WEBVTT 00:00:00.580 --> 00:00:02.000 Well, a very good morning, everyone. 00:00:02.660 --> 00:00:06.679 I must say that John was very gracious to me in that whole press-ups thing. 00:00:06.759 --> 00:00:09.359 He said several takes. That was my second take. 00:00:09.939 --> 00:00:12.640 So I think I managed ten press-ups, so I need to get to the gym. 00:00:13.240 --> 00:00:15.939 Why don't we turn in our Bibles to Hebrews chapter 3. 00:00:16.280 --> 00:00:19.019 It's where we are this morning in our series in Hebrews. 00:00:19.980 --> 00:00:23.059 And let's read Hebrews chapter 3 together. 00:00:25.920 --> 00:00:27.480 This is Hebrews chapter 3. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:31.239 The author writes this, 00:00:31.239 --> 00:00:41.359 Therefore, holy brothers who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess. 00:00:41.880 --> 00:00:48.060 He was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses was faithful in all God's house. 00:00:48.799 --> 00:00:56.740 Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself. 00:00:56.740 --> 00:01:01.740 For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything. 00:01:02.859 --> 00:01:08.099 Moses was faithful as a servant in all God's house, testifying to what would be said in the future. 00:01:08.700 --> 00:01:12.879 But Christ is faithful as a son over God's house. 00:01:13.700 --> 00:01:20.240 And we are his house if we hold onto our courage and the hope of which we boast. 00:01:20.239 --> 00:01:23.319 So as the Holy Spirit says, 00:01:23.319 --> 00:01:28.859 Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion. 00:01:29.500 --> 00:01:36.439 During the time of testing in the desert where your fathers tested and tried me and for 40 years saw what I did. 00:01:37.319 --> 00:01:40.159 That is why I was angry with that generation. 00:01:40.379 --> 00:01:44.560 And I said, their hearts are always going astray and they have not known my ways. 00:01:44.560 --> 00:01:50.280 So I declared an oath in my anger, they shall never enter my rest. 00:01:51.320 --> 00:01:57.219 See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. 00:01:57.740 --> 00:02:04.540 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. 00:02:05.500 --> 00:02:11.199 We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first. 00:02:11.199 --> 00:02:18.259 As has just been said, today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion. 00:02:19.199 --> 00:02:21.280 Who were they who heard and rebelled? 00:02:22.000 --> 00:02:24.799 Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt? 00:02:25.560 --> 00:02:28.500 And with whom was he angry for 40 years? 00:02:28.599 --> 00:02:32.339 Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the desert? 00:02:33.060 --> 00:02:37.919 And to whom did God swear that they would never enter his rest if not to those who disobeyed? 00:02:37.919 --> 00:02:44.379 So we see that they were not able to enter because of their unbelief. 00:02:45.139 --> 00:02:48.079 This is God's holy and inspired word. 00:02:48.179 --> 00:02:51.079 Let's pray and just still our hearts as we come before it this morning. 00:02:53.479 --> 00:02:56.399 Father, we thank you so much for our time together today. 00:02:56.400 --> 00:03:04.020 And gracious Father, we ask now as we turn to your words, that you would take center stage. 00:03:04.520 --> 00:03:07.240 That you would take the microphone. 00:03:07.460 --> 00:03:10.120 That your voice would be the one that fills our minds. 00:03:10.740 --> 00:03:13.960 And your spirit would be the one that directs our thoughts. 00:03:15.460 --> 00:03:17.860 And so gracious Father, we ask that you would come and be with us now. 00:03:17.980 --> 00:03:19.420 Speak to us in Jesus' name. 00:03:19.939 --> 00:03:20.319 Amen. 00:03:20.319 --> 00:03:20.400 Amen. 00:03:21.539 --> 00:03:25.139 So put your hands up this morning if you've ever been up Carlton Hill. 00:03:26.120 --> 00:03:27.959 East end of Princes Street, Carlton Hill. 00:03:28.180 --> 00:03:28.400 Good. 00:03:28.900 --> 00:03:29.259 Majority. 00:03:29.340 --> 00:03:31.479 I remember last time I went for X Factor and there was no one. 00:03:31.539 --> 00:03:32.459 So I thought, safe bet. 00:03:32.579 --> 00:03:33.159 Carlton Hill. 00:03:34.579 --> 00:03:36.379 I always like to think at Carlton Hill. 00:03:36.439 --> 00:03:37.180 I love Carlton Hill. 00:03:37.280 --> 00:03:40.659 I always like to think you get the views of Arthur's seat without the effort of Arthur's seat. 00:03:40.979 --> 00:03:41.780 Is that fair to say? 00:03:42.259 --> 00:03:44.780 It's not very long to go up Arthur's seat. 00:03:44.780 --> 00:03:51.580 But what I always love about Carlton Hill is going up and seeing this national monument. 00:03:53.060 --> 00:03:55.819 I don't know if you know the story behind the monument. 00:03:56.460 --> 00:04:00.199 But it was built to commemorate those who lost their lives in the Napoleonic Wars. 00:04:00.920 --> 00:04:08.199 And they hired this architect called William Clayfair who decided it was a good idea to build a Greek monument. 00:04:08.319 --> 00:04:10.920 And turn Edinburgh into the Athens of the North. 00:04:10.919 --> 00:04:14.619 So they started building in 1826. 00:04:15.719 --> 00:04:21.099 Three years later, having only put up 12 columns, project abandoned. 00:04:22.439 --> 00:04:24.339 Now why was the project abandoned? 00:04:24.479 --> 00:04:26.800 Well, I guess on a superficial level they ran out of money. 00:04:27.819 --> 00:04:31.680 And it was a lot more effort than I thought I think they bargained for. 00:04:31.680 --> 00:04:38.919 But the underlying reason for the abandonment of that project was that the enthusiasm completely died. 00:04:38.920 --> 00:04:46.759 A project that started with such passion and drive quickly became costly and stale. 00:04:47.600 --> 00:04:50.400 Now, locals among us will know what is that called? 00:04:51.220 --> 00:04:52.160 What do we know that as? 00:04:53.500 --> 00:04:54.960 That is Edinburgh's disgrace. 00:04:56.439 --> 00:04:58.620 Now imagine the scenario tomorrow morning. 00:04:58.920 --> 00:05:00.460 Monday morning we pick up our papers. 00:05:01.319 --> 00:05:06.020 And the headline is Edinburgh Council decide to build new Greek monument. 