“Better Things”
(Hebrews 6:9-12)
Series: Captivated by Christ (Hebrews)
Rev. Todd A. Linn, PhD
Henderson’s First Baptist Church, Henderson
- Take your Bible and join me in Hebrews, chapter 6.
We are preaching our way, verse-by-verse, through the Book of Hebrews in a series entitled, “Captivated by Christ.” At the end of Chapter 5 and into Chapter 6 we have been studying one of the warning passages in the Book of Hebrews. There are no fewer than five of these warning passages and we are studying the third of these five.
The writer gives these warnings in the letter to the Hebrews in order to encourage the readers and hearers. He wants to encourage them to move on, move forward, persevere in the faith. The warnings are not given to unsettle true believers, but rather to encourage them onward.
We noted last time the similarity of the writer’s use of these warnings to the navigation systems most of us use when we drive. We have a GPS navigation system that guides us on our journey as we travel. So the final destination is “locked into” the device and the system guides us, turn-by-turn, as we make our way to the end: “Slow down, accident ahead.” “Make a legal U-turn.” “Stay on the current road for 25 miles,” etc. The warnings are not given to unsettle us, but rather to encourage and guide us along the way. We will get to that final destination. That’s how Christians should hear these warnings.
Non-Christians will hear the warnings in Hebrews differently. And they should. The writer realizes that there will be some reading this letter or hearing the letter read who are not on the right path. They have not yet been saved. So the non-Christian should hear the warning as an alarming and unsettling statement warning of impending danger if they do not commit to Christ and follow Him in the way.
In fact, the writer indicates in Chapter 6 that there are some non-Christians who have gotten really close to the things of God, really close to Christ, really close to salvation, but never committed and, in time, turned their backs upon Christ in utterly rejecting Him as Savior. So decisive and so final was their rejection that it was tantamount to re-crucifying Jesus. These unbelievers who utterly fall away from Christ are described there in Chapter 6, verse 6 as they who “crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.” Their public rejection of Christ was like driving fresh nails into the hands and feet of Christ, bringing open shame upon the name and work of Jesus Christ.
Let’s review last week’s outline, then, and recall these divisions in the passage. First, the warning proper, or the warning itself. That’s verses 4-6. And this is where we read about those who do not go on following Christ, those unbelievers who finally fall away from Christ. We studied these phrases the writer uses to describe them. See in verse 4 how he describes they who know only the temporary blessings that come to people who get close to the things of God. They were “once enlightened,” and “have tasted the heavenly gift,” sampled it, like one sampling food from a tray, but not committing to the full meal. They are they who—also verse 4—“have become partakers of the Holy Spirit” and so on. But they not saved. Close, but never committing to Christ.
Second point is “An illustration,” verses 7-8 where the writer illustrates how two people respond differently to the same gospel message. The first one, the saved one, is described in verse 7. Verse 7 describes the way a Christian responds to the Word of God, to the gospel message, to Christ. Verse 7:
7 For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God;
Verse 7 recalls our Lord’s teachings in Matthew 13, the Parable of the sower. Verse 7 is like the person who hears the word of the kingdom like seed falling on good ground. He bears fruit. Verse 8, however, describes the person who hears the word, but because of the hardness of the soil of his heart, or because of persecution or attraction to the things of the world, he endures only for awhile and then stumbles, bearing no fruit. Verse 8:
8 but if it bears thorns and briers, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned.
Verse 8 describes the person who produces no fruit in his or her life. The ground of his life is left in its natural condition, bearing only thorns and briers. As when Adam sinned in the Garden of Eden, the ground no longer produced fruit naturally, so man today will bear no fruit apart from supernatural empowering, apart from the gift of salvation by grace through faith in Christ. Apart from grace, all the natural man can produce through his own work are the works of thorns and briers. No fruit.
