Fear. Strive. Believe.
February 20, 2023
Notes from Ky Martin's sermon on Sunday, February 19, 2023.
Sermon text: Hebrews 4:1-11
Let us fear.
- These warning passages are not there so that we can confidently brush past them.
- Many of us come from backgrounds where once saved always saved was taught and emphasized. The more traditional term for that doctrine is the perseverance of the saints. That is a great thing. It’s a reminder we all need, even if we have heard it our whole lives. We often want to base our approval on works, rather than embracing God’s grace. The doctrine of perseverance of the saints help us with that because it reminds us that we are grounded and safe not because of our performance but because of God’s mercy.
- Many of us also came from backgrounds where passages like this were avoided for confusion that they might cause, rather than embraced for the warning that they are. There’s a temptation to spend so much time explaining what these texts are not saying, that we completely miss what they are saying.
- What this fear produces is not a lack of confidence, but a lack of complacency.
- “The fear which is here recommended is not that which shakes the confidence of faith, but such as fills us with such concern that we grow not torpid with indifference.” -John Calvin
- Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind…
- If we are not actively transformed, we will be passively conformed -Scott Sutton
- Falling away from the faith is a very real possibility.
- Turning my ankle.
- “What happened to them could happen to you..”
- They were among God’s people. We are among God’s people.
- They were doing a lot of the right things. You may doing a lot of the right things.
- Many of us have known folks who were solid in the faith, confessing Jesus as Lord and seeking to follow him who later abandoned their faith. He’s saying that we should fear that happening to us.
- Does that mean we can lose our salvation? No. John makes it clear.
- 1 John 2:19 [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.
- A friend in college who taught this idea that the bridge of faith could be destroyed.
- Systematic Theology. It’s helpful, but any system that allows or encourages us to dismiss warnings like this is not a biblical belief system.
- It is God’s intent that we would walk with an awareness of the very real danger and very real possibility that we could walk away from God.
Let us strive.
- The posture of the Christian should not be such that we are so confident in our final salvation, that we see no need to strive in order to reach it. The posture should not be, because I believe ABC, I’m good to go. It should be, I am trusting in Jesus, believing the Gospel, and I must continue on in that faith, lest I fall away. We are not instructed to view falling away as an impossibility; rather we are called to strive and hold fast to our faith.
- Paul’s posture:
- 1 Corinthians 9:27 “But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” He is confident, but striving because there is some fear of falling away.
- 2 Timothy 4:6–7 [6] For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. [7] I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
- This is what we all should strive and hope for. Lying in our death bed with the confidence that we have held fast, fought the fight, and won the race.
- Indeed, running the race to the end is the hallmark of genuine, saving faith, while falling away is the mark of a spurious faith that does not lead to salvation. - Richard D. Phillips,
- We have confidence that if are indeed in the faith, God will keep us to the end. But we move forward with the awareness that we must strive to not fall away.
- Striving for what? To enter His rest. Striving to embrace the idea that I can do nothing to earn God’s favor.
- Hebrews 4:9–10 [9] So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, [10] for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his.
- Similar to Israelites who reached the promised land. They were no longer wandering pilgrims with no sense of security. But there was still work to do, and danger to address. It’s the already / not yet.
- Our works do not merit our salvation. But we do strive to follow Jesus in order that we might persevere in our faith and thus be saved.
Let us believe.
- Hebrews 3:19 [19] So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief.
- Hebrews 4:2–3a For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened. [3] For we who have believed enter that rest,…
- Hebrews 4:6 “…failed to enter because of disobedience”
- Their disobedience that disqualified them was just nothing more than the fruit of their unbelief.
- Hebrews 4;7 “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts” Today is the day of salvation.
- It was today for Joshua’s generation, for David’s, and for us.
- While the promise still stand. Today.
- Can be compared to a harvest. One the day the harvest is gathered, you’re either in or out. Up until then, you have the opportunity to be in.
- If you have been attending church, listening to the gospel as it is preached, perhaps enjoying the music and the lovely setting, but have not personally put your trust in Christ, you are in great peril. Do not delude yourself by thinking you are in a neutral or even a promising situation, for you are not. Until you receive Christ as your Savior, you are a rebel against the gospel you have heard, you are excluded from God’s rest, and are under his wrath. You must believe the gospel and rest upon Christ’s saving work for you. -Richard D. Phillips
Discussion Questions
- Hebrews 4:1 begins with, “Let us fear.” What should we fear?
- What is the difference between a healthy fear (described here) and an unhealthy fear of falling away from God?
- Which of the following describes you:
- I have a healthy fear of falling away from God
- I have an unhealthy fear of falling away from God
- I have zero fear of falling away from God
- Read Hebrews 4:11. What do you think the “rest” we are called to strive for is?
