Things We Cannot Afford To Put Off
Introduction:
A. Do you have a list of things you need to get done?
1. Painting.
2. Finish the rec. room.
3. Fix the tire on the tractor.
4. Finish a present for my daughter.
5. Clean out my dresser and closet of clothes I can't, or
never will wear.
6. If I had to live until I had everything done that I need to do, I
would probably live to about 400 years old.
B. But, none of us are going to live that long, therefore we need to
use the time we have.
1. We might use some of the time we have to do things like I
mentioned earlier.
2. There are other things we definitely need to use our time in
doing, and that is what I would like us to consider this morning.
Paul speaks of these things in Hebrews 10:19-25.
I. Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance (22).
A. He is making a comparison to our coming before God
with the O.T. high priests coming before God.
1. In the O.T...
a. God had the children of Israel make a tabernacle w/
two areas; the holy place where they entered every
day; and the holy of holies where He had them place
the ark of the covenant, and where He manifested
Himself.
b. Only the hight priest could enter into the holy of
holies, and only then once a year.
c. Before the high priest could enter he had to offer
up a sacrifice for his sins, and for the sins of the
people.
2. Our coming before God.
a. Is not into the holy of holies made with hands, but
into heaven itself.
b. We are not just coming before a manifestation, but:
1) Elohim = who created all things.
2) Jehovah = who always has been, and always will be.
3) Almighty God = who parted the Red Sea, and fed
Israel 40 years with manna.
4) God = who is holy, and pure, and unable to be in the
presence of sin.
B. And, he says we can do it with a true heart in full assurance.
1. Because of what Jesus did for us.
a. He offered Himself as a sacrifice for our sins (12-14).
b. He took away our sins, and they are remembered
no more (15-17).
c. He made a way in which we can enter in through the veil
into the true holy of holies (19-20)
2. Just like the O.T. high priest, we can enter in with boldness
knowing we have done what God requires us to do to be
able to enter in to the true holy of holies.
a. The O.T. priests were given specific instruction of what
they were to do (offer a sacrifice for themselves and the
people) before they could enter the holy place.
b. When we have done what God requires of us to have
our sins forgiven by the blood of His Son we can enter
with boldness into the true holy place.
c. If we want to draw near to God with a true heart in full
assurance we cannot afford to put off doing what God
requires.
II. We need to hold fast the profession of our faith w/o
wavering (23).
A. What is the profession of our faith?
1. Profession...
a. Profession = confession.
b. Hebrews 3:1 "consider the apostle and High Priest
of our profession, Christ Jesus."
2. The profession of our faith is that...
a. Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.
b. He was the fulfillment of the promise God had made
to Abraham, that through his seed all nations of the
earth would be blessed.
c. He will return one day, and all those who have obeyed
His gospel will return with Him to heaven where they
will enjoy all the glories of heaven for all eternity.
B. We need to hold fast that profession.
1. There were things that threatened christians in the early
church from holding fast that profession.
a. Hebrews = going back to the old law.
b. I John = gnosticism..which denied man's guilt of
sin and Jesus being in the flesh.
c. Revelation= denying Christ, and the faith because of
persecution.
2. There are things that threaten christians from holding
fast the profession of their faith today.
a. Denominationalism - some who obey the gospel
turn to man made religious groups who do things
God has not authorize.
b. False teachers - false teachers have plagued the
church from the beginning (gnostics), leading people
away from the truth.
c. Discouragement - some allow themselves to become
discouraged and turn away from the hope God offers.
3. We cannot allow these things, or anything to cause us
to lose our salvation.
a. Paul says - I Timothy 6:12.
b. John says - Revelation 2:10.
c. Hebrews says - "hold fast the profession of our faith
w/o wavering; (for he is faithful that promised)."
d. We cannot afford to put this off:
1) We need to study so we can endure any of these
things.
2) Use difficulties to make us stronger.
3) Hold on to our profession with a death grip
(unwavering).
III. We need to consider, provoke, and exhort one
another (24-25).
A. There are things we need to do for one another.
1. First we need to consider one another.
a. To fix the eye or mind on one another.
b. We need to give serious attention to one another.
2. We need to consider one another that we might
provoke one another to love and good works.
a. All this attention is for a purpose.
b. We need to provoke one another (motivate, stir one
another up).
3. To love and good works.
a. God has told us to: love one another, love the lost, and
love Him with all of our heart, mind and soul.
b. He has also told us to be involved in works: helping
others, evangelism, and letting our light shine so that
the world may see our good works and glorify God.
4. And, we need to exhort on another (25)
a. Exhort = call to one's side (comfort, encourage, exhort).
b. We need to be there for one another. That is part of
why it is so important for us not forsake the assemblying
of ourselves together.
c. You might compare it to a football team.
1) A player could take the play book home and memorize
it, and never go to practice. He might know what he is
supposed to do...but not be able to do it.
2) By meeting with the other players he learns how to put
what he read into practice, he also learns to work with
his fellow players. They encourage him so he can do
his best, and he encourages others to the same end.
3) We might be able to study the play book (Bible) on our
own, but we will miss out on the exhortation God says
is necessary.
5. God tells us to provoke and exhort one another many times.
a. "But exhort one another daily, while it is called today"
(Hebrews 3:13).
b. "Having then gifts differing according to the grace that
is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy
according to the proportion of faith; or ministry, let us
wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
or he that exhorteth, on exhortation..."(Romans 12:8).
c. "Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded"
(Titus 2:6).
B. We need to constantly stir one another up.
1. Because we can be lethargic.
a. Do you ever put off studying because you think you
are too busy?
b. Are you not using talents you have in serving God
because you think you don't have the time?
c. Have you ever thought you would like to be more
involved in the work, but you never do?
d. Probably all of us can say that we could do more for
the Lord...therefore we need to stir one another up to
do good works.
2. There are several reasons why we should stir one another up.
a. The more active we are in the Lord's work, the stronger
we will be. James put it this way - James 2:14-22.
b. Congregations that keep one another stirred up do more
work for the Lord.
c. If we stir one another up, and we are doing more work:
more of those that are in need will be helped; more of the
lost can be reached; more people will be taught; and more
glory will be given to God.
d. We should not postpone provoking one another to love
and good works, for the Lord could return at any time.
Conclusion:
A. There are several things we need to do, we need to...
1. Draw nigh to God with a true heart in full assurance knowing
we have done what God requires of us so we can come before
Him.
2. We need to hold fast the profession of our faith, not letting
anyone, or anything to cause us to waver.
3. We need to consider, provoke, and exhort one another.
B. We need to do more than just add these things to our list of
things we are going to do one of these days....we need to do
them now.
C. If there are some of these things left undone in your life, correct
them now. If we can help you, we are here to do so. Won't you
come?