Hebrews 3:7-19 - In Jesus, We Can Hold Fast to Our Confession as Adopted Sons and Daughters
In Hebrews chapter 3 by way of introduction. I just want to remind you that the book of Hebrews is a sermon. It is an expository sermon on Psalm 110 and it is a wonderful example of what Jesus said in Luke 24 that all the scriptures point to him. And you remember that road to Emmaus when Jesus is walking with those two disciples and it says that Luke writes that beginning with Moses Jesus spoke of everything concerning himself. What a what a walk that would have been to hear Jesus go through Genesis and exodus in Leviticus. And then on through the whole Old Testament to hear how all the scriptures point to Jesus. Well the author of Hebrews is doing this for us and we have this divinely-inspired sermon as an egg. Sample, and I mention this every week so far. You have to keep your finger in the Old Testament all over the place. We we see that Psalm 110 is what he is the big picture of what he's getting at. Jesus is ruling and reigning with the greatest Authority at the right hand of the father. He's interceding for us as our high priest because he's at the right hand of the father, but then he's been all over the place to show that Jesus is better. Last week we saw that he's better than Moses. Not because Moses was bad but was it was faithful. He was one of the greatest men who ever lived. He should be one of our heroes and yet Jesus is better because he created Moses. He's the builder of the house. He's over the house and Moses is just in the house and is the author of Hebrews has thinking about Moses that we looked at last week. He's preaching this all in one message. So we have to keep making these connections back and forth to get the context is the author of Hebrews is thinking about Moses. He thinks about Israel in the wilderness and how they failed. But they didn't listen to Moses and the author is telling us that we need to be listening to Jesus because in these last days God has spoken to us in his son. That's 1:2 and so for us to be listening to Jesus and hearing Jesus the author is now going to say Israel made a fatal mistake of fatal flaw in the wilderness. They didn't listen to Moses. They didn't listen to the words that Moses was saying that came from God and so they died in the wilderness. It was the Fatal mistake. And so us today is we're hearing this message. We're listening not to Moses. But to Jesus and what is Jesus saying the author of Hebrews brings us to his second warning passage in this sermon in the two places in the Old Testament that we have to keep our finger or Psalm 95 and numbers 14 number 14 is the historical situation where Israel's grumbling and complaining and refusal to believe Moses comes to a head. And God says you're all going to die in the wilderness unless you're under 20 years old. And unless your name is Joshua and Caleb who are the two spies who saw believe God's promises. And so the author of Hebrews is going to take that event in numbers 14 and he's going to take the song which was something about that event Psalm 95 and he's going to explain those as an illustration for us today the negative example of those who fell through faithlessness is egg an example for us not to follow in other words. We need to not Harden our hearts like Israel did but rather have a heart softened because we have a son and a high priestess greater than Moses or Joshua and let's begin here in Hebrews chapter 3. I'll read all of the verses to give you the context actually when you look at the bigger structure of it this thinking about Moses at the beginning of chapter 3, and then Israel as a negative example at the end of chapter 3 and then the positive and courage meant to keep hold fast to Our Hope in chapter 4 because we have a high priest who seated at the right hand of God. This is all one thought. We're covering it over three weeks, but I'm going to just keep book-ending this thought. 3:7 therefore is the holy spirit says today. If you hear his voice do not Harden your hearts as in the Rebellion on the day of testing in the wilderness where your father's put me to the test and saw my works for 40 years. Therefore. I was provoked with that generation and said they always go astray in their hearts. They have not known my ways as I swore in my wrath. They shall not enter my rest. So that's the quote from Psalm 95 Jason read the first 7 versus come let us worship and bow down and then the last 5 verses of Psalm 95 or this warning to not hardened our hearts but to hear God's voice. And he goes on to Savers 12. Take care Brothers. Now. This is the author of Hebrews. Take care brother is less there being any of you an evil unbelieving heart and leading you to fall away from the Living God but exhort one another every day as long as it's called today that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin for we have come to share in Christ's if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end as it is said today if you hear his voice do not Harden your hearts as in the Rebellion for who were those who heard and yet rebelled was it not all those who left Egypt by led by Moses and with whom was he provoked for 40 years was it not with those who send whose bodies fell in the wilderness? And to whom did he swear? They would not answer is rest but to those who were disobedient so we see but they were unable to enter because of unbelief. So The Exodus event as I mentioned last week is being used by the author as a Type of our own experience in the Christian Life the audience of Hebrew is like into that Wilderness generation. They're in danger of succumbing to Temptation. There might be shallow Believers in the believing just not with a deep faith in the promises of God. And so there's these five warnings that are scattered throughout the Book of Hebrews and like Israel in the wilderness. They had a hope in their leader in Moses those who were believing the promises of God and our hope is in following our leader through the Wilderness not Moses, but