00:05:06.019 --> 00:05:21.759 Three months into the project, having made the plans, having got the permissions, having got the stone, having got the labourers, having found the site, having started half the project, the council decide to down tools and abandon. 00:05:23.519 --> 00:05:26.039 Question for us this morning, how would we respond to that? 00:05:29.039 --> 00:05:29.479 Scandalous. 00:05:29.579 --> 00:05:30.680 That's how I'd respond to that. 00:05:31.259 --> 00:05:32.579 That is absolutely scandalous. 00:05:32.699 --> 00:05:33.939 What a waste of public money. 00:05:33.939 --> 00:05:38.719 Making exactly the same mistakes that a previous generation made. 00:05:39.680 --> 00:05:44.920 Surely we've got to learn the lessons, we've got to persevere, and we've got to see it home. 00:05:46.379 --> 00:05:48.000 See, that's a big idea for us this morning. 00:05:49.060 --> 00:05:49.800 Got to see it home. 00:05:51.699 --> 00:05:53.620 That monument is Edinburgh's disgrace. 00:05:54.399 --> 00:06:00.319 And this morning, Hebrews 3 is taking us on a journey back in time to see Israel's disgrace. 00:06:00.319 --> 00:06:06.000 So the moment in the life of that nation that stands as a permanent blot in their copy book. 00:06:07.060 --> 00:06:09.699 Now why, you might ask, is Mr. Hebrews going there? 00:06:10.740 --> 00:06:16.980 Well, the people that he's got in his mind as he's writing this letter, he's scared for them and he's worried for them. 00:06:16.980 --> 00:06:25.060 Because he looks at them and he looks at what they're contemplating doing with their lives and he sees history about to repeat itself. 00:06:27.379 --> 00:06:28.340 This is what we've seen. 00:06:28.420 --> 00:06:30.400 We've been in this book for the last three weeks. 00:06:31.340 --> 00:06:34.939 We saw in chapter 1 that Jesus is 100% God. 00:06:35.660 --> 00:06:38.160 He is superior above all others. 00:06:38.879 --> 00:06:40.180 He's superior than the angels. 00:06:40.700 --> 00:06:43.259 Chapter 2, Jesus is 100% man. 00:06:43.259 --> 00:06:46.719 He is our king, he's our savior and he's our brother. 00:06:47.939 --> 00:06:49.000 That's a glorious truth. 00:06:49.539 --> 00:06:52.300 That Christ is 100% God, he's 100% man. 00:06:52.699 --> 00:06:56.480 And so, he is superior in every way. 00:06:58.480 --> 00:07:00.779 Therefore, writes the writer. 00:07:01.019 --> 00:07:02.480 The gospel is glorious. 00:07:03.079 --> 00:07:04.800 And don't you dare turn back from it. 00:07:06.379 --> 00:07:08.680 Really what he's telling them to do this morning, two things. 00:07:09.480 --> 00:07:10.420 He's telling them to heed. 00:07:11.199 --> 00:07:11.879 Love that word. 00:07:12.240 --> 00:07:12.539 Heed. 00:07:12.540 --> 00:07:14.160 And he's telling them to hold. 00:07:14.860 --> 00:07:16.160 Heed and hold. 00:07:16.439 --> 00:07:18.900 Firstly, heed Israel's disgrace. 00:07:19.500 --> 00:07:20.660 Now, have you got your Bibles there? 00:07:21.720 --> 00:07:22.800 Verses 7 to 11. 00:07:24.860 --> 00:07:26.040 Verses 7 to 11. 00:07:26.160 --> 00:07:31.360 Thinking about his generation, Mr. Hebrews quotes from Psalm 95. 00:07:32.040 --> 00:07:36.820 Psalm 95 takes us directly to the heart of Israel's disgrace. 00:07:37.820 --> 00:07:40.740 These are the mistakes of the Exodus generation. 00:07:40.740 --> 00:07:42.960 So, let me just run you through it. 00:07:43.480 --> 00:07:46.040 God's people are slaves in Egypt. 00:07:47.120 --> 00:07:49.500 Moses says, let my people go. 00:07:49.920 --> 00:07:51.879 Pharaoh says, not a chance. 00:07:52.560 --> 00:07:54.500 Don't tell me about your God. 00:07:54.639 --> 00:07:55.720 Who's he to me? 00:07:56.420 --> 00:07:59.060 These Hebrew people here, they're my slaves. 00:07:59.060 --> 00:08:03.160 God's people have got no hope of rescuing themselves. 00:08:03.160 --> 00:08:06.879 But God rescues them out of Egypt. 00:08:07.319 --> 00:08:11.120 And I guess the climax of that deliverance comes in the parting of the Red Sea. 00:08:12.019 --> 00:08:15.300 And Moses leads the people through to the other side. 00:08:15.300 --> 00:08:20.040 And these people have gone for being slaves to a free people. 00:08:21.040 --> 00:08:25.420 Free to worship their God and to live for him. 00:08:26.620 --> 00:08:29.500 And God knows where he is taking his people. 00:08:29.639 --> 00:08:32.860 This isn't some kind of project that God's got on the go. 00:08:32.980 --> 00:08:35.120 He knows exactly where he's taken them. 00:08:35.159 --> 00:08:37.360 He's not left them to fend for themselves. 00:08:37.360 --> 00:08:42.360 He's taken them to the land which he promised their forefathers. 00:08:43.279 --> 00:08:44.539 We were singing about that earlier. 00:08:45.600 --> 00:08:50.500 And along this journey, God provides for them at every single stage of the journey. 00:08:51.240 --> 00:08:53.840 He provides them leadership in the form of Moses. 00:08:54.840 --> 00:08:59.539 He provides for them physically water from the rock, manna from the sky to eat. 00:09:00.159 --> 00:09:04.440 He provides for them protection from outside enemies who would try and defeat them. 00:09:04.440 --> 00:09:10.580 All of this with the aim of teaching them that they need to look to him for absolutely everything. 00:09:11.560 --> 00:09:17.760 He is the God who is all-powerful, who has rescued them from the hands of this oppressor. 00:09:18.160 --> 00:09:23.580 And he is the God who is all-sufficient, who is the one who daily provides for their needs. 00:09:25.200 --> 00:09:32.120 And as they journey on towards this land, and as God continues to show them his faithfulness to them, 00:09:32.120 --> 00:09:38.600 that he is committed to this people, the question is, are this people committed to God? 00:09:39.460 --> 00:09:44.440 What is really going on in the hearts of that generation? 00:09:45.879 --> 00:09:50.679 And time and time again as they journey, you get snippets of the posture of their hearts. 00:09:51.720 --> 00:09:52.419 They complain. 00:09:52.419 --> 00:09:54.299 They whine. 00:09:54.559 --> 00:09:55.179 They gossip. 00:09:55.419 --> 00:09:56.259 They accuse. 00:09:56.879 --> 00:10:05.479 And with the people on the cusp of the land, right there, we probably get the clearest indication of the state of their hearts. 