"By Faith Alone" Sermon: Hebrews 10:32-39

“By Faith Alone”

[Hebrews 10:32-39]

June 23, 2013 Second Reformed Church

            We have been considering that the author of Hebrews explains that we must both understand the teachings of the Bible with our mind – and especially the Gospel – and sincerely believe those teachings in our heart if we are to be saved from the Wrath of God for our sin.  Knowing what the Bible says and what the Gospel is without sincerely believing it, leaves you dead in your sin.  Believing what we feel is true, although it is not in line with what God has told us in the Scripture, leaves you dead in your sin.

            The section we looked at last week ended with the warning that “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31, ESV).  If you believe something other than what God has said or if you know what God has said but don’t believe it, you in the position where you are right to be afraid:  you are in the Hands of God and at His Vengeance.

            The author of Hebrews now turns his attention to those who have truly understood and believed the Gospel:

            “But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings,”

            Here we get some additional insight into the reason for the writing of the letter to the Hebrews.  The letter primarily argues that the Old Testament Sacrificial Laws have been fulfilled in Christ – the perfect High Priest and Sacrifice – so they do not – and should not – be offered any longer.  So, as we look back at the first days of the Hebrews conversion, it is not a far stretch to see that the motivation for this letter was that the Hebrew Christians, at the hands of persecution, were turning back to the Old Testament Sacrificial System.

            And, so the author of Hebrews tells the Hebrew Christians to remember the time right after they professed faith in Christ – remember how they endured suffering – remember the hard struggle they endured for believing that the Gospel is true – with all of their heart and soul and mind and strength.  “Remember how you suffered, Hebrews, after your conversion to Christianity?”

            And note:  the point is that they suffered for being Christians – not for anything else – not for sinning or doing anything wrong.  They were persecuted because they became Christians – because they converted to Christianity.

            “sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated.”

            These Hebrew converts endured reproach and affliction – that indicates severe trials.  As the author of Hebrews relates later in his letter, this included trials such as:  “Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated—of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth” (Hebrews 11:35b-38, ESV).

            Many of us have hardly had any notice of our conversion, except to be told that polite people don’t talk about politics and religion – though I know some of you have suffered and can relate to this.  In many countries, if you convert to Christianity, you can lose your job, your family, your freedom, even your life – just as it was in the first century – just as it was for the Hebrews that the author was writing to – and he wants them to remember what it was like when they first believed – when they first felt the sting of persecution for knowing and believing the Gospel.

            He also wants them to remember how – in those first days – and even as he was writing – they joined in as partners with others who were suffering.  There was a fellowship of suffering.  Christians did not suffer alone – and we should not suffer alone – for the sake of the Gospel.  Christianity is a communal religion – God has chosen to save a people, as Paul writes, “If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together” (1 Corinthians 12:26, ESV).

            The author wants them to remember how they suffered for their faith and how they supported their fellow Christians who suffered for their faith –

            “For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one.”

            Remember – they had compassion on those who were in prison – they provided for them and their families while they served their sentence for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

            Remember – they joyfully accepted their property being stolen.

            What do you think of that?  Part of their persecution for believing the Gospel of Jesus Christ was that the authorities, the religious leaders, their neighbors – whoever it may have been – stole their property – and their response was to rejoice.

            They weren’t stoics – they didn’t see that their property was gone and say, “Oh, well, here today, gone tomorrow, never mind.”  No, they rejoiced.

            If you were being persecuted for your faith in Jesus as the Only Savior, and you came home one day to find everything in your house gone, would you rejoice?  Is this a reason to believe that Christians are nuts?  Is this a reason to look down on Christians – or at least pity them?

            Why does the author of Hebrews tell us that the Hebrews Christians “joyfully accept the plundering of [their] property” – were they nuts?  He tells us, “since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one.”

            The Hebrew Christians were not unfeeling.  They didn’t not care when they found all their property gone.  Surely they were sad over losing certain items of sentimental value – or even very valuable things.  Yet, they rejoiced, because they had a better possession – something that was worth far more than all their stuff – and it is an abiding possession – it is something that no one can take away from them.  They could lose their stuff, their home, their family, their job, be tortured, and even killed, and still rejoice, because what is most worthwhile – what is most valuable – could never be taken from them.

            Do you understand?

            If that kind of persecution came to the United States – to all Christians here – could you lose your stuff, your home, your job, your family, be tortured, and even killed, and rejoice, because no one could take your greatest treasure from you?

