WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.320 It's funny how much you end up depending on technology to help you. 00:00:04.919 --> 00:00:10.880 And one of those ways was actually this morning, I came in and I was like, man, I'm tired. 00:00:11.279 --> 00:00:14.120 I don't know why I'm so tired this morning. 00:00:14.500 --> 00:00:18.460 And it was five minutes before the service started, I realized that time had changed. 00:00:18.900 --> 00:00:20.660 And I was like, that makes sense. 00:00:21.019 --> 00:00:23.780 And I'm glad I realized that before the service started, 00:00:23.780 --> 00:00:28.019 so I can understand why we have a few less people here today. 00:00:28.019 --> 00:00:33.299 I would have been thinking, what did I say last week that offended so many people? 00:00:33.460 --> 00:00:38.200 But I am excited to be back having two services this week. 00:00:38.280 --> 00:00:48.019 We had a wonderful Disciple Now weekend and looking forward to the fruit that comes from that for many, many weeks to come. 00:00:48.460 --> 00:00:56.640 But one of the things that we're going to be talking about today as we continue in our study of the book of Hebrews is finishing well. 00:00:56.640 --> 00:01:04.120 And I know this may be hard for some of you to believe, but there was a time in my life that I actually used to run a good bit. 00:01:05.159 --> 00:01:09.519 I know it's hard to believe now, but there was a time when I ran a good bit. 00:01:09.620 --> 00:01:15.040 And in fact, in high school, during track, I would run long distance. 00:01:15.159 --> 00:01:20.420 I wasn't a very fast sprinter, but I could run a long ways relatively well. 00:01:20.420 --> 00:01:27.260 And I can remember learning a very valuable lesson my ninth or tenth grade year. 00:01:27.359 --> 00:01:31.400 And that's not how you start a race, but it's how you finish a race. 00:01:31.540 --> 00:01:36.340 And I learned this the hard way because if you've ever been to a track meet, 00:01:36.379 --> 00:01:42.700 and I'm sure the Thigpins will agree with this, that track meets can sometimes be very, very long. 00:01:42.700 --> 00:01:51.120 They can just go on forever, and you're just sitting there waiting and waiting for a 10-second race, a 12-minute race at the most. 00:01:51.280 --> 00:01:54.659 But you're sitting there waiting for a long period of time for this. 00:01:54.820 --> 00:02:01.480 And so one of the things that they do sometimes to help speed this process up is the longer distances, 00:02:01.480 --> 00:02:06.480 they will run the boys and girls together, especially like the two-mile. 00:02:06.560 --> 00:02:08.180 They'll sometimes run those together. 00:02:08.180 --> 00:02:12.180 And I can remember as a ninth or tenth grader, we were doing this. 00:02:12.439 --> 00:02:21.060 And then as soon as the race started, I realized that there was a lady, a young girl on our team that had an interesting strategy. 00:02:21.659 --> 00:02:25.040 As soon as that starter pistol went off, she took off out of there. 00:02:25.060 --> 00:02:26.280 I mean, like sprinting. 00:02:26.780 --> 00:02:27.700 And I panicked. 00:02:28.159 --> 00:02:30.360 I'm like, I can't let her beat me. 00:02:30.580 --> 00:02:34.840 And so I took off running as hard as I could this first lap of the race. 00:02:34.840 --> 00:02:39.280 And so I'm running just as hard as I can, got one lap in, and I'm done. 00:02:40.479 --> 00:02:42.039 I mean, I'm like tired. 00:02:42.219 --> 00:02:43.400 I'm breathing heavy. 00:02:43.520 --> 00:02:44.599 I'm done. 00:02:44.819 --> 00:02:47.819 And I realized I've got seven more laps to go of this. 00:02:47.900 --> 00:02:53.819 And so I learned very quickly then, it's not how you start the race, but it's how you finish the race. 00:02:54.280 --> 00:02:58.060 And this was a lesson that served me well until college. 00:02:58.979 --> 00:03:01.759 And I was coming back still at that time running some. 00:03:01.900 --> 00:03:02.840 I was coming back. 00:03:03.099 --> 00:03:06.719 And we had a KERHI military weekend, and we had the race up KERHI. 00:03:07.280 --> 00:03:09.280 And I was like, I'm going to enter this race. 00:03:09.479 --> 00:03:11.500 I've been running a good bit. 00:03:11.840 --> 00:03:14.080 And so I entered this race, and I'm running. 00:03:14.159 --> 00:03:22.379 And if you've ever been up KERHI, you know the last couple hills, there's a really long stretch where it's got this long straightaway. 00:03:22.379 --> 00:03:28.180 And you just kind of have to put your head down and just run because you don't want to look up and see how far it is ahead of you. 00:03:28.219 --> 00:03:29.299 And I'm just running along. 00:03:29.579 --> 00:03:33.379 And all of a sudden, I hear somebody coming up beside me. 00:03:33.500 --> 00:03:41.879 And then I look over, and it's this lady who, I kid you not, is in a long-sleeved button-down shirt just like this. 00:03:41.939 --> 00:03:43.939 It was buttoned all the way down. 00:03:44.400 --> 00:03:50.519 A skirt that goes down to her ankles, hair in a bun, and tennis shoes on just running. 00:03:50.520 --> 00:03:53.060 And she just comes up beside me and goes, tough, tough hill, huh? 00:03:53.520 --> 00:03:54.540 And I'm like, yeah. 00:03:55.360 --> 00:03:56.660 And I'm like, that's all right. 00:03:57.100 --> 00:03:58.140 It's not how you start. 00:03:58.200 --> 00:03:58.700 It's how you finish. 00:03:58.760 --> 00:03:59.920 I'll catch her on the way back. 00:04:00.180 --> 00:04:01.180 Never saw her again. 00:04:01.740 --> 00:04:02.700 Never saw her again. 00:04:02.780 --> 00:04:04.520 It's taken me a while to admit that. 00:04:04.939 --> 00:04:06.719 But I'm glad it's off my chest now. 00:04:06.820 --> 00:04:14.680 But all of this to say, much of this passage that we're talking about today is learning to run well. 00:04:15.160 --> 00:04:18.240 Much of our passage today deals with finishing well. 00:04:18.240 --> 00:04:24.439 Not just looking at the part, at one part, but persevering to the end. 00:04:24.960 --> 00:04:32.000 If you remember from last week, we had a clear emphasis on the fact that Jesus is better than Moses. 00:04:32.800 --> 00:04:34.079 Not just a little bit better. 00:04:34.160 --> 00:04:38.480 Not that they're a little bit equal and that Jesus just kind of passed them out a little bit. 00:04:38.540 --> 00:04:41.939 But no, that Jesus is far superior than Moses. 00:04:41.939 --> 00:04:50.600 And so on the heels of that, on the tail end of that declaration that would have been pretty significant for the original audience to hear, 00:04:50.860 --> 00:04:57.060 on the tail end of this declaration, we find ourselves in Hebrews chapter 3, verses 7 through 19. 00:04:57.339 --> 00:05:02.480 And so if you have a copy of God's Word with you, I want to invite you to follow along as we read this. 00:05:03.060 --> 00:05:06.560 Hebrews chapter 3, starting in verse 7, this is what the Word of the Lord says. 00:05:06.560 --> 00:05:36.540 It says this, 00:05:36.560 --> 00:05:46.000 Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. 00:05:46.439 --> 00:05:55.620 But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called today, that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. 00:05:55.620 --> 00:06:02.920 For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end. 00:06:02.920 --> 00:06:09.360 As it is said today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion. 00:06:10.160 --> 00:06:13.360 For who were those who heard and yet rebelled? 00:06:13.860 --> 00:06:21.379 Was it not all of those who left Egypt, led by Moses, and with whom was he provoked for 40 years? 00:06:21.439 --> 00:06:25.040 Was it not those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? 00:06:25.040 --> 00:06:32.420 And to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest, but to those who were disobedient? 