WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.860
 Hebrews chapter 6 verse 4 through 12, but we're jumping in in the middle of a paragraph if you

00:00:07.860 --> 00:00:14.040
 look in the Bible, but in the middle of the author's train of thought. So I want to step

00:00:14.040 --> 00:00:18.719
 back to 6.1 and start reading at verse 1 so we can catch a little bit of the bigger picture

00:00:18.719 --> 00:00:26.679
 of what is going on in this passage. So Hebrews chapter 6, I'll be reading verses 1 through 12.

00:00:26.679 --> 00:00:32.259
 The author writes this, he says,

00:00:56.679 --> 00:01:01.359
 in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift,

00:01:01.799 --> 00:01:05.840
 and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the Word of God and the

00:01:05.840 --> 00:01:12.439
 powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away to restore them again to repentance,

00:01:13.299 --> 00:01:19.640
 since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt.

00:01:19.640 --> 00:01:28.159
 For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it and produces a crop useful to those for

00:01:28.159 --> 00:01:35.200
 whose sake it is cultivated receives a blessing from God. But if it bears thorns and thistles,

00:01:35.680 --> 00:01:44.579
 it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned. Though we speak in this way,

00:01:44.579 --> 00:01:53.239
 yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things, things that belong to salvation.

00:01:54.159 --> 00:02:00.239
 For God is not unjust, so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name

00:02:00.239 --> 00:02:07.039
 in serving the saints as you still do. And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness,

00:02:07.120 --> 00:02:12.479
 to have the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish,

00:02:12.479 --> 00:02:18.560
 but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

00:02:19.759 --> 00:02:23.959
 Several years ago, I was meeting with the former pastor of this church, Josh Moody.

00:02:24.699 --> 00:02:31.379
 For many years, Pastor Josh invested a lot of time in meeting with me regularly, in mentoring me,

00:02:31.859 --> 00:02:36.759
 praying for me, and gradually giving me opportunities to serve and teach in this church.

00:02:37.299 --> 00:02:39.299
 And one day we were talking, and he said to me,

00:02:39.300 --> 00:02:46.640
 one of the hardest things about preaching is that you want to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.

00:02:47.500 --> 00:02:51.620
 In fact, many passages of scripture seem designed to do just that.

00:02:52.120 --> 00:02:57.660
 But the problem is, when you preach a message of comfort for those who are afflicted,

00:02:58.320 --> 00:03:04.000
 the people who are comfortable in their complacency hear it and feel justified in their complacency.

00:03:04.000 --> 00:03:08.039
 And then when you preach a message of warning to the complacent,

00:03:08.740 --> 00:03:15.219
 the people who are afflicted hear it and feel even more discouraged and afflicted by the warning.

00:03:16.020 --> 00:03:20.800
 He said it's hard to get the message across to the people who really need to hear it.

00:03:21.539 --> 00:03:27.180
 Now this morning's passage contains both a warning to awaken the complacent,

00:03:27.420 --> 00:03:32.539
 as well as a comfort to strengthen believers who are afflicted.

00:03:32.539 --> 00:03:37.239
 And this passage is not easy to understand and apply rightly.

00:03:38.019 --> 00:03:40.259
 Throughout church history, it has often been misunderstood.

00:03:41.159 --> 00:03:45.500
 And we too are prone to misunderstand some parts of it.

00:03:46.459 --> 00:03:52.180
 Nevertheless, the Holy Spirit saw fit to inspire the author of Hebrews to write these words,

00:03:52.699 --> 00:03:56.120
 not only for the original hearers, but also for our benefit.

00:03:56.120 --> 00:04:03.240
 So as we prepare to dive into this sometimes difficult passage, let's pray together.

00:04:06.180 --> 00:04:11.420
 Almighty God, we pray that you would open our hearts and our minds by the power of your Holy Spirit,

00:04:12.219 --> 00:04:18.620
 that as we look into this passage, into the warning, as well as the comfort,

00:04:18.620 --> 00:04:21.740
 that we may hear clearly what you have spoken,

00:04:22.360 --> 00:04:26.540
 and that we may apply it to our hearts and our lives, as you desire.

00:04:27.139 --> 00:04:29.579
 For your glory, we pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

00:04:31.139 --> 00:04:35.780
 So before we jump into this passage, let me set the broader context just a little bit.

00:04:36.340 --> 00:04:41.040
 Last week, Pastor Nick preached on chapter 5, verse 11, through chapter 6, verse 3.

00:04:41.040 --> 00:04:44.980
 And this is sort of the beginning of the section that he's in.

00:04:45.520 --> 00:04:48.439
 Now the writer begins, if you look up in chapter 5, verse 11,

00:04:48.520 --> 00:04:52.160
 he begins by addressing a problem in the community that he's writing to.

00:04:52.260 --> 00:04:54.800
 He says, you have become dull of hearing.

00:04:55.740 --> 00:05:01.000
 And that word dull could mean lazy or sluggish or complacent.

00:05:01.840 --> 00:05:04.160
 And so he urges them in chapter 6, verse 1,

00:05:04.160 --> 00:05:18.500
 And then in verse 4 through 12, the author gives two reasons why we should go on toward maturity

00:05:18.500 --> 00:05:22.200
 and not remain complacent and stagnant.

00:05:22.960 --> 00:05:25.120
 He gives a word of warning in verse 4 through 8,

00:05:25.200 --> 00:05:27.340
 and then a word of comfort in verse 9 through 12.

00:05:27.780 --> 00:05:30.600
 And then at the end of the passage, chapter 6, verse 12,

00:05:30.740 --> 00:05:33.680
 he reminds us of the purpose of everything he said.

00:05:34.160 --> 00:05:38.439
 He said, all this I've said so that you may not be sluggish.

00:05:39.080 --> 00:05:41.300
 That's actually the same word that he translated dull,

00:05:41.460 --> 00:05:44.520
 that was translated dull back in chapter 5, verse 11.

00:05:45.100 --> 00:05:48.000
 So at the beginning and the end of the passage, he's addressing the same issue.

00:05:48.100 --> 00:05:51.780
 He's saying this is so that you may not be sluggish or complacent,

00:05:52.540 --> 00:05:56.740
 but through faith and patience inherit the promises of God.

00:05:57.400 --> 00:06:00.260
 So that's sort of the big picture of our passage today.

00:06:00.440 --> 00:06:02.020
 There's a warning to the complacent,

00:06:02.019 --> 00:06:05.419
 and there's a comforting word for God's people.

00:06:05.799 --> 00:06:08.419
 And it's all part of an exhortation not to be complacent,

00:06:08.620 --> 00:06:11.199
 but to press on toward maturity in Christ.

00:06:11.299 --> 00:06:13.719
 Now this passage is primarily directed toward people

00:06:13.719 --> 00:06:17.139
 who have already identified themselves as Christians.

00:06:17.879 --> 00:06:19.899
 But if you're here today, if you're not a Christian,

00:06:20.459 --> 00:06:22.479
 if you're spiritually exploring or searching,

00:06:22.979 --> 00:06:25.339
 I hope this passage will be helpful to you as well.

00:06:25.339 --> 00:06:31.679
 In particular, this passage may give you insight into the nature of the Christian life,

00:06:32.099 --> 00:06:34.039
 both the challenges that Christians face,

00:06:34.359 --> 00:06:37.379
 as well as the comforts that Christians hold on to.

00:06:38.099 --> 00:06:40.620
 But even more than that, I hope you'll see in this passage

00:06:40.620 --> 00:06:45.519
 the character of the God that Christians believe in.

00:06:46.599 --> 00:06:51.319
 So first, let's look at the warning in chapter verses 4 through 8.

00:06:51.319 --> 00:06:55.980
 Now, this is not the first warning passage in the book of Hebrews.

00:06:56.500 --> 00:07:00.099
 If you were here for our last fall, when we started the book of Hebrews,

00:07:00.480 --> 00:07:04.279
 we looked at a warning in chapter 2, as well as in chapter 3.

00:07:04.420 --> 00:07:07.399
 In chapter 2, he says, chapter 2, verse 1 through 4,

00:07:07.480 --> 00:07:11.740
 he says, we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard,

00:07:12.639 --> 00:07:13.759
 to the message of Christ,

00:07:13.839 --> 00:07:16.740
 so that we do not drift away from it.

00:07:16.740 --> 00:07:20.079
 And the image is of a boat without an anchor,

00:07:20.759 --> 00:07:23.439
 drifting slowly down the stream,

00:07:23.600 --> 00:07:28.340
 and eventually ending up far away from its original destination.

00:07:29.460 --> 00:07:31.400
 Chapters 3 and 4, he gives another warning.

00:07:32.100 --> 00:07:32.819
 And there he says,

00:07:32.879 --> 00:07:34.879
 take care, brothers and sisters,

00:07:35.900 --> 00:07:38.800
 lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart,

00:07:38.939 --> 00:07:42.139
 leading you to fall away from the living God.

00:07:42.139 --> 00:07:43.939
 But exhort one another every day,

00:07:44.279 --> 00:07:47.959
 so that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

00:07:48.919 --> 00:07:50.519
 So there are the images of a heart

00:07:50.519 --> 00:07:55.180
 that gradually grows hardened in its resistance towards God.

00:07:55.860 --> 00:07:58.180
 And there he gives the example of the people of Israel,

00:07:58.719 --> 00:08:00.620
 who had been rescued from slavery in Egypt

00:08:00.620 --> 00:08:01.919
 and brought out into the wilderness.

00:08:03.139 --> 00:08:05.240
 And they heard God's word,

00:08:05.319 --> 00:08:06.319
 they saw God's power,

00:08:06.399 --> 00:08:09.219
 but over and over they did not trust God.

00:08:09.800 --> 00:08:11.079
 They did not believe in Him,

00:08:11.079 --> 00:08:12.099
 they did not obey Him.

00:08:12.500 --> 00:08:13.259
 And as a result,

00:08:13.539 --> 00:08:16.740
 many of them did not enter the promised land.

00:08:17.979 --> 00:08:18.699
 And as we'll see,

00:08:18.759 --> 00:08:20.759
 some of these themes from these two prior warnings

00:08:20.759 --> 00:08:22.800
 come up again in this passage.

00:08:23.579 --> 00:08:24.860
 So as we look at this warning

00:08:24.860 --> 00:08:27.579
 in verse 4 through 8 of chapter 6,

00:08:27.979 --> 00:08:28.839
 we might first ask,

00:08:28.899 --> 00:08:30.219
 well, what does this warning mean?

00:08:31.039 --> 00:08:32.319
 Well, the clearest thing it means

00:08:32.319 --> 00:08:33.699
 is that spiritually speaking,

00:08:34.279 --> 00:08:36.039
 there is what we might call

00:08:36.039 --> 00:08:38.039
 a point of no return.

00:08:38.039 --> 00:08:40.019
 In other words,

00:08:40.099 --> 00:08:43.159
 if you drift far enough downstream in the boat,

00:08:43.860 --> 00:08:45.500
 eventually you will come

00:08:45.500 --> 00:08:47.019
 to a point of no return,

00:08:47.519 --> 00:08:49.279
 where the current will take you over

00:08:49.279 --> 00:08:52.039
 the spiritual equivalent of Niagara Falls.

00:08:52.500 --> 00:08:54.000
 And the result will be

00:08:54.000 --> 00:08:56.899
 certain and unavoidable destruction,

00:08:57.480 --> 00:08:58.539
 without any hope

00:08:58.539 --> 00:09:00.439
 of being rescued or restored.

00:09:00.440 --> 00:09:03.120
 Now this is a terrifying warning,

00:09:03.860 --> 00:09:05.480
 but it's the very clear teaching

00:09:05.480 --> 00:09:06.300
 of this passage.

00:09:07.300 --> 00:09:09.300
 Verses 4 through 6 are one long sentence,

00:09:09.440 --> 00:09:11.660
 but the main clause says,

00:09:12.080 --> 00:09:13.040
 it is impossible,

00:09:13.660 --> 00:09:15.420
 in the case of certain people,

00:09:16.140 --> 00:09:17.620
 to restore them to repentance.