Jesus in chapter 12, he's going to use the picture of a race fixing our eyes on Jesus the author and Perfecter of our faith who for the joy set before him endure the cross despising the shame and I sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high and so the author as any good German does he's giving application throughout the sermon. And so what we're looking at today is his application to the audience of this Wilderness journey in Israel is the negative example. The author is turning from the faithfulness of Moses and Jesus in the first 6 verses of chapter 3 to the unfaithfulness of Israel and applies it to his hearers and therefore because it's in scripture. It's applied to us today unbelief is always deadly But for those of us who are weak and weary in the wilderness, we have a better hope than those who were in Israel because Jesus is better than Moses. This is the author's whole point is that Israel had a hope in the wilderness. They were if they believe the promises of God through Moses. They would be led to the promised land. That was their hope the author of Hebrews the saying we have something even better if we believe the promises of God through Jesus, we're going to go to the promised land which is not just on Earth. It is the Heavenly Jerusalem. It is glory in eternity forever the Mount Zion that he talks about in chapter 12 this innumerable Gathering of God's people in the heavenlies this being with this cloud of witnesses that surrounds us
The author wants us to know where true rest is found true. Sabbath true rest is found. Nowhere in the wilderness. Nowhere in this Fallen World. It's found in Jesus and in his presence for ever. This is the burden of the the message and he that's why chapter 4 next next time I preach in two weeks. We're going to see that Jesus is our Sabbath rest. As good as it is to rest on Saturday the Sabbath day as good as it is to take a break from our work. That's not Eternal rest as good as it is to have holidays to have Christmas and Thanksgiving the Jewish equivalents of these festivals in sabes that we're yearly to give them great. Joy and celebration and rest that's not our alternate. Rest or ultimate rest is in Jesus. That's what he's driving towards in chapter 4, so I'm going to keep mentioning that So back to this example of Psalm 95 Israel in the wilderness. I find it fascinating that he starts with not God says in Psalm 95 not David says in Psalm 95, but the holy spirit says in Psalm 95, what does this tell us that the author is not making a big point about it, but he's assuming the scripture is inspired by God by the holy spirit that the words of God comes through the holy spirit that the holy spirit is the author of scripture and he's assuming that it is a word that is living back. He's going to stay in 4:12. The word of God is living and active sharper than any two-edged sword piercing to the division of Soul and Spirit joints and Marrow and the discerner of the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give an account. Think about what the author of Hebrews is saying about scripture that when we get exposed to scripture. It's like a master surgeon who lays US Open Exposes the cancer the sickness and cures it down to the level of thoughts and intentions of the heart. Isn't that incredible? I don't know the difference between my own thoughts and intentions. I don't always know why I do what I do or why the thoughts come in my head, but the word of God is able to divide that deep as deep as you need to go in your life for a cure to your soul to your heart to your thoughts and intentions the word of God is able to go why because the spirit of God is giving it. It's not just man's word. It's God's word. And so when the scripture speaks God speaks. That is a huge Comfort when we're in the wilderness as we are and this journey. We need to hear God's word. We need his wisdom for our life. And then we need to listen to it. This was Israel's fatal flaw. They had God's word. They had gotten their presents the Manifest presence of God speaking through Moses. They refused to hear it. And they died in the wilderness.
this Is both hope and a warning hope for those who would enter the promised rest of God and a warning for those who would not listen to God and follow the bad example of Israel in the wilderness. Look at verse 8, he says do not Harden your hearts as in the Rebellion. If you heard his voice do not Harden your hearts and then in verse 12 at the end of that quote when he assesses that he says take care of brothers and sisters let there be in any of you and evil unbelieving heart leading you to fall away from the Living God. So hardened heart is synonymous with an unbelieving heart and the author here is making a distinction between those who refuse to believe God and hear his word and Those whom he's going to say in verse 14 have come to share in Christ. He's he's giving them corporately a warning saying don't ignore the voice of God. And this is not a passive act like how I just missed it. I didn't hear it. Like I wasn't paying attention. This is a straight-up. I know what you're saying God and I don't want to do it. That's what is reeled in the wilderness. So this is this shouldn't put a heavy burden on us for those of us who are Desiring to hear God and wanting to obey and wanting to follow and wanting to live a life of faith that is not who the author is warning. He's warning those who in their minds are thinking I know what God says, but I'm going to give God the middle finger. I'm going to tell God you're not the boss of me. I'm going to do what I want to do and I refuse to do what you say God. well That's a warning, isn't it? So the author then and this desk has the quote verses 7 through 11. God says verse 9 your father's put me to the test. They saw my works for 4 years. The shows the heart of God, he didn't give them just one chance and then kick them out and say you're not in ring the promised land. He was patient with them for 40 years. I had a hard time being patient with my kids for 26.
