Welcome to Day 2249 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Hebrews-10 The Brighter Side – Daily Wisdom

Putnam Church Message – 06/18/2023 “The Brighter Side” Hebrews 6:9-20 Last, we continued our extended series through the book of Hebrews in the New Testament. Our focus was on The Peril of Failing to Thrive. We learned the three Practical Principles for Spiritual Progress, which are:

1. We need to partake in solid spiritual food.
2. We need to maintain the practice of righteous living.
3. We need to exhibit a trained sense of discernment.

This week, we will take the strong warnings from last week and look at “The Brighter Side” of our journey that we, as believers, need to mature spiritually. The great German poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe once said, “Correction does much, but encouragement does more. Encouragement after censure is as the sun after a shower.” The strong warning we studied last week in Hebrews 6:1–8 is among the most sobering in all Scripture. I can imagine those words hung over the original audience like thick, black storm clouds rumbling and flashing, threatening to pour out their floodwaters and hurl their barbs of lightning at any moment. But then the thunder stops. The lightning gives way to a speck of light peeking through the clouds. Then another…and another. Suddenly, a brilliant sunbeam pierces the darkness, brightening the day and bringing warmth, joy, and encouragement. That’s the feeling those Jewish Christians had when they got to 6:9. Surely they wouldn’t forget the stern warning of the previous verses: “Don’t stray from the path of spiritual growth!” However, the Lord led the author of Hebrews to transition into a section of affirmation, encouragement, and hope (6:9–12), leading the audience out from under the shadows of the threatening storm clouds and back to his original theme: Jesus Christ is our High Priest in the Order of  Melchizedek (6:13–20). Let's start with reading Hebrews 6:9–12. Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are convinced of better things in your case—the things that have to do with salvation. God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. As in construction or road work, blasting is sometimes needed before building begins. The author of Hebrews issued a strong command in 5:11–6:3—“Grow up!” He followed that with the reverberating blast of grim consequences for those who fail to thrive and instead fall away (6:4–8). Now, just as the letter recipients likely began to feel shaky—perhaps even fearful—wondering if they were getting close to that dangerous precipice of the irreversible fall, the writer of Hebrews stops blasting with commands and warnings and starts building with affirmations and encouragement. As he transitions from the third person plural—“those others, who fall away”—to the second person plural—“in your case”—he addresses them with an intimate term of endearment that demonstrates his deep love for them: “dear friends.” Stronger than the familial term “brothers or sisters,” the term the author uses is related to the Greek word agapē and connotes those who are “dear, loved, prized, valued.” The writer of Hebrews also marks a complete contrast between “those others” and “all of you” with the phrase, “but…concerning you.” The point is clear: The author is convinced of better things concerning his audience—they will not become a part of that group of those who fall away. Instead, he is assured that they will respond positively to the means God has provided for spiritual growth and will grow up in “the things that have to do with salvation” (6:9). The basis for the author’s confidence in his readers’ spiritual growth comes in 6:10. They had already borne good fruit in serving others. They had already revealed hearts sensitive to God’s work and showed works motivated by love. Despite their hardships, the author notes “as you have helped his people and continue to help them.” Yes, they may have slowed down a bit in their progress toward maturity as they faced obstacles and persecution, but God wouldn’t abandon them. A just God could never overlook the love they were living out in conformity with Christ’s teachings (Colossians 2:6). And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. The struggling Hebrew Christians could reignite a burning passion for spiritual progress by fanning the glowing embers of faith and love. This is precisely what the writer urges them to do in Hebrews 6:11–12. In these two verses, he motivates them with three exhortations. First, he wanted them to show this same diligence to the very end (Heb. 6:11). They had already shown diligent work and love in the past. They needed to persevere—to maintain so that what you hope for may be fully realized. The formula has never changed: faith, working itself out through love, and motivated by hope (1 Cor. 13:13; 1 Thes. 1:3; 5:8). Second, the author writes, “We do not want you to become lazy” (Heb. 6:12). The term translated as “lazy” is the same word the author used in 5:11 for becoming “dull” in their hearing. The NLTsays “spiritually dull and indifferent.” After his brief detour through Hebrews 6:4–8 warning, he brings his readers back to his original purpose: to snap them out of their spiritual stupor. Third, he