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This is a sermon based on Hebrews 12:3-24 regarding five warnings given by the author to alert the readers to some perils that threaten their faith.
Written Excerpts:
Introduction:
How many people here really like to come to church to feel encouraged and inspired? How many like to hear sermons that are comforting and uplifting? How many like to hear messages that are close and searching and expose our actions or attitudes to the searching light of God’s truth?
Well, let me remind you what God’s Word says the task of the pastor is by reading to you a passage from the Apostle Paul’s letter to a young pastor named Timothy. 2 Timothy 4:2 (KJV) Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
So you see, dear friends, I’d love to only preach comforting and uplifting sermons, but that’s only half of my responsibility. I have the responsibility before God to reprove and rebuke as well.
Well, apparently the author of Hebrews felt the same way. There are many warnings given to believers in God’s Word and the book of Hebrews is a prime example. As one reads through this letter you will find numerous warnings given to the readers of the letter. If the believers back then needed to be warned of the perils to their faith, I suppose that we need to pay attention to the warnings as well.
In our Scripture lesson for today the author of this letter gives five warnings concerning the perils that threaten the faith of the believers. These warnings are all introduced with the word “lest” in the KJV. Five times in this chapter the writer uses the word “lest,” which literally means, “that not,” and each time indicates a threat or danger to be avoided by the believers.
(The main outline of this message is borrowed from a message preached by Rev. Marc Dodrill.)
The reason I chose the title that I have chosen is because I believe the author is warning of the perils that not only could ruin the faith of those early believers in Palestine
He started out at the beginning of the chapter by reminding the Christians that all of the men and women of faith mentioned in ch. 11 are like a large crowd of witnesses who have just testified of their confidence in God and God’s promises. In light of all that these people did and endured, he urges the readers to take every possible course of action to follow their example. In other words, he is admonishing them to keep their faith as well, in spite of all the adversity and persecution they might have to go through.
However, as one tries to maintain his/her faith, there are threats and perils that lurk all around. There are hazards that can cause one to abandon his faith and bring ruin and disaster to his soul. What are the dangers that we must avoid? What are the things that hinder and even destroy many Christians?
There are five perils listed here in chapter twelve that have often caused deep trouble to many, many Christians. Some of these have even caused spiritual shipwreck from which they never recovered.
(Most of the definitions and word meanings given in this message are taken from Word Studies in the Greek New Testament by Kenneth Wuest.)
I. The Danger of Weariness (v.3)
Hebrews 12:3 (NKJV) For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.
A. Weariness is not a sin, but it can lead to sin.
The connections we have already noted between the warnings of this chapter and the witnesses of the previous chapter would indicate that the primary threat of weariness is that it can cause one to abandon his faith because he is just too tired or faint to keep trying (striving) any longer.
I don’t know if you will remember or not, but when I preached a series of messages on faith from chapter 11, I mentioned that “genuine faith will enable one to keep on believing when he would have otherwise given up.” So, here the author is urging them to NOT give up.
“wearied” and “faint” – literally the words are very similar in meaning. The first means to grow tired and is actually translated “sick” in one passage. The other one means to be faint or to relax due to exhaustion.
B. Weariness can be avoided.
1. By considering Jesus’ example. (v.3-4)
“consider” – reckon by comparison.
No matter what persecution these believers have had to endure, they haven’t yet suffered the level of pain, suffering and even death that Jesus suffered, yet Jesus didn’t give up.
“resisted unto blood” – Probably a reference to the shed blood of Jesus indicating His sacrificial death. But there may also be an intentional connection to the martyrs referred to back in chapter 11.
2. By remembering God’s ways of working. (vv.5-11)
Chastisement (Discipline) is a means of teaching us lessons and truths that we cannot learn any other way.
The KJV uses the word chastisement, which we normally understand as “punishment” for something we did wrong. But…The words paideía and paideúō relate to the upbringing of children, who need direction, teaching, instruction, and discipline. Both the way of education and the goal are indicated by paideía. (Theo. Dict. of the N. T.) It covers the whole idea of teaching and instruction, which by implication includes correction.
I’ve known a number of people who automatically ask this question when things are going wrong or they are suffering in some way. “What have I done to make God punish me like this?” Correction does include punishment at times and it is possible that the purpose behind your circumstances is for that reason. However, it is also possible that it is not punishment at all. It may simply be God’s way of teaching and instructing you in truths and concepts of grace that you wouldn’t be able to learn any other way.
If we can always keep this in mind, it will help us not grow weary and contemplate giving up our faith.
II. The Danger of Waywardness (v.13)
Hebrews 12:13 (KJV) And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.
A. Waywardness is caused by…
1. “Hanging hands” and “Feeble knees.” (v.12)
“lift up” – means to “restore to straightness or erectness, to reinvigorate.”
“hang down” – literally disregard, neglect, then also relax or loosen.” May be a reference to their neglect of prayer (lifting up holy hands).
“feeble” – this is the same word that is translated “sick of the palsy” or a paralytic.
2. “Crooked paths.” (v.13)
The word for “straight” used here is a Greek word that does not emphasize the opposite of “crooked” so much as it stresses the concept of “plain” and “smooth.” So, by implication, the crooked paths that cause believers to stray from the path would be paths that are not plainly visible (understandable).
B. Waywardness can be corrected.
1. By healing the lame.
Those who are suffering from hands that are hanging down in neglect and knees that are paralyzed need to be revived and reinvigorated; restored to new life and vitality. They need renewal; a great awakening and a spiritual revival.
2. By straightening the road.
Those who are straying from the road because of ignorance need to be enlightened with plain, simple truth.
III. The Danger of Gracelessness (v.15a)
The third peril that the author is warning the readers about is the danger of “failing of the grace of God.”
Hebrews 12:15a (KJV) Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God…
To fail of the grace of God literally means to “fall back from or fall away from; implying a previous attainment.” (Wuest)
“looking diligently” – compound word meaning “look intensely” or “look over” (i.e. oversee)
I believe that this is a reference back to verse 14 regarding the admonition to follow after peace with men and holiness before God. The implication of this warning seems to be teaching that when we give up on seeking and following after peace with our fellowmen and we give up on pursuing holiness before God, then we risk the condition of falling away from the grace of God.
People run out of grace because of pride. (James 4:6)
More grace is available from God. (James 4:6)
Conclusion:
We have run out of time today and I will not be able to finish talking about the last two perils, so I will conclude this message next Sunday.
These warnings given to the first century believers are certainly appropriate for us today. I trust that the Lord will help each one of us to heed these warnings and remain alert to these and other perils that would threaten our faith.
For our closing song, we are asking God, Who has certainly helped us in the past, to continue to guide us through these perils of life.
Let us sing: O God Our Help in Ages Past
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