Don't make any eye contact. And God says I and I waited I was speaking to you for 40 years and you put me to the test. And then I was provoked with that generation and I said they always go and straighten their heart and have not known my ways as I've sworn my wrath. They shall not enter my rest. So the the listen to this warning, this is the the warning from God than the application. The author makes is in verses 12 and 13. Here's his application. Take care Brothers lest there be in any of you and evil and believing heart leading you to fall away from the Living God. That's the first come and take care versus 12 the warnings address to the community as a whole and I would say to you beloved. Are you considering that course of action today? Are you considering turning from God in your life and walking away? The falling away is I said is not passive. It's deliberate Disobedience. It's evil. It's a sign of unbelief. The author of Hebrews says if I turned over to chapter 10, he's going to bring this up again, 10:26.
For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment in a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries anyone who set aside the law of Moses dies without Mercy on the evidence of two or three Witnesses. So he's comparing Moses and Jesus again in the Old Law and and the new law the old cabin at the New Covenant. He says hey even with Moses and people disregard of the law of Moses. They can be put to death on the evidence of two or three Witnesses. Now, what about Jesus? How much worse punishment verse 29 do you think will be deserve by the one who is Trampled Under Foot the Son of God and profane the blood of the Covenant by which he was Sanctified and is outraged the spirit of Grace for we know him who said vengeance is mine. I will repay. And again, the Lord will judge his people. It's a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the Living God. So that's the same warning. That's at the end of the sermon we're not going to get to it for a week. So I won't beat you up again for at least, you know, 10 more weeks.
That's the first command to take care pay attention and listen to the voice of God and don't disobey don't deliberately just put your head in the sand and say God I'm not going to do what you say in my life. The second is a dressed again to all of us in verse 14 and it says back in chapter 3. Exhorts one another while it is still called today. He says so we are to exhort one another every day as long as it's called today that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. What is the solution for us as a church if one of us is tempted to fall away and just say I'm not going to obey God and the solution is for all of us to be gathered together exhorting one another in the truth of the Gospel in the hope of eternal life everyday as long as it's called today. That means every day until Christ returns.
I have a pile of rocks in my front yard. You might have seen these rocks. They used to cover my front yard. But now I've moved 75% of the Rocks over to the right front corner. I still have 25% of the rock sort of on their way to that pile. No, the reason why that pile of rocks is not in one pile so I could get rid of it or have somebody come get them is either I am procrastinating which very well could be true or two. It's a lack of priority. I have other priorities that take place that I need to get done more than I need to move that rock pile. Now. What if it was in an important relationship not just a pile of rocks. Well that might make it higher in the list of priorities. What would it what if it was a matter of my health or life or or death? Will then? Of course, it would be a high priority. What if it was a matter of joy? Well that is part of it, isn't it? Because I want my front yard look nice. I want to have joy when I drive up. I don't want to have disappointment to regret when I drive up which is currently what happens cuz I just see a pile of rocks. What am I saying here? The reason I haven't done it yet is I say I'll do it tomorrow. I'm not going to do it today. I'm going to take care of it tomorrow. In other words when it becomes the highest priority and I stop procrastinating. so many of us in our Christian Life We think well. I'll focus on my walk with the Lord in my obedience to him tomorrow. I'll I'll get my life cleaned up tomorrow. I'll put away that's in tomorrow.
Beloved this is what we're commanded to do is to exhort one another while it's called today. Not tomorrow. The reason we want to be a priesthood of Believers to one another encouraging one another the reason we want to gather every week and we know it's so important to be here together is that we need each other. He's going to say in chapter 10 don't neglect meeting together as is the habit of some but encouraging one another all the more as you see the day Drawing Near. We need to gather regularly. We need to be at church every week not to make God happy. But so that we're not hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. It's the place where we exhort one another to keep believing the gospel. When I was trained to do biblical counseling, I was taught a few basic questions to ask before any of the conversation got into assessment. someone comes in they're out of sorts. They need help. Usually by the time they call the pastor. It's really bad cuz they tried to deal with it themselves and they're at their wit's end. Well, there's physical questions to ask first. Are you getting sleep are you eating? Do you have any physical issues going on? Why is that so important to ask will go without sleep for 3 days and see how your mental state is. Basic questions of physical health in food and sleeping. Do you have physical issues going on will it's no wonder you're depressed you had a massive back surgery and you've been laid up and on drugs you shouldn't be too hard on yourself.