wanted them to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised (Heb. 6:12). With these words, the author takes the final turn out of the brief detour that constitutes the third warning passage in Hebrews. He is returning to the main road of his original discussion: receiving the promised spiritual rest (4:1–11). Amid this trio of exhortations, we can hear the echoes of his overarching desire for them to “be taken forward to maturity” (6:1), that is, diligently growing in faith and love “to the very end” (6:11). Negatively, this involves fighting the tendency toward laziness (6:12). Positively, it means having models of “faith and patience” to follow (6:12). In 6:13–20, the author begins with the example of Abraham, then leads us back to the preeminent example of Jesus Christ. Let’s read verses 6:13-15. When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself,  saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.” And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised. It shouldn’t surprise us that Abraham is the author’s “go-to” man for an example of persevering faith. The writer has just encouraged his readers to (6:12 NLT), “follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance.” In placing Abraham in the spotlight, he draws attention to a classic example of a man of God who waited…and waited…and waited for the fulfillment of God’s promise. The promise was for a son to be born to Sarah, Abraham’s wife. You may recall, however, that Abe and Sarah were no spring chickens. When they first received the promise, Sarah was sixty-five, and Abraham was seventy-five (Gen. 12:4). Nevertheless, in what ought to have been their twilight years, Abraham received a promise from God that he would become “a great nation” (Gen. 12:2), and that his descendants would be as numerous “as the dust of the earth” (Gen. 13:16) or like the stars of heaven (Gen. 15:5). What great promises! However, God took His time in bringing the promise of even a single son—Isaac—to fruition. By the time the promise was fulfilled, Abraham was one hundred, and Sarah was ninety (Gen. 17:17). Twenty-five years is a long time to wait, especially when common sense and all human experience tells you that the likelihood of having a child at those ages is next to nil! But Abraham did wait. And God did make good on His promise. Abraham had learned through a life lived by faith that God’s promises were sure. God had sworn by His name (Heb. 6:13–14). To renege on His promise would have meant ruining His reputation as the all-powerful, all-knowing, all-benevolent God. Abraham knew this. So despite a quarter century of delay in God’s fulfillment of what was promised, Abraham “patiently waited” and ultimately “obtained the promise” (6:15; see Rom. 4:18–21). “Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, ‘That’s how many descendants you will have!’ And Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead—and so was Sarah’s womb. Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises.” We have much to learn about patiently waiting from Abraham and Sarah. Abraham’s patient waiting and trust in God’s faithfulness to His promise can serve as a model for Christians. Just as Abraham was the recipient of specific promises, so believers in Christ have been given (2 Pet. 1:4), “And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.” And just as God was ultimately faithful to fulfill His promises to Abraham after a long wait, He will be faithful to fulfill His promises to us. Let’s move on to 6:16–20. People swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek. In Hebrews 6:16, the author transitions from the example of Abraham’s patient waiting to offer encouragement for his audience to continue their steadfastness. And just as Abraham trusted in the absolute faithfulness of God to see him through times of confusion and doubt, believers in Christ can lean on the exact unchangeable nature of the promise-keeping God. In typical Jewish fashion, the writer of Hebrews argues from the lesser to the greater. In biblical times, when a person swore an oath by one greater than themselves, a dispute was considered settled (6:16). To break the promise would bring down consequences on the transgressor. Since this is true in the human realm, how much more so would God’s word prove absolutely trustworthy! God even swore an oath—not by one greater, but by Himself (6:13, 17). Acts 4:12 There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved. Hebrews 6:18 refers to two “unchangeable things” that should convince believers that God’s promises are worth trusting. First, God’s purpose is unchangeable (6:17). It is in His nature to remain steadfast and unchanging. Our God is not flaky, unreliable, or unpredictable. He can and is willing to accomplish what He has determined to do. Second, God’s promise, expressed as an oath, is unchangeable (6:17). The moment His promise is spoken to His people, they can immediately begin to count on it without wavering. Why? Because “it is impossible for God to lie” (6:18). In light of these theological facts concerning God and His promises, there are three benefits for believers who follow the example of Abraham and take refuge in God’s promises. First, we may be greatly encouraged (6:18). This