Sunday Evening Bible Study

January 15, 2001

Hebrews 4

:1  Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.

fear – phobeo – to put to flight by terrifying (to scare away); to fear, be afraid; to be struck with fear, to be seized with alarm; to reverence, venerate, to treat with deference or reverential obedience

being left – kataleipo – to leave behind; to depart from, leave; to be left; of those who sail past a place without stopping

a promise – epaggelia – announcement; promise; the act of promising, a promise given or to be given; a promised good or blessing

rest – katapausis – a putting to rest; calming of the winds; a resting place; metaph. the heavenly blessedness in which God dwells, and of which he has promised to make persevering believers in Christ partakers after the toils and trials of life on earth are ended

you should seem – dokeo – to be of opinion, think, suppose; to seem, to be accounted, reputed

to come short – hustereo – behind; to come late or too tardily; to be left behind in the race and so fail to reach the goal, to fall short of the end; metaph. fail to become a partaker, fall back from; to fail, be wanting

Lesson

Entering God’s rest.

On one hand, the writer is using this term “rest” in several ways.

He is using “rest” to describe Israel’s Promised Land.
He is using “rest” to describe the ultimate Promised Land, heaven.

He is using “rest” to describe the state that Christians ought to live in.

Jesus said,

(Mat 11:28-30 KJV)  Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. {29} Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. {30} For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Though we’re going to see a lot of emphasis on us clinging to Jesus, holding on to the end, enduring trials, etc., don’t forget that God wants us to learn to find His rest.

Rest through trusting Him.

(Phil 4:6-7 NLT)  Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. {7} If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

:2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

did not profit –  opheleo – to assist, to be useful or advantageous, to profit

word – logos – word

preached – akoe – the sense of hearing; the thing heard; of preaching the gospel

being mixed with – sugkerannumi – to mix together, commingle; to unite; caused the several parts to combine into an organic structure, which is the body; to unite one thing to another

Moses sent twelve spies into the Promised Land to find out what was up ahead.

(Num 13:27-33 KJV)  And they told him, and said, We came unto the land whither thou sentest us, and surely it floweth with milk and honey; and this is the fruit of it. {28} Nevertheless the people be strong that dwell in the land, and the cities are walled, and very great: and moreover we saw the children of Anak there. {29} The Amalekites dwell in the land of the south: and the Hittites, and the Jebusites, and the Amorites, dwell in the mountains: and the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and by the coast of Jordan. {30} And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it. {31} But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we. {32} And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature. {33} And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.

(Num 14:1-4 KJV)  And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night. {2} And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness! {3} And wherefore hath the LORD brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt? {4} And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt.

These people had some “good news” told them by Joshua and Caleb.

But their “good news” did them no good because they were not willing to trust God to give them their Promised Land.

Lesson

Word + Faith = Benefit

Whether it’s hearing the gospel or whether it’s looking at God’s commands of us, or whether it’s learning of God’s promises to us, God’s Word won’t do us any good if we don’t add the ingredient of faith to it.

We need to be able to trust God for the Word to bring us a benefit.

:3 For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.

I have sworn – omnuo – to swear; to affirm, promise, threaten, with an oath; in swearing to call a person or thing as witness, to invoke, swear by

wrath – orge – anger, the natural disposition, temper, character; movement or agitation of the soul, impulse, desire, any violent emotion, but esp. anger; anger, wrath, indignation; anger exhibited in punishment, hence used for punishment itself

foundation – katabole – a throwing or laying down; a founding (laying down a foundation)

were finished – ginomai – to become, i.e. to come into existence, begin to be, receive being; to become, i.e. to come to pass, happen; to be made, finished; to become, be made

(Psa 95:11 KJV)  Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest.

:4 For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works.

seventh – hebdomos – seventh

did rest – katapauo – to make quiet, to cause to be at rest, to grant rest; to lead to a quiet abode; to still, restrain, to cause (one striving to do something) to desist; to rest, take rest

(Gen 2:2 KJV)  And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.

:5 And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest.

better translated –

(Heb 4:5 NASB)  and again in this passage, "THEY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST."

Quoting from –

(Psa 95:11 KJV)  Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest.

:6 Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:

seeing – epei – when, since; of time: after; of cause: since, seeing that, because

it remaineth – apoleipo – to leave, to leave behind; to desert or forsake

The writer is trying to establish the fact that there is still a “rest” to enter into.  The fact that it is still available is made because David is still writing about the possibility of God’s rest four hundred years after Joshua entered into the land.

:7 Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

he limiteth – horizo – to define; to mark out the boundaries or limits (of any place or thing) 1b to determine, appoint; that which has been determined, acc. to appointment, decree; to ordain, determine, appoint

To day – semeron – this (very) day); what has happened today

(Psa 95:7 KJV)  For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice,

:8 For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.

Jesus – Iesous – “Jehovah is salvation”; this is not only the name of our Savior, Jesus, but it’s the Greek name for “Joshua”.  It would be better to translate this “Joshua” here, referring to the Israelite leader that brought the people into the Promised Land.

If Joshua had led the people of God into their final Promised Land of Rest, then David would not have written four hundred years later a warning about not hardening their hearts.

