APOSTASY IN HEBREWS

TEXT:  Heb. 10:39

INTRODUCTION:

A.      HEBREWS DESCRIBES THE TRAGEDY OF APOSTASY.

          1.       These Jewish Christians were slipping back.

          2.       We are in similar danger.

B.      HEBREWS ENCOURAGES STEDFASTNESS.

I.      THE NATURE OF APOSTASY – SEVERE.

A.      HARDENS TO A POINT WHERE REPENTANCE IS IMPOSSIBLE( Heb. 6:4-6 ).

          1.       The passage describes one who is saved – but falls away.

          2.       Fall may be the result of drift and fading( Heb. 2:1 ).

          3.       One hardens( Heb. 3:13 ) … to a point( 6:6 ).

          4.       Then can sin with daring( 10:26-31 ).

B.      THE RESULT – BARREN INSENSATIVE GROUND( 6:7-8 ).

C.      IT IS WORSE THAN OLD TESTAMENT APOSTASY( 9:29 ).

          1.       It rejects a greater spokesman( 2:1-4 ).

          2.       It disregards a higher cost( 10:28-31;  2:1-3 ).

          3.       It ignores more exalted circumstances( 12:18-28 ).

II.     THE WAY OF APOSTASY.

A.      WITH REFERENCE TO SCRIPTURE – NEGLECT( 2:1-4 ).

          1.       Hebrews emphasizes the nee for growth( 5:11—6:3 ).

          2.       Nearly every other book, also( 2 Tim. 2:15;  2 Pet. 3:18;  Phil. 1:9 ).

          3.       Hosea 4:6.

B.      WITH REFERENCE TO THE SAVIOR – DISTRUST( 3:12 ).

          1.       In the wilderness they often questioned God( Psa. 95:8-11;  Heb. 3:7-11 ).

          2.       Hebrews pinpoints the source of questioning( 3:19 ).

          3.       The same faithfulness leads to apostasy today.

                   a.       Too many become so overcome they can’t see Jesus.

                   b.       But Jesus is here( Heb. 4:16;  Phil. 4:4-5 ).

C.      WITH REFERENCE TO SIN – DECEIT( 3:13 ).

          1.       We are constantly deceiving ourselves about sin, trying to justify.

          2.       Warned( 1 Pet. 5:8 ).

          3.       Senses must be exercised( 5:14;  1 Tim. 4:8 ).

D.      WITH REFERENCE TO SELF – SLOTH( 6:12 ).

                                                                   FEAR( 3:6; 10:35 ).

                                                                   WEARINESS( 10:36;  12:1-2 ).

III.    THE RESULT OF APOSTASY.

A.      NO REST FOR THE WICKED( Heb. 4:3, 9-11 ).

B.      BITTERNESS AND SORROW( 12:14-17 ).

C.      PUNISHMENT( 10:26-27 ).

CONCLUSION:

A.      APOSTASY IS TRAGIC.

B.      CAN BE AVOIDED.