession: While confession of our sins to one another brings healing to the community (James 5:16), we need to confess to the Lord to heal our relationship with him? Challenge: Is confession a routine part of your daily quiet time? Like other imperfect Old Testament types of Christ, high priests pointed to the Great High Priest who was to come.

14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:14-18) Great High Priest (14): The author established Jesus’ supremacy and authority and urged his readers to accept the rest Jesus provided through his sacrifice on the cross (good news). In the event his readers failed to respond to his previous arguments, he moved on to a cornerstone of Jewish worship, the priesthood. The writer described Jesus’ ascension as “passing through the heavens,” that is, leaving his disciples and entering heaven, his work of atonement finished. That being the case, we are to remain steadfast in our faith in the face of life’s struggles. Identification (15): Because Jesus experienced the same trials, tribulations, and temptations that we face, he understands our struggles far better than do we. He faced the same temptations but never gave into them, he never sinned. Temptation is not sin. Yielding to temptation is. Draw Near (16): The author’s appeal is for his readers (and us) to receive forgiveness for our sins (mercy) and find strength and endurance in the struggles of life (grace). We can approach the throne of God with boldness and confidence because we have a personal relationship with him! Challenge: Is Jesus your great high priest? Have you accepted the forgiveness he offers you? Are you confident in the mercy and grace he provides? Mercy is the decision of God not to punish us. But grace is the decision of God to save and bless us. Max Lucado

Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it. (Hebrews 4:1) Believe this Day: Rest: David and the author, using the Jews unbelief at Kadesh Barnea, challenged their audiences not to make the same mistake. They were correct in their belief that they could not defeat the giants in Canaan. The problem was they did not believe that the Lord could either. And they were refused rest and did not receive the blessings of the promised land. The Lord placed his Spirit in us at salvation. Therefore, the battles of life are his. We can rest from our efforts as God did after completing creation. The choice is available as long we have breath. Have you made your Kadesh Barnea decision? Are you resting or wandering? Lord, I believe; help my unbelief! Believe this Day: Control: We can have rest in this life if we choose to surrender to the indwelling Spirit and put him at the center of our lives. Rest comes by believing that Christ can and will work in and through us. Moreover, we can choose to fight the battles of life on our own or allow the Lord to fight them for us. Have you made your Kadesh Barnea decision? Are you striving or resting? Lord, I believe; help my unbelief! Believe this Day: The Victory Rest: When we face giants in our life such as depression, bondage, or addictions, we can believe that through the power in us (Romans 8:9-11), We can be overcomers. Have you made your Kadesh Barnea decision? Are you exasperated with life’s struggles or are you an overcomer? Lord, I believe; help my unbelief! “Thou hast made us for thyself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it finds its rest in thee.” Augustine

11 Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. 12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. (Hebrews 4:11-13) Repeated exhortation (v11): The author had established the supremacy of Jesus and his position as the living son of God and the long-expected Messiah. Moreover, he made it clear to his fellow believers that they need to enter the Lord’s rest, that is, believe that the Lord can and will fight the “giants” in their life. Therefore, we are to make every effort to enter God’s rest, that is, make the decision to give Jesus control of your life. This is the fifth exhortation on falling away. The Word (v12): Having applied Psalm 95:7-11) on God-given rest to his fellow Jews, he concludes by describing the power of God’s Word. It is alive, able to separate belief from unbelief, faith from doubt, and honest surrender from lip-service. The living Word acts as a cleaver, cutting to the deepest level and illuminating the most secret motives and thoughts at the center of our lives. Many believe “the word of God” refers to Jesus as described in John 1:1. God Sees All (v13): While the Word (Jesus) reveals the truth to those seeking rest, nothing is hidden from the Lord. All will be held accountable for accepting or rejection that truth. Challenge: Have you given Jesus control of your life? Have you accepted the Lord’s promise to give you victory over your trials, tribulations, and temptations? Have you entered the promised land and received the rest offered by the Lord or are you wandering in the desert? “Workers, take your place every day at the feet of Jesus, in the blessed peace and rest that come from the knowledge—I have no care, my cares are His! I have no fear, He cares for all my fears.” Andrew Murray

6 Since therefore it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news failed to enter because of disobedience, 7 again he appoints a certain day, “Today,” saying through David so long afterward, in the words already quoted, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” 8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken of another day later on. 9 So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, 10 for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. (Hebrews 4:6-10) The Decision (v6): The author repeats, for the fourth time, the exhortation to personally accept the Lord’s promised rest. While it is Today (v7-10): The author points out that the offer of rest was offered in the time of Joshua, through the time of David, and on to the writer’s audience. That rest is available to us today. The offer of rest stands while one has breath, while it is today. We are not promised tomorrow. Therefore, we are to respond to that offer today. Challenge: Have you accepted God’s offer of rest? Have you ceased striving to please God? Are you resting in the assurance that the Lord is working in and through you? Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. Psalm 62:1-2)