We Are Expecting Better Things Of You
TEXT: Hebrews 6:1-10.
INTRODUCTION:
1. Read the entire chapter.
2. This passage teaches the need to move on from the first principals.
1) Many are still babes in Christ years after their conversion because of their ignorance about the deeper things of God.
2) They are ignorant because they haven't even learned to master the basics.
3) Do you understand the basics listed in these verses? Enumerate.
4) (4-6) The reason for going on is to avoid the possibility of becoming so corrupt as to make repentance impossible.
3. Notice that stagnation will bring apostasy (v.1) a pool of stagnant water is little more than a cesspool. Christians look little better in the eyes of our God when they stagnate; as we shall see.
4. (7-8) We are like the earth. Some will produce and some won't IF WE DON'T PRODUCE WE WILL BE DESTROYED.
DISCUSSION:
I. V. 9 "But beloved we are convinced of better things concerning you."
A. Paul has moved from the negative of the preceding verses to a contrast with the positive ("But").
B. You" can still catch more flies wit h honey than vinegar.
C. The Hebrew writer had latched on to the positive principal of Christianity.
D. After discussing such an obnoxious group as those in verse 6, he was careful not to allow those people to preoccupy his mind.
E. We need to be careful not to punish the faithful because of the unfaithful. 2 Cor 7:14
1. Story of the VBS teacher who was discouraged by complaints the following week from the pulpit.
F. We can still win more hearts by being positive and encouraging individuals to accomplish the seemingly impossible.
G. Most of us have received far more reproving, rebuking, and indoctrination than encouragement.
H. The men must set the tone for positive leadership:
1. In the home.
2. At church.
3. Vision for future growth.
a. Vision must be a positive vision.
I. We must not be afraid to ask the brethren to work because WE ARE EXPECTING BETTER THINGS OF THEM.
1. When we ask a brother to work we are telling him WE EXPECT BETTER THINGS OF YOU.
2. Dora's gift of smiling.
3. People retire in the world but WE ARE EXPECTING BETTER THINGS OF YOU.
4. In sports they make coaches out of the players that retire.
5. Most expect to retire and go south but we are EXPECTING BETTER THINGS OF YOU: Stay and help build up the church.
II. "Things that accompany salvation.
A. This is opposed to the unfruitful ground of the preceding verses. (v.7)
B. How does one who appreciates the blessings of God
III. V. 10 For God is not unjust so as to forget"
A. Our faith in this promise should sustain us.
B. The brethren may not appreciate us 2 Tim. 2:15
1. As long as we care more about God than our fellow man we can live with man's disapproval.
C. The brethren may quickly forget our work but God won't (verse) 18
D. Athletes are soon forgotten.
1. Mike Tyson 300 million to living on the street.
2. Who was the Olympic boxing champion last year?
3. Who was the NFL player of the year last year.
4. Cleveland's coach Gregg Forest was the coach of the year one year and was fired the next year.
IV. "Your works".
A. Work indicates time energy and sweat.
B. The Christian's life is not the Life of hermits, cloistered walls and Gurus contemplating their navels. It is a life of work.
C. Work also includes more than flexing muscles or business. Much work being done in the name of the lord is a waste of time.
1. 1. Tom"s sorting pencils.
D. PRODUCTIVE Mental energy also ='s work.
1. The highest rate of heart attack is among execs.
V. "And Love which you have shown toward his name."
A. Love eliminates complaining.
B. Labor of love consumes many doctors nurses and farmers.
C. If we are going to be in competition, let's out-do each other in love.
D. Damage of jealous competition in the church.
VI. "In having ministered."
A. We have shown our love for the Lord by our past service to fellow saints..
B. Because of our love for the Lord we love those he loved.
C. "I used to lead singing, prayer teach etc." Then you used to love the Lord more than you do now. (Rev. 2:4-5)
D. Your former work of love should be an encouragement to yourself and others.
E. Former works of others who have gone on before should encourage us to BETTER THINGS.
1. David Lipscomb threatened with hanging.
2. Marshal Keeble hit with brass knuckles.
3. You haven’t suffered that way. Keep it up.
F. The former works of great Bible characters Elisha, Elijah, Paul, Joseph.
G. God rewarded their loving obedient faith. Heb. 11-12:14
H. Ours is a land of fear. You can train your Doberman, buy your burglar alarms and sleep with a .45 under your pillow. And you can wake up and find that someone made friends with your Doberman, disarmed your alarm and took your .45. God watches over you.
"What we should say is if the Lord will we shall live."
I. We can learn this lack of fear from the past works of these great men. And do minister"
J. Quit saying use to and get to work.
K. Your past should be encouraging in that you're doing more now than you were before.
CONCLUSION:
"But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place — unless you repent.