00:09:18.660 --> 00:09:20.180
 He doesn't just say it's difficult

00:09:20.180 --> 00:09:21.700
 or unlikely or unusual,

00:09:22.380 --> 00:09:23.780
 he says impossible.

00:09:23.779 --> 00:09:27.159
 Now this is not the only passage

00:09:27.159 --> 00:09:29.059
 in Scripture that teaches such a thing.

00:09:30.100 --> 00:09:31.279
 In Mark chapter 3,

00:09:31.399 --> 00:09:32.759
 Jesus himself says,

00:09:33.539 --> 00:09:34.879
 all kinds of sins

00:09:34.879 --> 00:09:36.259
 will be forgiven,

00:09:36.959 --> 00:09:37.799
 the children of man,

00:09:38.600 --> 00:09:40.279
 and whatever blasphemies they utter.

00:09:41.159 --> 00:09:42.399
 But whoever blasphemes

00:09:42.399 --> 00:09:43.519
 against the Holy Spirit

00:09:43.519 --> 00:09:45.519
 never has forgiveness,

00:09:46.759 --> 00:09:50.199
 but is guilty of an eternal sin.

00:09:50.200 --> 00:09:51.840
 In other words,

00:09:51.920 --> 00:09:53.800
 there is a point of no return,

00:09:54.560 --> 00:09:55.879
 spiritually speaking.

00:09:57.920 --> 00:09:59.140
 Now over the years,

00:10:00.060 --> 00:10:02.580
 different people have come to me,

00:10:03.480 --> 00:10:04.520
 and they've said to me,

00:10:04.640 --> 00:10:07.620
 I'm worried that I have crossed this line.

00:10:08.940 --> 00:10:09.879
 I'm worried that,

00:10:10.259 --> 00:10:11.140
 according to this passage,

00:10:11.240 --> 00:10:12.340
 there's no more hope for me,

00:10:12.660 --> 00:10:14.140
 and I'm forever lost.

00:10:15.960 --> 00:10:16.780
 What do I do?

00:10:16.779 --> 00:10:20.500
 Now if there is a point of no return,

00:10:20.620 --> 00:10:21.860
 it's a good question to ask.

00:10:22.679 --> 00:10:25.000
 Who exactly is this verse talking about?

00:10:25.759 --> 00:10:26.919
 How can you know

00:10:26.919 --> 00:10:28.819
 if you've crossed that line?

00:10:29.879 --> 00:10:31.600
 Well, in order to answer that question,

00:10:32.059 --> 00:10:33.439
 we need to look carefully

00:10:33.439 --> 00:10:35.980
 at how Hebrews describes these people.

00:10:36.860 --> 00:10:37.879
 In verse 4 through 6,

00:10:37.919 --> 00:10:40.079
 and he describes them in two ways.

00:10:40.899 --> 00:10:42.259
 First, he describes them

00:10:42.259 --> 00:10:44.039
 as people who have experienced

00:10:44.039 --> 00:10:45.759
 rich blessings

00:10:45.759 --> 00:10:47.779
 in the context of a community

00:10:47.779 --> 00:10:49.200
 of believers.

00:10:50.279 --> 00:10:51.360
 Now very much like

00:10:51.360 --> 00:10:52.919
 the Israelite community

00:10:52.919 --> 00:10:54.720
 who as a group

00:10:54.720 --> 00:10:56.439
 had experienced God's deliverance

00:10:56.439 --> 00:10:57.460
 from slavery in Egypt.

00:10:58.480 --> 00:10:58.919
 And in fact,

00:10:58.960 --> 00:11:00.399
 the terms he used here

00:11:00.399 --> 00:11:02.439
 would have reminded his hearers

00:11:02.439 --> 00:11:04.600
 of Israel's experience

00:11:04.600 --> 00:11:05.220
 in the wilderness.

00:11:05.360 --> 00:11:05.980
 So he says,

00:11:06.419 --> 00:11:07.600
 they've been enlightened.

00:11:08.639 --> 00:11:10.000
 Well, the people of Israel

00:11:10.000 --> 00:11:11.259
 had seen God's glory

00:11:11.259 --> 00:11:12.519
 descending on Mount Sinai

00:11:12.519 --> 00:11:14.139
 in fire and smoke.

00:11:14.139 --> 00:11:16.059
 They were led through the wilderness

00:11:16.059 --> 00:11:18.019
 by the pillar of cloud by day

00:11:18.019 --> 00:11:19.500
 and the pillar of fire by night.

00:11:20.379 --> 00:11:20.740
 He says,

00:11:20.799 --> 00:11:22.039
 they had tasted the heavenly gift.

00:11:22.120 --> 00:11:22.699
 The people of Israel

00:11:22.699 --> 00:11:24.659
 had tasted the manna from heaven,

00:11:25.600 --> 00:11:26.319
 bread from heaven

00:11:26.319 --> 00:11:27.699
 that God had provided for them.

00:11:28.659 --> 00:11:29.059
 It says,

00:11:29.120 --> 00:11:30.399
 they shared in the Holy Spirit.

00:11:31.179 --> 00:11:31.759
 Well, Moses

00:11:31.759 --> 00:11:33.480
 and the 70 elders of Israel

00:11:33.480 --> 00:11:34.620
 were filled with the Spirit

00:11:34.620 --> 00:11:36.159
 and their Spirit-led leadership

00:11:36.159 --> 00:11:38.179
 benefited the whole community.

00:11:38.179 --> 00:11:39.639
 He says,

00:11:39.739 --> 00:11:41.279
 they not only heard God's word,

00:11:41.579 --> 00:11:43.059
 but they saw evidence

00:11:43.059 --> 00:11:44.399
 of God's power

00:11:44.399 --> 00:11:46.120
 parting the Red Sea,

00:11:46.299 --> 00:11:47.679
 providing water from the rock,

00:11:48.019 --> 00:11:49.019
 defeating their enemies.

00:11:49.500 --> 00:11:50.719
 And in a similar way,

00:11:51.379 --> 00:11:53.079
 this passage is describing people

00:11:53.079 --> 00:11:54.239
 who have experienced

00:11:54.239 --> 00:11:55.659
 rich blessings

00:11:55.659 --> 00:11:57.539
 in the context of a community

00:11:57.539 --> 00:11:58.899
 of believers.

00:12:00.159 --> 00:12:02.159
 So from their outward appearance,

00:12:02.879 --> 00:12:05.599
 from a human perspective,

00:12:05.600 --> 00:12:08.500
 these people would appear

00:12:08.500 --> 00:12:11.019
 to be Christians.

00:12:11.920 --> 00:12:12.420
 Right?

00:12:12.480 --> 00:12:13.200
 They've been baptized.

00:12:13.860 --> 00:12:15.759
 They've received the Lord's Supper.

00:12:16.100 --> 00:12:17.000
 They've had powerful

00:12:17.000 --> 00:12:18.180
 spiritual experiences.

00:12:18.620 --> 00:12:19.340
 They've enjoyed

00:12:19.340 --> 00:12:20.060
 some of the benefits

00:12:20.060 --> 00:12:20.820
 of being involved

00:12:20.820 --> 00:12:21.779
 in the Christian community.

00:12:21.779 --> 00:12:22.759
 They've not only heard

00:12:22.759 --> 00:12:23.519
 the word of God

00:12:23.519 --> 00:12:24.779
 from reliable messengers,

00:12:24.879 --> 00:12:25.840
 they've seen evidence

00:12:25.840 --> 00:12:27.540
 right in front of their eyes

00:12:27.540 --> 00:12:28.820
 of its truth and power

00:12:28.820 --> 00:12:29.519
 and goodness.

00:12:30.060 --> 00:12:31.639
 But then he says in verse 6,

00:12:32.680 --> 00:12:34.320
 they have fallen away.

00:12:34.320 --> 00:12:36.720
 And the emphasis here

00:12:36.720 --> 00:12:37.600
 is on the contrast

00:12:37.600 --> 00:12:39.400
 between God's generosity

00:12:39.400 --> 00:12:40.340
 and kindness

00:12:40.340 --> 00:12:42.040
 toward these people

00:12:42.040 --> 00:12:45.740
 and their utterly ungrateful response.

00:12:46.879 --> 00:12:47.760
 In other words,

00:12:47.820 --> 00:12:49.780
 God has exposed these people

00:12:49.780 --> 00:12:52.600
 to numerous spiritual blessings,

00:12:53.720 --> 00:12:55.800
 most especially the message

00:12:55.800 --> 00:12:57.740
 that God loved the world

00:12:57.740 --> 00:12:59.360
 so much that he sent his son,

00:12:59.480 --> 00:13:00.100
 Jesus Christ,

00:13:00.180 --> 00:13:01.560
 who willingly came into the world

00:13:01.560 --> 00:13:03.040
 and willingly died on the cross

00:13:03.039 --> 00:13:04.539
 as a sacrifice for sinners.

00:13:07.699 --> 00:13:09.599
 But after having publicly

00:13:09.599 --> 00:13:10.679
 embraced this message

00:13:10.679 --> 00:13:11.639
 and identified with

00:13:11.639 --> 00:13:12.519
 the Christian community,

00:13:13.799 --> 00:13:15.959
 their response is to crucify

00:13:15.959 --> 00:13:17.179
 the Son of God once again.

00:13:18.039 --> 00:13:18.719
 In other words,

00:13:18.860 --> 00:13:21.500
 to publicly and definitively

00:13:21.500 --> 00:13:22.500
 reject him.

00:13:23.659 --> 00:13:25.240
 And in their public rejection

00:13:25.240 --> 00:13:25.759
 of Jesus,

00:13:26.379 --> 00:13:27.819
 to scorn him before the world.

00:13:29.199 --> 00:13:29.980
 Verses 7 and 8

00:13:29.980 --> 00:13:31.259
 present the same contrast.

00:13:31.259 --> 00:13:33.200
 There are two kinds of land.

00:13:33.319 --> 00:13:34.220
 Both kinds of land

00:13:34.220 --> 00:13:35.559
 are watered by the rain

00:13:35.559 --> 00:13:37.000
 and cultivated

00:13:37.000 --> 00:13:38.360
 by the goodness of God.

00:13:39.399 --> 00:13:40.819
 But the land in verse 8

00:13:40.819 --> 00:13:43.200
 bears only thorns and thistles.

00:13:44.179 --> 00:13:45.299
 No good fruit.

00:13:46.100 --> 00:13:46.879
 And in the end,

00:13:47.460 --> 00:13:47.819
 he says,

00:13:47.919 --> 00:13:49.779
 it is only fit for burning.

00:13:50.960 --> 00:13:52.220
 In Jesus' parable of the sower,

00:13:52.319 --> 00:13:53.120
 which we heard earlier,

00:13:53.240 --> 00:13:54.539
 the seed of God's word

00:13:54.539 --> 00:13:56.299
 is sown everywhere

00:13:56.299 --> 00:13:58.659
 on all four kinds of soil.

00:13:59.339 --> 00:14:00.419
 On the hard ground,

00:14:00.519 --> 00:14:01.319
 on the rocky ground,

00:14:01.439 --> 00:14:02.519
 on the thorny ground,

00:14:02.579 --> 00:14:03.740
 as well as on the good soil.

00:14:05.279 --> 00:14:06.819
 And so in all these examples,

00:14:07.099 --> 00:14:08.279
 God is shown to be

00:14:08.279 --> 00:14:09.879
 not only righteous and just

00:14:09.879 --> 00:14:10.579
 in his judgment,

00:14:11.359 --> 00:14:12.339
 but generous

00:14:12.339 --> 00:14:13.339
 and loving

00:14:13.339 --> 00:14:14.459
 and kind

00:14:14.459 --> 00:14:16.879
 far more than any of us deserve.

00:14:18.759 --> 00:14:20.500
 But despite God's generosity

00:14:20.500 --> 00:14:21.339
 and his kindness

00:14:21.339 --> 00:14:22.159
 and his love,

00:14:22.159 --> 00:14:23.599
 it says that these people

00:14:23.599 --> 00:14:24.899
 have fallen away.

00:14:24.899 --> 00:14:26.620
 Now when this passage

00:14:26.620 --> 00:14:28.199
 talks about falling away,

00:14:28.939 --> 00:14:30.379
 it's not talking about

00:14:30.379 --> 00:14:32.120
 a temporary relapse,

00:14:32.679 --> 00:14:34.240
 but an ongoing

00:14:34.240 --> 00:14:36.000
 and permanent condition.

