The Just Shall Live by Faith

Transcription

1 The Just Shall Live by Faith Hebrews 10:26-39 Lesson 16 Because Jewish believers were constantly being tempted to go back to temple worship and the sacrificial system, the writer of Hebrews steps in to strongly warn them against the sin of disobedience. God through His Spirit had spoken and now it was up to these believers to listen and obey. They had been told that Christ s sacrifice for their sins was sufficient. But now, they were in danger of casting away that truth and going back to their old and familiar religious traditions. The writer of this epistle was in essence letting them know that if they went back to offering sacrifices for their sins, they would miss the whole point of Jesus dying on the cross! Sacrifices were no longer needed because Jesus paid the price completely for all of their sins. We too must accept that nothing we can do for ourselves will ever be effective to deliver us. Jesus did it all. To believe anything less is to mock His sacrifice for us on the cross. So what is a believer to do? Live by faith! Believe with all your heart that Jesus was the provision for your sin and the price He paid was absolutely sufficient. Lay aside all your self-reliance and fully and freely receive this awesome gift of love from Him. Enjoy your salvation and acknowledge that the price for your forgiveness has been paid in full! The just ones, the forgiven ones now live by faith. We willingly obey God s Word and live for Jesus because anything less would equal a wasted life. As the well-loved hymn says, Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe; sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow. 1

2 Open your Bible and begin with a word of prayer This Week s Scripture: Hebrews 10:26-39 Dear friends, if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice that will cover these sins. 27 There is only the terrible expectation of God s judgment and the raging fire that will consume his enemies. 28 For anyone who refused to obey the Law of Moses was put to death without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 Just think how much worse the punishment will be for those who have trampled on the Son of God, and have treated the blood of the covenant, which made us holy, as if it were common and unholy, and have insulted and disdained the Holy Spirit who brings God s mercy to us. 30 For we know the one who said, I will take revenge. I will pay them back. He also said, The LORD will judge his own people. 31 It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God. 32 Think back on those early days when you first learned about Christ. Remember how you remained faithful even though it meant terrible suffering. 33 Sometimes you were exposed to public ridicule and were beaten, and sometimes you helped others who were suffering the same things. 34 You suffered along with those who were thrown into jail, and when all you owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy. You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever. 35 So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! 36 Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised. 37 For in just a little while, the Coming One will come and not delay. 38 And my righteous ones will live by faith. But I will take no pleasure in anyone who turns away. 39 But we are not like those who turn away from God to their own destruction. We are the faithful ones, whose souls will be saved. NLT This Week s Memory Verse: Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised. For in just a little while, the Coming One will come and not delay. Hebrews 10:36-37 NLT 1. The first half of this week s scripture deals with the rejection of Jesus Christ and the sacrifice that He made for us on the cross. What does John 12:48-50 tell us about those who reject the Son of God? Use the NLT version for your answer. 2

3 a. How should those of us who know Jesus and have accepted Him as Lord and Savior respond? Look up these verses and note what you find. Isaiah 6:8: Luke 10:2: Mark 16:15: b. How do these scriptures encourage you to share your faith? c. What reassurance does Matthew 10:18-20 give us about sharing the Gospel? 2. We are now going to turn our focus to the second half of this week s scripture. According to verses 32-34, what happened to the Hebrew Christians? Persecution is one of the natural consequences of living the Christian life. It is to the Christian what growing pains are to the growing child. No pain, no development. No suffering, no glory. No struggle, no victory. No persecution, no reward! Billy Graham 3. What do the following verses say about the persecution of Christ s followers? a. 2 Timothy 3:12: b. John 15:18: 3

4 c. 1 Peter 3:14: d. 1 Peter 3:17: e. 1 Peter 4:12-14: 4. Verse 36 of this week s scripture speaks of patient endurance. How does Romans 5:3-5 encourage us to endure the race that has been set before us. a. According to Romans 5:5, why doesn t hope lead to disappointment? b. Does this hope encourage you? Why or why not? 5. Our last verse this week speaks of faithfulness. What final promise can we take away from 2 Thessalonians 3:3? If we make a full surrender, God will give us something better than we have ever known before. We will get a new vision of Jesus Christ, and will thank God not only in this life but in the life to come. May God help each and every one of us to make a full and complete and unconditional surrender to God, fully and wholly, now and forever. D.L. Moody ( ) 4

5 Reflect What has touched your heart during this week s study? Respond How has this study encouraged your spiritual growth? Result In what practical ways can you apply what you have learned this week? 5

6 Thoughts & Prayers 6