:9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.

remaineth – apoleipo – to leave, to leave behind; to desert or forsake

a rest – sabbatismos – a keeping Sabbath; the blessed rest from toils and troubles looked for in the age to come by the true worshippers of God and true Christians

The word for “rest” now changes to the word for “Sabbath”, the seventh day when God rested from His works during creation.

:10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.

rest – katapausis – a putting to rest; calming of the winds; a resting place; metaph. the heavenly blessedness in which God dwells, and of which he has promised to make persevering believers in Christ partakers after the toils and trials of life on earth are ended

hath ceased – katapauo – to make quiet, to cause to be at rest, to grant rest; to lead to a quiet abode; to still, restrain, to cause (one striving to do something) to desist; to rest, take rest

(Heb 4:10 NIV)  for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his.

This can be talking about Jesus, who has entered into God’s rest, is seated at the right hand of God, and no more has to work.

It can be talking about us, how God’s rest causes us to cease from our own works.

Our salvation comes when we’ve learned to rest in what God has done for us on the cross and we stop trying to earn our salvation through our own works.

:11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

labour – spoudazo – to hasten, make haste; to exert one’s self, endeavour, give diligence

We can get confused by “laboring to enter into God’s rest”, getting confused over labor and rest.  But the idea is more like being diligent to do something while you can, going through a door while it’s open.

example – hupodeigma – a sign suggestive of anything, delineation of a thing, representation, figure, copy; an example: for imitation

fall – pipto – to descend from a higher place to a lower; to fall (either from or upon); to fail of participating in, miss a share in

unbelief – apeitheia (“not” + “persuaded, believing”) – obstinacy, obstinate opposition to the divine will.  The modern translations have “disobedience” here.

:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful,

quick – zao – to live, breathe, be among the living (not lifeless, not dead); to enjoy real life; to live i.e. pass life, in the manner of the living and acting; metaph. to be in full vigour; to be fresh, strong, efficient,; as adj. active, powerful, efficacious

It’s alive.

What's the connection here?

This whole section on diligence, watchfulness, being careful about hard hearts, entering into God's rest, etc, comes from Psalm 95.

The writer has pulled out Psalm 95 and nailed us on being careful about our relationships with the Lord.

Psalm 95 isn’t some old bunch of dead words.  It has the power to transform lives.

word – logos – word

powerful – energes (“in” + “work”) – active

:12  and sharper than any twoedged sword,

sharper – tomoteros – sharper.  A comparative form of temno, “to cut”.  This is “more cutting”, the idea that with a single stroke you can cut more than lots of hacking with a dull blade.

any – pas – individually; each, every, any, all, the whole, everyone, all things, everything

It’s not just “sharper than a two-edged sword”, but “sharper than ALL two-edged swords”.

sword – machaira – a large knife, used for killing animals and cutting up flesh; a small sword, as distinguished from a large sword; curved sword, for a cutting stroke; a straight sword, for thrusting

twoedged – distomos – having a double mouth as a river; used of the edge of the sword and of other weapons, so has the meaning of two-edged

The Bible is a sharp weapon.  It’s a sharp cutting tool.

Be careful about not sharing God’s word with a skeptic.

“It’s not going to affect me”, they say, “I don’t believe it’s God’s Word.”

If I put a loaded gun to your head, even if you don’t believe it’s a gun, will it blow your head off if I pull the trigger?

Yet God’s word is far more powerful than any gun.  It doesn’t destroy lives, it transforms them.

:12  piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

piercing – diikneomai (“through” + “sufficient”) – to go through, penetrate, pierce

dividing asunder – merismos – a division, partition; distribution (of various kinds); a separation; so far as to cleave asunder or separate

soul – psuche – breath; the breath of life; the soul; the seat of the feelings, desires, affections, aversions (our heart, soul etc.)

spirit – pneuma – spirit; the third person of the triune God; the spirit, i.e. the vital principal by which the body is animated

joints – harmos – a joining, a joint

marrow – muelos – marrow

a discerner – kritikos – relating to judging, fit for judging, skilled in judging

thoughts – enthumesis (“in” + “passion, anger, heat”) – a thinking, consideration; thoughts

intents – ennoia (“in” + “mind”) – the act of thinking, consideration, meditation; a thought, notion, conception; mind, understanding, will, manner of feeling, and thinking

The picture is of a surgeon who skillfully opens you up, then is able to tell where the cancer is and able to skillfully remove all the crud and leave the good parts intact.

Ever have trouble understanding your own heart?

The heart is desperately wicked, who can know it!

Get into the Word of God.  Open yourself up to it!

