We studied the book of Hebrews a few months ago during our Wednesday night Bible study hour, and many of you will recall that it is perhaps the most intensive book in the Bible when it comes to pastoral concerns.
This book was written to a group of Jewish Christians, “Hebrews”, thirty years after the death and resurrection of Jesus. Jerusalem was still intact, as was the temple. The insane Nero was not yet in power, so by and large, whereas Christians were being harassed, they were not yet being fully persecuted. But if you read Hebrews it’s clear that the author thought that these earliest Christians were getting a bit lazy, and perhaps even distracted from the main thing—Jesus Christ. He was burdened that their life styles were compromised and lethargic—they were living as if they were tired of waiting for Jesus to return. This has been a challenge for Christianity for two millennium.
Paul, James, Peter and John all wrote letters to encourage those that they pastored, but their messages, as in Hebrews, always included rebukes for the followers of Jesus forgetting the basics! That kind of preaching of the first century seems to be lacking most of the modern sermons I have heard from the modern pastors—even when I was in seminary 45 years ago. The stern, rebuking, prophetic voices of Amos, Isaiah, and the apostles has been largely replaced with gentle voices that tell warms stories and make you feel good. If most preachers offer an angry voice in the pulpit, it’s to point out the sins of those not represented in the congregation. The author of Hebrews did not candy-coat his words—-these tough words are meant for the Christians that were reading the letter. This is message this is for you and me—not someone that would never come into this sanctuary.
He says things like— “by this time you ought to be teachers”… and, “You need to persevere”. And because he says the same thing more than once, you get the idea that he’s nervous about their behavior! There’s an urgency to his words. “Tougher times were coming”, the author seems to be saying. He’s trying to buck them up for the inevitable “falling away” of those who were never on fire in the first place. Some were perhaps turning away from Jesus, and returning to Judaism because of the suffering they were enduring.
Christian communities are called (as communities) to pursue peace and holiness with watchful concern for each member. We so often individualize the comments of the Apostles that permeate the New Testament. We think, for example, of holiness primarily as a personal matter. But it’s both personal and something for the body—-those of us corporately in this room—to pursue.
So here’s what the message today: “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. Even though he sought the blessing with tears, he could not change what he had done.” Hebrews 12:14-17, NIV
When you read the words, “see to it”, or “watch”, in the New Testament, it’s a phrase of apprehension and expression of alarm over the possibility of something disastrous. It is a call to community engagement, as well as personal concern. The author of Hebrews was mindful of three things:
That no one falls short
That no bitter root grows up
That no one is sexually immoral or godless
This whole chapter is about the difficult nature of the Christian life—it’s not easy! Being a Christian is not for wimps! Paul and the author of Hebrews describe the Christian life not as a stroll in the park, or a casual jog, but as a race! And a race requires both pacing yourself, a focus on the finish line, and the realization that there’s no time to take a break or leave the track! But as we run that race, and endure God’s disciple, our fixation, prize and goal is Jesus Christ—the pioneer and perfecter of faith” (Hebrews 12:2). But this chapter is not just about personal piety, because pursuing peace and holiness are matters for the community also, not just for individual Christians, but for the “ecclesia”, the church—this congregation, such as we have right here this morning.
Similarly, he also reminds us that our Father is going to discipline from time time—-and it’s going to hurt. But it’s the way we learn best! When the stove burns our hand, we don’t do it again. I used a sharp knife a few months ago to cut some meat, got distracted, and cut all four fingers badly! It hurt! I learned a lesson! I bought a mace glove to wear the next time I used a super sharp knife to cut meat—and I’ve not cut myself since then. Last weekend I went to Mazie’s party, and I was helping Michael as he used a sharp knife to cut a very, very frozen ice cream cake. And I commented, “be careful, that’s how I cut my hand a few months ago.” Within five minutes he cut his hand and I was asked to cover for him while he got a band-aide. You see, sometimes the pain or discipline we endure can be a lesson we pass off to others so that they can avoid some pain. That’s why we listen to sermons, such as this, and read the Word.
The we’re told: “Make every effort….” This means that you and I have to DO something! There are some things that God expects us to do! At the end of this service I need help to get an 800 pound water slide off the trailer for our big event for kids next Sunday. We can pray about that 800 pound monster, but God will only bless our efforts if we come together as a group and pick it up. I cannot do it alone—we have to work with about eight men to get it done. In all things that matter, we have to try hard!…put our back into it and not give up so easily! And yes, we must pray mightily—- expecting answers. “Make every effort” means that we realize there’s going to be obstacles! A friend three days ago texted me that, “the enemy is not happy with what you are doing at the camp and will attack you with all he has.” Praise God! May the same be true at this church! I hope that our words, love, actions, plans and perseverance are a great annoyance and hindrance to Satan’s work. But greater is that is in me, than he that is of the world! No, I don’t want trouble and persecution, but it represents the most expeditious means of getting folks serious about the work of the Kingdom of God and tends to remove those that are holding back the work.