Then, the writer says in the next verse, verse 8, “But, beloved,”—beloved! Now, he is addressing those who are on the right path, the beloved, Christians: “We are confident of better things concerning you…” and he provides this third point of our outline. “An encouragement.” And we’ll talk about that this morning.
Before we go any further, a number of you were helped by some phrases you wanted to write down, but didn’t get all of them. There were a few statements last week that will continue to be of help in our Christian walk. First:
“Context is key”
The key to understanding a portion of Scripture is its context. We will read verses both preceding and following the verses we are trying to interpret correctly. We’ll ask, “What is the context of this passage?” What has the writer been saying thus far, and where is he going next? Giving attention to context is always helpful to getting at the meaning of the passage.
“The faith that fizzles before the finish was flawed from the first”
This statement is a way to understand why some do not persevere in the faith, why some do not go on believing Christ. They came close to salvation, but ultimately “fell away” from Christ and stopped following. Since true followers go on believing, persevering to the end of their lives, this phrase helps us see that whatever “faith” these unbelievers had, it was not saving faith. Not genuine faith. Because genuine faith endures to the end. The faith that fizzles before the finish was not genuine—was flawed from the first.
“Once saved, always persevering” or, “Once saved, forever following”
This is a biblical way to describe assurance, knowing for certain we are believers. The common phrase, “once saved, always saved” may be used to teach something unbiblical, namely that just because a person made some kind of decision years ago, he or she is saved no matter how they live. That is not genuine salvation. Genuine salvation is a change of heart, a change of life. True Christians are saved from the penalty of sin and God goes on giving grace to move forward in our faith, growing in our sanctification, each day being saved from the power of sin. One day, we’ll be completely saved, saved from the very presence of sin. Perseverance does not mean perfection. We will still sin from time to time. Perseverance describes a movement forward. Genuine Christians persevere to the end. Once saved, always persevering.
“Theology is nothing more than the ordinary rules of grammar and logic applied to Scripture”
This statement helps us see how simple doing theology really is. We are simply applying the ordinary rules of grammar and logic to the passage we are studying. Doing so, including giving attention to context, helps us understand what a passage is teaching about God, about man, about salvation, and so on. Theology is nothing more than the ordinary rules of grammar and logic applied to Scripture.
Okay, remember that the Sunday morning sermons are provided on the website in an archive going back some 15 years. Not only audio, but the actual written manuscripts themselves. So you can read through these messages and print them out and teach from them.
Having taken time this morning to review and get a sense of the context of what the writer has been saying, we’re ready to study this encouragement in verses 9 through 12.
- Please stand in honor of the reading of God’s Word.
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 labor 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.
- Pray: “Father, thank you for your Word. Holy Spirit, be our teacher as we study. Help us see our selves, and help us see our Savior, in Jesus’ name, amen.”
You get something of the pastoral heart of the writer of this letter in verses 9-12. He shows them that while he was describing what happens to those who utterly and decisively and finally fall away from Christ, he does not believe this to be the case with those who read his letter. He is writing to them about such things, but he is confident that this will not be the case with the majority who hear the letter being read in worship.
As John Owen puts it, the writer wrote “unto” them, but he did not write “of” them. In writing to the Hebrews, the writer described the actions of those who had fallen away from Christ, left Him, rejected Him. So on this matter the writer wrote “unto” this congregation, but he did not write “of” this congregation. No, he says in verse 9: “But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you…”
The term “beloved” is used only here in Hebrews. Just this one time. The writer seems to have given much thought to using the term since he uses it just here. Beloved. My loving brothers and sisters, we are confident of “better things” concerning you. Better. That word alone “better” occurs no fewer than 13 times in the letter. Remember that the main theme of this letter to the Hebrews is the theme that Jesus is better than anyone or anything. A summary of the book of Hebrews is captured in three words: Jesus is better.