:13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

creature – ktisis – the act of founding, establishing, building etc; the act of creating, creation; creation i.e. thing created; of individual things, beings, a creature, a creation

not manifest – aphanes (“not” + “shining”) – not manifest, hidden

naked – gumnos – properly; unclad, without clothing, the naked body; clad in undergarments only (the outer garments or cloak being laid aside); metaph. naked, i.e. open, lay bare

opened – trachelizo (“neck”) – to seize and twist the neck or throat; of combatants who handle thus their antagonist; to bend back the neck of a victim to be slain, to lay bare or expose by bending back; to lay bare, uncover, expose; laid bare, laid open, made manifest to one

have to do – logos – of speech, a word; its use as respect to the MIND alone; reason, the mental faculty of thinking, meditating, reasoning, calculating; account, i.e. answer or explanation in reference to judgment

:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

high priest – archiereus – chief priest, high priest

great – megas – great; of persons, eminent for ability, virtue, authority, power; splendid, prepared on a grand scale, stately

Jesus is great because He’s better than angels (chapter 1) and He’s better than Moses (chapter 2).

passed into – dierchomai – to go through, pass through

A priest is one who enters into the tabernacle, which was a picture of heaven.  I believe the whole design was a picture of what heaven is like.

But the high priest would go through the holy place into the holy of holies, passing “through the heavens” into God’s very throne room itself.

hold fast – krateo – to have power, be powerful; to get possession of; to take hold of; to hold

profession – homologia – profession

:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

which cannot – dunamai – to be able, have power whether by virtue of one’s own ability and resources, or of a state of mind, or through favorable circumstances, or by permission of law or custom; to be able to do something; to be capable, strong and powerful

be  touched with – sumpatheo (“with” + “suffer or feel”) – (our word “sympathetic”) to be affected with the same feeling as another, to sympathize with; to feel for, have compassion on

infirmities – astheneia – want of strength, weakness, infirmity

tempted – peirao – to make a trial of, to attempt; to test, to make trial of one, put him to proof; in particular, to attempt to induce one to commit some (esp. carnal) crime; tempted to sin.  The verb is a perfect tense, meaning that the effects of the tempting kept carrying on into the present.

like – homoiotes – likeness

sin – hamartia – to be without a share in; to miss the mark; to err, be mistaken; to miss or wander from the path of uprightness and honour, to do or go wrong; to wander from the law of God, violate God’s law, sin

Jesus knows what you’re going through.

I remember that one pastor used to say to his church, “Why can’t people just learn to get along with their spouse?  I don’t understand why they just can’t fix their marriages”.  That pastor is now divorced, his wife left him.  He now understands.

Jesus has experienced temptation.

Jesus may not have ever been tempted to too many chocolate fudge brownies, or to look at pornography, but the temptations He experienced were of such a broad spectrum, that they cover all the things we could experience.

But He never gave in to sin.

:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

come – proserchomai – to come to, approach; draw near to; to assent to

boldly – parrhesia – freedom in speaking, unreservedness in speech; without ambiguity or circumlocution; free and fearless confidence, cheerful courage, boldness, assurance

throne – thronos – a throne seat

grace – charis – grace; that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness: grace of speech; good will, loving-kindness, favour

I believe this is a reference to the “Mercy Seat” of the Old Testament, the golden lid to the Ark of the Covenant.  It was to be a picture of the throne of God.

God’s throne is a place of mercy.

find – lambano – to take; to receive (what is given)

mercy – eleos – mercy: kindness or good will towards the miserable and the afflicted, joined with a desire to help them

grace – charis – grace; that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness: grace of speech; good will, loving-kindness, favour

find – heurisko – to come upon, hit upon, to meet with; to find by enquiry, thought, examination, scrutiny, observation, to find out by practice and experience; to find out for one’s self, to acquire, get, obtain, procure

time of need – eukairos (“good” + “time”) – seasonable, timely, opportune

help – boetheia (“cry” + “run”) – help

We need to come daily for God’s help:

Illustration

“A man can no more take in a supply of grace for the future than he can eat enough today to last him for the next 6 months, nor can he inhale sufficient air into his lungs with one breath to sustain life for a week to come.  We are permitted to draw upon God's store of grace from day to day as we need it.”

-- D. L. Moody

God has enough for what you need.

Illustration

John Newton had received from the Lord some almost unbelievable answers to his petitions, and so he often engaged in “large asking.” In support of this practice he would frequently tell the story of a man who asked Alexander the Great to give him a huge sum of money in exchange for his daughter’s hand in marriage.  The ruler consented and told him to request of his treasurer whatever he wanted.  So he went and asked for an enormous amount.  The keeper to the funds was startled and said he couldn’t give him that much without a direct order.  Going to Alexander, the treasurer argued that even a small fraction of the money requested would more than serve the purpose. “No,” replied Alexander, “let him have it all.  I like that fellow. He does me honor. He treats me like a king and proves by what he asks that he believes me to be both rich and generous.” Newton concluded the story by saying, “In the same way, we should go to the throne of God’s grace and present petitions that express honorable views of the love, riches, and bounty of our King!”