00:06:32.760 --> 00:06:38.580 So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief. 00:06:39.320 --> 00:06:45.960 And so from this passage, there's a couple of observations that I want us to clearly see today. 00:06:46.360 --> 00:06:53.060 A couple of observations that I think are very applicable to us, just like they would have been applicable in the time that they were written. 00:06:53.060 --> 00:07:00.780 And to begin with, I want to encourage you to don't miss what is right in front of you. 00:07:01.100 --> 00:07:05.879 I want you to be careful that you don't miss what is right in front of you. 00:07:05.939 --> 00:07:13.199 It says, therefore, as the Holy Spirit says today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion. 00:07:13.199 --> 00:07:21.300 On that day of testing in the wilderness where your fathers put me to the test and saw my works for 40 years. 00:07:22.479 --> 00:07:27.039 While this is not a major point of what we're going to be sharing today, 00:07:27.039 --> 00:07:30.500 I think it is significant to look at that very first phrase where it says, 00:07:30.659 --> 00:07:34.360 therefore, as the Holy Spirit says. 00:07:34.360 --> 00:07:40.360 This is a clear reminder to us that these words, the words that we're studying, the words that we're reading, 00:07:40.460 --> 00:07:44.139 the words that we find throughout Scripture are God's words. 00:07:44.900 --> 00:07:46.660 They're authoritative to us. 00:07:47.259 --> 00:07:48.939 They're significant to us. 00:07:48.980 --> 00:07:53.060 This isn't just something that people made up and just decided to put all these collections together. 00:07:53.180 --> 00:07:57.240 No, these were divinely inspired and we should see them as such. 00:07:57.580 --> 00:08:00.360 And we should see them as God's words. 00:08:00.360 --> 00:08:05.180 We should see them as authoritative in our lives, not only to tell us how to live our lives, 00:08:05.259 --> 00:08:10.920 but to also tell us where salvation lies and what we should be giving our lives to. 00:08:11.520 --> 00:08:18.100 And so basically what the author is saying here, he's saying, remember what God told us back in Psalm 95. 00:08:19.240 --> 00:08:24.920 And then he goes on to share how the people wandering in the wilderness didn't enter into the promised land 00:08:24.920 --> 00:08:27.879 because of their hardened hearts. 00:08:27.879 --> 00:08:30.779 He's saying, don't be like that. 00:08:31.579 --> 00:08:32.860 See who God is. 00:08:33.299 --> 00:08:35.379 Clearly see what is right in front of you. 00:08:35.480 --> 00:08:38.740 Clearly see what we have been sharing over and over again, 00:08:38.799 --> 00:08:45.179 that Jesus is far superior to anything and everything and give your life to him. 00:08:45.840 --> 00:08:50.799 The therefore at the beginning of this section tells us to consider what was just said. 00:08:50.799 --> 00:08:56.500 We just learned that from the previous section is that Jesus is greater than Moses. 00:08:56.500 --> 00:09:01.340 He says, for Jesus has been counted of more glory than Moses, 00:09:01.460 --> 00:09:06.460 as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself. 00:09:06.559 --> 00:09:12.519 For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God. 00:09:13.220 --> 00:09:14.840 He's saying, you thought Moses was great. 00:09:14.879 --> 00:09:15.379 Well, you're right. 00:09:15.419 --> 00:09:16.299 He was pretty great. 00:09:16.659 --> 00:09:22.559 But let me tell you about one who is far greater, far superior than Moses. 00:09:22.559 --> 00:09:29.079 The last section in many ways mirrors the first three verses of Hebrews. 00:09:29.179 --> 00:09:31.099 Hebrews chapter 1, the first three verses. 00:09:31.619 --> 00:09:35.500 In chapter 1, we are told that Jesus is the heir of all things. 00:09:36.039 --> 00:09:37.679 He is the creator of all things. 00:09:37.759 --> 00:09:40.139 He is the radiance of the glory of God. 00:09:40.519 --> 00:09:46.159 And last week in that section, we were reminded that Jesus, as the son, is the heir. 00:09:46.299 --> 00:09:47.279 That he is the creator. 00:09:47.279 --> 00:09:51.039 That he's the true recipient of glory. 00:09:52.000 --> 00:09:56.419 In light of all of this, the author is saying, don't harden your hearts. 00:09:57.539 --> 00:09:58.759 See who Jesus is. 00:09:59.100 --> 00:10:02.480 Don't miss what is right in front of you. 00:10:03.240 --> 00:10:07.120 Don't miss what we have been shown, what we have seen, who Jesus is. 00:10:07.199 --> 00:10:09.199 He does so, and he does this. 00:10:09.200 --> 00:10:15.440 He has this reminder with a well-known example of Israel wandering in the wilderness. 00:10:16.440 --> 00:10:22.220 Now, in the history of the world, you would be hard-pressed to find a movement of people 00:10:22.220 --> 00:10:29.860 on a large scale like this, of a group of people that started so well and yet ended so poorly. 00:10:29.860 --> 00:10:45.600 Think back to the last time that you read through Exodus. 00:10:46.840 --> 00:10:49.460 Or for some of you, it may be here recently. 00:10:49.940 --> 00:10:53.840 But think back to the last time you read through the book of Exodus or maybe watched The Prince of Egypt. 00:10:53.960 --> 00:10:54.420 I don't know. 00:10:55.420 --> 00:10:59.159 Pay attention to this because some of these things might come up tonight in Bible trivia. 00:10:59.159 --> 00:11:01.759 And I want to encourage you that, hey, come out to that. 00:11:02.079 --> 00:11:03.679 We're not putting anybody on the spot. 00:11:04.259 --> 00:11:06.159 Guys especially, we need you to come out. 00:11:06.519 --> 00:11:08.679 I want to win this very, very badly. 00:11:09.039 --> 00:11:11.459 And so please come out tonight and help us with that. 00:11:11.519 --> 00:11:15.000 Nobody's getting put on the spot, but we'll just have a great time with that. 00:11:15.199 --> 00:11:23.620 But looking back on these several chapters of this start of the Exodus out of Egypt, 00:11:23.620 --> 00:11:26.939 we see God working in some incredible ways. 00:11:26.940 --> 00:11:32.960 When you start looking at Exodus 7 and where Moses and Aaron go before Pharaoh, 00:11:33.540 --> 00:11:35.720 and Pharaoh says, no, you can't go. 00:11:35.840 --> 00:11:39.000 And then he says, okay, well, there's going to be some plagues that happen. 00:11:39.400 --> 00:11:44.360 And the first plague that we see here is the Nile turning to blood. 00:11:45.040 --> 00:11:51.380 The Nile River, the source of their life in so many different ways is turned to blood. 00:11:51.379 --> 00:11:55.580 And then the next plague is all of these frogs that come about. 00:11:55.659 --> 00:11:58.179 And they start coming up out of the Nile and they get into everything. 00:11:58.279 --> 00:12:02.559 It starts talking about them getting into the ovens, into the pantry, and all of these different areas. 00:12:02.939 --> 00:12:07.139 And then a lot of times you don't think about it, but then all of these frogs had to die at some point. 00:12:07.460 --> 00:12:10.980 And I love how the ESV says it right here. 00:12:10.980 --> 00:12:17.379 And it lets me know that there was at least a few Southerners who were involved in the translation of this. 00:12:17.820 --> 00:12:22.200 It says, and the frogs died out in the houses, in the courtyards, in the fields, 00:12:22.320 --> 00:12:25.759 and they gathered them together in heaps, and the land stank. 00:12:26.279 --> 00:12:28.180 It says the land stank. 00:12:28.700 --> 00:12:31.680 And so we see that all of this is taking place. 00:12:31.740 --> 00:12:33.120 All of this is happening here. 00:12:33.120 --> 00:12:39.120 And then the third plague, the gnats, and then the flies, and then the livestock dying out, 00:12:39.179 --> 00:12:41.580 the boils that happen, the hail that comes. 00:12:42.240 --> 00:12:45.639 We also see the locusts, and then the darkness. 00:12:45.879 --> 00:12:50.580 And for three nights, or three days, there was darkness on the land. 00:12:51.080 --> 00:12:53.159 And so we're seeing all of these things. 