"Let Us...." Spiritual Resolutions from the Epistle to the Hebrews.

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Spiritual Resolutions Spiritual Resolutions from the Epistle to from the Epistle to

the Hebrewsthe Hebrews

Spiritual Resolutions Spiritual Resolutions from the Epistle to from the Epistle to

the Hebrewsthe Hebrews

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Spiritual Spiritual ResolutionsResolutions

Spiritual Spiritual ResolutionsResolutions As one year draws to a close and another As one year draws to a close and another

dawns, resolutions dawns, resolutions - - or pledges or pledges -- are are being made for the New Year. being made for the New Year.

Generally, most people resolve to do Generally, most people resolve to do such mundane things as lose weight, such mundane things as lose weight, break a bad habit or settle a dispute.break a bad habit or settle a dispute.

The Epistle to the Hebrews contains The Epistle to the Hebrews contains several divine admonitions, which several divine admonitions, which -- if we if we resolve to accept them resolve to accept them -- will have a much will have a much greater impact on our lives than things greater impact on our lives than things we might otherwise resolve to do.we might otherwise resolve to do.

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Concerning Concerning AttitudeAttitude


1)1) Therefore, since a promise remains of Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it (4:1). you seem to have come short of it (4:1).

This is a resolution to be more in awe This is a resolution to be more in awe of who God is, and of what it means of who God is, and of what it means to displease Him. to displease Him.

This Holy Awe will have a sobering This Holy Awe will have a sobering effect upon our daily activities. effect upon our daily activities.

The facts the inspired writer had just The facts the inspired writer had just related should produce this in us.related should produce this in us.

1)1) Therefore, since a promise remains of Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it (4:1). you seem to have come short of it (4:1).

This is a resolution to be more in awe This is a resolution to be more in awe of who God is, and of what it means of who God is, and of what it means to displease Him. to displease Him.

This Holy Awe will have a sobering This Holy Awe will have a sobering effect upon our daily activities. effect upon our daily activities.

The facts the inspired writer had just The facts the inspired writer had just related should produce this in us.related should produce this in us.

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Hebrews 3:12-19Hebrews 3:12-19Hebrews 3:12-19Hebrews 3:12-19Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. deceitfulness of sin.

For we have become partakers of Christ if For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end, while it is said: steadfast to the end, while it is said: “Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not “Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”

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Hebrews 3:12-19Hebrews 3:12-19For who, having heard, rebelled? Indeed, For who, having heard, rebelled? Indeed, was it not all who came out of Egypt, led by was it not all who came out of Egypt, led by Moses? Moses?

Now with whom was He angry forty years? Now with whom was He angry forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose Was it not with those who sinned, whose corpses fell in the wilderness? corpses fell in the wilderness?

And to whom did He swear that they would And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey? obey?

So we see that they could not enter in So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. because of unbelief.

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2)2) Let us therefore be diligent to enter Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of to the same example of disobedience (4:11). disobedience (4:11).

This resolution is to make haste, This resolution is to make haste, which will be relatively easy to which will be relatively easy to keep if we can only keep the first keep if we can only keep the first one, for it is Holy Awe that one, for it is Holy Awe that produces Holy Haste.produces Holy Haste.

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Be diligent to present yourself approved Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. truth.

But without faith it is impossible to please But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Hebrews 11:6Hebrews 11:6

2 Timothy 2:152 Timothy 2:15

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3)3) Seeing then that we have a great Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession let us hold fast our confession (4:14). (4:14).

This is to resolve to be more This is to resolve to be more stable in our claim to be stable in our claim to be Christians. Christians.

Holy Awe and Holy Haste Holy Awe and Holy Haste produce Holy Stability.produce Holy Stability.

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4)4) Let us therefore come boldly to the Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time mercy and find grace to help in time of need (4:16). of need (4:16).

This resolution is to allow Holy This resolution is to allow Holy Awe, Holy Haste and Holy Awe, Holy Haste and Holy Stability to create within us a Stability to create within us a Holy Confidence that He will help Holy Confidence that He will help us “in time of need.”us “in time of need.”

