Sermon: A Fearful
Thing
by Chris Cumming
Let us begin this sermon with a reading from scripture. Turn to Hebrews
10.
Hebrews 10:1-31
1 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very
image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered
year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.
2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the
worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.
3 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins
every year.
4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should
take away sins.
5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and
offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:
6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.
7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of
me,) to do thy will, O God.
8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and
offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein;
which are offered by the law;
9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the
first, that he may establish the second.
Note: the "first" here are the sacrifices. The second is the
ultimate sacrifice of Jesus the Christ affording us all repentance and
the salvation process.
10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body
of Jesus Christ once for all.
11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes
the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:
12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever,
sat down on the right hand of God;
13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.
14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are
sanctified.
15 Whereof the Holy Ghost [Spirit] also is a witness to us: for
after that he had said before,
16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days,
saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds
will I write them;
17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.
19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the
blood of Jesus,
20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through
the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
21 And having an high priest over the house of God;
22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having
our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with
pure water.
23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for
he is faithful that promised;)
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good
works:
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of
some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the
day approaching.
26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of
the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation,
which shall devour the adversaries.
28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three
witnesses:
29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy,
who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood
of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath
done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will
recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
And hence, we have the title of this sermon, "A fearful thing."
Who is this chapter speaking about? Is this chapter, leading up to verse 31 about you, the forward-moving firstfruit or someone else? Clearly, verse 31 is speaking to something that brings up a deep emotion of fear. What fear? What is the "fearful thing" and just who is having this fear? Does this chapter hold any promises, or any Kingdom guarantees? Will I ever experience the, "fearful thing"?
Today I will answer these questions, as I encourage all of us to never experience the fearful thing.
Never experience the fearful thing.
Let us breakdown Hebrews 10 to see what is being discussed and who is being talked about.
|
Hebrews 10 scripture |
Notes |
|
1 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. |
The Law. |
|
2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. |
Animal sacrifices not enough. |
|
3 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. |
Atonement sacrifices. |
|
4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. |
Animal sacrifices not enough. |
|
5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: |
Christ comes in human body to be the real sacrifice for sin |
|
Hebrews 10 scripture |
Notes |
|
6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. |
Animal
sacrifices not enough. |
|
7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. |
Christ comes to do will of Father as ultimate sacrifice. |
|
8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; |
Animal
sacrifices prescribed by law. |
|
9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. |
God takes away the animal sacrifices to establish Christ as true sacrifice. |
|
10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. |
To those in
salvation process. |
|
11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: |
Animal sacrifices cannot take away sin. |
|
12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; |
Christ is offered as the one sacrifice for sins forever. |
|
13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. |
Christ remains with God until all enemies be put down in ultimate judgment. |
|
14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. |
The sacrifice of Christ is for all who go into the salvation process and stay until absolute perfection. |
|
15 Whereof the Holy Ghost [Spirit] also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, |
Verses 15-18
one thought. |
|
16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; |
|
|
17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. |
|
|
18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. |
|
|
19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, |
Speaking to those in the salvation process who now have boldness |
|
20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; |
The salvation process made possible by His sacrifice. |
|
21 And having an high priest over the house of God; |
Speaking of true believers – The Church of God. |
|
22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. |
Speaking of true believers; Firstfruits and those in the salvation process. |
|
23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) |
Admonition to Firstfruits and true believers in salvation process. |
|
Hebrews 10 scripture |
Notes |
|
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: |
Admonition to Firstfruits and true believers in salvation process. |
|
Commentary on
verse 24: |
|
|
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. |
Admonition to Firstfruits and true believers in salvation process. |
|
26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, |
Speaking to Firstfruits and true believers about those fallen from the salvation process |
|
27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. |
The fallen away fearfully look to the second death—final judgment. |
|
28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: |
Example of those with Moses who rejected the law and how they saw death. |
|
29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? |
Speaking of the fallen away who reap more severe punishment for falling from the salvation process. |
|
30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. |
Speaking of the fallen away and the fact that God will judge them resulting in their second death. |
|
31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. |
Speaking of and to the fallen away. |
|
The “fearful
thing” is falling away. These are the individuals falling into
the hands of the living God, who carries out the second death
judgment. Forward-moving firstfruits never see, feel, fear or
experience the fearful thing. By “fear” I mean they do not fear
having to experience the second death. The do fear, however,
any contemplation, thought or meditation of themselves ever
falling away. That is, they know and understand this judgment
of God within His great plan of salvation. |
|
|
32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions; |
Admonition to Firstfruits and true believers. |
|
Commentary on
last phrase of verse 32: |
|
|
Hebrews 10 scripture |
Notes |
|
33 Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used. |
Admonition to
Firstfruits and true believers. |
|
34 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. |
Speaking to Firstfruits and true believers who knew Paul and known reproaches and afflictions. |
|
35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. |
Admonition to Firstfruits and true believers. Keep your heart and eyes on salvation. |
|
36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. |
Admonition to
Firstfruits and true believers. |
|
37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. |
Admonition to Firstfruits and true believers. |
|
38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. |
First phrase
[7 words] speaking to Firstfruits and true believers. |
|
39 But we are
not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that
believe to the saving of the soul. |
Speaking to
Firstfruits and true believers |
Once again, our key verse is verse 31
Hebrews 10:31
It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Now check the verses connected to it
It is a fearful
thing:
Hebrews 10:27
But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation,
which shall devour the adversaries.
Isaiah 33:14
The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the
hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among
us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?
