I invite you to turn with me in your Bible or a Bible underneath the pew in front of you

or to just listen carefully to Hebrews chapter 6 verses 9 through 12.

You remember from last week that this writer in verses 4 to 8

has delivered a very hard word of warning to the effect that

some of his listeners might be in danger of making shipwreck of faith and being lost.

But now here he gives an encouraging word

and expresses his confidence in them. Like this, starting

in verse 9. But beloved, we are convinced of better things concerning you. In other words, he

doesn't believe that it's as bleak as it might

have sounded when he gave that warning. Better things that accompany salvation salvation though we are speaking in this way, this warning

way.

Verse 10, for God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward

his name in having ministered and in still ministering to the Saints. And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope to the end. So in spite of what anybody might have thought last week,

the goal of that warning was assurance. Strong full, not half full, but full assurance of hope, and not just part way to the end,

but all the way to the end, verse 12, that you may not be sluggish.

That's been his concern all the way through this book is he sees in this people a tendency

towards lackadaisicalness, sluggishness, kind of coasting in the Christian life.

That you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Let's pray as we begin.

Father, I ask with all my heart now, that this word would not be preached in vain.

That hearts would be opened, that assurance would be granted to all opened that

unbelievers would be granted to all the Saints,

...