In their spiritual questions, are you in communion with God through prayer in the word are you with the people of God? Why do we ask those questions? Because so many of our physical problems are solved by sleep and food and making sure we get physical checkups and take the doctor's advice. And so many of our spiritual problems are solved by communion with God and being in community regularly with the people of God.
This is what the author's getting at. There is a very real danger of being hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. And there's a very real necessity of being together so we can encourage and exhort one another daily while it's called today. Why I so firmly believe in taking communion every week. We're going to get to it in a in a little bit, but think about what we're doing in that communion. As we look around the room and we see people get a piece of bread and get a little cup. And you know each other this is our church family and you know, what each other are going through trials in your life situations. You're facing Temptations to doubt the promises of God are to be encouraged in the hope. That's to come because of the weight of this Fallen World and then you see that person take communion and basically say I still believe in Jesus, I believe his body was broken for me. I believe his blood was shed for me. I'm still believing. And then you're sitting there looking and saying well, I know what they're going through in there still believing the promises. I can still believe the promises means I can still believe this too because I know that God is faithful in their life. I don't see it in my life because I'm not an outside Observer. All I see is my sorrow all I see is my sin. I can't see straight, but I see my brother or sister's life and I see that what they're doing is still believing God in the midst of their sorrow, I can still believe God that's what the authors getting at encourage one another exhort one another while it's called today. And then he says the here is our motive. Verse 14 you have come to share in Christ's if indeed, we hold our original confidence firm to the end when he says hold our confidence firm to the end. He's going back to verse 6, but Christ is Faithful over God's house has a son and we are his house if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in Our Hope. What I said last week holding faster holding firm means to keep a tight grip on the Christian faith. And our confidence has the confidence to draw near to God the father. He's going to mention that in 4:16. Let us with confidence draw near to the throne of God. The throne of grace that we may receive mercy and Grace to help in our time of need noticed where that verse is placed. We know that verse I quoted that verse pry too much almost every week. I'd call all the time but in the context of his argument he saying you're in the wilderness, there's a very real danger of wandering away of willfully disobeying but exhort one another and Jesus is our high priest and if we're holding fast to him we can draw near to the father with confidence and find grace and mercy to help in our time of need right now today. The author doesn't want to just beat you up. It doesn't just want to scare you with a warning. He wants to encourage you the warning is real but so is the Hope
and Jesus is worth it. Following Jesus is far better than anything that Egypt has to offer.
Then he returns in verses 15 to 18 with a reminder of Israel's Rebellion. Actually what he was doing was installed 95. He was thinking about application to the first half of that verse today. If you hear his voice do not Harden your hearts and now in verse 15, he's emphasizing the last phrase as in the Rebellion as you said today, if you hear his voice do not Harden your hearts as in the Rebellion because on the saver 16, who were those who heard and yet rebelled was it not all those who left Egypt by Moses? So this unbelief in the wilderness the emphasis on the Rebellion the ones who hurt and rebelled where all those who left Egypt they saw the Miracles leading them out of Egypt. They heard from Moses. They saw the presence of God in their midst. They had no excuse. And yet they still did not believe he has a second question verse 17. And with whom was he provoked for 40 years was it not with those who sinned whose bodies fell in the wilderness now here he's making reference to Numbers 14. He's going back to the narrative. In fact, let's turn over there two numbers 14. I want to point out a few versus you could go back and read the whole story afterwards or even while I'm continuing my sermon. I know you might do that. That's just fine pay attention with both ears one to the tax one to me. I know how that goes. Look your numbers 14 verse
