Now's The Time: To Hold On!

Text: Hebrews 10:26–39 (NASB95) For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a terrifying expectation of judgment and THE FURY OF A FIRE WHICH WILL CONSUME THE ADVERSARIES. 28 Anyone who has set aside the Law of Moses dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know Him who said, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY.” And again, “THE LORD WILL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE.” 31 It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God. 32 But remember the former days, when, after being enlightened, you endured a great conflict of sufferings, 33 partly by being made a public spectacle through reproaches and tribulations, and partly by becoming sharers with those who were so treated. 34 For you showed sympathy to the prisoners and accepted joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and a lasting one. 35 Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. 37 FOR YET IN A VERY LITTLE WHILE, HE WHO IS COMING WILL COME, AND WILL NOT DELAY. 38 BUT MY RIGHTEOUS ONE SHALL LIVE BY FAITH; AND IF HE SHRINKS BACK, MY SOUL HAS NO PLEASURE IN HIM. 39 But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul.

Tough Times

PRAYER

Hebrews is a letter written to Jewish Christians who are facing intense persecution and trials.

I don’t know if they felt like the picture on the front of the bulletin — a tiger, or a lion, holding on.

Maybe they felt they were holding on by a thread.

Maybe they felt like Bill the Cat holding on

They are facing a great deal of pressure by the Roman government and their family and "friends" to return to their Jewish culture and religion.

Because, though not really liked, Judaism was at least was accepted.

Isn't that just like the world who:

...does not think it strange when people wreck their bodies, destroy their homes, and ruin their lives by running from one sin to another!

But let a drunkard have an encounter with Jesus and become sober, or an immoral person embrace the holiness of God and become pure, and the family thinks he or she has lost their mind!

They’ve gone off the deep end!

In the face of such pressure to turn back to the old life, the writer of Hebrews says in

Vs.35 (Phillips): "Don't throw away your trust now - it carries with it a rich reward."

I want to encourage you to listen to what the Spirit is saying through this passage of Scripture.

Maybe there are some here who are wondering why they should keep trying.

Why keep living for Jesus? It's so hard!

Let me encourage you - it IS worth it!

Living for Jesus is worth withstanding any amount of persecution, pressure, or anything or anyone else who would separate us from Jesus.

And you CAN stand!

What does is the Bible say Romans 8:38-39?

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

There is no thing or no one external with enough power to separate us from Christ!

Jesus has sent His Holy Spirit to empower us to live the Christian life.

The only things that can keep us from Jesus are the things that WE allow to come in between us and the Lord.

May we stand against the sins, big and small, that want to poison our relationship with Jesus.

Instead, let’s Hold on! Don't throw your trust away!

In the Face of Circumstances

In the face of circumstances keep holding on.

The writer of Hebrews helps us to understand some of the things that these Christians had been facing:

Vs.33 - made a spectacle (NIV) and publicly exposed to insult and persecution.

Vs.33 - standing with others treated that way and sharing in the insults and persecution (it will sometimes cost us something to stand beside our brother or sister in Christ — especially as they take a stand for Jesus)

Vs. 34 - imprisonment

Vs. 34 - plundering of their possessions

These Christians were facing tremendous persecution.

From what or who?

Certainly, the government -

The Roman government, so much like the U.S. government of 2022 thinks we should bow down and worship it.

Like Caesar of old they are jealous and believe THEY should be worshipped as God.

They increasingly persecute those who think Yaweh is God.

That there is only one Savior and his name isn’t Joe Biden OR Donald Trump — the Savior’s Name is Jesus who is the Christ

Their employers.

It may be government, the military, education (secondary as well as universities), rabid leftist business owners (although you need to find another job because even though they may be a Walmart or Amazon, embracing leftist, socialist politics is a sure death knell for their business)

Their own friends and neighbors

It could be religious people

Blaise Pascal observed: Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it from religious conviction.

Make no mistake, there are a LOT of religions driving people today.

From the religion of self (don’t tell ME what to do! You’re not the boss of me!)

To the gods of wealth, popularity, politics or many others of the same kind.

To false religions such as Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and many other religions — including syncretized religions (cafeteria-style religion)

These Christians, 2000 years ago, were facing difficult circumstances that severely tried their faith.

To those difficult circumstances and hostile people

The writer of Hebrews tells the followers of Jesus: Hold on!

There was tremendous pressure to return to the old way of life.

The writer points out the dangers of that route in Vs.26-31. (Read)

There are 2 points to consider when it comes to turning back to the old way of life:

It is described as willfully turning away from Christ after having the knowledge of the Truth -

apostasy.

Emphasis on willfully

and

With a full and complete knowledge (Spiritual vs. intellectual) of the Truth (Jesus)

With this willful turning comes a fearful expectation of judgement (Vs.27, 28, 30, 31)

It is a trampling of the precious Blood of Jesus.

It is an insult to the Holy Spirit (Unpardonable Sin)

Turning our back on God has severe consequences.

So, Let’s Strengthen Our Confidence

Instead of turning our back on God: Now is the time to Hold On!

Vs. 32 encourages these beleaguered followers of Christ to think back to when they first repented of their sins and surrendered to Jesus being the Lord of their lives.

We need to do the same thing.

Do you remember when you were first illuminated by the Light of Christ?

Remember how you were willing to stand against the devil himself back then?

I remember how I had to stand in those first days after I received Christ at age 15.

I carried my Bible to school and was constantly ridiculed for it.

