Hebrews chapter 4 got a few announcements. First, I want to thank everyone
who came yesterday to help clean the building. We had a big turnout,
got a lot done, and it was fun. Thank you. This Wednesday, the
parking lot is being sealed. So there will be no service this
Wednesday. This is the only day they could
come to do that. And also, the Wednesday before the conference,
There will be no service because we'll be having services Friday,
Saturday, and Sunday. There will be a bridal shower
for Mabel Lynn this Saturday in the Fellowship Hall at 10.30
AM. The sign up is in the foyer.
And our conference is only three weeks away. As the Lord enables
you, pray for the Lord's blessing on that. And give as you are
able to cover those expenses. There's a sign-up in the foyer
for the conference meals. We will serve lunch on Saturday
and Sunday. And all that information is on
the sign-up sheet. And remember the Frye family
at this time. Most of you know that Norman
passed away unexpectedly this week. So keep on doing that family
in your heart, in your prayers. He was a faithful member, loved
him dearly, and this church is gonna miss him. Hebrews chapter
four. Who are the children? Verse 14 says, for as then much
as the children. are partakers of flesh and blood? Who are these children? Now, Paul tells us in Ephesians
chapter three, verses 14 and 15, that God has a family. God
has a family. He said, for this cause, I bow
my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the
whole family in heaven and earth is named. God has a family called
the children of Israel. Now we know from our text that
those referred to as the children are partakers of flesh and blood. They're human beings, but who
are they? Who are the children? Now I ask this question because
the Bible speaks of two kinds of children. Children of God and children
of the devil. And that's God's word. Children
of God and children of the devil. The Lord said to a group in John
chapter eight who claimed God as their father. He said to them,
you are of your father, the devil and the loss of your father,
you will do. Do you remember the parable of
the wheat and tears? And let me remind you in that
parable, the tares were not to be ripped up because the Lord
said, if you try to rip up the tares, what you end up doing
is ripping up the wheat. And so these tares and wheat
look very much alike, but the Lord said that the tares were
the children of the wicked one. They are children of God. They
are children of the devil. We read in 1 John chapter 3 verse
10, in this the children of God are manifest and the children
of the devil. Children of God, children of
the devil. Paul said to the false prophet
Bar-Jesus in Acts 13, thou child of the devil. Thou enemy of all righteousness. There are only two kinds of people
in this world, children of God, children of the devil. And whenever I'm preaching, I
never assume that I'm preaching, in my preaching, that everybody
I'm preaching to are children of God. I hope they are. I hope
everybody in this room is a child of God. I really do. It's my
prayer that you will be, that I will be. That's my desire for
every one of us by His grace to be children of God. But I always know when I'm preaching
that I'm preaching to both. There are both kinds of children
in this room this morning. Children of God and children
of the devil. Now who are the children? I want
to know because we're all born under the power of this being
Satan, the devil. Let me show you that from the
scripture, Ephesians chapter two. Verse one, and you hath he quickened
We were dead in trespasses and sins, wherein in times past you
walked according to the course of this world, according to the
prince of the power of the air." That's the devil. That's Satan.
The spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience,
among whom also we all Me and you. Among whom also we all had
our conversation in times past, in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling
the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature
the children of wrath, even as others, but God. That's the difference
between the children of God and the children of the devil, but
God. Who are these children that are
described in Hebrews 2.14, for as much then as the children? Who are these children? Now, I want to answer that from
Hebrews chapter two. These children are all identified
right in this chapter. Now, the first remark I would
like to make about these children are they are the elect. Look at verse 13. Behold, this
is Christ speaking, behold I and the children which God hath given
me. The children are the elect of
God. The children are those God chose
as his children in Christ before the foundation of the world. Ephesians 1, 4 says, according
as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world. that we should be holy and without
blame before Him. The children are the elect of
God. Now the Bible is very clear on
the subject of election. If I do not believe and rejoice
in election, I do not believe and rejoice in the God of the
Bible. The God that I worship is a false
God, a man-made God, a figment of my own depraved imagination
if I don't believe and rejoice in the God of election. The God that's not the God of
election is a non-existent God. And if I do not believe and rejoice
in election, the God of election, I do not believe in grace, period. You cannot believe in the grace
of God and not believe in the electing grace of God. And if I die in that state, I
will prove myself to be a child of the devil. Who are the children? They are
God's elect. Look in verse nine of our text,
Hebrews chapter two. But we see Jesus who is made
a little lower than the angels. for the suffering of death my
marginal reading says for a little while he was lower than the angels
when he was on the cross being made sin that he by the grace of god should
taste death for every man now here the children are described
by the phrase of those he tasted death for, that he should taste
death for every man. Now somebody's thinking, if he
tasted death for every man, how is it that you say that he only
died for the elect? That doesn't seem to come together
in that verse of Scripture. What's that mean? In this passage
of Scripture, the word translated man Anthropos is not in that
verse. The word pos is the each, the
every, the whole. When I quoted Paul in Ephesians
chapter three, when he talks about the whole family of God,
that's the word, the whole family. He, by the grace of God, should
