DEALING WITH SIN

Hebrews 10:32-34

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.    The cause of all this discussion is sin.

 

B.      Hebrews 10 has a lot to say about sin. 

1.      We have entitled this chapter:  “Dealing with Sin.”

2.      Keep in mind that the writer is dealing with Jewish believers returning to Judaism.  There fore, he continues to make contrasts between the system of Judaism and the system of Christianity.

 

C.     In this chapter, the writer will end the doctrinal details of his discussion (See vs 18-19, 22-24) and begin to make some very practical admonitions to his readers.

 

D.    Outline:

 

i.                    SINS REMAINED (Heb. 10:1-4)  Remembrance of sins

ii.                  SINS ARE REMITTED (Heb. 10:5-14)  Remittance from sins

iii.                SINS REMEMBERED NO MORE (Heb. 10:15-18)  Remembered no more sins

iv.                NO SINS BRING RESPONSIBILITY (Heb. 10:19-25)  Responsibility after sins

v.                  SINS ARE RECOMPENSED (Heb. 10:26-31)  Recompense for sins

vi.                SIN:  NO RETURN (Heb. 10:32-39)  Resolution against sin

 

I.                   SINS REMAINED (Heb. 10:1-4)

 

II.                SINS ARE REMITTED (Heb. 10:5-14)

 

III.             SINS REMEMBERED NO MORE (Heb. 10:15-18)

 

IV.             NO SINS BRING RESPONSIBILITY (Heb. 10:19-25).

 

V.                SINS ARE RECOMPENSED (Heb. 10:26-31)

 

VI.             SIN:  NO RETURN (Heb. 10:32-39) 

 

A.    Remember the former days (Heb. 10:32-35)

1.      The Appeal (Heb. 10:32a)

 

But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated…

 

a.      The afflictions these Jews were suffering were not the first.  They had suffered in the past (See Acts 8:1-4)

b.      The writer appeals to them “to remember the former days.”

1)      Remember the afflictions

2)      Remember their steadfastness

c.       He tells them that is was after they “were illuminated.”

1)      Prior to becoming a Christian one is in darkness.

2)      The light of the gospel shines in the mind of the person and dispels the darkness (II Cor. 4:3).

3)      Those who embrace the truth through obedience thereunto are “illuminated.”

a)      Strong (5461):  to brighten up                       :- enlighten…make to see

b)      Thayer:  enlighten…imbue with saving knowledge, to give understanding to

d.      LESSONS: 

1)      God has given us a mind that can bring back past events from our memory.  These memories can often aid us in our faithfulness.  You were successful in the past.  You can be successful now.

2)      All men who are in darkness need to have the light of the gospel shine unto them so they can be illuminated.

2.      The Afflictions (Heb. 10:32b)

 

…ye endured a great fight of afflictions.

 

a.      The description:  great fight of afflictions

1)      Definitions

a)      Great

-          Strong (4183):  much, many, large

-          Thayer:  many, much, large

-          NOTE:  The number and the severity of the afflictions are found in this term

b)      Fight

-          Strong (119):  struggle

-          Thayer:  to contest, to combat, to strive, struggle, hard trial

-          NOTE:

+    When we are afflicted, a fight is on.

+    The enemy can resort to physical persecution against us.

c)      Afflictions

-          Strong (3804):  something under gone, hardship, pain

-          Thayer:  that which one suffers or has suffered, misfortune, calamity, evil, afflictions, it can involve and inward state of affliction as well

-          NOTE:  The Christian life is not a bed of roses.  There will be trials, persecution, pain, and affliction (II Tim. 3:12).

 

Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution

 

b.      The disposition:  ye endured

1)      Definition

a)      Strong (5278):  to undergo, to bear, have fortitude, persevere

b)      Thayer:  to remain, abide, not to recede or flee, endure, bear bravely and calmly, hold fastly to one’s faith in Christ

2)      They endured.  This is precisely the same trait they will need in order to hold fast the beginning of their confidence at this time.