Hebrews 5

:1  For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins:

is ordained – kathistemi – to set, place, put; to set one over a thing (in charge of it); to appoint one to administer an office

may offer – prosphero – to bring to, lead to; to bring a present or a thing, to reach or hand a thing to one

gifts – doron – a gift, present; of sacrifices and other gifts offered to God

sacrifice – thusia – a sacrifice, victim

:2 Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity.

have compassion – metriopatheo (“moderately” + “a feeling the mind suffers”) – to be affected moderately or in due measure; to preserve moderation in the passions, esp. anger or grief; of one who is not unduly disturbed by the errors, faults, sins of others, but bears them gently

can – dunamai – to be able, have power whether by virtue of one’s own ability and resources, or of a state of mind, or through favourable circumstances, or by permission of law or custom; to be able to do something; to be capable, strong and powerful

ignorant – agnoeo – to be ignorant, not to know; not to understand, unknown; to err or sin through mistake, to be wrong

them that are out of the way – planao – to cause to stray, to lead astray, lead aside from the right way; to go astray, wander, roam about; metaph. to lead away from the truth, to lead into error, to deceive; to be led into error; to be led aside from the path of virtue, to go astray, sin; to sever or fall away from the truth

is compassed – perikeimai (“around” + “to lie”) – to lie around; to be compassed with, have round one

infirmity – astheneia – want of strength, weakness, infirmity; of the body - its native weakness and frailty; feebleness of health or sickness; of the soul - want of strength and capacity requisite; to understand a thing; to do things great and glorious; to restrain corrupt desires; to bear trials and troubles

A good priest knows what the people are going through because he goes through the same things.

:3 And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.

A normal priest not only makes sacrifices for the people, but has to make sacrifices for his own sins as well.

:4 And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.

honour – time – a valuing by which the price is fixed; honour which belongs or is shown to one; of the honour which one has by reason of rank and state of office which he holds

called – kaleo – to call; to call aloud, utter in a loud voice; to invite; to call i.e. to name, by name; to be called i.e. to bear a name or title (among men)

Lesson

God chooses people for ministry.

A person wasn’t supposed to decide on their own whether or not they wanted to be a priest.  God did the calling.  God chose Aaron.

Korah’s rebellion. (Num. 16-17)

In the wilderness, a man named Korah thought that he had just as much a right to be a priest as Moses’ brother Aaron.  He gathered a group of people to stand with him and demand to be made a priest.

God decided to show Korah who He had chosen to be priest.

Korah and Aaron were to both offer incense before God and whoever survived would be priest.  The earth swallowed up the guys who were supporting Korah, and fire came out from God and consumed the guys that were trying to be priests on their own.

Then, to make things even clearer, God asked Moses to take a staff from each of the tribes and put it in the tabernacle overnight.  In the morning, the staff of Aaron stood out because it had blossomed and produced ripe almonds.

God picks who He wants to.

God shows us who He’s picked because they will bear fruit.

:5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.

glorified – doxazo – to think, suppose, be of opinion; to praise, extol, magnify, celebrate; to honour, do honour to, hold in honour; to make glorious, adorn with lustre, clothe with splendour

begotten – gennao – of men who fathered children

(Psa 2:7 KJV)  I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.

:6 As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

for ever – aion – for ever, an unbroken age, perpetuity of time, eternity

order – taxis – an arranging, arrangement; order; due or right order, orderly condition; the post, rank, or position which one holds in civic or other affairs

Mechisedec – Melchisedek – “king of righteousness”; the king of Salem and priest of the most high God, who lived in the days of Abraham

During Moses’ day, God made a choice that Aaron would be the priest, and his sons would follow as the priests.  So all priests under the Law of Moses would be of the “order of Aaron”.  They all had to be descendants of Aaron.

But there was another priest in the Bible, a mysterious man named “Melchizedek”.  We’ll talk later about who this Melchizedek was, but the point the writer here is trying to make is that King David mentioned that the Messiah would be from the “order of Melchizedek”.

(Psa 110:4 KJV)  The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.

The writer is simply trying to make a point here that the Messiah would be called a priest.

To understand all that Jesus has done for us, you need to grasp what a priest does.  And before you grasp what a priest does, you need to establish that Jesus was a legitimate priest.

The Jews might object to Jesus being called a priest because He was of the tribe of Judah.  Jesus was not descended from Aaron.  He wasn’t even in the same tribe as Aaron.  But that’s okay, because of Melchizedek.

:7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;

days of his flesh – the time of Jesus’ earthly ministry.

prayers – deesis – need, indigence, want, privation, penury; a seeking, asking, entreating, entreaty to God or to man

supplications – hiketeria – an olive branch; for suppliants approached the one whose aid they would implore holding an olive branch entwined with white wool and fillets, to signify that they came as suppliants; supplication

that was able – dunamai – to be able, have power whether by virtue of one’s own ability and resources, or of a state of mind, or through favourable circumstances, or by permission of law or custom; to be able to do something; to be capable, strong and powerful

to save – sozo – to save, keep safe and sound, to rescue from danger or destruction

he had offered up – prosphero – to bring to, lead to; to bring a present or a thing, to reach or hand a thing to one

was heard – eisakouo – to give heed to, comply with admonition, to obey; to listen to, assent to, a request, to be heard, have request granted

in that he feared – eulabeia – caution, circumspection, discretion; reverence, veneration; reverence toward God, godly fear, piety

Jesus was heard by God because of His reverence toward God.

Part of a priestly ministry is that of praying for others.

The priest would enter into the Holy Place, offer incense, and pray for the people.

Lesson

Jesus had a life of prayer.

All during His earthly ministry, Jesus was known as a person of prayer.

