“A CALL TO REMEMBRANCE” (Heb 10:32-34)

Oct 7th, 2001


Int. Contrary to what most preachers tell sinners, God has not promised a bed of roses to the believer.

 

1.         (Acts 14:22) “Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.”

 

2.         To best understand this passage, we need to remember that this world is under God’s curse.

 

            a.         (Micah 2:10) "Arise ye, and depart; for this is not your rest: because it is polluted, it shall destroy you, even with a sore destruction."

 

3.         Trials and tribulations are designed to make us desire to leave this world.

 

            a.         (Phil 1:23) “...having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:”

 

4.         Tribulations are not all that God sends his people.

 

            a.         (Psa 68:19) "Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah."

 

5.         In these verses, Paul reminds them of four things: Their conversion, their conflicts their compassion and their companionship of days gone by.

 

I.       HE CALLS ON THEM TO REMEMBER THE EARLY DAYS OF THEIR CONVERSION.

 

            A.      NOTICE HIS PERSUASIVES TO STEADFASTNESS.

 

                        1.         He reminds them of their first love, in the (days when they became “light in the Lord.”

 

                                    a.         (Eph 5:8) "For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:"

 

                        2.          They had at that time endured persecution bravely.

 

                                    a.         After the death of Stephen (Acts 8:1) “And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem;” (Simon was put in Jail also.)

 

                                    b.         In the time of Herod Agrippa (Acts 12:1-2) “ Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.

 

 

                                    c.         At Thessalonica ...(1 Th 2:14) "For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:"

 

                                    d.         At Rome also: (Rom 12:12) “Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

 

                        3.         Clark says: "It appears from this, and indeed from some parts of the Gospel history, that the first believers in Judea were greatly persecuted.”

 

                        4.         Calvin says: "Paul reminds them of the evidences of piety which they had previously manifested; for it is a shameful thing to begin well, and to faint in the middle of our course, and still more shameful to retrograde after having made great progress. “

 

            B.      HE CALLS ON THEM TO REMEMBER THE FORMER DAYS. (Vr. 32)

 

                        1.         In many ways, we are better off than they were in the former days.

 

                        2.         In knowledge, in civilization, and liberty, and trade, and the conveniences and comforts of life, and, above all, in spiritual privileges, we far surpass our predecessors.

 

                        3.         Considering Judaism, Jesus said: (Mat 13:16) "But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear."

 

                        4.         They had the type, we have the reality; they had the promise, we have the accomplishment.

 

                        5.         They had the dawn, we have the day;

 

                        6.         (Heb 11:40) "God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect."

 

                        7.         William Jay says: Look at our forefathers who endured a great fight of affliction for conscience' sake. Think how they would have rejoiced to see a day in which we sit under our own vine and fig-tree, and none can make us afraid; in which the gospel is spreading far and wide; in which individuals and churches and communities combine to make manifest the savor of the Redeemer's knowledge in every place

 

            C.      HE CALLS ON THEM TO REMEMBER THE FORMER DAYS OF THEIR COMPLETE DEDICATION.

 

                        1.         Oh, how little has our practice corresponded with our profession!

 

                        2.         (2 Chr 17:3) "And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim;"

 

                        3.         The king of Israel never equaled the shepherd of Bethlehem.

 

                        4.         When at ease in Zion, his soul prospered much less than when he was hunted like a partridge upon the mountain.

 

                        5.         I think I hear these words coming to our church family:

 

                                    a.         (Rev 2:4-5) "I have somewhat against thee, because thou has left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, "

 

                        6.         John Owens says: "A wise management of former experiences is a great direction and encouragement unto future obedience.

 

            D.      THEY SHOULD REMEMBER THOSE FORMER DAYS OF THEIR IGNORANCE OF WHO CHRIST WAS.

 

                        1.         The former days: “When they were naturally blind, as are all men; and peculiarly blinded with prejudices against the truth of the gospel.”

 

                        2.         Pulpit C. says: "The tones of solemn warning of the dangers of apostasy in Chapter 6 are now relieved by a better hope."

 

                        3.          John Owens says: "The mention of this their illumination being in a tense of the time past, manifests that their enlightening did precede those days of their sufferings. This enlightening was that work of God’s grace mentioned by Peter in (1 Pet. 2:9), their “translation out of darkness into his marvellous light.”

 

                        4.         (Heb 6:4) Some were “illuminated,” but were not “regenerated.” These were both illuminated and regenerated.

 

II.      HE CALLS ON THEM TO REMEMBER THE EARLY DAYS OF THEIR CONFLICT WITH SATAN AND THE WORLD. (Vr. 3-b)

          Note: HE CALLS ON THEM TO REMEMBER THE EARLY DAYS OF THEIR CONVERSION.

 

          A.      THEY HAD SUFFERED GREATLY IN THOSE EARLY DAYS.

 

                    1.         Pulpit C. says: "Their calamities had been such as to make them a public spectacle. They had suffered:

 

                                    a.          In their character, which was assailed with malignant scorn.