            Jesus said, “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:11-12, ESV).

            Peter wrote, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name”

(1 Peter 4:12-16, ESV).

            And Paul wrote, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience” (Romans 8:18-25, ESV).

            “Think back to when you first confessed faith in Jesus, Hebrews; remember that you suffered for the sake of Christ.  You joyfully endured all types of loss – some, even the loss of their lives – for the sake of Christ.  Remember how you ministered to your brothers and sisters as they suffered for the sake of Christ.  Remember that you are a body in Christ called to support each other in the faith.  Remember that what we shall receive in the Kingdom is greater than everything we ever had here – in this life.”

            Paul wrote, “But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you.

            “Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, ‘I believed, and so I spoke,’ we also believe, and so we also speak, knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.

            “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:7-18, ESV).

            The Scriptural witness is that it is normal for Christians to suffer for the sake of Christ and for believing in Him.  And the author of Hebrews is calling his readers to remember all that they had gone through since believing in Christ, how they had helped their fellow Christians, and that they had done all this because the promise of the Gospel and the life in the Kingdom is greater than anything they might suffer for Christ.  And the same is true for us.

            “Therefore” Because that is all true – here’s the point:

“Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.”

“If you remember everything you have suffered in becoming a Christian,” the author of Hebrews writes, “that you are one in Christ with your fellow Christians, and you are joyful in looking forward to the reward you shall receive – don’t throw it all away by going back to the Old Testament Sacrificial System!  Hold on to Salvation through Jesus Alone – through His Sacrifice Alone – endure, be patient – hold on – work hard at doing the Will of God – following after Him in holiness, and you will receive what God has promised.”

And, again, as we have noted before, very few of us here are still sacrificing animals to God in worship – we do not tend to fall back on the Old Testament Sacrificial System.  And hopefully, we do not misunderstand the Old Testament Sacrificial System as a way to salvation.  Let us note it again:  the Old Testament Sacrificial System was never intended and never could be a way to salvation.  There only ever was and still is only One Way to salvation through the Savior God promised to send, Who we now know is Jesus of Nazareth, the God-Man, the Incarnate Son of God.

Even though we may not even be tempted to offer up Cali, Annie, Teddie, Shema, Doxology, or any other of our animal companions, we may find ourselves tempted to look back at what God has said and say, “I’ve been a pretty good person.  I have kept most of God’s Law.”  The author of Hebrews screams at us:  “Don’t throw away your confidence!”  We have nothing to offer, nothing to add, to the salvation that comes to us through Jesus Alone – and, if we find ourselves thinking that we do – then we’re back to last week’s sermon, “Be Afraid” – do you trust in something other than Jesus Alone for your salvation.  Check yourself – don’t throw away that only assurance there is!

This is not to say that we are to “let go and let God.”  No, we are to endure through suffering for the sake of Christ by remembering and holding before ourselves the better and abiding possession of Christ and His Salvation that we receive in all its fullness in the Kingdom.  And we are to do the Will of God until we receive the promised reward.

“Well, how do I know what God’s Will is for my life?”  Pick up a Bible, start reading it, and when you have mastered everything in it, we’ll see what else we can find.  Now, that may sound kind of flippant, and it kind of is, because people often try to avoid what they plainly see in the Scripture by asking what God’s Will is for their lives. 

Quickly, there are three types of law in the Bible:  Judicial, Ceremonial, and Moral.  The first two were just for Ancient Israel, and we don’t have to keep them.  Moral Law is for everyone forever.  So, when we read that we are to stone fortunetellers to death, don’t do that – you’ll be arrested – that was a Judicial Law, just for Ancient Israel.  When we read that God wants us to sacrifice animals on the altar, please don’t do that, that was part of the Ceremonial Law for Ancient Israel.  But when we read we are to care for the widow and the orphan, when we read that we are not to hate each other, when we read that we are to be in worship one day a week, when we read that God Alone is to be worshipped, when we read that we are to work hard and honestly, when we are told not to steal – even little things – even things that everybody else steals, and so forth – that is Moral Law which we are all called to keep.  And, if you’re stuck on something, see me.

Remember when you came to Christ and any suffering you may have endured on His behalf – this is a blessed suffering.

Remember that all Christians are one body and minister to each other, especially those who are suffering.

