C. Acknowledgment 6:10 1. of Their Work and Love D. 2. Loving God s Name E. A. Introduction 1. a Threefold Cord. 3. Love Is Practical F.

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1 Congregational handout; outline sermon text on following pages Sermon Notes & References of You, I Expect Better Hebrews 6:9-12 July 13, 2014 A. Introduction 1. a Threefold Cord 2. Scripture Reading A. 3. Faith, Hope, Love 4. Keeping Truth in Balance B. Assurance 6:9 1. of Their Spiritual State B. 2. of Things Accompanying Salvation C. C. Acknowledgment 6:10 1. of Their Work and Love D. 2. Loving God s Name E. 3. Love Is Practical F. D. Aspiration 6:11 1. for Their Welfare 2. Realising Hope 3. What is Meant by End E. Assignment 6:12 1. for their Spiritual Exercise 2. Monkeys, Not Slugs! 3. Faith and Patience F. Conclusion 1. Heed the Warning G. 2. Loving Service A Romans 5:2-5; I Corinthians 13:13; Galatians 5:5-6; Colossians 1:4-5; 1 Thessalonians 1:3, 5:8; Hebrews 10:22-24; 1 Peter 1:21-22 B Romans 5:5 C Romans 8:28-30; Ephesians 2:8-10; Titus 2:11-15 D E F G Philippians 2:13; Luke 17:10; Matthew 25:21; 2 Matthew 25:40; 1 John 4:7, John 3:17, 5:2 1 Corinthians 6:1-2

2 {1}. Hebrews 6: of You, I Expect Better A. Introduction 1. a Threefold Cord a. there is a close association of some ideas b. along this line, there were a couple of popular songs from my youth which came to my mind their words sound quite strange in the light of today s prevailing culture and values c. the first was introduced in 1955 and goes, Love and marriage, love and marriage Go together like a horse and carriage, This I tell you brother, You can't have one without the other {2}. d. that is not the kind of words we hear in today s popular music! e. and in that same year came the second song, Have faith, hope and charity That's the way to live successfully How do I know? the Bible tells me so. {3}. f. now, I know that I don t have to tell you that the word charity, as found in the Authorised Version, had a different meaning than today, universal love: the disposition to think favourably of others, and to do them good {4}. but, of course, the current meaning has drifted to and beyond the last part of that definition: giving to those in need g. faith, hope and love is a three-fold association found in today s text, 2. Scripture Reading Hebrews 6:9-12 (NKJV) 9 But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner. 10 For God is not unjust to forget your work and labour of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

3 3. Faith, Hope, Love did you note those three as we read? a. the handout lists some of the places in God s word linking these three b. best known, perhaps, is 1 Corinthians 13:13 But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love. c. but, did you also notice, that important as love is, that this passage exhorts that the reader should not stop there 4. Keeping Truth in Balance a. it would seem that Satan delights in tempting Christians to get them out of balance in their priorities and in their practises b. it is for this reason that it is so important for a church to proclaim the whole counsel of God and not spend its time solely on ear-tickling and interesting sidelights even though found in the Scriptures c. the KJV reads the greatest of these is charity and as charity came to mean almsgiving to the poor in particular, an overemphasis grew in part of the church on meeting the mankind s physical needs, and as a reaction, in other parts an emphasis on meeting man s spiritual need to the detriment of the physical (A) the missionary Amy Carmichael sought help for the poor in India from her critics, saying, One cannot save and then pitchfork souls into heaven Souls are more or less securely fastened to bodies and as you cannot get the souls out and deal with them separately, you have to take them both together. {5}. d. hopefully, however, as we look at our text today, and other related Scriptures, we shall learn to keep these and other gospel truth in the balance that the word of God teaches. B. Assurance :9 1. of Their Spiritual State a. But, beloved, we are convinced of better things concerning you, and things that accompany salvation, though we are speaking in this way. b. though we are speaking in this way, refers back to verses which (A) addressed people who had heard, seen, tasted had had a full experience of the gospel message, the moving of the Holy Spirit, the power of God; people who at that time, (1) had deluded themselves and others as being Christians by knowing all the right language, being in church fellowship (2) or perhaps were still wrestling with the claims of Christ, and the cost of being His disciple, not having decided for Christ