Live in peace…..No one here should be stirring things up, or spreading gossip, or allowing rivalries to erupt. To live in peace we should not do or say things that don’t need to be done or said that causes divisions. Sure, there are times to rebuke, to silence someone who is speaking improperly, to stand up to bullies, meanness, rudeness, and so forth. But as much as it is up to you and me, “live in peace”. I think that peaceful people tend to keep the peace in a church or family. They know the Prince of Peace intimately and speak to Him throughout the day. Their lives are not up and down and emotional roller coasters—they are steady, and they tend to weather storms in a way inspires those around them to find that inner source of peace.
Be holy…..That means, “set apart”, don’t be like the rest of the world. Holiness is living for God…. and not yourself. It’s trusting Him and not you finances or “street smarts”. Being holy is not being confirmed, convinced or connived by the world or the prince of this world. Your sights become something altogether unexplainable to those outside the family of God. It’s not something you can recite or check off, it’s a entirely new way of living and being. “Be holy” puts the burden on us to allow Him to MAKE US HOLY by divorcing ourselves from all those pretty, tasty, delightful things that the world—and the enemy—says will fill that hole within our souls.
Don’t fall short! Now what in the world does that mean? Is it possible that some of us won’t be found worthy and will not get into heaven? Is he suggesting that there is something we must do, and continue to do or be, if we want to enjoy God, in heaven, forever? Well read the Pauline epistles, the book of Revelations and examine Christ’s parables?! It’s obvious that some people are wrong about their eternal destination! I am not trying to scare those that already have their names written in the book of eternal life, but some people are going to be surprised that they are turned away! Jesus said that many times, and here is the same thing being said in Hebrews! Don’t fall away—-don’t miss out—-don’t find out that you are locked out of the wedding party—-don’t have Him tell you those dreadful words, “depart, I never knew you!” Do you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? Are you sure?! If so, are you walking, believing and trusting Him in such a way that your own life testifies to your new heart and mind? If not, be afraid and do not expect that your tears at heaven’s gates will matter.
NOW is the time to be holy…NOW is the time to be re-born….NOW is the time to make Jesus Christ Lord and Savior of your life.
No bitter roots. Well, the author only said this because there were some bitter roots in that early church—as there are in most churches. Pride….egos….a desire to be in control….an demand to be respected and honored….jealousy of the gifts, possessions, attention that someone else is getting. It’s there, and only by admitting that we’re all vulnerable to bitterness, and therefor in need of His hand of discipline and direction, can we kill the root! Listen to me my friends: I do not trust myself! I trust only Him. I know that I can become angry, bitter and unkind—-unless He has control of my mind, my tongue, my hands and my abilities. Only a fool trusts in his own wisdom and His own self-control in the body of Christ! Submit to Him and let Him speak and work through you. Come against bitter, divisive talk and gossipy conversations.
What is the root—-the thing allows bitterness to grow and sprout? What is it that produces noxious and infectious fruit that defiles the community of saints—i.e. the church? It comes form people whose hearts have turned away from the Lord our God” (cf. Hebrews 3:12-13). Such a person excludes himself from God’s grace and will eventually defile to the community.
“See to it” that no one is sexually immoral or godless like Esau. This is bold…it goes against the tendencies of those of us who are politically correct….or of a “live and let live” mindset. We don’t like the idea of judging others, etc. But when it comes to sexual behavior, the only correct understanding is God’s….we are told not only to not “live” with sexual sin, but to RUN FROM IT….and judgment, within the church, on sexual sin is something that we are told, specifically to do. Sex was God’s gift for us to use in a monogamous, “till death do we part”, way. Sex outside the confines of marriage is wrong—-it’s sin. Why? Because God says so. And we, the church, are supposed to stand up and say so if people within our fellowship are partaking in sexual sin.
The church I served in Raleigh, a very large Methodist Church, recently dismissed two of it’s three senior pastors for sexual sin—and they should have been fired! Do you recall what brought down Jim Bakker and Jimmy Swagger several years ago? Sexual sin has destroyed more ministers—-great champions for God!—than any other sin.
Now, today, is the time to confess your sins to God. This moment is the time to return to God and live a life that glories the Son. God will hear your prayers and will be touched by true tears of remorse—-our tears are signs of our sincerity. But the author reminds us that all of Esaus tears could not bring back what he lost. Don’t think that you can deliberately sin and that your tears will change the past or that those tears will matter if you don’t know Him, and then at the judgment seat of God finally decide to cry. Carpe diem—-seize the day—-make the decision today to return to God.
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