From One Degree to Another

Phil Auxier's Blog

Connect

What Drove Those People?

by

In Hebrews 10:32-35, we read of a people who endured suffering “sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated.”  These people “joyfully accepted the plundering of their property” since they knew that they themselves “had a better possession and an abiding one.”  That was their secret.  Or, as F.F. Bruce put it on p.271 of his commentary on Hebrews:  

“The eternal inheritance laid up for them was so real in their eyes that they could lightheartedly bid farewell to natural possessions, which were short-lived in any case.”  

Today, we live in a day and age in which even Christianity is sometimes overly caught up in property and possessions.  Maybe this is true because we are much more wrapped up in the stuff of here and now and not in believing that we have a better possession that will abide forever.  This Sunday, join us as we look at this amazing passage and what drove these people to endure such suffering.  

Weekend Recap – Fair Warning

by

My sermon from 2/19/12AM was entitled Be Warned from Hebrews 10:26-31.  The sermon sought to unpack the warning we have in this heavy part of Scripture.  Simply put, God seeks to inspire our perseverance in the Gospel by warning us of the consequences that will be ours if we abandon the Gospel.  It was full of rich application and awesome insight.  I hope you’re helped by it, too.

Some of the most difficult verses in the Bible…

by

…will be the text for my sermon this Sunday, February 19th.  Hebrews 10:26-31 is the text in question.  I can’t think of a better way to prepare you than to merely copy the verses here and encourage you to prayerfully consider its truth, as you ask the Spirit for wisdom.  And, while you’re at it, pray for me.

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 willconsume 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 bythe 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.

Weekend Recap – Church Health

by

My sermon from 2/12/12AM entitled Church Health from Hebrews 10:23-25 is now online.  The big idea was that the Gospel’s full access should promote full living (that was Kent Hughes’ thought).  Specifically, because of the relationship we have with God through Jesus, we should hold relentless tight on the Gospel and be aggressive in showing love to others.

In the evening, we had Small Group and my group discussed our sinful tendencies toward envy, jealousy and other sins.

Hope you had a great Lord’s Day.

Our Hope and Assurance

by

This coming Lord’s Day, we will be looking at the vision of a healthy church from Hebrews 10:23-25.  v.23 urges us to hold on to our confession of Jesus for one big reason: The One who promised is faithful.

Writing on this, Ligon Duncan tells Christians to realize the brilliance of this: “You are a Christian.  You are struggling with assurance.  A dear friend and Christian comes to you to encourage you by turning you to the promises in the Word made to you.  You say back to him, “Well, you see, that’s my problem.  I am having a hard time believing that God could be so good to make those promises to me.”  The author of Hebrews has already figured you out.  He is saying, “Your confidence is not based ultimately on the promises that God has made to you, but the promises that God has made to Christ.  Do you doubt them?  Do you doubt the promises that God the Father has made to His Son?  When God the Father promised to make Him a priest according to the order of Melchizedek forever and when God the Father promised His Son that He would give you into His hands, do you doubt that promise?  You see, it is easy sometimes to doubt that God might be faithful to us.  That is because our lack of faith.  But you know, even when we are struggling with our own faith, we know enough about God to know that He is not going to break a promise to His Son.”

Hope to see you this Sunday as we think about this faithful, promise-keeping God and the calling He’s placed on our lives.

Weekend Recap – Draw Near

by

My sermon from 2/5/12AM entitled Draw Near from Hebrews 10:19-22 is online.  The sermon sought to revel in great Gospel truth.  My aim was partly to unpack the access that we have to the Father because of Jesus.  Far too many Christians live as if they are distanced from God somehow.  God, though, according to this passage has brought us near through the finished work of Jesus Christ our Lord.  The hymn Arise, My Soul Arise speaks of with “confidence I now draw nigh” and this is what is ours because of Christ.

Hope this sermon was a blessing to you.

Weekend Preview – Hebrews 10:19-22

by

After being out of the pulpit last Sunday (but still being well served here at Crestview) we are back this Sunday and given some measure of application.  From 1:1-10:18, the writer of Hebrews has been on a campaign to help root and ground us in the superiority of Christ, who He is and what He’s done.  Now, in Hebrews 10:19-22, our text for this coming, we will be reminded of these things again, but be pointed to application, specifically that we can come near to God Himself.  Therefore, plan to join us as we corporately draw near and hear of His amazing work for us.

Weekend Recap – Christ’s Work Is Done

by

My sermon from 1/22/12 entitled Christ’s Finished Work from Hebrews 10:11-18 is online.  In this sermon, I sought to provide listeners assurance, much like the author undoubtedly did for his original hearers, of the comfort and rest that are ours in Christ.  Specifically, because of what Christ has done, we are wholly adequate to God and have forgiveness of our sins.  That’s something real and tangible that resonates with us today.  I hope it’s an encouragement to you this Monday morning as well.

In the evening, we gathered in small groups.  What a blessing to experience community on the Lord’s day.  Hope you had a profitable day.

Weekend Preview – Hearts for God

by

This coming Lord’s Day (1/22/12AM), we plan to get into Hebrews 10:11-18 and see the difference that Christ’s finished work has made in our lives.  One big theme will be what new covenant promises are applied.  Here Ligon Duncan says it so well:

So, what is at the heart of the New Covenant promises? A people whose hearts are hearts for God. They have His will written on them. They are being made holy. They are being sanctified. They are being conformed to the image of God. They are being formed in the image of Christ. This is the one thing that is promised in that prophecy. And the author of Hebrews is saying, “Look, when you look up and see Christ at the right hand of God, you know that promise has come to fruition in the lives of His people…”

Therefore, in light of this truth, let’s come anticipating to revel in these things once again.  We have a great God and Savior who has stewarded all the blessings of salvation for us and finished the work.  He’s seating waiting for the great and glorious day when He will reign forevermore.  Come ready to praise your victorious Savior this coming Lord’s Day.

Holiness Is Possible, Really!

by

This coming Lord’s Day, Lord willing of course, my Sunday AM sermon will be on Hebrews 10:1-10. I’ve entitled the message Holiness Is Possible. Seems like many think of holiness or sanctification as an elusive thing.  It’s more like a goal, but something that we don’t know a real experience of.  But, in this text of Scripture, we are told that we can have real hope for being holy and approaching a holy God because of Jesus Christ, our Lord.  The old covenant spoke of limitations, but the good news is that we can be near God through Jesus.  I hope you come ready to praise God for the joy and holiness that is yours in Christ.