12-10-2014 Vol. 9 Part 22 The Book of Hebrews (Hebrews 10:32-39)

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12-10-2014Vol. 9 Part 22  The Book of Hebrews 

Psalms 143:1-12 A Psalm of David. Hear my prayer, O LORD, Give ear to my supplications! In Your faithfulness answer me, And in Your righteousness. Do not enter into judgment with Your servant, For in Your sight no one living is righteous. For the enemy has persecuted my soul; He has crushed my life to the ground; He has made me dwell in darkness, Like those who have long been dead. Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me; My heart within me is distressed. I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your works; I muse on the work of Your hands. I spread out my hands to You; My soul longs for You like a thirsty land. Selah Answer me speedily, O LORD; My spirit fails! Do not hide Your face from me, Lest I be like those who go down into the pit. Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, For in You do I trust; Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, For I lift up my soul to You. Deliver me, O LORD, from my enemies; In You I take shelter. Teach me to do Your will, For You are my God; Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness. Revive me, O LORD, for Your name's sake! For Your righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble. In Your mercy cut off my enemies, And destroy all those who afflict my soul; For I am Your servant.

Father God guide us as we travel through this life here on earth. Send you’re Spirit to us each day to watch over us and guide us down the right fork in the road that leads us to your Heavenly Kingdom. In Jesus name we pray, Amen!  The Psalm above fits perfectly with this week’s lesson.

Book of Hebrews 10:32-39 NKJV

Paul concludes this chapter by addressing the Hebrew believers to hang on to their faith in Jesus
Christ and what He did for them on the Cross. He tells them and us to endure in our faith till the end to receive the reward of Heaven for eternity. What a reward this will be and is worth whatever we must endure here on earth to obtain this reward. What type of things do we have to endure you ask? This lesson tells us so let’s get started.

32  But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings:

But recall the former days; Former days is referring to the time period before a person is Born Again. When they lived a life of serving themselves and living for worldly things, thinking they are living a good life. Doing things like gossiping, using God’s name in vainly in everyday language as a way of expressing themselves, cursing and telling course jokes, stealing things like time at work (being nonproductive), praying to statues, practicing rituals of religion, etc. The list is quite extensive and is listed in the Bible in several places like; Leviticus 19:16; 2 Samuel 19:27; Psalm 15:3, Psalm 50:20, Psalm 101:5, Psalm 140:11; Proverbs 6:19, Proverbs 10:18; Proverbs 18:8, Proverbs 25:23, Proverbs 26:20; Jeremiah 6:28, Jeremiah 9:4; Romans 1:29-30; Ephesians 4:17-32; Colossians 3:5-11; 1 Timothy 3:11, 1 Timothy 5:13; 2 Titus 3:3; Titus 2:3, Titus 3:2; James 4:11; 1 Peter 2:1; 2 Peter 2:10-11; Jude 1:8-10; Revelation 12:10 Galatians 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,  20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,  21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

In which after you were illuminated; This phrase is referring to a person experiencing the change of having a new birth in Jesus Christ, when they are Born Again. It is an experience that a person will never forget. All of a sudden joy enters ones soul and you feel complete for the first time in your life and then you will experience peacefulness. A peacefulness that is comforting, warm, and fuzzy. It is a peacefulness of knowing that you have been accepted into God’s family; you are now one of His children; that one day Heaven will be your home. It is the Comforter that has taken up residence within your heart that produces these new feeling. John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. John 15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: John 16:7  Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.  This doesn’t mean everything will be rosy here on earth for the remainder of your life, but it is an inner peace that comes over you. In fact, the battle has just begun, because all of a sudden you now know the truth, there really is a Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and now you really want to please God. This angers the devil because he has lost you and now you will become a target of him to win you back, as the next phrase tells us. Up until the time a person is saved, old Satan doesn’t mess with you because you are living according to pleasing your flesh with the things of the world, which is presently his world.