00:12:53.159 --> 00:12:57.899 And then finally, the night before the departure, at midnight, 00:12:57.899 --> 00:13:04.019 with the smell of roasted lamb in the air, which is far better than the stank of frogs, 00:13:04.699 --> 00:13:11.240 the smell of roasted lamb in the air, and the blood above the doorpost of the Hebrews, 00:13:11.419 --> 00:13:13.819 God struck down the firstborn of Egypt. 00:13:14.500 --> 00:13:20.840 And with that, Israel began their departure after over 400 years of bondage. 00:13:21.379 --> 00:13:23.379 But God continued to work. 00:13:24.379 --> 00:13:26.319 God continued to provide. 00:13:26.320 --> 00:13:30.600 God, He led the way with a pillar of cloud in the sky by day. 00:13:30.680 --> 00:13:34.440 And then this pillar turned to fire by night to not only provide them light, 00:13:34.520 --> 00:13:36.080 but show them the way to go. 00:13:36.420 --> 00:13:38.520 And then when Pharaoh comes and decides, 00:13:38.680 --> 00:13:40.320 He says, I don't want to let them go. 00:13:40.520 --> 00:13:41.600 And he starts to pursue them. 00:13:41.740 --> 00:13:45.020 This pillar comes between Egypt and Israel, 00:13:45.120 --> 00:13:46.760 and it becomes as a barrier for them. 00:13:46.980 --> 00:13:51.560 And then God parts the Red Sea so that the Israelites can walk through on dry ground. 00:13:51.559 --> 00:13:56.519 And then as the Egyptians come through, they get swallowed up in this. 00:13:56.619 --> 00:14:02.619 And all of a sudden, we see God provide over and over again for His people. 00:14:03.159 --> 00:14:06.879 Yet they continually harden their heart against Him. 00:14:07.599 --> 00:14:09.619 It began so well, 00:14:09.620 --> 00:14:12.019 and yet ended so poorly. 00:14:12.019 --> 00:14:18.740 Of the 600,000 men plus the women and children that left Egypt, 00:14:18.899 --> 00:14:23.799 only two over the age of 20 ever got to see the promised land, 00:14:24.299 --> 00:14:25.139 Joshua and Caleb. 00:14:25.700 --> 00:14:28.399 The rest died in the wilderness. 00:14:29.519 --> 00:14:30.860 Kent Hughes, he notes, he says, 00:14:30.860 --> 00:14:38.460 The grand and terrible lesson of Israel's history is that it is possible to begin well and end poorly. 00:14:39.500 --> 00:14:39.840 He says, 00:14:39.940 --> 00:14:45.740 In fact, this tragic human tendency dominates much of human spiritual experiences. 00:14:46.779 --> 00:14:47.080 He says, 00:14:47.200 --> 00:14:52.840 Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, 00:14:52.940 --> 00:14:56.560 leading you to fall away from the living God. 00:14:57.240 --> 00:15:00.120 Now, this is a challenging passage on many fronts. 00:15:00.860 --> 00:15:03.519 You've heard me say many times in many different sermons 00:15:03.519 --> 00:15:05.800 that God, as our Father, 00:15:06.120 --> 00:15:09.460 wants His children to have an assurance of salvation. 00:15:09.940 --> 00:15:13.019 He wants them to have this assurance that they are His, 00:15:13.259 --> 00:15:17.000 and there is nothing that is going to be able to take them from that. 00:15:17.039 --> 00:15:20.120 In my opinion, it would be very difficult to read 1 John. 00:15:20.120 --> 00:15:25.460 It would be very difficult to read other passages throughout Scripture and think differently. 00:15:25.940 --> 00:15:27.940 But when you look at a verse like this, 00:15:28.180 --> 00:15:29.600 it can be challenging. 00:15:29.600 --> 00:15:34.980 But we must understand and we must remember to look at the verses that are surrounding it. 00:15:35.540 --> 00:15:40.779 Context is so helpful when understanding difficult passages like this. 00:15:41.180 --> 00:15:44.540 And so if you look down to just a couple verses past that, 00:15:44.580 --> 00:15:48.120 we were just reading verse 12 there. 00:15:48.860 --> 00:15:51.279 And if you look down to verse 14, it says this, 00:15:51.279 --> 00:16:04.500 You see, perseverance is the evidence that you truly belong to Christ. 00:16:05.299 --> 00:16:08.459 Perseverance is the evidence that you truly belong to Him. 00:16:08.659 --> 00:16:12.179 Those who are truly saved, who have placed their faith and their trust in Jesus, 00:16:12.500 --> 00:16:18.240 those who have seen that Jesus is far greater than anything and everything in this world, 00:16:18.240 --> 00:16:20.519 are the ones who persevere. 00:16:21.379 --> 00:16:23.360 George Guthrie notes, he says, 00:16:23.360 --> 00:16:28.960 The believer should take care or beware because within any Christian community, 00:16:28.960 --> 00:16:36.480 there may be those whose outward association does not reflect the inward condition of the heart. 00:16:37.180 --> 00:16:42.360 And this is a reference to someone being inside the covenant community who seems like a believer, 00:16:42.360 --> 00:16:46.620 but later proves to have an unbelieving heart. 00:16:47.560 --> 00:16:48.800 Think of it like this. 00:16:48.960 --> 00:16:56.100 I recently read a book or was reading a book that was on a completely different subject than what we're talking about today. 00:16:56.100 --> 00:16:57.720 But it was sharing an example. 00:16:58.139 --> 00:17:03.639 It was talking about the difference between the crowds and the disciples in Jesus' ministry. 00:17:04.160 --> 00:17:06.380 You know, a lot of time we talk about the disciples 00:17:06.380 --> 00:17:10.820 and we think about those disciples who, those 12 that were with them 00:17:10.820 --> 00:17:13.440 and then more that would follow Him around. 00:17:13.480 --> 00:17:16.360 But there's also great crowds that would follow Him. 00:17:16.700 --> 00:17:18.880 They were really interested in things. 00:17:19.380 --> 00:17:25.980 And the author was making this distinction based off of the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount. 00:17:26.520 --> 00:17:30.520 In the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount, which takes place in Matthew chapter 5, 00:17:31.220 --> 00:17:35.880 Matthew begins the sermon by kind of setting the stage of what is happening, 00:17:35.880 --> 00:17:40.420 by kind of giving you an example of the scene that Jesus is getting ready to preach to. 00:17:40.480 --> 00:17:41.140 And it says this. 00:17:41.140 --> 00:17:41.820 It says, 00:17:42.380 --> 00:17:46.060 Seeing the crowds, He went up on the mountain, 00:17:46.460 --> 00:17:50.820 and when He sat down, His disciples came to Him, 00:17:51.060 --> 00:17:53.540 and He opened His mouth and He taught them. 00:17:54.000 --> 00:17:59.400 And so there seems to be this distinction that is made between the crowds. 00:17:59.600 --> 00:18:03.960 There's a large crowd of people and then a small group of disciples. 00:18:03.960 --> 00:18:07.160 And when Jesus began to teach, the crowd was listening, 00:18:07.759 --> 00:18:11.140 but His attention was focused on the disciples. 00:18:11.740 --> 00:18:15.100 You see, the crowd was a group of people who liked Jesus. 00:18:15.500 --> 00:18:17.160 They were really interested in Jesus. 00:18:17.400 --> 00:18:20.960 They were fascinated by Him, intrigued by His words and His actions. 00:18:21.079 --> 00:18:23.340 Wherever Jesus went, they were there. 00:18:23.900 --> 00:18:27.319 The crowd was aware of His healing powers and miraculous signs, 00:18:27.420 --> 00:18:29.100 and they wanted to get in on that. 00:18:29.099 --> 00:18:31.659 Jesus was popular at this time, 00:18:31.799 --> 00:18:34.779 and they enjoyed riding that wave of popularity. 00:18:35.579 --> 00:18:38.539 Jesus sounded like a great idea at this point. 00:18:38.579 --> 00:18:42.119 And they were called the crowd because there were a lot of them. 00:18:43.079 --> 00:18:44.000 And there always are. 00:18:45.000 --> 00:18:47.419 There always are those people who are interested, 00:18:48.339 --> 00:18:50.439 who like the idea of Jesus, 00:18:50.500 --> 00:18:52.779 but they're not ready to give their life to Him. 00:18:52.779 --> 00:18:55.559 And then there were the disciples. 