will help us overcome the obstacles that stand in the way of spiritual progress. Second, we can take hold of the hope set before us (6:18). The author uses the image of firmly gripping a physical object to convey what it’s like to grasp by faith something that can’t be seen (11:1). Having a firm handle on hope serves as an antidote to despair. Third, we have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure (6:19). When the waves of doubt threaten to set our lives adrift, our expectant trust in God’s promises will keep us “firm and secure,” like a mighty anchor that prevents a ship from drifting (Heb. 2:1). So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it. It’s no wonder the anchor became a popular Christian symbol in the early church, especially in the Roman catacombs. In 6:19–20, the author of Hebrews takes the anchor metaphor in an unexpected direction. He doesn’t envision the anchor of hope as buried in the earth to help us keep our feet on firm ground or dropped to the bottom of the sea to help us weather the storm. This anchor is not of this world. Keeping his focus on our heavenly longing, and returning our attention to the center and source of all hope, Jesus Christ, the writer to the Hebrews, says that this hope “It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain” (6:19). This act of grace provides us direct access to God’s throne. Here, we have come full circle, back to the high priesthood of Jesus and the discussion of the mysterious Melchizedek. It’s as if the author of Hebrews had pushed the “pause” button right after Hebrews 5:9-10, “In this way, God qualified him as a perfect High Priest, and he became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey him. And God designated him to be a High Priest in the order of Melchizedek.” In 5:11–6:18, the writer of Hebrews put his main presentation on hold while he led his audience (including us) on a lengthy aside concerning their dullness of hearing and the threat of falling away. With 6:19–20, though, he pushes “play” again and continues his powerful discourse on the superiority of Christ’s work for us, pointing to what has taken place behind the veil of the heavenly Tabernacle, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek. This imagery, which will be developed in the coming chapters, takes us back to the holy of holies in the Tabernacle, where only the high priest could enter on behalf of the people. Jesus entered through the veil in the heavenly Tabernacle with the spotless sacrifice of His life and placed it on the altar before God. As a result, we have a hope that is both “firm and secure.” The language of “forerunner”—a Greek word used only here in the New Testament—serves as a final assurance of the certainty of our heavenly promise: “Christ in the heavenly sanctuary as our forerunner is the guarantee that we shall one day enter heaven as well.” Application: Hebrews 6:9–20, When Dealing with Doubts…Remember Doubts are question marks that often punctuate what should be clear statements of theological fact or unquestioned imperatives of moral truth. Doubts can drive those immature in their faith or who have grown sluggish in responding to spiritual things into despair. But they don’t need to! For those who are willing to remember the character and promises of God, doubts can serve as mere ellipses … pauses in the walk of faith that help to turn our attention heavenward toward God, who alone can give us hope amid despair, assurance amid uncertainty, and confidence amid questioning. What do we do when the storm clouds roll in and cast shadows of doubt over the landscape of our lives? When on stormy seas, the tendency is to focus on the wind and the waves rather than on the Lord. That was Peter’s problem when the Lord had called him to walk with Him on the turbulent water. When Peter took his eyes off Jesus—the Forerunner and Anchor amid the churning sea—he began to sink in fear (Matt. 14:27–31). Amid the storms of our lives, God gives us an anchor for the soul (Heb. 6:19). When doubt says, "Only a fool would believe these things,” remember Hebrews 6:18 in the NLT: “So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us.” Even though the circumstances around you may continue to pummel you with painful blows, you can have a quiet confidence that God has a purpose and his promise, that He’s in control, and that your soul is anchored firmly in the heavenly realm. Next Sunday, we will continue our series on our adventure through the book of Hebrews. Today is the third of ten messages in the second section of Hebrews: “Christ is Superior as our High Priest.” Next week, we will continue with the theme of Christ as our High Priest in the Order of Melchizedek in a message titled Once More…Melchizedek. So please read Hebrews 7:1-17 for next week’s message. As we continue our journey through the pages of the Bible, remember that the wisdom it offers is our guiding light in navigating the complexities of life. Until next time, keep seeking God’s wisdom and make it a part of your daily trek. If you found this podcast insightful, subscribe and leave us a review, then encourage your friends and family to join us and come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy. As we take this trek together, let us always:

1. Live Abundantly (Fully)
2. Love Unconditionally
3. Listen Intentionally
4. Learn Continuously
5. Lend...

Welcome to Day: 2249

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Hebrews-10 The Brighter Side – Daily Wisdom

/: 2023

“The Brighter Side” Hebrews 6:9-20

Last week, we continued our extended series through the book of Hebrews in the New Testament. Our focus was on The Peril Of Failing to Thrive. We learned the three Practical Principles for Spiritual Progress, which are:

We need to partake in solid spiritual food.

We need to maintain the practice of righteous living.

We need to exhibit a trained sense of discernment.

This week, we will take the strong warnings from last week and look at “The Brighter Side” of our journey that we, as believers, need to mature spiritually.

The great German poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe once said, “Correction does much, but encouragement does more. Encouragement after censure is as the sun after a shower.” The strong warning we studied last week in Hebrews 6:1–8 is among the most sobering in all Scripture. (Drama) I can imagine those words hung over the original audience like thick, black storm clouds rumbling and flashing, threatening to pour out their floodwaters and hurl their barbs of lightning at any moment.

But then/ the thunder stops. The lightning gives way to a speck of light peeking through the clouds. Then another … and another. Suddenly, a brilliant sunbeam pierces the darkness, brightening the day and bringing warmth, joy, and encouragement. That’s the feeling those Jewish Christians had when they got to 6:9. Surely they wouldn’t forget the stern warning of the previous verses: “Don’t stray from the path of spiritual growth!” However, the Lord led the author of Hebrews to transition into a section of affirmation, encouragement, and hope (6:9–12), leading the audience out from under the shadows of the threatening storm clouds and back to his original theme: Jesus Christ is our High Priest in the Order of  Melchizedek (6:13–20).

on page: 1868

9 Even though we speak like this (harsh warnings), dear friends, we are convinced of better things in your case—the things that have to do with salvation. 10 God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. 11 We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. 12 We do not want you to become lazy,/ but to imitate those who through faith and patience/ inherit what has been promised.

As in construction or road work, blasting is sometimes needed before building begins. The author of Hebrews issued a strong command in 5:11–6:3—“Grow up!” He followed that with the reverberating blast of grim consequences for those who fail to thrive and instead fall away (6:4–8). Now, just as the letter recipients likely began to feel shaky—perhaps even fearful—wondering if they were getting close to that dangerous precipice of the irreversible fall, the writer of Hebrews stops blasting with commands and warnings and starts building with affirmations and encouragement.

As he transitions from the third person plural—“those others, who fall away”—to the second person plural—“in your case”—he addresses them with an intimate term of endearment that demonstrates his deep love for them: “dear friends.” Stronger than the familial term “brothers or sisters,” the term the author uses is related to the Greek word agapē and connotes those who are “dear, loved, prized, valued.” The writer of Hebrews also marks a complete contrast between “those others” and “all of you” with the phrase, “but … concerning you.” The point is clear: The author is convinced of better things concerning his audience—they will not become a part of that group of those who fall away. Instead, he is assured that they will respond positively to the means God has provided for spiritual growth and will grow up in “the things that have to do with salvation.” (6:9).

The basis for the author’s confidence in his readers’ spiritual growth comes in 6:10. They had already borne good fruit in serving others. They had already revealed hearts sensitive to God’s work and showed works motivated by love. Despite their hardships, the author notes, as you have helped his people and continue to help them. Yes, they may have slowed down a bit in their progress toward maturity as they faced obstacles and persecution, but God wouldn’t abandon them. A just God could never overlook the love they were living out in conformity with Christ’s teachings (Colossians 2:6). And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him.