00:10:05.979 --> 00:10:08.019 Now remember what these people have seen physically. 00:10:08.839 --> 00:10:10.419 They've seen God perform the miraculous. 00:10:11.439 --> 00:10:13.039 They've seen him part the Red Sea. 00:10:13.139 --> 00:10:14.000 They've seen the plagues. 00:10:14.099 --> 00:10:15.719 They've seen him provide in the desert. 00:10:15.860 --> 00:10:17.719 They've seen him conquer their enemies. 00:10:17.720 --> 00:10:19.279 They've seen all this. 00:10:19.940 --> 00:10:23.080 And they know that God has promised them this land. 00:10:23.340 --> 00:10:25.480 The question is, are they going to go in and take it? 00:10:28.200 --> 00:10:31.740 And so at Kadesh Barnea, this is where they are in geography, 00:10:32.840 --> 00:10:34.899 with the people on the cusp of the land, 00:10:35.500 --> 00:10:39.639 12 spies are sent out on God's command to spy out this land. 00:10:39.840 --> 00:10:43.340 Two of the spies come back and say those guys are big. 00:10:43.340 --> 00:10:45.660 But our God's bigger. 00:10:46.160 --> 00:10:48.180 And he's told us that this land is ours. 00:10:48.280 --> 00:10:48.960 So let's do it. 00:10:50.000 --> 00:10:50.980 The other 10. 00:10:51.860 --> 00:10:53.460 There's some scary people in that land. 00:10:54.399 --> 00:10:55.019 Scary people. 00:10:55.700 --> 00:10:56.440 They're big people. 00:10:56.840 --> 00:10:57.920 And they live in big cities. 00:10:58.680 --> 00:10:59.759 So can we take it? 00:10:59.780 --> 00:11:00.500 I'm not so sure. 00:11:01.340 --> 00:11:02.120 I'm not so sure. 00:11:02.899 --> 00:11:04.519 The hearts of two say yes. 00:11:04.600 --> 00:11:06.040 The hearts of 10 say no. 00:11:06.280 --> 00:11:09.320 Can we trust God is the question for this generation. 00:11:09.519 --> 00:11:10.680 The answer, no. 00:11:10.679 --> 00:11:15.159 And Psalm 95 tells us what God thinks of that. 00:11:16.539 --> 00:11:18.519 Here is God's pronouncement at verse 10. 00:11:20.059 --> 00:11:23.659 That is why I was angry with that generation. 00:11:24.579 --> 00:11:28.779 I said their hearts are always going astray and they have not known my ways. 00:11:29.139 --> 00:11:31.279 So I declared an oath in my anger. 00:11:31.699 --> 00:11:33.399 They shall never enter my rest. 00:11:34.740 --> 00:11:37.579 So you see, this is no incidental thing according to God. 00:11:37.579 --> 00:11:40.279 This is rebellion and this is defiance against him. 00:11:41.339 --> 00:11:43.959 And there's a real finality about the pronouncement, isn't there? 00:11:43.979 --> 00:11:44.739 The word never. 00:11:45.719 --> 00:11:46.719 They will never enter. 00:11:47.899 --> 00:11:55.479 So the Exodus generation, symptoms, hearts astray, lack of trust, bitterness, unbelief, 00:11:56.479 --> 00:12:00.359 underlying root cause, hard-heartedness, result, 00:12:00.360 --> 00:12:07.320 after seeing that everything that God did and having started so well, failed to enter God's rest. 00:12:09.740 --> 00:12:12.919 And Mr. Hebrews says, do you see the parallel? 00:12:12.919 --> 00:12:15.879 Do you see the parallel? 00:12:15.879 --> 00:12:17.740 Do you see the parallel to his generation? 00:12:17.979 --> 00:12:21.899 The real life's experiences and mistakes of that generation? 00:12:22.419 --> 00:12:24.519 That's a bit like your Christian life's. 00:12:24.519 --> 00:12:28.419 God delivered them from slavery in Egypt. 00:12:28.419 --> 00:12:34.819 And similarly, in Jesus Christ, God has delivered you from the power and hold of sin and death. 00:12:35.639 --> 00:12:38.679 God had a plan and a place where he was taking that generation. 00:12:39.960 --> 00:12:41.399 Verse 1, you'll see it there. 00:12:42.279 --> 00:12:44.679 God has a plan and a place where he's taking you. 00:12:44.799 --> 00:12:45.819 It's a heavenly calling. 00:12:45.820 --> 00:12:53.160 And in that in-between stage, they were being tested and shaped and tried, coming under trials. 00:12:54.220 --> 00:12:59.800 And you, in this in-between stage, are being shaped and tested and coming under trials. 00:13:00.620 --> 00:13:04.480 So we, like them, are called to live by faith and not by sight. 00:13:05.320 --> 00:13:09.060 We, like them, are called to be guided and led by what God has said, 00:13:09.440 --> 00:13:11.780 rather than what we can see around us. 00:13:11.779 --> 00:13:23.600 And Jesus, in Jesus, we have a leader who is leading us to a far better place than Moses ever could. 00:13:24.879 --> 00:13:31.720 So don't, whatever you do, don't, whatever you do, repeat the mistakes of the Exodus generation. 00:13:32.519 --> 00:13:33.120 See it home. 00:13:34.439 --> 00:13:35.079 See it home. 00:13:35.519 --> 00:13:39.500 Friends, do you not know that to be true in your Christian faith, in your walk with God? 00:13:39.559 --> 00:13:40.639 It's the life of faith. 00:13:40.639 --> 00:13:45.080 Do we not know that in our own walks with God, that we know times of trial, 00:13:45.840 --> 00:13:49.240 that we know times of difficulty, that we know times of questioning, 00:13:49.759 --> 00:13:53.519 and that we are living by faith and not by sight. 00:13:53.580 --> 00:13:54.939 Now, why is that the case? 00:13:55.279 --> 00:13:56.580 Because we're not home yet. 00:13:58.740 --> 00:14:03.279 In the meantime, God is teaching us things about ourselves and about himself, 00:14:03.279 --> 00:14:07.839 and he's shaping us more into the likeness of his son, Jesus Christ, 00:14:07.980 --> 00:14:10.639 all for his glory and our good. 00:14:10.879 --> 00:14:12.399 This is the Christian life. 00:14:12.399 --> 00:14:18.759 And the call in the in-between stage of life for us, in this wilderness time, 00:14:19.120 --> 00:14:21.079 is to persevere and to see it home. 00:14:23.000 --> 00:14:24.100 See what he's saying here? 00:14:24.100 --> 00:14:26.860 Don't make the same mistakes that that generation made. 00:14:26.860 --> 00:14:30.539 Now, I'll be honest, I was preparing for this this week, 00:14:30.620 --> 00:14:34.840 and at this point, this is where I found this passage really tough. 