Hebrews 3:1- 4:11, Feb 12, 2023; If we Hold Fast the Confidence to the End

This week the writer of Hebrews is emphasizing the need for persevering faith, which is saving faith. He compares the readers current plight of persecution with the Jews of Moses’ day who were on their way to the promised land. Under the leadership of Moses, the Jewish people were set free from the slavery of Egypt, but they did not mix that freedom with faith in the God who worked the miracles to set them free. They were always complaining about facing hardship and death, demanding to go back to Egypt. In doing so they proved that they were not really God’s children by faith.

Thus the writer of Hebrews exhorts the Jews who were professing faith in Jesus of his day that they only truly belong to Jesus IF they hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end. The only way to enter God’s rest (heaven), is to having saving faith until death.

Pastor Kevin compares the persecution at the time Hebrews was written with the persecutions that are coming to the American Christians. He also reads some examples from Fox’s Book of Martyrs, as an encouragement of what the Saints of old endured for confessing faith in Jesus as their savior.

Associated notes and links are at calvarypo.org under Sermon Archives, Hebrews, https://calvarypo.org/sermons/if-we-hold-fast-the-confidence-to-the-end-hebrews-31-411/

Maranatha!