(3:1 - 6:8)

The Superiority Of Jesus To Moses (3:1- 4:13)

Christ Offers A Greater Rest (3:7-4:13)

Daily: Exhortation

Hebrews 3:7-19

Reading: 1Co 10:1-10; Jude 5

Songs:

Theme:

INTRODUCTION

A. Watching T.V. we see the commercials in which a person encourages us not to miss out on purchasing something we need before the time runs out on the opportunity. Their pitch is something such as, “While there is still time, buy it today. Don’t’ delay. Act on it now!”

B. The Hebrews writer cautioned while it was still today, while there was still time, to listen to what God has commanded of us and act on it today. We sure don’t want to miss out on it. Previous the writer of Hebrews had shown that Jesus is greater than the prophets (Heb 1:1-3); greater than the angels (Heb 1:4-2:18) and in chapter three, greater than Moses. Jesus was shown to be superior to Moses in person and in service.

C. In referring to the church, the household of God (1Ti 3:15), the writer of Hebrews affirmed that we are of Christ’s house “if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end" (Heb 3:6).

D. There is always a need for steadfastness in serving God with our lives. The writer of Hebrews gave an exhortation to such in (Heb 2:1-4), regarding the danger of drifting away and a second exhortation (Heb 3:7-19), regarding the danger of departing from the living God.

E. The majority of Jews in the first century rejected Jesus and his message. For those who had accepted it and were converted to him, as well as those also who were converted to him through the proclamation of his message by the apostles etc., there was tremendous pressure placed on them by the unbelieving Jews to renounce the faith, at least, to add to it from the Jewish faith, those things which were important to Jews. The Book of Hebrews was written to encourage those Jewish converts, indeed all Christians, to encourage them to remain faithful to Christ.

F. Many of Christians today also face tremendous pressures to give in to the world’s influence. As Israel failed to enter their promised rest so Christians can fail to enter theirs, if they do give in to worldly influence. Examining the parallels made by the Hebrews writer between Old Israel and Christians can benefit us greatly in encouraging us to remain faithful.

Discussion

I. THE ADMONITION AGAINST DEPARTING FROM GOD (3:7-11)

The Problem

A. ... if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your hearts ... (3:7-9).

KJV

7 ¶ Wherefore <1352> (as <2531> the Holy <40> Ghost <4151> saith <3004> (5719), To day <4594> if <1437> ye will hear <191> (5661) his <846> voice <5456>,

Textus Receptus

7 dio <1352> kaywv <2531> legei <3004> (5719) to <3588> pneuma <4151> to <3588> agion <40> shmeron <4594> ean <1437> thv <3588> fwnhv <5456> autou <846> akoushte <191> (5661)

1. The quotation was from Psa 95:7-11, in which David, recounting from Israel’s history, their wicked behavior in the wilderness, urged the people of his day not to do similarly as their forefathers, in harden their hearts to God.

a. The Hebrews writer found the warning just as applicable in his day and it is still just as applicable in our day.

b. Though the passage quoted was spoken by David and although the Hebrews writer repeated it, it was the Holy Spirit from which the words came (cp. 2Pe 1:21; 2Ti 3:16-17).

c. The word “If” calls us to pay attention, to understand, to get serious about the faith.

d. It is so sad that many Christians procrastinate in continued obedience to God’s word (cp. 2Co 6:1-2).

8 Harden <4645> (5725) not <3361> your <5216> hearts <2588>, as <5613> in <1722> the provocation <3894>, in <2596> the day <2250> of temptation <3986> in <1722> the wilderness <2048>:

9 When <3757> your <5216> fathers <3962> tempted <3985> (5656) me <3165>, proved <1381> (5656) me <3165>, and <2532> saw <1492> (5627) my <3450> works <2041> forty <5062> years <2094>.

8 mh <3361> sklhrunhte <4645> (5725) tav <3588> kardiav <2588> umwn <5216> wv <5613> en <1722> tw <3588> parapikrasmw <3894> kata <2596> thn <3588> hmeran <2250> tou <3588> peirasmou <3986> en <1722> th <3588> erhmw <2048>

9 ou <3757> epeirasan <3985> (5656) me <3165> oi <3588> paterev <3962> umwn <5216> edokimasan <1381> (5656) me <3165> kai <2532> eidon <1492> (5627) ta <3588> erga <2041> mou <3450> tessarakonta <5062> eth <2094>

2. To help his readers and us, to understand this command not to harden our hearts, the writer used the example of Israel, and God’s anger with them for as a warning.

a. harden, Strong’s - 4645. sklhrunw SKLERUNO sklay-roo’-no; from 4642; to indurate, i.e. (figuratively) render stubborn:— harden.

TDNT-5:1030,816; v AV-harden 6; 6 1) to make hard, harden 2) metaph. 2a) to render obstinate, stubborn 2b) to be hardened 2c) to become obstinate or stubborn

5725 Tense-PresentSee 5774

Voice-Active See 5784

Mood - SubjunctiveSee 5792

Count-353

b. God’s message to us regarding our salvation is a message of life to those which obey and a message of death to those which disobey it (cf. 2Co 2:16).

c. History is a regular part of the school curriculum.