You endured a great struggle with sufferings; What type of struggle will individuals have? The struggles will vary from person to person, like the things listed in the quoted verses above in Galatians. They will struggle with their friends because all of a sudden what was fun to do before won’t be fun to do now because they recognize it goes against God’s will. In fact they may not want to hang out with their friends because of the language they use and/or how they act toward other people. They will experience suffering due to persecution, because they want their friends and family to experience the new love they found for Jesus by being Born Again, but will be rejected instead. Jesus states in His Word that He will cause division in family and friends because of following Him. Luke 12:51-53 Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division.  52 For from now on five in one house will be divided: three against two, and two against three.  53 Father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law." John 7:43 So there was a division among the people because of Him. Luke 1:8; John 9:16; John 10:19

It is truly amazing the people that say they know the Bible, but yet, still can’t recognize the change in someone they love, and want the same thing for themselves. No, they just go on living the way they have for decades and express they think they are right with God, not knowing for sure. They are just like the Israelites in believing in themselves for salvation.

33  partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated;

Let’s rephrase this verse; Sometimes you were exposed to public ridicule and were beaten, and sometimes you helped others who were suffering the same things.

Partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations; This phrase is in reference to public ridicule. There are times when people have such a zeal for Jesus after they are saved, they will go out in the public and displays crosses, signs, preach on corners, etc. and as a result of such actions they will be made fun of. Normally they will be ridiculed by self proclaiming Christians just like the Pharisees and Scribes of Jesus time, but in reality they are only practicing a religion. These people cannot see the forest for the trees.

And partly while you became companions of those who were so treated; People are ridiculed also because of who they may associate with after they are Born Again or because they are helping a new Born Again individual that is being persecuted because of his new found faith. As mentioned above, after a person is saved 9 out of 10 times they will be looking for Born Again Saints to fellowship with. Because of this change, they will be made fun of and called names like; holy rollers, Bible thumpers, Jesus freaks, thou holy ones, etc.

34  for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven.

For you had compassion on me in my chains; Paul is making reference to the time he was in prison in Rome, as it is recorded in Acts Chapter 28. Paul was hated by the Jewish leaders because of his preaching and starting of many churches. He was considered an enemy/traitor of the Jewish leaders, therefore anyone helping Paul or ministering to his needs while he was in prison also suffered great tribulations from the leaders. The Jewish leaders didn’t just want to remove him from society, but to do away with him, in hopes that this Christianity movement would die.

This type of mentality also exists today. Many times a minister of a denomination may come to disagree with the doctrine of a religion because they have learned the truth and start preaching against the doctrine to reveal this truth. When this happens and the person is very persistent, the leaders not only seek to remove one of their own, but try to destroy that individual so the members of the congregation do not leave. These leaders just like the Pharisees truly believe they are doing God’s work and will go to extremes to save their beliefs, sometimes committing murder in Paul’s case.

And joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods; This is referring to the people that were ministering to Paul’s needs because they were not only ridiculed, but also suffered theft of their goods and destruction of their property. Even though they went through this type of persecution, they did it with a joyful spirit because of the peace and joy within their hearts.

Knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven; This is why the people ministering to Paul were joyful because they had the assurance of a Heavenly reward some day. They had experience the change, that being Born Again gives one. Their eyes had been open and their heart knew the truth. The possessions of the world no longer were important.

35  Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward.

Therefore do not cast away your confidence; Simply stating to stand firm in faith in Jesus and what He did for you on the Cross at Cavalry. If one casts away this confidence then they will cast away the reward of Heaven.

Which has great reward; Faith in Jesus and the Cross is what provides a great reward, HEAVEN! Nothing on earth can satisfy the inner desire for joy and peace.

36  For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:

For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God; What this phrase is saying is that we need to have patience or endurance to continue doing the will of God. Paul is telling his listeners to keep doing what they have been doing and don’t get discouraged. Stay faithful to Jesus and put on the armor of God each day. Don’t get lazy and give the Devil the opportunity to tempt you.

