Lettuce in the Garden of God
Hebrews 10:19-25
Soil (soul) preparation: The three "having's"!
To grow and thrive in the Garden of God, the Holiest, requires soul preparation.
1. Vs 19 Having Boldness: This is achieved by our Husbandman (John 15:1), our Heavenly Father through the blood of His Son. He has turned hard clay (our hearts Ezek 36:25) into good soil by the blood of Jesus. We can dwell in His nourishing Presence by the Living Way of Him Who is the Way, Truth and Life.
2, Vs 21 Having a High Priest over the household of God. (The "having" here is understood, not in the original text.) Remember Ex 33:20! "And God said, You cannot see My Face; for no man shall see Me and live." We must have a mediator, or His Presence would be fatal! And our God and Father has prepared that Mediator for us, the Man, Christ Jesus. (II Cor 4:6)
3. Vs 22 Having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
The figure here is of the OT high priest who went into the Holy Place once a year. But whereas He could do nothing about their evil conscience (it's weeds continued to grow Heb 10:3), God has provided the Perfect Sacrifice, mediated by The Perfect High Priest Who that has laid to rest our consciousness of the sins that are past. (Romans 3:25-26)
Note: We are not saying that the Redeemed have no more conscience or consciousness of sin. God forbid. Actually, the conscience of the Redeemed is probably more lively. What we are saying that the Redeemed conscience is no longer evil, condemning, tormenting. The redeemed conscience spurs us to fly to our Jesus, as one old saint said, "to hide in Jesus wounds."
Again, this work is that of our Father/Gardener through His Son Jesus Christ. He has given us the "laver of His Word" that we might be washed daily.( Eph 5:25-27)
The soil (soul) is prepared. It is time to plant the seed!
Let is a frustrating little word. Actually, In our text, the idea is that "we should" or negatively, "Do not hinder"
Let Us #1 Vs 22 "Let us draw near".
Near to what? The Holiest of verse19. The soil is prepared, now be planted there, dwell there. This isn't an Old Covenant invitation, once a year! This is a continual imperative. This is where we are to abide and be fruitful with the lush green leaves of grace! (John 15)
How do we let? How do we keep from hindering this "growth medium" (Miracle Grow soil)
Hebrews 3:7-4:3 An EVIL heart of UNBELIEF!!! (Heb 3:12) Therefore, we let by BELIEVING what God has said! And what has He said? The soil is perfect, the fertilizer is perfect, the rainfall and dry times are perfect. Now ABIDE AND GROW!
Let us draw near—IN FULL ASSURANCE OF FAITH (THAT MEANS BELIEVE) because our Father has done everything eternally necessary to enable us by grace through faith to live in His Presence for all Eternity! See "having #3". BELIEVE IT!!!!
Let US #2 Vs 23 "Let us hold fast"
Hold fast what? The confession of our faith without wavering. Confession means not just talk, but also walk. Our confession is who we have become by the grace of God. Out confession is our living declaration that we are different inside and out by the blood of Jesus. How do we remain consistent, and persevere in this declaration? By making 13 resolutions to be consistent every morning? NO!!!! By living upon, by counting upon Him Who has promised, and BELIEVING that He is Faithful to His Covenant Promise. Again, BELIEVE IT!!!!
Let Us #3 Vs 24 "Let us consider"
Consider what? Consider one another in order to stir up LOVE and GOOD WORKS! (Romans 15:1-2, Philippians 2:1-4) Is this one of your top three reasons for coming to "church"? Do you come to edify, to stir up LOVE and GOOD WORKS in your brothers and sisters? It doesn't say jus "stir up". We've had far too much experience with that kind of "believer".
Vs 25 is in this context! It iw so sad that this verse gets quoted by itself constantly! The assembly of the saints is for the purpose of edification, encouragement, strengthening the feeble knees (Heb 12:12-13) through the Word of God and prayer, knowing that He is in our midst! (Matt 18:20) Fellowship isn't a collection of warm bodies in a building talking about the weather, or the Chiefs or March Madness!
Here's the implication of Verse 25: If our habit is not to find time to gather with God's people to be a part of the edification, love and good works encouragement, praise and adoration of our God and King, then there is a serious symptom of an EVIL HEART OF UNBELIEF!!!!!!!!! Our God has done everything needful, everything that His Perfect Nature requires, to open the door for His People to live continually in His Presence! To disbelieve that, to not run into His Bosom in the arms of Jesus, is a most evil heart of belief! So don't disbelieve! Believe, for all things are possible to him that believes!! Jesus said that in Mark 9:23, BELIEVE IT!!! You can't believe? James 4:2 You have not because you ask not!!! Marl 9:24 "Lord, I believe, help mine unbelief."
Thomas Adam on conscience and the sufficiency of Jesus (1701-1784)
If it was not for Christ, conscience would tear me in pieces. Conscience is the most positive, teasing, tormenting thing in the world; and nothing can silence it but faith. Conscience is the viper on Paul's hand; and its nature is to sting, inflame, and kill. Why then do I not swell, or fall down dead? I know!
I know my sins are a vast heap, and more in number than the hairs of my head, but I will think no more of them (save to deny and test myself) for the remainder of my life. I will look only unto Jesus; and if better obedience does not spring from this faith and looking, I shall for ever despair of attaining to it. (II Corinthians 3:18)
"But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed inot the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord."
Hebrews 10:19-25
Soil (soul) preparation: The three "having's"!
To grow and thrive in the Garden of God, the Holiest, requires soul preparation.
1. Vs 19 Having Boldness: This is achieved by our Husbandman (John 15:1), our Heavenly Father through the blood of His Son. He has turned hard clay (our hearts Ezek 36:25) into good soil by the blood of Jesus. We can dwell in His nourishing Presence by the Living Way of Him Who is the Way, Truth and Life.
2, Vs 21 Having a High Priest over the household of God. (The "having" here is understood, not in the original text.) Remember Ex 33:20! "And God said, You cannot see My Face; for no man shall see Me and live." We must have a mediator, or His Presence would be fatal! And our God and Father has prepared that Mediator for us, the Man, Christ Jesus. (II Cor 4:6)
3. Vs 22 Having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
The figure here is of the OT high priest who went into the Holy Place once a year. But whereas He could do nothing about their evil conscience (it's weeds continued to grow Heb 10:3), God has provided the Perfect Sacrifice, mediated by The Perfect High Priest Who that has laid to rest our consciousness of the sins that are past. (Romans 3:25-26)
Note: We are not saying that the Redeemed have no more conscience or consciousness of sin. God forbid. Actually, the conscience of the Redeemed is probably more lively. What we are saying that the Redeemed conscience is no longer evil, condemning, tormenting. The redeemed conscience spurs us to fly to our Jesus, as one old saint said, "to hide in Jesus wounds."
Again, this work is that of our Father/Gardener through His Son Jesus Christ. He has given us the "laver of His Word" that we might be washed daily.( Eph 5:25-27)
The soil (soul) is prepared. It is time to plant the seed!
Let is a frustrating little word. Actually, In our text, the idea is that "we should" or negatively, "Do not hinder"
Let Us #1 Vs 22 "Let us draw near".
Near to what? The Holiest of verse19. The soil is prepared, now be planted there, dwell there. This isn't an Old Covenant invitation, once a year! This is a continual imperative. This is where we are to abide and be fruitful with the lush green leaves of grace! (John 15)
How do we let? How do we keep from hindering this "growth medium" (Miracle Grow soil)
Hebrews 3:7-4:3 An EVIL heart of UNBELIEF!!! (Heb 3:12) Therefore, we let by BELIEVING what God has said! And what has He said? The soil is perfect, the fertilizer is perfect, the rainfall and dry times are perfect. Now ABIDE AND GROW!
Let us draw near—IN FULL ASSURANCE OF FAITH (THAT MEANS BELIEVE) because our Father has done everything eternally necessary to enable us by grace through faith to live in His Presence for all Eternity! See "having #3". BELIEVE IT!!!!
Let US #2 Vs 23 "Let us hold fast"
Hold fast what? The confession of our faith without wavering. Confession means not just talk, but also walk. Our confession is who we have become by the grace of God. Out confession is our living declaration that we are different inside and out by the blood of Jesus. How do we remain consistent, and persevere in this declaration? By making 13 resolutions to be consistent every morning? NO!!!! By living upon, by counting upon Him Who has promised, and BELIEVING that He is Faithful to His Covenant Promise. Again, BELIEVE IT!!!!
Let Us #3 Vs 24 "Let us consider"
Consider what? Consider one another in order to stir up LOVE and GOOD WORKS! (Romans 15:1-2, Philippians 2:1-4) Is this one of your top three reasons for coming to "church"? Do you come to edify, to stir up LOVE and GOOD WORKS in your brothers and sisters? It doesn't say jus "stir up". We've had far too much experience with that kind of "believer".
Vs 25 is in this context! It iw so sad that this verse gets quoted by itself constantly! The assembly of the saints is for the purpose of edification, encouragement, strengthening the feeble knees (Heb 12:12-13) through the Word of God and prayer, knowing that He is in our midst! (Matt 18:20) Fellowship isn't a collection of warm bodies in a building talking about the weather, or the Chiefs or March Madness!
Here's the implication of Verse 25: If our habit is not to find time to gather with God's people to be a part of the edification, love and good works encouragement, praise and adoration of our God and King, then there is a serious symptom of an EVIL HEART OF UNBELIEF!!!!!!!!! Our God has done everything needful, everything that His Perfect Nature requires, to open the door for His People to live continually in His Presence! To disbelieve that, to not run into His Bosom in the arms of Jesus, is a most evil heart of belief! So don't disbelieve! Believe, for all things are possible to him that believes!! Jesus said that in Mark 9:23, BELIEVE IT!!! You can't believe? James 4:2 You have not because you ask not!!! Marl 9:24 "Lord, I believe, help mine unbelief."
Thomas Adam on conscience and the sufficiency of Jesus (1701-1784)
If it was not for Christ, conscience would tear me in pieces. Conscience is the most positive, teasing, tormenting thing in the world; and nothing can silence it but faith. Conscience is the viper on Paul's hand; and its nature is to sting, inflame, and kill. Why then do I not swell, or fall down dead? I know!
I know my sins are a vast heap, and more in number than the hairs of my head, but I will think no more of them (save to deny and test myself) for the remainder of my life. I will look only unto Jesus; and if better obedience does not spring from this faith and looking, I shall for ever despair of attaining to it. (II Corinthians 3:18)
"But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed inot the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord."