If They Fall Away
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Introduction: 1. This passage
outlines several blessings that one receives when he becomes a
Christian: A. He is enlightened. B. He tastes of the
heavenly gift. C. He is a partaker of
the Holy Spirit. D. He tastes the good
word of God. E. He has hope of life
in the world to come. 2. However, there is a
grave danger set forth in this passage: A. The danger of
apostasy, or "falling away." (Heb. 6:6) B. The possibility of
one's heart becoming hardened by sin. (Heb. 3: 12, 13) C. The awful
possibility of one becoming so hardened by sin that they could not be
"renewed unto repentance." (Heb. 6:6) 3. This lesson will
set forth the danger of apostasy, and the way to remain faithful to God. Body:
I. The New Testament Teaches The
Possibility Of Christians Becoming Unfaithful To The Lord. A. The book of Hebrews
was initially written to people who were: a. "Neglecting" their
salvation. (Heb. 2: 1-2) b. Facing the danger
of departing from God. (Heb. 3:12,13) c. Of missing heaven
because of unbelief, as the Israelites failed to enter earthly d. Of "coming short
of" entering into God's rest (Heaven). (Heb. 4: 1) e. Needing teaching
relative to the "first principles."(Heb.5:12-16) f. Facing danger of
sinning wilfully. (Heb. 10:26-31) g. In danger of
"falling away." (Heb. 6:6) B. The saints of
a. Paul used himself
as an example of what could happen to the unfaithful. (1 Cor. 9:27) b. He used the example
of c. Paul specifically
cited the danger of falling. (1 Cor.10: 12) C. James taught the
possibility of apostasy. (James 5: 19, 20) a. This is addressed
to "brethren" - not alien sinners. b. One could not "err
from the truth" (James c. The erring brother
needs converting. (James 5:20) d. If by converting
him the soul of the erring brother is saved (James D. Peter emphasized
the danger of apostasy. (2 Peter 2:20-22) A. The word
"impossible" is used four times in Hebrews: a. "It is impossible
for God to lie." (Heb. 6: 18) b. "It is impossible
(not possible) for blood of bulls and goats to take away sin." (Heb.
10:4) c. "Without faith it
is impossible to please God." (Heb. 11:6) d. It is impossible to
renew some people to repentance. (Heb. 6:4, 6) B. This individual has
sinned wilfully. (Heb. 10:26) C. He treats the Son
of God as shamefully as the soldiers who crucified him; therefore, the
apostate "crucifies the Son of God afresh." (Heb. 10:29) D. The illustration
from nature. (Heb. 6:7, 8) a. God's people are
expected to bear good fruit. (John 15: 1-6) b. The law of sowing
and reaping works in the moral realm, as well as in the natural realm.
(Gal.6:7,8)
III. God's People Need To "Take Heed
Lest They Fall." A. Salvation must not
be neglected for the: a. "Cares, pleasures,
and riches of this life." (Luke 8:14) b. "Pleasures of sin"
which are but for a season. (Heb.11:24) B. God's word must be
respected. (Heb. 4:12) C. One should study to
become a teacher of God's truth. (Heb. 5:12) D.
The Christian must strive to
maintain in his life the things, that accompany salvation. (Heb. 6:9) E. He must worship God
faithfully. (Heb. 10:24) F. He must serve God
with reverence and godly fear. (Heb. 12:28) Conclusion: I. The possibility
of apostasy does not mean the probability of falling away. A. One can be faithful
to God even to the point of death. (Rev. 2:10) B. Paul fought a good
fight, finished his course and kept the faith. (2 Tim. 4:7, 8) 2. Christians need to
be alerted to the danger of "falling away" so they will: A. "Give diligence to
make their calling an election sure." (2 Peter 1:5-12) B. Take heed lest they
fall. (1 Cor. 10:12) C. Be sober, and
watchful. (1 Peter 5:8) 3. God has a law of
pardon for the fallen saint. A. The erring must
repent. (Acts B. There must be
confession of sins. (1 John 1:7-9) C. The penitent should
pray for forgiveness. (Acts |