taste death for the whole, the each, the every, the all. And who these people are, translated
every man, is seen in this passage of scripture. Who he means when
he says he tasted death for the whole, for the children. Let's
go on reading. Verse 10, For it became him,
it was fitting for him, for whom are all things, and by whom are
all things, in bringing many sons into glory. Who are the children? The many
sons brought into glory when Christ ascended back to the Father. to make the captain of their
salvation. That word captain is the author
of their salvation. Perfect through sufferings. Who are the children? The people
of whom he is the author of their salvation. And if you're saved,
you know what? You know he's the author of your
salvation, don't you? You know he did it all. You know
it began with him. He's the alpha and the omega,
the author of your salvation. Is that you? If it is, you're
one of the children spoken of in our text. Look in verse 11, four, both
he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of
one. Who are the children? Those that
are one with Christ. Those who are united to Christ. Those who he has sanctified. They are the sanctified, made
holy. The children are those who are
one, united to the Lord Jesus Christ. Here's my only hope that
I'm one with him. You know, we're going to have
a couple of baptisms this morning, and that's what these baptisms
confess. My only hope is that I'm one with Him. That when He
lived, I lived. When He died, I died. When He
was raised, I was raised. For the witch cause, verse 11,
He's not ashamed to call them brethren. Who are the children?
The brethren. You know, what a special gift
of grace to be one of the brethren. And He's not ashamed to call
these people Brethren, he owns me as, that's my brother. That's
my brother. All of God's people are his brothers
and sisters in Christ Jesus. Isn't that a special thing? For
whom he did foreknow, them he also did predestinate to be conformed
to the image of his son, that he might be the firstborn among
many brethren. Who are the children? The children
are those that he's not ashamed to call brethren because they're
one with him. Saying, verse 12, I will declare
thy name unto my brethren. They are the ones he declares
the name of God to. The name of God is who he is.
Every attribute of God is revealed in the gospel of the Lord Jesus
Christ. That's who the brethren are. I would declare thy name
unto my brethren in the midst of the church. Will I sing praise
unto thee? The brethren are the church. The Church of the Living God. The Church that Christ loved
and gave Himself for. These are the children of God.
The Church. Verse 13, and again, I will put
my trust in Him. Now, these are the words of the
Father concerning the Son. He's the one who first entrusted
Christ and The brethren are those who put their trust in Him. Not in themselves, not in their
works, but in Him. And again, verse 13, behold,
I am the children which God hath given me. I think of the words
of the Lord in John chapter six, verse 38, I came not down from
heaven not to do my own will, but the will of him that sent
me, and this is the Father's will which had sent me, that
of all which he hath given me. I should lose nothing, but raise
it up again at the last day. In John chapter 17, six times
the Lord refers to those the Father gave him. I love the ninth
verse of John chapter 17. He said, I pray not for the world by the world. He means the children
of the devil. I pray not for the world, but
for them, which you have given me. Verse 14, for as much then as the children
are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took
part of the same, that through death he might destroy him that
had the power of death that is the devil who are the children
they are the ones who need to be delivered from him who has
the power of death that is the devil now if you're a child this
is what you need you need to be delivered from him who has
the power of death, that is the devil. Did not our Lord teach
us to pray every day, deliver us from evil, deliver us from
the evil one. It means deliver us from evil,
deliver us from me, deliver me from the devil. Now how is it
that the devil is said to have the power over death? The devil doesn't cause death,
sin does. Romans 5, 12, by one man, sin
entered the world. And death by sin, so death passed
upon all men in that all sinned. The reason you and I are gonna
die is not because of the devil, it's because of sin. And we can't
say with regard to our sin, the devil made me do it. We sin because
we wanted to. That was our purpose, that was
our intention. So why is Satan brought in? Who
is it that tempted Adam and Eve to sin? The devil, the devil,
Satan. You know, I think it's interesting,
he's called the accuser of the brethren, Romans 12, 10. He accuses them before God night
and day, the scripture says. You know what the word devil
means? The devil means the slanderer, the accuser. He's always accusing God's people. Look what they did. Look what they did. You know
whenever I slander somebody or make accusation against somebody,
I'm showing a lot of likeness to the devil, aren't I? He's
the accuser of the brethren. Now, how much can he accuse you
of? I'm not talking about somebody
else, I'm talking about you, and I'm asking this to me. How much
could the devil bring before God with regard to me or you,
and it'd be false? Well, how is this accuser to
be overcome? In that same passage of scripture,
they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb. That is the answer
to every accusation. They overcame him by the blood
of the Lamb. Who is he that condemneth? It's
Christ that died. Yea, rather that's risen, who
is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession
for us. Notice how it says in our text,
for as much then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood,
he himself likewise all took part in the same. You see, if
the children are to be saved, the children of flesh, he's going
to become flesh. And in the flesh, that's how he died, in the flesh. Look what it says, for as much
then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself
likewise took part of the same, that through death, through death,
he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is the
devil. How did he destroy him? Through
his glorious death. You see, the children are people
that Jesus Christ died for. They all have that in common.