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Concerning Concerning GrowthGrowth


5)5) Therefore, leaving the discussion of the Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection (6:1). to perfection (6:1).

It is impossible for us to make Holy It is impossible for us to make Holy Progress in our relationship with God if Progress in our relationship with God if we are always discussing basic we are always discussing basic principles and failing to confront the principles and failing to confront the difficult themes of God’s word. difficult themes of God’s word.

Keeping the previous resolutions of Holy Keeping the previous resolutions of Holy Awe, Holy Haste, Holy Stability and Holy Awe, Holy Haste, Holy Stability and Holy Confidence will aid us tremendously in Confidence will aid us tremendously in keeping this one.keeping this one.

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6)6) Let us draw near with a true heart Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed conscience and our bodies washed with pure water (10:22). with pure water (10:22).

The acts of worship God expects The acts of worship God expects of us are designed to draw us of us are designed to draw us nearer to Him in Holy Fellowship. nearer to Him in Holy Fellowship.

But worship, to profit us, must But worship, to profit us, must be in harmony with God's word. be in harmony with God's word.

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John 4:22-24John 4:22-24““You worship what you do not know; You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour is salvation is of the Jews. But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”worship in spirit and truth.”

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6)6) Let us draw near with a true heart in Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water and our bodies washed with pure water (10:22). (10:22).

Until our bodies have been washed Until our bodies have been washed with pure water with pure water - - in baptism in baptism -- and and our hearts have been sprinkled from our hearts have been sprinkled from an evil conscience an evil conscience -- in forgiveness in forgiveness -- we are not qualified to engage in we are not qualified to engage in true worship. true worship.

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6)6) Let us draw near with a true heart in full Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water (10:22). bodies washed with pure water (10:22).

But, having thus qualified ourselves, But, having thus qualified ourselves, we must still “draw near with a true we must still “draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith.” heart in full assurance of faith.”

The proper acts of worship will not The proper acts of worship will not achieve their designed purpose unless achieve their designed purpose unless they are accompanied by faith.they are accompanied by faith.

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7)7) Let us hold fast the confession of our Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful (10:23). promised is faithful (10:23).

This is a resolution to Holy This is a resolution to Holy Perseverance. Perseverance.

We cannot afford to waver in our We cannot afford to waver in our worship or service to God for we worship or service to God for we could die, or the Lord could come, could die, or the Lord could come, while we are wavering and we while we are wavering and we would have no chance to repent. would have no chance to repent.

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8)8) And let us consider one another in order to And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works (10:24). stir up love and good works (10:24).

This resolution is to give Holy This resolution is to give Holy Consideration to those who look to us for Consideration to those who look to us for encouragement. encouragement.

John Donne, the English poet said “No John Donne, the English poet said “No man is an island.” man is an island.”

This is a scriptural concept, inasmuch as This is a scriptural concept, inasmuch as the Lord, through the apostles, instituted the Lord, through the apostles, instituted the local church wherein Christians can the local church wherein Christians can and should be of mutual and reciprocal and should be of mutual and reciprocal support. support.

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8)8) And let us consider one another in And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works order to stir up love and good works (10:24). (10:24).

Let us be there for one another Let us be there for one another in 2007.in 2007.

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Concerning Concerning FruitFruit


9)9) Therefore we also, since we are Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us (12:1). ensnares us (12:1).

This resolution to Holy Surrender This resolution to Holy Surrender is preparatory to the next one. is preparatory to the next one.

We must surrender or forfeit We must surrender or forfeit everything that will either slow everything that will either slow us down or ensnare us. us down or ensnare us.

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9)9) Therefore we also, since we are Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us (12:1). ensnares us (12:1).

There are some things not wrong in There are some things not wrong in and of themselves that will be more and of themselves that will be more problematic than helpful in one’s problematic than helpful in one’s living the life that he ought to live.living the life that he ought to live.

They are unnecessary weights.They are unnecessary weights.

