HOLDING FAST

  1. INTRODUCTION

    2. One of the most astounding books in the Bible is the book of Hebrews. It has been said that the book of Hebrews as raised more unanswered questions that any other in the NT.

    1. One reason it is so important to Christians from all places and times is because it provides answers to the question of ‘Who is Jesus?’
      1. In the first few verses of chapter 1 it tells us
        1. Jesus is God’s Last spokesman to the world. v. 2
        2. Jesus is the creator of the world v. 2
        3. Jesus is superior to all the angels – even the greatest of the angels v. 4
        4. Jesus is the One through whom we can have our sins forgiven v. 3
      2. Which means He is our only hope of salvation – apart from Him we have no eternal future except condemnation.
        We see Peter making this point Acts 4:12:
        "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."
    2. The writer elaborates more of ‘Who Jesus is?’ in Heb. 3:1 (Read)
      1. Apostle
        1. means "one-sent"
        2. Sent by the Father to men on Earth. John 6:38
          "For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me."
      2. High Priest, which from our reading of the OT refers to one who goes from man to God.
      3. So Jesus is the great "Apostle" because He came from God to men, and He is the great "High Priest" because he goes to God on behalf of men.
  2. Having those thoughts before us, let’s take a look at a passage in Hebrews that tells us how we are affected by this today – Heb. 4:14-16 (not read)
    1. This passage gives us 5 facts about Jesus.
      1. He is the Son of God. (Deity)
      2. He is passed into the Heavens. (Position)
      3. He knows our infirmities. (Knowledge)
      4. He was tempted as we are yet, he over came those temptations. (Humanity)
      5. He is our High Priest, but more than that he is our "Great High Priest". (Function)
  3. To really appreciate this message God has sent to us, let’s Read Heb. 4:14-16

    4. Point out 3 basic thoughts in this text.

    1. What we have. (Jesus Christ as High Priest)
    2. What we can receive.
    3. What we must do.
  4. When we express the idea that this passage tells us "What we can receive" we are referring to verse 16 of the text.
    1. We can receive Access to the Throne of God.
      1. Accessibility
        1. Have you ever been to a major league baseball game, or a secure office building, etc. and seen a gate or door that says, "Authorized personnel only", Only people that meet certain qualifications can go in to that area.
        2. We are told in Isaiah 59:2 that we are separated from God because of our sins.
        3. But Jesus as made it possible for us to have access to the Father and the Throne of God.
      2. Paul explains this idea to those in Ephesus in:
        1. Eph. 2:18 "For through him(Jesus Christ) we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father."
        2. Eph. 3:12 "In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him."
    2. Because we have access to God the Father we are able to receive Mercy
      1. W.E. Vines is his Expository dictionary of NT Words
        1. Defines: "…the outward manifestation of pity"
        2. Comments "it assumes need on the part of him who receives it and resources adequate to meet the need on the part of him who shows it"
      2. Why do we need mercy?
        1. We remember what the publican said in Luke 18:13 "…God be merciful to me a sinner."
        2. And we are familiar with Rom. 3:23 "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;"
        3. Sinners need God’s mercy, and since we are all sinners, then the only conclusion is that we need the mercy God can provide.
      3. Does God have the "resources adequate" to supply our need? The answer is found in Eph. 2:4
        "But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

      Someone once told me that

      Mercy is not getting what we do deserve (punishment for sin)

      Grace is getting what we do not deserve (Eternal Life)

    3. With our access to the throne we can receive God’s grace.
      1. Popular phrase used to describe Grace is Unmerited Favor.
      2. Why is it we need God’s grace? Explain Rom. 5:1-2
        1. We are justified by our faith not by works.
        2. It is by God’s grace that we are saved. Eph 2:5
      3. Prov. 8:35 also tells us we can obtain grace or favour.
        "For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD."
      4. God’s grace is offered to us when we are enticed with the cares of this world. 1 Cor. 10:13 (a time of need)
        "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."
  5. Now let me point out where our role is in all of this. Verse 14. "…let us hold fast our profession."
    1. Hold Fast defined as
      Hold – keep, remain fixed
      Fast – to make secure, safe, firm
      "Keep secure, Remain safe, firmly fixed"
      1. Heb. 3:6 "But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast (keep secure) the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end."
      2. 1 Thes. 5:21: Prove all things; hold fast (firmly affixed to) that which is good.
      3. Rev. 2:25 But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. (church at Thyatira)
      4. Why should we hold fast?
        1. Why do coaches tell their players to "stick to their man" because they know they can slip away.
        2. Because Heb. 2:1 tells us that is can slip away.
          "Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip."
    2. Profession – usually people today think of profession as our occupation or job. You may notice the newer translations use the word "confession"(NKJV, ASV) or the phrase "faith we profess"(NIV)
      This idea is also expressed in Heb. 10:23
      "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)"
      1. We are familiar with the title of "Professor" in college. "Professor" is defined as one who declares.
      2. So this is our declaration of our belief that Jesus is the Son of God, with our mouth and our lives.
  7. Ok time to get practical, let’s talk for a few minutes about what "holding fast" involves in our lives today.
    1. It means holding fast in spite of our Family who discourages.
      1. Notice what Job’s wife says in Job 2:9 "Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die."
      2. If our family urges us to deny our belief in the scriptures, do we hold fast?
      3. (not a story-teller)Tell story of Pamie and how family treated her after becoming a Christian.
      4. Matt. 10:37 "He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me."
    2. It means holding fast in spite of losing our possessions.
      1. I realize that today in this country that we are not too afraid of the government coming over and seizing our property. But I think that there are instances that we may have to sell our house, car, etc.
        1. Secretary told by boss to tell others, "I’m not here." She can’t lie.
        2. Man that refuses to go out and "wine and dine" with clients, or is over looked for promotions because they associate with the "right" people.
      2. Notice the attitude in Heb. 10:34-35
        "For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. 35: Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward."

        3. Writer expresses the idea of those losing their possessions for Christ sake because they know there is something better to be obtained.

      3. Matt. 19:29 "And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life."
      4. We too can be strong enough to give up if necessary our possessions for the kingdom of God.
    3. Finally, it means holding fast in spite of our own lives.
      1. In the first century, as are some in the world today, they are at the mercy of the government or other religious groups. I have heard of such situations in India, China, Africa and the Philippines.
        They are fearful of someone taking their life because they profess their belief in Christ. May not have that much of a threat here in the USA. But if you are put in that situation, are you willing to give your life as a Christian? We can often judge what we would do by what we are doing.
        Ok lets say you’re not in some foreign country or the one in a million that gets a gun put to your head, are you willing to devote your entire life to serving God faithfully?
      2. Matt 10:39 "He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it."
      3. In speaking to those that would bodily follow Him in his travels Jesus says in Luke 9:62 "…No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."
        When we take a hold of the "plow" of the Christian life, we are not to let go or look at the things we left behind. But must continue on in our path to Heaven.
  8. Conclusion
    1. Are we holding fast our belief the Jesus is the Son of God and that he is the only way to heaven?
    2. Have you taken the proper steps to become a child of God?
    3. Offer invitation