Jesus Christ died for them. Turn with me for a moment to
Romans chapter six. Here's our hope. Romans chapter six. Verse six, knowing this, I love it when Paul says, knowing
this, knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him,
that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we
should not have sin as our Lord, having lordship, having dominion
over us. Our old man He's crucified. That's what the Word of God tells
me. The old man's crucified. Does that mean he's not around
anymore? Do you sin? Of course you do. He's not going
to be totally put down to be no more in your experience until
you die and put your old man in the grave. But he's crucified. He can't do anything to you. He's already been crucified. through death he might destroy
them that had him that had the power of death now let's go on
reading verse 15 and deliver them who through fear of death were
all their lifetime subject to bondage now whoever these people
are they're the people that his death delivered them Every one
of these people described in verse 15, who all their lifetime
through fear of death are subject to bondage, every one of these
people are people that he delivered by his death. So what's this
verse of scripture mean? Well, who's afraid to die? Everybody's
afraid to die. As far as men go. What do you
mean by that? I love that song by Sam Cooke,
A Change is Coming, but in that song he says, it's been too hard
living, but I'm afraid to die. Because I don't know what's out
there beyond the sky. And everybody's afraid of death
in that sense. Every man to ever live has been
afraid of what's going to happen after I die. It's fear of the
unknown. But that's not the fear he's talking about in this passage
of scripture. Now look what it says. Deliver
them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject
to bondage. Now this is the experience of
every believer. Paul put it this way. We know
the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. That is the experience of every
believer, and no unbeliever experiences that. Wow, I've got a free will. I'm not under bondage. I can
do this. I've got a free will. I'm not subject to bondage. Only
the believer knows what this bondage is. We know that the
law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. Now everybody like that, that's
subject to bondage, He delivered by His death. You know it takes a holy nature
to see this. Only those who have two natures
see the bondage of sin. So how are they delivered? By
His death. That's what the text says. and
deliver them, save them completely, who through fear of death were
all their lifetime subject to bondage. If you're in jail and
can't get out, you're already out. He's already set you free.
You're saved. You're a child. This describes
the children. Verse 16, for verily, he took
not on him the nature of angels, But he took on him the seed of
Abraham. Who are the children? The children
are the seed of Abraham. He didn't take on the nature
of angels, but the seed of Abraham. This is not a physical seed,
it's the children of the promise that are counted for the seed.
The seed of Abraham, the spiritual seed. The children of the flesh,
these are not the children of God, but the children of the
promise are counted for the seed. Romans 9, 8. Who are the children? The seed of God. The seed of
God. If ye be Christ's, then are you
Abraham's seed and children of the promise. You're children
of Abraham by faith in Christ Jesus. Galatians chapter 3. Who are the children? Those who
are the seed of Abraham. Now look in verse 17. Who are
the children? They are the seed of Abraham.
Verse 17, Wherefore in all things it behooved him to be made like
unto his brethren. Are his brethren flesh? He himself
took part in the same. God was manifest in the flesh.
He took on all the limitations of flesh. Are the children sin? He was
made sin. Do I know what all that means?
