HEBREWS 6:9-12

A WARNING THAT PRODUCES ASSURANCE

January 31, 2016

Todd Chapman

Hebrews 6:9-12 ESV: Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things—things that belong to salvation. For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do. And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

After giving a most forceful warning, where the author expresses his deep concern that his readers are drifting from Jesus and may end up paying a disastrous price, he then conveys his confidence that those who he warned will be ok.

The basis of the author’s confidence:

  • The work they have done.
  • The motive for the work they have done.
  • God’s justice.

The basis for our confidence that gives the author confidence:

  • Observable desire for full assurance of hope.
  • Observable desire for full assurance of hope until the end.
  • Vigorous, not sluggish, in spiritual pursuits.
  • Imitating those with genuine faith that perseveres.

Takeaways:

  • Are you confident you are not drifting? 
  • Who are you imitating? 
  • Who is imitating you?

Life Group Questions

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

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

2. He begins by saying, “Though we speak in this way.”  What way?

3. What are the “better things”, that the author feels sure of?

4. What is God not overlooking?

5. The author encourages them “to show the same earnestness to have full assurance of hope…”   What does that mean?

6. What does the sluggishness that the author refers to look like?  What’s the opposite of sluggishness?  What’s that look like?

7. How do we recognize the people that the author refers to as those, “who through faith and patience inherit the promises”?

8. How would you paraphrase the big idea of 6:9-12?

HOW DOES IT APPLY?

1. Have you ever had someone give you a stern warning and then say, “but, I’m confident you will be fine”?  What happened?  What was that person trying to say to you?  How did you connect the warning with the encouragement?

2. When you examine your life, do you see work serving other members of the church family?  Where do you find joy in serving?

3. What has helped produce the most assurance of salvation in your life?

4. What do you do (spiritual disciplines) that you hope will lead to more assurance of hope in your life?

5. Who do you know that has a vibrant spiritual faith?  How do you imitate them?

6. Do you want others imitating your spiritual journey with Christ?  Explain.