There are many who cease serving God, who will turn back to the world. If we know the problems, we can address them with solutions—scriptural solutions. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1561/29?v=20251111
It was Jesus who declared, And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to myself. John 12.32 He was lifted up, so we will not give up. Let’s think on this further with our study today, coming up from the International Gospel Hour.
SPEAKER 02 :
It’s time for our broadcast from the International Gospel Hour. I’m Jay Webb, and welcome to our study today as we embrace God’s Word to help us meet the challenges of today. Let’s open our Bibles and open our heart for this time of Bible study with our speaker Jeff Archie of International Gospel Hour, a broadcast of the Churches of Christ.
SPEAKER 01 :
Here’s Jeff. Thank you to our J-Web and greetings to everyone. It’s good to have you today for our studies here from the International Gospel Hour. You know, the book of Hebrews was written to Christians who were on the verge of giving up and possibly returning to Judaism. You know, it’s odd, friends, but it’s not uncommon for people to turn their backs on their present and future blessings and return to their old way of life. We note this from Numbers 16 and verse 13. And we cannot help but to think of those in the time of the Exodus who wanted to go back to Egypt. That’s amazing. Well, this lesson is intended to identify and thus forewarn us of reasons why people give up on God and return to the world. And we’re going to be considering a number of texts from the book of Hebrews in just a few moments. But first, a few words from our J-Web and our friends at the Gospel Gazette.
SPEAKER 02 :
Thank you, Jeff. Please check them out at gospelgazette.com. That’s gospelgazette.com.
SPEAKER 01 :
Now, friends, let’s think about why people give up. We’ll go to Hebrews 2 and verse 1 that says, Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. Sometimes people give up because they drift away. They no longer focus on their obedient faith. They slowly drift or move away. Little things move them away from the gospel of Jesus Christ. They’re not giving the more earnest heed to those things that they had heard. They’re giving heed to other things. And slowly they drift away. Sometimes you see this in an individual who maybe will begin to miss a little bit of the worship assemblies. And then slowly we drift away. Another reason, what about unbelief? Now that sounds a little strange for those that believe, but what about Hebrews 3 and verse 12? Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God. Verse 14 reminds, for we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end. You see, friends, people who were once Christians can depart from God. We see that warning of Hymenaeus and Alexander in 1 Timothy chapter 1. We also note how people can fall away, even those Galatians who Who Paul said, you have fallen from grace. You want to go back to something that can’t redeem you. And friends, you have to be somewhere before you depart. And here’s a warning to those who are Christians. Sometimes people give up because of unbelief. Things enter into their heart. They’re no longer giving the more earnest heed. And things become within or coming within. And they cease partaking of the things of Christ. Here’s a third one. Let’s go to Hebrews 6 and verse 1. Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. Now the Hebrew writer goes on to say that these are important. But he tells them to go on to perfection, not to lay them again. Sometimes people give up because they become bored. They become bored with what they’ve learned. But friends, the Christian needs to go on to perfection, maturity. You know, 2 Timothy 3 and verse 17, using the scripture, verse 16, why? That the man of God may be perfect or complete, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. Oh, how tragic it is for one to be bored with what God has given, but to embrace even more, to be partakers, to give more earnest heed. Here’s a fourth reason why people give up. And we’re going to remain in Hebrews 6, but let’s drop down to verses 11 and 12. And we desire that each of you show the same diligence… to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Notice, show the same diligence, 100% attention, thorough reaching, the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that we stay with it, we keep growing, we don’t become sluggish or sluggish, Why some people give up laziness. We’re sluggish. We’re lazy. And we’re not applying and putting our faith to work as James 2 teaches. We’re not imitating those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. To look upon those examples of others. And you see when we fail to do that we become sluggish or lazy. We need to show the same diligence. We need to go on to perfectional maturity. We need to keep partaking of Christ. And we need to give the more earnest heed. You see, we need to give more to it because we’re growing. It’s exciting. Here’s a fifth reason why people give up. Sometimes self-pity. Hebrews 12 and verse 4. You have not yet resisted the bloodshed striving against sin. Some people think about how difficult they have it in life. But you know, in Hebrews 12 and verse 1, just three verses earlier, what are we reminded? Wherefore, seeing we are also compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which does so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. What a wonderful thought. We’ve got to keep on going. And friends, have you noticed this thread that has run through why people give up and to see what keeps people from giving up? We keep looking unto Jesus. We keep pressing onward. We put aside weight that can hinder us. We keep striving. We show the same diligence, the full assurance of hope. We’re going to hold on to it, to go on to perfection. being a partaker of Christ, to feed, to grow, as Jesus said in Matthew 5, 6, to hunger and thirst after righteousness, knowing we’ll be filled, and to give the more earnest heed to the things which we’ve heard. More earnest heed. Pay closer attention. Oh, friends, when we are putting all this together, one cannot give up. Let’s consider, finally, from Hebrews 12, verses 5 and 7. Sometimes we give up because we misunderstand God. And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons. My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by him. If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons. For what son is there whom a father does not chasten or correct? Sometimes we misunderstand God. We look upon God as a grandfatherly type who overlooks. I was reading recently on social media an observation of a friend that so many times we want people to believe, but within that belief there is repentance and a change of life. And that is so true. And friends, God chastens us, corrects us because He loves us. When I look back at my mother and my father who have both passed on, I see their correction was out of love to help keep me straight and in line, if you will. And to this day, I’m thankful for that because my decisions are made better because of that correction. But you see, if we endure that chastening, as we see how God, and we don’t misunderstand God, we see how He chastens and corrects us because He loves us, That keeps us going onward, laying aside the sin at every weight. We keep striving. We show the same diligence, the full assurance of hope. We’re going to stay with it. We’re going to go on unto perfection. And we’re going to be a partaker of Christ and give the more earnest heed. And friends, when we do all these things based upon the scriptures we’ve studied today from the book of Hebrews, then friends, we will not give up. And if you find these qualities in your life, well, friends, be warned and take action to remedy the direction that you may be traveling. And don’t turn your back on the grace of God. Maybe our Bible study will be of help to you. Maybe you’re giving up or we’ve mentioned something that’s maybe troubling you to think, you know, I need to work on that. Well, let us help you with our free Bible course by mail. And once again, with the details how you can receive it, our J-Web.
SPEAKER 02 :
Our long-time free Bible study course by mail is always available. Have you tried it yet? Just call us toll-free at 855-444-6988. And leave your name, address, and just say, Home Study. That’s it. You may also go to our website at internationalgospelhour.com, click on the Contact tab, and leave us the same information, name, address, and type Home Study in the message box. Study the Bible at your own pace. Again, it’s free from your friends here at International Gospel Hour.
SPEAKER 01 :
Friends, I am grateful for so many individuals that helped me with this broadcast. First and foremost, for you, our listeners, who tune in. And to God be the glory for the open doors and opportunity. But I’m thankful to such good brethren as Steve Higginbotham of the Carnes Church of Christ in Knoxville, Tennessee, for our lesson today and the thoughts therein. The Carnes Church of Christ are good encouragers of International Gospel Hour. If you’re ever in the Knoxville area, pay them a visit. And I want to thank you for joining me today here on the International Gospel Hour. I’m Jeff Archie, and friends, keep listening.
SPEAKER 02 :
Thank you for listening today to God Be the Glory. And we hope that our study today will draw you closer to His Word to walk in His way. Feel free to listen to our other programs at our website at internationalgospelhour.com. And join us next time.