Of course I don't. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me. I know
he never sinned. And I know he was made sin, because
the scripture says, for he hath made him to be sin, who knew
no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. He experienced everything about
sin but the commission of it. Now, he never sinned. When he
was made sin, he never sinned. He's always holy, harmless, undefiled,
and separate from sinners. In that sense, he never sinned,
but he experienced everything about sin, the shame, The guilt,
the embarrassment, the feeling of abandonment, the feeling of
isolation. He experienced all of that infinitely
more acutely than you or I have ever experienced. That's why
he's a merciful and faithful high priest. Anything you've
experienced, he's not going to look down his nose at you. He's
experienced it too, much more acutely than you have. That's
how he is a merciful and a faithful high priest. Wherefore in all
things it behooved him to be made like unto his brethren,
that he might be a merciful and a faithful high priest. Look
in Hebrews chapter four, verse 14. Seeing then that we have
a great high priest, that's passed into the heavens. Jesus, the
Son of God, let us hold fast our profession, for we have not
an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our
infirmities. But was in all points tempted,
like as we are, yet without sin. Now whatever You feel, with regard
to your sin, he has felt it more acutely than you have. He's felt
more of the guilt of it, he's felt more of the shame of it. When we talk about Christ being
tempted, it doesn't mean he was looking at the Ten Commandments
and desiring to break them, and not giving in to that temptation.
He's God. Can God sin? No. Is Jesus Christ God? Yes. Can Christ sin? No. But oh, he experienced the wretchedness
and the guilt and the feeling of sin. And there's nothing you
feel that he's not moved by. What a merciful high priest we
have. Now the high priest, he's that
one who went in to the Holy of Holies and he's the only one
who would come. And he represented somebody.
And this high priest is represented by our great high priest, the
Lord Jesus Christ. He's the one who comes into God's
presence for me. And he comes as the great high
priest. with his own blood, not the blood
of an animal, but with his own blood. As my merciful high priest,
he comes with his own blood. But not only is he a merciful
high priest, he's a faithful high priest. What's that mean? What good would a high priest
do you if he said with regard to you, enough, I've had it. I'm not going to deal with that
person anymore. They've sinned too much. There's
a time where you just kind of say enough's enough. It's enough.
What would a priest like that do you? He would have said enough a long
time ago, wouldn't he? But he is a merciful and a faithful
high priest. If we confess our sins, he is
faithful and just. to forgive our sins and to cleanse
us from all unrighteousness. Now, look what it says in verse
14. Wherefore, in all things it behooved
him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a
merciful and a faithful high priest in things pertaining to
God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. Now,
who are the people? the people he has made reconciliation
for their sins. Now what does this word, reconciliation,
mean? This particular word is only
used one other time in the New Testament. Here it is. That publican in the temple,
beating on his breast, crying, God, be merciful to me. Make reconciliation for me. Be propitious toward me. Be a propitiation for me. Now, here's what every child
does, he asks the Lord to do something about sin. Make propitiation
for me. The only time this word is used,
again, is right here, when he said, God be merciful, make reconciliation
for me. Now, what's that look like? The
Lord said, I say unto you, this man went down to his house justified. You see, when he makes reconciliation
for you, you know what that means? That means you are justified. That means you are without sin
before God. Who are the children? those he
makes reconciliation for. Verse 18, here's the last point. For in that he himself has suffered
being tempted, and we've already seen what that means. He experienced
everything about sin. He is able to succor to help
them that are tempted. Now this I know about the children.
They're always tempted. At all times, they're tempted. Tempted to sin. He is able to succor, to help
them that are tempted. Here's the word. I believe. Thou. Help thou. Mine unbelief. God helps those
who help themselves. No, he helps those who cannot
help themselves. Lord, have mercy on me. My daughter's
grievously vexed with the devil. He answered her not a word. She
continued to cry. I'm not sent, but to the lost
sheep of the house of Israel. I've only come for the elect.
What'd she say? Lord, help me. If you don't help
me, I won't be helped. Help me, help me. He is able
to help them that are tempted. The Lord is my helper. I will
not fear what flesh can do to me. Who are the children? For as much then as the children
are partakers of flesh and blood, the children of the elect, the
everyman, the sons brought to glory, the ones who have Christ
as the author of their salvation, the ones who are one with him,
the brethren, the church, those subject to bondage, the seed
of Abraham, those who need a merciful and a faithful high priest to
make reconciliation, those who are tempted and need his help.
Now, if that's a child of God, I'm one. I'm one. Let's pray. Lord, how we thank you for our
great Savior. How we thank you for his salvation.
And Lord, for Christ's sake, by your grace, may everybody
in this room be one of your children. Lord, how we thank you for the
salvation of your children through the death of thy dear son. Make your word effectual to our
hearts. In Christ's name we pray. Amen.