3)      LESSON:  The past is not always representative of the present.

a)      In the past they stood fast.  They persevered.

b)      In this situation, they were contemplating giving up and going back to Judaism.

-          The past should make us stronger to meet trials in the present.

-          However, the endurance of many trials can cause us to grow weary and doubtful.  We may desire to give up.

3.      The Allocation (Heb. 10:33-34)

a.      Personal Affliction (Heb. 10:33a)

 

Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions…

 

1)      These individuals had suffered personal affliction in the past.

2)      In their trials, they were made a gazingstock.

a)      Strong (2301):  to exposed as a spectacle

b)      Thayer:  bring upon the stage, expose as a spectacle, expose to contempt

c)      There were several ways this was done:

-          Lead them through the theater before they were punished and the crowds would hurl insults at them.

-          The actual afflictions would be done in public view so the crowds could mock them.

-          I Corinthians 4:9

 

For I think that God hat set forth us apostles last, as it were appointed unto death:  for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.

 

3)      Their trials are described as “reproaches” and “afflictions.”

a)      Reproaches

-          Strong (3680):  contumely (insulting display of contempt in words or actions

-          Thayer:  a reproach

b)      Afflictions

-          Strong (2347):  pressure               :- afflicted (tion), anguish, burdened, persecution, tribulation, trouble

-          Thayer:  a pressing, pressing together, pressure, metaphorically, oppression, affliction, tribulation, distress, straits

4)      LESSON:  We will not always escape the wrath and persecution of our enemies.  There will be times when we are the actual ones who are afflicted and reproached.

 

b.      Partner’s Affliction (Heb. 10:33b)

 

And partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.

 

1)      These individuals also had brothers and sisters in Christ with whom they were closely aligned that had experienced tribulation.

2)      Companions

a)      Strong (2844):  a sharer, that is, an associate

b)      Thayer:  partner, associate, comrade, companion

3)      Sometimes it is more difficult to watch others suffer affliction than it is to endure it personally.

c.       Personal Attestation (Heb. 10:34)

1)      Their compassion

 

For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods…

 

a)      The penman of this epistle was one of those companions they had witnessed as he suffered affliction.

b)      His persecution involves being put in bonds, that is, put in prison.

c)      While there, these Hebrew Christians attended to his needs.  He refers to this as “the spoiling of your goods.”

-          They gave up personal things to meet the needs of this prisoner.

-          If the writer is Paul, this could have happened while he was at Cesarea (Acts 24:23, 27).

-          Notice that he says that they did it “joyfully.”

+    Strong (5479):  cheerfulness, that is, calm delight

+    Thayer:  joy, gladness

-          NOTE:  Some see this as one of the afflictions suffered by the Christians.  The spoiling of their goods was part of the persecution to which they were subject.  To take this joyfully involves their experiencing gladness because they were counted worthy to suffer for the Christ.

d)     LESSONS:

-          Our willingness or unwillingness to respond to those who have such needs will meet us in the judgment (See Matt. 25:34-46)

-          All giving needs to be done with joy, not regret, complaining, or out of a “I must do this” disposition.

2)      Their comprehension

 

…knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and enduring substance.

 

a)      Christians have something beyond this world that intrigues them and gives them hope.

b)      In heaven, we have a better and more enduring substance.

-          Better

+    Strong (2909):  stronger, better, nobler

+    Thayer:  more useful, more serviceable, more advantageous, more excellent

+    Barnes:  “it is worth more; it gives more comfort; it makes a man really richer” (e-sword).

-          Enduring

+    Strong (3306):  to stay (in a given place or state…)

+    Thayer:  to remain, abide, continue to be present

-          Substance

+    Strong (5223):  existency, proprietorship

+    Thayer:  possessions, goods, wealth, property

c)      LESSONS: 

-          We have something of “substance” that exists beyond this world.  The writer tells us that is it in heaven.

-          If we know this, we are more likely to give up our earthly substance for the cause of Christ, whether it be giving to someone in need, or, being unconcerned if others cruelly take it from us.

4.      The Admonition (Heb. 10:35)

 

Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward.