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Sermon Introduction

The author gave a dire warning for those who would fall away. It would be  impossible to restore apostates, those who openly rebel against Christ. The  consequences would be severe. Those who openly revolt against the gospel never  truly belonged. They may look like believers on the outside, but they are false  believers.  

After the stern warning, the author shifted his tone to a positive one. The  author believed that those who remained in the community were different from  the apostates. Those who remained would rather face social and economic  discrimination, even physical persecution than to deny Christ. Even if the  author’s tone was previously threatening, he assured the recipients that the  faithful belong to salvation (6:9). The author’s next words also served as  reminders of what true believers should be doing.  

Dr. Ed Pilapil Jr. Senior Pastor

Hebrews 6:9-12 NASB

9 But, beloved, we are convinced of better things regarding you, and things that accompany salvation, even though we are speaking in this way. 10 For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, by having served and by still serving the saints. 11 And we desire that each one of you demonstrate the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and endurance inherit the promises.

Notes

The author gave a dire warning for those who would fall away. It would be  impossible to restore apostates, those who openly rebel against Christ. The  consequences would be severe. Those who openly revolt against the gospel never  truly belonged. They may look like believers on the outside, but they are false  believers.  

After the stern warning, the author shifted his tone to a positive one. The  author believed that those who remained in the community were different from  the apostates. Those who remained would rather face social and economic  discrimination, even physical persecution than to deny Christ. Even if the  author’s tone was previously threatening, he assured the recipients that the  faithful belong to salvation (6:9). The author’s next words also served as  reminders of what true believers should be doing.  

1. The author encouraged them that God remembered their work and love toward His name (6:10). God is not unjust. He will not forget the hard work  done for His people, the church community, and love towards His name. 

2. The author desired that the believers continue to be diligent in their love and  service as long as they are alive to ensure that their hope will come true (6:11). True believers will persevere in their service to God by serving the community. 

3. The author hoped that their service and love would result in avoiding spiritual  dullness. Instead, they would follow the examples of those who will inherit  the promises of God, which are characterized by faith and endurance (6:12). 

Application

1. Let us receive the encouragement that God remembers our love for His name, and our hard work to build His people. Let us beware of the opposite. God knows if we do not. 

2. Let us diligently serve our church community through our small groups  (growth groups, discipleship groups, & house churches). We may also  volunteer our services in the larger meetings like Sunday Services. The  keyword is diligence, which also means persistence, not inconsistent. 

3. Never fall into laziness and indifference. Let us pray that our community will  never degrade into spiritual dullness. We must avoid spiritual laziness and  indifference. But instead, we should imitate those who persevere in faith and  endurance.