Untitled Sermon (15)

Hebrews 3:7 ESV

Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, “Today, if you hear his voice,

Hebrews 3:8 ESV

do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness,

Hebrews 3:9 ESV

where your fathers put me to the test and saw my works for forty years.

Hebrews 3:10 ESV

Therefore I was provoked with that generation, and said, ‘They always go astray in their heart; they have not known my ways.’

Hebrews 3:11 ESV

As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter my rest.’ ”

Hebrews 3:12 ESV

Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God.

BATTING BITTERNESS

Hebrews 3:13 ESV

But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

Hebrews 3:14 ESV

For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.

Hebrews 3:15 ESV

As it is said, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”

Hebrws 3:15

BATTING BITTERNESDestroying the disease that is destroying my relationships

Destroying the disease that is destroying my relationships

“A callous is a toughened area of skin which has become relatively thick and hard in response to __________ friction, pressure, or other __________.”

Our souls can be calloused if we don’t deal with the friction (problems/challenges) that work against us and our souls.People whose souls are calloused are hard; the Bible calls it in verse 12 “an unbelieving heart” and hardened heart at the end of v 13. PainPain from strained or difficult relationshipsPain from shame because of personal choices/decisions, etc.. WHEN WE DON’T SEEK TO DEAL WITH OUR BITTERNESS - OUR HARD HEARTS - WE ACTUALLY BEGIN TO LET SITUATIONS AND PEOPLE EAT AWAY AT OUR LIVES AND ULTIMATELY OUR HOPE AND TRUST IN THE LORD

“HARD HEARTEDNESS CAN EASILY BECOME HABITUAL, CLOSING OUR HEARTS MORE AND MORE TO GOD (AND OTHERS) MAKING IT HARDER AND HARDER TO ENGAGE IN REGULAR WORSHIP WITH GOD AND HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS

I. THE DEVELOPMENT OF A HARD HEART

A. WHEN WE LIVE IN ISOLATION

1. we develop a mindset and heart that independently I am enough

a. I know what is best for me

b. I know what is best for my children

c. I know, alone, what is best for my marriage

d. I, alone, know what is best for my finances

e. I, alone, know what is best for ME!!!!!

B. WHEN WE DON’T TAKE SIN SERIOUSLY

1. We should never forget that sin deceives us

2. We should never forget that sin deceives us in order to destroys us

II. THE DANGER OF HAVING A HARDHEART

A. A Hard Heart Is the Fruit of A Dysfunctional Relationship with the Lord

i. – cannot hear His voice (refuse to)

Hard Heart Test: “Am I hearing the Lord’s voice and I am responding in obedience or rebellion/resistance?”

B. A Hard Heart Will Lead to Dysfunctional Relationship with others

i.

Hard Heart Test: “Are my most intimate relationships characterized by godly humility and relational health or am I surrounded by confusion and contention that I am producing?”

III. HOW TO DEAL WITH A HARD HEART

A. REPENT FOR YOUR BITTERNESS

Tell the Lord that you are sorry for carrying a pain that He died to conquer and heal on the cross.

B. REST IN GOD’S LOVE

Fight to know that regardless of how humans have let you down and have not showed you love - know that Jesus is absolutely in love with those who fight to love and trust His Son.

C.RECONCILE WITH OTHERS

Why did I put “Rest in God’s Grace” before “Reconcile with Others?”

1. True reconciliation with another person is never possible until you have reconciled or returned to the Love of Christ

2. You need to know that your obedience to Jesus is what God holds you responsible for; not the response of others.

HERE IS MY QUESTION TO EACH OF US THIS MORNING:

DO YOU HEAR HIM CALLING YOU TODAY? DO YOU HEAR HIS VOICE?