Amen. Thank you for tuning in for Bible Studies for Life and our Sunday School lesson as we continue on in our series, Safe and Secure, Our Eternal Security in Christ. We'll be in session two here July the 20th, 2025. The topic will be, Hey, can I walk away from my salvation? I'm glad as we look at the wonderful word of God this morning in Sunday school that we'll be able to notice if we're safe and secure. Your salvation is a wonderful gift from God. Can you lose it? Can you reject it? These are some very serious questions for every believer, particularly during the very difficult times when we do things displeasing to God or we act unthankfully toward him. And we also wonder about friends that once claimed to be Christians, but now they deny their faith. What happened and why? Can they ever come back? Were they really saved in the first place? God wants you to be sure of your salvation and relationship with him. And this is often called the security of the believer. And it is a hallmark of our faith. We as Christians believe God holds us securely and nothing can ever break those bonds. Reconciling this truth with our feelings when life is difficult or our behavior is sketchy can be disorienting. We can easily get confused and we begin to question our salvation. You'll discover in this study how to overcome those doubts. and to stay on a more confident path of spiritual growth. We learn how persevering through the struggles of spiritual growth actually legitimizes your salvation rather than questioning its viability. And so here as we get into our Sunday School series and how that we look at this great gift that we're given. Last time in session one, we talked about can I lose my salvation in John chapter 10 verses 7 through 11. verses 14 through 18 and 27 through 30. Here, as we look at, can I walk away from my salvation? July the 20th in session 2, Hebrews chapter 6, verses 1 through 12. And I may add, I may even jump up to Hebrews chapter 10 to run a little bit more reference to add to this as we get into the wonderful word of God. Now, can I walk away from my salvation? Many of us, we asked ourselves that question. You know, a true relationship with Christ is marked by perseverance and growth. And so every one of us, as we get into our study and look at ourselves, how safe and secure our eternal security is in Christ. Amen. Let's open up with a word of prayer. Heavenly Father, we thank you for our security. Our salvation and Lord, I pray God that you teach us to walk in your word, your diligence, your maturity and your full assurance. Lord, remove the confusion from our minds and plant us firmly in truth. May your spirit guide our study. And convict our hearts and Lord confirm our salvation by grace. Lord, thank you for this Sunday School lesson for the many that listen to it, that they're on a roller coaster ride. They're uncertain. They're confused. Let this straighten out all things that's going on in their life to let them know, Lord, that when you're truly saved, there's nothing that can take you out of the Father's hand. But many people get discouraged. Many people get in dark places. They get down and out. and they go through some very tough boundaries that they try to climb out of. And it seemed like it begins to hold them back to where they can't get to where they want to go. Let this lesson be that one that teaches them, reassures them, that Lord, that if they're truly saved, they can never walk away from it. They can never lose their salvation. because you do everything right the first time. You don't have to go back and save somebody a second or a third time. Lord, when they're saved by the marvelous grace of Jesus Christ, nothing will ever change that, no matter what. In Jesus' marvelous mighty name, amen. You know, here as we look and realize that our scripture is in three places, but maybe four, As I said, I may go over and jump into Hebrews chapter 10, but in Hebrews chapter 6 verses 1, 2, and 3, he says, therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God. Of the doctrine of baptism, of laying on of hands and of resurrection of the dead and of the eternal judgment. and this will we do if God permit. Let's go right on and finish reading as we look at Hebrews chapter 6 verses 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8. In verse 4, for it is important for those who were once enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the world to come. If they shall fall away, to renew them again under repentance, seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh off upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God. But that which beareth thorns and briars is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing, whose end it is to be burned. We continue on with the reading of the word of God in Hebrews 6 verses 9 through 12. But beloved, we have persuaded better things of you and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, and that ye have ministered to the saints and do minister. And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end. That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Well, I'm glad that we look and we realize that how many of us we've all quit something before, hobbies, jobs, diets, but what about faith? You know, can a true believer really walk away from their salvation? And so, if you've been born again, can you ever unbecome a Christian? Well, these are some powerful questions, but Hebrews 6 often stirs a concern, but in context it brings clarity, because When interpreted in context and through the full counsel of scripture, we find clarity and not confusion. Praise God. This passage isn't about the frugality of salvation. It's about the evidence of it. And so that evidence is perseverance. A mature Christian doesn't turn back. They press forward even when it's hard. And so I'm glad as we look and realize that