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10)10)Let us run with endurance the race that Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us (12:1). is set before us (12:1).

This is a resolution to Holy This is a resolution to Holy Dedication, and can only be kept if, Dedication, and can only be kept if, and to the extent, the previous one is and to the extent, the previous one is kept. kept.

““The race that is set before us” is The race that is set before us” is the life that one ought to live morally the life that one ought to live morally and spiritually. and spiritually.

If one is to persevere he must “run If one is to persevere he must “run with endurance.”with endurance.”

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11)11)Therefore, since we are receiving a Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and God acceptably with reverence and godly fear (12:28). godly fear (12:28). This resolution is to Holy Usefulness This resolution is to Holy Usefulness

in the temporal kingdom of heaven, in the temporal kingdom of heaven, while it can and will be shaken, in while it can and will be shaken, in order that we may enjoy the eternal order that we may enjoy the eternal kingdom of heaven, when it cannot kingdom of heaven, when it cannot be shaken. be shaken.

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2 Peter 1:5-112 Peter 1:5-11But also for this very reason, giving all But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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2 Peter 1:5-112 Peter 1:5-11For he who lacks these things is For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. Therefore, brethren, be even old sins. Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

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12)12)Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach. For here the camp, bearing His reproach. For here we have no continuing city, but we seek we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come (13:13-14). the one to come (13:13-14).

This is a resolution to Holy Sacrifice. This is a resolution to Holy Sacrifice. To the first-century Jewish Christians it To the first-century Jewish Christians it

involved leaving mainstream Judaism.involved leaving mainstream Judaism. To Gentile Christians in the twenty-To Gentile Christians in the twenty-

first century it could very well involve first century it could very well involve turning one’s back on the “family turning one’s back on the “family religion.”religion.”

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Matthew 10:34-39Matthew 10:34-39““Do not think that I came to bring peace on Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to sword. For I have come to 'set a man against his 'set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law';daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law'; and and 'a man's enemies will be those of his own 'a man's enemies will be those of his own household.'household.' He who loves father or mother more He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.” for My sake will find it.”

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Mark 10:29-30Mark 10:29-30So Jesus answered and said, “Assuredly, So Jesus answered and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel's, who shall not My sake and the gospel's, who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time--receive a hundredfold now in this time--houses and brothers and sisters and houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with mothers and children and lands, with persecutions--and in the age to come, persecutions--and in the age to come, eternal life.”eternal life.”

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13)13)Therefore by Him let us continually Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name (13:15). thanks to His name (13:15).

This resolution is to Holy This resolution is to Holy Gratitude, the natural response Gratitude, the natural response to the knowledge that Jesus has to the knowledge that Jesus has prepared us a continuing city in prepared us a continuing city in heaven above.heaven above.

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Are You Resolved...Are You Resolved......no longer to linger, charmed by the world's ...no longer to linger, charmed by the world's delight? delight?

...to go to the Savior, leaving your sin and strife?...to go to the Savior, leaving your sin and strife?

...to follow the Savior, faithful and true each day?...to follow the Savior, faithful and true each day?

...to enter the kingdom, leaving the paths of sin?...to enter the kingdom, leaving the paths of sin?

...to be taught by the Bible?...to be taught by the Bible?

...to be led by the Spirit?...to be led by the Spirit?

...to walk the heavenly way?...to walk the heavenly way?

...no longer to linger, charmed by the world's ...no longer to linger, charmed by the world's delight? delight?

...to go to the Savior, leaving your sin and strife?...to go to the Savior, leaving your sin and strife?

...to follow the Savior, faithful and true each day?...to follow the Savior, faithful and true each day?

...to enter the kingdom, leaving the paths of sin?...to enter the kingdom, leaving the paths of sin?

...to be taught by the Bible?...to be taught by the Bible?

...to be led by the Spirit?...to be led by the Spirit?

...to walk the heavenly way?...to walk the heavenly way?

"Let Us...." Spiritual Resolutions from the Epistle to the Hebrews.

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