NO FEAR

Stephen Olford comments on this text:

What an encouraging verse this is! Solomon says, “The fear of man brings a snare” (Prov. 29:25). How true this is! Bondage to men because of fear is one of the greatest snares in a Christian's life. But this need not be if the heart is in the experience of this verse: “The Lord is my helper, I will not fear. What can man do to me?” (Heb. 13:6). 

O, that I may enter into the practical experience of this verse; that I may be delivered from the fear of man. It would almost seem that Timothy suffered from the same things, for Paul writes to him, “Stir up the gift of God… . For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord” (2 Tim. 1:6-8). (According to Your Word, pp.216-217)

As I think of those who preach the Gospel, there will frequently be the roar of the devil, as a lion, seeking to terrify us. “If you say that, then so-and-so will be angry. Deal with that topic and this family will leave the church or that businessman will withhold his giving.”  There will be those who seek to intimidate the pastor, bully him and threaten him.

We cannot cave and compromise.  Our Helper is with us.  Fear God and we need fear nothing or no one else! 

OVERCOMING SPIRITUAL SLUGGISHNESS

How do you keep going when your get up and go got up and went?  Physical demand and emotional drain in Christian service can easily lead to spiritual sluggishness. You really do not have to do try to become sluggish. Call it “burnout,” if you will—a condition from burning the candle at both ends.  The writer of Hebrews tells us in chapter six, verses ten through twelve, how to overcome spiritual sluggishness.  You will notice the three great Christian virtues are mentioned: faith, hope, and love.

LABOR IN LOVE, “For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister” (v.10).  Ministry motivated by obligation alone becomes a drudgery and we look for ways to do the minimum. When we are driven by compassion, we discover a dynamic that maximizes effort.  We serve because we love God and love people. Even if we are not rewarded with man’s commendation here,  we know we will have the Master’s crowning hereafter!

ENDURE IN HOPE, “And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end,” (v.11).  Diligence is the opposite of sluggishness. It is the assurance of hope that inspires such effort. Hope rests confidently in an unchanging God.  Marathon runners are victorious when a burst of energy rises as they near the finish line.  Do you want to finish as a sluggish whiner or a strong winner?

IMITATE IN FAITH, “that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises,” (v.12). You must regularly take in the Word of God. As you ingest its principles and digest its promises, you will find faith nourished and growing. Others have done so and we can too!  Biblical stories are filled with the exploits of those who conquered by faith. Church history is replete with the examples of those who overcame by faith. Imitate them!  Such will inspire you and you will shed sluggishness like water on a duck’s back.

In closing, recall Paul’s charge, “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart,” (Gal.6:9).

MILK OR MEAT?

Babies need milk. They would choke on meat. When people come to Christ, they are born again, and need the first principles of God’s Word. That is how they develop.

Growth is normative.  This is discipleship. Believers should mature and move beyond ingesting the milk of the Word to digesting the meat of the Word.

A mark of physical maturity is the capacity to reproduce. Growing the congregation in spiritual maturity yields reproduction also. Those who are taught become teachers themselves.

Another indicator that people are maturing in faith is the skill with which they comprehend and communicate the Scriptures. There is a high level of discernment to sort out truth from error and to practically apply the Word in knowing the good to embrace and the evil to exclude.  The senses are exercised and a vitality in spirituality is evidenced.

Sadly, this congregation of Hebrews had not grown out of spiritual infancy. This is a frustrating matter for a Bible preacher.

Yet, do we shoulder some of the blame?  Have we been so invested in attaining a larger congregation numerically that we have neglected developing a deeper congregation spiritually?  Has there been a resolve on our part to lead the church to set a high standard for membership that demands accountability in discipleship?  Is our own study so shallow that we lack the content and communication skill to serve a hearty meal?

As you prepare to preach will you be able to feed them milk or meat?  Let us prayerfully consider this matter for we will give a strict accounting to God for it at the Judgment Seat of Christ!