Luke 21:11
And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and
pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from
heaven.
To fall into the
hands of the living God
Hebrews 12:28-29
28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have
grace, whereby we may serve God
acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
29 For our God is a consuming fire.
Psalm 50:22
Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and
there be none to deliver.
Psalm 76:7-9
7 Thou, even thou, art to be feared: and who may stand in thy sight
when once thou art angry?
8 Thou didst cause judgment to be heard from heaven; the earth feared,
and was still,
9 When God arose to judgment, to save all the meek of the earth. Selah.
Here is the commentary:
Thou, even thou, art to be feared - To be had in reverence or veneration [a feeling of awe, respect and reverence]. The repetition of the word “thou” is emphatic, as if the mind paused at the mention of God, and remained in a state of reverence, repeating the thought. The particular “reason” suggested here why God should be had in reverence, was the display of his power in overthrowing by a word the mighty hosts that had come against the holy city. ~Barnes Notes
Thou, even thou, art to be feared - The Hebrew is simple, but very emphatic: “Thou art terrible; thou art.” The repetition of the pronoun deepens the sense. ~Adam Clarke
And who may stand in thy sight - Who can stand before thee? implying that no one had the power to do it. “When once thou art angry.” If such armies have been overcome suddenly by thy might, then what power is there which could successfully resist thee? ~Barnes Notes
When once thou art angry? - Literally, From the time thou art angry. In the moment thy wrath is kindled, in that moment judgment is executed. How awful is this consideration! If one hundred and eighty-five thousand men were in one moment destroyed by the wrath of God, canst thou, thou poor, miserable, feeble sinner, resist his will, and turn aside his thunder! ~Adam Clarke
Psalm 90:1-17
1 A Prayer of Moses the man of God. Lord, thou hast been our dwelling
place in all generations.
2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the
earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.
3 Thou turnest man to destruction; and sayest, Return, ye children of
men.
4 For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is
past, and as a watch in the night.
5 Thou carriest them away as with a flood; they are as a sleep: in the
morning they are like grass which groweth up.
6 In the morning it flourisheth, and groweth up; in the evening it is
cut down, and withereth.
7 For we are consumed by thine anger, and by thy wrath are we troubled.
8 Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light
of thy countenance.
9 For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a
tale that is told [a sighing, moaning and/or meditation]
Commentary:
For all our days are passed away in thy wrath; or, "under thy
wrath"—"whilst thou art still angry with us" ~Pulpit Bible
10 The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason
of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and
sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.
11 Who knoweth the power of thine anger? even according to thy fear, so
is thy wrath.
Commentary:
We don't like to think about the wrath of God, but every obituary in the
newspaper is a reminder that "the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23).
We finish our years "like a sigh" (v. 9) and marvel that it all went by
so fast! So, now is the time to ask God for wisdom to become better
students and stewards of our time and opportunities (v. 12; Deuteronomy
32:29). We number our years, not our days, but all of us have to live a
day at a time, and we do not know how many days we have left. A
successful life is composed of successful days that honor the Lord.
~Bible Exposition Commentary: Old Testament
12 So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto
wisdom.
13 Return, O LORD, how long? and let it repent thee concerning thy
servants.
14 O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad
all our days.
15 Make us glad according to the days wherein thou hast afflicted us,
and the years wherein we have seen evil.
16 Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their
children.
17 And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou
the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou
it.
Commentary on verses 13-17
We Are Believers and the Future Is Our Friend (verses 13-17)
Yes, life is a difficult school, and God disciplines us if we fail to learn our lessons and submit to His will, but there is more to the story. In spite of the "black border" around this psalm, the emphasis is on life and not death. The past and present experiences of life prepare us for the future, and all of life prepares us for eternity. When you contrast verses 13-17 with verses. 7-12, you can see the difference. This closing prayer emphasizes God's compassion and unfailing love, His desire to give us joy and satisfaction, even in the midst of life's troubles, and His ability to make life count for eternity. When Jesus Christ is your Savior and Lord, the future is your friend.
"Return" (v. 13) carries the idea of "turn again — turn from your anger and show us the light of your countenance" (Exodus 32:12; Numbers 6:23-26; Deuteronomy 32:36). "How long?" is a question frequently asked; see 6:3. In verse 14, Moses may have been referring to the manna that fell each morning, six days a week, and met the physical needs of the people (Exodus 16:1-21). It was a picture of Jesus Christ, the bread of life. The manna sustained life for the Jewish people for nearly forty years, but Jesus gives life to the whole world for all eternity! When we begin the day with the Lord and feed on His Word (Deuteronomy 8:3; Matthew 4:4), then we walk with Him throughout the day and enjoy His blessing. The nourishment of the Word enables us to be faithful pilgrims and successful learners.
There are compensations in life that we may not appreciate until we
enter eternity. Moses prayed that God would give him and his people as
much joy in the future as the sorrow they had experienced in the past.
Paul may have had this in mind when he wrote Rom 8:18 and 2 Corinthians
1:5 and 4:16-18 — except that God promises His children far more
blessing than the burdens they carried! The glory to come far exceeds
the suffering that we bear today. Moses lost his temper and could not
enter Canaan (Numbers 20:2-13), but he did get to the Promised Land with
Jesus and share God's glory with Elijah and three of the disciples
(Matthew 17:1-8). ~Bible Exposition Commentary: Old Testament
As the heading of the commentary says, we
are believers and future is our friend.
Never experience the fearful thing.