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Sermon Introduction

The author instructed the recipients to move on from the elementary teachings to more solid food. All believers should move on and stop focusing on the lesson for babies or those who have fallen away.

Since the beginning of the epistle, the author explained the superiority of Christ over Judaism. In several parts of the letter, he reprimanded and warned them not to fall away. He used those who have fallen away as an example, that it was impossible to bring them back to repentance since they openly mocked the Savior. He cautioned that those who fall away would be cursed and burned.

Dr Steve Bonilla Elder

Hebrews 6:4-8 NASB

4 For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame. 7 For ground that drinks the rain which often falls on it and produces vegetation useful to those for whose sake it is also tilled, receives a blessing from God; 8 but if it yields thorns and thistles, it is worthless and close to being cursed, and it ends up being burned.

Notes

The author instructed the recipients to move on from the elementary teachings to more solid food. All believers should move on and stop focusing on the lesson for babies or those who have fallen away.

Since the beginning of the epistle, the author explained the superiority of Christ over Judaism. In several parts of the letter, he reprimanded and warned them not to fall away. He used those who have fallen away as an example, that it was impossible to bring them back to repentance since they openly mocked the Savior. He cautioned that those who fall away would be cursed and burned.

1. It is impossible to bring to repentance those who have fallen away (6:4a). The writer was speaking about those from the community who went back to Judaism. Those who have fallen away put the Son of God into open shame (6:6).

2. The author described them as those who experienced God’s blessings in many ways just because they participated in the community. At first glance, we might presume the apostates to be believers. But a closer look at the text does not confirm it (6:4-5).

3. Some clarifications: (a) to be enlightened means aware, not saving faith (b) tasting the heavenly gift, according to scholars, is the Lord’s supper, not eternal life, (c) partakers of the Spirit is not indwelling, (d) tasted the word of God, heard the teachings, but not believing and obeying, and (e) tasted the powers of the age to come, the future hope of each genuine believer (6:4-5).

4. Those who receive the rain of God’s blessings in the community should bear fruit, useful in Christ. But if not, if they produce thorns and thistles, they shall be like a land that is cursed and burned (6:7-8).

Application

1. Make sure your faith in Christ is genuine. If your faith in Him is genuine, your repentance is also genuine, and your obedience is wholehearted. If you profess Christ, but you do not follow Christ with full conviction, you are a fake. You might experience blessings, but that is not proof of saving faith.

2. Fear God and believe in the gospel of Christ. Make sure of your salvation. Humble yourself in the presence of God if you took the gospel lightly, and if you have not fully submitted your whole life to His sovereignty. The result should be faith-filled obedience, which is the result of genuine repentance.

Discussion Guide

1. What is the warning of the author?

2. Why is it impossible to restore to repentance those who have fallen away?

3. Were they true believers? Those who professed to have repented but have fallen away?

4. How should we respond to the warning of the author?