00:18:56.879 --> 00:19:00.680 This is a smaller group of people who don't just like being around Jesus, 00:19:00.859 --> 00:19:06.220 but have decided to trust Jesus and to follow Him with their lives. 00:19:06.819 --> 00:19:08.660 The author, Josh Smith, said, 00:19:08.720 --> 00:19:09.019 he says, 00:19:09.440 --> 00:19:12.119 Jesus was never impressed by the crowd. 00:19:12.700 --> 00:19:15.259 The crowd didn't make Him feel better about His ministry. 00:19:15.379 --> 00:19:17.980 He was never interested in building a crowd. 00:19:18.099 --> 00:19:22.480 He didn't see any real value in a large crowd of fascinated people. 00:19:23.000 --> 00:19:24.819 Jesus wanted disciples. 00:19:25.680 --> 00:19:28.640 He wanted people to trust and follow Him, 00:19:28.700 --> 00:19:30.779 not just be around Him. 00:19:31.079 --> 00:19:34.240 And that's why when Jesus ends His Sermon on the Mount, 00:19:34.299 --> 00:19:37.079 He ends this sermon with an invitation. 00:19:37.740 --> 00:19:39.019 The crowd is still there. 00:19:39.160 --> 00:19:40.599 Many who are interested, 00:19:40.759 --> 00:19:42.220 but not yet followers, 00:19:42.220 --> 00:19:44.900 not those who haven't given their life to Him, 00:19:44.960 --> 00:19:45.140 saying, 00:19:45.440 --> 00:19:47.019 I want to follow you. 00:19:47.019 --> 00:19:50.740 And this is why on most Sundays, 00:19:50.859 --> 00:19:53.680 I try to include a gospel presentation, 00:19:53.680 --> 00:19:56.400 because I can't tell the difference. 00:19:57.440 --> 00:19:59.119 Jesus could look out at the crowd, 00:19:59.200 --> 00:20:00.819 and He could see that there were those there 00:20:00.819 --> 00:20:02.480 who were not followers of Him. 00:20:02.680 --> 00:20:05.000 I don't have that ability. 00:20:06.639 --> 00:20:09.619 But Jesus concludes His sermon this way. 00:20:09.700 --> 00:20:10.559 He says this, 00:20:10.559 --> 00:20:40.559 00:20:40.559 --> 00:20:52.139 You see, this message was not only called for a response from the crowd at this time, 00:20:52.200 --> 00:20:55.960 but this message calls for a response from us today. 00:20:55.960 --> 00:21:00.140 Responding to Jesus means not only hearing Him, 00:21:00.180 --> 00:21:01.400 not only hearing His words, 00:21:01.500 --> 00:21:04.059 but trusting and following Him. 00:21:04.720 --> 00:21:07.100 It is believing that He is the only one 00:21:07.100 --> 00:21:09.319 who can save you from your sins, 00:21:09.740 --> 00:21:11.600 take you from death to life, 00:21:11.660 --> 00:21:13.400 and then in response to that belief, 00:21:13.860 --> 00:21:17.340 choosing to walk in obedience to His commands. 00:21:18.059 --> 00:21:20.579 This is what a disciple does. 00:21:20.660 --> 00:21:23.920 This is what a follower of Jesus does. 00:21:23.920 --> 00:21:25.700 The question becomes, 00:21:25.820 --> 00:21:27.140 Are you a part of the crowd? 00:21:27.180 --> 00:21:28.500 Are you just a face in the crowd? 00:21:28.620 --> 00:21:31.279 Or are you one of His disciples? 00:21:32.200 --> 00:21:35.820 Don't miss what is right in front of us. 00:21:36.100 --> 00:21:39.060 The author over and over again has been telling us 00:21:39.060 --> 00:21:41.380 that Jesus is better. 00:21:42.039 --> 00:21:44.340 He's far superior to anything and everything 00:21:44.340 --> 00:21:46.000 that we could put our confidence in. 00:21:46.240 --> 00:21:48.700 He's far superior to all those things 00:21:48.700 --> 00:21:50.240 that we could put our hope in. 00:21:50.240 --> 00:21:51.599 And He's saying, 00:21:52.000 --> 00:21:54.140 Now, don't miss this. 00:21:55.880 --> 00:21:56.220 He says, 00:21:56.279 --> 00:21:58.079 Our fathers, they missed it in the wilderness. 00:21:58.539 --> 00:22:02.019 They saw God perform all kinds of miracles. 00:22:02.420 --> 00:22:06.240 They saw God provide over and over and over again, 00:22:06.440 --> 00:22:07.980 yet they hardened their heart. 00:22:08.240 --> 00:22:08.740 He's saying, 00:22:08.900 --> 00:22:11.460 Don't miss what's right in front of you. 00:22:12.019 --> 00:22:13.339 We've been given Jesus. 00:22:13.799 --> 00:22:16.180 We've been given the greatest gift 00:22:16.180 --> 00:22:17.700 we could ever imagine. 00:22:17.799 --> 00:22:19.180 He's left the glory of heaven. 00:22:19.180 --> 00:22:21.920 He lived the life that you and I couldn't live, 00:22:22.259 --> 00:22:24.799 died on the cross for our sins, 00:22:24.920 --> 00:22:28.320 so that those who place their trust and faith in Him 00:22:28.320 --> 00:22:30.259 can go from death to life. 00:22:30.480 --> 00:22:31.920 The author is now saying, 00:22:32.380 --> 00:22:34.120 Don't miss this. 00:22:34.680 --> 00:22:38.500 But the other observation that I want us to make today is this. 00:22:39.400 --> 00:22:42.420 And it's the importance that we hold each other accountable 00:22:42.420 --> 00:22:44.180 and finish well. 00:22:44.180 --> 00:22:46.880 We must hold each other accountable 00:22:46.880 --> 00:22:48.920 and finish well. 00:22:49.920 --> 00:22:50.660 Verse 13 says, 00:22:50.820 --> 00:22:52.620 But exhort one another every day, 00:22:52.759 --> 00:22:54.480 as long as it is called today, 00:22:54.720 --> 00:22:58.220 that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. 00:22:58.460 --> 00:23:00.340 For we have come to share in Christ, 00:23:00.480 --> 00:23:03.779 if indeed we hold our original confidence 00:23:03.779 --> 00:23:06.279 firm to the end. 00:23:06.880 --> 00:23:09.920 We are to exhort one another every day, 00:23:10.140 --> 00:23:11.380 as long as it's called today. 00:23:11.380 --> 00:23:12.680 I love the phrasing here. 00:23:13.620 --> 00:23:15.140 When are you to encourage one another 00:23:15.140 --> 00:23:16.200 and hold each other accountable? 00:23:16.440 --> 00:23:17.220 Every day. 00:23:17.640 --> 00:23:19.480 Well, what part of the day? 00:23:19.640 --> 00:23:21.120 As long as it's called today, 00:23:21.240 --> 00:23:21.840 do this. 00:23:22.120 --> 00:23:23.920 All day, every day, 00:23:24.060 --> 00:23:26.360 we are called to help one another, 00:23:26.480 --> 00:23:27.940 to hold each other accountable, 00:23:28.000 --> 00:23:29.260 to encourage one another. 00:23:29.259 --> 00:23:30.940 And we are to do this, 00:23:30.940 --> 00:23:33.140 so that no one may be hardened 00:23:33.140 --> 00:23:35.440 by the deceitfulness of sin. 00:23:35.859 --> 00:23:36.420 In other words, 00:23:36.480 --> 00:23:38.539 we need to take this warning seriously 00:23:38.539 --> 00:23:42.019 and urgently while it is still today. 00:23:42.460 --> 00:23:44.180 We need to take this serious. 00:23:44.839 --> 00:23:46.680 We should be regularly exhorting one another 00:23:46.680 --> 00:23:49.460 to press on and to not drift away. 00:23:50.140 --> 00:23:51.299 Michael Kruger, he notes, 00:23:51.379 --> 00:23:51.660 he says, 00:23:51.740 --> 00:23:54.359 Accountability is a great ally 00:23:54.359 --> 00:23:56.319 in the war against apostasy. 00:23:56.819 --> 00:23:58.259 And we all need it. 00:23:59.259 --> 00:24:00.099 Often times, 00:24:00.180 --> 00:24:01.420 our temptation is to say, 00:24:01.660 --> 00:24:02.640 I don't need this. 00:24:03.200 --> 00:24:03.559 Look, Brad, 00:24:03.579 --> 00:24:04.819 I believe in God. 00:24:04.940 --> 00:24:07.339 I don't need this in my life. 00:24:07.359 --> 00:24:07.960 I don't need those 00:24:07.960 --> 00:24:09.019 to help keep me accountable. 00:24:09.099 --> 00:24:10.920 I'm not going to fall away from that. 00:24:11.460 --> 00:24:12.220 Well, the Israelites 00:24:12.220 --> 00:24:13.940 could have said the same thing. 00:24:14.420 --> 00:24:15.839 I don't think any of them 00:24:15.839 --> 00:24:17.059 would have said 00:24:17.059 --> 00:24:18.339 that they don't believe in God 00:24:18.339 --> 00:24:20.119 after all the things that they saw. 00:24:20.759 --> 00:24:22.220 Yet, how quickly 00:24:22.220 --> 00:24:24.940 were they hardening their hearts 00:24:24.940 --> 00:24:26.579 and turning to something else? 00:24:26.579 --> 00:24:28.319 How quickly were they 00:24:28.319 --> 00:24:29.919 taking their eyes off of God 00:24:29.919 --> 00:24:31.939 and putting it on other things? 