Truth Over Traditions

In this final message in the Hebrews Series, Pastor Hollandsworth shares seven more behaviors from the text that God expects of His children who are living well-pleasing to Him. Topics include: living by grace, not legalism; bearing the reproach of Christ; seeking the heavenly Jerusalem; and what it means to submit to spiritual leaders. 

In the final chapter of Hebrews, the writer gives a list of behaviors that God expects of His children who are living well-pleasing to Him. Pastor Hollandsworth focuses on six of the behaviors in this first of two messages, and he also reviews the five warnings to believers found in the book of Hebrews. 

Will you be included in the Church of the Firstborn in the heavenlies in the Millennium? Inclusion is not guaranteed for all children of God, but only granted to those believers whom Jesus rewards for living “good and faithful.” Pastor Hollandsworth describes the qualifications for inheriting a place in this glorious assembly in New Jerusalem. 

God’s chastening is not mere punishment, but the entire process of child-rearing. Pastor Hollandsworth points out that God does not chasten all of His children, but only who cooperate with Him in the sanctification process. His purpose is to bring us to maturity by applying customized trials and sufferings, so we can become “sons to glory” in the coming kingdom. 

The Christian life is like a race – a long, grueling marathon. God wants us to lay aside the weights and sins that trip us up or cause us to stumble. We are to run the race with endurance, looking to Jesus. Pastor Hollandsworth discusses the things that cause defeat and the way to find ultimate victory. 

The Old Testament heroes of faith endured all sorts of persecution in order to “obtain a better resurrection.” Pastor Hollandsworth explains the meaning of this and makes spiritual applications to church age believers, emphasizing the importance of living by faith and sharing in the sufferings of Christ, which results in reward and inheritance. 

God “let none of Samuel’s words fall to the ground.” Nothing he said was trite or trivial. His words were weighty and impactful. Pastor Hollandsworth shares eight things Samuel said that have direct application to the Christian life, and he emphasizes the importance of believers having faith-filled speech. 

King David was a man after God’s heart, who fulfilled all His will. He is in the faith hall of fame because he obeyed God, by faith. Pastor Hollandsworth focuses on one key aspect of David’s life—how he pleased the Lord by responding in faith to others. Numerous applications are made to the Christian life. 

Gideon was a humble man who did not view himself as a fighter. Nevertheless, he believed God and was enabled to win a miraculous victory over the enemy with only 300 soldiers. Pastor Hollandsworth emphasizes the growth of Gideon’s faith that led to obedience and great courage from the Lord to do His will. “Little is much when God is in it” is the theme of this message. 

God gave Joshua unconventional battle plans for conquering Jericho, but he obeyed, by faith, and won the victory! Rahab hid the spies by faith, fully believing Jehovah to be the God of gods. In the end, she was rewarded with a glorious place in the lineage of Messiah. Using these OT illustrations, Pastor Hollandsworth outlines how NT believers can become victorious over Satanic strongholds. 

Being raised in Egypt in the house of Pharaoh, Moses had everything the world could offer. Yet he rejected it all to identify with Jehovah and His people. Pastor Hollandsworth points out the obvious applications to NT Christians. We must make deliberate decisions to separate from the world and live by faith! 

On his deathbed, Jacob bestowed the firstborn blessing upon Joseph by adopting Ephraim and Manasseh as his own sons. Also, both Jacob and Joseph made their ancestors promise to relocate their bones to the Promised Land. Pastor Hollandsworth focuses on the faith of these two dying men, who looked to the future and embraced the promises of God. They are examples to Christians today. 

How could God say that Isaac blessed both Jacob and Esau by faith if Isaac was deceived? Pastor Hollandsworth delves into this fascinating text, demonstrating that Isaac awakened to his error and blessed both sons according to God’s will. Esau is a type of national Israel and those church-age believers who throw their inheritance to the wind. God warns His children not to follow the path of Esau.

Abraham’s pilgrimage of faith was a “bumpy ride” during his early years. He left a life of idolatry and living in Ur, only to become detoured in Haran for many years, a culture very similar to Ur. Pastor Hollandsworth describes how this patriarch, over time, learned to obey the Lord and separate from the world, sojourning as a pilgrim in Canaan land. Christians can learn much from Abraham’s life. 

God places great value on faith, desiring that people in every age trust Him and live uprightly. Pastor Hollandsworth looks at the faith of three antediluvian men – Abel, Enoch, and Noah – also pointing out how they serve as types of events in the future.

The just shall live by faith. Pastor Hollandsworth clarifies from Heb. 11, that this quote from the Old Testament is not a soteriological (salvation) statement, as Reformation theology claims. Rather, it is a matter of sanctification, which Hebrews refers to as the “saving of the soul.” Those who live righteously, by faith, will be rewarded by God, like those named in the great faith chapter. 

The book of Hebrews warns that believers who have been “illuminated,” yet continue in willful, defiant sinning, can reach the point where there is no more sacrifice for their sins. Pastor Hollandsworth demonstrates that this does not result in loss of salvation, but rather punishment and loss of Reward at the Bema. 

The widow of Zarephath was unique in her idolatrous Phoenician culture, in that she responded to God and His prophet in complete faith. Pastor Hollandsworth points out that she is an example of how we should reject wicked culture, trust in the Lord amidst crises, and give generously, even when resources are limited.