As we get into our outline of our Sunday school lesson, we're reminded the call to grow in Christ. It's the difference between drinking milk as a newborn babe in Christ and eating the meat or the steak. Now, you know, as Hebrews get into this, there's warnings of immaturity or of a falling away, and it goes back into Hebrews chapter 5 and it goes back as far as verse 11 of Hebrews chapter 5 and it continues on into Hebrews chapter 6. And so when we look at the warning of the book of Hebrews, a warning that must be heeded by every believer and church member, it's a warning that strikes at the very foundation of millions of lives. Millions of professing believers and thousands of churches are guilty of this very failing. Immaturity are falling away because in this day and time, there's a danger of immaturity, of falling from Christ. Now, a person has a great need to get past the ABCs of God's word. And when we look again at the word of God, We're told scripture is direct and it's forceful. Leave the elementary teachings, the ABC teachings of Christ. They go on to perfection or other words, maturity. And it does not mean that we're to forget the basic teachings about Christ. We're never to ignore, never to neglect or forget how that we're saved by Christ or how we grow in Christ. But what this means is that we are to take the basic teachings about Christ and store and lay them up in our hearts. They're to be a part of our lives and in fact the very foundation of our lives because once the foundation is laid we are built upon it. And I'm glad not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God. It is a foundation that is there. The basic teaching of salvation in Christ are to be built upon. We're to go on to perfection, learning all the truth about Christ, the Word of God, and no believer is to stay in the ABCs of Christ. No believer is to lay the foundation of salvation over and over again. What are the ABCs of Christ, the foundational teachings of salvation that we are to get past? Number one, we're to get past repentance from dead works is what I'm reading to you. And repentance means to turn to God and away from the world. Dead works can mean the works or the behavior of the world that are sinful and defiling and that lead to death. The works of that ceremonial religion that fail to give true life to men and women of God. Such works of religion are dead works, leaving men dead in trespasses and sin, as Paul was talking about in Ephesians 2.1. We're to repent from the dead works of this world. But once we have repented, we are to joy in Christ for so great a salvation and move on into our maturity. Now, think how many people are always having to repent and repent because they do not understand salvation and are not living for Christ like they should. Every evening before going to bed, millions mutter prayers for God to forgive them, and they promise to do better. And the scene is repeated almost every day of their lives. When we are to get past faith in God, we're to look to God for approval, to believe in him and trust him. We're not to look to men nor to their ability and science to save us. Our hope for salvation is in God and in God alone. But once we have placed our faith in God, the substance of things hopeful, the evidence of things not seen, we're to move on beyond faith for salvation. We're to move on and grow in all the teaching of God's Word. We're to get past the doctrine of baptism, that is, of the meaning of baptism and the need to be baptized as Christ demands. When a person believes in Jesus Christ, he is to be baptized immediately to show the world and to step out on faith and broadcast your witness. It's a public sign. It's a seal that you're a true follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. And it's not an optional ritual. The true believer is to be baptized. But once he or she has been baptized, he or she is not to stop there. They're to go on to maturity by learning and doing all of the commandments of God. We're to get past the laying on of hands, as we read here. That's the symbol that showed a person was being called to serve. That has always been the primary meaning of laying on of hands, although the act has been used for other purposes in various stages. of Christian history in both Old and New Testament times when a person was being called and set apart to serve God. The hands of other believers were laid upon them as a sign of the call. And so when God or the church calls us to serve, we're to begin serving and not back off. We're to get past having to be called and called upon to serve, and we're to begin serving. We're to go on to perfection. We're to get past the resurrection of the dead. And this is our great hope. It's one of the primary reasons that we accepted Christ, that we're to get past the end times. and the studies and get past the basic teachings of salvation and move on to all of the Word of God. It is the only way that we can mature in Christ. And so, we're to get past the eternal judgment. Once we've been truly saved, we're saved from judgment. And God has not appointed the believer to wrath. The true believer of Christ is saved! Saved! Saved! save from eternal judgment. We're to get past the fear and the thoughts of judgment and learn to rest in that assurance and security of Christ. And we're to go on to maturity, studying all of the Word of God. And so, I'm glad, as newborn babes desire the sincere milk of the Word, that you may grow thereby. And so, verse 3, and this will we do if God permit. A person must be determined to grow in Christ. We must have a spirit that will cry out with the author of Hebrews, this will we do. We must move beyond the ABC elementary teaching of God's word. But if we must do something else as well, we must cry out if God, listen, permit. This simply means that we must express a dependency upon God, for we are