1.8 vs 2 All the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron the whole congregation said to them would that we had died in the land of Egypt or would that we had died in this Wilderness. What a statement Moses. We don't want to follow you anymore. We don't want to listen to you God through you. It'd be better if we had died in Egypt or died in the wilderness, but being alive under your leading is the worst. It's the absolute worst right now. Well, that's up chapter 14 starts. Then you read a whole Narrative of how Wicked they were. But by the time you get to verse 22, look at God's assessments of hers 21, but truly is I live in is all the Earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord. None of the men who have seen my glory and my signs that I did in Egypt and in the wilderness and yet it put me to the test these 10 times and have not obeyed my voice shall see the land that I swore to give to their fathers and none of those who despise me. So I'll see you in 40 years 10 times specific events were considered such on belief that they despised the Lord's word. He says they stole my glory the glory of God was in their midst. They saw all of the Miracles and signs and wonders both the 10 plagues in Egypt and everything in the wilderness like the feeding them with Manna From Heaven on a daily basis in the wilderness. And God says none of them. Are going to see the promised land and then down to verse 29. Your dead body shall fall in this Wilderness and of all your number listed in the census from 20 years old and up where do have grumbled against me. Not one shall come into the land where I swore that I would make you dwell, except Caleb the son of Jeff Anna and Joshua the son of nun but your little ones who you said would become a prey I will bring in and they shall know the land that you have rejected. But as for you your dead bodies shall fall in this Wilderness. Basically What God Says in those verses is this is what you want to die in the wilderness As You Wish you'll get it. So Bruce 18 back in Hebrews who won't enter God's rest. Those who were disobedient he's simply giving an illustration from numbers 14 and Psalm 95 to say. Disobedience and unbelief is deadly. It is absolutely deadly. They didn't enter the promised land and so he concludes in verse 19. We see they were unable to enter because of unbelief. They were unable to enter and as we journey together through our Wilderness of this life. We will see those who Fall Away. I've been a Christian.
For 42 years now. And over the years I've seen people fall away and it's heartbreaking. Now why do they fall? I know there might be many mitigating factors. There might be many circumstances. But what the author of Hebrews is saying is there not believe in God and because they don't believe God they disobey and then in the consequences, they're not able to enter the promised rest of God and Evil unbelieving heart expresses itself and turning away from God. but like the author of Hebrews that's not the burden of the message the burden of the message is the Hope in verse 14. We have come to share in Christ. If indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end. Every time we see those Fall Away we should say but for the grace of God go I Paul warns us take heed. When you think you're standing lest you fall pride and arrogance and saying that'll never happen to me is the first step down the path.
Now the author is heading to Hebrews 4 verse 14 turn over there. Since we have a great high priest who is passed through the heavens Jesus the son of God, let us hold fast our confession got these anchors of holding firm in holding fast for 6 to hold fast our confidence and are boasting in Our Hope and then it's in verse 14 if we hold our original confidence firm to the end. We've come to share in Christ's and then since we have a great high priest who's passed through the heavens, which is a quote and illusion the song 110 Jesus the son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
We don't have to fear. this warning shouldn't hit our ears. If we are holding firm to our confidence in Christ. This warning is is not for us. It's for those of you who are considering evil unbelief and turning away from the Living. God come to Christ hold fast to him. Why is this so important? Well, let me just walk you through what we've seen so far 2:18 because he himself Jesus has suffered when tempted he is able to help those who are being tempted. This is why you need to cling to Christ. The Temptation might be to stop believing in Jesus. But what you need to do is believe and cling to him rather than turn away and fall away and unbelief. Why? Because Jesus is better than anything else. He says in chapter 3 verse 14, we've come to Sharon him. If indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end and then he's going to say 4:15. We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are yet without sin. What an incredible statement Jesus has been tempted in every way like us and he never send. Do you know what that means? Is think about Sin in your own life Temptation and sin and sort of the process of it. Let's analyze it for a minute. The Temptation is powerful. It's attractive. There's a desire to do it because we think we're going to get joy or happiness or peace or satisfaction out of it. And we resist that Temptation and it gets worse. Doesn't it? Sometimes it feels like the pressures on and I can barely stand up and then I give in and I sin.
For you to endure it and never give in your whole life. How strong would that be? How great is Jesus? He was tempted in always and never send and what does it say about him? He's able to sympathize with us in our weakness. Jesus is not a high priest who would say well I've never send you terrible sinner you get out of my presents. That's not what he does quite the opposite because he's endured it to its greatest point and never send he knows exactly what you're going through and he's able to sympathize with you.