His disciples asked Him to teach them to pray.

At the end of His life, His prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane was so intense that He was sweating great drops of blood.

:8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;

learned – manthano – to learn, be appraised; to increase one’s knowledge, to be increased in knowledge

suffered – pascho – to be affected or have been affected, to feel, have a sensible experience, to undergo; in a bad sense, to suffer sadly, be in a bad plight

obedience – hupakoe – obedience, compliance, submission; obedience rendered to anyone’s counsels, an obedience shown in observing the requirements of Christianity

Lesson

Obedience through suffering

Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane –

(Luke 22:40-44 KJV)  And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation. {41} And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, {42} Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. {43} And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. {44} And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

Jesus was submitting Himself to the Father.  Jesus wanted was asking if there was any other way than the cross, but Jesus gave Himself to do what the Father wanted.

You don’t really know what it means to obey or submit until you are asked to do something that is unpleasant to you.

It’s hardly “obedience” if you are asked to do something that’s absolutely fun to do.

Illustration

We have a joke in the worship band about how Dave will ask each of us at certain times not to play or sing during a certain part of a song.

We joke about it because none of us like the idea of not playing.  We all like to play our instruments.

We all have this idea at times that to be in a “band”, you just learn how to play an instrument, get together with other people who play instruments, and then you all just “wail” away at the same time.

But we’ve been learning that for us to be a decent band, it’s learning not to play when the leader says to.

Sometimes God is going to be asking you to do or not to do certain things that go against your own desires.

Are you going to do what GOD wants, or are you going to do what YOU want?

Jesus said,

(John 14:15 KJV)  If ye love me, keep my commandments.

I think that sometimes we are simply “fair weather” followers of Jesus.

As long as He asks us to do the nice, pleasant, yummy things, we’re fine.  But as soon as Jesus steps over the line and asks us to do something unpleasant, forget it!

:9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

perfect – teleioo – to make perfect, complete; to carry through completely, to accomplish, finish, bring to an end; to accomplish

those that obey – hupakouo – to listen, to harken; to harken to a command; to obey, be obedient to, submit to.  This is the same basic word translated “obedience” in verse 8.  Jesus learned “obedience”, we are to “obey” Him.

the author – aitios – that which is the cause of anything resides, causative, causing; the author

:10 Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.

called – prosagoreuo (“toward” + “the marketplace”) – to speak to, to address, accost, salute; esp. to address or accost by some name, call by name; to give a name in public, to style.  Jesus was called out by name in the common marketplace of Scripture that He would be a priest like Melchizedek.

:11 Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.

hard to be uttered – dusermeneutos (“hard” + “interpret”) – hard to interpret, difficult to explain

to say – logos – of speech a word, uttered by a living voice, embodies a conception or idea

dull – nothros – slow, sluggish, indolent, dull, languid

hearing – akoe – the sense of hearing; the organ of hearing, the ear; the thing heard

This is really the root idea behind verses 8 & 9, where Jesus learned “obedience” (hupakoe), and is the author of salvation to all who “obey” (hupakouo).  To “obey” means to listen and follow through.

These people have become dull of “hearing”.

Hearing is the first step to obedience.

Because they are dull of “hearing”, this makes them “babes” and not “mature”.  The “mature” Christians are those who obey.

:12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

teachers – didaskalos – a teacher

teach – didasko – to teach

principles – stoicheion – any first thing, from which the others belonging to some series or composite whole take their rise, an element, first principal; the elements, rudiments, primary and fundamental principles of any art, science, or discipline

first – arche – beginning, origin; the person or thing that commences, the first person or thing in a series, the leader

oracles – logion – a brief utterance, a divine oracle (doubtless because oracles were generally brief); in the NT, the words or utterances of God; of the contents of the Mosaic law

milk – gala – milk; a metaph. for the less difficult Christian truths

strong – stereos (“steroids”) – strong, firm, immovable, solid, hard, rigid

meat – trophe – food, nourishment

“solid food”

These people have been Christians long enough to have been teachers of God’s Word, but instead they keep needing constant reminding of the very earliest basics of Christianity.

:13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.

that useth – metecho – to be or become partaker; to partake

unskilful – apeiros (“not” + “attempt, experience”) – inexperienced in, without experience of

the word – logos – of speech, a word, uttered by a living voice, embodies a conception or idea

righteousness – dikaiosune – in a broad sense: state of him who is as he ought to be, righteousness, the condition acceptable to God; integrity, virtue, purity of life, rightness, correctness of thinking, feeling, and acting

The writer isn’t just talking about God’s Word in a broad sense, but God’s Word in how it encourages us to change our ways and live as God wants us to live.

These immature Christians are not allowing God’s Word to guide how they live or make decisions.

babe – nepios – an infant, little child; a minor, not of age; metaph. childish, untaught, unskilled

:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

full age – teleios – brought to its end, finished; wanting nothing necessary to completeness; perfect; that which is perfect; full grown, adult, of full age, mature

This is the same basic word that was used in verse 9 to describe Jesus after He “learned obedience” (teleioo)

Jesus was “perfect”, “of full age” because He had learned obedience.

of use – hexis – a habit whether of body or mind; a power acquired by custom, practice, use

senses – aistheterion – faculty of the mind for perceiving, understanding, judging

exercised – gumnazo (“gymnasium”) – to exercise naked (gymnos) (in a palaestra or school of athletics); to exercise vigorously, in any way, either the body or the mind

to discern – diakrisis – a distinguishing, discerning, judging

good – kalos – beautiful, handsome, excellent, eminent, choice, surpassing, precious, useful, suitable, commendable, admirable

evil – kakos – of a bad nature; not such as it ought to be; base, wrong, wicked; troublesome, injurious, pernicious, destructive, baneful

Lesson

Solid food is what you apply to your life from God’s Word

Like most pastors, I will from time to time have someone come up and tell me, “Wow pastor, what a great sermon, that was solid meat!  I’ve come to learn that for most people, this means that I either:  1)  said something they never heard before, 2)  kept them awake during the entire message, or, 3)  said something that they think their wife needed to hear.

But the whole idea behind “solid food” is not about how much the pastor kept your attention.

It’s all about how much God said to you that you turned around and put into your life.

Lesson

Practicing discernment

Maturity comes as we make a habit of telling good from evil.

God wants our understanding, our perception, to be sharpened through constant use.

We grow in discernment as we stay in God’s Word and find out more and more what God wants and what He doesn’t want.

Hebrews 6

:1  Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection;

leaving – aphiemi – to send away; to bid going away or depart

principles – arche – beginning, origin; the person or thing that commences, the first person or thing in a series, the leader; the first place, principality, rule, magistracy

This is the word translated as “first” (5:12) in describing the “first principles”.

We are to move past the “first” things and go on to maturity.

doctrine – logos – of speech, a word, uttered by a living voice, embodies a conception or idea

perfection – teleiotes – perfection; the state of the more intelligent; moral and spiritual perfection

go on – phero – to carry; to bear, i.e. endure, to endure the rigour of a thing, to bear patiently one’s conduct, or spare one (abstain from punishing or destroying); to bring, bring to, bring forward

The language here is carrying on the discussion laid down in chapter five.

Jesus was made “perfect” (teleioo, 5:9)

The readers were immature because they needed to be reminded over and over of the “first principles”  (5:12).

Those that are “of full age” (teleios, 5:14) are those who practice discernment.

:1  not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

foundation – themelios – laid down as a foundation, the foundation (of a building, wall, city); metaph. the foundations, beginnings, first principals; of institution or system of truth

laying – kataballo – to cast down; to lay (down) a foundation

repentance – metanoia – a change of mind, as it appears to one who repents, of a purpose he has formed or of something he has done

dead – nekros – properly one that has breathed his last, lifeless; destitute of life, without life, inanimate; metaph.; spiritually dead; inactive as respects doing right

:2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

baptisms – baptismos – a washing, purification effected by means of water

laying on – epithesis – a laying on, imposition

resurrection – anastasis – a raising up, rising (e.g. from a seat); a rising from the dead

:3 And this will we do, if God permit.

permit – epitrepo – to turn to, transfer, commit, instruct; to permit, allow, give leave

:4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,

impossible – adunatos – without strength, impotent, powerless, weakly, disabled; unable to be done, impossible

who were once – hapax – once, one time; once for all

enlightened – photizo – to give light, to shine; to enlighten, light up, illumine; to bring to light, render evident; to enlighten, spiritually, imbue with saving knowledge.  Aorist passive participle.

have tasted – geuomai – to taste, to try the flavour of; to taste; i.e. perceive the flavour of, partake of, enjoy; to feel, make trial of, experience; to take food, eat, to take nourishment, eat.  Aorist middle participle.

gift – dorea – a gift

heavenly – epouranios – existing in heaven; of heavenly origin or nature

partakers – metochos – sharing in, partaking; a partner (in a work, office, dignity)

were made – ginomai – to become, i.e. to come into existence, begin to be, receive being; to become, i.e. to come to pass, happen; to be made, finished; to become, be made.  Aorist passive participle.

:5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,

have tasted – geuomai – to taste, to try the flavour of; to taste; i.e. perceive the flavour of, partake of, enjoy; to feel, make trial of, experience; to take food, eat, to take nourishment, eat.  Aorist middle participle.

good – kalos – beautiful, handsome, excellent, eminent, choice, surpassing, precious, useful, suitable, commendable, admirable

word – rhema – that which is or has been uttered by the living voice, thing spoken, word

powers – dunamis – strength, power, ability

to come – mello – to be about; to be on the point of doing or suffering something

the world – aion – for ever, an unbroken age, perpetuity of time, eternity; the worlds, universe; period of time, age

Is the writer describing people who have been saved?  Or people who have only “dabbled” in Christianity?

I have a hard time not seeing these people as having been “saved”, but it’s not a point I think is worth arguing over.  I’m fine if you want to call these people “fringe believers”.

I guess it’s possible that the writer is writing to people who haven’t yet made a total, full-on commitment to Jesus.  But the language could just as easily be descriptive of a warning to people who are believers, warning them not to “fall away”.

