Can we be sure we are going to Heaven?

Can we be sure we are going to Heaven? (Hebrews 10:19–39)

Hebrews 10:19–39 19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. 26 For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. 28 Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses. 29 How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him who said [Deuteronomy 32:35], “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.” 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. 32 But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, 33 sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. 34 For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. 35 Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. 37 For, [Habakkuk 2:4] “Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay; 38 but my righteous one shall live by faith,  and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.” 39 But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.

=5 Kinds of People – Judge yourself

Person #1: The Non-Christian needing Jesus Christ

Person #2: Christians needing assurance

Hebrews 10:19 we have confidence
Hebrews 10:22 full assurance of faith
Hebrews 10:23 he who promised is faithful
Hebrews 10:35 do not throw away your confidence
Hebrews 10:39 we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.

1. Hebrews 10:19-20 Jesus has given us access “to enter the holy places…by the new and living way that he opened for us”
2. Hebrews 10:19-20 Jesus paid for our sin with His “blood” and “flesh” 
3. Hebrews 10:21 Jesus is our forever “great priest” 
4. Hebrews 10:22-23 Jesus gives us “a true heart”, and “full assurance of faith”, making us “clean” and “pure”. 
5. Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. (your faith is in a faithful God)

Person #3: Christians needing their next step. 

Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

• Before sin entered world – “not good to be alone”
• A). NT letters churches assembled B). Leaders over churches 
• Universal Church vs Local Church (FOREVER FAMILY) 

1. A family helps each other – “stir up one another to love and good works”
2. A family does life together – “not neglecting to meet together”
3. A family supports one another – “encouraging one another”

Person #4: Apostates denying Christ in belief and/or behavior.  

Hebrews 10:26-31 For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries...How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant...and has outraged the Spirit of grace? For we know him who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. 

• Severe weather alert. Severe spiritual alert. Apostates

4^th of 5 “warning passages” in Hebrews

Apostates – claim Christ, but deny in (use God’s grace vs abuse God’s grace)

1. Belief
2. Behavior

Jesus says of apostates in Matthew 7:21–23, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

Warning to Apostates (Are you Judas?) 

Person #5: Christian prodigals veering off course.  

Hebrews 10:32-39 ...recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction...you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised...my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.” But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.

-Prodigal story (vs Apostate)

1 Jn 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.

1.    Look back when you get off course = “recall the former days” – testimony? 

1. “do not throw away your confidence” 
2. “you have need of endurance”

=Perseverance of the saints (vs once saved always saved) 

Heb 10:39 we are not of those who shrink back & are destroyed, but…have faith & preserve their souls.
2 Tim 2:13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself.
2 Thess 3:3 the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.
Phil 1:6 I am sure of this…he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of JC 
Ps 37:28 the LORD loves justice; he will not forsake his saints. They are preserved forever…
Lam 3:40 Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the LORD!
Matt 24:13 the one who endures to the end will be saved.

Rom 8:38–39For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.