00:14:37.860 --> 00:14:40.059
 John Calvin said this,

00:14:40.100 --> 00:14:40.319
 he said,

00:14:40.379 --> 00:14:41.799
 the writer is not talking here

00:14:41.799 --> 00:14:43.120
 about theft

00:14:43.120 --> 00:14:44.279
 or lying

00:14:44.279 --> 00:14:45.679
 or even murder

00:14:45.679 --> 00:14:47.100
 or drunkenness

00:14:47.100 --> 00:14:47.899
 or adultery.

00:14:48.379 --> 00:14:49.699
 He is referring to

00:14:49.699 --> 00:14:51.399
 a complete falling away

00:14:51.399 --> 00:14:52.460
 from the gospel

00:14:52.460 --> 00:14:53.960
 in which the sinner

00:14:53.960 --> 00:14:55.240
 has offended God

00:14:55.240 --> 00:14:57.080
 not in one respect only,

00:14:57.180 --> 00:14:57.879
 but has utterly

00:14:57.879 --> 00:14:59.759
 renounced his grace.

00:15:00.920 --> 00:15:01.980
 Now in the Bible,

00:15:02.240 --> 00:15:03.879
 there are several examples

00:15:03.879 --> 00:15:04.660
 of believers

00:15:04.660 --> 00:15:07.160
 in both the Old and New Testament

00:15:07.160 --> 00:15:08.160
 who fall into

00:15:08.160 --> 00:15:10.100
 serious and damaging

00:15:10.100 --> 00:15:11.300
 patterns of sin,

00:15:11.600 --> 00:15:12.300
 sometimes even

00:15:12.300 --> 00:15:13.700
 for extended periods of time.

00:15:14.100 --> 00:15:15.180
 But eventually,

00:15:15.680 --> 00:15:16.860
 the Holy Spirit

00:15:16.860 --> 00:15:17.900
 convicts them of sin.

00:15:18.840 --> 00:15:20.700
 They're never totally satisfied

00:15:20.700 --> 00:15:23.020
 in their patterns of sin.

00:15:23.580 --> 00:15:24.420
 And eventually,

00:15:24.740 --> 00:15:26.000
 they turn back to God

00:15:26.000 --> 00:15:27.660
 and they repent

00:15:27.660 --> 00:15:29.200
 and they ask for forgiveness.

00:15:30.120 --> 00:15:30.520
 And you know,

00:15:30.580 --> 00:15:31.460
 the New Testament says

00:15:31.460 --> 00:15:31.860
 it's not,

00:15:32.140 --> 00:15:33.060
 it doesn't just say

00:15:33.060 --> 00:15:34.500
 forgiveness is possible

00:15:34.500 --> 00:15:35.680
 if we repent.

00:15:35.780 --> 00:15:36.420
 It says forgiveness

00:15:36.420 --> 00:15:37.300
 is promised

00:15:37.300 --> 00:15:38.700
 to all

00:15:38.700 --> 00:15:39.700
 who repent.

00:15:40.540 --> 00:15:40.900
 To repent

00:15:40.900 --> 00:15:41.440
 simply means

00:15:41.440 --> 00:15:42.000
 to turn

00:15:42.000 --> 00:15:42.820
 to Jesus.

00:15:42.820 --> 00:15:45.060
 If we confess

00:15:45.060 --> 00:15:45.780
 our sins,

00:15:46.040 --> 00:15:47.160
 God is faithful

00:15:47.160 --> 00:15:48.120
 and just

00:15:48.120 --> 00:15:49.740
 to forgive our sins

00:15:49.740 --> 00:15:50.540
 and purify us

00:15:50.540 --> 00:15:51.740
 from all unrighteousness

00:15:51.740 --> 00:15:52.900
 because Jesus Christ

00:15:52.900 --> 00:15:53.940
 is the atoning

00:15:53.940 --> 00:15:54.820
 sacrifice

00:15:54.820 --> 00:15:55.920
 for sin.

00:15:56.440 --> 00:15:57.640
 And His blood

00:15:57.640 --> 00:15:58.740
 covers anyone

00:15:58.740 --> 00:15:59.960
 and everyone

00:15:59.960 --> 00:16:01.520
 who turns to Him.

00:16:02.760 --> 00:16:03.680
 And the writer of Hebrews

00:16:03.680 --> 00:16:04.900
 is in full agreement

00:16:04.900 --> 00:16:06.140
 with this promise.

00:16:07.100 --> 00:16:08.600
 Notice what he says here.

00:16:08.600 --> 00:16:10.200
 He does not say

00:16:10.200 --> 00:16:11.420
 it is impossible

00:16:11.420 --> 00:16:13.159
 for some people

00:16:13.159 --> 00:16:14.340
 to be forgiven

00:16:14.340 --> 00:16:16.100
 even if they repent.

00:16:17.100 --> 00:16:18.320
 What he says is

00:16:18.320 --> 00:16:19.700
 it is impossible

00:16:19.700 --> 00:16:21.740
 for them to be brought

00:16:21.740 --> 00:16:22.259
 to repentance.

00:16:23.360 --> 00:16:24.340
 In other words,

00:16:25.060 --> 00:16:25.899
 they never turn

00:16:25.899 --> 00:16:26.779
 back.

00:16:27.440 --> 00:16:28.480
 They fall away

00:16:28.480 --> 00:16:30.220
 and they never turn back.

00:16:31.500 --> 00:16:32.540
 And Jesus says

00:16:32.540 --> 00:16:33.500
 a very similar thing

00:16:33.500 --> 00:16:35.019
 in that passage

00:16:35.019 --> 00:16:36.019
 about the blasphemy

00:16:36.019 --> 00:16:36.920
 against the Holy Spirit.

00:16:36.919 --> 00:16:39.159
 He says it is an eternal sin.

00:16:40.099 --> 00:16:40.860
 In other words,

00:16:40.919 --> 00:16:42.439
 it is a permanent

00:16:42.439 --> 00:16:43.959
 and unchanging

00:16:43.959 --> 00:16:46.120
 and ongoing state

00:16:46.120 --> 00:16:48.319
 of willfully refusing

00:16:48.319 --> 00:16:49.579
 Jesus Christ

00:16:49.579 --> 00:16:51.659
 who is God's only provision

00:16:51.659 --> 00:16:52.679
 for forgiveness.

00:16:54.379 --> 00:16:55.719
 So if you are concerned,

00:16:56.439 --> 00:16:57.819
 if you have read passages

00:16:57.819 --> 00:16:58.539
 like this

00:16:58.539 --> 00:16:59.799
 and you have wondered,

00:17:00.339 --> 00:17:01.879
 have I passed this point?

00:17:03.039 --> 00:17:04.119
 If you have been driven

00:17:04.119 --> 00:17:04.799
 to despair

00:17:04.799 --> 00:17:06.359
 by that thought,

00:17:06.359 --> 00:17:09.119
 if you are concerned

00:17:09.119 --> 00:17:09.899
 that you have done

00:17:09.899 --> 00:17:10.979
 something so bad

00:17:10.979 --> 00:17:12.219
 that God cannot

00:17:12.219 --> 00:17:13.859
 or will not forgive you,

00:17:15.159 --> 00:17:17.000
 your concern itself

00:17:17.000 --> 00:17:18.299
 and your desire

00:17:18.299 --> 00:17:19.559
 to be in right relationship

00:17:19.559 --> 00:17:20.199
 with God

00:17:20.199 --> 00:17:21.839
 is clear evidence

00:17:21.839 --> 00:17:22.899
 that you have not

00:17:22.899 --> 00:17:24.240
 done so.

00:17:25.839 --> 00:17:26.859
 The author of Hebrews

00:17:26.859 --> 00:17:28.119
 did not give this warning

00:17:28.119 --> 00:17:30.099
 because he thought

00:17:30.099 --> 00:17:30.740
 that the people

00:17:30.740 --> 00:17:31.479
 had already passed

00:17:31.479 --> 00:17:32.459
 this point of no return.

00:17:33.359 --> 00:17:34.099
 If he thought

00:17:34.099 --> 00:17:34.799
 they had already passed

00:17:34.799 --> 00:17:35.599
 the point of no return,

00:17:35.680 --> 00:17:36.619
 the warning would be useless.

00:17:37.680 --> 00:17:39.019
 You don't warn somebody

00:17:39.019 --> 00:17:39.960
 when they've already

00:17:39.960 --> 00:17:40.740
 fallen off a cliff

00:17:40.740 --> 00:17:41.339
 and died.

00:17:43.059 --> 00:17:44.019
 You warn someone

00:17:44.019 --> 00:17:44.659
 so they don't fall

00:17:44.659 --> 00:17:45.240
 off the cliff.

00:17:46.899 --> 00:17:48.099
 It's like the rumble strip

00:17:48.099 --> 00:17:48.740
 on the highway.

00:17:49.559 --> 00:17:50.700
 It's not the most pleasant

00:17:50.700 --> 00:17:51.460
 noise to hear,

00:17:51.960 --> 00:17:53.940
 but it saves you

00:17:53.940 --> 00:17:55.700
 from going over the edge

00:17:55.700 --> 00:17:57.279
 inadvertently

00:17:57.279 --> 00:17:59.859
 or without realizing it.

00:17:59.859 --> 00:18:02.199
 Now the reason

00:18:02.199 --> 00:18:02.740
 why the author

00:18:02.740 --> 00:18:03.579
 gives this warning

00:18:03.579 --> 00:18:05.279
 is because he saw

00:18:05.279 --> 00:18:06.479
 that many of the people

00:18:06.479 --> 00:18:07.399
 were beginning

00:18:07.399 --> 00:18:08.539
 to drift away,

00:18:09.419 --> 00:18:10.879
 to drift down the stream.

00:18:11.979 --> 00:18:13.199
 They'd become dull,

00:18:14.179 --> 00:18:14.759
 sluggish,

00:18:15.519 --> 00:18:16.159
 complacent.

00:18:16.859 --> 00:18:17.759
 And so he warns them

00:18:17.759 --> 00:18:19.079
 spiritual complacency

00:18:19.079 --> 00:18:20.399
 is dangerous.

00:18:21.679 --> 00:18:22.639
 Drifting toward

00:18:22.639 --> 00:18:24.059
 the point of no return

00:18:24.059 --> 00:18:24.979
 begins

00:18:24.979 --> 00:18:28.099
 often as a gradual process.

00:18:28.099 --> 00:18:30.879
 Jesus describes

00:18:30.879 --> 00:18:31.419
 the seed

00:18:31.419 --> 00:18:32.859
 sown among thorns

00:18:32.859 --> 00:18:34.379
 as seed that begins

00:18:34.379 --> 00:18:34.740
 to grow

00:18:34.740 --> 00:18:35.879
 but is choked out

00:18:35.879 --> 00:18:37.919
 by the cares

00:18:37.919 --> 00:18:38.879
 and riches

00:18:38.879 --> 00:18:40.139
 and pleasures

00:18:40.139 --> 00:18:41.419
 of this world.

00:18:42.539 --> 00:18:43.659
 Think of a plant

00:18:43.659 --> 00:18:44.099
 in the middle

00:18:44.099 --> 00:18:44.699
 of a field

00:18:44.699 --> 00:18:46.159
 that is gradually

00:18:46.159 --> 00:18:47.759
 overtaken by weeds

00:18:47.759 --> 00:18:48.980
 and thorn bushes

00:18:48.980 --> 00:18:49.659
 and vines

00:18:49.659 --> 00:18:50.579
 that gradually

00:18:50.579 --> 00:18:51.759
 entangle it

00:18:51.759 --> 00:18:52.519
 and suck the life

00:18:52.519 --> 00:18:52.959
 out of it.

00:18:53.599 --> 00:18:54.599
 It doesn't happen

00:18:54.599 --> 00:18:55.299
 all at once,

00:18:56.179 --> 00:18:57.859
 but it's a gradual process,

00:18:57.859 --> 00:18:58.579
 but it ends

00:18:58.579 --> 00:19:00.119
 in suffocation.