You may receive the promise; Refers to our reward that we will receive one day. We are to love the Lord enough, and to have enough faith in Him, to know that He will provide for us, will take care of us, and will always do for us what we need. As a believer we are to trust in the Lord, understanding “that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). We must never forget that this Promise from God is a Promise He has made, and God keeps His Promises!

37  "FOR YET A LITTLE WHILE, AND HE WHO IS COMING WILL COME AND WILL NOT TARRY.

This verse comes from Habakkuk 2:3. What this verse is telling us is to be patient and wait for the Lord. The definition of tarry here means to linger in expectation; wait; stay in or at a place. So what Paul is telling his Hebrew listeners and us, is to stay faithful and wait on the Lord. Continue doing the will of God until the appointed time for the Rapture of the Church to come about. Whatever the reward God has for us will be stupendous compared to any type of earthly reward.

38  NOW THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH; BUT IF ANYONE DRAWS BACK, MY SOUL HAS NO PLEASURE IN HIM."

This verse is from Habakkuk 2:4.

NOW THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH; The just, who are the just? They are children of God, Born Again Saints. They are just because when they came to know the truth of the Gospel, admitted they were sinners in God’s eyes, ask for forgiveness for living the way they were, God forgave them and at that moment they were justified through the blood of Jesus. From that point on they live by faith in Jesus by fully understanding why Jesus died on the Cross for them.

BUT IF ANYONE DRAWS BACK; This phrase proclaims the fact that a believer can backslide in their faith by transferring their Faith from Christ and the Cross to other things.

MY SOUL HAS NO PLEASURE IN HIM; This phrase tells us that God is grieved over the conduct of any person that would turn their back and place their faith in anything other than Jesus and His death and resurrection. After all God sent His Son, and His Son was will to come and die on the Cross for us, as the perfect sacrifice.

39  But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.

Paul is giving his Hebrew listener a pep talk with this statement, like a coach gives his team a pep talk at half time. He is telling us to remain faithful, endure the trials and temptations this life throws at us. Don’t be drawn back into their previous lifestyle which is a lifestyle of perdition, eternal Hell.

The Bible gives us a clear choice between two life directions. Because life often forks off in two directions, you must take the higher road, even though it looks more difficult and treacherous. That road gets steep and rocky in places. The climb takes a toll on your energy. It gets lonely. Not many on it, but more than you imagined, and some because of your example. It gets slippery; the devil blows ice on the narrow passages. Despite its dangers, the higher road is bound for the peak, and you'll make it; God has a lifeline around you. When you are tempted to falter in your faith or to turn back from following Christ, keep focused on what he has done for you and what he offers in the future Romans 8:12-25; Galatians 3:10-13. Then keep climbing.

Colossians 1:16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth,

visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers.

All things were created through Him and for Him.

Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

John 3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, Most assuredly, I say to you,

unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

http://jesus-christ-spiritual-food.blogspot.com/

Bill Wiesbrock https://www.facebook.com/bill.wiesbrock?ref=tn_tnmn

The Lighthouse Full Gospel Church

Sinners Prayer; Pray this, and if you believe it with your heart, Jesus will save you!

“Lord Jesus I know I am a sinner.  I confess my sins to you; I am sorry for my sins; I repent (Meaning, desiring to turn from a sinful lifestyle.) of all my sins, and I am asking for your forgiveness of all of my sins.  I believe that only you can forgive sin.  I commit my life to you and ask you to come into my heart, direct, and take charge of my life.  I believe that you died to set me free from my sinful lifestyle and you rose from the dead to give me eternal life, and right now you are seated at the Right Hand of God Almighty. I believe you are the Son of God; the only Way, the only Truth, the only Life, and my Savior.”  I believe this and have faith you will make a new person out of me, by sending the Holy Spirit to dwell in my heart and lead me in a new life. In Jesus name I pray Amen.”  (John 3:16,17; Romans 3:23; 6:23; 5:8; 10:9-13; Ephesians 2:8-10; 1 John 5:11-14; 1:6-10) (Sin: Rom. 1:22-32; Gal. 5:19-21; Eph. 5:3-7)