dependent upon him. God wants us to grow spiritually, but we cannot grow apart from his strength. We're totally dependent upon him and for his help in understanding his word and for the power to live as he tells us how to live. No person can do anything unless God permits. Our very breath, our very life, our very understanding, strength, and determination to keep on growing are dependent upon God and His presence and His power in our life. We must be determined, strongly determined, to go on to perfection. We must grow and mature in Christ, but we must have God's presence and power to do it. Therefore, we're growing Christ and we'll do that if God permits. But if God gives us the understanding of his word, you hear me, and the strength to live for him. And so I'm glad in John chapter three, John answered and said, a man can receive nothing except to be given him from heaven. And so I'm glad we see the milk and the meat. Paul is saying it's time to grow up spiritually. He's not diminishing the gospel's basics, but insisting that we move beyond the elementary school faith. Salvation is the foundation, but it's not the whole building. We're called to grow in perfection, maturity, as the Greek word is talking here. So the milk and the meat, but also what are the basics? Repentance from dead works. faith toward God, baptism, laying on of hands, resurrection, eternal judgment. These aren't irrelevant. They're foundational. But foundations must be built upon. And so I'm going to tell you, when we look and we realize what, something that you're glad that you never quit, huh? What's something that you're glad that you never quit? Well, your walk with Christ, and that alone shows evidence of a true salvation, praise God. That's something that we're glad that we never quit. Boy, I tell you what, I've been through some times when I wanted to just throw in the towel and quit, but I'm glad that my walk with Christ, that alone showed the evidence of a true salvation. But then the seriousness of spiritual apathy, because every one of us, you know, the fear lets you fall away. Because here, when we look at verses four through eight, this is one of the most severe warnings in all the scripture, and it is one of the most controversial. It is so controversial that no matter what a person says about it, there are a host of people who differ. What we must keep in mind, listen to me, is this. One of the primary reasons why there's so many differences is because we come to this passage with our minds already made up. We already hold a theological position. We have a theological system that we follow and interpret all scripture by, and so we interpret the passage in light of what we already believe instead of letting scripture speak for itself, in light of our theology instead of letting the passage speak for itself, in light of what we have been taught by others instead of letting scripture speak for itself. Do you get me? Listen, in light of what we already concluded that scripture teaches elsewhere instead of letting scripture speak for itself to keep our system consistent instead of admitting that there are some teachings of scripture that are beyond our understanding and accepting the meaning as a warning to all believers so of course everyone thinks they're right and that's what he or she believes exactly what scripture teaches and so We should think this, we should be a person of conviction or else we should sit down and study and find out the truth to the very best of our ability to become a person of conviction. There are three things that are needed when we approach a passage like this where so many true believers differ in their opinions of interpreting the seriousness of spiritual apathy. Number one, We must let scripture speak for itself. Number two, we must humble and understand toward each other as we pray and seek the Lord for understanding toward each other as we pray and seek the Lord for understanding of his word with one another and the world. And we must let scripture speak to us. Let the message guide and warn us to the fullest extent possible. And let me go back to what I said the first thing. We must let scripture speak for itself. being objective and honest as we can and make a supreme effort not to twist the scripture to fit our beliefs or our theological system. That is, we must as much as possible can be truthfully to the scripture and let it speak for itself. Secondly, what did I say? We must be humble and understanding toward each other as we pray and as we seek the Lord for understanding and share his word with one another and the world. And so, we must learn from each other despite our different views. No one of us and nobody of us has a corner on the truth. I assure you, I've had many a conversation. We're not at most only a speck of sand in a universe of truth. Just think how mammoth the universe is, how unsearchable God and his words and ways are. What God wants us to do is to be humble and to learn from each other. And so thirdly, I said, we must let the scriptures speak to us. Let us message God and warn us to the fullest extent possible. We must let the scripture work in our lives and not get hung up on the interpretation and getting our point across because what is important is what God is saying and what he says that we take it into our lives, that effect into our lives. We must let the scripture work in us. And so the Bible was written for all of us. And so I'm glad that a deliberate effort, even to the point of straining, is being made to let scripture speak for itself as we look at this. And so every one of us, when we look, we see the warning to believers in verses four and five, that he says, the believer's great privileges. It's difficult to see how these experiences could be said about a person unless they're a true believer. Being as honest and objective as possible. that we would have