00:19:01.559 --> 00:19:02.139
 And similarly,

00:19:02.679 --> 00:19:03.619
 he's warning them

00:19:03.619 --> 00:19:04.439
 because the path

00:19:04.439 --> 00:19:05.599
 to the point

00:19:05.599 --> 00:19:06.199
 of no return

00:19:06.199 --> 00:19:06.740
 begins

00:19:06.740 --> 00:19:08.219
 with lots

00:19:08.219 --> 00:19:09.439
 of small decisions.

00:19:11.000 --> 00:19:12.119
 Whether it's deciding

00:19:12.119 --> 00:19:12.579
 that life

00:19:12.579 --> 00:19:13.419
 is just too busy

00:19:13.419 --> 00:19:15.179
 so it's not worth

00:19:15.179 --> 00:19:15.959
 the time to pray

00:19:15.959 --> 00:19:17.199
 or read the Bible

00:19:17.199 --> 00:19:17.679
 anymore

00:19:17.679 --> 00:19:19.479
 or deciding

00:19:19.479 --> 00:19:21.059
 that it's not worth

00:19:21.059 --> 00:19:21.819
 coming to church

00:19:21.819 --> 00:19:23.099
 because you're

00:19:23.099 --> 00:19:23.819
 just too tired

00:19:23.819 --> 00:19:27.740
 or deciding

00:19:27.740 --> 00:19:28.720
 to distance yourself

00:19:28.720 --> 00:19:30.200
 from other Christians

00:19:30.200 --> 00:19:32.379
 because you don't

00:19:32.379 --> 00:19:33.159
 want them to challenge

00:19:33.159 --> 00:19:33.839
 you and hold you

00:19:33.839 --> 00:19:34.759
 to a higher standard

00:19:34.759 --> 00:19:37.319
 or deciding

00:19:37.319 --> 00:19:38.500
 to tell little lies

00:19:38.500 --> 00:19:40.099
 out of a desire

00:19:40.099 --> 00:19:40.659
 to please

00:19:40.659 --> 00:19:41.619
 other people

00:19:41.619 --> 00:19:43.299
 or indulging

00:19:43.299 --> 00:19:43.799
 in hidden

00:19:43.799 --> 00:19:45.179
 sinful patterns

00:19:45.179 --> 00:19:46.559
 because they bring

00:19:46.559 --> 00:19:47.399
 immediate comfort

00:19:47.399 --> 00:19:48.859
 in a stressful time.

00:19:48.859 --> 00:19:51.519
 The warning is

00:19:51.519 --> 00:19:52.339
 when these patterns

00:19:52.339 --> 00:19:53.019
 continue

00:19:53.019 --> 00:19:54.299
 unchallenged,

00:19:54.559 --> 00:19:55.299
 unchanged,

00:19:55.619 --> 00:19:56.459
 over time,

00:19:56.579 --> 00:19:57.179
 your heart

00:19:57.179 --> 00:19:58.039
 becomes increasingly

00:19:58.039 --> 00:19:58.759
 entangled

00:19:58.759 --> 00:20:00.679
 in the cares

00:20:00.679 --> 00:20:01.579
 and riches

00:20:01.579 --> 00:20:02.219
 and pleasures

00:20:02.219 --> 00:20:02.919
 of the world

00:20:02.919 --> 00:20:04.240
 and increasingly

00:20:04.240 --> 00:20:05.139
 numb

00:20:05.139 --> 00:20:06.039
 and hardened

00:20:06.039 --> 00:20:07.500
 toward the reality

00:20:07.500 --> 00:20:08.139
 of God

00:20:08.139 --> 00:20:09.500
 and Jesus Christ

00:20:09.500 --> 00:20:10.559
 and the Holy Spirit.

00:20:10.639 --> 00:20:11.159
 And so the author

00:20:11.159 --> 00:20:11.759
 of Hebrews is

00:20:11.759 --> 00:20:12.879
 throwing a bucket

00:20:12.879 --> 00:20:13.919
 of ice-cold water

00:20:13.920 --> 00:20:15.120
 on us

00:20:15.120 --> 00:20:15.820
 and he's saying

00:20:15.820 --> 00:20:16.519
 wake up!

00:20:17.880 --> 00:20:19.620
 Don't be caught

00:20:19.620 --> 00:20:20.860
 in complacency.

00:20:21.960 --> 00:20:23.480
 Don't live

00:20:23.480 --> 00:20:25.600
 a sluggish

00:20:25.600 --> 00:20:26.620
 Christian life.

00:20:27.660 --> 00:20:28.920
 Don't continue

00:20:28.920 --> 00:20:30.279
 along

00:20:30.279 --> 00:20:32.100
 this dangerous path.

00:20:33.180 --> 00:20:34.539
 So that's the warning.

00:20:36.740 --> 00:20:37.980
 But thankfully

00:20:37.980 --> 00:20:39.279
 the writer of Hebrews

00:20:39.279 --> 00:20:40.600
 not only gives a warning

00:20:40.600 --> 00:20:42.759
 because I think

00:20:42.759 --> 00:20:43.820
 if that's all he gave

00:20:43.819 --> 00:20:46.079
 we might be startled

00:20:46.079 --> 00:20:47.079
 but we might not

00:20:47.079 --> 00:20:47.659
 quite know where

00:20:47.659 --> 00:20:48.319
 to go next.

00:20:48.919 --> 00:20:49.619
 He also gives us

00:20:49.619 --> 00:20:50.799
 a word of comfort

00:20:50.799 --> 00:20:52.419
 to encourage us

00:20:52.419 --> 00:20:53.179
 to press on

00:20:53.179 --> 00:20:54.639
 in verse 9

00:20:54.639 --> 00:20:55.299
 through 12.

00:20:56.379 --> 00:20:57.359
 Now in verse 9

00:20:57.359 --> 00:20:58.799
 his tone shifts

00:20:58.799 --> 00:21:00.419
 from stern warning

00:21:00.419 --> 00:21:01.799
 to tender

00:21:01.799 --> 00:21:03.279
 brotherly affection.

00:21:04.099 --> 00:21:04.419
 He says

00:21:04.419 --> 00:21:05.079
 though we speak

00:21:05.079 --> 00:21:05.799
 in this way

00:21:05.799 --> 00:21:08.359
 with stern warnings

00:21:08.359 --> 00:21:10.240
 yet in your case

00:21:10.240 --> 00:21:11.299
 beloved

00:21:11.299 --> 00:21:12.960
 we feel sure

00:21:12.960 --> 00:21:13.860
 of better

00:21:13.860 --> 00:21:14.640
 things.

00:21:15.220 --> 00:21:15.700
 Things

00:21:15.700 --> 00:21:16.779
 that belong

00:21:16.779 --> 00:21:17.880
 to salvation.

00:21:19.319 --> 00:21:20.059
 Notice how

00:21:20.059 --> 00:21:20.779
 the pronouns

00:21:20.779 --> 00:21:22.600
 shift in this passage.

00:21:23.620 --> 00:21:24.120
 Verses 1

00:21:24.120 --> 00:21:24.539
 through 3

00:21:24.539 --> 00:21:24.940
 he says

00:21:24.940 --> 00:21:26.059
 therefore let us

00:21:26.059 --> 00:21:27.340
 go on to maturity.

00:21:27.900 --> 00:21:28.860
 First person plural.

00:21:29.759 --> 00:21:30.720
 This we will do

00:21:30.720 --> 00:21:31.640
 if God permits.

00:21:32.620 --> 00:21:33.059
 Verse 4

00:21:33.059 --> 00:21:33.440
 through 8

00:21:33.440 --> 00:21:33.759
 however

00:21:33.759 --> 00:21:35.059
 he uses the third person.

00:21:35.960 --> 00:21:36.620
 He doesn't say

00:21:36.620 --> 00:21:36.980
 you

00:21:36.980 --> 00:21:37.860
 he says

00:21:37.860 --> 00:21:38.840
 in the case

00:21:38.839 --> 00:21:39.579
 of those

00:21:39.579 --> 00:21:42.099
 them

00:21:42.099 --> 00:21:42.659
 they

00:21:42.659 --> 00:21:44.859
 so he's warning

00:21:44.859 --> 00:21:45.119
 them

00:21:45.119 --> 00:21:45.679
 but he's not

00:21:45.679 --> 00:21:46.299
 putting them

00:21:46.299 --> 00:21:47.399
 in that category

00:21:47.399 --> 00:21:48.299
 of people

00:21:48.299 --> 00:21:48.639
 who have

00:21:48.639 --> 00:21:50.539
 done that.

00:21:51.019 --> 00:21:51.740
 But then in verse 9

00:21:51.740 --> 00:21:52.059
 through 12

00:21:52.059 --> 00:21:52.779
 he goes back

00:21:52.779 --> 00:21:53.579
 to the first

00:21:53.579 --> 00:21:54.179
 and second person

00:21:54.179 --> 00:21:54.480
 he says

00:21:54.480 --> 00:21:55.480
 in your case

00:21:55.480 --> 00:21:57.379
 we feel sure

00:21:57.379 --> 00:21:58.119
 of better

00:21:58.119 --> 00:21:58.879
 things.

00:22:00.039 --> 00:22:01.119
 Now you might ask

00:22:01.119 --> 00:22:02.059
 why does he

00:22:02.059 --> 00:22:02.779
 feel sure

00:22:02.779 --> 00:22:03.839
 of better things?

00:22:03.839 --> 00:22:05.519
 How can I

00:22:05.519 --> 00:22:06.459
 feel sure

00:22:06.459 --> 00:22:08.059
 of better things

00:22:08.059 --> 00:22:08.919
 for me?

00:22:10.199 --> 00:22:11.139
 Well in verse 10

00:22:11.139 --> 00:22:11.959
 he goes on to give

00:22:11.959 --> 00:22:12.919
 two reasons

00:22:12.919 --> 00:22:14.379
 for his confidence.

00:22:15.539 --> 00:22:16.500
 So first

00:22:16.500 --> 00:22:17.279
 he says

00:22:17.279 --> 00:22:18.099
 that he is confident

00:22:18.099 --> 00:22:18.879
 because of

00:22:18.879 --> 00:22:20.119
 their track record

00:22:20.119 --> 00:22:21.299
 of work

00:22:21.299 --> 00:22:22.319
 and love.

00:22:22.980 --> 00:22:24.019
 Or if we use

00:22:24.019 --> 00:22:24.419
 the metaphor

00:22:24.419 --> 00:22:25.079
 of verse 7

00:22:25.079 --> 00:22:25.720
 he's confident

00:22:25.720 --> 00:22:26.579
 because of

00:22:26.579 --> 00:22:27.980
 the good fruit

00:22:27.980 --> 00:22:29.519
 that he has

00:22:29.519 --> 00:22:30.419
 already observed

00:22:30.419 --> 00:22:31.500
 in their lives.

00:22:32.379 --> 00:22:33.339
 Now later on

00:22:33.339 --> 00:22:33.779
 in the book

00:22:33.779 --> 00:22:35.200
 in chapter 10

00:22:35.200 --> 00:22:36.519
 verse 32

00:22:36.519 --> 00:22:37.180
 and 34

00:22:37.180 --> 00:22:38.519
 and chapter 13

00:22:38.519 --> 00:22:39.160
 verse 1 and 2

00:22:39.160 --> 00:22:40.079
 he elaborates

00:22:40.079 --> 00:22:41.660
 on the good fruit

00:22:41.660 --> 00:22:43.019
 that he's observed

00:22:43.019 --> 00:22:43.980
 in their lives.

00:22:44.559 --> 00:22:44.960
 He says

00:22:44.960 --> 00:22:45.359
 they've endured

00:22:45.359 --> 00:22:46.700
 a hard struggle

00:22:46.700 --> 00:22:48.500
 sometimes being

00:22:48.500 --> 00:22:49.879
 publicly exposed

00:22:49.879 --> 00:22:51.720
 to reproach

00:22:51.720 --> 00:22:52.960
 and affliction

00:22:52.960 --> 00:22:53.599
 because of their

00:22:53.599 --> 00:22:54.359
 faith in Jesus

00:22:54.359 --> 00:22:55.480
 sometimes standing

00:22:55.480 --> 00:22:56.399
 alongside other

00:22:56.399 --> 00:22:57.099
 Christians who were

00:22:57.099 --> 00:22:57.639
 mistreated

00:22:57.639 --> 00:22:58.619
 and imprisoned.