The struggling Hebrew Christians could reignite a burning passion for spiritual progress by fanning the glowing embers of faith and love. This is precisely what the writer urges them to do in Hebrews 6:11–12. In these two verses, he motivates them with three exhortations.

(Bulletin Insert)

Cor.: 13:13

Second, the author writes, We do not want you to become lazy (Heb. 6:12). The term translated as “lazy” is the same word the author used in 5:11 for becoming “dull” in their hearing.NLTsays. spiritually dull and indifferent. After his brief detour through Hebrews 6:4–8 warning, he brings his readers back to his original purpose: to snap them out of their spiritual stupor.

Third, he wanted them to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. (Heb. 6:12). With these words, the author takes the final turn out of the brief detour that constitutes the third warning passage in Hebrews. He is returning to the main road of his original discussion: receiving the promised spiritual rest (4:1–11).

Amid this trio of exhortations, we can hear the echoes of his overarching desire for them to “be taken forward to maturity” (6:1), that is, diligently growing in faith and love “to the very end” (6:11). Negatively,/ this involves fighting the tendency toward laziness (6:12). Positively,/it means having models of “faith and patience” to follow (6:12). In 6:13–20, the author begins with the example of Abraham, then leads us back to the preeminent example of Jesus Christ. Let’s read verses 6:13-15

13 When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, 14 saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.”[d] 15 And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.

It shouldn’t surprise us that Abraham is the author’s “go-to” man for an example of persevering faith. The writer has just encouraged his readers to (6:12-NLT), follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance. In placing Abraham in the spotlight, he draws attention to a classic example of a man of God who waited … and waited … and waited for the fulfillment of God’s promise.

he dust of the earth” (Gen.: 13:16

d, and Sarah was ninety (Gen.: 17:17

But Abraham did wait. And God did make good on His promise. Abraham had learned through a life lived by faith that God’s promises were sure. God had sworn by His name (Heb. 6:13–14). To renege on His promise would have meant ruining His reputation as the all-powerful, all-knowing, all-benevolent God. Abraham knew this. So despite a quarter century of delay in God’s fulfillment of what was promised, Abraham “patiently waited” and ultimately “obtained the promise” (6:15; see Rom. 4:18–21). 18 Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, “That’s how many descendants you will have!”[a] 19 And Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead—and so was Sarah’s womb.

20 Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. 21 He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises. We have much to learn about patiently waiting from Abraham and Sarah.

Abraham’s patient waiting and trust in God’s faithfulness to His promise can serve as a model for Christians. Just as Abraham was the recipient of specific promises, so believers in Christ have been given (2 Pet. 1:4) 4 And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires. And just as God was ultimately faithful to fulfill His promises to Abraham after a long wait, He will be faithful to fulfill His promises to us.

Let’s move on to 6:16–20

16 People swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. 17 Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. 18 God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. 19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, 20 where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.

 

In Hebrews 6:16, the author transitions from the example of Abraham’s patient waiting to offer encouragement for his audience to continue their steadfastness. And just as Abraham trusted in the absolute faithfulness of God to see him through times of confusion and doubt, believers in Christ can lean on the exact unchangeable nature of the promise-keeping God.

In typical Jewish fashion, the writer of Hebrews argues from the lesser to the greater. (greater sign) In biblical times, when a person swore an oath by one greater than themselves, a dispute was considered settled (6:16). To break the promise would bring down consequences on the transgressor. Since this is true in the human realm, how much more so would God’s word prove absolutely trustworthy! God even swore an oath—not by one greater, but by Himself (6:13, 17). Acts 4:12 There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”

Bulletin Insert

Hebrews 6:18 refers to two “unchangeable things” that should convince believers that God’s promises are worth trusting. First, God’s purpose is unchangeable (6:17). It is in His nature to remain steadfast and unchanging. Our God is not flaky, unreliable, or unpredictable. He can and is willing to accomplish what He has determined to do. Second, God’s promise, expressed as an oath, is unchangeable (6:17). The moment His promise is spoken to His people, they can immediately begin to count on it without wavering. Why? Because “it is impossible for God to lie” (6:18).

