Issue #766~April 24, 2023
Dear Friends,

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Christ is All and in All,
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The Full Assurance of Hope

“And we are desiring that each one of you be demonstrating the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end,"
Hebrews 6:11

"in order that you may not become sluggish (lazy), but imitators of those who through faith and patience are inheriting the promises."
Hebrews 6:12
verse 11: "And we are desiring that each one of you be demonstrating the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end,"

The way to do this is to keep your focus on others, not yourself and the price you are paying. Whereas in verse 10 we had the past and present manifested on the part of these saints sacrificially serving others, we now point to the future in verse 11. In verse 9 it was "we have been convinced...we are speaking in this way." In verse 10 it was "you" and "your." Now in verse 11 we return to "we" - "we are desiring."

This is the key purpose of the letter. It is a passionate desire. "And we are desiring that each one of you." He is very specific. He does not want to leave anybody out. He does not want anybody to get discouraged, fail, and turn back to Judaism.

He is challenging them at this point: "Don't go dead in the water!" Keep on "demonstrating the same diligence." Just like Jesus in John 13 is still thinking of others as He dons the towel and takes the basin to wash the disciples' feet. The reward for this kind of action is "the full assurance of hope until the end" - which of course is Christlikeness and maturity.

verse 12: "in order that you may not become sluggish (lazy), but imitators of those who through faith and patience are inheriting the promises."

Here is the purpose for the desire that they demonstrate diligence. In this verse we have a negative and a positive. "In order that you [negatively] may not become sluggish (lazy), but [positively] imitators of those who through faith and patience are inheriting the promises." There is no place on the path and pursuit of godliness of laziness.

The Greek of this verse can mean "we do not want you to be lazy," rather than to "become lazy" - "but [become] imitators of those who through faith and patience are inheriting the promises." Their real goal should be the inheritance that is set before them. The great cavalcade of stars along this line are recorded in Hebrews 11. The 3 key ingredients are: (1) faith; (2) patience; and (3) perseverance.

Faith, patience, and perseverance are antidotes to sluggishness. Unbelief and lack of endurance are the cause of it.

(From “A Great While Before Day: Issue 2, part 2” by Don Anderson)
Bible Teaching Resources
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Praises & Prayer Requests

1.  Pray: Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are my God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Psalm 25:5 (NIV)
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2.  Praise: Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord. Psalm 31:24 (NIV)
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3.  Pray: Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1 (NASB)
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4.  Praise: Jesus is our great High Priest.
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How about joining me in singing that fabulous hymn, "When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder":
When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound
and time shall be no more,
And the morning breaks eternal, bright and fair;
When the saved of earth shall gather
over on the other shore,
And the roll is called up yonder
I'll be there.

Refrain
When the roll is called up yonder,
When the roll is called up yonder
When the roll is called up yonder,
When the roll is called up yonder
I'll be there!
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) 

Bible Teaching Resources
by Donald Anderson Ministries
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Tyler, TX 75711-6611
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