Avoiding Another 40 Years

I INTRODUCTION

A The human condition without God’s Grace is dim at best

B Without God’s Grace human hearts become:

1 Rebellious

2 Wayward

3 Ignorant

4 Undiscerning

5 Evil

6 Faithless

7 Hardened

8 Deceived

9 Disobedient

C The recipients of the Hebrews epistle were headed to a fate similar to the rebellious Hebrew pilgrims of the Old Testament

1 This is not an account of casual drifters, but deliberate deserters.

i Hebrews 3:8 - Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:

D We can also avoid a similar fate by observing 4 things concerning God’s Word

II HEAR THE WORD

A Romans 10:17 - So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

B Hebrews 3:15 – “today if you will hear his voice”

C We must read the word of God

1 Privately

2 Personally

3 Meditating on its message

D Each day demands a fresh appointment with God

1 Bible reading

2 Prayer

3 This Must Not Be Hurried or Rushed

E Society has discouraged discipline and despised authority

1 It’s easy to see how this is harmful to Christian Obedience

F The Christian who does not seek personal, spiritual cultivation

1 Will not progress in spiritual maturity

G The writer (Hebrews) encourages

1 Attendance at public worship

2 Bible study

3 Opportunities for Christian teaching

i Hebrews 10:25 - Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

III BELIEVE THE WORD

A It’s one thing to “read” it: it’s another to accept it (in responsive faith)

B A person with an unbelieving heart will

1 “departing (fall away) from the living God” (Heb. 3:12)

C How can we know the author if we refuse to accept the word

1 Hebrews 4:12 - For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

D The Hebrews (old testament) fell in the wilderness because of unbelief

1 Note** “Their lust for the immediate, lost their hope in the ultimate”

2 They did not combine their faith with the God-given word

i Hebrews 4:2 - For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

IV OBEY THE WORD

A James 1:22 - But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

B We can’t simply hear and believe; we must also act

1 Immediately

2 Without reservation

3 Express our faith towards its commands

C Those who were disobedient lost their reward

1 Hebrews 4:6 - Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief (Disobedience):

D The writer urges the Hebrews to make daily progress and to strive forward in hope of not falling by disobedience

1 Hebrews 4:11 - Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief (disobedience).

2 Luke 6:46 - And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

V SHARE THE WORD

A Their “worship” was likely confined to meeting at someone’s home once a week; the writer instructed them to share with each other literally “day by day”.

1 Hebrews 3:13 - But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day(while life lasts); lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

2 To keep others from falling into the deceitfulness of SIN

i Ephesians - 4:22 - That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

B We are more likely to fall in times of isolation but supportive companionship will help us.

C 2 Timothy 4:2 - Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

1 Paul mentions “Exhort” (GR. Parakleite)

i Very strong word of encouragement

ii Used in Greek literature as a military commander strengthening his soldiers

iii As Christians we are to “SHARE” the word, to “Exhort” to others; to encourage them with the power of God’s word

D It is easy for believers to become pessimistic in a seemingly Godless world

1 John 16:33 - These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.