00:14:34.840 --> 00:14:39.759 And it's really sensitive, I find anyway, 00:14:40.160 --> 00:14:45.019 because do we not all know people in our lives, people who we love? 00:14:47.660 --> 00:14:53.620 Sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, mums, dads, 00:14:53.940 --> 00:14:57.060 close friends who you grew up with and went on SU camp with, 00:14:57.059 --> 00:15:03.579 who started so strong in their faith, but have since dwindled away. 00:15:03.879 --> 00:15:06.319 For me, I find that the most discouraging thing 00:15:06.319 --> 00:15:08.939 and probably the most disheartening thing in my Christian work. 00:15:10.000 --> 00:15:13.000 When you see people who started off so strong and who just 00:15:13.000 --> 00:15:15.339 don't think it's worth it anymore. 00:15:16.819 --> 00:15:18.219 So what are we to do with that? 00:15:18.439 --> 00:15:21.939 What do we do when we see that happening right in front of our eyes? 00:15:21.940 --> 00:15:29.340 Well, this is where I find what Jesus said in the parable of the sower 00:15:29.340 --> 00:15:30.340 so comforting. 00:15:31.040 --> 00:15:33.180 And it was really cool that we saw Luke act out earlier. 00:15:33.340 --> 00:15:35.720 He did it last week, whatever it is they do in kids' church. 00:15:37.620 --> 00:15:40.400 What do we do when we see that happening in front of us? 00:15:40.520 --> 00:15:44.680 Well, Jesus gives his disciples this parable of the word being sown. 00:15:45.340 --> 00:15:46.540 The word is being sown. 00:15:47.360 --> 00:15:48.040 And what does he say? 00:15:48.100 --> 00:15:49.960 He says, some will instantly dismiss it. 00:15:49.960 --> 00:15:54.639 Some will hear it and instantly it will go out of their minds. 00:15:54.800 --> 00:15:55.900 The devil will snatch it away. 00:15:56.759 --> 00:15:57.560 Some will hear it. 00:15:57.639 --> 00:15:58.980 Some will accept it. 00:15:59.400 --> 00:16:04.620 And for a time will love it before the cares of the world will get in, 00:16:05.360 --> 00:16:08.420 choke the plant, and cause that initial enthusiasm, 00:16:08.680 --> 00:16:10.060 love for the Lord to dwindle. 00:16:10.540 --> 00:16:11.720 Because there is no root. 00:16:13.360 --> 00:16:16.820 And I find it massively comforting that when I see that happening 00:16:16.820 --> 00:16:23.379 in my own life, then I know that it doesn't take Jesus by surprise. 00:16:24.500 --> 00:16:26.180 It doesn't take him by surprise. 00:16:26.680 --> 00:16:29.060 He knows about it and he wants me to know about it. 00:16:29.100 --> 00:16:29.940 That's why it's there. 00:16:31.100 --> 00:16:33.400 Does God know those who are his? 00:16:34.080 --> 00:16:35.680 Is he still in control? 00:16:36.540 --> 00:16:37.020 Absolutely. 00:16:38.300 --> 00:16:38.780 Absolutely. 00:16:39.779 --> 00:16:43.139 And do we need to persevere real time in our faith 00:16:43.139 --> 00:16:45.259 as we're heading towards that heavenly city? 00:16:45.939 --> 00:16:46.379 Absolutely. 00:16:48.279 --> 00:16:48.959 What does he say? 00:16:49.039 --> 00:16:51.339 The proof of the fourth type of soil in that parable. 00:16:51.480 --> 00:16:52.159 It's in the crop. 00:16:52.919 --> 00:16:54.439 It's in the fruit that is produced. 00:16:54.600 --> 00:16:57.740 That's how you'll know if the word is doing its work in someone's life. 00:16:58.519 --> 00:17:02.919 It's not about relying on a prayer that we prayed 27 years ago 00:17:02.919 --> 00:17:05.119 to prove that we're right before God. 00:17:05.119 --> 00:17:08.659 Even though the evidence in our lives would suggest something completely different. 00:17:10.039 --> 00:17:13.319 The real proof of the pudding says the writer to the Hebrews 00:17:13.319 --> 00:17:19.399 is in the real time, day-to-day, nitty-gritty perseverance, 00:17:19.939 --> 00:17:21.500 striving for Jesus in our faith. 00:17:23.019 --> 00:17:25.679 Now, so what do we do with our friends who have fallen away? 00:17:25.779 --> 00:17:27.139 Well, firstly, we pray. 00:17:27.739 --> 00:17:29.339 And we pray incessantly. 00:17:29.339 --> 00:17:33.639 And we pray persistently for our friends that God would open their eyes, 00:17:34.179 --> 00:17:38.299 that we take our anxieties to God in prayer. 00:17:38.419 --> 00:17:39.779 That's what he calls us to do. 00:17:40.240 --> 00:17:44.059 We take them to him and we know that he cares and that he knows. 00:17:45.079 --> 00:17:46.919 We pray and we pursue. 00:17:47.939 --> 00:17:50.480 We pursue first and foremost. 00:17:50.599 --> 00:17:52.279 We pursue God ourselves. 00:17:52.279 --> 00:17:56.259 Because I know it's true in my life that one of the best things I can do 00:17:56.259 --> 00:18:00.420 is live out in front of people a living and active pursuit of Jesus Christ. 00:18:01.059 --> 00:18:03.960 That they see in my life that he isn't just something that I do. 00:18:04.059 --> 00:18:06.059 This isn't something that I'm part of and come to. 00:18:06.639 --> 00:18:07.359 This is real. 00:18:07.480 --> 00:18:08.799 This is who I am. 00:18:09.940 --> 00:18:14.940 We pursue Jesus Christ and we pursue our friends for relationship. 00:18:15.160 --> 00:18:19.160 We take every opportunity to speak of him and how glorious he is. 00:18:19.160 --> 00:18:23.420 That's what he says, Mr. Hebrews, to his generation. 00:18:24.600 --> 00:18:25.360 Don't move on. 00:18:25.500 --> 00:18:26.180 See at home. 00:18:26.980 --> 00:18:27.380 Persevere. 00:18:27.800 --> 00:18:30.700 There's a generation of God's people who didn't see at home. 00:18:31.220 --> 00:18:34.360 You need to heed the warning and be a generation that does see at home. 00:18:35.779 --> 00:18:38.680 It's a message to Mr. San 95's generation. 00:18:39.200 --> 00:18:41.920 It's a message to Mr. Hebrews' generation. 00:18:42.240 --> 00:18:44.080 And it's the message to our generation. 00:18:45.500 --> 00:18:45.900 Persevere. 00:18:46.740 --> 00:18:47.500 See at home. 00:18:47.500 --> 00:18:49.720 Keep pursuing Jesus Christ. 00:18:53.720 --> 00:18:54.759 Been tough, hasn't it? 00:18:55.400 --> 00:18:56.759 That first, however long that was. 00:18:57.220 --> 00:18:58.359 It's a game of two halves of the sermon. 00:18:58.440 --> 00:18:59.480 Don't worry, we're moving on here. 00:19:00.420 --> 00:19:02.740 So let's take a deep breath because that is a lot to take in. 00:19:03.500 --> 00:19:04.539 That's a lot to take in. 00:19:06.039 --> 00:19:08.259 But he says, heed the warning. 