The Fearfulness of Disobedience

Hebrews 10:1-31

INTRODUCTION: The context and purpose of Hebrews is quite clear – it is an appeal to Jews to put their faith in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is an endearing epistle because of its continual declaration of Christ’s superiority – to the angels, to the sacrifices, to the law, to the priesthood. In this particular chapter, the message is directed toward those who find themselves at a crossroads, considering placing faith in Christ or drawing back to a faith in the Old Testament sacrificial system.

I. THE INTRODUCTION OF TRUTH (Hebrews 10:1-18)

A. The Difficulties of the Law (Hebrews 10:1-4, 11)

1. The law was only a shadow of good things to come (Hebrews 10:1).
2. The sacrifices of the law could not purge the conscience of the worshippers (Hebrews 10:1b, 2).
3. The sacrifices of the law only gave a yearly reminder of sins (Hebrews 10:3).
4. It was not possible that the blood of these animals should take away sins (Hebrews 10:4).
5. The priesthood’s continual effort offered no lasting solutions (Hebrews 10:11).

B. The Superiority of Christ’s Ministry (Hebrews 10:5-10, 12-14)

1. The pleasure of the Lord was to choose a body for His Son over the sacrifice of animals (Hebrews 10:5-6).
2. The will of God was to establish the ministry and sacrifice of the Son (Hebrews 10:7-10).
3. The Son’s sacrifice perfected those sanctified forever (Hebrews 10:12-14).

C. The Greater Covenant (Hebrews 10:15-18)

1. The new covenant had been the hope of Israel for quite some time.
2. The Son’s sacrifice and its acceptance offers presently many of the future benefits of the new covenant spiritually for the saint (Hebrews 10:15-18).

II. THE APPEAL TO OBEDIENCE TO THE TRUTH (Hebrews 10:19-25)

A. The Call to Draw Near (Hebrews 10:19-22)

1. The option for entering the holiest (Hebrews 10:19)
2. The availability made by Christ (Hebrews 10:20-21)
3. The responsibility of the individual (Hebrews 10:22)

B. The Call to Hold Fast (Hebrews 10:23)

1. The call to individuals to hold fast without wavering
2. The reminder of the faithfulness of the promiser

C. The Call to Fellowship (Hebrews 10:24-25)

1. Provoke one another to love and to good works (Hebrews 10:24).
2. Assemble together (Hebrews 10:25).

III. THE FEAR OF REJECTING THE TRUTH (Hebrews 10:26-31)

A. The Rejection of God’s Plan for Salvation (Hebrews 10:26-27)

1. The emptiness of options (Hebrews 10:26)
2. The certainty of judgment (Hebrews 10:27)

B. The Greater Consequences of Rejection (Hebrews 10:28-29)

1. The consequences of despising the law (Hebrews 10:28)
2. The consequences of despising grace (Hebrews 10:29)

C. The Promise of God (Hebrews 10:30)

1. Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense.
2. The Lord shall judge His people.

D. The Fear of God

1. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of a living God.
2. In the immediate context, this testifies of the impending dangers for those who fail to trust Christ for salvation.
3. By way of a spiritual application, it applies to the concept of rejecting known truth. In a general sense, Christians can face some fearful scenarios by refusing to do what they know to do.
a. Health can be lost
b. Finances can be drained
c. Favour can deteriorate
d. Skillfulness can be withheld
e. Life can be lost

CONCLUSION: Rejecting the truth of salvation will cost you eternity. After salvation, refusing to obey the truths of scripture can cost you spiritually and physically. Regardless, it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of a living God.