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.