00:19:09.220 --> 00:19:09.920 Heed the warning. 00:19:10.039 --> 00:19:11.079 And then what does he say? 00:19:11.160 --> 00:19:13.299 He says, hold to your faith. 00:19:13.299 --> 00:19:18.359 Now you'll notice if you've got your Bibles there, the idea of holding appears three times in this chapter. 00:19:19.019 --> 00:19:20.059 Look with me. 00:19:20.159 --> 00:19:20.740 Verse 1. 00:19:23.139 --> 00:19:24.980 Fix your thoughts on Jesus. 00:19:25.139 --> 00:19:27.759 Quite literally, hold your thoughts on Jesus. 00:19:29.139 --> 00:19:30.000 Verse 6. 00:19:30.440 --> 00:19:32.680 Hold fast our confidence. 00:19:32.680 --> 00:19:36.779 Hold our confidence. 00:19:37.539 --> 00:19:39.660 Don't need to be a genius to work out what he's telling them to do. 00:19:39.740 --> 00:19:40.779 He's telling them to hold. 00:19:41.460 --> 00:19:42.480 He wants them to hold. 00:19:42.580 --> 00:19:44.400 The question is, how are they going to hold? 00:19:48.019 --> 00:19:49.820 Well, he's given them the defense. 00:19:50.900 --> 00:19:52.320 That is what they are not to do. 00:19:52.759 --> 00:19:54.200 He also gives them the offense. 00:19:54.600 --> 00:19:55.860 Tells them what they are to do. 00:19:55.859 --> 00:19:57.059 He wants them to do four things. 00:19:57.199 --> 00:19:57.899 And here's what you want. 00:19:58.059 --> 00:19:59.000 I want you to do them with me. 00:20:00.000 --> 00:20:01.779 I'll act it out for you and you can act it back. 00:20:01.859 --> 00:20:02.019 OK? 00:20:02.059 --> 00:20:03.279 He wants them to do four things. 00:20:03.779 --> 00:20:04.839 He wants them to grasp. 00:20:05.659 --> 00:20:07.159 He wants them to fix. 00:20:07.859 --> 00:20:09.139 He wants them to check. 00:20:09.559 --> 00:20:10.899 And he wants them to encourage. 00:20:11.939 --> 00:20:12.240 OK? 00:20:12.519 --> 00:20:13.319 Can you do it with me? 00:20:14.939 --> 00:20:15.659 Do it with me. 00:20:16.039 --> 00:20:16.359 OK. 00:20:16.599 --> 00:20:17.279 Four things. 00:20:17.559 --> 00:20:18.559 He wants them to grasp. 00:20:19.359 --> 00:20:20.839 He wants them to fix. 00:20:21.459 --> 00:20:22.799 He wants them to check. 00:20:23.339 --> 00:20:24.579 And he wants them to encourage. 00:20:25.319 --> 00:20:28.199 Now I don't do that, okay, to trivialize this. 00:20:28.259 --> 00:20:33.240 I do that because what he says here, I found in my life this is so practical. 00:20:33.960 --> 00:20:36.059 This is a timeless truth. 00:20:36.500 --> 00:20:37.720 So these are good things, okay? 00:20:38.019 --> 00:20:39.159 So let's do the first one. 00:20:39.259 --> 00:20:39.639 Grasp. 00:20:39.740 --> 00:20:40.259 Do it with me. 00:20:40.460 --> 00:20:40.859 Grasp. 00:20:41.939 --> 00:20:43.799 And this is to do with identity. 00:20:45.419 --> 00:20:49.199 Now you've seen in the news this week that David Bowie died. 00:20:50.199 --> 00:20:51.379 I was watching on the BBC. 00:20:51.380 --> 00:20:54.420 He was before my generation. 00:20:55.180 --> 00:20:56.840 Yeah, we've got that. 00:20:58.800 --> 00:20:59.960 Interviews with David Bowie. 00:21:00.020 --> 00:21:01.020 I didn't really know the guy. 00:21:01.540 --> 00:21:04.080 Watching an interview montage with him on the BBC website. 00:21:04.260 --> 00:21:08.960 What a fascinatingly strange, beautiful, talented man. 00:21:09.580 --> 00:21:10.540 My take on it. 00:21:12.340 --> 00:21:15.300 And this interviewer asked him in an interview. 00:21:16.560 --> 00:21:19.000 He said, David, Mr. Bowie, I don't know how you address him. 00:21:19.000 --> 00:21:22.480 It was so difficult to get you to come and do an interview here. 00:21:23.160 --> 00:21:30.640 And it was so difficult because offstage, the David Bowie that we know is so shy, he's so nervous, he avoids people. 00:21:31.259 --> 00:21:36.420 And yet the David Bowie that we see on stage is enthusiastic, he's passionate, he's going for it. 00:21:36.559 --> 00:21:37.640 How does that work out? 00:21:37.640 --> 00:21:44.140 And David Bowie said that he created this character, Ziggy Stardust. 00:21:45.200 --> 00:21:47.740 And it was him that people were seeing perform on stage. 00:21:48.680 --> 00:21:53.080 The David Bowie behind the scenes, when he came off stage, was a completely different character. 00:21:53.940 --> 00:21:55.259 Really interesting, isn't it? 00:21:55.740 --> 00:21:59.460 David Bowie had this split personality thing going on. 00:21:59.460 --> 00:22:02.559 Now let me ask you this morning, friends. 00:22:04.059 --> 00:22:06.480 Where and what is your identity? 00:22:11.059 --> 00:22:15.299 He's saying to these Jewish Christians that they need to grasp something about their identity. 00:22:16.100 --> 00:22:19.400 First hand grasp, they need to grasp who Jesus is. 00:22:20.299 --> 00:22:20.960 Verse 3. 00:22:22.200 --> 00:22:25.579 Jesus has been found worthy of greater honour than Moses. 00:22:25.579 --> 00:22:29.139 So Jesus is greater than Moses, that's what he's saying. 00:22:29.859 --> 00:22:34.159 And he illustrates it in verses 1 to 6 by contrasting Jesus and Moses. 00:22:35.199 --> 00:22:38.199 And interestingly, you'll notice the language and picture of a house. 00:22:39.619 --> 00:22:42.039 God's people, that's what it says, that's what the house is, God's people. 00:22:42.919 --> 00:22:47.019 Moses was building that house as a servant. 00:22:48.419 --> 00:22:52.759 Jesus builds that house as a son, that's what he writes. 00:22:52.759 --> 00:22:55.159 There's a difference in relationship. 00:22:55.579 --> 00:22:57.039 There's a difference in status. 00:22:57.139 --> 00:23:03.159 Now what is it about the son that makes his relationship with the house different to a servant? 00:23:04.079 --> 00:23:08.399 Well a servant has got no rights over the house, he just builds it on behalf of another. 00:23:09.599 --> 00:23:14.279 But the son, his relationship with the house is that the house is his to inherit. 00:23:15.399 --> 00:23:16.159 You see what he's saying? 00:23:16.240 --> 00:23:19.220 That Jesus is the heir of God's people. 00:23:20.359 --> 00:23:22.720 Moses doesn't have that relationship to God's people. 00:23:22.859 --> 00:23:25.460 Jesus alone is the heir of his people. 