(1) From it we learn important names and dates connected with significant events in world history.

(2) Presumably, more than just learning facts, as a application, we also learn how to avoid the mistakes of the past.

(3) However, we have not always learned from our history.

(4) Frequently too in our spiritual lives, as evidenced by the saints to whom the Hebrews writer had written directly, we sometimes do not learned from history or past mistakes.

(5) That is the reason the Hebrews writer directed attention to Israel’s past, to encourage the reader not to repeat the mistakes of God’s people in the past (Rom 15:4; 1Co 10:11).

(6) From Israel’s history, the writer of Hebrews found important lessons for the church in his day for those saints which were growing weary and apathetic in their spiritual lives.

(a) He recalled Israel’s tragedy In the wilderness, in not reaching the goal.

(b) The Israelites had hardened their hearts in rebelling against God provoking him with their lack of faith.

(d) They did the same thing many times over during the forty years of wandering (Exo 14:10-12; 15:22-26; 16:1-3; 17:1-7; 32:1-29; Num 11:1-3, 4-34; 14:20-34; 20:1-13).

(7) Though the Old Testament events were remote to the people tho whose attention the writer brother them and though they are even more remote to us, as they were for the people of the writer of Hebrews day, we must realize such events still have significant importance to the church today.

The Results

B. Wherefore I was grieved with that generation ... So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest ... (3:10-11).

10 Wherefore <1352> I was grieved <4360> (5656) with that <1565> generation <1074>, and <2532> said <2036> (5627), They do <4105> <0> alway <104> err <4105> (5746) in their heart <2588>; and <1161> they <846> have <1097> <0> not <3756> known <1097> (5627) my <3450> ways <3598>.

11 So <5613> I sware <3660> (5656) in <1722> my <3450> wrath <3709>, They shall <1525> <0> not <1487> enter <1525> (5695) into <1519> my <3450> rest <2663>.)

10 dio <1352> proswcyisa <4360> (5656) th <3588> genea <1074> ekeinh <1565> kai <2532> eipon <2036> (5627) aei <104> planwntai <4105> (5743) th <3588> kardia <2588> autoi <846> de <1161> ouk <3756> egnwsan <1097> (5627) tav <3588> odouv <3598> mou <3450>

11 wv <5613> wmosa <3660> (5656) en <1722> th <3588> orgh <3709> mou <3450> ei <1487> eiseleusontai <1525> (5695) eiv <1519> thn <3588> katapausin <2663> mou <3450>

1. It was not God’s will for Israel to remain in Egypt nor the wilderness but for them to enter into their inheritance, the land of Canaan which he promised, their place of rest (Deu 12:9-11; Jos 21:43-45).

a. However, on the brink of originally entering the land Israel doubted and hardened their hearts against God (Num 13-14).

(1) What they hardened their hearts against was God’s word.

(2) They refused to obey it.

(3) Out of the entire generation which left Egypt in the exodus, only Joshua and Caleb entered the promised rest. All others of that generation perished in the wilderness over forty years.

(4) Even Moses and Aaron failed to enter into the promised rest.

(5) The difference between these four men; Joshua, Caleb, Moses and Aaron (See Exodus 32, Numbers 13, 14 & 20) was that Moses and Aaron tried to take matters into their own hands not relying totally faith.

(a) Joshua and Caleb acted on faith.

(b) They trusted the word of the Lord (Num 14:6-9) .

b. The promised land of Canaan foreshadowed our inheritance in Christ (Eph 1:3, 11, 15-23) of eternal life.

c. As with Israel and God’s refusal to let that rebellious generation enter into their promised rest, so you and I must realize that there exists for us the dreadful possibility that having been added by Christ's to his church (Act 2:47) if we too harden our hearts, we too will not enter into our promised rest.

d. What a heart wrenching disaster that would be.

e. For the original recipients of the letter, the writer wanted them to know Judaism had nothing to offer in reference to salvation.

Transition: Nothing outside of a proper relationship in Jesus, and continued obedience to his word will result in eternal life with God in heaven.

II. THE ANSWER TO AVOIDING DEPARTING FROM GOD (3:12-14).

The Solution To The Problem

A. Take heed, brethren ... exhort one another daily ... (3:12-13).

12 Take heed <991> (5720), brethren <80>, lest <3379> there be <2071> (5704) in <1722> any <5100> of you <5216> an evil <4190> heart <2588> of unbelief <570>, in <1722> departing <868> (5629) from <575> the living <2198> (5723) God <2316>.

12 blepete <991> (5720) adelfoi <80> mhpote <3379> estai <1510> (5704) en <1722> tini <5100> umwn <5216> kardia <2588> ponhra <4190> apistiav <570> en <1722> tw <3588> aposthnai <868> (5629) apo <575> yeou <2316> zwntov <2198> (5723)

1. The writer cautioned against a very real possibility of falling away from has been gained in Christ by calling on Christians to “take heed” not to follow the same example of unbelief as old Israel (Heb 4:11-14).

a. Such a fall or departing from the living God would be the result of unbelief produced from one’s heart having been "hardened through the deceitfulness of sin"

b. It should be obvious that the Holy Spirit through the writer of Hebrews did not hold to once saved always saved unless the saved remain faithful.

c. Through an act of our own will, we found mercy and adoption as a result of obedience to the gospel of Christ and by an act of that same will, our salvation can be forfeited if we return to a life in sin.

(1) There can be no doubting that the philosophies of the worldly influence us.

(2) It happened to Israel, and it can happen to us!

(3) Sin promises pleasure, popularity, possessions and power.

(4) In the short term the promises may appear to be true, but such promises will revealed themselves to have only been passing or temporary (Heb 11:25; 1Jo 2:17).

(5) In taking heed to our heart we need to properly keep [watch, guard] them (Pro 4:23).

(6) The writer explained how to watch over or guard our hearts.

13 But <235> exhort <3870> (5720) one another <1438> daily <2596> <1538> <2250>, while <891> <3739> it is called <2564> (5743) To day <4594>; lest <3363> any <5100> of <1537> you <5216> be hardened <4645> (5686) through the deceitfulness <539> of sin <266>.

13 alla <235> parakaleite <3870> (5720) eautouv <1438> kay <2596> ekasthn <1538> hmeran <2250> acriv <891> ou <3739> to <3588> shmeron <4594> kaleitai <2564> (5743) ina <2443> mh <3361> sklhrunyh <4645> (5686) tiv <5100> ex <1537> umwn <5216> apath <539> thv <3588> amartiav <266>

2. Part of the process to keeping each of us from departing from God’s way is through exhorting “one another daily, while it is called To day.”

a. exhort, Strong’s - 3870. parakalew PARAKALEO par-ak-al-eh’-o; from 3844 and 2564; to call near, i.e. invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation):— beseech, call for, (be of good) comfort, desire, (give) exhort(-ation), intreat, pray.

TDNT-5:773,778; v AV-beseech 43, comfort 23, exhort 21, desire 8, pray 6, intreat 3, misc 4, vr besought 1; 109 1) to call to one’s side, call for, summon 2) to address, speak to, (call to, call upon), which may be done in the way of exhortation, entreaty, comfort, instruction, etc. 2a) to admonish, exhort 2b) to beg, entreat, beseech 2b1) to strive to appease by entreaty 2c) to console, to encourage and strengthen by consolation, to comfort 2c1) to receive consolation, be comforted 2d) to encourage, strengthen 2e) exhorting and comforting and encouraging 2f) to instruct, teach

5720 Tense-PresentSee 5774

Voice-Active See 5784

Mood - ImperativeSee 5794

Count-582

(1) Exhorting the brethren as to staying on the proper course was what Paul commanded of Timothy (2Ti 4:2).

(a) Elsewhere Paul wrote to Timothy:

i) “teach and exhort” (1Ti 6:2).

ii) “Preach the word ... rebuke, exhort” (2Ti 4:2).

(b) Paul wrote to Titus:

i) “Exhort servants” (Ti 2:9).

ii) “These things speak and exhort, and rebuke” (Ti 2:15).

(2) By example and implication we are obliged to exhort one another to encourage one another to remain faithful.

b. Brethren we each need to start exhorting one another and being exhorted, daily (cf. Act 2:42; 46; 5:42).

(1) Brethren if we have been procrastinating let’s stop it and become active in exhorting one another.

(2) Let’s stop allowing members to fall to the way side or become hardened in heart.

c. Jesus declared of his, that no one shall “pluck them out of my hand" (Joh 10:27-28) but he also said, he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved" (Mat 24:13).

(1) Therefore, though he will not allow us to be "snatched out of his hand we also realize there is something we must do, and it is struggle to make sure his hand is sure with us.

(2) One of the ways God has give for us to persevering to the end is through our exhorting one another.

d. When David, in fleeing from King Saul in to the Wilderness of Ziph, about 30 miles south of Jerusalem, Jonathan, Saul's son, and a true friend to David, went to David to strengthen his hand in God (1Sa 23:15-18).

(1) In exhorting one another daily it is our hope to strengthen one another’s hand in God.

(2) Single people, married couples, parents, children, those in junior higher, those in senior higher, college students, common laborers, Christian camaraderie (spending time with one anther) is not just for the new recruits. It is for each of us.

(3) We also need to realize that strengthening a person's hand in God involves conscious effort to go and to that person and to strengthen him, as Jonathan did with David.

(4) We also need to realize that Jonathan’s strengthening of David was not self-confidence in himself for a difficult situation but spiritual strength in the Lord.