00:24:32.139 --> 00:24:33.319 We need accountability. 00:24:34.500 --> 00:24:36.079 We need people in our lives 00:24:36.079 --> 00:24:38.399 that love us enough 00:24:38.399 --> 00:24:40.039 to hold us accountable 00:24:40.039 --> 00:24:42.859 and to speak truth into our lives. 00:24:43.039 --> 00:24:44.240 One of the reasons 00:24:44.240 --> 00:24:46.439 that we put such a heavy emphasis 00:24:46.439 --> 00:24:47.539 on Sunday school 00:24:47.539 --> 00:24:48.839 and live groups in this church 00:24:48.839 --> 00:24:50.419 is because of this. 00:24:50.819 --> 00:24:52.299 It's because smaller groups 00:24:52.299 --> 00:24:53.819 with people that you're close to 00:24:53.819 --> 00:24:56.379 foster this type of relationship 00:24:56.379 --> 00:24:58.720 far better than a large group 00:24:58.720 --> 00:24:59.659 like this might. 00:25:00.419 --> 00:25:01.379 Small groups 00:25:01.379 --> 00:25:02.519 where you get to have 00:25:02.519 --> 00:25:04.019 that intimacy with one another 00:25:04.019 --> 00:25:05.980 are much more important 00:25:05.980 --> 00:25:07.740 in keeping each other accountable 00:25:07.740 --> 00:25:09.839 and having this sense of community 00:25:09.839 --> 00:25:11.079 than other things. 00:25:11.220 --> 00:25:12.480 We need corporate worship. 00:25:12.980 --> 00:25:13.639 Don't get me wrong. 00:25:13.740 --> 00:25:14.359 We need this. 00:25:14.460 --> 00:25:16.019 We need teaching 00:25:16.019 --> 00:25:17.659 that seeks to follow God's word 00:25:17.659 --> 00:25:18.919 as closely as possible. 00:25:18.920 --> 00:25:20.500 But we also need people 00:25:20.500 --> 00:25:22.120 that will speak truth 00:25:22.120 --> 00:25:24.180 into our lives. 00:25:24.920 --> 00:25:25.900 We need opportunities 00:25:25.900 --> 00:25:28.200 to share our disappointments 00:25:28.200 --> 00:25:30.740 with people who genuinely love us. 00:25:31.019 --> 00:25:32.019 We need those 00:25:32.019 --> 00:25:33.759 that will celebrate with us. 00:25:34.019 --> 00:25:35.700 And we need people 00:25:35.700 --> 00:25:38.580 who love and care for us enough 00:25:38.580 --> 00:25:40.580 to step into our lives 00:25:40.580 --> 00:25:43.480 and to speak truth in love. 00:25:44.220 --> 00:25:45.420 When do we need this? 00:25:46.060 --> 00:25:48.000 As long as the day is called today. 00:25:48.000 --> 00:25:49.819 We need this. 00:25:50.740 --> 00:25:51.759 A few years ago, 00:25:51.880 --> 00:25:54.460 well, actually 19 years ago 00:25:54.460 --> 00:25:57.059 when Catherine and I moved to North Carolina 00:25:57.059 --> 00:25:57.799 we went up there 00:25:57.799 --> 00:25:59.779 and we knew very few people 00:25:59.779 --> 00:26:00.680 when we moved up there. 00:26:01.019 --> 00:26:02.660 Just a couple other couples 00:26:02.660 --> 00:26:04.200 were the only people that we knew 00:26:04.200 --> 00:26:05.319 when we moved up there. 00:26:05.740 --> 00:26:06.859 And so very quickly 00:26:06.859 --> 00:26:07.900 after we moved up there 00:26:07.900 --> 00:26:09.819 we began to visit some churches 00:26:09.819 --> 00:26:11.779 wanting to find a church 00:26:11.779 --> 00:26:13.440 to plug ourselves into 00:26:13.440 --> 00:26:14.700 and get planted into. 00:26:14.859 --> 00:26:15.980 And we found a church 00:26:15.980 --> 00:26:17.660 that we really enjoyed a lot. 00:26:18.619 --> 00:26:21.519 The pastor was a great communicator. 00:26:21.680 --> 00:26:22.720 Catherine has said before 00:26:22.720 --> 00:26:23.839 he's probably one of the best 00:26:23.839 --> 00:26:25.059 exposures of God's Word 00:26:25.059 --> 00:26:25.660 she's ever heard. 00:26:26.240 --> 00:26:27.059 Now I'll take that a little, 00:26:27.259 --> 00:26:28.160 you know, personally. 00:26:28.559 --> 00:26:29.559 But no, 00:26:29.740 --> 00:26:30.279 at that time 00:26:30.279 --> 00:26:31.660 he was a great exposure. 00:26:31.740 --> 00:26:34.000 They had a great worship team 00:26:34.000 --> 00:26:35.079 that did all kinds of things. 00:26:35.140 --> 00:26:36.200 But what really 00:26:36.200 --> 00:26:38.380 plugged us into this community 00:26:38.380 --> 00:26:40.400 was when we started going 00:26:40.400 --> 00:26:41.779 to a Sunday school class. 00:26:42.240 --> 00:26:43.720 And we started getting plugged 00:26:43.720 --> 00:26:45.759 into this sense of community 00:26:45.759 --> 00:26:47.099 because all of a sudden 00:26:47.099 --> 00:26:48.779 we went from knowing 00:26:48.779 --> 00:26:50.379 very few people up there 00:26:50.379 --> 00:26:52.160 to having a whole group 00:26:52.160 --> 00:26:54.140 of people that loved us, 00:26:54.599 --> 00:26:55.640 that loved us enough 00:26:55.640 --> 00:26:57.460 to invite us over to their homes, 00:26:57.720 --> 00:26:58.700 that loved us enough 00:26:58.700 --> 00:27:00.339 not to just spend an hour 00:27:00.339 --> 00:27:01.460 with us on Sunday mornings, 00:27:01.500 --> 00:27:02.480 but loved us enough 00:27:02.480 --> 00:27:04.200 to invite us in their homes, 00:27:04.279 --> 00:27:05.160 to see their kids, 00:27:05.220 --> 00:27:06.759 to come over to our house 00:27:06.759 --> 00:27:08.140 and began to do life 00:27:08.140 --> 00:27:08.920 with one another. 00:27:09.339 --> 00:27:11.220 This group helped keep us accountable, 00:27:11.379 --> 00:27:12.319 helped us to focus 00:27:12.319 --> 00:27:14.019 on the main things. 00:27:14.480 --> 00:27:15.899 And it wasn't just something 00:27:15.899 --> 00:27:18.500 that was for a season in our life. 00:27:18.759 --> 00:27:19.500 This is something 00:27:19.500 --> 00:27:20.480 that has continued 00:27:20.480 --> 00:27:22.159 to be a blessing in our lives. 00:27:22.519 --> 00:27:23.819 Just a few weeks ago, 00:27:24.700 --> 00:27:25.720 it was actually the beginning, 00:27:25.939 --> 00:27:27.740 one of the first Sundays in February, 00:27:27.740 --> 00:27:28.559 I was getting ready 00:27:28.559 --> 00:27:30.460 to come up on the stage to preach 00:27:30.460 --> 00:27:31.359 and I got a text 00:27:31.359 --> 00:27:32.419 from one of those guys 00:27:32.419 --> 00:27:33.819 in that class. 00:27:34.240 --> 00:27:35.439 And the text just said, 00:27:35.919 --> 00:27:37.379 preach the word, 00:27:38.059 --> 00:27:39.439 praying for you this morning. 00:27:39.440 --> 00:27:41.920 What an encouragement. 00:27:43.039 --> 00:27:43.960 Preach the word. 00:27:44.240 --> 00:27:45.660 I'm praying for you this morning, 00:27:45.960 --> 00:27:47.700 helping keep me accountable 00:27:47.700 --> 00:27:49.600 to stay true to God's word 00:27:49.600 --> 00:27:50.880 when I teach his word. 00:27:51.420 --> 00:27:52.279 What an encouragement. 00:27:52.559 --> 00:27:53.220 What a challenge. 00:27:53.380 --> 00:27:54.799 We need Christian community 00:27:54.799 --> 00:27:56.440 in our lives. 00:27:56.820 --> 00:27:57.940 We need Christian community 00:27:57.940 --> 00:27:59.019 in this journey, 00:27:59.180 --> 00:28:00.120 in this race, 00:28:00.420 --> 00:28:02.180 in this long obedience 00:28:02.180 --> 00:28:03.259 in the same direction. 00:28:03.700 --> 00:28:04.720 We need those 00:28:04.720 --> 00:28:07.019 who will keep us accountable. 00:28:07.019 --> 00:28:11.379 Perseverance is the true test of faith. 