00:23:26.039 --> 00:23:28.899 And continuing on with the house language, look at verse 6. 00:23:29.439 --> 00:23:31.119 This is the second thing they need to grasp. 00:23:31.359 --> 00:23:34.000 They need to grasp who Jesus is, they need to grasp who they are. 00:23:35.159 --> 00:23:39.699 And it tells us some wonderful things here about the identity of the Christian believer. 00:23:39.839 --> 00:23:40.980 Look with me, verse 1. 00:23:40.980 --> 00:23:45.519 Holy brothers and sisters, that's how he addresses them. 00:23:46.319 --> 00:23:53.319 Holy brothers and sisters, a people who God has set apart, who he has saved and called to live for him. 00:23:53.380 --> 00:23:54.180 That's who they are. 00:23:55.140 --> 00:23:57.339 Who share in the heavenly calling. 00:23:57.440 --> 00:23:58.400 That's where they're going. 00:23:59.360 --> 00:24:00.599 And that's what they have now. 00:24:01.700 --> 00:24:02.980 And in verse 6, what does he write? 00:24:02.980 --> 00:24:05.400 And we are his house. 00:24:06.660 --> 00:24:10.460 If indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory. 00:24:11.460 --> 00:24:11.980 His house. 00:24:12.620 --> 00:24:13.200 That's what we are. 00:24:13.279 --> 00:24:13.839 His house. 00:24:13.920 --> 00:24:14.660 Not our house. 00:24:15.120 --> 00:24:16.200 We are his house. 00:24:16.299 --> 00:24:18.220 We are Jesus' house. 00:24:18.220 --> 00:24:20.180 Now I was thinking on it this week. 00:24:20.259 --> 00:24:20.740 What is it? 00:24:20.799 --> 00:24:22.519 Why does he use that house imagery? 00:24:22.799 --> 00:24:24.039 Why didn't he pick something different? 00:24:24.140 --> 00:24:24.860 Why house? 00:24:25.940 --> 00:24:28.519 Well Jesus is the owner and the inheritor of the house. 00:24:29.059 --> 00:24:29.680 We've seen that. 00:24:30.480 --> 00:24:32.059 He bought it with his blood. 00:24:32.900 --> 00:24:37.319 He paid the price for the house, his people on the cross. 00:24:38.339 --> 00:24:41.759 But Jesus isn't running a buy to let scheme here with this house that he's bought. 00:24:43.700 --> 00:24:47.140 Jesus bought the house to live in it. 00:24:48.220 --> 00:24:53.319 Jesus, by his spirit, lives in the hearts of his people. 00:24:53.680 --> 00:24:56.660 Not as a fleeting resident, but as a permanent dweller. 00:24:58.860 --> 00:25:01.400 Now maybe you're here this morning and you're not a Christian. 00:25:02.480 --> 00:25:07.420 Well let me ask you, having seen that, where do you get your identity from? 00:25:08.360 --> 00:25:15.000 You know we live in a world, doesn't it, that hits us with so many different things that we can get our identity from. 00:25:15.000 --> 00:25:23.140 Our job, our degree, our school, the school our kids go to, the car that we drive, the street that we live in, our postcodes. 00:25:23.940 --> 00:25:30.839 Now whatever the blank is in your life, here is the identity that you were made for. 00:25:30.839 --> 00:25:38.659 Here is the identity, a relationship with the God who made you, your creator that you were made for. 00:25:39.259 --> 00:25:44.579 And here is the only destination that will last eternally. 00:25:44.579 --> 00:25:50.639 And to those who walk by faith, well we are his house. 00:25:50.720 --> 00:25:51.899 That's our identity. 00:25:53.039 --> 00:25:53.879 Isn't that wonderful? 00:25:54.679 --> 00:25:58.480 That we are Christ's possession, we are his, he bought us. 00:25:59.259 --> 00:26:01.859 He hasn't abandoned us, he hasn't said I'll see you when you get there. 00:26:01.919 --> 00:26:02.899 He lives with us. 00:26:03.039 --> 00:26:03.659 It's beautiful. 00:26:05.259 --> 00:26:07.960 Grasp who he is, grasp who you are. 00:26:08.059 --> 00:26:10.980 That's how firstly you're going to help yourself to hold. 00:26:10.980 --> 00:26:14.019 Second thing they need to do is they need to fix. 00:26:14.900 --> 00:26:16.839 They need to fix their thoughts. 00:26:17.480 --> 00:26:18.779 Verse 1, look what he writes. 00:26:18.920 --> 00:26:25.900 Therefore, holy brothers and sisters who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus. 00:26:27.140 --> 00:26:29.059 Fix your thoughts on Jesus. 00:26:30.700 --> 00:26:36.039 Now remember as a boy, every single summer we used to go on holidays to Fife. 00:26:36.039 --> 00:26:43.339 Fife and being in Fife and being Scottish, learning how to play golf, it seemed to be rude not to. 00:26:44.659 --> 00:26:48.159 And my dad spent hours teaching me how to play golf. 00:26:48.259 --> 00:26:52.799 And really the 101 about golf, if I can simplify it like this, is all about your swing. 00:26:53.879 --> 00:26:54.599 All about your swing. 00:26:54.659 --> 00:26:56.279 Put your hands up if there's some golfers in the room. 00:26:58.659 --> 00:26:59.059 Brilliant. 00:27:00.200 --> 00:27:03.079 When you swing, where do your eyes need to be? 00:27:04.519 --> 00:27:05.680 Go on Jamie, help me out brother. 00:27:06.480 --> 00:27:07.240 On the ball. 00:27:07.680 --> 00:27:10.019 What happens if you take your eyes off the ball? 00:27:11.139 --> 00:27:12.039 You miss it. 00:27:12.500 --> 00:27:12.899 Good. 00:27:13.440 --> 00:27:15.440 Any other words we want to go for there, golfing terms? 00:27:16.519 --> 00:27:16.960 A shank. 00:27:17.359 --> 00:27:17.619 Brilliant. 00:27:17.759 --> 00:27:19.619 See, growing up with the name shanks, playing golf. 00:27:20.339 --> 00:27:20.740 Beautiful. 00:27:21.859 --> 00:27:23.980 You need to have your eyes on the ball. 00:27:24.559 --> 00:27:29.079 If you take your eyes off the ball for a single second, everything goes to pot. 00:27:29.720 --> 00:27:32.440 And this is what he's urging them to do here. 00:27:32.440 --> 00:27:34.799 Fix your eyes. 00:27:34.920 --> 00:27:36.860 Hold your thoughts on Jesus. 00:27:37.600 --> 00:27:39.860 Do not take them off him. 00:27:41.360 --> 00:27:44.640 Now to fix requires effort, doesn't it? 00:27:45.140 --> 00:27:46.600 It doesn't just happen naturally. 00:27:46.599 --> 00:27:48.799 It requires focus and it requires discipline. 00:27:49.279 --> 00:27:51.000 And here's how this works out in my life. 00:27:52.240 --> 00:27:57.019 When it comes to fixing my thoughts on Jesus, the issue is not resources. 00:27:57.019 --> 00:28:04.240 If ever there was a generation where lack of material is not an excuse, then it is our generation. 00:28:04.759 --> 00:28:06.619 We have the Bible in our language. 00:28:07.139 --> 00:28:12.440 In my office I have yearly Bible reading plans and prayer notes up to my eyeballs in there. 00:28:12.440 --> 00:28:14.299 The issue is not resources. 00:28:14.539 --> 00:28:16.000 The issue is resolve. 00:28:17.340 --> 00:28:21.420 Will I take seriously the summons to fix my eyes on Jesus? 00:28:22.240 --> 00:28:25.140 Will I devote myself to his words? 00:28:25.680 --> 00:28:29.539 Will I resolve myself to seeking his face in prayer? 00:28:30.420 --> 00:28:32.920 Will I live my life according to his word? 00:28:33.000 --> 00:28:39.080 Will I pull out all the stops in my life to fix my thoughts on Jesus? 00:28:39.079 --> 00:28:43.639 Now he doesn't say that so that they'll take a box. 00:28:45.399 --> 00:28:52.279 He says that because he knows that if they do that, they'll come to know and love Jesus Christ more. 00:28:53.159 --> 00:28:59.899 And if they come to know and love Jesus more, if he becomes the sole focus in pursuit of their lives, 00:29:00.599 --> 00:29:02.240 then they'll love his people more. 00:29:03.099 --> 00:29:05.179 And they'll love the world around them more. 00:29:05.859 --> 00:29:07.240 And they'll love the lost more. 00:29:07.240 --> 00:29:11.259 And they'll begin to see things according to how God sees things. 00:29:12.039 --> 00:29:13.059 Now you'll know that old hymn. 00:29:14.259 --> 00:29:15.740 Turn your eyes upon Jesus. 00:29:16.759 --> 00:29:18.940 Look full in his wonderful face. 00:29:19.059 --> 00:29:24.799 And the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of his glory and grace. 00:29:25.480 --> 00:29:28.700 Fix your thoughts on Jesus. 00:29:28.880 --> 00:29:30.960 Third thing they need to do, they need to check their hearts. 00:29:32.160 --> 00:29:32.900 Verse 12. 00:29:32.900 --> 00:29:40.580 See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. 00:29:42.259 --> 00:29:43.360 See what he's writing here? 00:29:43.500 --> 00:29:46.160 Examine the condition of your hearts. 00:29:46.280 --> 00:29:47.360 Let me ask you this morning. 00:29:48.340 --> 00:29:52.240 What is this condition of your heart before your maker this morning? 00:29:52.240 --> 00:30:01.519 And if you're struggling to think of that, then a good indication of that will be what do you see coming out of your life? 00:30:02.940 --> 00:30:04.000 An honest reflection. 00:30:04.220 --> 00:30:06.799 Do you see evidence of hard-heartedness? 00:30:07.720 --> 00:30:10.440 Is there coming out of you a complaining spirit? 00:30:10.440 --> 00:30:16.360 Is there deep down inside of you brewing bitterness at someone or something? 00:30:17.299 --> 00:30:22.299 Is there a growing sense of discontentment about where God has you and what's going on in your life? 00:30:23.200 --> 00:30:27.920 Are you quick to be critical of others in your speech and in your thoughts? 00:30:28.000 --> 00:30:32.120 Do you take pleasure from pointing out the speck in other people's eyes? 00:30:32.119 --> 00:30:36.239 All the while ignoring the plank in your own? 00:30:38.000 --> 00:30:40.879 Now the thing is, we all stumble in this respect, don't we? 00:30:41.299 --> 00:30:43.119 We all fall short of this. 00:30:43.759 --> 00:30:47.339 But the evidence of a hard heart is one that has become numb. 00:30:48.019 --> 00:30:53.559 And it's one that has become callous and unreceptive to hearing God's voice in your life. 00:30:54.559 --> 00:30:59.219 And seeing that that is not how God has told his people to live. 00:30:59.279 --> 00:31:00.179 And how does that happen? 00:31:00.180 --> 00:31:02.740 Well, he says it right here. 00:31:03.279 --> 00:31:06.240 We stop listening to his voice. 00:31:07.180 --> 00:31:10.019 We stop reading our Bibles. 00:31:10.220 --> 00:31:11.940 We stop meeting with others. 00:31:12.140 --> 00:31:15.740 And a distance becomes created between us and God. 00:31:17.259 --> 00:31:21.400 Friends, let me ask you this morning, what role does repentance play in your Christian life? 00:31:23.220 --> 00:31:28.779 As we turn, as we say no to ourselves, and as we say yes to God, as we repent, as we look to him, 00:31:28.779 --> 00:31:33.579 and lastly, fourth thing they need to do, they need to encourage. 00:31:37.660 --> 00:31:38.740 I thought I had encourage. 00:31:38.899 --> 00:31:39.339 I don't. 00:31:40.000 --> 00:31:40.460 Here we go. 00:31:40.839 --> 00:31:41.359 Do your homework. 00:31:41.779 --> 00:31:42.359 Verse 13. 00:31:42.359 --> 00:31:57.000 So Mr. Hebrews moves from looking at the individual to looking at the collective. 00:31:57.000 --> 00:32:03.200 And really, the idea here is that we need each other to see at home, to persevere. 00:32:04.160 --> 00:32:10.099 Now, I had this really awkward moment when I was out jogging this week on Wednesday before our small group came around. 00:32:10.559 --> 00:32:13.819 And I'm jogging along beside Inverleaf Park. 00:32:13.900 --> 00:32:15.819 And a jogger comes right in beside me. 00:32:16.059 --> 00:32:18.740 And for about 800 meters, we jog at the same pace. 00:32:19.299 --> 00:32:20.039 Really awkward. 00:32:20.039 --> 00:32:24.960 And after a while, though, I noticed that he started getting a little bit ahead of me. 00:32:25.500 --> 00:32:26.359 A little bit ahead of me. 00:32:26.420 --> 00:32:29.319 Now, my question to you is, what do you think happened to my speed? 00:32:31.019 --> 00:32:31.379 Someone. 00:32:32.159 --> 00:32:33.079 It increased. 00:32:33.639 --> 00:32:34.000 Absolutely. 00:32:34.159 --> 00:32:39.339 Do we not know it to be true that when someone is running alongside us that it spurses on? 00:32:40.319 --> 00:32:46.099 And I knew that was true in my experience because about a mile up the road, he turns into Inverleaf Park. 00:32:46.200 --> 00:32:47.299 What do you think happened to my speed? 00:32:47.299 --> 00:32:49.599 It decreased. 00:32:49.839 --> 00:32:52.099 Now, you're just saying it's your athletic pride group. 00:32:52.200 --> 00:32:52.879 You're probably right. 00:32:53.460 --> 00:32:56.740 But do we not know that to be true in our Christian walks? 00:32:57.159 --> 00:33:02.259 That we need others alongside us to spur us on, to push us on, to encourage us? 00:33:03.460 --> 00:33:07.399 Let me ask you this morning, have you slowed down in your race? 00:33:08.680 --> 00:33:13.139 Are you quietly withdrawing from the Christian life? 00:33:13.140 --> 00:33:21.759 Are other things becoming priorities in your life and distracting your pursuit of Jesus Christ? 00:33:22.300 --> 00:33:26.080 Are you stepping back in your involvement in church life? 00:33:26.600 --> 00:33:29.620 Do you have others in your life who you are running alongside? 00:33:31.080 --> 00:33:35.840 You see his point here to a people who are tempted to turn back from Jesus. 00:33:36.300 --> 00:33:41.300 He says it will massively help you if you're encouraging one another and running alongside each other. 00:33:41.299 --> 00:33:44.099 We need to be spurring one another on. 00:33:44.180 --> 00:33:46.440 And how do we best do that? 00:33:47.000 --> 00:33:47.859 It's about proximity. 00:33:48.919 --> 00:33:50.059 Closeness to one another. 00:33:50.899 --> 00:33:52.539 Let me challenge you this morning. 00:33:52.639 --> 00:33:55.839 Whatever age demographic you're at, however long you've been here. 00:33:56.899 --> 00:34:01.240 Have you settled in your life in the church? 00:34:01.359 --> 00:34:03.680 Have you settled for living a life in the fringes? 00:34:03.680 --> 00:34:09.079 Have you settled for your church involvement being simply in the circumference of the thing? 00:34:09.519 --> 00:34:13.820 Have you withdrawn from the centre and are now out of the circumference? 00:34:15.180 --> 00:34:18.960 If that's you this morning, then see the danger of what you're doing. 00:34:19.760 --> 00:34:24.039 And see that you're massively missing out from the encouragement that church is. 00:34:25.059 --> 00:34:26.720 Now this works out in a few ways, doesn't it? 00:34:26.920 --> 00:34:29.420 Students, guys, have you been here for a while? 00:34:29.519 --> 00:34:31.159 Are you still on the fringes of church? 00:34:31.240 --> 00:34:33.159 Are you doing this church hopping thing that goes on? 00:34:33.159 --> 00:34:38.480 Are you going to come to the centre and be encouraged and be fed and be challenged and be changed? 00:34:39.219 --> 00:34:40.920 And go out and change the world for Jesus? 00:34:42.739 --> 00:34:45.079 Parents, young families, are we doing the same? 00:34:45.259 --> 00:34:48.000 Young workers, are we doing the same in our lives as well? 00:34:49.139 --> 00:34:51.059 Guys that are retired, maybe you've moved on. 00:34:51.159 --> 00:34:52.440 Have you passed over the baton? 00:34:52.519 --> 00:34:54.460 Do you see how we cannot afford to do this? 00:34:55.179 --> 00:34:57.539 We need to be spurring one another on. 00:34:57.639 --> 00:35:00.099 Every single generation, interacting with one another. 00:35:00.440 --> 00:35:02.039 Spurring one another on. 00:35:02.039 --> 00:35:05.539 Great opportunities coming up in the next few weeks. 00:35:05.679 --> 00:35:06.559 Small groups are on. 00:35:06.619 --> 00:35:07.800 You need to be part of a small group. 00:35:07.920 --> 00:35:08.719 Let's get involved. 00:35:09.019 --> 00:35:11.360 A smaller group where you can spur one another on. 00:35:12.820 --> 00:35:15.079 There will be several prayer meetings this week. 00:35:15.179 --> 00:35:18.019 Chances to encourage one another in our prayer. 00:35:18.159 --> 00:35:19.159 Make the most of them. 00:35:20.039 --> 00:35:23.259 And as we do this thing on a Sunday morning, don't be so quick to run. 00:35:23.800 --> 00:35:25.239 Get involved in what's going on. 00:35:25.320 --> 00:35:26.099 Speak to one another. 00:35:26.219 --> 00:35:26.920 Be encouraged. 00:35:26.920 --> 00:35:28.280 Encourage someone else. 00:35:29.539 --> 00:35:32.500 How are these Hebrews going to hold in their Christian walk? 00:35:32.639 --> 00:35:33.420 Well, they're going to grasp. 00:35:33.460 --> 00:35:34.260 Come on, do it one more time. 00:35:34.720 --> 00:35:35.460 They're going to grasp. 00:35:36.300 --> 00:35:37.139 They're going to fix. 00:35:37.860 --> 00:35:38.659 They're going to check. 00:35:39.180 --> 00:35:40.059 And they're going to encourage. 00:35:41.539 --> 00:35:45.139 Now we started by looking at Edinburgh's disgrace, Carlton Hill. 00:35:45.960 --> 00:35:50.760 Well, if you type in Greek monument into Google, other search engines are available. 00:35:50.760 --> 00:35:54.120 So, not so far below Edinburgh comes Nashville. 00:35:55.160 --> 00:36:01.880 And 60 years or so after Edinburgh's failed attempt, botched attempt at this, the city of Nashville showed us how it's done. 00:36:02.180 --> 00:36:08.180 And they built this magnificent full-scale replica to celebrate their state's 100th anniversary. 00:36:09.000 --> 00:36:10.400 And there's now a massive public park. 00:36:10.440 --> 00:36:11.180 You can't see it in that picture. 00:36:11.300 --> 00:36:12.220 Massive public park. 00:36:12.300 --> 00:36:14.100 It's one of the centerpieces of their state. 00:36:15.440 --> 00:36:18.740 Just as costly and hard a project that they saw at home. 00:36:18.739 --> 00:36:22.339 Edinburgh's disgrace, Nashville's triumph. 00:36:22.439 --> 00:36:24.839 That's the summons of Hebrews chapter 3. 00:36:25.379 --> 00:36:26.739 Learn the lessons of the past. 00:36:27.179 --> 00:36:28.759 Persevere, pursue Christ. 00:36:29.159 --> 00:36:30.000 And let's see it home. 00:36:30.619 --> 00:36:31.899 Let's pray together as we close. 00:36:33.959 --> 00:36:39.879 And just in the silence now, if you need to do business with God, if you need to pray, 00:36:40.939 --> 00:36:42.919 then just use this time of silence to do that. 00:36:42.920 --> 00:36:43.019 Amen. 00:36:47.780 --> 00:36:50.599 So, Father, as we close, we would ask for your help. 00:36:52.220 --> 00:36:56.420 Lord, to be those who wholeheartedly follow and pursue you. 00:36:57.539 --> 00:37:02.539 That we be those who hold tight to you, who hold our thoughts on your son, Jesus Christ. 00:37:03.880 --> 00:37:10.139 And so we ask for your spirit's help this week as we live in this world, as we interact with different people in different places. 00:37:10.139 --> 00:37:12.279 That we would live for you and for your glory. 00:37:12.859 --> 00:37:14.420 And we pray these things in Jesus' name. 00:37:15.019 --> 00:37:15.299 Amen.