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DEALING WITH SIN

Hebrews 10:29b-31

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.    The cause of all this discussion is sin.

 

B.      Hebrews 10 has a lot to say about sin. 

1.      We have entitled this chapter:  “Dealing with Sin.”

2.      Keep in mind that the writer is dealing with Jewish believers returning to Judaism.  There fore, he continues to make contrasts between the system of Judaism and the system of Christianity.

 

C.     In this chapter, the writer will end the doctrinal details of his discussion (See vs 18-19, 22-24) and begin to make some very practical admonitions to his readers.

 

D.    Outline:

 

i.                    SINS REMAINED (Heb. 10:1-4)  Remembrance of sins

ii.                  SINS ARE REMITTED (Heb. 10:5-14)  Remittance from sins

iii.                SINS REMEMBERED NO MORE (Heb. 10:15-18)  Remembered no more sins

iv.                NO SINS BRING RESPONSIBILITY (Heb. 10:19-25)  Responsibility after sins

v.                  SINS ARE RECOMPENSED (Heb. 10:26-31)  Recompense for sins

vi.                SIN:  NO RETURN (Heb. 10:32-39)  Resolution against sin

 

I.                   SINS REMAINED (Heb. 10:1-4)

 

II.                SINS ARE REMITTED (Heb. 10:5-14)

 

III.             SINS REMEMBERED NO MORE (Heb. 10:15-18)

 

IV.             NO SINS BRING RESPONSIBILITY (Heb. 10:19-25).

 

V.                SINS ARE RECOMPENSED (Heb. 10:26-31)

 

A.    Cancelled Sacrifice (Heb. 10:26)

 

B.      Certain Suffering (Heb. 10:27)

 

C.     Critical Sapience (Heb. 10:28-29)

1.      The past (Heb. 10:28)

2.      The present (Heb. 10:29)

a.      Sorer punishment (Heb. 10:29a)

b.      Serious implications (Heb. 10:29b)

 

…who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant wherewith he was sanctified, and unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

 

1)      They trodden under foot the Son of God.

a)      Trodden

-          Strong (2662):  to trample down, figuratively to reject with disdain

-          Thayer:  tread down, trample under foot, trample on, to treat with rudeness and insult, to spurn, treat with insulting neglect

b)      Jesus is vital to the New Testament.

-          The words are the very words of Jesus.

-          He is the mediator of this covenant.

c)      Question:  Can you imagine an individual literally kicking and walking upon the Son of God?

2)      They count the blood of the covenant an unholy thing

a)      Count

-          Strong (2233):  to deem, consider

-          Thayer:  consider, deem, account, think

-          Vincent:  a conscious judgment resting on a deliberate weighing of the facts

b)      Two points are made about this blood

-          It is the blood of the covenant

+    This blood was used to ratify the covenant

+    It is not the blood of bulls or goats, but was the blood Jesus the

      Son of God.

-          It is the blood that enabled these individuals to be sanctified.

c)      The one who forsakes Christianity considers this blood “an unholy thing.”

-          It is not holy, that is, pure, set apart, and used for a divine purpose.

-          It is “unholy.”  Thus, it is considered evil and serves no purpose.  There is nothing special about it.

d)     Question:  Can you imagine someone who believes that Jesus’ blood is just as common as any other sinful human being’s blood and that is serves no useful purpose at all?

3)      They do despite to the Spirit of grace

a)      Despite

-          Strong (1796):  to insult

-          Thayer:  to insult

-          Vine:  to treat insultingly…the insulting disdain of one who considers himself superior

-          Barnes:  “having reproached, or treated with malignity, or contempt” (e-sword)

b)      Grace is absolutely essential for all sinful men, if they expect to be saved.

c)      It was the Holy Spirit, the third member of the Godhead, who revealed the terms and conditions of this grace in the New Testament.  He was an active agent in the salvation process.

d)     Question:  Can you imagine someone literally hurling insults at the Holy Spirit of God as if they needed no help from Him?

 

D.    Confirming Scripture (Heb. 10:30)

 

For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord.  And again, The Lord shall judge his people.

 

1.      In Hebrews 10:27, the writer told his readers that if they left Christianity they could only look forward to judgment and fiery indignation.

2.      He now confirms the truthfulness of his words by appealing to the authority of the Jewish law, the Old Testament.

 

a.      The two places referenced:

1)      The first quote is taken from Deuteronomy 32:35.

 

To me belongeth vengeance, and recompense…

 

2)      The second quote is taken from Deuteronomy 32:36.

 

For the Lord shall judge his people…

 

b.      The writer’s warning is not an empty threat.  It has the authority of the Law of Moses, a law they respected, to back it up.

c.       The quotes from the Law of Moses establish the certainty of God’s judgment coming against His people.  These Jewish Christian need to give heed to the words of the inspired penman.

3.      Lessons:

a.      The authority of the Word of God is absolute.  When it is set forth, the position has been established beyond doubt.

b.      We need to be able to turn to God’s Word and prove the teachings that we are affirming to others.

c.       When God has spoken, man needs to listen.

d.      Proof-text preaching is scriptural.

e.       A day of judgment is coming.  All need to give heed.  (See Matt. 10:15; Acts 17:31; Rom. 2:2-5; II Cor. 5:10; II Pet. 2:9).

 

Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

 

E.      Concerning Sensation (Heb. 10:31)

 

It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

 

1.      If these Jews turned from God, they would definitely fall into His hands for judgment.

2.      The writer says this is a “fearful thing.

a.      Strong (5398):  frightful

b.      Thayer:  inspiring fear, terrible, formidable

3.      One of the reasons it is fearful is because He is “the living God.”

a.      God is not an inanimate idol.

b.      He is real.  He is living.  He can inflict punishment on mankind.

4.      Barnes give 4 reasons why falling into God’s hands is a fearful thing:

a.      Because he has all power, and can inflict just what punishment he pleases.

b.      Because he is strictly just, and will inflict the punishment which ought to be inflicted.

c.       Because he lives forever, and can carry on his purpose of punishment to eternal ages.

d.      Because the actual inflictions of punishment which have occurred show what is to be dreaded (Barnes, e-sword).

5.      If man does not fear the judgment of God, he is proud, ignorant, or he has a hard heart.  On that day, he will definitely fear.

6.      Poem:  There is a line unseen, that crosses every path.

             The hidden boundary between, God’s mercy and His wrath.