00:28:11.980 --> 00:28:13.519 Jesus made this point 00:28:13.519 --> 00:28:14.700 in the parable of the sower 00:28:14.700 --> 00:28:18.059 when he indicated that some seed, 00:28:18.700 --> 00:28:19.639 and this is the seed 00:28:19.639 --> 00:28:21.160 that fell on the rocky ground, 00:28:21.259 --> 00:28:24.059 some seed immediately sprang up, 00:28:24.559 --> 00:28:25.879 but it didn't last 00:28:25.879 --> 00:28:29.619 because it had no depth of soil. 00:28:29.619 --> 00:28:33.679 You see accountability groups, 00:28:33.779 --> 00:28:35.619 the people that will love you, 00:28:35.699 --> 00:28:37.359 that will hold your hand 00:28:37.359 --> 00:28:38.319 through difficult times, 00:28:38.359 --> 00:28:39.799 that will be there for you 00:28:39.799 --> 00:28:41.139 when things are going great 00:28:41.139 --> 00:28:42.359 and when things are going bad. 00:28:42.519 --> 00:28:43.459 We need that 00:28:43.459 --> 00:28:45.079 because that helps develop in us 00:28:45.079 --> 00:28:46.419 a depth of soil. 00:28:46.899 --> 00:28:48.679 It helps us develop in us 00:28:48.679 --> 00:28:50.359 a strong faith 00:28:50.359 --> 00:28:52.559 in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 00:28:53.159 --> 00:28:54.799 Verse 14 again provides 00:28:54.799 --> 00:28:57.099 some great commentary on this 00:28:57.099 --> 00:28:57.779 when it says, 00:28:57.779 --> 00:29:00.359 For we have come to share in Christ 00:29:00.359 --> 00:29:02.759 if indeed we hold 00:29:02.759 --> 00:29:04.200 our original confidence 00:29:04.200 --> 00:29:06.180 firm to the end. 00:29:06.700 --> 00:29:08.500 This verse reminds us 00:29:08.500 --> 00:29:11.559 that God is the one who saves. 00:29:12.559 --> 00:29:13.980 But we also are called 00:29:13.980 --> 00:29:15.500 to hold our confidence 00:29:15.500 --> 00:29:16.920 to the end. 00:29:17.639 --> 00:29:18.700 And ultimately, here's the thing. 00:29:19.119 --> 00:29:20.119 Ultimately, we need God 00:29:20.119 --> 00:29:21.000 for this as well. 00:29:21.619 --> 00:29:23.460 We need God to save us 00:29:23.460 --> 00:29:25.599 and we need God to sustain us. 00:29:25.599 --> 00:29:27.639 The Bible tells us in Philippians 00:29:27.640 --> 00:29:28.000 and says, 00:29:28.120 --> 00:29:29.240 I am sure of this, 00:29:29.640 --> 00:29:30.600 that he who began 00:29:30.600 --> 00:29:31.880 a good work in you 00:29:31.880 --> 00:29:33.320 will bring it to completion 00:29:33.320 --> 00:29:35.420 at the day of Jesus Christ. 00:29:36.380 --> 00:29:38.340 He who began a good work in us 00:29:38.340 --> 00:29:40.080 will also be with us. 00:29:40.120 --> 00:29:41.380 He who began that good work 00:29:41.380 --> 00:29:43.000 of salvation in us 00:29:43.000 --> 00:29:45.520 will also sustain us 00:29:45.520 --> 00:29:46.540 in this journey 00:29:46.540 --> 00:29:48.340 of our Christian faith. 00:29:48.759 --> 00:29:50.200 And again, in 1 Peter, 00:29:50.500 --> 00:29:51.000 it says, 00:29:51.140 --> 00:29:52.580 According to his great mercy, 00:29:52.740 --> 00:29:53.840 he has caused us 00:29:53.840 --> 00:29:55.120 to be born again. 00:29:55.119 --> 00:29:57.019 God causes us, 00:29:57.079 --> 00:29:58.939 God saves us 00:29:58.939 --> 00:30:01.239 to be born to a living hope 00:30:01.239 --> 00:30:01.979 through the resurrection 00:30:01.979 --> 00:30:03.500 of Jesus Christ from the dead 00:30:03.500 --> 00:30:04.159 to an inheritance 00:30:04.159 --> 00:30:05.299 that is imperishable, 00:30:05.699 --> 00:30:07.839 undefiled, unfading, 00:30:08.279 --> 00:30:09.239 kept for you in heaven, 00:30:09.879 --> 00:30:11.579 who by God's power 00:30:11.579 --> 00:30:12.959 are being guarded. 00:30:13.579 --> 00:30:15.439 He saves and he guards 00:30:15.439 --> 00:30:17.139 and he sustains through faith 00:30:17.139 --> 00:30:18.239 for a salvation 00:30:18.239 --> 00:30:19.459 ready to be revealed 00:30:19.459 --> 00:30:20.579 in the last time. 00:30:20.579 --> 00:30:22.179 We also see this 00:30:22.179 --> 00:30:22.819 as we continue 00:30:22.819 --> 00:30:24.399 in the book of Hebrews. 00:30:24.939 --> 00:30:26.439 We need God to save. 00:30:26.759 --> 00:30:27.879 We need God to sustain. 00:30:28.500 --> 00:30:29.899 And in his grace 00:30:29.899 --> 00:30:31.279 and in his infinite wisdom, 00:30:31.720 --> 00:30:33.159 he has given us 00:30:33.159 --> 00:30:34.359 a community 00:30:34.359 --> 00:30:36.279 to encourage one another 00:30:36.279 --> 00:30:37.439 along the way 00:30:37.439 --> 00:30:39.579 and to hold each other accountable. 00:30:40.079 --> 00:30:41.240 Again, as Kruger says, 00:30:41.319 --> 00:30:41.879 accountability 00:30:41.879 --> 00:30:44.119 is a great ally 00:30:44.119 --> 00:30:46.339 in the war against apostasy. 00:30:47.079 --> 00:30:49.019 We all need this. 00:30:49.019 --> 00:30:52.000 Think about how differently 00:30:52.000 --> 00:30:55.019 it might have been for Israel 00:30:55.019 --> 00:30:57.019 if they had daily encouraged 00:30:57.639 --> 00:30:58.299 one another 00:30:58.299 --> 00:30:59.879 instead of being so negative. 00:31:00.440 --> 00:31:01.660 Instead of grumbling 00:31:01.660 --> 00:31:02.639 and quarreling, 00:31:03.619 --> 00:31:04.579 instead of putting themselves 00:31:04.579 --> 00:31:05.420 in isolation, 00:31:06.000 --> 00:31:07.259 isolation and particularly 00:31:07.259 --> 00:31:08.599 isolation from the 00:31:08.599 --> 00:31:09.839 mutual encouragement 00:31:09.839 --> 00:31:10.579 of the body 00:31:10.579 --> 00:31:12.579 is a dangerous thing. 00:31:13.279 --> 00:31:14.019 In isolation, 00:31:14.339 --> 00:31:15.220 we are quick to listen 00:31:15.220 --> 00:31:15.879 to the world. 00:31:16.440 --> 00:31:17.599 We're quick to value 00:31:17.599 --> 00:31:18.879 the things that the world 00:31:18.880 --> 00:31:19.720 values. 00:31:20.260 --> 00:31:21.200 When you're alone 00:31:21.200 --> 00:31:22.780 and unaccountable, 00:31:23.000 --> 00:31:23.880 it is tempting 00:31:23.880 --> 00:31:25.880 to take the easy course 00:31:25.880 --> 00:31:27.560 instead of the right one. 00:31:28.040 --> 00:31:30.100 We need this accountability 00:31:30.100 --> 00:31:31.620 in our lives. 00:31:32.080 --> 00:31:33.420 And so may we never 00:31:33.420 --> 00:31:34.220 lose sight 00:31:34.220 --> 00:31:35.160 of what God 00:31:35.160 --> 00:31:37.560 has already done for us. 00:31:38.020 --> 00:31:39.200 May we never 00:31:39.200 --> 00:31:39.940 lose sight 00:31:39.940 --> 00:31:40.360 of what God 00:31:40.360 --> 00:31:41.840 has already done for us. 00:31:41.900 --> 00:31:42.700 May we clearly 00:31:42.700 --> 00:31:43.740 see the love 00:31:43.740 --> 00:31:45.160 God has displayed 00:31:45.160 --> 00:31:45.860 for us 00:31:45.860 --> 00:31:46.820 on the cross. 00:31:46.819 --> 00:31:48.779 keep your eyes 00:31:48.779 --> 00:31:49.859 fixed on this truth 00:31:49.859 --> 00:31:51.019 of God's word. 00:31:51.519 --> 00:31:52.019 Persevere 00:31:52.019 --> 00:31:52.779 in what he's called 00:31:52.779 --> 00:31:53.379 us to do. 00:31:53.899 --> 00:31:54.599 Don't miss 00:31:54.599 --> 00:31:55.579 the good news 00:31:55.579 --> 00:31:56.460 of the gospel 00:31:56.460 --> 00:31:57.359 that is available 00:31:57.359 --> 00:31:58.419 to each and every 00:31:58.419 --> 00:31:59.259 one of us. 00:32:01.259 --> 00:32:02.379 Don't rely 00:32:02.379 --> 00:32:04.659 on a past experience 00:32:04.659 --> 00:32:05.339 where you may have 00:32:05.339 --> 00:32:06.039 prayed a prayer 00:32:06.039 --> 00:32:07.259 or done something 00:32:07.259 --> 00:32:08.599 where it really 00:32:08.599 --> 00:32:09.519 didn't mean something. 00:32:09.659 --> 00:32:11.119 You wanted the insurance, 00:32:11.220 --> 00:32:11.679 the fire insurance, 00:32:11.759 --> 00:32:12.960 but you didn't give 00:32:12.960 --> 00:32:14.240 your life to Jesus. 00:32:14.240 --> 00:32:17.299 May we see 00:32:17.299 --> 00:32:18.420 the value 00:32:18.420 --> 00:32:19.539 of giving our life 00:32:19.539 --> 00:32:21.200 and following him 00:32:21.200 --> 00:32:22.220 with it. 00:32:22.859 --> 00:32:24.039 The author has shown 00:32:24.039 --> 00:32:25.319 over and over again 00:32:25.319 --> 00:32:26.039 that Jesus 00:32:26.039 --> 00:32:28.000 is better than anything. 00:32:28.940 --> 00:32:29.920 He is the one 00:32:29.920 --> 00:32:31.599 that can give 00:32:31.599 --> 00:32:33.220 life to us. 00:32:33.279 --> 00:32:33.620 He's the one 00:32:33.620 --> 00:32:34.319 that gives 00:32:34.319 --> 00:32:36.180 us his life. 00:32:36.980 --> 00:32:37.440 He's the one 00:32:37.440 --> 00:32:38.039 that will never 00:32:38.039 --> 00:32:38.740 disappoint. 