sweetschurch.com

The words of Hebrews 10:32-39 teach us how to have enduring faith. The author reminds us to look back at how God has worked in our past, to look up at our high calling, and to look ahead towards the promise of his coming, and our better and enduring possession.

In Hebrews 10:26-31 we receive the fourth and possibly most severe of the five warning passages found in this letter. It clearly speaks of God’s terrifying future judgement on those who willfully sin (deliberately and continually) once they have received the knowledge of the truth. Charles Spurgeon said, “Think lightly of hell and you will think lightly of the cross.” Let's carefully take to heart this important passage of scripture.

In Hebrews 10:19-25 we are challenged to respond to the great spiritual truths that have been laid down in the previous chapters. Our response must be to draw near to God in faith, to hold fast to our confession in hope, and to consider each other in love. Faith, hope and love!

Hebrews 10:1-18 concludes what the author has been saying in the first 9 chapters.

He does this by contrasting the shadow with the reality, and then the author reminds us of the temporary nature of the old covenant sacrifices along with the once and for all completed work of Jesus on the cross.

Hebrews 9:15-27 teaches us about the need for blood sacrifice in both the old and new covenant. However, the author clearly shows the superior sacrifice of Jesus Christ, whose cleaning blood retroactively covered the sins of the old testament saints, and proactively covers the sins of all those who have put their trust in Him. He also shows us that Jesus has enacted his will by his death, and now mediates his will as a LIVING testator. This is only possible because he is the eternal Son of God.

Hebrews 9:1-14 shows us how the Old Covenant Tabernacle and sacrifices fell short of dealing with sin and guilt. Even the day of atonement was like a car wash at the end of a mud road. They looked forward to Jesus in the heavenly tabernacle with his eternal sacrifice. We have now been washed clean by our High Priest and mediator Jesus Christ so that we can serve the Living God!

In this doxology (word of praise), God is referred to as eternal and only wise. Paul uses these attributes in light of the Gospel message he has just presented to the church in Rome.

Because God is eternal, we cannot hide from him.

Because God is eternal, his promises are forever.

Because God is only wise, we can trust His plans completely

These are the scriptures referenced or alluded to in this message:

Romans 16:25-27 (NKJV)

Job 36:26 (ESV)

James 1:17 (NKJV)

John 1:1-4 (NKJV)

Hebrews 9:14 (NKJV)

Hebrews 1:3 (NKJV)

Hebrews 11:3 (NKJV)

Psalm 90:2 (ESV)

Psalm 90:7-8 (ESV)

Hebrews 4:13 (NKJV)

Romans 1:20 (NKJV)

Psalm 139 7-12 (NKJV)

1 Peter 1:23-25 (ESV)

Matthew 24:35 (ESV)

Psalm 119:160 (ESV)

Hebrews 6:13 (NKJV)

Psalm 102:12 (ESV)

How should Paul finish his letter to the Romans? Paul takes the pen in his hand to complete this letter with a doxology (a word of praise). The goal of theology should always be doxology. In this doxology, Paul shows us that God can establish us.

“I want to see you experts in good, and not even beginners in evil.” J.B.Phillips

God has called us to a life of obedience in which we grow in the truth as we follow Jesus, guided by his Word and empowered by his Spirit. Regarding evil, we are not even beginners. We do this with the anticipation of Christ’s return, and the crushing of Satan’s head.

When you come to a section of Scripture like Romans 16 with its long list of names, it’s good to keep in mind Paul’s words to Timothy “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

We should still be praying Psalm 119 as we read this scripture.

Open my eyes, that I may behold

wondrous things out of your law.

Psalm 119:18

Even though Paul isn’t teaching here (he is greeting his friends). The Holy Spirit is still speaking through Paul and can teach us about the church in Rome. Through Paul’s greeting to his friends in Rome, we learn that the Roman church family was diverse and hard-working, whose faith was deeply rooted in their knowledge of God.