Hebrew 3:7-15 / Mile Post One
Notes
Transcript
Handout
7 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says,
“Today, if you hear his voice,
8 do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion,
on the day of testing in the wilderness,
9 where your fathers put me to the test
and saw my works for forty years.
10 Therefore I was provoked with that generation,
and said, ‘They always go astray in their heart;
they have not known my ways.’
11 As I swore in my wrath,
‘They shall not enter my rest.’ ”
12 Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. 13 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. 14 For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end. 15 As it is said,
“Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”
Context:
Context:
If you hear His voice,
Do not harden your hearts
as in the rebellion.
Hebrews
written to a church enduring trials
almost certainly before 70 ad (CE)
Encouraging them to hold fast to their faith.
Brings their attention to a certain generation
Exodus Generation
Do not harden your hearts
As in the rebellion:
After 400 years of slavery - God saves them.
They thought trials were over
Hearts desired physical comfort not God
Today
We can learn plenty from the exodus generation.
2020 has not been kind to many of us.
Endured many things ...
We are now in 2021 - New day / New Start
What are your expectations.
Ex. Gen. - New Chapter meant no more trials.
They were RECIPIENTS of miracle
They never became PARTICIPANTS of Kingdom
They were in middle of the story.
Jesus was coming and they were a part of that.
Today I pray that we learn from that perspective.
We are in the middle of the story.
Jesus has come and offered salvation.
Now we are waiting for His return.
Don’t live simply as RECIPIENTS of God’s blessings. Live as PARTICIPANTS of God’s Kingdom.
Hebrews v12-13 tell us two way to do that.
Be vigilant
12 Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God.
“Take care, brothers...”
Be vigilant, be on guard!!!
Addressed to Christians (brothers)
Keeping lesson in context:
Exodus Generation thought “We have arrived”
Thought their work was done (trials over)
Expected “the good life”
When life didn’t meet their expectations
Lost focus on God
Lost faith in God
We can follow that same path.
What happens if we have the wrong expectations?
What if things don’t get better?
COVID isn’t going to last forever
but it may be here awhile
Financial struggle might be with us.
(depressing) I’m not here to coddle you
My desire is to encourage you.
That means I also need to warn you.
The failed thinking of the EXODUS GENERATION
Led a specific problem
This passage warns us not to make the same mistake.
This passage has a very specific warning.
Guard your heart from Apostasy.
12 Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God.
“… lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God.”
That’s not a warning you would expect for Christians.
But when the journey has been long
Filled with trials
Not sure when the end is near
You start looking for joy
Maybe you look for worldly pleasure instead of God’s provisions.
That what the exodus generation did.
Lest their be in YOU and evil, unbelieving heart
and that heart leads you away from God.
What is the desires of your heart this morning.
Do you desire pleasure over sacrifice
indulgence over God’s glory.
Journey to APOSTASY often begins with a desire to be COMFORTABLE.
Be encouraging
13 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.
Exhort
Earnestly encourage, implore
Spur each other on.
biblical context - spiritual growth.
One another
We are in each others business.
We do not allow each other to remain stagnate.
We do not allow each other to get comfortable.
ENCOURAGE not HARASS
Ray Stevens: “Sister Bertha Better-than-you”
Every day
This becomes our lifestyle, culture.
While it is called “Today”
In this life
while you this opportunity.
There should be a sense of urgency concerning our spiritual growth.
I am not talking about how often to darken the doors of this church.
I am talking about how much we grow.
What are we trying to avoid?
13 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.
Becoming hardened
Possibility that among us
Sin could become common place
Sin could be no big deal.
deceitfulness of sin
Sin is a liar.
But this make them happy
This is no big deal.
Sin also make you believe a very common lie...
“I have no right to judge.”
So now what?
So now what?
I hope this is our best year ever!
But that hope is not certain (it can’t be)
We have a sure hope
Christ is on His throne
Christ will return for His church.
Stay focused on that Hope.
Guard your heart from apostasy
Encourage one another to grow spiritually