00:22:59.359 --> 00:22:59.799
 In other words

00:22:59.799 --> 00:23:00.420
 they faced

00:23:00.420 --> 00:23:01.160
 suffering

00:23:01.160 --> 00:23:01.819
 and opposition

00:23:01.819 --> 00:23:02.460
 things that would

00:23:02.460 --> 00:23:03.259
 have could have

00:23:03.259 --> 00:23:03.680
 tempted them

00:23:03.680 --> 00:23:04.299
 to give up

00:23:04.299 --> 00:23:05.980
 or turn away

00:23:05.980 --> 00:23:07.140
 but they didn't

00:23:07.140 --> 00:23:07.660
 give up

00:23:07.660 --> 00:23:08.859
 and in fact

00:23:08.859 --> 00:23:09.660
 in their trials

00:23:09.660 --> 00:23:11.059
 they held on

00:23:11.059 --> 00:23:12.279
 to the promises

00:23:12.279 --> 00:23:12.960
 of Christ.

00:23:14.579 --> 00:23:15.400
 Chapter 10

00:23:15.400 --> 00:23:15.960
 verse 34

00:23:15.960 --> 00:23:16.259
 says

00:23:16.259 --> 00:23:16.920
 they joyfully

00:23:16.920 --> 00:23:17.460
 accepted

00:23:17.460 --> 00:23:18.740
 the loss

00:23:18.740 --> 00:23:19.240
 of worldly

00:23:19.240 --> 00:23:19.839
 possessions

00:23:19.839 --> 00:23:21.059
 and status

00:23:21.059 --> 00:23:22.180
 because they knew

00:23:22.180 --> 00:23:22.940
 that they had

00:23:22.940 --> 00:23:23.900
 a better

00:23:23.900 --> 00:23:24.819
 and lasting

00:23:24.819 --> 00:23:25.480
 possession

00:23:25.480 --> 00:23:26.900
 in Jesus Christ.

00:23:26.900 --> 00:23:29.240
 now the point

00:23:29.240 --> 00:23:29.660
 of this

00:23:29.660 --> 00:23:30.300
 is that

00:23:30.300 --> 00:23:30.700
 suffering

00:23:30.700 --> 00:23:31.540
 and trials

00:23:31.540 --> 00:23:32.780
 will either

00:23:32.780 --> 00:23:33.920
 drive you

00:23:33.920 --> 00:23:34.540
 away from

00:23:34.540 --> 00:23:34.980
 God

00:23:34.980 --> 00:23:36.519
 into things

00:23:36.519 --> 00:23:37.060
 like bitterness

00:23:37.060 --> 00:23:38.640
 and despair

00:23:38.640 --> 00:23:39.860
 and anger

00:23:39.860 --> 00:23:41.019
 and anxiety

00:23:41.019 --> 00:23:42.620
 or they will

00:23:42.620 --> 00:23:43.019
 drive you

00:23:43.019 --> 00:23:43.700
 to God

00:23:43.700 --> 00:23:45.700
 and the Psalms

00:23:45.700 --> 00:23:46.280
 invite us

00:23:46.280 --> 00:23:46.960
 to bring

00:23:46.960 --> 00:23:48.160
 our bitterness

00:23:48.160 --> 00:23:49.480
 and despair

00:23:49.480 --> 00:23:50.420
 and anger

00:23:50.420 --> 00:23:51.280
 and anxiety

00:23:51.280 --> 00:23:52.280
 to God.

00:23:52.279 --> 00:23:54.500
 you know

00:23:54.500 --> 00:23:54.859
 it's very

00:23:54.859 --> 00:23:55.299
 common

00:23:55.299 --> 00:23:56.180
 to feel

00:23:56.180 --> 00:23:56.740
 all of those

00:23:56.740 --> 00:23:57.180
 emotions

00:23:57.180 --> 00:23:58.579
 but the question

00:23:58.579 --> 00:23:58.980
 is will we

00:23:58.980 --> 00:23:59.539
 hold on

00:23:59.539 --> 00:23:59.899
 to those

00:23:59.899 --> 00:24:00.460
 things

00:24:00.460 --> 00:24:01.720
 deep inside

00:24:01.720 --> 00:24:02.399
 ourselves

00:24:02.399 --> 00:24:03.899
 where they'll

00:24:03.899 --> 00:24:04.539
 gradually eat

00:24:04.539 --> 00:24:05.399
 away at us

00:24:05.399 --> 00:24:07.139
 and then poison

00:24:07.139 --> 00:24:07.779
 our relationships

00:24:07.779 --> 00:24:08.500
 with others

00:24:08.500 --> 00:24:09.399
 or will we

00:24:09.399 --> 00:24:09.940
 bring those

00:24:09.940 --> 00:24:10.319
 things to

00:24:10.319 --> 00:24:10.740
 God

00:24:10.740 --> 00:24:11.500
 honestly

00:24:11.500 --> 00:24:12.700
 and seek

00:24:12.700 --> 00:24:13.399
 our refuge

00:24:13.399 --> 00:24:14.180
 and our help

00:24:14.180 --> 00:24:14.559
 in him.