 

                                    b.         In their persons, for they were subjected to bodily torture.

 

                                    c.         In their property. They were unjustly deprived of their possessions.

 

                                    d.         Yet they bore the loss cheerfully, being persuaded that their true and permanent treasure was in heaven."


Isaac Watts wrote:


“A guilty, weak, and helpless worm,

On thy kind arms I fall;

Be thou my Strength and Righteousness,

My Savior, and my All.”

 

            B.      THEY ENDURED A GREAT FIGHT OF AFFLICTIONS.

 

                        1.          The severity of the sufferings of the early Christians is witnessed to by very many portions of the New Testament

 

                        2.         This word “endured” here means: “without losing heart or hope.”

 

                                    a.         (Acts 5:17-18) "Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation, {18} And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison."

 

                                    b.         (Acts 5:40-41) “And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.”

 

                                    c.         They brought false witnesses against Stephen, resulting in his being stoned to death. (Acts 6-7:60)

 

                                    d.         (Acts 8:1) “And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.”

 

                                    e.         (Acts 9:1-2) "And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, {2} And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem."

 

                                    f.         (Acts 14:19) "And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead."

 

                                                Note:  This is the second of five times a crowd was incited because of Pauls ministry.

 

                                    g.         (2 Cor 11:25) "Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;"

 

                                    h.         (Heb 11:37) "They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;”

 

                        3.         A GREAT FIGHT OF AFFLICTIONS: (Vr. 32) Clark says: "Here we have an allusion to the combats at the Grecian games, or to exhibitions of gladiators at the public spectacles; and an intimation how honorable it was to contend for the faith once delivered to the saints, and to overcome through the blood of the Lamb, and their own testimony."

 

                        4.         Consider these afflictions for a moment:

 

                        5.         Pulpit C. says: "afflictions; rather, conflict of sufferings."

 

                        6.         THE ONE FALLS INTO HIS CHASTISING HAND; THE OTHER, INTO HIS AVENGING HAND.

 

                        7.         In the O. T., David and his people were to be punished, but the punishment was paternal chastisement for their profit.

 

                        8.         They were to suffer that they might be saved as a nation.

 

                        9.         But very different is the punishment of the willful and persistent sinner (see vers. 26, 27, 30).

 

            C.      CONSIDER THEIR SUFFERING FOR A MOMENT.

 

                        1.       Infliction of physical pain. “Being made a gazing-stock by afflictions.”

 

                        2.         Subjection to undeserved reproaches. “Being made a gazing-stock by reproaches.”

 

                                    a.         Gray and Adams says: The Greek word here used means to expose to view as in a public theatre; the expression here is figurative, yet it was afterwards literally carried out when Christians were exposed in the theatres, not only to insult, but made the victims of wild beasts, or assaulted by gladiators."

 

                                    b.         Alford says: "The theatre being the place where conspicuous punishments were inflicted on the multitudes there assembling."

 

                                    c.         Clark says: "spectacles; and an intimation how honorable it was to contend for the faith once delivered to the saints, and to overcome through the blood of the Lamb, and their own testimony."

 

                                    d.         (1 Cor 4:9) "For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men."

 

                                    e.         Spectacle: Greek means “Made a theatrical spectacle or entertainment to the world.”

 

                        3.          Spoliation of their worldly possessions. “Ye took joyfully the spoiling of your goods.”

 

                        4.        When a Jew shows himself determined to become a Christian, he is disinherited by his relations, his share in the property is withheld from him, his credit and every source of gain withdrawn; he falls into a state of complete destitution.”

 

III.    HE CALLS ON THEM TO REMEMBER THEIR BEING COMPANIONS OF OTHERS THAT SUFFERED. (Vr. 33)

          1.           HE CALLS ON THEM TO REMEMBER THE EARLY DAYS OF THEIR CONFLICT WITH SATAN AND THE WORLD. (Vr. 3-b)

              2.           HE CALLS ON THEM TO REMEMBER THE EARLY DAYS OF THEIR CONVERSION.

 

          A.      CONSIDER THE MEANING OF BEING A COMPANION.

 

                    1.         Calvin says: "They became “companions”, or associates of the godly in their persecutions..."

 

                        2.         John Gilmour, a godly Britisher who loved to witness for Christ, always carried gospel books to give to people as he had opportunity.

One day Gilmour was walking in a little village when he came across an old Irishman selling lids, kettles, and saucepans. Gilmour greeted the man, "Good morning, how is business today?" "Oh," said the Irishman, "I cannot complain."

Then Gilmour said, "What a grand thing it is to be saved!" The old man looked intently at him and replied, "I know something better than that." "Better than being saved? I would like to know what that is." With a warm smile, the man responded, "The companionship of the Man who saved me, sir."

 

                        3.         (Psa 119:63) "I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts."

 

                        4.         (Prov 13:20) "He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed."

 

                        5.         (Phil 2:25) "Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants."

 

                        6.         (Rev 1:9) "I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation,...”

 

IV.    HE CALLS UPON THEM TO REMEMBER THEIR COMPASSION ON HIM IN HIS BONDS. (Vr. 34)

          

          

              1            HE CALLS ON THEM TO REMEMBER THE EARLY DAYS OF THEIR CONVERSION.

              2.          HE CALLS ON THEM TO REMEMBER THE EARLY DAYS OF THEIR CONFLICT WITH SATAN AND THE WORLD. (Vr. 3-b)

              3.           HE CALLS ON THEM TO REMEMBER THEIR BEING COMPANIONS OF OTHERS THAT SUFFERED. (Vr. 33)

 

          A.      THEIR COMPASSION ON PAUL BROUGHT PERSECUTION ON THEMSELVES.

 

                    1.         Sufferings in sympathy with other sufferers. “Becoming partakers with them that were so used. For ye had compassion on them that were in bonds.”

 

                        2.         Calvin says on (They took joyfully the spoiling or loss of their goods.)...

 

                                    a.         "There is no doubt but as they were men who had feelings, the loss of their goods caused them grief; but yet their sorrow was such as did not prevent the joy of which the Apostle speaks."

 

                                    b.         (Heb 11:37) "They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;"

 

                                    c.         Clark says: “To suffer such persecution patiently was great; to endure it without a murmur was greater; to rejoice in it was greatest of all. But how could they do all this? The next clause informs us."

 

            B.      CONSIDER WHAT ENABLED THEM TO ENDURE SUCH PERSECUTION

 

                        1.         Like the apostles they “rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his Name.”

 

                        2.         One thing which sustained them in this noble endurance of cruel persecutions was their assurance that they possessed precious and imperishable treasures. (Vr. 34-b)

 

                        3.         They had treasure in heaven beyond the reach of their mightiest and most malignant enemies.

 

                        4.         Calvin says: "knowing that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. Joyfully then did they endure the plundering of their goods, not because they were glad to find themselves plundered; but as their minds were fixed on the recompense, they easily forgot the grief occasioned by their present calamity."

 

                        5.         They remember their past: "I am rich and increased with goods, and have need of nothing."

                                    a.         But when they were brought to a knowledge of themselves, they confessed with Paul, "In me, that is, iin my flesh, dwelleth no good thing."

 

            C.      NOTICE THREE IMPORTANT THINGS ABOUT THEIR POSSESSION.

 

                        1.         Its certainty. They knew that it existed, and existed for them; for they had the earnest of it in their hearts.

 

                                    a.         It was in heaven. (Vr. 34) “The abode of the glorified, the habitation of angels, the dwelling-place of God himself.”

 

                        2.         Its superiority. It is “better” than any earthly possessions. (13 times in Hebrews)

 

                                    a.         Jesus said: "I go to prepare a place for you; and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself, that where I am there ye may be also."

 

                        3.         Its perpetuity. “An enduring substance.” Heavenly possessions are inalienable and imperishable.

 

                                    a.         Heavenly possessions in “Heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”

 

                                    b.         No wonder we have our conversation in heaven; for where our treasure is, there will our heart be also.

 

Conclusion: Everything about our hope is better than what the world has to offer:

 

1.         Better in its nature. It is spiritual, and so suited to the wants of the soul.

 

2.         Better in enjoyment. It yields satisfaction; while, as to worldly wealth, a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesses; and in the midst of his sufficiency he is in straits.

 

3.         Better in acquisition. Worldly riches are commonly the mammon of unrighteousness. Few acquire them without some moral injury or degradation.

 

            a.         "He that maketh haste to be rich," says Solomon, "shall not be innocent;"

 

            b.         Paul says, "They will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil; which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."

 

4.         Better in behavior: In the pursuit of this substance there is no need of meaness and hypocrisy, of running down others, of hating rivals, of wishing people dead. The love of this wealth refines, enlarges, elevates, and ennobles the possesor, and does this in the same degree in which he is covetous after it.

 

 5.         Better in its endurance: Riches of this world make to themselves wings and fly away.

 

            a.         They are therefore called "uncertain riches."

 

            b.         Jesus said: "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal."

 

            c.         Here then are durable riches with righteousness.

 

            d.         William Jay says: “There is in them no principle of decay; and they are safe from external invasion and injury. A Christian therefore does not feel like men of the world, who have their portion in this life. They are alarmed and miserable at the changes which endanger"The heavens may pass away with a great noise, and the elements melt with a fervent heat; the earth also, and the works that are therein, may be burnt up;" but he is no loser even then. "For," according to his promise, "we look for new heavens and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness."


"All, all on earth is shadow; all beyond

Is substance. The reverse is folly's creed.

How solid all where change shall be no more!"


CONCLUSION: As David prayed: "So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom."