Temple Baptist Church - 2-10-2021
Hebrews 13:9-12
Introduction:
A. To understand the last part of verse 9, we need once again to understand who the Book of Hebrews was written to and why it was written. Hebrews was written to the “strangers scattered,” dispersed Jews.
Acts 8:1-4 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. (2) And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. (3) As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. (4) Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word. (In verse 4, we find that there is spiritual accountability with these saved Jews. They had heard the Word of God and put their faith in the Messiah, Christ Jesus.)
1 Peter 1:1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
2 Peter 3:15-18 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; (16) As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. (17) Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. (18) But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
B. Since we are interpretating verse 9 within its context, I feel it necessary to break this verse down into its components.
Hebrews 13:9 Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.
1. A personal command: “Be not”
a. Personal Responsibility - spiritual growth is a personal choice.
1 Peter 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
2 Peter 3:17-18 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. (18) But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
b. God gives you a Pastor! In verses 7-8, we have seen the tools that God gives to the believer to be used in this process.
Hebrews 13:7-8 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. (8) Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
2. A possibility: “carried” – to be carried, one needs a carrier.
a. This is not the falling away of 2 Thessalonians, chapter 2. That is something that you personally do. “Carried” is something that you allow others to do to you and with you.
2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
b. “Carried” also implies a destination. They are carrying you somewhere! To allow another person to take you where they desire. When you are carried, you may protest but you are moving under the power of another person or thing.
2 Peter 3:17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
3. A perplexity: “about” – this speaks of an uncertain destination.
a. Oft times, when asked where we are going, we will respond with “out and about.” This means that we are not sure where we will end up, we are just going out. So, you do not know where you will end up, you are just leaving where you are.
b. The one who carries knows the destination of his desire. Where is that destination? Away from where the pastor has led you to where he/she wants to take you.
John 21:18 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.
Ephesians 4:14-15 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; (15) But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: (Here is that phrase used in the context of spiritual growth that comes from following your pastor!)
4. A poisoning: “with divers and strange doctrines” – to be led astray by something different or foreign to what you learned from God’s man.
2 Timothy 3:13-14 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. (14) But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
Romans 16:17-18 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. (18) For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
5. A problem: “which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.” The Old Testament said, “Do and live.” The New Testament says, “DONE!”
Conclusion: God’s will for our lives is to have our hearts established in grace, not with meats. These Hebrew recipients understood what Paul was saying.
1. Established with Grace means that the Sacrifice, Jesus Christ—the Lamb of God (John 1:29), had already died for the sins of the world. Grace is unmerited; grace is done!
2. Not with Meats refers to the Old Covenant sacrifices of “bulls and goats” which could never take away sin. These offerings were atonements or coverings until Christ Jesus, the Seed of the Woman would come.
Hebrews 9:10-12 Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation. (11) But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; (12) Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
3. Whereas the sacrifice of Christ was a finished work, the offering of meats was a continual one.
Hebrews 9:7-10 But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: (8) The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: (9) Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; (10) Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.
4. There is a Danger; there is a Deception; there is a Defilement; there is a Destruction.
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