Hebrews 3:7-19

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

The Second of Five Warning Passages to the Hebrews

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. Professing Christians can fall away from the living God.

  2. It is possible to be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Do you have a high view of the inspiration of Scripture?

QUESTIONS

  1. The author gives a strong warning to his readers in Hebrews chapter two. What is that warning?

  2. What is the warning given in the second half of Hebrews chapter three?

  3. Are there cults today that elevate man to the status of God and lower Christ to the level of people or angels, or is that just a thing of the past?

  4. What are some of the appeals to return to Judaism from Christianity?

  5. Read Hebrews 3:12 What is the meaning of the Greek word for, “departing” or “falling away from”?

  6. Can a true believer lose his salvation?

ANSWERS

  1. To make sure of their salvation and not drift away by neglecting so great a salvation. See Hebrews 2:1-3.

  2. The author warns against unbelief and the possibility of falling short of God’s rest.

  3. Unfortunately, this is true today as well as in the past.

  4. The Jews could escape both reproach of Christ and being persecuted for the sake of Christ. There was an appeal in the beauty of the temple and its rituals.

  5. It means to turn away from a position or profession of faith once held. We get the word “apostasy” from this word.

  6. No, a true believer cannot lose his salvation, but it is possible to be a professing Christian and not be a true believer. See Hebrews 3:12.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. Discuss the difference between professing Christians and true believers. Consider this difference in light of “once saved always saved.” Remember, faith is the root of salvation; perseverance is the fruit of salvation.

  2. Re-read Hebrews 3:12-1 Sin is deceitful, and over time it dulls the conscience to the point where it is tolerated and even accepted. Consider how desensitized Christians are to sin today. Can we use the excuse, “It’s part of our culture”? How do you combat this desensitization to sin?

CHALLENGE

  1. Read Hebrews 3:7-11 and Psalm 95:7:1 The Holy Spirit is the Author of every verse in the Bible. Do you have a high view of the inspiration of scripture? Do you approach the word of God with reverence and with a readiness to obey? The Bible is not man’s words about God, but God’s word to man. The Lord Jesus had a high view of God’s word. Read Matthew 4:4.

KEY VERSES

  • “The Holy Spirit says, ‘Today if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts…’” Hebrews 3:7-8

  • “Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God, but exhort one another daily…lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” Hebrews 3:12-13

  • “…we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.” Hebrews 3:19



Hebrews, New Testament, TitusDeb HarmsHebrews 3:7-19