Remember that – even if we lose everything on earth – our joy is in Christ and His Promise in the Kingdom.

Remember not to throw away your confidence, but find your assurance in Christ Alone.

Remember to endure and do the Will of God that He has revealed to us in His Word.

“For,” – because – here’s the reason for doing all these things:

            “’Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay;’”

            The Coming One is coming!  What does that mean?

            It means that Jesus is returning, and He is returning soon.  No matter what happens – and especially if you suffer for Christ – hang in there with your eyes focused on Jesus and His Return and the Restoration of all things in the Kingdom.  God the Holy Spirit indwells you and the Church is your body to support you, especially in matters of the faith.

            And we ask, “How?”  “How can we do these things and hold on when we are suffering and made to look like fools when we speak the Gospel?”

            “but my righteous one shall live by faith,”

            “The righteous shall live by faith” Paul also quotes this verse in Romans 1:17 and Galatians 3:11.  It is quoted from Habakkuk 2:4.  It is the most quoted verse in the Bible.

            If you haven’t read the book of Habakkuk, take some time to read it – it’s three chapters – about three pages, near the end of the Old Testament.

            The book of Habakkuk opens with the prophet praying to God, pleading with God on Judah’s behalf, as the neighboring nations were attacking Judah and winning against her.  God answered Habakkuk and told him not to worry, that God had heard his prayer, and God was sending the Chaldeans to slaughter Judah.

            Habakkuk prays again and tells God this was not exactly the answer he was looking for – and he didn’t understand how the Holy God could use a pagan people to punish the people of God.  God answers again and tells Habakkuk that the just will live by faith – and, eventually, God will punish the Chaldeans.

            What did God mean when He told Habakkuk that the “just will live by faith”?  Who are “the just”?  “The just” are all those who believe in the Savior God promised to send – so we who believe in Jesus Alone for salvation are part of the just.  How do we “live by faith”?

            An example I have used before is that faith is like the gutters and leaders on your house or apartment – when the rain comes down, the gutters and leaders are the means by which the rain is transferred to the ground – or out to the street.  In the same way, we receive the doctrine – the teaching – what God has said, through faith – it is the means by which the just – the believer – receives what God has said is true and right.

            So, in Habakkuk’s case, God was telling him, “I know you don’t understand, and there are things that you – and all my people – are not going to understand.  What is important and necessary for you to do is to live by faith – that is – to receive everything I have said and sincerely believe it.”

            So, how do we live by faith when we are being teased or mocked or throw in jail or beaten or kept out of jobs or being robbed – and still be able to praise and glorify God for Who He is?  Through faith alone.  Faith enables us to receive everything God has said, sincerely believe it, and respond – “This is what I know about God.  This is what I know about humanity.  This is what I don’t understand.  But I’m going to press forward with everything I know and hold on to it with everything that I am, because I am sure what I know is true, and I am waiting in hope for the Promise of God to come – and one thing I know is that God is always worthy of my praising and glorifying Him.”

            We are to be people who live by faith alone.  People who receive the Word of God and the Salvation God provides – not blindly, but having been made sure of the Truth of God’s Word and sincerely believing it.

            But not everyone does that, do they?

            “’and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.’”

            The author of Hebrews reminds us that there are two types of people:  those who say they are Christians, but prove they are not by either not sincerely believing the Word of God or by believing things which contradict the Word of God, and there are those who know what God has actually said and sincerely believe it.

            “But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.”

            The author of Hebrews ends this section encouraging the Hebrew Christians letting them know that he recognizes them as Christians who sincerely believe in the Word of God and know what they believe.  And he says that they are people who have faith and their souls will be preserved by God because they do.

            In whatever situation you are faced with, do you find yourself giving up or becoming downcast or turning to things that have been done away with or forbidden in the Bible, or do you trust in God Alone through faith alone through Jesus Alone – even when you don’t understand and don’t know what’s going to happen?  Do you trust in God and His Plan, or do you worry that God needs your help?  Will you live by faith alone, or will you run away?

            Let us pray:

            Almighty God, we are men and women of dust, weak, and too easily swayed by the wind.  Help us to trust You, to believe everything You have said, to work hard to become the men and women You have called us to be, and – no matter what happens – to look to You and the Salvation You have given us in joy, always seeking to praise and glorify You.   Cause the Holy Spirit, God Who dwells in us, to build us up as Your people that we would live by faith alone.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.