00:24:14.559 --> 00:24:16.240
 you see

00:24:16.240 --> 00:24:16.519
 when we

00:24:16.519 --> 00:24:16.839
 suffer

00:24:16.839 --> 00:24:17.460
 and take

00:24:17.460 --> 00:24:17.839
 refuge

00:24:17.839 --> 00:24:18.359
 in Jesus

00:24:18.359 --> 00:24:20.179
 and bring

00:24:20.179 --> 00:24:21.299
 all of the

00:24:21.299 --> 00:24:21.619
 stuff

00:24:21.619 --> 00:24:22.119
 that we

00:24:22.119 --> 00:24:22.579
 feel to

00:24:22.579 --> 00:24:22.879
 him

00:24:22.879 --> 00:24:23.879
 he begins

00:24:23.879 --> 00:24:24.359
 to work

00:24:24.359 --> 00:24:24.919
 in us

00:24:24.919 --> 00:24:25.940
 things like

00:24:25.940 --> 00:24:26.819
 humility

00:24:26.819 --> 00:24:28.419
 and trust

00:24:28.419 --> 00:24:29.859
 and compassion

00:24:29.859 --> 00:24:32.019
 and so he

00:24:32.019 --> 00:24:33.339
 turns

00:24:33.339 --> 00:24:34.379
 suffering

00:24:34.379 --> 00:24:35.220
 and evil

00:24:35.220 --> 00:24:36.779
 into things

00:24:36.779 --> 00:24:37.099
 that can be

00:24:37.099 --> 00:24:37.679
 a means

00:24:37.679 --> 00:24:38.339
 for our

00:24:38.339 --> 00:24:38.679
 spiritual

00:24:38.679 --> 00:24:39.240
 growth

00:24:39.240 --> 00:24:40.240
 and maturity

00:24:40.240 --> 00:24:43.099
 and Jesus

00:24:43.099 --> 00:24:43.460
 has been

00:24:43.460 --> 00:24:43.740
 there

00:24:43.740 --> 00:24:45.319
 Jesus

00:24:45.319 --> 00:24:45.779
 himself

00:24:45.779 --> 00:24:46.640
 has suffered

00:24:46.640 --> 00:24:47.680
 he knows

00:24:47.680 --> 00:24:48.019
 what it's

00:24:48.019 --> 00:24:48.380
 like

00:24:48.380 --> 00:24:49.339
 to go

00:24:49.339 --> 00:24:49.620
 through

00:24:49.620 --> 00:24:50.319
 hard

00:24:50.319 --> 00:24:51.200
 trials

00:24:51.200 --> 00:24:52.940
 and opposition

00:24:52.940 --> 00:24:54.120
 and he

00:24:54.120 --> 00:24:54.579
 has come

00:24:54.579 --> 00:24:55.180
 so that we

00:24:55.180 --> 00:24:55.720
 might never

00:24:55.720 --> 00:24:56.460
 suffer

00:24:56.460 --> 00:24:57.059
 alone

00:24:57.059 --> 00:24:59.640
 but that

00:24:59.640 --> 00:25:00.019
 all our

00:25:00.019 --> 00:25:00.420
 sufferings

00:25:00.420 --> 00:25:00.880
 might be

00:25:00.880 --> 00:25:01.839
 with him

00:25:01.839 --> 00:25:02.200
 by our

00:25:02.200 --> 00:25:02.539
 side

00:25:02.539 --> 00:25:04.200
 so if

00:25:04.200 --> 00:25:04.359
 you've

00:25:04.359 --> 00:25:04.740
 been through

00:25:04.740 --> 00:25:05.319
 trials

00:25:05.319 --> 00:25:06.720
 if you can

00:25:06.720 --> 00:25:07.099
 look back

00:25:07.099 --> 00:25:07.319
 at your

00:25:07.319 --> 00:25:07.700
 life

00:25:07.700 --> 00:25:08.519
 if you've

00:25:08.519 --> 00:25:08.859
 been through

00:25:08.859 --> 00:25:09.480
 trials that

00:25:09.480 --> 00:25:10.859
 could have

00:25:10.859 --> 00:25:11.200
 pushed you

00:25:11.200 --> 00:25:11.620
 away from

00:25:11.620 --> 00:25:11.980
 God

00:25:11.980 --> 00:25:13.240
 but you're

00:25:13.240 --> 00:25:13.799
 still here

00:25:13.799 --> 00:25:16.440
 you still

00:25:16.440 --> 00:25:17.200
 believe in

00:25:17.200 --> 00:25:17.599
 Christ

00:25:17.599 --> 00:25:19.039
 you still

00:25:19.039 --> 00:25:19.420
 pray

00:25:19.420 --> 00:25:21.279
 be encouraged

00:25:21.279 --> 00:25:22.460
 that's a

00:25:22.460 --> 00:25:23.059
 good sign

00:25:23.059 --> 00:25:25.059
 now the

00:25:25.059 --> 00:25:25.460
 second thing

00:25:25.460 --> 00:25:25.819
 he points

00:25:25.819 --> 00:25:26.240
 to is not

00:25:26.240 --> 00:25:26.660
 only their

00:25:26.660 --> 00:25:27.440
 their work

00:25:27.440 --> 00:25:27.700
 and their

00:25:27.700 --> 00:25:28.039
 endurance

00:25:28.039 --> 00:25:28.620
 through trials

00:25:28.620 --> 00:25:29.180
 but their

00:25:29.180 --> 00:25:29.640
 love for

00:25:29.640 --> 00:25:30.140
 one another

00:25:30.140 --> 00:25:32.819
 again suffering

00:25:32.819 --> 00:25:33.420
 and trials

00:25:33.420 --> 00:25:34.180
 can either

00:25:34.180 --> 00:25:34.779
 cause us to

00:25:34.779 --> 00:25:35.700
 distance ourselves

00:25:35.700 --> 00:25:36.599
 from other

00:25:36.599 --> 00:25:36.980
 people

00:25:36.980 --> 00:25:39.259
 or to come

00:25:39.259 --> 00:25:40.680
 closer together

00:25:40.680 --> 00:25:42.340
 and stand

00:25:42.340 --> 00:25:42.860
 together in

00:25:42.860 --> 00:25:43.160
 the midst

00:25:43.160 --> 00:25:43.500
 of them

00:25:43.500 --> 00:25:44.660
 and instead

00:25:44.660 --> 00:25:45.200
 of distancing

00:25:45.200 --> 00:25:45.680
 themselves

00:25:45.680 --> 00:25:46.240
 from each

00:25:46.240 --> 00:25:46.500
 other

00:25:46.500 --> 00:25:48.380
 the Hebrews

00:25:48.380 --> 00:25:49.460
 loved and

00:25:49.460 --> 00:25:49.920
 served one

00:25:49.920 --> 00:25:50.420
 another with

00:25:50.420 --> 00:25:51.140
 warm affection

00:25:51.140 --> 00:25:53.960
 it says in

00:25:53.960 --> 00:25:54.460
 chapter 6

00:25:54.460 --> 00:25:54.920
 verse 10

00:25:54.920 --> 00:25:55.279
 you have

00:25:55.279 --> 00:25:57.000
 shown love

00:25:57.000 --> 00:25:58.519
 for God

00:25:58.519 --> 00:25:59.400
 in serving

00:25:59.400 --> 00:26:00.000
 the saints

00:26:00.000 --> 00:26:00.980
 as you

00:26:00.980 --> 00:26:01.640
 still do

00:26:01.640 --> 00:26:02.759
 in other

00:26:02.759 --> 00:26:03.080
 words they

00:26:03.080 --> 00:26:03.519
 had served

00:26:03.519 --> 00:26:04.380
 not only the

00:26:04.380 --> 00:26:04.840
 Christians in

00:26:04.840 --> 00:26:05.180
 their own

00:26:05.180 --> 00:26:05.660
 church but

00:26:05.660 --> 00:26:06.279
 the saints

00:26:06.279 --> 00:26:06.779
 more broadly

00:26:06.779 --> 00:26:07.200
 speaking

00:26:07.200 --> 00:26:07.640
 Christians

00:26:07.640 --> 00:26:08.759
 perhaps

00:26:08.759 --> 00:26:09.020
 throughout

00:26:09.020 --> 00:26:09.480
 the world

00:26:09.480 --> 00:26:09.740
 or in

00:26:09.740 --> 00:26:09.980
 other

00:26:09.980 --> 00:26:10.880
 churches

00:26:10.880 --> 00:26:13.380
 chapter 13

00:26:13.380 --> 00:26:13.780
 verse 1

00:26:13.780 --> 00:26:14.060
 and 2

00:26:14.060 --> 00:26:14.440
 tells us

00:26:14.440 --> 00:26:14.860
 they opened

00:26:14.860 --> 00:26:15.400
 their homes

00:26:15.400 --> 00:26:15.940
 to each

00:26:15.940 --> 00:26:16.120
 other

00:26:16.120 --> 00:26:16.980
 they loved

00:26:16.980 --> 00:26:17.320
 each other

00:26:17.320 --> 00:26:17.840
 like brothers

00:26:17.840 --> 00:26:18.759
 and sisters

00:26:18.759 --> 00:26:19.800
 in the family

00:26:19.800 --> 00:26:20.680
 of God

00:26:20.680 --> 00:26:22.000
 they even

00:26:22.000 --> 00:26:22.320
 welcomed

00:26:22.320 --> 00:26:22.840
 strangers

00:26:22.840 --> 00:26:23.640
 and foreigners

00:26:23.640 --> 00:26:24.540
 because they

00:26:24.540 --> 00:26:25.320
 knew that

00:26:25.320 --> 00:26:25.880
 God and

00:26:25.880 --> 00:26:26.620
 Jesus Christ

00:26:26.620 --> 00:26:27.340
 had welcomed

00:26:27.340 --> 00:26:27.680
 them

00:26:27.680 --> 00:26:29.580
 and God

00:26:29.580 --> 00:26:29.960
 had opened

00:26:29.960 --> 00:26:30.520
 his home

00:26:30.520 --> 00:26:31.160
 to them

00:26:31.160 --> 00:26:31.960
 and so they

00:26:31.960 --> 00:26:32.440
 opened their

00:26:32.440 --> 00:26:32.840
 homes

00:26:32.840 --> 00:26:33.620
 to others

00:26:33.620 --> 00:26:35.080
 it says

00:26:35.080 --> 00:26:35.520
 they cared

00:26:35.520 --> 00:26:35.860
 for those

00:26:35.860 --> 00:26:36.320
 in prison

00:26:36.319 --> 00:26:38.259
 had compassion

00:26:38.259 --> 00:26:38.740
 on them

00:26:38.740 --> 00:26:40.599
 because they

00:26:40.599 --> 00:26:40.899
 knew that

00:26:40.899 --> 00:26:41.599
 Jesus Christ

00:26:41.599 --> 00:26:42.299
 had paid a

00:26:42.299 --> 00:26:42.960
 high price

00:26:42.960 --> 00:26:43.779
 to set them

00:26:43.779 --> 00:26:44.099
 free

00:26:44.099 --> 00:26:44.899
 from their

00:26:44.899 --> 00:26:45.439
 bondage

00:26:45.439 --> 00:26:46.200
 and so they

00:26:46.200 --> 00:26:46.599
 cared for

00:26:46.599 --> 00:26:47.039
 those

00:26:47.039 --> 00:26:48.039
 who were in

00:26:48.039 --> 00:26:48.359
 bondage

00:26:48.359 --> 00:26:48.819
 themselves

00:26:48.819 --> 00:26:50.419
 and he

00:26:50.419 --> 00:26:50.759
 says you've

00:26:50.759 --> 00:26:51.319
 continued to

00:26:51.319 --> 00:26:51.740
 do these

00:26:51.740 --> 00:26:52.240
 things

00:26:52.240 --> 00:26:54.179
 brothers and

00:26:54.179 --> 00:26:54.519
 sisters

00:26:54.519 --> 00:26:56.039
 may we be

00:26:56.039 --> 00:26:56.720
 a church

00:26:56.720 --> 00:26:57.059
 that is

00:26:57.059 --> 00:26:57.819
 characterized

00:26:57.819 --> 00:26:59.179
 by loving

00:26:59.179 --> 00:26:59.879
 service

00:26:59.879 --> 00:27:00.439
 to one

00:27:00.439 --> 00:27:00.740
 another

00:27:00.740 --> 00:27:02.960
 and in

00:27:02.960 --> 00:27:03.539
 many ways

00:27:03.539 --> 00:27:04.439
 we already

00:27:04.439 --> 00:27:04.960
 are but let

00:27:04.960 --> 00:27:05.700
 me urge you

00:27:05.700 --> 00:27:06.620
 let us

00:27:06.620 --> 00:27:07.620
 continue to

00:27:07.620 --> 00:27:08.120
 do so

00:27:08.120 --> 00:27:08.900
 more and

00:27:08.900 --> 00:27:09.160
 more

00:27:09.160 --> 00:27:10.740
 we live in

00:27:10.740 --> 00:27:11.100
 a culture

00:27:11.100 --> 00:27:11.480
 that's

00:27:11.480 --> 00:27:12.420
 it seems

00:27:12.420 --> 00:27:12.600
 like

00:27:12.600 --> 00:27:13.160
 everybody's

00:27:13.160 --> 00:27:13.460
 busy

00:27:13.460 --> 00:27:15.200
 right

00:27:15.200 --> 00:27:17.259
 hardly anybody

00:27:17.259 --> 00:27:17.700
 how are you

00:27:17.700 --> 00:27:17.920
 doing

00:27:17.920 --> 00:27:18.460
 I mean my

00:27:18.460 --> 00:27:19.180
 natural response

00:27:19.180 --> 00:27:19.440
 is saying

00:27:19.440 --> 00:27:20.180
 things have

00:27:20.180 --> 00:27:20.460
 been pretty

00:27:20.460 --> 00:27:21.000
 busy lately

00:27:21.000 --> 00:27:23.460
 we live in

00:27:23.460 --> 00:27:23.799
 a high

00:27:23.799 --> 00:27:24.240
 stress

00:27:24.240 --> 00:27:24.940
 high achievement

00:27:24.940 --> 00:27:25.420
 culture

00:27:25.420 --> 00:27:27.019
 that places

00:27:27.019 --> 00:27:27.860
 a high value

00:27:27.860 --> 00:27:29.000
 on individual

00:27:29.000 --> 00:27:29.600
 freedom

00:27:29.600 --> 00:27:30.860
 and autonomy

00:27:30.860 --> 00:27:31.759
 and privacy

00:27:31.759 --> 00:27:33.620
 but the gospel

00:27:33.620 --> 00:27:34.220
 tells us that

00:27:34.220 --> 00:27:34.799
 Jesus Christ

00:27:34.799 --> 00:27:35.980
 willingly laid

00:27:35.980 --> 00:27:36.539
 aside

00:27:36.539 --> 00:27:38.299
 his freedoms

00:27:38.299 --> 00:27:39.119
 and became

00:27:39.119 --> 00:27:39.599
 a servant

00:27:39.599 --> 00:27:41.259
 to love

00:27:41.259 --> 00:27:41.759
 us

00:27:41.759 --> 00:27:43.759
 on the night

00:27:43.759 --> 00:27:44.119
 that he was

00:27:44.119 --> 00:27:44.480
 betrayed

00:27:44.480 --> 00:27:45.559
 he knelt down

00:27:45.559 --> 00:27:46.639
 and he washed

00:27:46.639 --> 00:27:47.159
 his disciples

00:27:47.159 --> 00:27:47.519
 feet

00:27:47.519 --> 00:27:48.859
 and then he

00:27:48.859 --> 00:27:49.220
 said as

00:27:49.220 --> 00:27:50.299
 I have loved

00:27:50.299 --> 00:27:50.579
 you

00:27:50.579 --> 00:27:52.019
 you also

00:27:52.019 --> 00:27:52.599
 are to love

00:27:52.599 --> 00:27:53.099
 one another

00:27:53.099 --> 00:27:54.899
 and by this

00:27:54.899 --> 00:27:55.480
 all people

00:27:55.480 --> 00:27:56.019
 will know

00:27:56.019 --> 00:27:57.599
 that you are

00:27:57.599 --> 00:27:58.099
 really my

00:27:58.099 --> 00:27:58.819
 disciples if you

00:27:58.819 --> 00:27:59.500
 have love

00:27:59.500 --> 00:28:00.500
 for one

00:28:00.500 --> 00:28:00.879
 another

00:28:00.880 --> 00:28:02.980
 and so the

00:28:02.980 --> 00:28:03.400
 author of

00:28:03.400 --> 00:28:03.600
 Hebrews

00:28:03.600 --> 00:28:03.960
 could say

00:28:03.960 --> 00:28:04.460
 I see

00:28:04.460 --> 00:28:05.540
 your acts

00:28:05.540 --> 00:28:06.040
 of loving

00:28:06.040 --> 00:28:06.840
 service

00:28:06.840 --> 00:28:07.680
 to God's

00:28:07.680 --> 00:28:08.000
 people

00:28:08.000 --> 00:28:09.280
 your love

00:28:09.280 --> 00:28:09.760
 for God

00:28:09.760 --> 00:28:10.360
 is shown

00:28:10.360 --> 00:28:11.040
 in your

00:28:11.040 --> 00:28:11.460
 love

00:28:11.460 --> 00:28:12.320
 for others

00:28:12.320 --> 00:28:13.160
 and that's

00:28:13.160 --> 00:28:13.700
 one of the

00:28:13.700 --> 00:28:14.400
 fruits of

00:28:14.400 --> 00:28:14.780
 the Holy

00:28:14.780 --> 00:28:15.200
 Spirit

00:28:15.200 --> 00:28:16.140
 it's another

00:28:16.140 --> 00:28:16.800
 sign that you

00:28:16.800 --> 00:28:17.300
 have really

00:28:17.300 --> 00:28:18.100
 experienced

00:28:18.100 --> 00:28:18.880
 salvation

00:28:18.880 --> 00:28:19.840
 from God

00:28:19.840 --> 00:28:20.640
 because you

00:28:20.640 --> 00:28:21.100
 see true

00:28:21.100 --> 00:28:21.640
 salvation

00:28:21.640 --> 00:28:23.260
 is not a

00:28:23.260 --> 00:28:23.660
 temporary

00:28:23.660 --> 00:28:24.560
 experience

00:28:24.560 --> 00:28:25.420
 that doesn't

00:28:25.420 --> 00:28:25.920
 last

00:28:25.920 --> 00:28:27.620
 that's not

00:28:27.620 --> 00:28:28.240
 real salvation

00:28:28.240 --> 00:28:28.740
 at all

00:28:28.740 --> 00:28:30.279
 true salvation

00:28:30.279 --> 00:28:31.620
 is an eternal

00:28:31.620 --> 00:28:32.740
 reality begun

00:28:32.740 --> 00:28:33.539
 continued

00:28:33.539 --> 00:28:34.480
 and completed

00:28:34.480 --> 00:28:35.580
 by the grace

00:28:35.580 --> 00:28:36.080
 of God

00:28:36.080 --> 00:28:39.360
 and that's

00:28:39.360 --> 00:28:39.740
 actually the

00:28:39.740 --> 00:28:40.320
 second reason

00:28:40.320 --> 00:28:41.560
 why we can

00:28:41.560 --> 00:28:42.279
 have assurance

00:28:42.279 --> 00:28:43.860
 why we can

00:28:43.860 --> 00:28:44.640
 have confidence

00:28:44.640 --> 00:28:46.300
 not only because

00:28:46.300 --> 00:28:47.680
 of good fruit

00:28:47.680 --> 00:28:49.080
 that we see

00:28:49.080 --> 00:28:50.000
 in one another's

00:28:50.000 --> 00:28:50.420
 lives

00:28:50.420 --> 00:28:51.400
 and that we can

00:28:51.400 --> 00:28:51.980
 encourage each

00:28:51.980 --> 00:28:52.600
 other as we see

00:28:52.600 --> 00:28:53.200
 that good fruit

00:28:53.200 --> 00:28:54.080
 but ultimately

00:28:54.080 --> 00:28:55.560
 because of the

00:28:55.560 --> 00:28:55.860
 character

00:28:55.859 --> 00:28:56.500
 of God

00:28:56.500 --> 00:28:59.339
 the ultimate

00:28:59.339 --> 00:29:00.839
 foundation of

00:29:00.839 --> 00:29:01.599
 our assurance

00:29:01.599 --> 00:29:03.059
 as Christians

00:29:03.059 --> 00:29:03.979
 is the character

00:29:03.979 --> 00:29:05.039
 of God himself

00:29:05.039 --> 00:29:05.779
 and the writer

00:29:05.779 --> 00:29:06.079
 of Hebrews

00:29:06.079 --> 00:29:06.579
 says this

00:29:06.579 --> 00:29:07.079
 in verse 10

00:29:07.079 --> 00:29:07.339
 he says

00:29:07.339 --> 00:29:08.219
 God is not

00:29:08.219 --> 00:29:08.879
 unjust

00:29:08.879 --> 00:29:10.659
 so as to

00:29:10.659 --> 00:29:11.299
 overlook

00:29:11.299 --> 00:29:12.359
 your work

00:29:12.359 --> 00:29:13.019
 and your love

00:29:13.019 --> 00:29:13.879
 that you have

00:29:13.879 --> 00:29:14.419
 shown for his

00:29:14.419 --> 00:29:14.679
 name

00:29:14.679 --> 00:29:16.119
 you see

00:29:16.119 --> 00:29:16.839
 God is the

00:29:16.839 --> 00:29:17.279
 source

00:29:17.279 --> 00:29:18.459
 of all

00:29:18.459 --> 00:29:19.359
 the good fruit

00:29:19.359 --> 00:29:20.039
 we produce

00:29:20.039 --> 00:29:21.859
 that's why

00:29:21.859 --> 00:29:22.279
 the apostle

00:29:22.279 --> 00:29:23.019
 Paul calls it

00:29:23.019 --> 00:29:23.639
 the fruit

00:29:23.639 --> 00:29:24.759
 of

00:29:24.759 --> 00:29:26.279
 the Holy Spirit

00:29:26.279 --> 00:29:28.799
 not just the

00:29:28.799 --> 00:29:29.440
 fruit of

00:29:29.440 --> 00:29:30.299
 our good

00:29:30.299 --> 00:29:30.740
 efforts

00:29:30.740 --> 00:29:32.319
 but the fruit

00:29:32.319 --> 00:29:33.400
 of the Holy

00:29:33.400 --> 00:29:34.039
 Spirit's work

00:29:34.039 --> 00:29:34.700
 in our life

00:29:34.700 --> 00:29:36.160
 and in the

00:29:36.160 --> 00:29:36.819
 gospel of John

00:29:36.819 --> 00:29:37.299
 Jesus says

00:29:37.299 --> 00:29:38.000
 I am the vine

00:29:38.000 --> 00:29:38.400
 and you are

00:29:38.400 --> 00:29:38.980
 the branches

00:29:38.980 --> 00:29:40.559
 whoever abides

00:29:40.559 --> 00:29:40.940
 in me

00:29:40.940 --> 00:29:42.039
 and I in him

00:29:42.039 --> 00:29:43.819
 he will bear

00:29:43.819 --> 00:29:45.119
 much fruit

00:29:45.119 --> 00:29:46.440
 apart from me

00:29:46.440 --> 00:29:47.660
 you can do

00:29:47.660 --> 00:29:47.980
 nothing

00:29:47.980 --> 00:29:49.879
 and he continues

00:29:49.879 --> 00:29:50.200
 he says

00:29:50.200 --> 00:29:50.680
 you did not

00:29:50.680 --> 00:29:51.079
 choose me

00:29:51.079 --> 00:29:51.720
 but I chose

00:29:51.720 --> 00:29:52.079
 you

00:29:52.079 --> 00:29:53.160
 and appointed

00:29:53.160 --> 00:29:53.920
 you to go

00:29:53.920 --> 00:29:54.740
 and bear

00:29:54.740 --> 00:29:56.440
 good fruit

00:29:56.440 --> 00:29:56.940
 that will

00:29:56.940 --> 00:29:57.460
 last

00:29:57.460 --> 00:29:59.579
 you see

00:29:59.579 --> 00:30:00.240
 God promises

00:30:00.240 --> 00:30:02.660
 that he will

00:30:02.660 --> 00:30:03.559
 not overlook

00:30:03.559 --> 00:30:04.620
 the good fruit

00:30:04.620 --> 00:30:05.600
 that he himself

00:30:05.600 --> 00:30:07.360
 has produced

00:30:07.360 --> 00:30:08.200
 in our lives

00:30:08.200 --> 00:30:10.400
 verse 7

00:30:10.400 --> 00:30:11.000
 says land

00:30:11.000 --> 00:30:11.860
 that produces

00:30:11.860 --> 00:30:12.339
 a crop

00:30:12.339 --> 00:30:13.039
 useful

00:30:13.039 --> 00:30:14.380
 to those

00:30:14.380 --> 00:30:15.039
 for whose sake

00:30:15.039 --> 00:30:15.740
 it is cultivated

00:30:15.740 --> 00:30:17.039
 receives a blessing

00:30:17.039 --> 00:30:18.500
 from God

00:30:18.500 --> 00:30:20.140
 Jesus himself

00:30:20.140 --> 00:30:21.280
 promised blessings

00:30:21.280 --> 00:30:23.420
 to his disciples

00:30:23.420 --> 00:30:24.780
 both now

00:30:24.780 --> 00:30:25.540
 and in the future

00:30:25.540 --> 00:30:26.960
 read through the

00:30:26.960 --> 00:30:27.740
 Sermon on the Mount

00:30:27.740 --> 00:30:29.040
 it's full of them

00:30:29.040 --> 00:30:31.240
 the Beatitudes

00:30:31.240 --> 00:30:32.200
 blessed are you

00:30:32.200 --> 00:30:33.240
 when people

00:30:33.240 --> 00:30:34.080
 revile you

00:30:34.080 --> 00:30:36.800
 and persecute you

00:30:36.800 --> 00:30:38.100
 and utter all kinds

00:30:38.100 --> 00:30:39.080
 of evil against you

00:30:39.080 --> 00:30:39.740
 falsely

00:30:39.740 --> 00:30:41.040
 on my account

00:30:41.040 --> 00:30:43.100
 in that case

00:30:43.100 --> 00:30:43.420
 he says

00:30:43.420 --> 00:30:44.320
 rejoice and be glad

00:30:44.320 --> 00:30:45.140
 for great is your

00:30:45.140 --> 00:30:45.960
 reward in heaven

00:30:45.960 --> 00:30:47.500
 or in Mark

00:30:47.500 --> 00:30:48.100
 chapter 10

00:30:48.100 --> 00:30:49.440
 he said to his

00:30:49.440 --> 00:30:49.780
 disciples

00:30:49.779 --> 00:30:50.160
 he said

00:30:50.160 --> 00:30:51.160
 whatever I call

00:30:51.160 --> 00:30:52.099
 you to sacrifice

00:30:52.099 --> 00:30:53.559
 and leave behind

00:30:53.559 --> 00:30:55.039
 for my sake

00:30:55.039 --> 00:30:55.700
 and the sake

00:30:55.700 --> 00:30:56.339
 of the gospel

00:30:56.339 --> 00:30:57.399
 you'll receive

00:30:57.399 --> 00:30:58.440
 many times

00:30:58.440 --> 00:30:59.000
 more

00:30:59.000 --> 00:31:00.559
 and in the age

00:31:00.559 --> 00:31:00.899
 to come

00:31:00.899 --> 00:31:01.660
 eternal life

00:31:01.660 --> 00:31:05.079
 because God

00:31:05.079 --> 00:31:06.019
 is not unjust

00:31:06.019 --> 00:31:07.500
 when he makes

00:31:07.500 --> 00:31:08.039
 a promise

00:31:08.039 --> 00:31:09.180
 he will keep it

00:31:09.180 --> 00:31:10.160
 he is faithful

00:31:10.160 --> 00:31:11.599
 when he produces

00:31:11.599 --> 00:31:12.119
 good fruit

00:31:12.119 --> 00:31:12.899
 in our lives

00:31:12.899 --> 00:31:14.460
 he will sustain it

00:31:14.460 --> 00:31:15.819
 and he will reward

00:31:15.819 --> 00:31:16.759
 it in the end

00:31:16.759 --> 00:31:18.039
 because he

00:31:18.039 --> 00:31:18.819
 has done it

00:31:18.819 --> 00:31:21.379
 and so he goes

00:31:21.379 --> 00:31:21.720
 on

00:31:21.720 --> 00:31:22.899
 in verse 11

00:31:22.899 --> 00:31:23.240
 he says

00:31:23.240 --> 00:31:23.679
 we desire

00:31:23.679 --> 00:31:24.099
 for each

00:31:24.099 --> 00:31:24.619
 one of you

00:31:24.619 --> 00:31:25.579
 to show

00:31:25.579 --> 00:31:26.079
 the same

00:31:26.079 --> 00:31:26.759
 earnestness

00:31:26.759 --> 00:31:27.439
 to have

00:31:27.439 --> 00:31:27.799
 the full

00:31:27.799 --> 00:31:28.259
 assurance

00:31:28.259 --> 00:31:28.679
 of hope

00:31:28.679 --> 00:31:29.119
 until the

00:31:29.119 --> 00:31:29.480
 end

00:31:29.480 --> 00:31:30.919
 so that you

00:31:30.919 --> 00:31:31.240
 may not

00:31:31.240 --> 00:31:31.919
 be sluggish

00:31:31.919 --> 00:31:33.259
 but imitators

00:31:33.259 --> 00:31:33.659
 of those

00:31:33.659 --> 00:31:33.980
 who through

00:31:33.980 --> 00:31:34.460
 faith and

00:31:34.460 --> 00:31:34.819
 patience

00:31:34.819 --> 00:31:35.240
 inherit

00:31:35.240 --> 00:31:36.079
 the promises

00:31:36.079 --> 00:31:36.579
 of God

00:31:36.579 --> 00:31:38.839
 you see

00:31:38.839 --> 00:31:39.359
 the purpose

00:31:39.359 --> 00:31:40.339
 of both

00:31:40.339 --> 00:31:41.059
 the warning

00:31:41.059 --> 00:31:42.339
 and the

00:31:42.339 --> 00:31:42.700
 comfort

00:31:42.700 --> 00:31:43.580
 is to

00:31:43.580 --> 00:31:44.160
 protect us

00:31:44.160 --> 00:31:44.680
 from becoming

00:31:44.680 --> 00:31:45.440
 complacent

00:31:45.440 --> 00:31:48.680
 and you know

00:31:48.680 --> 00:31:49.740
 there's no joy

00:31:49.740 --> 00:31:51.059
 in spiritual

00:31:51.059 --> 00:31:51.759
 complacency

00:31:51.759 --> 00:31:53.019
 it's not even

00:31:53.019 --> 00:31:53.640
 fun while it

00:31:53.640 --> 00:31:54.180
 lasts

00:31:54.180 --> 00:31:57.680
 but he's

00:31:57.680 --> 00:31:58.160
 spurring us

00:31:58.160 --> 00:31:58.799
 on to

00:31:58.799 --> 00:31:59.380
 persevere

00:31:59.380 --> 00:32:00.600
 in earnest

00:32:00.600 --> 00:32:01.380
 love

00:32:01.380 --> 00:32:02.640
 verse 10

00:32:02.640 --> 00:32:03.980
 in assured

00:32:03.980 --> 00:32:04.440
 hope

00:32:04.440 --> 00:32:05.400
 verse 11

00:32:05.400 --> 00:32:06.400
 and in

00:32:06.400 --> 00:32:07.180
 patient faith

00:32:07.180 --> 00:32:08.279
 as he says

00:32:08.279 --> 00:32:08.960
 in verse 12

00:32:08.960 --> 00:32:10.519
 love

00:32:10.519 --> 00:32:11.240
 hope

00:32:11.240 --> 00:32:12.039
 and faith

00:32:12.039 --> 00:32:13.359
 in Jesus

00:32:13.359 --> 00:32:14.819
 you see

00:32:14.819 --> 00:32:15.400
 the purpose

00:32:15.400 --> 00:32:16.279
 of the

00:32:16.279 --> 00:32:17.039
 comforting word

00:32:17.039 --> 00:32:18.380
 is not to

00:32:18.380 --> 00:32:18.880
 comfort us

00:32:18.880 --> 00:32:19.099
 in our

00:32:19.099 --> 00:32:19.759
 complacency

00:32:19.759 --> 00:32:21.019
 but to

00:32:21.019 --> 00:32:21.400
 spur us

00:32:21.400 --> 00:32:21.700
 on

00:32:21.700 --> 00:32:22.519
 to earnest

00:32:22.519 --> 00:32:23.019
 love

00:32:23.019 --> 00:32:23.859
 for one

00:32:23.859 --> 00:32:24.180
 another

00:32:24.180 --> 00:32:25.220
 and the

00:32:25.220 --> 00:32:25.460
 purpose

00:32:25.460 --> 00:32:25.700
 of the

00:32:25.700 --> 00:32:26.019
 warning

00:32:26.019 --> 00:32:27.180
 is not

00:32:27.180 --> 00:32:27.460
 to make

00:32:27.460 --> 00:32:27.599
 us

00:32:27.599 --> 00:32:28.099
 despair

00:32:28.099 --> 00:32:29.519
 and it's

00:32:29.519 --> 00:32:29.819
 not to

00:32:29.819 --> 00:32:30.140
 make us

00:32:30.140 --> 00:32:30.740
 endlessly

00:32:30.740 --> 00:32:31.420
 anxiously

00:32:31.420 --> 00:32:32.480
 introspective

00:32:32.480 --> 00:32:33.319
 either

00:32:33.319 --> 00:32:35.400
 but to

00:32:35.400 --> 00:32:35.779
 spur us

00:32:35.779 --> 00:32:36.079
 on to

00:32:36.079 --> 00:32:36.660
 persevere

00:32:36.660 --> 00:32:37.460
 in looking

00:32:37.460 --> 00:32:38.000
 to Jesus

00:32:38.000 --> 00:32:38.920
 with our

00:32:38.920 --> 00:32:39.420
 faith and

00:32:39.420 --> 00:32:39.920
 hope fixed

00:32:39.920 --> 00:32:40.299
 firmly

00:32:40.299 --> 00:32:41.220
 on him

00:32:41.220 --> 00:32:43.460
 you know

00:32:43.460 --> 00:32:43.700
 if you're

00:32:43.700 --> 00:32:44.100
 hiking in

00:32:44.100 --> 00:32:44.620
 the mountains

00:32:44.620 --> 00:32:46.059
 and the

00:32:46.059 --> 00:32:46.680
 trail passes

00:32:46.680 --> 00:32:47.720
 by some

00:32:47.720 --> 00:32:48.539
 steep cliffs

00:32:48.539 --> 00:32:50.100
 it is good

00:32:50.100 --> 00:32:50.740
 to be aware

00:32:50.740 --> 00:32:51.700
 of the

00:32:51.700 --> 00:32:52.059
 danger

00:32:52.059 --> 00:32:53.240
 but you

00:32:53.240 --> 00:32:53.579
 will make

00:32:53.579 --> 00:32:54.579
 no progress

00:32:54.579 --> 00:32:55.819
 by just

00:32:55.819 --> 00:32:56.799
 peeking over

00:32:56.799 --> 00:32:57.120
 the edge

00:32:57.120 --> 00:32:57.680
 of the cliff

00:32:57.680 --> 00:32:59.160
 and imagining

00:32:59.160 --> 00:32:59.940
 how horrible

00:32:59.940 --> 00:33:00.519
 it would be

00:33:00.519 --> 00:33:01.440
 to fall off

00:33:01.440 --> 00:33:03.519
 you will just

00:33:03.519 --> 00:33:03.980
 make yourself

00:33:03.980 --> 00:33:04.319
 dizzy

00:33:04.319 --> 00:33:06.279
 and unnecessarily

00:33:06.279 --> 00:33:06.799
 scared

00:33:06.799 --> 00:33:08.240
 and in the

00:33:08.240 --> 00:33:08.860
 same way

00:33:08.859 --> 00:33:09.759
 if you

00:33:09.759 --> 00:33:10.359
 are endlessly

00:33:10.359 --> 00:33:11.119
 anxiously

00:33:11.119 --> 00:33:12.159
 introspective

00:33:12.159 --> 00:33:13.439
 about your

00:33:13.439 --> 00:33:14.119
 spiritual state

00:33:14.119 --> 00:33:14.619
 you will not

00:33:14.619 --> 00:33:15.559
 make much

00:33:15.559 --> 00:33:15.979
 spiritual

00:33:15.979 --> 00:33:16.619
 progress

00:33:16.619 --> 00:33:18.899
 the encouragement

00:33:18.899 --> 00:33:19.359
 here

00:33:19.359 --> 00:33:20.679
 is to be

00:33:20.679 --> 00:33:21.079
 aware

00:33:21.079 --> 00:33:21.479
 and take

00:33:21.479 --> 00:33:21.799
 the warning

00:33:21.799 --> 00:33:22.419
 seriously

00:33:22.419 --> 00:33:24.159
 but to keep

00:33:24.159 --> 00:33:24.799
 going up

00:33:24.799 --> 00:33:25.299
 the trail

00:33:25.299 --> 00:33:26.799
 to follow

00:33:26.799 --> 00:33:27.139
 in the

00:33:27.139 --> 00:33:27.439
 footsteps

00:33:27.439 --> 00:33:27.919
 of those

00:33:27.919 --> 00:33:28.199
 who have

00:33:28.199 --> 00:33:28.740
 persevered

00:33:28.740 --> 00:33:29.259
 in faith

00:33:29.259 --> 00:33:30.379
 all the way

00:33:30.379 --> 00:33:31.019
 to the end

00:33:31.019 --> 00:33:33.039
 and inherited

00:33:33.039 --> 00:33:33.559
 the promises

00:33:33.559 --> 00:33:34.059
 of God

00:33:34.059 --> 00:33:35.279
 and most

00:33:35.279 --> 00:33:35.779
 especially

00:33:35.779 --> 00:33:37.480
 to fix

00:33:37.480 --> 00:33:37.879
 our eyes

00:33:37.879 --> 00:33:38.179
 on our

00:33:38.179 --> 00:33:38.639
 Lord and

00:33:38.639 --> 00:33:38.859
 Savior

00:33:38.859 --> 00:33:39.659
 Jesus Christ

00:33:39.659 --> 00:33:41.139
 because Jesus

00:33:41.139 --> 00:33:41.519
 is the

00:33:41.519 --> 00:33:41.899
 pioneer

00:33:41.899 --> 00:33:43.299
 of faith

00:33:43.299 --> 00:33:44.139
 in other

00:33:44.139 --> 00:33:44.299
 words

00:33:44.299 --> 00:33:44.679
 he's the

00:33:44.679 --> 00:33:44.899
 one

00:33:44.899 --> 00:33:45.159
 who's

00:33:45.159 --> 00:33:45.579
 blazed

00:33:45.579 --> 00:33:46.119
 the trail

00:33:46.119 --> 00:33:47.319
 for us

00:33:47.319 --> 00:33:49.399
 and he's

00:33:49.399 --> 00:33:50.139
 the perfecter

00:33:50.139 --> 00:33:51.319
 of faith

00:33:51.319 --> 00:33:52.839
 he's the

00:33:52.839 --> 00:33:53.179
 beginning

00:33:53.179 --> 00:33:54.139
 and he's

00:33:54.139 --> 00:33:54.659
 the end

00:33:54.659 --> 00:33:55.700
 he stands

00:33:55.700 --> 00:33:56.200
 waiting to

00:33:56.200 --> 00:33:56.659
 receive us

00:33:56.659 --> 00:33:57.220
 at the end

00:33:57.220 --> 00:33:58.519
 and he

00:33:58.519 --> 00:33:59.259
 watches over

00:33:59.259 --> 00:34:00.139
 our every

00:34:00.139 --> 00:34:00.539
 step

00:34:00.539 --> 00:34:01.659
 along the

00:34:01.659 --> 00:34:01.919
 way

00:34:01.919 --> 00:34:03.619
 let us

00:34:03.619 --> 00:34:03.839
 pray

00:34:03.839 --> 00:34:12.860
 Lord Jesus

00:34:12.860 --> 00:34:14.880
 where we

00:34:14.880 --> 00:34:15.099
 have

00:34:15.099 --> 00:34:16.099
 become

00:34:16.099 --> 00:34:16.779
 complacent

00:34:16.779 --> 00:34:18.299
 we pray

00:34:18.299 --> 00:34:18.579
 that you

00:34:18.579 --> 00:34:18.980
 would stir

00:34:18.980 --> 00:34:19.460
 us up

00:34:19.460 --> 00:34:21.880
 to an

00:34:21.880 --> 00:34:22.380
 active

00:34:22.380 --> 00:34:23.440
 faith

00:34:23.440 --> 00:34:24.139
 hope

00:34:24.139 --> 00:34:25.159
 and love

00:34:25.159 --> 00:34:25.980
 in you

00:34:25.980 --> 00:34:28.119
 and where

00:34:28.119 --> 00:34:28.380
 we have

00:34:28.380 --> 00:34:28.799
 become

00:34:28.799 --> 00:34:29.880
 discouraged

00:34:29.880 --> 00:34:31.559
 or even

00:34:31.559 --> 00:34:32.460
 despairing

00:34:32.460 --> 00:34:33.940
 would you

00:34:33.940 --> 00:34:34.280
 comfort

00:34:34.280 --> 00:34:35.539
 and strengthen

00:34:35.539 --> 00:34:35.960
 us

00:34:35.960 --> 00:34:37.059
 with your

00:34:37.059 --> 00:34:37.500
 words

00:34:37.500 --> 00:34:38.420
 of assurance

00:34:38.420 --> 00:34:39.519
 and hope

00:34:39.519 --> 00:34:42.740
 we pray

00:34:42.740 --> 00:34:43.119
 that we

00:34:43.119 --> 00:34:43.579
 would live

00:34:43.579 --> 00:34:44.119
 a life

00:34:44.119 --> 00:34:45.480
 of earnest

00:34:45.480 --> 00:34:46.199
 love

00:34:46.199 --> 00:34:48.019
 of patient

00:34:48.019 --> 00:34:48.740
 faith

00:34:48.740 --> 00:34:49.960
 and of

00:34:49.960 --> 00:34:50.480
 assured

00:34:50.480 --> 00:34:51.179
 hope

00:34:51.179 --> 00:34:53.440
 in our

00:34:53.440 --> 00:34:53.820
 Lord and

00:34:53.820 --> 00:34:54.000
 Savior

00:34:54.000 --> 00:34:54.800
 Jesus Christ

00:34:54.800 --> 00:34:57.460
 we pray

00:34:57.460 --> 00:34:57.720
 in his

00:34:57.720 --> 00:34:57.940
 name

00:34:57.940 --> 00:34:59.360
 amen