He is able to sympathize. Have you ever felt like nobody really understands what I'm going through? Nobody really gets it. They say they do but they don't really get it. Jesus gets it he is able to sympathize and that's why you need to cling to him. It says in 5:2 he can deal gently with the ignorant and Wayward since he himself is beset by weakness. That's General high priest language should be true. It should be true of us when we see people instead. We should sympathize with them because we understand But Jesus first five he didn't exalt himself to be a high priest instead verse 70 offered up prayers and supplications and verse 8. He learned obedience by the things which he suffered and being made perfect verse 9. He became the source of Eternal salvation to all who obey him. So what is the author trying to do with this warning? What the author is trying to do with this warning is he's trying to show us that the danger is real but the hope is really really good and really great because Jesus is better than everything else even Moses the greatest man who ever lived to lead Israel through the Wilderness didn't enter the promised land because he sent but Jesus is faithful and he never sent and he's at the right hand of the father. It's why in 7:25, he says consequently, he's able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him since he always lives to make intercession for them. Even in the midst of your Temptation your Wilderness wanderings. Jesus is praying for you. He doesn't just sympathize with you though. He does and it's wonderful. He's praying for you. He's our seating for you. Sometimes as a pastor. All I can do is sympathize with people when they're going through trials. There's no help I can give maybe if cancer. maybe it's a
fatal prognosis stage 4 incurable inoperable times out. I can sympathize and I can weep with those who weep, but I can't do a single thing about it. Jesus not only sympathizes he intercedes and he's God and he's Lord and He seated at the right hand of the father and he's able to do something about your situation and he's going to make all things new when he's coming back and he's going to bring us safely home. It's why we cling to him. It's why we looked at him and run the race with endurance see the proper response when we hear the voice of God is to listen to it to believe it by faith. And then the response is worship and closing. I want to go back to Sol 95
the author grabs the second half of the song. Why is that song placed in such a way with the first half in the second half we heard the first half in the call to worship. Because there's two responses. There's two ways we can go anytime we hear the voice of God anytime we gather and we hear the word of God preached. There's two ways we can go we can either have an evil heart of unbelief and refuse to listen or we listen and we believe and we worship verse 1 Come let us sing to the Lord. Let us Make a Joyful Noise to the rock of our Salvation. Let us come into His presence with Thanksgiving. Let us Make a Joyful Noise to him with songs of praise. That first generation refuse to do this they died in the wilderness their children made it into the promised land. The temple was built the Psalms were written those descendants were learning the lesson of that first generation and they were encouraging one another. Let's join and praise and thanksgiving together. Why verse 3 the Lord is a great God and a great king of all gods in his hand with the depths of the Earth the heights of the mountain or also his the sea is his for he made it in his hands formed the dry land O come let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the Lord our maker for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture and the Sheep of his hand. The Lord brought us here. He's the one who's leading us. He's the one who shepherded us and brought us into the promised land and established the temple and we're gathering together and we're hearing his voice and we're going to praise him. So here's the other application the author is making is not just a warning to take care, but the warning to exhort one another while it's called today to remind one another what's true to preach the gospel to one another and by that, of course, I don't just mean the Jesus died and was buried and rose again. Yes, I do mean at least that and seated at the right hand of the father of all the implications that come from it. You are justified in Christ. What does that mean? You've been declared righteous in the sight of God because of the righteousness of Jesus you have been saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone, which means that you don't have to keep yourself in the Kingdom. Jesus is the one keeping you because he's your high priest. That's what we exhort one another with you have been reconciled to God. What does that mean? God is no longer your enemy. God is your friend you are. Adopted into the family of God, we heard it in Romans 8. The spirit of God is causing you to cry out Abba Father. You have an inheritance in a place in the kingdom and you'll never be kicked out. You'll never be orphaned. You'll never be abandoned because Jesus is your elder brother. He's the one you've been United too and you're going to inherit all things in him. What else? You have been propitiator that the blood of Jesus has prepared. She dated or satisfied the holy character of God. How can an infinitely holy God forgive sin? Because he has to judge sin. Any judges send in one or two places either on you forever in Hell or on Jesus. He can't sleep and he sent under the rug it has to be forgiven. And so how is sin forgiven? Bullets forgiven by Jesus taking the punishment that we deserved. And then giving us his righteousness. What should our response be to all of that? Hallelujah, what a savior? Praise him come let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the Lord our maker. That is our response. And so is we turn to the table now, let it be a response of worship father. Thank you for this time. Thank you for Your goodness and your kindness to us? Thank you that we have a high priest seated at your right hand who's interceding for us who sympathizing with us? even as we journey through this wilderness of life in this Fallen World We have the author and Perfecter of our faith the captain of our Salvation that we can look to Jesus was better than everything. We love you in Jesus name. Amen.
