TITLE: Study of Hebrews 10:25

TEXT: Hebrews 10:21-29

PROPOSITION: More is at stake than missing a church assembly.

Introduction:

1. Most think about church attendance in this passage.

2. There is much more at stake than if you show up at a worship service.

Hebrews 10:21 Jesus is our High Priest

1. He is over the house of God.

2. House of God is the church. (1 Timothy 3:15; Galatians 6:10)

Hebrews 10:22 Our challenge is to draw near (and remain close)

1. With a true heart

2. In full assurance of faith

3. Pure conscience

4. Cleansed bodies

Hebrews 10:23 We must hold fast (hang on tight)

1. The confession of our hope

2. Without wavering (no doubts)

3. Believing that God will keep His promises

Hebrews 10:24 Consider one another

1. Encourage (stir up) each other

2. Motivate others to be more loving

3. Promote good works

Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling

1. Forsake = AWOL, abandon your post, renounce, give up

2. “Missing” a service is not the same as “forsaking”

1. Miss because of work schedule

2. Miss because of illness, hospital, ICU

3. Miss because out of town

3. Some (even in the early church) were leaving their post of duty

4. We must exhort and encourage each other as we sing, pray, commune, give, and study.

5. Is this text just speaking of the first day of the week?

1. This text is not limited to the first day of the week.

2. This text is not speaking of one who “misses” a church service.

1. “Don’t quit assembling together” is the main message of this verse.

2. The opposite of forsaking the assembly is exhorting one another.

3. Four problems with the attendance of some members –

   1. Not worshiping regularly (twice a month, twice a year)

   2. Not worshiping for all the services (Sunday AM only)

   3. Not worshiping at all (not attended in 3 years)

   4. Attending but not worshiping

Hebrews 10:26 If we sin willfully

1. Forsaking the assembly is a “willful” sin.

2. We have received knowledge (understanding) of the truth.

3. There is no sacrifice to cover “willful sin”.

1. Hebrew 6:4

2. Psalm 19:13

3. 1 John 5:16

Hebrews 10:27 What does one who forsakes have ahead of them?

1. Fearful expectations

2. Judgment

3. Fiery indignation

4. Adversary of God

Hebrews 10:28 Difference from the Law of Moses

1. Under the Law of Moses – capital crimes required 2 or 3 witnesses

2. There was no mercy shown.

Hebrews 10:29 Sorer punishment

1. Jesus becomes a rug to wipe your feet on.

2. Treated the blood of Jesus as if it were not holy

3. Spit in the face of the Holy Spirit of God’s grace

Hebrews 10:30 God will deal with them

1. Vengeance belongs to God.

2. God will judge His people.

Hebrews 10:31 Be afraid

1. We should fear God (respect, honor, and obey) Ecclesiastes 12:13

2. If we do not fear (respect and obey) of God then we should fear God (be afraid of the punishment coming).

Conclusion:

1. The issue is not “missing” but intentional neglect.

2. Bodily presence is not as important as the spiritual desire to worship.

3. This is not a matter what we “MUST” do but what we “WANT” to do.