A Heart Problem

A Heart Problem

Hebrews 3:7-19

Intro.

This passage of Scripture is entirely based on the

events of Numbers 13

The Children of Israel had crossed the read sea

They had come to Kadesh-Barnea (Map)

God told Moses to send in 12 men (one from each

of the Tribes of Israel) to SPY out the land.

They were just suppose to go see what it was like.

It was a great land. They gave a good report.

BUT

Ten said there are giants there, we can’t take it.

Two said, we can do this. (Joshua and Caleb”

Num. 13:30 And Caleb stilled the people before

Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and

possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.

The people turned against Moses and wanted to

replace him. (Some wanted to stone him)

This was the provocation spoken of here in Hebrew

13:8.

Num. 14:11 ¶ And the LORD said unto Moses, How long will this people provoke me? and how

long will it be ere they believe me, for all the signs which I have shewed among them?

God turned them back into the Wilderness until all the

Generation died. 40 years.

Joshua and Caleb did eventually go into the Promised

Land. However, Moses was only allowed to see it,

because of his own disobedience

Hebrews show how their failure was a problem of the heart.

I. Hard Heart. Vs. 8,

A. Hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. Vs. 13

B. Sin will harden your heart toward God.

1. Sin will look enticing, initing, and exciting.

2. But it is deceitful, it lies to you.

a. It leads to heartache

b. It leads to the destruction of our mind and

body.

c. Sin always exacts a price.

Gal. 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that

shall he also reap.

C. Ultimately, sin leads to death.

James 1:15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished,

bringeth forth death.

II. An Errant Heart. Vs 10

A. A heart that goes astray or wanders off.

B. They had seen God work. Vs. 9

1. They had seen the miracle of their deliverance

from slavery in Egypt.

2. They had seen God open the Red Sea for them to cross over on dry land.

3. They had seen God lead them by a pillar of fire

be night and a pillar of cloud by day.

4. They had seen the miracle of Manna every morning.

5. Miracle after miracle, day by day, they had seen God work.

C. And yet they wandered away from God and His Word.

1. It happens to us.

2. When we don’t maintain daily devotions.

3. When we miss church

4. When we get drown away by the world and all it offers.

D. As a result they would not enter into the Promised Land.

1. This does NOT suggest that we can lose our

salvation.

2. Their relationship with God was based on faith and obedience.

3. It will lead you to a life of restlessness. Vs. 11

a. There is no rest

b. There is not peace

III. An Evil heart. Vs 12

A. “Of unbelief.

B. They did not believe that God could GIVE them the promised land.

1. Many today do not believe that God can get

them into heaven by faith alone.

2. They have to somehow help Him out with their

good works, it is unbelief.

3. They could not enter in because of their unbelief.

Vs. 19

C. Notice that it is the heart of unbelief that God

called “evil”.

D. Those who believed God, Joshua and Caleb would

one day reach the Promised Land

Conclusion.

I want you to notice this “grieved” the Lord.

God wants you to believe on His Son, whom he has sent.

It is your unbelief, that will keep you out of heaven.

Rom. 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that

God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Will you trust Him today and enter in to His rest?