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Hebrews 6:16-20

¹⁶When people take an oath, they call on someone greater than themselves to hold them to it. And without any question that oath is binding. ¹⁷God also bound himself with an oath, so that those who received the promise could be perfectly sure that he would never change his mind. ¹⁸So God has given us both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can take new courage, for we can hold on to his promise with confidence.

¹⁹This confidence is like a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain of heaven into God’s inner sanctuary. ²⁰Jesus has already gone in there for us. He has become our eternal High Priest in the line of Melchizedek.

Reflect

The President of the United States is arguably the most powerful person in the world, yet, during his inauguration, he is administered the Presidential Oath of Office with his left hand on the Bible and the last words he usually says are, “So help me God.” By calling on someone greater than himself, he binds himself to that oath.

God does not have anyone greater than Himself to take an oath to but He uses this human method of taking an oath to show Abraham and his descendents that He will fulfill His promises. In calling upon his own name, God shows us that His promises are unconditional and eternal.

Respond

Why is it important to call on someone greater than ourselves when we take an oath?

How can the believer be certain that God’s promise of obtaining spiritual maturity will come to pass?

An anchor holds a ship steady even during storms. Why is it important to believers to have an anchor for their souls?

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If you would like a printable copy of this devotional, we have provided one here.

This is Pastor Bart Wilkins speaking on Hebrews, Chapter 6 entitled “Guarantee Your Place”.

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Hebrews 6:13-15

¹³For example, there was God’s promise to Abraham. Since there was no one greater to swear by, God took an oath in his own name, saying:

¹⁴
“I will certainly bless you richly,
and I will multiply your descendants into countless millions.”

¹⁵Then Abraham waited patiently, and he received what God had promised.

Reflect

Growing up near the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri, we used to fish a lot. While I was younger, I never had the patience to fish. In my quest to catch a fish, I would give up before I caught anything - missing out on any opportunity to catch the big one. As I matured, I understood that catching the big fish took patience. If I fished long enough, the trophy fish would come.

Abraham was patient. He knew that God would keep his promise and he was mature enough to know to wait on God. By being patient, Abraham received what God had promised.

Respond

Have you ever missed out on something because you weren’t patient?

What can we do to resist the temptation to not wait patiently on God?

Abraham is a great example of patient endurance. Why is it important for believers today to have these examples to follow?

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If you would like a printable copy of this devotional, we have provided one here.

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Hebrews 6:9-12

⁹Dear friends, even though we are talking like this, we really don’t believe that it applies to you. We are confident that you are meant for better things, things that come with salvation. ¹⁰For God is not unfair. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other Christians, as you still do. ¹¹Our great desire is that you will keep right on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true. ¹²Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and patience.

Reflect

At halftime with his team playing well, a coaches job is to get his players to maintain their level of play for the second half. He praises his players’ for what they have done right and challenges and encourages them to continue to do the same things in order to meet their goal of winning the game.

Likewise, the author of Hebrews is praising the readers for living their life as Christ commands and encourages them to continue so that they will inherit God’s promises.

Respond

How does loving others keep you from becoming spiritually dull and indifferent?

The author is praising his readers for caring for other Christians. What can you do this week to care for other Christians?

The author encourages his readers to follow the examples of other faithful Christians. Who do you look to as an example of a faithful and patient Christian?

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If you would like a printable copy of this devotional, we have provided one here.

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Hebrews 6:4-8

⁴For it is impossible to restore to repentance those who were once enlightened–those who have experienced the good things of heaven and shared in the Holy Spirit, ⁵who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the power of the age to come– ⁶and who then turn away from God. It is impossible to bring such people to repentance again because they are nailing the Son of God to the cross again by rejecting him, holding him up to public shame.

⁷When the ground soaks up the rain that falls on it and bears a good crop for the farmer, it has the blessing of God. ⁸But if a field bears thistles and thorns, it is useless. The farmer will condemn that field and burn it.

Reflect

This is the tale of three students. Student A goes to class everyday, watches the teacher but doesn’t pay attention to what they are saying. Student B starts going to class but over time, started skipping class until eventually he stopped going all together.
Student C goes to class everyday, has a desire to learn and pays attention to the teacher. Which student passes the class?

As believers in Christ, we are like the above students. We can be like Student A who, by their inaction, failed the class when tested. We can be like Student B who was eventually dropped from the class because of the choice that they made. Or, we can be like Student C who, when tested, had the knowledge to pass the class. What student are you most like?

Respond

Once you have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of your life, is it possible to then reject Him?

In what areas of your life are you producing good fruit?

Are there any areas of your life that are producing thistles and thorns?

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If you would like a printable copy of this devotional, we have provided one here.

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Hebrews 6:1-3

¹So let us stop going over the basics of Christianity again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start all over again with the importance of turning away from evil deeds and placing our faith in God. ²You don’t need further instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. ³And so, God willing, we will move forward to further understanding.

Reflect

Johnny never left the first grade. All of his friends advanced in grade year after year, but Johnny kept repeating first grade. He didn’t have a desire to learn more. Eventually, all of his friends graduated from school, leaving Johnny alone, still in first grade.

Today’s reading implores us to continue to seek spiritual maturity. We need to have the basics of our faith settled in our hearts and minds so that we can move on toward spiritual graduation.

Respond

Why is it important to continue to mature as Christians?

Although this book was written to Jewish believers years ago, does it still apply to Christians today?

What do you do daily to get beyond the basics?

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If you would like a printable copy of this devotional, we have provided one here.

If you are also participating in our group study on Hebrews, you can download your Chapter 6 Study Materials.

This week our lead pastor, Bart Wilkins, was away so we had a guest speaker. Pastor Jay Newland serves New Creation Community Church in Millard, NE. You can find out more about New Creation at http://www.reallifechange.net.

Pastor Jay’s message today is entitled - “Just Visiting”.

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