Off the Shelf Sunday School--Hebrews

Eternal Security (6:13-20)

When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.” And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised. Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek. (NIV)

1.?????God’s promise of salvation and the resurrection of our bodies into glorious beings like Jesus sometimes seems distant. The fulfillment of the promise God made to Abraham, to have many descendants, certainly seemed to take forever to fulfill. He had to wait until he was in his old age before Isaac was born. (Gen 21:1-7) How does waiting patiently for the fulfillment of God’s promises test and strengthen our faith? Are there things that you have been praying for years, but you have not received an answer? Why is patient endurance a sign of genuine faith?

2.?????God always does what he says he will do. Therefore, his promises will be fulfilled. However, God added an oath for further assurance that those who have faith are Abraham’s descendants and children of God. These are the two unchangeable things that give Christians assurance of eternal security through faith in Jesus.

3.?????The hope that born-again Christians have is not a “cross your fingers” type but rather it is certain, but not yet fully realized. (Rom 5:1-10, 15:4, Gal 5:5; Eph 1:18-21)

4.?????The “hope” we have in the gospel is like an anchor. It is firm and secure. Our salvation is based on the work and election of God. It does not depend upon us, so it cannot be lost by our actions. (Eph 2:1-10) How is your faith like an anchor that holds you firm through the trials of life?

5.?????The image of Jesus as our high priest, who entered the inner sanctuary, gives us great assurance of being intimate with God in heaven. Jesus is the perfect human, who is able to satisfy God’s wrath for sins, by his sacrifice for those who put their faith in him. Jesus lives for all eternity in heaven. He is waiting for us and he will defend us before the throne of God when we die. (2 Cor 5:15-21; 1 Tim 2:5-6)

6.?????How does this hope that Christians have change our attitude about death? How does this explain why unbelievers fear death and are desperate to enjoy live as much as possible? How does this explain why many people become depressed and need medications or other drugs to make them feel better??