Hebrews - Our Supreme Messiah #24, Your Best Option - Keep on with Jesus (Heb. 10:26-39)

Devotional

Day 1: The Danger of Willfully Rejecting Christ

Deliberate, willful rejection of Jesus after knowing the truth is a grave and fearful thing, as it means turning away from the only true sacrifice for sins. This is not about struggling with sin or falling short in weakness, but about a hardened, unrepentant heart that denies Christ’s work and refuses His grace. Such a choice is described as trampling underfoot the Son of God, profaning His blood, and outraging the Spirit of grace. The warning is sobering: to reject Jesus is to place oneself outside the hope of forgiveness, facing instead the righteous judgment of God. Let this truth stir a holy reverence in your heart and a renewed gratitude for the mercy found in Christ. [10:09]

Hebrews 10:26-31 (ESV)
For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses. How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace? For we know him who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Reflection: Is there any area in your life where you are knowingly resisting or denying Christ’s authority? What would it look like to surrender that area to Him today?

Day 2: God’s Justice and Righteousness

God’s character is unchanging—He is always righteous and just, executing true justice without personal revenge, and His judgment is both holy and fair. In both the Old and New Testaments, God’s justice is seen in how He deals with willful sin, and the seriousness of rejecting His offer of salvation through Jesus. For those who trust in Christ, His justice is satisfied at the cross, and there is no longer fear of wrath; instead, there is peace and assurance. But for those who deny Him, the reality of God’s righteous judgment should move us to compassion and urgency in sharing the gospel. [21:19]

Romans 3:25-26 (ESV)
…whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear about God’s justice and mercy? How can you lovingly share the hope of Christ with them this week?

Day 3: Remembering God’s Faithfulness in Hardship

Looking back on times when God has carried you through suffering and difficulty can strengthen your faith and encourage you to keep going. The early believers endured public shame, loss, and hardship, yet they did so with joy because they knew they possessed something better—an abiding hope in Christ. When life feels overwhelming or God seems distant, remembering His past faithfulness and your own steps of obedience can anchor your soul and renew your courage. [25:04]

Hebrews 10:32-34 (ESV)
But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one.

Reflection: Think of a specific time when God showed up for you in a difficult season. How can recalling that moment encourage you or someone else today?

Day 4: Hold Fast to Your Faith and Confidence

Your faith is stronger than you realize, and God calls you to hold on to it with endurance, especially when doubts or discouragement come. The promise of Christ’s return and the reward of heaven are sure, and God takes pleasure in those who live by faith and do not shrink back. Even when you feel weak, you are not alone—God’s people are those who persevere, not those who give up. Encourage yourself and others to keep pressing on, trusting that God will fulfill His promises. [33:39]

Hebrews 10:35-39 (ESV)
Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. For, “Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay; but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.” But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.

Reflection: What is one promise of God you need to cling to right now? How can you remind yourself of this truth when doubts arise?

Day 5: The Power and Priority of Prayer in the Christian Life

Prayer is not just a means of maintaining your spiritual life, but the highest work entrusted to you as a follower of Jesus, the root of strength for all other work. When believers come together in focused prayer, unity and spiritual power are released, and God is glorified. Make it a priority to study, practice, and grow in the art of prayer, both individually and as a church, trusting that God hears and responds to the prayers of His people. [02:32]

Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Reflection: What specific need or burden can you bring to God in prayer today, trusting Him to work and to bring peace?

Sermon Summary

Today’s focus is on the call to “keep on with Jesus”—to persevere in faith, especially when life is hard or when doubts creep in. The book of Hebrews, written to Jewish believers tempted to return to the old covenant, reminds us that Jesus is greater than anything else: greater than angels, prophets, Moses, and the old sacrificial system. His blood is the only true and lasting sacrifice for sin, and through Him, we are utterly forgiven and welcomed into God’s presence with confidence.

The warning in Hebrews 10 is sobering: willful, ongoing rejection of Christ after knowing the truth is a dangerous path, one that tramples on the Son of God and profanes His sacrifice. This isn’t about struggling with sin or wrestling with doubts—God is merciful to the repentant. Rather, it’s about a hardened, persistent denial of Jesus and His work. God’s justice is real, and His judgment is righteous, not vengeful. For those in Christ, there is no fear of wrath; Jesus has borne it all. But this reality should stir us to share the gospel with urgency and compassion, knowing what’s at stake for those who turn away.

Encouragement comes as we remember how God has worked in our past. The early believers endured suffering, public shame, and even the loss of their possessions, yet they did so with joy because they knew they had a better, abiding possession—heaven itself. We, too, are called to look back and recall God’s faithfulness in our own lives, especially in seasons of hardship or discouragement. These memories anchor us and remind us that God is present, even when circumstances are difficult.

Finally, we are urged to hold fast to our faith and not throw away our confidence. Endurance is needed, especially when doubts arise or when the wait for Christ’s return feels long. The promise is clear: we are not those who shrink back, but those who persevere and inherit the promises of God. Even when we feel weak, our faith is often stronger than we realize, and God is faithful to sustain us. For those who have not yet trusted Christ, the invitation is open: repent, believe, and receive the gift of new life and eternal hope.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s justice is righteous, not vengeful, and His character never changes. The warning in Hebrews is not for those who struggle with sin, but for those who willfully and persistently reject Christ after knowing the truth. This distinction brings peace to believers and urgency to our mission: we must share the gospel, knowing what’s at stake for those who turn away. [11:18]
2. Remembering God’s past faithfulness is a powerful antidote to discouragement. When we recall how God has shown up in our hardest moments—how He has provided, comforted, and sustained us—we find strength to endure present trials. These memories are not just sentimental; they are spiritual anchors that remind us of God’s unchanging goodness. [30:39]
3. Our hope is rooted in a “better possession”—the abiding reality of heaven and the presence of Christ. Earthly losses, even severe ones, cannot compare to the treasure we have in Jesus. This perspective enables us to endure suffering with joy, knowing that our true inheritance is secure and eternal. [32:10]
4. Endurance in faith is not about never doubting, but about holding fast to Christ in the midst of doubt and hardship. The call is to “not throw away your confidence,” but to persevere, trusting that God’s promises are sure even when fulfillment seems delayed. Faith is strengthened as we remember God’s faithfulness and encourage one another to press on. [34:29]
5. The invitation to salvation is both simple and profound: recognize your need, repent, and trust in Christ’s finished work. This is not a superficial decision, but a deep turning of heart and mind toward God. For those who respond, there is forgiveness, new life, and the assurance that we are not those who shrink back, but those who persevere to the end. [41:27]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:34] - Church Anniversary & Prayer Focus
[01:31] - The Power and Priority of Prayer
[05:00] - Keep On With Jesus: Hebrews Overview
[06:35] - Confidence in Christ’s Forgiveness
[08:12] - The Importance of Gathering
[10:09] - The Danger of Willful Rejection
[13:00] - God’s Mercy for the Repentant
[16:07] - Forsaking the Assembly and Its Consequences
[18:29] - Old Testament Examples of Judgment
[22:16] - The Justice and Righteousness of God
[24:30] - No Turning Back: Staying Focused on Jesus
[25:40] - Encouragement from Past Obedience
[32:10] - Our Better and Abiding Possession
[33:25] - Hold Fast: The Call to Endurance
[36:40] - Living by Faith, Not Shrinking Back
[41:27] - The Invitation to Salvation
[44:02] - Closing Prayer and Worship

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Hebrews 10:26-39 (ESV) — 26 For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,
27 but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries.
28 Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses.
29 How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace?
30 For we know him who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.”
31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
32 But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings,
33 sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated.
34 For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one.
35 Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.
36 For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.
37 For, “Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay;
38 but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.”
39 But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.

Observation Questions

According to Hebrews 10:26-29, what is the difference between struggling with sin and willfully rejecting Christ?
What examples does the author of Hebrews give to show how the early believers endured suffering and loss?
In verse 34, what does it mean that the believers had “a better possession and an abiding one”?
What encouragement does the writer give in verses 35-39 for those who are tempted to give up or “shrink back”?

Interpretation Questions

The sermon explains that the warning in Hebrews 10 is not for those who struggle with sin, but for those who persistently reject Christ after knowing the truth. Why is this distinction important for believers to understand? [[13:00]]
The pastor shared that remembering God’s past faithfulness can help us endure present trials. How might recalling specific moments of God’s help in your life strengthen your faith during hard times? [[30:39]]
The passage says, “do not throw away your confidence.” What does it look like to “hold fast” to faith when doubts or discouragement come? [[34:29]]
The sermon mentions that our hope is rooted in a “better possession”—the reality of heaven and the presence of Christ. How does this eternal perspective change the way we view suffering or loss? [[32:10]]

Application Questions

The pastor said that God’s justice is righteous, not vengeful, and that for those in Christ, there is no fear of wrath. How does this truth affect the way you view your own salvation and your motivation to share the gospel with others? [[11:18]]
Think back to a time when God showed up for you in a difficult season. How can you use that memory as an “anchor” when you face new challenges? Is there a way you could share that story to encourage someone else this week? [[30:39]]
The early believers “joyfully accepted the plundering of their property” because they knew they had something better in Christ. Is there something you are holding onto too tightly in this world? How might remembering your “better possession” in Christ help you let go? [[32:10]]
The sermon challenged us to “not throw away your confidence” but to persevere, even when faith feels weak. What are some practical ways you can remind yourself of God’s promises when you feel like giving up? [[34:29]]
The pastor said that endurance in faith is not about never doubting, but about holding fast to Christ in the midst of doubt and hardship. When was the last time you felt like shrinking back? What helped you keep going, or what could help you next time? [[37:45]]
For those who have not yet trusted Christ, the invitation is open: repent, believe, and receive new life. If you have not made this decision, what questions or hesitations do you have? If you have, how can you help others take this step? [[41:27]]
The sermon encouraged us to encourage others who may be struggling. Who in your life needs a word of encouragement or a reminder of God’s faithfulness? What is one thing you can do for them this week? [[39:13]]

Sermon Clips

But what he is telling us, is why it is important to stay with Jesus, to keep on with Jesus. And the reason is, because we serve a righteous and just God. We serve a righteous and just God. God has not changed his character. His covenant changed, but his character never has. He always will and always is righteous. [00:11:18] (27 seconds) #RighteousAndJustGod

We must understand if a heart of repentance is present in a person when they see their own sin, God will forgive. Again, and again, and again. Seventy times seven, right? God does that. [00:13:03] (20 seconds) #ForgivenessSeventyTimesSeven

He's making the point of God's justice. And I want you to see something there though. He says this is vengeance. God, just so you know, is never revenging. He's not revengeful. Revenging and vengeance is two different things. To revenge somebody is to personally hurt somebody because they affronted you. And you're getting back at them. God is not getting back at you. He is executing His judgment, His righteous justice. [00:21:30] (32 seconds) #ShareTruthAndLove

I believe Christians, Christians sometimes suffer from short memories. Okay? In a negative way. Now short memories can be positive, right? When we forgive a sin of somebody or forget what somebody had wronged us or that kind of thing. That's a good way to have a short memory. But sometimes Christians have memory in a bad way in that sometimes we forget exactly how much God has taken care of us and blessed us. [00:28:00] (30 seconds) #HopeInHeaven

You see, God wants us to remember, remember our own obedience and his blessings in these things. Verse 34, you see, this is the anchor to the whole thing though. He says, since you knew that you yourselves have a better possession and an abiding one. It isn't just that God does walk with us. Yeah, keep remembering that, but folks, we have an abiding, better possession. [00:31:16] (30 seconds) #ClingToAssurance

In seasons when God feels far away or life feels unbearably difficult, look back on how he has shown up and shown off and cling to the assurance of heaven and all it offers. So the next time you get plundered, you know where to go, right? Amen. [00:32:39] (28 seconds) #OvercomingDoubt

If you are here today or listening online and you have trusted Jesus, the Son of God, and His work on the cross to pay your sin debt, be determined to hold to your faith and God's promises, no matter what life throws you, no matter what life throws you, be determined to hold fast to your faith. be determined to hold fast to your faith. [00:40:34] (38 seconds)

We must see that we need a Savior. We must see that we're sinful and that we are under the wrath of God and His righteousness. And we need to be saved from that. Once you understand that, the Bible tells us very clearly, the Bible tells us very clearly, we have to have a heart and a mind of repentance. Our heart and mind says, I don't want to be a sinful person. I want to be a righteous person. I don't want to do bad things. I want to do things that honor God. And so we turn from sin and we turn to God. [00:41:27] (34 seconds)

And we confess our sins to Christ and He forgives us. Amen. He forgives us. He forgives us as we trust in Him for taking the punishment of our sins. And when someone does that, in that very moment, they become born again spiritually. They are now alive in Christ Jesus. They are bound for heaven. They are citizens of heaven. [00:42:15] (33 seconds)

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

What motivates believers to keep following Jesus consistently?

How does understanding God's justice influence Christian perseverance?

In what ways can recalling past obedience strengthen faith during trials?