That's Unbelievable! 3/20/22
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I made the coffee in our home this morning in an attempt to be obedient to the word of God, its really been impressed upon me that that is my role in the house, because of this book that we are studying this morning - Hebrews. I am the only male in my house with oposable thumbs, so it has to be referring to me.
This morning we find ourselves in Hebrews chapter 4 - continuing our study of the book. As we study these books together, it is important to remember that we will not cover every topic, every word contained within this book. We will spend some time here, studying the word together, in an attempt to understand what God would have for us here.
Lets pray.
Today we are going to be dealing with the very serious sin of unbelief - which as we read through this book of Hebrews, we find to be one of the primary focuses.
As we study this together, I can’t help but think of the things that have gone on in the last few weeks in our little family here. Situations that you have shared with me and situations of my own, and how timely this word is for so many of us. Not because you are all struggling with unbelief, necessarily, but the hints of it have invaded our homes - our families. The enemy has taken things that we know we know, and whispered “but are you sure?” enough times that maybe we aren’t. I have prayed and wept with many this week. This is a perfect time to find encouragement in the word.
I want to start today at the end of chapter 3, where we left off last week.
So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief.
Therefore, since the promise to enter his rest remains, let us beware that none of you be found to have fallen short.
For we also have received the good news just as they did. But the message they heard did not benefit them, since they were not united with those who heard it in faith.
For we who have believed enter the rest, in keeping with what he has said, So I swore in my anger, “They will not enter my rest,” even though his works have been finished since the foundation of the world.
The author of the book of Hebrews - is pointing once again to the ancient Israelite people who Moses led out of Egypt, out of captivity… and then failed. They fell to unbelief. And he warns us that we might fall to the same fate.
They were unable to enter his rest, because of his unbelief.
We received the same “good news” as they did. Moses came to lead them out of captivity into the promised land. And as they went into the wilderness, away from everything they knew and understood, they got scared.
The enemy got involved.
Even though they saw God working miracles daily - they wanted to go back to Egypt.
The problem that we face is unbelief.
God had said to them, I am taking you to the promised land.
and I have come down to rescue them from the power of the Egyptians and to bring them from that land to a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the territory of the Canaanites, Hethites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites.
But in that process - they got lost.
And we have received the same good news. Better news. More unbelievable news.
The Lord says - Peace I give to you, my peace I leave for you. We call Jesus the Prince of peace - understanding that true peace only comes through him.
While the enemy says - haha look at the chaos. You can’t possibly rest here.
“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful.
And we look at the world, and what we see in front of us.. and we are convinced. The enemy is right. How could we possibly have peace when everything around us is burning.
The Lord says you have power and authority in faith to say to a mountain Grace Grace and it will be leveled to a plain
The enemy says these hills are overwhelming, your god has abandoned you, and you have no power here.
The lord says your righteousness is like filthy rags, but I clothe you with my righteousness. The enemy says Look at how terrible of a person you are, you will never please a Just God.
The lord says he has strength for the weary and power for the weak, and we wake up defeated before the day has even begun.
The word that we received is the same that they did. The good news of God.
The author of hebrews urges us to understand that. To hold it dear to our hearts and believe it.
He says the promise remains!
Therefore, since the promise to enter his rest remains, let us beware that none of you be found to have fallen short.
The promises of God to the nation of Israel were unbelievable.
They had gone through generations of slavery, of hard labor, of torment at the hands of the Egyptians. And God said let me take you to a land of plenty. Of wonderful things. I want to bless you.
Blah. Yeah right.
The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in the land of Egypt, when we sat by pots of meat and ate all the bread we wanted. Instead, you brought us into this wilderness to make this whole assembly die of hunger!”
The same promises and more are what we have from God today.. That He would break chains of captivity. That he would free us from sin. They sound so outlandish and crazy that LOGICALLY, they can be discounted. I mean think about it, you’re telling me that when I am sick I should go to the elders of the church and not first the hospital? Nah.
For we also have received the good news just as they did. But the message they heard did not benefit them, since they were not united with those who heard it in faith.
Hearing is not enough. The Israelites, they heard the word. But it did not benefit them. They treated it like we treat the words of most politicians. “Nice speech but why are we really here?”
Understanding is not enough. It isn’t just about head knowledge. We can have all of this figured out. We can know the
They heard the word. They heard the message, and it did not benefit them what so ever. Because they didn’t believe it.
The author of Hebrews wants us to understand who Jesus is, what the word of God is and who we are in that.
For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
No creature is hidden from him, but all things are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give an account.
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens—Jesus the Son of God—let us hold fast to our confession.
To really understand the concept of a great High Priest, we would have to go back to exodus and learn about that office - established by God. For the moment, we should know that Jesus became the one not only who made the promises, but made those promises possible and paid for them.
Two instructions for the end of this chapter.
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens—Jesus the Son of God—let us hold fast to our confession.
Hold fast to our confession.
Search your heart and your mind. Remember the time that you first said “Jesus, I will follow you” and all of the things that He has said and done since that moment.
Acknowledge the good things and give God the credit he deserves.
Testify of those things. Tell others, tell yourself. Tell the enemy.
Approach the throne of Grace with Boldness.
Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.
Jesus opened the doors to the throne room and said come in!