And yet one boy, a fellow student, who witnessed this happening told one of those taunting me to stop. He told him:

"I don't know about all that has happened to Don, but I do know that a guy who used to cuss and do a lot of other rotten things doesn't do it any more. Maybe that Bible made the difference."

In the High School newspaper I was willing to express my opposition to witches lecturing on campus.

I’m sure there is NO High School news paper (just social Media)

But You should have read some of the rebuttals to my opposition!

(Called “Comments” today.)

I lost friends and status because I had accepted Christ and those things are precious to teenagers.

But it was worth it!

I had found my first love, the desire of my life!

I had found Jesus!

There is a saying that goes like this:

I rejoice in knowing that...

There is no oil without squeezing the olives,

No wine without pressing the grapes,

No fragrance without crushing the flowers, and

No real joy without sorrow.

The writer of Hebrews is telling his readers to remember those difficult times as an encouragement to regain the zeal that had been lost.

He said in Vs.36…

(Read Vs. 36)

The Greek word for “endurance” brings to mind the thought of staying on top of fast moving circumstances and the connivings of the enemy.

Complete Biblical Library:

“Perseverance [or endurance]” is not passively waiting out difficult circumstances; rather, it is active

Strong’s Concordance: it is the characteristic of a person who is not swerved from his or her deliberate purpose and loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings

It is closely connected with hope, just as it was in the Old Testament

Furthermore, it comes from God

Romans 15:5–6 (NASB95) Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, 6 so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

It is necessary to preserve our eternal lives:

Luke 21:10–19 (NASB95) Then [Jesus] continued by saying to them, “Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, 11 and there will be great earthquakes, and in various places plagues and famines; and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. 12 “But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, delivering you to the synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for My name’s sake. 13 “It will lead to an opportunity for your testimony. 14 “So make up your minds not to prepare beforehand to defend yourselves; 15 for I will give you utterance and wisdom which none of your opponents will be able to resist or refute. 16“But you will be betrayed even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death, 17 and you will be hated by all because of My name. 18“Yet not a hair of your head will perish. 19 “By your endurance(Many translations – patient endurance, NLT & others - standing firm) you will gain your lives.

As in the Old Testament, hupomonē is closely connected with confidence in God, and it is particularly grounded in the future (Hebrews 12:1). It is also equated with Christian faithfulness and obedience in the face of adversity

The writer of Hebrews says in Vs.36 that we need to stay on top so that we can receive the GREAT reward spoken of in Vs.35._

What verse 34 says: “ … you gladly let your possessions be taken away, because you knew you had something better, something that would last forever. “

What is that something better, that lasts forever?

Eternal life with Christ!

But it seems so far away! So distant!

Listen to Vs.37. He who is coming (Jesus) WILL come and not delay.

Jesus is coming!

Say it with me: Jesus is coming!_

2 Peter 3:3-4 knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, 4 and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation."

Even though we face scoffers in these last days who say otherwise, Jesus IS coming.

So, how will we endure?

Now’s the Time for Faith!

We will go into this more next week,

But, NOW is not only the time to hold on, it is a time for ever increasing faith

But for now:

Let’s hold on by faith.

By a simple yet profound trust in God.

Vance Havner, a Baptist evangelist, related the story of an elderly lady who was greatly disturbed by her many troubles both real and imaginary.

Finally she was told in a kindly way by her family, "Grandma, we've done all we can do for you. You'll just have to trust God for the rest."

A look of utter despair spread over her face as she replied, "Oh, dear, has it come to that?"

Havner commented, "It always COMES to that, so we might as well BEGIN with that!"

It will take a faith that is tested and tried to stand the pressures of this life that try to get us to turn

back.

So, let’s begin with faith.

Continue by faith.

And when we finish this life, may wee be known as men and women who trusted in God.

Robert Chesebrough had such a tried faith in in his product.

Sister Carol, he's the fellow who invented Vaseline, a petroleum jelly refined from rod wax, the ooze that forms on shafts of oil rigs.

We were talking about this at lunch last Sunday when she showed us her itty bitty jar of Vaseline that she uses on her lips.

But Robert Cheseborough believed so much in the healing properties of his product that he became his own guinea pig:

he burned himself with acid and flame; he cut and scratched himself so often and so deeply that he bore the scars of his tests the rest of his life.

But he proved his product worked. People had only to look at his wounds, now healed, to see the value of his work -- and the extent -- of his belief.

If Robert Chesebrough could endure so much because of faith in petroleum ooze how much more should we believe in Christ!

It has to all come down to faith and trust in Jesus.

Now’s the time for ever-increasing faith.

A Warning and An Encouragement

In the final two verses of this passage we have a warning and an encouragement.

The writer says hold on to your trust in Christ.

Why? Because God hates backsliding.

Not backsliders, (Thank God!) but backsliding.

God not only knows the ultimate end of someone who backslides but the misery of the backslider in the present life.

The ultimate end of the backslider is destruction and God doesn't want that for anyone.

And if we don’t turn back to God there will be the

“… terrifying expectation of judgment and THE FURY OF A FIRE WHICH WILL CONSUME THE ADVERSARIES.” of verse 27 for as long as we live — NOT pleasant.

But here’s the encouragement:

Like the writer of Hebrews I am persuaded that many of you won't draw back.

Instead we will believe to the saving of our souls.

We will hang on.

But, as I said at the beginning of my message:

"I believe that there are people sitting here this morning that are facing tremendous pressure to turn back.

You are to a point of despair, but God has ordained that you will receive the strength you need if you will respond to Him this morning.