to strain the meaning to make them apply to everyone else. But I'm glad how each of these read in the very tense, was once for all enlightened, had once and for all tasted of the heavenly gift, was once and for all made partaker of the Holy Spirit, had once and for all tasted of the good word of God, had once and for all tasted of the power of the world to come. The word tasted means to partake of, to take in, to experience, to come to know. And so the Greek scholar Marvin Vinson says that it means to have consciously partaken of. The very same word is used of Christ when it said that he tasted death for us in Hebrews chapter 2 verse 9. And one thing is sure, Christ tasted that, consciously experienced death for you and I. And therefore, this passage must mean that this person fully tasted, fully experienced salvation. And as it's stated, it seems that we have to have to twist scripture to make it say any less than a conscience and a full experience. Because listen, every one of us, they were once and for all enlightened. Enlightened means the light of the gospel of salvation, the light of Christ. That's seeing that Christ as the Savior and the Lord of men. The light of salvation that breaks through the darkness of sin and death. Receiving that light happened once for all. It was an actual experience of the people, a once and for all experience. That really happened. It was fulfilled. It was completed in a person's life. They received the light of Christ, of his gospel salvation once and for all. They had tasted of the heavenly gift. that Christ's salvation gave to the world, hallelujah. It was God's unspeakable gift, Christ's gift to the lost world, the gift of God. And so they were once and for all made a partaker of the Holy Spirit. And the word partaker means to share as partners. And so that means the fact of sharing. They had once and for all tasted God's good word. It's the gospel of Christ, that glorious salvation. And so I'm glad they received that salvation, praise God. They had once and for all tasted the powers of the world to come. They had experienced some of heaven upon earth. They had actually experienced the presence and the power of Christ in their lives, conquering the trials and the temptations, the suffering of the world, the healing power of Christ, touching both their bodies and their spirits. But in verse six is a warning. The warning is very sincere and frightened at any heart that will listen. That says, if they shall fall away to renew them again under repentance, seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh and put him to open shame. Well, it's impossible for those that who were once enlightened, if they shall fall away to renew them again under repentance, according to what is read. As discussed in the previous point, this is bound to be speaking to believers. So what does it mean? Listen, first of all, scripture says the word impossible. And so I'm glad that when we look, he says, for it is impossible for those who were once enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and will make partakers of the Holy Ghost and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the world to come if they shall fall away. He says it's impossible if a believer falls away. It is impossible for him to ever repent. The word impossible just cannot be made to mean anything other than impossible. not without straining and twisting that scripture. And so as Marvin Vinson says, impossible. It's impossible to dilute this word into difficulty. And so scripture uses the word fall away. And it means to turn aside, to turn away, to deviate, to turn aside from Christ, away from Christ, to deviate from Christ. And so the scripture is talking about renewing and bringing people back to repentance. These people had gone beyond the point of repentance, no matter how strong an appeal was made to them, no matter how often their sin was pointed out to them, no matter how much the love and cross of Christ was proclaimed to them. No matter how much the love they had, that they would never again repent, they had gone too far into sin and rebellion against Christ to ever have their hearts touched again. They would never repent no matter what. Now the critical question is, what would ever cause a believer to reach such a stage in life? What could a believer do that would harden his heart so much that he would never ever again repent? Well, That action is present, because he said in verse six, they crucify the Son of God afresh and put him to an open shame. The action is present. They continue on and on to crucify Christ and to shame him. They continue on and on in their sin, disobedience and rebellion against Christ. The continuous action is critical. But the believer turns back to the world, back to the life of sin, disobedience, rebellion. And they continue on and on, never, ever, ever repenting, turning back to Christ. This breaks the heart of Christ and it adds suffering upon suffering for him to bear. And it's stirring. It causes pain of the crucifixion for Christ all over again. In fact, it's a continuing to crucify Christ over and over again. It's putting him through a continuous experience of suffering upon the cross. It's shaming him, being a professing believer and returning to the world and continuing to live in sin day after day, month after month, bringing shame upon Christ and his holy name. Now, the critical fact is the person is continuing on and on in sin, never repenting. They turn to the world, it's sin, and just never going to repent. They have gone so far into sin that their heart has become so hardened that they'll never repent, no matter how much the love and the forgiveness of Christ is shared with them, that they'll not repent. Never again will they walk with Christ, not while on this earth. Scripture says that they're beyond repentance. that they've returned to the