Urgent Call to Faith in Christ Jesus
Read John 6:27-29 & John 6:36-37. These words of Jesus will help us in our understanding Hebrews 3 and 4.
As we have been journeying through Hebrews, we have discovered the following:
· Chapter 1 Jesus is God o Jesus is greater than the angels o God has spoken to us through His Son- Jesus · Chapter 2 Jesus humbly to on form of Man o Pay close attention to Jesus o Listen to Jesus o There is no escape (of hell) if we neglect the great salvation of Jesus Christ o Jesus became like us in every respect § He tasted death for everyone § He is the merciful, faithful High Priest in service to God § He came to make propitiation for the sins of the people · Chapter 3 Jesus is greater than Moses o We must consider (fix our minds on) Jesus § He is greater than Moses § He is faithful OVER the household of God o We must take care and exhort one another § That there not be unbelief § That there not be a hardened heart
The urgent call: While the promise of entering His rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it.
As pastor of The River, I cannot express the burden that I have for those of us attending The River to give our attention, much attention, closer attention this week to the Scriptures. Please read and reread Hebrews 3 and 4. Read these chapters prayerfully, slowly, attentively, with a sense of urgency.
Hebrews 4:2-3 distinguishes two groups of people who shared something in common. What they shared – “good news came to us just as to them.”
The difference – “the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united BY FAITH with those who LISTENED.”
Now “those who LISTENED” are described in verse 3; they benefitted from the message heard. Verse 3 reads, “For we who have BELIEVED enter that rest.”
Spend time walking through Hebrews 3 and 4, paying careful attention to the following (circle the words and note what is around them):
“Today” “hardened hearts” “unbelief” “disobedient” “rest” “believed”
Notice the 4 exhortations and take note of the “for” (because) that follows each exhortation in Chapter 4:
- Verse 1 – let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it. What is “it”? Take note of the “for” in verse 2 and verse 3.
- Verse 11 – let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. Take note of the “for” in verse 12.
- Verse 14 – let us hold fast our confession. Take note of the “for” in verse 15
- Verse 16 – Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace. Take note of the “that” in this verse.
Why are called to “fear” in verse 1? How do we “strive to enter that rest” in verse 11? How do we “hold fast our confession” in verse 14? How do we “draw near to throne of grace” in verse 16?
Lets set our minds on these things today!!!