HEBREWS 30


     We will begin this lesson in Hebrews 12:7 "If ye endure
chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom
the father chasteneth not?"

     There are so many who fall away from God at the very first sign
of problems. They are like the ones in the parable of the seed
planting which, sprang up and then died away at the very first sign of
trouble. Matthew 13:18  "Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower."
Matthew 13:19 "When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and
understandeth [it] not, then cometh the wicked [one], and catcheth
away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed
by the way side." Matthew 13:20 "But he that received the seed into
stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy
receiveth it;" Matthew 13:21 "Yet hath he not root in himself, but
dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth
because of the word, by and by he is offended." Matthew 13:22 "He also
that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and
the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the
word, and he becometh unfruitful." Matthew 13:23 "But he that received
seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and
understandeth [it]; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some
an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty."  Notice in this, that there
is no difference in the seed {Word of God} that was sown. The
difference is not even in the fact that all listened and received the
Word. The difference is when trials came, most did not endure the
chastening. They fell away. Only the one who fights the battle to the
end {endures} will be able to keep the Word given and produce with it.
All Christians are God's sons. We are adopted into the family of God.
We are the bride of Christ. If we are His, he trains us every day. We
must do the will of the Father. He teaches us what that will is. The
chastening comes because He is training us.

     Hebrews 12:8 "But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are
partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons."

     We moved into the country and built a church. The neighbors in
the community did not know us and just assumed we were a cult. You
guessed it, rumors starting flying everywhere. I shared this with a
Christian friend, who thought I should be thrilled. He said, well,
Louise,  you could be like the majority of the churches who are having
no trouble with the devil. I got really excited when he said this.
Sure the devil did not want another  church who taught the truth to be
opened. If you are attempting to do great things for God, you will
have trouble. That makes very good sense. If you are not winning
anyone to Christ, the devil will not bother with you. God allows the
devil to do these things, to see if you are real. Just as God gave the
devil permission to test Job, He sometimes allows the devil to test
us. He would not be interested in us learning how to fight for right,
if we were not His. If God is not training you, you are not His.
I Peter 5:9 "Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same
afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world."
I Peter 5:10 "But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his
eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while,
make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle [you]."

     Hebrews 12:9 "Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which
corrected [us], and we gave [them] reverence: shall we not much rather
be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?"

     I can only speak for myself, but my father had a razor strap,
that drove a few lessons home. Those lessons were not soon forgotten.
Children in those days, respected and obeyed their parents. God the
Father wants only the best for us. When He punishes us, it is to help
us. The beginning of wisdom is to fear the Lord. Another word for fear
is reverence. The flesh desires cause us to sin. We said in the lesson
before this that we must put the spirit in rule over the flesh, to
live godly lives. John 3:6 "That which is born of the flesh is flesh;
and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit."  Our loving heavenly
Father helps us put the flesh under the spirit. I Peter 5:6
"Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may
exalt you in due time:"

     Hebrews 12:10 For they verily for a few days chastened [us] after
their own pleasure; but he for [our] profit, that [we] might be
partakers of his holiness.

     Nothing is more pleasing to a parent than to have a well behaved
child. We are a reflection of our parents in many ways. The parent
relives their life through their child. A parent tries to help their
child not to make the same mistakes he made growing up. Some times the
parent spanking a child for a wrong doing is to keep them from making
the same mistakes he made. God the Father is a loving parent. He wants
us to be perfect. As we said in the verses above, His punishment of us
is to make us perfect. We are instructed to be Holy as He is Holy.  I
Peter 1:15 "But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in
all manner of conversation;" I Peter 1:16 "Because it is written, Be
ye holy; for I am holy."

     Hebrews 12:11 "Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be
joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable
fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby."

     Looking back on the punishment that I received as a child, I can
thank my parents that they cared for me enough to correct me. It is
strange how quickly the pain of the punishment is gone, but the lesson
learned is forever. Even the chastening of God is not a pleasant
experience while it is happening, but the fruit that it bears is
forever. James 3:17 "But the wisdom that is from above is first pure,
then peaceable, gentle, [and] easy to be intreated, full of mercy and
good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy."  James 3:18
"And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make
peace."

     Hebrews 12:12 "Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and
the feeble knees;" Hebrews 12:13 "And make straight paths for your
feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it
rather be healed."

     In my weakness, God within me is strong. Philippians 4:13 "I can
do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Not only will
God strengthen us when we are week, but we are instructed to
strengthen our weaker brothers and sisters. I Thessalonians 5:14 "Now
we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the
feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all [men]."  Jude
1:22 "And of some have compassion, making a difference:" Jude 1:23
"And others save with fear, pulling [them] out of the fire; hating
even the garment spotted by the flesh."

     Hebrews 12:14 "Follow peace with all [men], and holiness, without
which no man shall see the Lord:"

     Matthew 5:8 "Blessed [are] the pure in heart: for they shall see
God." Matthew 5:9 "Blessed [are] the peacemakers: for they shall be
called the children of God."  We see from the next verse that God
wants us to be at peace with our fellow man. Romans 12:18 "If it be
possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men."  If
we are living for God, He will cause even our enemies to be at peace
with us. Proverbs 16:7 "When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh
even his enemies to be at peace with him."






























                             Questions 30

1.  If we are God's sons, He will _______ us.
2.  What is the parable of the sower all about?
3.  Was there a difference in the seed planted?
4.  Why did it bring different results?
5.  We must do the ____ of the Father.
6.  What are we, if God does not chasten us?
7.  Why should we be pleased to be persecuted when we are doing good?
8.  Who in the Old Testament did God allow to be tried by the devil?
9.  In first Peter chapter 5 verse 10 we learn that after we suffer a
    while, God will do what for us?
10. Who did we give reverence on the earth?
11. What is God called in Hebrews chapter 12 verse 9?
12. What is the beginning of wisdom?
13. That which is born of the flesh is flesh and that which is born
    of the ______ is _______.
14. What must we do that God might exalt us?
15. God chastened us for our profit that we might be partakers of
    what?
16. Where do we find, Be ye holy, for He is holy?
17. Chastening yields the fruit of what?
18. The wisdom that is from above is first ____, then _________,
    ______ .
19. It is full of what 2 things?
20. What are we instructed to do in Hebrews chapter 12 verses 12 and
    13?
21. In my weakness, ____ is strong.
25. Quote Philippians chapter 4 verse 13.
26. What does Jude chapter 1 verse 23 tell us to do for the lost?
27. _______ are the pure in heart.
28. Who is at peace with those who please God?