:6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

This is a long sentence, with the beginning back in verse 4, “it is impossible …”

fall away – parapipto – to fall beside a person or thing; to slip aside; to deviate from the right path, turn aside, wander; to error; to fall away (from the true faith): from worship of Jehovah

again – palin – anew, again; renewal or repetition of the action; in turn, on the other hand

to renew – anakainizo (“again” + “new”) – to renew, renovate

repentance – metanoia – a change of mind, as it appears to one who repents, of a purpose he has formed or of something he has done

crucify … afresh – anastauroo (“again” + “crucify”) – to raise up upon a cross, crucify

The words “again”, “crucify afresh” seem to indicate something like being saved “a second time”.

put him to an open shame – paradeigmatizo – to set forth as a public example, make an example of; in a bad sense to hold up to infamy; to expose to public disgrace

Mt 1:19  Then Joseph her husband, being a just [man], and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.

A.T. Robertson: 

…bluntly denies the possibility of renewal for apostates from Christ (cf.  #3:12-4:2). It is a terrible picture and cannot be toned down.

The writer has warned his readers about having an “evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God” (3:12).  He has warned them to fear lest they “come short” of God’s rest (4:1).

Now he warns them about “falling away”.

What constitutes “falling away”?

Does committing one sin equal “falling away”?

Does repeating a sin twice equal “falling away”?

I’m not sure where the line is drawn, but I want to stay as far away from it as possible.

I think it may be possible that there is a line that a person can cross when they walk away from the Lord, where they no longer care about Jesus, and they’re never coming back.  I think that perhaps this is what is being described.

If you are struggling with a particular sin in your life, I think you need to have a balance of feelings.  I think you need to be aware that if you don’t deal with it, you may become hardened to the point where you will one day not want to come back.  But on the other hand, if you are still concerned, it shows me that you still have a heart to please the Lord.

This is not the "struggling believer"

Keep balanced with Scripture!

The Prodigal Son - took his inheritance from Dad and split.  Wasted it all away.  Then came back.

The Father ran to him.  He didn't turn him away.

Peter denying the Lord

The Lord gave special attention to Peter

1Jo  2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

This is a total apostasy

This is a turning away from the Lord and not coming back.

This is someone who makes himself an enemy of Christ.

I believe it's the kind of person described by Peter:

2Pe  2:13 And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, [as] they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots [they are] and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; 14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:  15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam [the son] of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;

How is it “impossible” to renew this person?

It’s not because Jesus’ death could pay for them.

It’s because they won’t turn to Him for help.

:7 For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God:

drinketh – pino – to drink; figuratively, to receive into the soul what serves to refresh strengthen, nourish it unto life eternal.  Aorist participle.

bringeth forth – tikto – to bring forth, bear, produce (fruit from the seed).  Present active participle – continuous action.

herbs – botane – an herb fit for fodder, green herb, growing plant

meet – euthetos – well placed; fit; useful

it is dressed – georgeo – to practise agriculture, to till the ground

receiveth – metalambano – to be or to be made a partner; to partake of, take [some] food; of a thing, to get, find (a whole)

blessing – eulogia – praise, laudation; an invocation of blessing, benediction

:8 But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.

beareth – ekphero – to carry out, to bear forth; to bring forth, i.e. produce; of the earth bearing plants.  Present active participle – again, continuous action.

thorns – akantha – thorn, bramble; bush, brier, a thorny plant

briers – tribolos – a thistle, a prickly wild plant, hurtful to other plants

rejected – adokimos – not standing the test, not approved; properly used of metals and coins; that which does not prove itself such as it ought

cursing – katara – an execration, imprecation, curse

burned – kausis – burning, burning up

The writer seems to be describing two different ways of life.  One bears fruit as a way of life.  The other bears thorns as a way of life.

:9 But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.

better things – kreitton – more useful, more serviceable, more advantageous; more excellent

The writer is quick to point out that he doesn’t think this particular warning applies to his readers.

:10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

to forget – epilanthanomai – to forget; neglecting, no longer caring for; forgotten, given over to oblivion, i.e. uncared for

work – ergon – business, employment, that which any one is occupied

labour – kopos – a beating; a beating of the breast with grief, sorrow; labour; trouble; to cause one trouble, make work for him; intense labour united with trouble and toil

love – agape – brotherly love, affection, good will, love, benevolence

ministered … do minister – diakoneo – to be a servant, attendant, domestic, to serve, wait upon

:11 And we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:

we desire – epithumeo – to turn upon a thing; to have a desire for, long for, to desire; to lust after, covet

do show – endeiknumi – to point out; to show, demonstrate, prove, whether by arguments or by acts; to manifest, display, put forth

diligence – spoude – haste, with haste; earnestness, diligence; earnestness in accomplishing, promoting, or striving after anything; to give all diligence, interest one’s self most earnestly

This is a form of the same word translated “labour” in –

(Heb 4:11 KJV)  Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

full assurance – plerophoria – full assurance, most certain confidence

hope – elpis – expectation of evil, fear; expectation of good, hope; joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation

Lesson

God wants us to have “assurance”.

God doesn’t want you going through life kind of “wondering” if you are really saved or not.

God wants you to be absolutely sure.