9 But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany (or belong to) salvation, though we speak in this manner.
This is yet another reason why we know that the people the writer describes up in verses 4-5 are not true believers. There in verse 4 he describes those who know only temporary blessings that come to those who get close to the things of God. Recall these phrases in verse 4. These people were “once enlightened,” and “have tasted the heavenly gift,” sampled it, but not committing to it. They are they who “have become partakers of the Holy Spirit,” but they not saved. Close, but never committing to Christ.
Verse 9: “But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany (or belong to) salvation…” See it? We’re talking about those of you who know the better things of salvation and what belongs to salvation, things such as the fruit of the Spirit, your love for the name of God, and so on. Not just temporary blessings that can come upon any person, but better things that belong only to Christians, “better things that accompany salvation.”
It’s in this context then, the context of true believers, true Christians, that the writer provides two main encouragements. First:
- Keep Ministering to God’s People (9-10)
True believers so love God that they love the people of God. Remember how Jesus summed up the entire law of the Old Testament? He said, “Love the Lord your God with all your soul, mind, and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself.” The two go together. The Apostle John is very clear on this in 1 John 4:20, “If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar.”
The writer in verse 10 draws the same connection. Love for God’s name is a love that results in love for our brothers and sisters in Christ. Love that is upward is connected to love that is outward. The two go together. Verse 10:
10 For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
Love for brothers and sisters is one evidence of a changed heart. Love for God’s people is the fruit of one who is genuinely saved. Verse 10 describes the person whose life is like “the earth which drinks in the rain that comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receiving blessing from God.” They are fruitful. They love and serve God by loving and serving others.
The writer encourages Christians, those whom he describes as they who have shown love “toward His name,” love toward God, to go on loving and ministering to the people of God. Keep ministering to God’s people. Keep at it in this “work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints (to God’s people), and do minister.” Keep ministering to God’s people.
And he says, “For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love.” God will not forget what you have done for Him and for His people. Though the people may forget, God will not. He remembers every selfless deed and work you do and will reward you. Lay not up for yourselves treasures on earth, but treasures in heaven. So Keep ministering to God’s people. Secondly:
- Keep Moving towards God’s Promises (11-12)
Verses 11 and 12 picture this movement, this progression forward of true Christians. Perseverance to the end:
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.
The writer is encouraging his readers to persevere in their faith. Keep moving forward. Keep your eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith.
Verses 10 and 11 go together. To the same degree Christians love the name of God by ministering to the saints so are they to apply the same diligence in grasping the assurance of their salvation. The “full assurance of hope” is the absolute confidence that God will bring them along in their faith until their work on earth is done. The JB Phillips paraphrase of verse 11 is helpful: “It is our earnest wish that every one of you should show a similar keenness in fully grasping the hope that is within you.”
You see how the writer wants Christians to have assurance?! He does not want to unsettle true believers. You can know you are saved. You can have assurance that God accepts you. “We desire that each of you show the same diligence to (have, or in having) the full assurance of hope…”
Apparently some of them did not have “the full assurance of the hope.” Something was lacking. They had watched as some from among them had become disenchanted with the Christian faith and had gone back to Judaism. Perhaps this had a negative effect upon the others who remained. They lacked assurance. Would God really present them faultless at the last day? Would they be fully and finally saved?
Some of you may need to grow in your faith in this regard. You feel you love others, but you have no assurance God loves you. You are wondering whether God accepts you in Christ. Show the same diligence that you have in your love for Christ, show the same diligence in truly believing God, taking him at His Word, fully grasping the hope that is within you. It is largely a matter of faith, of trust, of believing the Lord and taking Him at His Word.
The diligence you have in loving God’s name by serving God’s people today—be just as diligent, or work just as hard at—fully grasping the hope that is within you through faith in Christ, believing who He is and what He has done for you. Do this, he says, so that, verse 12:
12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Don’t become sluggish! It’s the same word translated as “Dull” as in that phase “Dull of hearing (5:11).” Don’t become lazy in your Christian walk. Don’t pull over when your GPS is telling you to keep moving. The road ahead may be difficult and you’ve hit a bump on the way, but keep moving on.
