HEBREWS 1:1-6:8

BACK TO HEBREWS

January 17, 2016

Todd Chapman

Hebrews 6:1-8 ESV: Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And this we will do if God permits. For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned.

THE AUTHOR’S BIG IDEA:  LISTEN, FOLLOW, TREASURE JESUS – HE IS EVERYTHING.  THERE IS NO ONE LIKE HIM.

  • Jesus is God Almighty.
  • Jesus paid for our sins and now sits at the right hand of God.   

THE AUTHOR’S HEART, HIS PURPOSE FOR WRITING:  I’M AFRAID TOO MANY OF YOU MIGHT DRIFT.

  • Jesus became one of us in order to pay for our sin and free us from the fear of death. 
  • Don’t drift, focus on Jesus, don’t be like the Jews who hardened their hearts.
  • Be afraid, very afraid of drifting.
  • Nothing more important than our working to be sure we are not drifting.  God has given us His Word to help us assess.
  • Jesus has done everything we need and happily desires to help us with everything.  We can boldly go to Him for help.  
  • The Old Testament sacrificial system was good, priests were to point to the ultimate High Priest, Jesus.
  • Not growing is a really bad sign, a symptom of drifting. (OST is essential)       
 
 

Life Group Questions

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

1. In Hebrew 1:1-4 the authors says in these “last days” God has spoken through his Son, and then he goes on to describe him.  How would you summarize what the author is trying to convey by this long list of descriptions of the Son?

2. In 2:1-4, what does it mean to “drift away”?  What are signs of drifting?

3. What is the “great salvation” that the author is referencing?

4. In 2:14-18,  why does the author say Jesus “had to be made like his brothers in every respect”?

5. In 4:11-13 why should we “strive” to enter God’s rest?   How do we “strive” to enter God’s rest?   What does that striving look like?

6. No one is hidden from God’s sight, and will have to give an account.  What is the author intending to convey by telling us this?

7. In 5:11-14, what’s the difference between milk and solid food according to the author?

8. How would you paraphrase the big idea of 6:1-8?

HOW DOES IT APPLY?

1. When you read chapter 1, and think about Jesus as the author describes him, how do you feel?

2. Given what you’ve seen and experienced of God, is drifting away from your original confidence a possibility for you?

3. Are there circumstances that sometimes challenge your holding with confidence to Jesus?  Explain.

4. When you look back, when did you start consuming solid spiritual food?   How did you begin to eat spiritual solid food?  What was the process?

5. What have you found to be an effective way to feed others spiritual milk, spiritual solid food?

6. What are your thoughts when discussing eternal security?  Do you feel more or less sure that God wants us to have confidence that we belong to Him? 

7. What is the author of Hebrews hoping his audience feels after reading Hebrews 6:1-8? Explain.  What gives you confidence that you belong to God today?