00:32:39.660 --> 00:32:40.720 So don't just 00:32:40.720 --> 00:32:41.779 be a face 00:32:41.779 --> 00:32:42.440 in the crowd, 00:32:42.440 --> 00:32:44.580 but be a disciple. 00:32:46.259 --> 00:32:48.519 Verse 19 here, 00:32:48.559 --> 00:32:49.180 it tells us, 00:32:49.220 --> 00:32:49.779 it says, 00:32:50.759 --> 00:32:51.500 so we see 00:32:51.500 --> 00:32:52.059 that we, 00:32:52.620 --> 00:32:53.200 so that we see 00:32:53.200 --> 00:32:53.740 that they were 00:32:53.740 --> 00:32:55.200 unable to enter 00:32:55.200 --> 00:32:57.799 because of unbelief. 00:32:58.500 --> 00:32:59.440 They were unable 00:32:59.440 --> 00:33:00.120 to enter 00:33:00.120 --> 00:33:02.059 because of unbelief. 00:33:02.940 --> 00:33:03.759 I had a professor 00:33:03.759 --> 00:33:04.860 who told me one time, 00:33:05.000 --> 00:33:05.299 he says, 00:33:05.340 --> 00:33:06.080 you want to know 00:33:06.080 --> 00:33:08.580 what you truly believe? 00:33:08.880 --> 00:33:09.279 And we're like, 00:33:09.320 --> 00:33:09.900 well, yeah, 00:33:09.920 --> 00:33:10.460 we want to know 00:33:10.460 --> 00:33:11.700 what we truly believe. 00:33:11.700 --> 00:33:12.259 You know, 00:33:12.299 --> 00:33:12.880 I believe 00:33:12.880 --> 00:33:14.080 what the Bible says. 00:33:14.180 --> 00:33:15.360 I can get all 00:33:15.360 --> 00:33:15.980 of these answers 00:33:15.980 --> 00:33:16.980 right on the test. 00:33:18.000 --> 00:33:18.259 He says, 00:33:18.319 --> 00:33:18.860 if you want to know 00:33:18.860 --> 00:33:19.920 what you truly believe, 00:33:20.019 --> 00:33:20.799 then there's a formula 00:33:20.799 --> 00:33:21.519 for that. 00:33:22.259 --> 00:33:22.620 He says, 00:33:22.700 --> 00:33:23.960 it's stated belief 00:33:23.960 --> 00:33:26.299 plus actual practice 00:33:26.299 --> 00:33:27.480 will show you 00:33:27.480 --> 00:33:28.880 what you actually believe. 00:33:29.779 --> 00:33:30.640 Stated belief 00:33:30.640 --> 00:33:31.799 plus actual practice 00:33:31.799 --> 00:33:32.519 will show you 00:33:32.519 --> 00:33:33.600 what you actually believe. 00:33:34.140 --> 00:33:34.519 He says, 00:33:34.559 --> 00:33:35.279 you can say 00:33:35.279 --> 00:33:35.960 that you believe 00:33:35.960 --> 00:33:36.680 in whatever you want 00:33:36.680 --> 00:33:37.220 to believe. 00:33:37.500 --> 00:33:38.200 You can say 00:33:38.200 --> 00:33:38.819 that you believe 00:33:38.819 --> 00:33:39.620 that you can fly, 00:33:39.740 --> 00:33:40.319 but you're not going 00:33:40.319 --> 00:33:41.319 to jump out of a plane 00:33:41.319 --> 00:33:42.039 without a parachute. 00:33:43.279 --> 00:33:43.599 He says, 00:33:43.639 --> 00:33:44.159 you can say 00:33:44.159 --> 00:33:45.399 whatever you want to say. 00:33:45.500 --> 00:33:46.059 You can say 00:33:46.059 --> 00:33:47.319 that you're faster 00:33:47.319 --> 00:33:48.079 than a lion, 00:33:48.159 --> 00:33:49.200 but I can promise you 00:33:49.200 --> 00:33:50.480 if you're in a jeep 00:33:50.480 --> 00:33:51.119 on a safari, 00:33:51.200 --> 00:33:51.619 you're not going 00:33:51.619 --> 00:33:52.779 to jump out of that jeep 00:33:52.779 --> 00:33:53.819 and slap a lion 00:33:53.819 --> 00:33:54.879 and then take off running 00:33:54.879 --> 00:33:55.519 because you think 00:33:55.519 --> 00:33:56.539 you're faster than it. 00:33:57.059 --> 00:33:57.819 You can say 00:33:57.819 --> 00:33:59.159 whatever you want to say, 00:33:59.960 --> 00:34:01.200 but your actions 00:34:01.200 --> 00:34:02.679 are going to show 00:34:02.679 --> 00:34:04.059 what you actually believe. 00:34:04.059 --> 00:34:06.079 You can say 00:34:06.079 --> 00:34:06.839 that you believe 00:34:06.839 --> 00:34:07.460 that Jesus 00:34:07.460 --> 00:34:09.539 is greater and better 00:34:09.539 --> 00:34:10.079 than anything 00:34:10.079 --> 00:34:10.920 in this world. 00:34:12.779 --> 00:34:14.139 But what are your actions 00:34:14.139 --> 00:34:15.519 showing that you think 00:34:15.519 --> 00:34:16.199 is the best? 00:34:17.199 --> 00:34:18.219 What are you giving 00:34:18.219 --> 00:34:19.139 your life to? 00:34:19.980 --> 00:34:20.880 Because you're going 00:34:20.880 --> 00:34:21.759 to go after, 00:34:22.119 --> 00:34:23.239 you're going to follow 00:34:23.239 --> 00:34:24.659 whatever it is 00:34:24.659 --> 00:34:25.880 that is most valuable 00:34:25.880 --> 00:34:26.679 to you. 00:34:27.840 --> 00:34:28.639 Stated belief 00:34:28.639 --> 00:34:30.340 plus actual practice 00:34:30.340 --> 00:34:33.019 equals actual belief. 00:34:33.019 --> 00:34:35.199 If this is something 00:34:35.199 --> 00:34:35.860 that you're ready 00:34:35.860 --> 00:34:36.619 to do today, 00:34:37.179 --> 00:34:38.639 to give your life 00:34:38.639 --> 00:34:39.219 to Jesus 00:34:39.219 --> 00:34:40.800 and not just be 00:34:40.800 --> 00:34:41.739 a statement 00:34:41.739 --> 00:34:42.619 that you're making, 00:34:42.699 --> 00:34:43.139 but you're saying, 00:34:43.259 --> 00:34:45.059 hey, I really believe this. 00:34:45.960 --> 00:34:47.039 I really believe 00:34:47.039 --> 00:34:48.039 that Jesus is better. 00:34:48.159 --> 00:34:48.900 If this is something 00:34:48.900 --> 00:34:50.759 that you're ready 00:34:50.759 --> 00:34:51.360 to do today, 00:34:51.380 --> 00:34:52.219 then I encourage you 00:34:52.219 --> 00:34:52.780 to come down 00:34:52.780 --> 00:34:53.579 in just a moment 00:34:53.579 --> 00:34:54.320 during our time 00:34:54.320 --> 00:34:54.980 of invitation. 00:34:56.179 --> 00:34:57.179 But if you are 00:34:57.179 --> 00:34:57.820 a disciple, 00:34:58.940 --> 00:35:00.039 then I encourage you 00:35:00.039 --> 00:35:00.940 to do two things. 00:35:01.639 --> 00:35:02.079 One, 00:35:02.079 --> 00:35:04.319 love those around you 00:35:04.319 --> 00:35:04.880 enough 00:35:04.880 --> 00:35:06.440 to speak truth 00:35:06.440 --> 00:35:07.519 into their lives. 00:35:08.739 --> 00:35:09.619 I don't 00:35:09.619 --> 00:35:10.219 and you don't 00:35:10.219 --> 00:35:11.259 have magic glasses 00:35:11.259 --> 00:35:11.840 that tell us 00:35:11.840 --> 00:35:12.480 who saved 00:35:12.480 --> 00:35:13.340 and who isn't, 00:35:13.579 --> 00:35:14.199 but the Bible 00:35:14.199 --> 00:35:14.840 does tell us 00:35:14.840 --> 00:35:16.059 that we will know 00:35:16.059 --> 00:35:17.099 those who follow Jesus 00:35:17.099 --> 00:35:18.000 by their love 00:35:18.000 --> 00:35:18.840 and by their fruit. 00:35:20.000 --> 00:35:20.960 Love people enough 00:35:20.960 --> 00:35:21.840 to point them 00:35:21.840 --> 00:35:22.460 to Jesus 00:35:22.460 --> 00:35:24.139 and encourage them 00:35:24.139 --> 00:35:25.299 to follow Him. 00:35:26.420 --> 00:35:27.199 But two, 00:35:28.039 --> 00:35:29.119 put yourself 00:35:29.119 --> 00:35:30.099 in a position 00:35:30.099 --> 00:35:31.460 to have others 00:35:31.460 --> 00:35:32.779 come alongside you 00:35:32.779 --> 00:35:34.460 and keep you accountable. 00:35:35.460 --> 00:35:36.480 Maybe that means 00:35:36.480 --> 00:35:37.880 joining this church. 00:35:38.900 --> 00:35:39.920 Maybe you're not ready 00:35:39.920 --> 00:35:41.099 to come down this morning, 00:35:41.179 --> 00:35:42.099 but maybe you're ready 00:35:42.099 --> 00:35:43.139 to have a conversation 00:35:43.139 --> 00:35:43.539 with me. 00:35:43.579 --> 00:35:44.299 I'd love to have 00:35:44.299 --> 00:35:45.119 that conversation. 00:35:45.980 --> 00:35:47.159 But maybe that means 00:35:47.159 --> 00:35:47.679 that you're ready 00:35:47.679 --> 00:35:49.960 to join a Sunday school class 00:35:49.960 --> 00:35:50.859 or a life group 00:35:50.859 --> 00:35:51.599 and get plugged 00:35:51.599 --> 00:35:53.259 into that community 00:35:53.259 --> 00:35:55.339 where it's not as easy 00:35:55.339 --> 00:35:56.239 just to be a face 00:35:56.239 --> 00:35:56.619 in the crowd, 00:35:56.619 --> 00:35:57.559 but you'll have people 00:35:57.559 --> 00:35:58.380 who love you, 00:35:58.500 --> 00:36:00.000 who will walk alongside you, 00:36:00.039 --> 00:36:01.159 who will encourage you, 00:36:01.279 --> 00:36:02.679 who will be there for you 00:36:02.679 --> 00:36:03.819 during difficult times, 00:36:03.859 --> 00:36:04.819 who will be there for you 00:36:04.819 --> 00:36:06.059 when everything's going well, 00:36:06.480 --> 00:36:08.299 and who will love you enough 00:36:08.299 --> 00:36:10.839 to hold you accountable. 