Falling Away, Can It Happen to You?

Dennis Tuuri

Outline: Hebrews 6:4-8 Falling Away: Can It Happen To You? Sermon Outline for July 17, 2005 by Pastor Dennis R. Tuuri An Overview of the Sermon to the Hebrews I. 1:1-4 The Father’s Final Word - The Bright and Shining Son LINK TO II. – 1:4 “having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. II. 1:5-2:18 A Better Name Than Angels - Son of God and Son of Man LINK TO III. – 2:17 “that He might be  a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God” III. 3:1-5:10 A Better High-Priest: Source of Faithfulness, Rest, Compassion LINK TO IV. – 5:9,10 “And  having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, called by God as High Priest  “  according to the order of Melchizedek,  ” IV. 5:11-10:39 Christ, A Priest Like Melchizedek , High Priest of GoodThings  to Come V. 11:1-12:13 We should live with faith and endurance. VI. 12:14-13:19 Strong Hands, Straight Paths - Living in Heavenly Community on Earth VII. 13:20-25 Benediction: Completeness Unto Every Good Work Today’s Text in Its Immediate Context: 11 of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull [inclusio] of hearing. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers , you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food.13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness , for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. 6:1 Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection , not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,2 of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.3 And this we will do if God permits. 4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift , and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit , 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come , 6 if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame. 7 For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God;8 but if it bears thorns and briars, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned. 9 But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner.10 For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister .11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end,12 that you do not become sluggish , [inclusio] but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. The Corresponding Bookend Text - Hebrews 10:19-35 (Note: Just as Hebrews 5:11-6:12 begins the long central section of this sermon, 10:19-35 concludes it, with 10:36-39 serving as the introduction of the fifth section, which deals with endurance and faith , taken up in the reverse order once more.) 19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness [inclusio] to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and having a 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 confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. 26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. 28 Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. 32 But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: 33 partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated; 34 for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven. 35 Therefore do not cast away your confidence , [inclusion] which has great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance , so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: 37 “For yet a little while, and He who is coming will come and will not tarry. 38 Now the just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.” 39 But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul. Notes from the Texts 1. The context is blessings for participants in the covenant community. 2. The real warning (to the covenant community) is the fiery judgment that is promised to those who fall away. 3. The allusions are to the coming judgment of Jerusalem in AD 70 as a type for all those who fall away from Jesus. 4. We should take this warning very seriously. 5. We should redouble our commitment to the assembling of the saints. 6. We should redouble our commitment to the ministry of service to the saints. 7. We should warn those falling away.