2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Standing on the sure foundation and studying the inspired Word of God, we are to be –

c). Steadfast. Hebrews 6:4-8

(1). Explanation. 6:4-6 Secure

Those that claim salvation can be lost deny the power of the Sacrifice of Jesus and the acceptance of that sacrifice by the Father. They deny that His words from the cross “…it is finished…” have meaning for the lost world. They bring shame on Him, not realizing that through their denial of His completed work, if they could lose their salvation, He would have to die for them again because the first sacrifice had not enough power to insure their salvation unto eternity. Paul helps us to understand this through an –

(2). Illustration 6:7,8 Secure

Coming to the realization that the blessings of God come upon all, but not all believe and accept the goodness of God.

(a). Perseverance of the saints 6:7 Blessed results of belief

(b). Punishment of the unsaved. 6:8 Curse is the result of unbelief

Knowing that rebuke and reproof is not enough, he began to correct them with this –

3). Exhortation 6:9-20 Paul counseled them to give –

a). Attendance to their salvation. 6:9-12 Speaks to the –

(1). Evidence of their salvation. 6:9

Even though Paul described a dangerous and forbidding landscape caused by unbelief (…though we thus speak…), he was describing the worst condition while expecting the best. Those still in unbelief should be encouraged by the blessings of God upon the believers and, seeing the goodness of God, turn to Him in repentance and faith!

Share testimony of Grandpa Worley – a farmer that turned his heart to trust God. He had been in the cycle for years that so many farmers find themselves in – owing the bank each year for money needed to buy seed. The profit margin seem never enough. When he was saved he began to learn the whole counsel of God, which includes tithing. He was not sure how this would work as there never seemed to be enough, but he would trust God. When the harvest was finished, he sold his crops, paid his tithe, and had enough profit he no longer needed to borrow from the bank. Year after year the Lord blessed and his testimony for the Lord grew in the community. The other farmers saw the difference in their lives and his, their profits and his. The same dirt plowed, the same seed planted, the same fertilizer spread, the same sweat from the labour, yet he had more. The difference is God!
This is the testimony Paul is sharing – God sends the same rain and blessings on all. What makes the difference? Faith!

(2). Encouragement in their salvation. 6:10

“…For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love…”

God does not forget the loving labour and service given unto Him. The Hebrews knew the Word of God and would respond even as the lawyer replied to Jesus in –

Luke 10:27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

Loving God results in loving others and putting them before self. Jesus explained this kind of love in His parable of the Samaritan putting others before himself in –

Luke 10:29-37 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
In this parable we are introduced to the –

(a). Stranger in trouble – simply known as a “certain man”.
(b). Servants of God. “…a certain priest… “…a Levite…”

These men did not even count this stranger (likely not knowing that he also was travelling even as they were – Jerusalem to Jericho) to have the value of an animal.

Exodus 23:5 If thou see the ass of him that hateth thee lying under his burden, and wouldest forbear to help him, thou shalt surely help with him.

(c). Samaritan traveler.

An unknown man, under no obligation to the Law, who counted the injured man of more value than himself. He put this man before his schedule, his safety, and his savings (He did not set a financial limit on the innkeeper). There was no talk of compensation, only the act of compassion and care. Jesus instructed the lawyer “…go thou and do likewise.”

“…For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love…”

The priest and the Levite were laboring, but not laboring in love! They were self serving while the Samaritan was serving others.

The Lord keeps a record of your love, compassion, and care for others. He sees and remembers your ministry to others.

The Christians who are seeking to please the Lord are blessed by this truth.
The Christians who are serving themselves should be convicted by this truth.
The unbeliever should be terrified by this truth. God will judge you, not only for your unbelief, but also for all of the things that you have done in this life!