Notes from Ky Martin's sermon on Sunday, July 27, 2025. Sermon text: 2 Peter 1:3-4 We have everything we need for a godly life. Sentence has: 68 words 9 prepositional phrases 5 dependent clauses God called us. “By His divine power” The word here is summon Like Lazarus, come forth. English readers are apt to understand calling in terms of an invitation that can be accepted or rejected. Peter has something deeper in mind. Christ’s call is effective, awakening and creating faith. -Thomas R. Schreiner 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. By revealing Christ to us. “Through the knowledge of Him” Side note, ambiguity: The ambiguity in the text indicates that Peter does not clearly distinguish between God and Christ, which indicates that God and Christ were venerated equally. - Thomas R. Schreiner Excuses are Eliminated We need to note that this comes to us by grace, but also that we have a part to play here. Effort is not a 4 letter word. You have no excuse for: Pornography- You have everything you need. Substance Abuse- You have everything you need. Pride- You have everything you need Laziness- You have everything you need Anger- You have everything you need. Prayer and Scripture Reading- You have everything you need. Evangelism- You have everything you need. He’ll go on to mention supplementing He has given us what we need for godliness now, and He promises us even greater things to come. We will share in Christ’s Divine Nature 2 Pe 1:4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature Unusual word… The “divine nature” (Theos) appears only here and in Acts where Paul addresses the Areopagus an odd work choice and would have appealed to his pagan readers. Acts 17:29 Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. Redefining what it means to become like God. Christ shared in our nature that we might share in His. 1 John 3:2 Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. In 1:3, it’s through the knowledge of Christ that we are called to Him. Here, we see that a fuller revelation of Christ will conform us even more fully into His likeness. How so? Purity Immortality Restoration to Eden Christians also share in God’s immortality. They are not trapped in this world. Though ‘perishable’ now, Christians will be raised ‘imperishable’ -Paul Gardner Glory John 17:22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, We have everything we need for a godly life. English readers are apt to understand calling in terms of an invitation that can be accepted or rejected. Peter has something deeper in mind. Christ’s call is effective, awakening and creating faith. -Thomas R. Schreiner 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. The ambiguity in the text indicates that Peter does not clearly distinguish between God and Christ, which indicates that God and Christ were venerated equally. - Thomas R. Schreiner Excuses are Eliminated We will share in Christ’s Divine Nature Acts 17:29 Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. 1 John 3:2 Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. Purity Immortality Christians also share in God’s immortality. They are not trapped in this world. Though ‘perishable’ now, Christians will be raised ‘imperishable.’ -Paul Gardner Glory John 17:22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one. Discipleship Questions: 2 Peter 1:3 says we’ve been given everything we need for life and godliness… Do you find that verse encouraging, challenging or both? Are there any areas of your walk where you struggle to believe that you already have everything you need for success? Do you ever make excuses to yourself or others for a lack of godliness? If yes, explain. How much work does it take to live as a Christian? What does it mean that we will be “partakers in the divine nature”?
Notes from Lance Shumake's sermon on Sunday, July 20, 2025. Sermon text: 2 Peter 1:1-2 Peter is warning us about counterfeit teaching and false teachers The genuine gospel came from Jesus through His apostles —servant (humility and honor) —apostle (called, unique, sent) The genuine gospel is just as precious to us today —received and believed “How does someone become a Christian? One person might say, ‘Because I believe,’ and another, ‘Because God chose me.’ According to Peter, both ways of stating it are correct. On the one hand, we believe. It is a fundamental definition of a Christian that he or she is a ‘believe-er’; that he or she ‘has faith’ But Peter also knows that it is not our feeble faith that holds us close to God. It is God who does all the holding, and that is the reality behind the word received.” —R. C. Lucas and Christopher Green, The Message of 2 Peter & Jude The genuine gospel is centered on the person and work of Jesus —God —Savior —Christ —Lord “This fourfold description of Jesus is important because it puts him at the focal point of human history. As God, he guarantees that his words and his works cannot be replaced or revoked; as Christ, he fulfills all the Old Testament promises; as Savior, he died on the cross for our salvation in the past, present and future; and as Lord he claims the right to our individual love and obedience—notice how Peter calls him our Lord.” —R. C. Lucas and Christopher Green, The Message of 2 Peter & Jude The genuine gospel transforms us as we grow in knowledge of Jesus —grace and peace multiplied Discipleship Questions: Why is false teaching so dangerous? How does remembering and focusing on the true gospel help us stand against false teaching? In what ways is the gospel just as precious to us as it was to the apostles? How do you relate to Jesus as God, Savior, Christ, and Lord? What is the difference between knowing about Jesus and knowing Him?
Notes from Zach Snow's sermon on Sunday, July 13, 2025. Sermon text: 1 Peter 5:8-14 Why is the lion roaring? Wouldn’t it be a better strategy to be quiet…subtle…sneaky, in an attempt to “devour” Christians? I think that Peter, led by the Holy Spirit, was very intentional with his description here of the devil being a roaring lion. Went into a rabbit hole on a lion's roar…there are some spiritual applications to these: Can reach up to 114 decibels…almost as loud as a jet engine taking off They roar for social reasons (territory, create bonds, locate other members of their pride) as well as for purposes of intimidation. One of the primary purposes of the lion's roar is to strike fear in the heart of their prey. The lion will always start with a psychological advantage Fear, anxiety, depression, anger, hatred - these things can absolutely paralyse you spiritually The lion is not necessarily trying to kill you, but to destroy your faith Prayer: Be sober-minded - Have a clear and self disciplined mind - Titus 2 Exercise self control in thoughts, words, and action this is the 3rd time Peter has said this to us in 1 Peter - 1:13, 4:7 - it’s a call to remain alert and focused Being sober-minded means waging war against the things that are detrimental to the mind: fear, hatred, anxiety, depression, anger I believe these are specific things the enemy uses to derail our mental health and cause us to take our guard down Be watchful - this is the same word that Jesus used in the garden before he was arrested and crucified - this is a call to pray Prayers for others - Eph. 6:18 - Ephesians 6:18 - [18] praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, Prayers for yourself - James 1:5 - 5 j If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. So here’s the question… Do you believe in prayer? How much do you trust that God can do the things that you are not able to do? Do you trust God with the big stuff AND the small stuff? Discipleship Questions: 1.) In your personal life, what does being sober minded and watchful look like to you? 2.) Who are the people who help you stand firm in your faith the most? 3.) As a CG look at each of the points of the Theology of Suffering and find Scripture to support each one of those statements: God is ALWAYS good God is ALWAYS enough God will ALWAYS love you 4.) Discuss ways that the God of all grace has restored, confirmed, strengthened, and established you.
