OceanSide church of Christ

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PRESS ON TO YOUR SURE HOPE (1)

Hebrews 6:1a-1b

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

  1. We have entitled chapter 6:  “Press on to Your Sure Hope.”

1.    Hebrews 6:1 exhorts readers to go on unto perfection.

2.    Hebrews 6:19 speaks of the hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast.

 

  1. We have selected Hebrews 6:11 as the key verse.

 

And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end.

 

  1. This chapter can be divided into three sections.

 

i.             Encouragement (Heb. 6:1-6)

 

Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection…

 

ii.            Expectation (Heb. 6:7-12)

 

And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end.

 

iii.           Ensured (Heb. 6:13-20)

 

That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us.

 

I.         THE ENCOURAGEMENT (Heb. 6:1-6)

 

A.  The Duties (Heb. 6:1-3)

1.    Leave (Heb. 6:1a)

 

Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ…

 

a.    The first responsibility involved “leaving.” 

1)     Definition:  to leave, go way from one…to go away leaving something behind

2)    NOTE:  If the Hebrews did not leave some things behind, they could not fulfill the second part of the duty to “go on.”

b.    That which was to be left behind was the principles of the doctrine of Christ.

1)     Two views

a)    The first principles of the New Testament

b)    The doctrines, principles, and practices of the OT that prepared the Jews for the coming of Jesus Christ (Gal. 3:24-25).

 

Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.  But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

 

2)    The context of the book indicates that the words refer to the doctrines of the OT.

a)    These Christian Jews were returning to Judaism.

b)    A return to those principles would hinder them from moving forward in their Christianity.

3)     Why are the teachings of the OT referred to as “the principles of the doctrine of Christ”?

a)    The OT points to Jesus Christ (John 5:29).

 

Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life:  and they are they which testify of me.

 

b)    A footnote in the ASV renders “the first principles” as “the word of the beginning of Christ.”

c)    Thayer renders the phrase as “the instruction concerning Christ as it was at the very outset.”

2.    Go on (Heb. 6:1b)

 

…let us go on unto perfection…

 

a.    Let us

1)     This is the fifth time the author has used the words, “let us,” since the beginning of the epistle.

2)    These two words are hortatory in nature.  They stand as major exhortations to these Christians.

b.    Go on

1)     These are two other ways this phrase can be rendered:

a)    Press on

b)    To be carried or born along

2)    We, the students, are to “press on” in our learning.

3)     We are to be “carried along” forward by further instruction

c.    Our move forward is to be toward “perfection.”

1)      Definitions

a)    Strong (5047):  (the state) completeness (mentally or morally)

b)    Thayer:  that state of more intelligence, moral and spiritual perfection

2)    LESSON:  God wants us to always be moving forward in our Christian lives.

a)    Going backward or being stagnant are not options.

b)    Because we have an inner man, this is possible (II Cor. 4:16).

 

For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.