But there’s a sense in which some of that assurance comes as you are striving to cling to Jesus.

:12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

slothful – nothros – slow, sluggish, indolent, dull, languid

This is the same word translated “dull” in –

Heb 5:11  Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.

faith – pistis – conviction of the truth of anything, belief; in the NT of a conviction or belief respecting man’s relationship to God and divine things, generally with the included idea of trust and holy fervour born of faith and joined with it

patience – makrothumia – patience, endurance, constancy, steadfastness, perseverance; patience, forbearance, longsuffering, slowness in avenging wrongs

inherit – kleronomeo – to receive a lot, receive by lot; esp. to receive a part of an inheritance, receive as an inheritance, obtain by right of inheritance; to be an heir, to inherit; to become partaker of, to obtain

promises – epaggelia – announcement; promise; the act of promising, a promise given or to be given; a promised good or blessing

:13 For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,

swear … sware – omnuo – to swear; to affirm, promise, threaten, with an oath; in swearing to call a person or thing as witness, to invoke, swear by

Usually with an oath, you swear by something greater than yourself, because the other person might not believe you can keep a promise, but they can believe that the greater person can help you keep the promise.

God has no one greater than Himself to swear by.

:14 Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.

surely – men – verily, certainly, truly

blessing … bless – eulogeo – to praise, celebrate with praises; to invoke blessings; of God to cause to prosper, to make happy, to bestow blessings on

multiplying … multiply – plethuno – to increase, to multiply; to be increased, (be multiplied) multiply; to be increased, to multiply

:15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

patiently endured – makrothumeo – to be of a long spirit, not to lose heart; to persevere patiently and bravely in enduring misfortunes and troubles; to be patient in bearing the offenses and injuries of others; to be mild and slow in avenging; to be longsuffering, slow to anger, slow to punish

he obtained – epitugchano (“upon” + “to hit the mark”) – to light or hit upon any person or thing; to attain to, obtain

Abraham was promised something by God, and God delivered on His promise, but Abraham also had to “patiently endure” on his end.

:16 For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.

strife – antilogia – gainsaying, contradiction; opposition, rebellion

confirmation – bebaiosis – confirmation; from bebaioo – to make firm, establish, confirm, make sure

an end – peras – extremity, bound, end

Strife comes when somebody doesn’t believe you, so if you swear by someone who can hold you to your word, it can calm things down.

:17 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:

more abundantly – perissoteron – exceeding some number or measure or rank or need

willing – boulomai – to will deliberately, have a purpose, be minded; of willing as an affection, to desire

to show – epideiknumi – to exhibit, show; to prove, demonstrate, set forth to be known and acknowledged

the immutability – ametathetos – not transposed, not to be transferred, fixed, unalterable

counsel – boule – counsel, purpose; a form of boulomai, “willing”.

confirmed – mesiteuo – to act as a mediator between litigating or covenanting parties; act as a sponsor or surety; to pledge one’s self, give surety

oath – horkos – that which has been pledged or promised with an oath

:18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

things – pragma – that which has been done, a deed, an accomplished fact; that which is or exists, a thing

immutable – ametathetos – not transposed, not to be transferred, fixed, unalterable

impossible – adunatos – without strength, impotent, powerless, weakly, disabled; unable to be done, impossible

strong – ischuros – strong, mighty

consolation – paraklesis – a calling near, summons, (esp. for help); exhortation, admonition, encouragement; consolation, comfort, solace; that which affords comfort or refreshment

who have fled for refuge – katapheugo – to flee away, flee for refuge

Cities of Refuge – Joshua set up six “Cities of Refuge” for a manslayer to run to.  As long as the manslayer stayed in the city of refuge, he was protected from the “avenger of blood”.

to lay hold upon – krateo – to have power, be powerful; to get possession of; to become master of, to obtain; to take hold of

set before – prokeimai – to lie or be placed before (a person or a thing) or in front of; to set before; to be placed before the eyes, to lie in sight

Lesson

God wants to encourage you.

God wants you to feel “secure” in your relationship with Him. He wants you to feel safe with Him.

But you have to persevere, to patiently endure.

:19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;

anchor – agkura – an anchor; metaph. any stay or safeguard

sure – asphales (“not” + “fail”) – firm (that which can be relied on); certain, true; suited to confirm

stedfast – bebaios – stable, fast, firm; metaph. sure, trusty

within – esoteros – inner; the inner space which is behind the veil; the shrine, the Holy of Holies, said of heaven by a figure drawn from earthly temple

veil – katapetasma – a veil spread out, a curtain; the name given to the two curtains in the temple at Jerusalem, one of them at the entrance to the temple separated the Holy Place from the outer court, the other veiled the Holy of Holies from the Holy Place

:20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

forerunner – prodromos – a forerunner; esp. one who is sent before to take observations or act as a spy, a scout, a light armed soldier; one who comes in advance to a place where the rest are to follow

entered – eiserchomai – to go out or come in: to enter.  This word is found 15 times in the book of Hebrews, 11 times just in chapters 3-6.

This could be one of the theme words for Hebrews, “Be sure to enter in”.

More on Melchizedek next week.