00:36:11.779 --> 00:36:13.440 There is a level of intimacy 00:36:13.440 --> 00:36:14.219 and community 00:36:14.219 --> 00:36:16.359 that is hard to reproduce 00:36:16.359 --> 00:36:17.159 in a large setting, 00:36:17.179 --> 00:36:17.980 so maybe you need 00:36:17.980 --> 00:36:18.880 to get plugged in. 00:36:19.339 --> 00:36:20.099 And I realize 00:36:20.099 --> 00:36:21.119 that these things 00:36:21.119 --> 00:36:22.480 can be difficult to do. 00:36:23.099 --> 00:36:24.259 I realize that sometimes 00:36:24.259 --> 00:36:25.960 it's hard to step in 00:36:25.960 --> 00:36:26.440 and do this. 00:36:26.500 --> 00:36:27.300 You may have had 00:36:27.300 --> 00:36:29.340 a bad experience before, 00:36:29.480 --> 00:36:31.619 but don't let that stop you. 00:36:31.880 --> 00:36:32.619 This is something 00:36:32.619 --> 00:36:33.679 that is so important 00:36:33.679 --> 00:36:34.679 that don't let 00:36:34.679 --> 00:36:35.880 a bad experience 00:36:35.880 --> 00:36:36.800 stop you 00:36:36.800 --> 00:36:37.920 from getting plugged in. 00:36:38.500 --> 00:36:39.360 I'm sure we've all 00:36:39.360 --> 00:36:40.460 had a bad meal before, 00:36:40.519 --> 00:36:41.380 but we don't stop eating, 00:36:41.500 --> 00:36:41.780 do we? 00:36:42.320 --> 00:36:42.760 No. 00:36:43.880 --> 00:36:44.940 This is something 00:36:44.940 --> 00:36:46.519 that is vital to us 00:36:46.519 --> 00:36:48.039 that God has called us 00:36:48.039 --> 00:36:49.000 to have as a part 00:36:49.000 --> 00:36:50.079 of our lives. 00:36:50.599 --> 00:36:51.840 So make sure 00:36:51.840 --> 00:36:53.599 that we intentionally 00:36:53.599 --> 00:36:54.599 get involved 00:36:54.599 --> 00:36:55.279 and plugged 00:36:55.279 --> 00:36:56.880 into these things. 00:36:57.739 --> 00:36:58.839 I know that it can 00:36:58.839 --> 00:36:59.420 be challenging, 00:36:59.699 --> 00:37:00.239 but God, 00:37:00.639 --> 00:37:01.599 but if God is moving 00:37:01.599 --> 00:37:02.179 in your life, 00:37:02.219 --> 00:37:02.920 then I encourage you 00:37:02.920 --> 00:37:03.659 to follow Him. 00:37:04.179 --> 00:37:05.199 Jesus is better 00:37:05.199 --> 00:37:07.000 and Jesus is worth it. 00:37:07.400 --> 00:37:09.039 Don't miss what is right 00:37:09.039 --> 00:37:09.839 in front of you 00:37:09.839 --> 00:37:11.639 and hold each other 00:37:11.639 --> 00:37:12.199 accountable 00:37:12.199 --> 00:37:14.299 and finish well. 00:37:14.639 --> 00:37:15.099 Father, 00:37:15.219 --> 00:37:16.400 thank you so very much 00:37:16.400 --> 00:37:17.759 for who you are. 00:37:17.819 --> 00:37:18.779 We thank you for Jesus. 00:37:18.940 --> 00:37:19.440 We thank you 00:37:19.440 --> 00:37:20.219 for the difference 00:37:20.219 --> 00:37:20.860 that He makes 00:37:20.860 --> 00:37:21.539 in our life 00:37:21.539 --> 00:37:23.099 each and every day. 00:37:23.680 --> 00:37:23.860 Lord, 00:37:23.980 --> 00:37:25.640 thank you for loving us. 00:37:26.120 --> 00:37:27.660 Thank you for sending Jesus. 00:37:28.160 --> 00:37:28.420 And so, 00:37:28.579 --> 00:37:28.760 Lord, 00:37:28.840 --> 00:37:29.340 I pray 00:37:29.340 --> 00:37:30.480 that as we go 00:37:30.480 --> 00:37:31.280 through this study 00:37:31.280 --> 00:37:31.760 of Hebrews 00:37:31.760 --> 00:37:33.140 that we see you 00:37:33.140 --> 00:37:34.059 more clearly. 00:37:34.820 --> 00:37:36.160 See who you are 00:37:36.160 --> 00:37:37.320 and what you've done 00:37:37.320 --> 00:37:38.000 for us 00:37:38.000 --> 00:37:39.780 with fresh eyes. 00:37:40.539 --> 00:37:41.340 To see you clearly 00:37:41.340 --> 00:37:42.180 and help us 00:37:42.180 --> 00:37:43.480 to not miss 00:37:43.480 --> 00:37:44.420 what is right in front of us. 00:37:44.660 --> 00:37:46.360 Help us to not miss you 00:37:46.360 --> 00:37:47.519 as we go through 00:37:47.519 --> 00:37:48.200 this study. 00:37:49.079 --> 00:37:49.280 Lord, 00:37:49.360 --> 00:37:50.660 help us to see you clearly. 00:37:51.640 --> 00:37:52.539 Help us to give 00:37:52.539 --> 00:37:53.920 our lives to you. 00:37:54.700 --> 00:37:54.940 And so, 00:37:55.079 --> 00:37:55.220 Lord, 00:37:55.300 --> 00:37:56.140 I pray that if there's 00:37:56.140 --> 00:37:57.059 someone here today 00:37:57.059 --> 00:37:59.380 that hasn't given 00:37:59.380 --> 00:38:00.420 their life to you 00:38:00.420 --> 00:38:01.680 and they're ready 00:38:01.680 --> 00:38:02.500 to do that, 00:38:02.860 --> 00:38:03.160 Lord, 00:38:03.220 --> 00:38:04.019 that you would give them 00:38:04.019 --> 00:38:04.780 the boldness 00:38:04.780 --> 00:38:05.320 and courage 00:38:05.320 --> 00:38:06.240 to step forward, 00:38:06.579 --> 00:38:06.940 come down, 00:38:07.000 --> 00:38:07.840 have a conversation 00:38:07.840 --> 00:38:08.900 with me at this time 00:38:08.900 --> 00:38:10.260 or maybe right after 00:38:10.260 --> 00:38:10.960 the service, 00:38:11.440 --> 00:38:12.120 grab me and say, 00:38:12.180 --> 00:38:12.360 Brett, 00:38:12.400 --> 00:38:13.160 I need to talk. 00:38:13.760 --> 00:38:15.280 I need to get this right 00:38:15.280 --> 00:38:17.840 because I see Jesus clearly. 00:38:17.840 --> 00:38:19.000 I see that He is 00:38:19.000 --> 00:38:19.900 far better 00:38:19.900 --> 00:38:20.760 than anything 00:38:20.760 --> 00:38:21.280 and everything 00:38:21.280 --> 00:38:21.880 that I'm giving 00:38:21.880 --> 00:38:22.720 my life to 00:38:22.720 --> 00:38:24.099 and I'm ready 00:38:24.099 --> 00:38:25.559 to give my life 00:38:25.559 --> 00:38:26.400 to Him. 00:38:27.619 --> 00:38:28.200 But Lord, 00:38:28.260 --> 00:38:29.099 I also pray 00:38:29.099 --> 00:38:31.519 for those of us 00:38:31.519 --> 00:38:32.160 who've given 00:38:32.160 --> 00:38:33.079 our life to you, 00:38:33.619 --> 00:38:34.240 those of us 00:38:34.240 --> 00:38:34.700 who aren't just 00:38:34.700 --> 00:38:35.680 a face in the crowd 00:38:35.680 --> 00:38:37.559 but are your disciples, 00:38:38.680 --> 00:38:39.360 Lord, 00:38:39.420 --> 00:38:40.500 that you would give us 00:38:40.500 --> 00:38:42.480 the boldness 00:38:42.480 --> 00:38:45.200 to hold those 00:38:45.200 --> 00:38:46.400 accountable in our lives, 00:38:46.400 --> 00:38:48.440 that you would give us 00:38:48.440 --> 00:38:49.099 the grace 00:38:49.099 --> 00:38:50.480 to receive 00:38:50.480 --> 00:38:51.300 that accountability 00:38:51.300 --> 00:38:52.519 when it's given to us 00:38:52.519 --> 00:38:54.039 in love by others. 00:38:55.320 --> 00:38:55.820 And so, Lord, 00:38:55.900 --> 00:38:56.740 however it is 00:38:56.740 --> 00:38:57.579 that you're speaking 00:38:57.579 --> 00:38:58.760 to us today, 00:38:59.200 --> 00:39:00.360 that you're moving 00:39:00.360 --> 00:39:01.340 in our life today, 00:39:02.059 --> 00:39:02.320 Lord, 00:39:03.000 --> 00:39:03.720 I pray 00:39:03.720 --> 00:39:04.860 that we respond 00:39:04.860 --> 00:39:05.559 in a way 00:39:05.559 --> 00:39:06.880 that shows 00:39:06.880 --> 00:39:07.539 that you 00:39:07.539 --> 00:39:08.880 and you alone 00:39:08.880 --> 00:39:09.980 are worthy. 00:39:10.740 --> 00:39:11.720 We ask all this 00:39:11.720 --> 00:39:12.480 in Jesus' name. 00:39:12.660 --> 00:39:12.940 Amen. 00:39:13.940 --> 00:39:14.680 I'm going to invite you 00:39:14.679 --> 00:39:15.159 to stand. 00:39:15.259 --> 00:39:15.859 We're going to sing 00:39:15.859 --> 00:39:16.940 a song of invitation 00:39:16.940 --> 00:39:17.399 this morning. 00:39:17.480 --> 00:39:19.000 If God is speaking to you, 00:39:19.559 --> 00:39:20.199 won't you come 00:39:20.199 --> 00:39:21.259 as we stand and sing?