4 (B) these are solemnly warned that if they should fall away from the gospel and their privileged opportunity in that unsaved state, if they should reject Christ and His salvation, this opportunity would not come again what more could God do than what He had already done to bring them to salvation? c. now he turns to address others, calling them Beloved (plural) (A) the one and only time that word is found in Hebrews (B) they are beloved because God has effectively applied His love to them; they have been transformed into His people (C) because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. (Romans 5:5) (D) they are also beloved because they are sisters and brothers in Jesus Christ, part of the household of faith, God s own children (E) of these, the writer has a firm assurance, he expects better things (1) they will not crucify to themselves the Son of God (2) they will not put Jesus Christ to open shame (3) rather, they will give evidence of those 2. Things Accompanying Salvation a. a person s salvation by the grace of God through faith is intended to have visible results: the is taught, for example, in b. the stages of salvation given in Romans 8:28-30, 28b to those who are called according to His purpose. 29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; 30 and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. c. the goal of the new birth (creation) in Ephesians 2:8-10: 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. d. the truths that Paul instructed Pastor Titus to teach: 11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, 12 instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, 14 who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds. 15 These things speak and exhort and reprove with all

5 authority. Let no one disregard you. (Titus 2:11-15) e. that such better things belonging to salvation had already taken place in their lives, the writer now gives an C. Acknowledgement :10 1. of Their Work and Love a. For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints. b. if, as is the case, it is God residing in us who accomplishes such work and love for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. (Philippians 2:13) is there then really any reward due to those in whom they are produced? c. in one sense, the answer is no, for as Jesus taught in a parable about an obedient servant, So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say, We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done. (Luke 17:10) d. yet, God in His grace chooses to reward such faithfulness, as spoken in another parable, His master said to him, Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master. (Matthew 25:21) e. and every Christian should anticipate such a reward along with Paul: in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing. (2 Timothy 4:8) f. God is not unjust it is not our but God s character as the righteous Judge that causes Him to acknowledge their, and our, work and love 2. Loving God s Name a. here is an interesting truth: the way to love God s Name, the way to bring glory and praise to the Name of God b. is by love for the children of God, love for the people of God c. that is the thrust of Jesus words, The King will answer and say to them, Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me. Mt. 25:40 d. because we are the people of God, because Christians bear the name of Christ, what we say and what we do reflects on the Name of God e. John, in his first letter, has a lot to say about love and the believer it is the mark of a real relationship with God (A) Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows

6 God. (1 John 4:7) (B) 19 We love, because He first loved us. 20 If someone says, I love God, and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. (1 John 4:19-20) f. and it is John who points out love is not simply emotion, but 3. Love Is Practical a. so John asks, But whoever has the world s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? (1 John 3:17) b. and later says that love is shown in our acts, By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments. (1 John 5:2) c. what was the work that is here linked with their love? just what was that work that they are assured that God will not forget? d. that is answered in the rest of the verse having ministered and in still ministering to the saints remember, saints here means Christians (A) that word, minister, diakoneo, is a practical word (B) it is what the waiter or waitress does in the restaurant (C) it was what the deacons did in the early church: wait on tables providing food to the widows and other poor e. their ministry of love loving service was no hit and miss affair; the words by which it is described lay out a clear picture there was a point in the past when they began to serve, they continued in that service and even as this was written, they were still serving f. of this service we shall learn more in Hebrews 10 D. Aspiration :11 1. for Their Welfare a. And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end, b. the writer has a deep desire, an aspiration on behalf of his readers c. a spiritual goal to which they should make every effort to arrive d. but from which they have been kept back by oppostion from outside and doubting within; restraining them from