world, they've fallen away from Christ and have tragically, he's harming Christ and his mission, breaking the heart of Christ by crucifying Christ afresh, by heaping suffering upon suffering upon him and he's shaming the name of Christ among men by living hypocritical life. Now, this cannot refer to what are commonly called backsliding. Why? Because scripture is clear here. A backslider can repent. A backslider is never beyond reach. But this passage is bound to be speaking of a person who backslides and begins to love that sin more and more and more. And therefore, he or she keeps on in their sin, sinning and sinning and sinning until they become so hardened in that sin that they never repent. They keep on crucifying Christ, shaming him. Nothing stirs them to repentance. Can believers ever reach this point? F.F. Bruce stated one time, God has pledged himself to pardon all who truly repent. But scripture and experience alike suggest that it is possible for human beings to arrive at a state of heart and life where they can no longer repent. How sad. Let me give you some scripture reference. Mark chapter 3 verse 29. But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in the danger of eternal damnation. First Corinthians chapter 9 verse 27. But I keep under my body and bring it into subjection, lest it by any means when I preach to others, I myself should be a castaway. And so Hebrews 312, take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief and departing from the living God. And so, listen, Hebrews chapter 10, verse 26, that I'm going to get to in just a few minutes. If we sin willfully after that, we have received the knowledge of the truth that remaineth no more sacrifice for sins. And so it's sad that when we get to a point like this in verses seven and eight, the meaning of the warning is illustrated in verses seven and eight. The simple illustration about the soil of a vineyard keeper or a farmer and the good soil drinks in the rain, brings forth its fruit and crops for those who dress and keep it. And that is believers are the good soil who drink in the word of God and keep it. That is believers are that good soil. They produce fruit for God and Christ for His ministers and teachers. the bad soil drinks in the rain also but it brings forth its thorns and its briars and therefore the bad soil is rejected and near to being cursed its end is to be burned you know the Matthew Henry commentary tells us unquestionably one of the greatest Bible scholars and probably the most inspirational Bible writer who has ever lived that he began to tell as he stresses all the heed in this warning and he says this Matthew Henry it's in the rejected grounds in is to be burned apostasy will be punished with everlasting burnings the fire that never shall never be quenched and this is the sad end to which apostasy leads and therefore christians should go on and grow in grace lest if they do not go forward they should go backward till they bring matters to this woeful extremity of sin and misery and so F.F. Bruce, one of the most excellent Bible scholars of the 20th century said, our author compares those believers who persevere in faith to fertile land which produces fruit while those believers in whose lives the fruit of righteousness do appear are compared to land which will never produce anything but thorns and thistles to be kept down by burning for our God is a consuming fire. This passage is the most severe warning to all of us in verses seven and eight. and all of these from verses four down to verse eight, that our position on the security of the believer, it is a passage that serves as a warning to all believers born again, that must be heeded by us all. A passage that biblical writers, those who give strong indications of walking with the Lord, that urge us to heed even when they hold to the security of a believer. And so I'm telling you, when we look at this, We need to see who is this talking about. These verses, verses four and five, are about true believers, those that are enlightened, partakers of the Holy Spirit, who've tasted the heavenly gift, in verses four and five. Taste doesn't mean a sample, it means experiencing fully as Jesus did. But also, what does fall away mean? This doesn't mean every time you sin, you lose your salvation. It speaks of apostasy, a willful, hardened rejection of Christ after knowing Him. It's not about stumbling. It's about turning away and refusing to return. And for such hardened hearts, there's no more sacrifice left. They rejected the only cure. And so, the earthly illustrations of verses 7 and 8 that is here, Rain represents the Word of God. If fruit grows, that field is blessed. But if it bears thorns, it's rejected. Perseverance produces fruit. Proof of salvation. Lack of fruit reveals a counterfeit. And so, as we move forward and look and ask ourselves, what has happened? What has helped your growth in the most as a believer? I believe the Word of God. Obedience to the Word of God. and the Holy Spirit's power to transform our behavior. Because without that, I would not be what I am today, praise God. And so, as we move forward, we see not only the call to grow in Christ in Hebrews 6, verses 1, 2, and 3, the seriousness of spiritual apathy in verses 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8, But in verses 9 through 12 of Hebrews chapter 6, the assurance of salvation through perseverance. Because the writer has just given the Hebrew believers the most severe warning that could be given to a people. They must fear lest they fall away. Fall so far away that they would never again repent. So how can this happen? What is going to take place when we look at this? We see That fruit is the evidence because their labor of love, their ministry to others, and continued service shows their salvation was real. A person who is truly saved may stumble, but they don't