Untitled Sermon (35)
Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 6 viewsNotes
Transcript
WELCOME: eMember Reflections Group Thursdays @ 7:30 pm
Reflections Church Service
January 30th, 2022
“Let’s Do it in the Light”
“Fix This Ship” Series: Pt. 6
1 John 1:5 - 7
FELLOWSHIP:
Every time those lights go down it is a setup for something scintillating, sensational, sensual, and sexual, and scandalous.
Very little good can happen in the dark.
The only thing in the dark that develop are negatives.
You have to know that you are a child of God, and the light of God cannot fellowship with those in the dark. They can’t fellowship with you, cause the only way to play with them is to devalue yourself, and if you do no one wins.
You are in this to elevate and go to the next level of God. If they can’t get up to where you are, the only thing that can happen is you lower yourself. Darkness is not an option for a child of God.
We hold the value of Grace that comes by the blood of Christ. We are still accepted in the beloved when we mess up. His grace is sufficient even on our worst day.
ICEBREAKER:
Introduction: Hebrews
Hebrews is filled with references to ancient practices, with the traditions of a wholly different culture, and with images that evoke no recognition in today’s society. The book of Hebrews was written primarily to Jewish Christians who were experiencing persecution and possibly considering a return to Judaism. Here, the author established Jesus, the Messiah, as superior to angelic beings.
Opening Question: What would you or did you look for when buying a house?
Hebrews 4:1-3
1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
Question #1: Who are the “they” the author is talking about on these verses?
The “they” the author is talking about are the Israelites that were led by Moses from Egyptian captivity, but failed to enter the promised land of Canaan, where there forefather Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob lived centuries earlier.
The unfaithful Israelites didn’t miss out on heaven, but they missed out on the promised land. The “rest” God promises is participation in and enjoyment of the blessings he has planned.
Application: If you are seriously living the Christian life, you will run into challenges and trials. In fact, the godlier you become, the more difficulties you’re likely to face. The temptation is to acquiesce to your comfort zone to ease the pressure. But if you follow the path of least resistance, you will fail to be Christ’s companion or partner (1:9; 3:1, 14).
And while you won’t lose your salvation, you will lose the opportunity to experience His plans for you in His kingdom. That’s why it is so important to stay connected to your spiritual community, so we can continue to grow, and encourage one another.
Hebrews 4:4 - 6
4 For he has somewhere spoken of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works.” 5 And again in this passage he said, “They shall not enter my rest.” 6 Since therefore it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news failed to enter because of disobedience,
Question #2: What is the connection between the Sabbath (“the seventh day”) and God’s “rest” referred to here, and in Psalm 95?
The theme of “rest” is continued by mentioning that God rested on the seventh day from His work of creation (4:4). It means enjoyed His work, for He saw that it “was very good” (Gen. 1:31). But the Israelites failed to enter God’s rest the place of promised blessing and enjoyment because of disobedience (4:5-6).
In 3:19 they failed because of unbelief, and here in this chapter 4:6, they failed because of disobedience. It’s the same thing in both. There must be a union between the Word you hear and the faith you have (4:2).
Analogy: When you install motion-detector lighting, the sensors perceive movement and activate the lights. But no power flows unless motion is detected. Many Christians want to experience God’s power, but they aren’t making any spiritual motions that He can detect!
Faith in God’s Word will result in movement - in obedience. When that happens, His power flows.
7 again he appoints a certain day, “Today,” saying through David so long afterward, in the words already quoted, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.”
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.’ ”
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.’ ”
To harden your hearts is to tell God, “No” (4:7). When we do this, it’s like constructing a wall of bricks around our heart. Instead, we need to expose yourself to godly people and principles that help chip away whatever keeps the truth from getting through.
Hebrews 4:8-11
8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken of another day later on. 9 So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, 10 for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. 11 Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.
The principle of Sabbath rest still operates today. Believers are called to enter the rest God has prepared for them (4:10) rather than following Israel’s example of disobedience (4:11). The promise of entering now into this rest means ceasing from the spiritual strivings that reflect uncertainty about one’s final destiny; it means enjoyment of being established in the presence of God. This is based on the completed sacrifice of Christ. This again emphasizes the need for perseverance (cf. 2:1; 3:14; 4:14). It should be remembered, however, that salvation is based not on good works but on Jesus’ high priestly sacrifice (e.g., vv. 14–16; 5:9; 10:10–14), and anything believers can do to please God comes from his working in them (13:20–21). The opposite of perseverance is disobedience, the sin of the faithless exodus generation (3:18; 4:6).1
1 Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (p. 2367). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
In other words we obey and do good works because we are saved, and not to be saved.
Ephesians 2:8-10
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
It’s about representation
Ephesians 5:8
8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light
Hebrews 4:12 -13
12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
Question #3: How have you experienced the truth of these verses in connection with God’s Word?
We will regularly find that your circumstances tempt you to disobey God. Focus on circumstances too long and His Word will fail to influence our lives.
We are reminded here that the Word is alive. Its cuts deep and separates the spiritual from the earthly. The Word can judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart (4:12).
Have you ever had the experience with God’s Word that made us feel “exposed”? Have you ever heard it preached and felt like it was directed right at you? Have you ever felt your soul sliced open by the Word? Remember everything is laid bare before the one to whom we must give an account (4:13).
Hebrews 4:14 - 16
14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For 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. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Question #4: How does this chapter offer a challenge to us as believers today? How does it bring comfort? Do you feel like Jesus understands what you’ve been through? Explain.
In one sense, Jesus is like all of us - He has endured incredible temptation, suffering, and hardship. Yet in another He like none of us - He never sinned. Therefore, He is the perfect high priest. He can sympathize with us in our weaknesses and suffering. Yet, since He resisted completely, He can also help us.
Conclusion: So, what should we do? Approach the throne of grace with boldness. Prayer is the divinely authorized method of accessing heavenly authority for intervention on earth. It’s the believer’s passport into the spiritual realm. So, when we are tempted to give up, tempted to give in, that temptation is actually an invitation to draw near to the King’s throne so you may receive mercy and find grace (4:16).
Mercy is not getting what you deserve;
Grace is getting what you don’t deserve.
But to lay claim to these wonderful gifts, we have to approach Him. To enter the promised rest we have to engage with Him. To receive the inheritance we must endure to the end, and not give up. The King extends His invitation to us: Don’t stay away! Come get what we need.