Hebrews 6:4-6

Hebrews 6:4-6 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.

I like how the Living Bible interprets the above scripture: "There is no use trying to bring you back to the Lord again if you have once understood the Good News and tasted for yourself the good things of heaven and shared in the Holy Spirit, and know how good the Word of God is, and felt the mighty powers of the world to come and then have turned against God. You cannot bring yourself to repent again if you have nailed the Son of God to the cross again by rejecting him, holding him up to mocking and to public shame."

The author of Hebrews warns us not to crucify Jesus anew in our lives. Otherwise, we should not to walk away from Jesus by claiming He is not real in our lives and saying, "As far as I am concerned you are dead." This is crucifying Jesus Christ anew. The world crucified him the first time. By killing Jesus, they hoped to rid the world of him and his influence. When they buried him, they believed He was gone for good, but Jesus rose again, making all who trust in him new creatures. But after we have tasted of his new life, if we say we don't believe in him, if we choose to kill him the second time, how can we be saved? No man can come to God outside of Christ because He is the door to salvation and eternal life. If we destroy the door, we eliminate our entrance into God's kingdom. Therefore, the author warns, do not kill Christ, for He is the only way to eternity with God. We must trust in him, endure whether we are discouraged or on the mountaintop, endure to the end regardless of the vicissitudes in our lives. The Bible says, If we ENDURE, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us.

When people discuss these scriptures and enduring to the end, immature believers sometimes conclude that they have committed the unforgivable act of sinning against the Holy Spirit. When they feel distant or far from God, they lack trust and doubt God's presence or work in their lives. Disappointments or tragedies may cause people to question God. Maybe they think the attractions of the world or an addiction caused them to disgrace their birthright as new creatures in Christ Jesus, children of the Most High. They lack confidence to begin anew, asking for forgiveness and mercy. These times of waywardness, doubt, and even rejection of God's intimate presence in our lives sometimes lead us to believe we have crucified Jesus afresh. But even our sorrow or despair about our disbelief or lack of spirituality indicates the Spirit is still working in our souls. God knows the intents and purposes of our hearts, and He sends the Spirit to woo us back home, to accept the reality of God in our lives. If wooing doesn't bring us closer to him, He may discipline us or allow difficult circumstances to remind us we are his children.

I reassure you this morning, as the author of Hebrews quickly assured his readers, that we are not in danger of crucifying Jesus Christ again: Even though we speak like this, dear friends, we are confident of better things in your case — things that accompany salvation. (vs 9) I am confident God will produce good fruit in us because we are all his children, eternally safe IN CHRIST. If you had crucified Christ in your life, you would not be reading this breakfast. If you had any inkling of casting Christ from your life, putting him to death the second time, you would show no concern about spiritual matters. Biblical considerations would mean nothing to a person outside of Jesus and his mercy. As God's child, you will endure to the end, relying upon the loving grace of God. My dad always said, "Hang onto Jesus no matter what. He will never let you down." Fellow breakfast companions, you might be greatly disappointed today, even feel defeated by a turn of events in your life, but rejoice because YOUR LIFE RESIDES IN CHRIST. He has won your battles and will reward you with life eternal as you trust in him. Yes, you may feel down or defeated today, but Christ provides life for you that will never end. This life rests IN CHRIST. Rejoice, for this world is not your home. Rejoice, for He has given you another day to live for him. Rejoice, for the giants in the land WILL NEVER DEFEAT YOU as you walk by faith and not by sight. Even death cannot defeat you, for Jesus conquered death. Enter into God's rest by faith, confident you are a child of the living God, not one who has crucified Jesus afresh. Amen!