7 2. Realising Hope a. hope in the NT is not an uncertain outcome for which we wish b. but the anticipation now of a future and certain promise or event c. to realise that hope, is to live one s life, make one s choices, set one s values, anticipating the fulfilment of that promise d. the believer can, therefore, shape his or her life, with a full assurance that the promises of God in Christ Jesus are certain and sure e. on this subject of hope, Hebrews will shortly have more to say 3. What Is Meant by End? a. I shall simply leave you with three possible end s, to which we are to be diligent in realising full assurance of hope all can apply: (A) until this has achieved God s purpose in our life (B) until this earthly life is through, and hope becomes sight (C) until Jesus comes and every promise of God to us fulfilled b. finally, the writer gives his readers an E. Assignment :12 1. for Their Spiritual Exercise a. so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. b. the Greek word is mimetai, from which we get the English mimic, but the translation imitators suggests an artificiality or pretence; the KJV followers on the other hand fails to bring out the full meaning c. the best illustration of this that I have ever heard is that of a child, walking behind a parent, matching step by step, action by action d. who here are the objects of this imitation: not a parent, but, rather as Hebrews goes on to say, Abraham and those pilgrims of faith who have preceded us e. our physical bodies need exercise to grow and to stay strong f. here, then is a spiritual exercise to grow and to stay strong spiritually 2. Monkeys, Not Slugs! a. the next time you should go to the monkey section of the zoo to be entertained, here is a sobering thought all

8 those amusing antics you see they have learned by watching and imitating you! b. a slug, however, it seems just to be content to sit there, or to slime slowly from place to place c. so the lesson to be learned is to take an interest in the spiritual acts of those you see in active fellowship with God, seeking to do the same 3. Faith and Patience a. are brought together as the way to inherit God s promises b. which highlights an important fact about faith it is not an action, a state, or a statement made at a one particular point in time c. but rather it is a continuing way of life in response to God s truth, a shaping of one s life in a consistent fashion the ongoing walking in a trust relationship to God, regardless of the events you encounter d. that is what the word patience or longsuffering teaches us here F. Conclusion 1. Heed the Warning a. if it should be that the warning preceding our text applies to you (A) you have never accepted Christ, asked Him to save you on the basis of His finished work on the cross and resurrection (B) whether you are wrestling with His claims as the Son of God (C) or you have thought there is some other way of salvation b. this then is God s message to you, 1 we beg you not to accept this marvellous gift of God s kindness and then ignore it. 2 For God says, At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you. Indeed, the right time is now. Today is the day of salvation. as the NLT clearly paraphrases 1 Corinthians 6: Loving Service a. a few weeks ago we sang these words in our service: Love so mighty and so true Merits my soul s best songs; Faithful, loving service too To Him belongs. {6}. b. let this be the response of every Christian to the love that has been shown to us by God in Christ Jesus

9 by Garth Hutchinson, Faith Fellowship Baptist Church of Aurora (Ontario): may be distributed or quoted freely, only let this be done to the glory of the great God and our Saviour, Jesus Christ (Titus ii.13). Except as noted otherwise, quotations are from the New American Standard version, used by permission. Various other English versions of the Holy Bible may be used in this sermon. Explanatory additions to the Bible text are shown in braces. Version identifiers are: ASV American Standard Version of 1901 AV Authorized (King James) Version of 1769 NAS New American Standard version 1960, 1995 The Lockman Foundation (usually the 1995 edition) NIV New International Version 1984 by the International Bible Society NKJV New King James Version 1979 Thomas Nelson Inc., Publishers WEY The New Testament in Modern Speech 1902, 1912 R. F. Weymouth Some of the commentaries and resources used in the preparation of this message are identified as follow: Barnes Notes on the New Testament, et alia, by Rev Albert Barnes, Gall & Inglis, Edinburgh BM Biblical Museum, Editor James Comper Gray, ca 1870 EBC The Expositor s Bible Commentary, 1986 Zondervan, Grand Rapids, 49530, Michigan Hebrews, by Leon Morris EGT The Expositor s Greek Testament, Hodder & Stoughton Hebrews, by Marcus Dods Gill Exposition of the Old Testament, Exposition of the New Testament, by John Gill, D.D. Kerux The sermon & illustration data base compiled by Rev. David Holwick at the web-site, NICNT The New International Commentary on the New Testament The Epistle to the Hebrew, by F. F. Bruce RWP Robertson s Word Pictures of the New Testament, by Dr. A. T. Robertson TYN The Tyndale New Testament Commentaries Hebrews, by Donald Guthrie 2. Love and Marriage, ca by Sammy Cahn 3. The Bible Tells Me So, in 1955 by Don Cornell 4. As defined in Chamber s Etymological Dictionary, Quotation #2425 found on 6. Love Lifted Me, by James Rowe, ( )