stop. They get back up and they press on. And so it's fruit that speaks of the evidence in verses 6 down to verse 12. And so I'm glad that oh so the perseverance brings confidence because diligence leads to the full assurance of hope. Look what verse 11 says, and we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end. And so he goes on in verse 12. And he tells us not only diligence leads to the full assurance of hope, but the writer urges believers in Hebrew not to become lazy, but imitate the faithful saints of the past. He said that you be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. And so as we look at that assurance of salvation through perseverance, praise God, each and every one of us as we go through life and begin to see that great blessing. We asked ourselves, how do security and perseverance go hand in hand? God is the only one that can secure our salvation. But perseverance is the visible fruit of that security. True believers don't quit. They may weep, they may crawl, they may stumble, but they keep on walking. They keep on going forward, praise God. And so we see that not only the call to grow in Christ in Hebrews chapter six, verses one, two, and three, not only the seriousness of spiritual apathy in verses four through eight, but also in nine through 12, the assurance of salvation through perseverance. But then we see the discipline of diligence, because again, it tells us don't be lazy, be followers of them who through faith and patient inherit the promises. Well, you know what? Faith requires effort. Growing in Christ, is it passive? The Bible uses terms like soldier, athlete, builder, and farmer to describe the Christian life. And so grace empowers the effort, but it doesn't replace it. We still must choose to walk in it. And so faith requires effort, but also daily growth. It's brick by brick. Spiritual growth is a process, and like building a house one brick at a time, it requires intentionality. We've got to be intentional in what we do. The discipline of diligence. You've got to have some discipline about you. What does diligence in our faith look like? It looks like daily prayer. No matter what, you're going to get down, you're going to pray over your food before you eat it. You're going to get in your prayer closet or wherever that place is that you pray. I talked many times about when I lived over by the old gristmill on Jones Mill Road, I had me a rock altar down there by the creek and I'd get down there and pray out over that creek and let it go down through the valley over there with Johnny Mitchells and all. Man, daily prayer, Bible reading, service in church, sharing the gospel, refusing to remain spiritually stagnant. That's what it looks like. And so we see, fifthly, we see the call to grow in Christ in Hebrews chapter 6, verses 1, 2, and 3. The seriousness of spiritual apathy in Hebrews chapter 6, verses 4 through 8. The assurance of salvation through perseverance in Hebrews chapter 6, verses 9 through 12. And the discipline of that diligence in verse 12. But fifthly, I told you I'd jump up to Hebrews chapter 10, verses 24 and 25, that this is the strength of Christian fellowship. And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as we see the day approaching. You see, Christ is the minister and the mediator of the perfect sacrifice for sins. This is one of those great passages of scripture that has a bottomless reserver of meaning. It presents Christ as that perfect sacrifice for our sins. And so, one thing man needs to face up to is this. He or she and this world, we're sinful, we're imperfect, and this world will die and waste away. and therefore our needs and our sins need to be cleansed and taken away. In order to stand before a holy and a perfect God, we must somehow be cleansed by sin and imperfection and be counted perfect. How is this possible? By Jesus Christ, by the sacrifice which Christ has made for man. Jesus Christ is that perfect sacrifice for our sins. Jesus Christ purifies everything, even the very things of heaven. And he does not offer a repeated sacrifice, because when he does something, it's good the first time. Christ bore the penalty of judgment for man. And so he purified everything, even the very things of heaven. Jesus Christ provides the universal redemption that was absolutely necessary, that earthly sanctuaries and worship be purified with blood. Absolutely necessary that the heavenly sanctuary and worship be purified with the blood of the sovereign Lord. Why? Why does anything in heaven need to be cleansed and purified? It's not because anything in heaven is sinful and unclean. It is not. Heaven is heaven. It's perfect. It's eternal. It is because the way into heaven must be covered and enshrouded with blood in order to cover man as he approaches God. Man has to be covered with the sacrificial blood of Christ even when he enters and stands in heaven. And the only acceptance man has before God is the sacrificial blood of Jesus Christ. It has to be covered in order to protect man. Man's only acceptance before God is the sacrificial blood of Jesus Christ. And so man can never, ever be accepted without that covering. It shall forever be our covering and only acceptable into heaven before God. absolutely essential, for it shows how great the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, how great that it is in the eyes and mind of God, that God has insisted that the blood of His Son be used to cover everything throughout the whole universe, both of the physical and the spiritual world, both the physical and the spiritual dimension, and the blood of His Son's dear life covers every place that man shall ever go and everything that man shall ever touch. And so, a picture of the truth nevertheless for man shall never be acceptable to God apart from the sacrificial death and the blood of God's dear son and so Jesus Christ has purified everything he's provided a universal redemption for us that will last forever and ever without end and he is the perfect sacrifice for our sins and so Jesus Christ does not offer a repeated sacrifice, but he sacrificed himself once and for all. The earthly high priest had to make sacrifice often. He had to enter into the Holy of Holies every year to make a sacrifice for the sins. He was of all other men sinful. Therefore, he could never make the perfect sacrifice, but not Jesus Christ. He was perfect. He was the very Son of God himself. He was the perfect high priest who could sacrifice himself for the sins of men. And because he was perfect, Jesus Christ can offer a sacrifice for sins once, and sins could be forgiven forever and ever, and He's the great mediator of the perfect sacrifice, that He's put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. the accountability and the encouragement that we persevere better when we walk together because community sharpens us and strengthens our walk when we come together and assemble together, not forsaken the assembling of ourselves together as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another so much the more as you see the day approaching. And so we persevere better when we walk together. And so, thank God, We asked ourselves, what are some ways Christian friends help one another persevere? We pray for one another. We support one another. We encourage one another. We share testimonies with one another. We study the word of God together. Hallelujah. We check in on one another. Amen. And check on them. And so I'm glad that when we look, what would make a person walk away from their salvation? Hmm. What would really make a person walk away from their salvation? Well, what do we see? The scripture. Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God. What do we see? Well, first of all, deception by sin and Satan. He is a no good deceiver and the enemy tempts every believer to doubt God's word and to pursue fleshly desires. And so we can read about that over in James chapter one, verses 13, 14, and 15. Satan's goal is to deceive and weaken faith. Sin is a progression and it deadens the conscience and it severs intimacy with the Holy Spirit. Spiritual neglect is another thing. When prayer When Bible study and church attendance are neglected, the heart can grow cold. And so that's what we're reading about over what we read in Hebrews chapter 10, verse 25. Many fall not in one leap, but through spiritual drift. They begin to drift. And thirdly, by offense or disappointment, hurt by others. Sometimes Christians can be the meanest people that reach down a hand with love, but instead they step on somebody. Disappointment, when you are hurt by somebody else, unanswered prayers or unhealed wounds can cause bitterness. And the parable of the sower shows that some fall away in times of testing. We also have many that have a love for the world. That could be another thing that would make a person walk away from their salvation. Demas hath forsaken me, Paul said, having loved this present world in 2 Timothy chapter 4, verse 10. People walk away when pleasure, money, or status becomes their idols. And so if they were truly safe, what must they do to be restored? Well, we see the word of God, and I will rise and go to my father, like the prodigal son said. And so every one of us, when we look and realize we can return with a repentant heart, like the prodigal son, they must come to themselves as he came to himself. You know, restoration is always possible for the backslider who returns with humility and faith. Oh, so we can confess and forsake our sin. First John 1.9, if we confess our sins, he's faithful and just and forgives of our sins and cleanses us from all unrighteousness. And so we believe again and trust in the cross is another thing that we can always do because remember, repent and do the first works. Return to the simplicity of faith in Christ and him crucified. You know what? The blood still speaks. The cross still restores. Hallelujah. And so I'm glad. If we were never truly saved, how can they be saved now? Well, the scripture says, examine yourselves, whether you be in the faith. And I'm glad that each and every one of us, real salvation produces fruit. Not everyone who professes Christ, professes Christ, according to Matthew chapter seven, verses 21, 22 and 23. If someone fell away completely and permanently, they may never have ever been born again to begin with. And so, Come to Jesus where the saving faith is another way. Saving faith is personal trust in Jesus is finished work, not religious behavior. And so it's not about turning over a new leaf. It's about receiving a new heart. And thirdly, accept Christ now. Don't delay. I'm glad the writer of Hebrews said today, if we'll hear his voice, harden not our hearts, whether the person was backslidden or never saved, the path to life is always open through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. And so how to get back in the will of God. Repent sincerely, praise God. Each and every one of us can repent sincerely. I tell you, nay, but except you repent, you shall all likewise perish, he tells us. To repent means to change direction, turning from sin and turning to God with a broken and a contract heart, praise God. Repentance is not just sorrowful sin, but a willingness to forsake it and to return to fellowship with God. True repentance is not lip service, but heart surrender marked by return to the foot of the cross, praise God. We see, secondly, trust again in the cross, not works, effort, or feelings. And so, I'm glad Galatians chapter two, verse 16 says, knowing that a man is not justified by works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ. Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. You see, getting back in God's will starts with renewing your faith in Christ's finished work, not in your performance or feelings, and salvation is maintained by the same thing that began it, simple faith in Christ and Him crucified. And so victory comes when we look to Jesus and not to ourselves. The cross is the only means by which righteousness is maintained. And thirdly, we see return to that spiritual disciplines, prayer, Bible study, worship, fellowship, each and every one of us, amen. Acts chapter 2 verse 42, and they continue steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship in the breaking of bread and in prayers, praise God. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path, not forsaken the symbol of ourselves together. Remember we read that? Spiritual discipline isn't legalism, it's love. Daily prayer, regular time in the Word, worship, gathering with believers, rekindling our walk with God. These actions restore spiritual intimacy. They help align our heart with God's will, praise God. You see, the fire on the altar must be kept burning, and that fire is fed by communion with God and the Holy Spirit and in truth, praise God. And so, fourthly, stay Yielded to the Holy Spirit Paul said in Romans 8 14 for as many as are led by the Spirit of God They are the sons of God Paul said in Galatians 5 16 this I say then walk in the Spirit and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh you see the Holy Spirit leads us back into God's perfect will and so when we do that when we begin to listen to uh to that perfect will yielding to him means listening to for his voice obeying his prompting rejecting the flesh daily it's a relationship and it's not a ritual you see the holy spirit doesn't just empower us he steers us he drives us he directs us he's the compass that's always pointing to jesus praise god and so fifthly walk daily in obedience even in the small steps of james 1 22 where james was telling us he said uh But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, and deceiving your own selves. If ye love me, keep my commandments, the word of God says. You see, obedience is not about perfection. It's about direction. Even small steps of faith and obedience move you closer to God's heart. The more that you walk in his word, the more clearly that his will will unfold before you. Obedience is the fruit of true love and the believer proves their devotion to Christ, not by words, but by walking and the light that he gives. Praise God. And so. Here, we see how to get back in the will of God, repent sincerely, trust in the cross, return to the discipline, yield to the Spirit, and walk in the obedience of God, praise His mighty name. Take time to look at this later. And so, I'm glad we asked ourselves, what would cause someone to walk away from Christ? What would it take for someone like that? I tell you, deception by sin, spiritual laziness, worldliness, offense, all of these or unbelief that we go in. Secondly, listen, can a truly saved person return to God after falling away? Wow, that's a good question. Many of us, yes. If they return with genuine repentance and faith, God's mercy is greater than their sin, amen. And so Luke chapter 15 verse 20 tells us about that. And thirdly, what's the difference between a backslider and someone who has never been saved? Well, when we think about it. A backslider has experienced the grace of salvation, but they wandered. But unsaved may have had religion without a relationship. 1 John 2, 19. And so as we get ready to close out and in our altar time, listen, I hope you pray. A true relationship with Christ is seen in your perseverance. Are you moving forward in your faith? Are you growing stale? You need to be looking at yourself because You need to study, commit to a deeper level of Bible study and application. Secondly, serve. Step into ministry, ask, who can I help? And thirdly, encourage. Find someone struggling and walk with them. You might be the reason that they don't give up, praise God. And so, as we get close to closing out, I hope and pray that each and every one of you, as we do, God is the only one that knows us better, that we can get in our prayer clauses and ask God to forgive us. Yes, can I walk away from my salvation? You can, but not if you're truly saved, because you will be pulled back by the tugging of the Holy Spirit of God. There'll be some fruit that will show evidence that you have already accepted the sacrificial lamb of Jesus Christ's shed blood over your sins, and he's washed you whiter than snow, and he has thrown away your sins as far as the east is from the west, and put out a sign, said, no more fishing. Let's pray. Salvation, Lord. Lord, I pray for the assurance of salvation through Jesus Christ to someone that has never asked Jesus Christ to come into their heart and life. And they've been listening to this. Strengthen them to press on in faith and diligence. Help them never to become lazy or indifferent in their growth in you. Let our lives bear fruit that proves the work of your Holy Spirit within us. And Lord, That person that has got cold and indifferent and out of the will of God, I pray God that they will get down on their knees and repent and they'll be miserable with a convicting power of the Holy Spirit until they make things back right. Because Lord, someone truly saved cannot be out in sin in the world and still be comfortable. the convicting power will bring and tug them, and the Lord, the compass of God's word will steer them back. Thank you for this wonderful Sunday School lesson with Bible Studies for Life. In Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen. Thank you for tuning in. Boy, as we look at, can I walk away from God, from my salvation. safe and secure, our eternal security in Jesus Christ. Praise the body name of Jesus. I'm glad that he's got us in the palm of his hand and no one can take us out. Hallelujah. May God bless you is our prayers.