And the writer provides a helpful motivation here in verse 12. He says, “that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” Keep moving toward God’s promises.
Remember where you’re headed! Remember your final destination at the end of your route. Keep moving till you hear, “You have arrived at your final destination.”
And when you arrive at your final destination—through faith and patience, or perseverance—you will “inherit the promises.” And then the writer provides Abraham as an example of someone who kept moving, kept going forward in faith, moving towards the promises of God. We’ll study this next time, Lord willing, verses 13 and following. The writer is saying, “Be encouraged as you look to people like Abraham as an example of someone you can imitate, “imitating those who through faith and patience inherited the promise.”
Abraham was looking forward to a city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God (Hebrews 11:10). Be like him in that sense. Be inspired by Abraham. And you too keep moving forward, moving towards God’s promises, namely the fulness of salvation in eternal life through Christ.
And here then is the key to moving on. Here is the key to perseverance. In a word it is “faith.” Do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith…inherit the promises.” Faith. Believing. Trusting God who said He will get you there. Trusting God’s Word as in Ephesians 1:13-14, “…having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.”
I read about a lady who got on a train. And there were many trains at the station so she asked someone which was the correct train to get on. She was told which train and she got on. But she was nervous. Wasn’t exactly sure she was on the right train. She was thinking about getting off. She turned to someone next to her and said, “Is this the right train to St. Louis?” The person next to her said, “Yes, this is it.”
So she sat there and, before long started thinking maybe the person next to her was on the wrong train himself so she turned to another person and said, “Sir, is this the train to St. Louis?” He said, “Yes, ma’am. This is the train to St. Louis.”
She felt a little better, but then doubt crept back in. At about this moment the train’s conductor came by. She said to him, “Sir, I’m going to St. Louis. Am I on the right train?” The conductor said, “Yes, ma’am. You’re on the right train. I will take you there because I’m the one running the engine.” Finally, the woman had the assurance she sought, assurance that she was on the right train.
Your assurance is not going to come so much from the person next to you or behind you, or even from a pastor. Who knows, any one of these persons may be on the wrong train themselves. They may lead you astray. You want to be sure you are on the right path and that you will arrive at your final destination, then open the Word of God and hear directly from the Conductor Himself. (paraphrase of Tony Evans’ illustration)
Be diligent to have full assurance of the hope till the end. Imitate those who through faith inherit the promises. By faith. By trusting God’s Word. By believing the One who runs the engine of your faith.
- Let’s pray.
With heads bowed and eyes closed for a moment, let’s consider what we’ve heard today. Do you have genuine saving faith? Is your life like barren ground, bearing only thorns and briers, or can you say that there is real fruit in your life, a love for God’s name and for God’s people? Do you love Him? Really love Him?
Are you living for Him—not for what you think you can get from Him: good health, a good job, a good marriage. But you love Him. You love His name. Your life is bound up with Christ and your eyes are fixed upon Him. And this is why you have “full assurance of your hope to the end.”
If you don’t know Him, turn to Him this morning in faith. Turn your eyes upon Jesus. In a moment when we sing, you can come make your way here to the front and I will meet you and pray with you after the service. You want to be baptized or join the church, you can also come as we sing and I’ll pray with you and give you some helpful materials to take home with you.
“God, as we pray, we thank you for Jesus—the one who through death into life everlasting He passed, that we may follow Him there. Give us grace to be saved. Save our souls from sin and folly. Give us hearts of wisdom to live for you in Jesus’ name, amen.”
Stand and sing, and respond however you need to respond.
“Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus.”
COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER: The text contained in this sermon is solely owned by its author. The reproduction, or distribution of this message, or any portion of it, should include the author’s name. The author intends to provide free resources in order to inspire believers and to assist preachers and teachers in Kingdom work.