Hebrews 3 A “Master Caution” Against Unbelief For Those Who Have Believed A “Master Caution” Against Unbelief For Those Who Have Believed

Luke 15:3-7

Luke 15:8-10

Luke 15:11-32

Hebrews 3

Hebrews Written between AD, primarily to Jewish believers living in and around Jerusalem

Knew Torah (“Law” – 1st five books; Gen-Dt) Neve’im (Prophets) Ketuvim (Writings) TNK = Tanakh (“Old Testament”)

Knew the Gospel of Grace

Hebrews 3:1 Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, the Messiah Jesus…

Hebrews 3:1 Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, the Messiah Jesus… ajdelfoi; a{gioi – adelphoi hagioi Brothers in Messiah, who have been set apart Uruachim Kadoshim

Hebrews 3:1 Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, the Messiah Jesus… mevtocoi– metochoi Partners; co-owners, companions Shatufim

Hebrews 3:2 …who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was faithful in all His house wJV kai; Mwu&shÆV – hos kai Mōuses “in just the same way”

Numbers 12

Hebrews 3:2 …who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, just in the same way that Moses was faithful in all His house [Just ask Miriam!]

Hebrews 3:3 For this One has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as He who built the house has more honor than the house.

Hebrews 3:6 But Messiah as a Son over His own house, whose house we are IF [maybe yes, maybe no] we hold fast the confidence and rejoicing of the hope firm to the end. oi\koV – oikos house – not the building, but the family inside; the household

Hebrews 3:6 But Messiah as a Son over His own house, whose house we are IF [maybe yes, maybe no] we hold fast the confidence and rejoicing of the hope firm to the end. parresiva– parresia the boldness to speak openly about something that comes from mature, tested confidence, from ongoing faith-trusting

Heb 3:7-11

Psalm 95

Numbe rs

Num 13:2 And YAHWEH spoke to Moses, saying, “Send men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the children of Israel; from each tribe of their fathers you shall send a man, every one a leader among them.”

Num 13:2 And YAHWEH spoke to Moses, saying, “Send men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the children of Israel; from each tribe of their fathers you shall send a man, every one a leader among them.”

2 Cor 5:7 For we walk by faith, not by sight.

Three Points 1. YAHWEH declared openly, “I am giving this land to the children of Israel” (13:2). 2. Spies had brought back physical evidence that the Land was good (13:23). 3. Israel was called upon to trust in YAHWEH’s word (14:8) “He will bring us into this land and give it to us, ‘a land which flows with milk and honey.’”

Hebrews 3:12 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God Kardiva ponhra; ajpistiva – kardia ponera apistia Seat of reason, innermost person that has been drawn away from and isn’t trusting God

Hebrews 3:13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today [Remember: Ps. 95!]”, lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. parakaleiÆte – parakaleite Pres. act. imper. of parakaleō; to come along side and offer encouragement, render aid, strengthen “Keep on exhorting one another!”

Hebrews 3:14 For we have become partakers [metochoi] of Messiah IF [maybe yes, maybe no] we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end. uJpostavsiß – hupostasis The firm foundation we stand upon; that is FAITH in Messiah and His Word

Gal 3:3 Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?

Hebrews 3:16 For who, having heard, rebelled? Indeed, was it not all who came out of Egypt, led by Moses? [That is – an entire generation of believers!]

Hebrews 3:17 Now with whom was He angry for forty years? Was it not with those [believers] who sinned [that is, failed to keep on trusting after they had believed], whose corpses fell in the wilderness? Including Moses, Aaron, Miriam!

Hebrews 3:18 And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest [that is, enjoy all the benefits of the Land which He had in mind for them], but to those [believers] who did not obey?

Hebrews 3:19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief [that is, after they had believed!].

Summary Points 1. The Author of Hebrews is concerned that justified believers (going to heaven when they die) are at risk of losing out on something by failing to keep on taking God at His word, post-justification.

Summary Points 2. At risk is a special status, reserved only for faithful believers who hang in there to the very end: (a) included in the household of Messiah (3:6) (b) being called metochoi of the Messiah (c) entering into God’s rest – abundant life!

Summary Points 3. Sinless perfection is not in view, and neither does this chapter warn of any possibility that unfaithful believers risk losing eternal life. But – discipline in time and loss of reward are at serious risk, indeed.

Summary Points 4. The issue is faithfulness and perseverance to the end, continuing to BELIEVE God’s promises and to TRUST in His character, AFTER we already believed in the Son for eternal life.