Bulletin Insert

In light of these theological facts concerning God and His promises, there are three benefits for believers who follow the example of Abraham and take refuge in God’s promises. First, we may be greatly encouraged (6:18). This will help us overcome the obstacles that stand in the way of spiritual progress. Second, we can take hold of the hope set before us (6:18). The author uses the image of firmly gripping a physical object to convey what it’s like to grasp by faith something that can’t be seen (11:1). Having a firm handle on hope serves as an antidote to despair. Third, we have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure (6:19). When the waves of doubt threaten to set our lives adrift, our expectant trust in God’s promises will keep us “firm and secure,” like a mighty anchor that prevents a ship from drifting (Heb. 2:1). So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it. It’s no wonder the anchor became a popular Christian symbol in the early church, especially in the Roman catacombs. (Bulletin Picture)

In 6:19–20, the author of Hebrews takes the anchor metaphor in an unexpected direction. He doesn’t envision the anchor of hope as buried in the earth to help us keep our feet on firm ground or dropped to the bottom of the sea to help us weather the storm. This anchor is not of this world. Keeping his focus on our heavenly longing, and returning our attention to the center and source of all hope, Jesus Christ, /the writer to the Hebrews, says that this hope “It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain” (6:19). This act of grace provides us direct access to God’s throne.

Here, we have come full circle, back to the high priesthood of Jesus and the discussion of the mysterious Melchizedek. It’s as if the author of Hebrews had pushed the “pause” button right after Hebrews 5:9-10 In this way, God qualified him as a perfect High Priest, and he became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey him. 10 And God designated him to be a High Priest in the order of Melchizedek. In 5:11–6:18, the writer of Hebrews put his main presentation on hold while he led his audience (including us) on a lengthy aside concerning their dullness of hearing and the threat of falling away. With 6:19–20, though, he pushes “play” again and continues his powerful discourse on the superiority of Christ’s work for us, pointing to what has taken place behind the veil of the heavenly Tabernacle, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek. (20)

This imagery, which will be developed in the coming chapters, takes us back to the holy of holies in the Tabernacle, where only the high priest could enter on behalf of the people. Jesus entered through the veil in the heavenly Tabernacle with the spotless sacrifice of His life and placed it on the altar before God. As a result, we have a hope that is both “firm and secure.” The language of “forerunner”—a Greek word used only here in the New Testament—serves as a final assurance of the certainty of our heavenly promise: “Christ in the heavenly sanctuary as our forerunner is the guarantee that we shall one day enter heaven as well.”

APPLICATION: HEBREWS 6:9–20 - When Dealing with Doubts … Remember

Doubts are question marks that often punctuate what should be clear statements of theological fact or unquestioned imperatives of moral truth. Doubts can drive those immature in their faith or who have grown sluggish in responding to spiritual things into despair. But they don’t need to! For those who are willing to remember the character and promises of God, doubts can serve as mere ellipses … pauses in the walk of faith that help to turn our attention heavenward toward God, who alone can give us hope amid despair, assurance amid uncertainty, and confidence amid questioning.

began to sink in fear (Matt.: 14:27

Amid the storms of our lives, God gives us an anchor for the soul (Heb. 6:19). When doubt says, “Only a fool would believe these things,” remember Hebrews 6:18 in the NLT: So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. Even though the circumstances around you may continue to pummel you with painful blows, you can have a quiet confidence that God has a purpose and his promise, that He’s in control, and that your soul is anchored firmly in the heavenly realm.

Next Sunday, we will continue our series on our adventure through the book of Hebrews. Today is the third of ten messages in the second section of Hebrews: "Christ is Superior as our High Priest. Next week, we will continue with the theme of Christ as our High Priest in the Order of Melchizedek in a message titled Once More…Melchizedek. So please read Hebrews 7:1-17 for next week’s message.