1. The Christian and Willful Sin
Hebrews 10:26-31

2. Danger of Falling Away is Real
“You have become estranged from Christ… you have fallen from grace” (Galatians 5:4)
“Beware, brethren…lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God…lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin” (Hebrews 3:12-13)

3. Vigilant Faith is Necessary
“…Run in such a way that you may obtain it…temperate in all things…I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest… I myself should be disqualified.” (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)
“Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall...way of escape, that you may able to endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:12-13)

4. Warning against willful sin4

5. Dangers of Willful Sin Hebrews 10:26-31
Stubborn presumptuousness, 10:26; Numbers 15:30-31
Conscious choice of sin (contrast 1 Tim. 1:13)
Deliberate choice to sin; Full intent, knowing God’s will on the matter--
To do what God forbids, 1 John 3:4
Not to do what God commands, James 4:17
Obstinate and arrogant, Luke 12:42-48

6. Dangers of Willful Sin Hebrews 10:26-31
Direct rebellion against the truth, 10:26
Escaped the world's filth through the knowledge of truth, 2 Peter 2:20
We are to grow in grace and knowledge to prevent falling, 2 Peter 3:17-18
Willful sin shows ingratitude for God's blessings, Hebrews 6:4, 6

7. Dangers of Willful Sin Hebrews 10:26-31
Shows contempt for God, 10:28-31
For the sacrifice of the Son, 10:29, 26; Hebrews 9:11-14; 10:11-14
For the grace of the Spirit, 10:29; 6:4; Rom. 6:1-2
For the judgment of the Father, 10:30-31, 27 (12:29)

8. Nature of Willful Sin Hebrews 10:26-31
Born of pride and over-confidence in self, 1 Corinthians 10:12 (3:18); Galatians 6:3
Remedy: Sober and humble, Romans 12:3; 16

9. Nature of Willful Sin Hebrews 10:26-31
The tendency to categorize sin
Willful sin can produce hypocrisy that condemns certain sins while ignoring other sins, Matthew 7:3-5; Romans 2:21-24
“Big” sins: Adultery, murder, stealing…
“Little” sins: Small lies, not worshiping God, holding a grudge, unforgiving, gossip, showing favoritism…, James 2:9-13
Easily yields to self-righteousness, Luke 18:9-12

10. Nature of Willful Sin Hebrews 10:26-31
Chooses to ignore sin
Willful sin comes “after” we have received a knowledge of the truth, Hebrews 10:26
“Illuminated”, Hebrews 10:32
Receive the word with joy and believe for a while…fall away, Luke 8:13

11. Defense against Willful Sin Hebrews 10:32-39
Recall the former days of faithfulness (32-34)
Running well, Gal. 5:7; 1 Cor. 9:24; Phil. 3:12-14
Remember the confidence of your salvation (10:34-35) Phil. 3:20
Faith that endures to the end (10:36-39) Hebrews 3:14

12. Willful Sin Hebrews 10:26-31
At least two know if you are sinning willfully:
You and God
Jesus is the only remedy for your sins – no other sacrifice
Do not refuse Him who speaks…
“for our God is a consuming fire” (Heb. 12:25, 29)