In this chapter the apostle exhorts the believing Hebrews not to rest in the rudiments of the Christian religion they had learned; and much less to lay them again in the foundation after the Jewish manner, of which he instances in six particulars; but to seek after a perfect knowledge of evangelic truths, which, under a divine permission, was his determination to do, Heb 6:1-3 which was the best method to prevent apostasy, he dissuades from; by giving the characters of apostates, showing how far they may go in the knowledge of divine things, and yet fall away; by asserting the impossibility of their repentance and recovery, with the reason of it, taken from the blackness of their crimes, Heb 6:4-6 and the difference between them, and true believers, he illustrates by two sorts of earth, the one takes in the rain that comes down from heaven, and brings forth herbs for the use of its dresser, and is blessed of God: such are true believers in Christ, Heb 6:7 the other bears thorns and briers, and is rejected and cursed, and in the issue burned; and to such earth the above apostates may be compared, Heb 6:8 but lest the believing Hebrews, such as were truly gracious among them, should conclude that this was their case, and that it was desperate; and lest they should think the apostle had an ill opinion of them, he declares he was otherwise persuaded of them, and hoped and believed they were interested in the things of salvation, Heb 6:9 the reasons of which persuasion are taken from the work of grace, which was wrought in them; from their laborious love they showed to the name of God, and to his people, and which they continued to show: and from the righteousness of God in not forgetting all this, Heb 6:10. And then he proceeds to exhort them to diligence in the exercise of grace, and discharge of duty, that so they might arrive to a full assurance of hope, Heb 6:11 and not to indulge slothfulness, but to be followers of the saints that were gone before them; whose character is, that through faith, and patience, they had inherited the promises, things the apostle would have those believers imitate them in, Heb 6:12 and particularly instances in Abraham, the father of this people, and of all believers; who having a promise from God, to which an oath was annexed, patiently waited for it, and obtained it, Heb 6:13-15 and having made mention of an oath, the apostle takes notice of the nature and use of one among men, Heb 6:16 and of the design of God in making use of one himself, which was to confirm his promise, and show its immutability to the heirs of it; and that by observing these two immutable things, which could never fail, they might have solid and abiding comfort: even all such, who, under a sense of danger, flee to Christ for refuge, who is the ground of hope proposed to them in the Gospel, to lay hold upon, Heb 6:17,18 and because of the firmness of the grace of hope, as it is conversant with Christ, and is cast on him, the good ground of it, it is compared to an anchor; and is said to be sure and steadfast, and to enter within the vail, where Christ is gone as a forerunner; and which is an encouragement to that grace to enter in after him; who is further described by his name Jesus, by his office as an high priest, and by the order of which he is, that of Melchizedek, Heb 6:19,20 which is mentioned, to lead on to what the apostle had to say concerning him, in the next chapter.
Today Pastor Jack Morris begins our new series, Living Above the Circumstances, with a beautiful reminder of what God has already placed within the hearts of those who know Him—the gift of Christ, the goodness of His Word, and the promise of eternity.
Put an imitation Rolex next to the real deal, and you probably wouldn’t be able to tell the difference. But open up the inside of those same watches, and the genuine version will become glaringly apparent! On this edition of Focal Point, Mike Fabarez encourages us to open up our lives for appraisal. Are we Christians? Are we really following Christ? In Hebrews, chapter 6 we’ll find biblical tests that can determine the validity of our faith.
If you want to know who is a true follower of Jesus, don’t look for indications in church attendance, verse memorization, or even how much someone knows about Christ! On this edition of Focal Point, Mike Fabarez opens the book of Hebrews to find that faith in Christ is not evidenced by a onetime meeting at an altar, but in a consistent and life-changing relationship!
Around 80 percent of Americans consider themselves Christians. But out of all those that say, “I’m a Christian” … how many actually are? On this edition of Focal Point, Mike Fabarez begins a new mini-series in Hebrews called Almost a Christian. It’s an in-depth look at the difference between those that say they know Jesus and those that truly follow Him. To illustrate the distinction, Pastor Mike uses a familiar relationship as an example.
Pastor Mike Fabarez is in series called, “Almost a Christian.” As the name implies, there are those living today who fall into the category of almost a Christian. Maybe you can think of someone in your own life that perhaps walked an aisle, prayed a prayer and claims to be a Christian. But you sure wouldn’t know it by the life they are now living. What are we to make of this, and how do we really know if they are a Christian or not? Let’s not only look at the lives of others, but in the mirror as well, to see if we’re an almost Christian. Mike helps us make sure we don’t miss Christ amid the benefits of church.
Hebrews six has long been discussed, analyzed, and some have drawn wrong conclusions after studying it. Today we begin a series framed around it. Here on Focal Point, we enter into a series called, “Almost a Christian,” and it’s designed to reveal the difference between an almost Christian and the authentic. What a tragedy it would be to think you’re in the family of God, only to find out on judgment day that you were almost a Christian. Let’s make sure that doesn’t happen to us. Pastor Mike Fabarez has us carefully consider if we’re married to, or merely dating, Christ.
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