The Importance of Keeping Faith in Christ ~ Hebrews 3:7-12
Pastor John Opferman
October 2, 2024
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Main Topics Discussed
Introduction
Opening greeting and context:
Apology for missing church service: Regret expressed for missing the regular in-person church service.
Importance of in-person church services: Online Bible studies and lessons are great, but they don't replace the full church experience.
Church involves participation: Singing, praying, praising, fellowshipping, sharing, giving offerings—everyone has a part in the service.
The most important part of service: Receiving the Word of God.
However: The presence of the Lord is uniquely experienced in physical church gatherings, and the power of Christ is felt in those settings.
Resources for sermon notes: Mention of church members’ access to sermon notes.
Available through three methods:
Notes kept in the church library.
Pastor’s wife updates notes during the sermon.
Notes available on the church website at Landmarkbc.org, under the “Sermon Notes” section.
Main Text – Hebrews 3:7-12
Scripture reading: Hebrews 3:7-12 (focused on the warning from God regarding hardened hearts).
Prayer: A prayer asking for the Holy Spirit’s guidance to preach and for listeners to open their hearts and understand God’s Word.
Recap of Last Week’s Sermon
Christ's Superiority Over Moses:
Moses: Regarded as one of Israel’s greatest prophets, faithful in God's house.
Christ: Greater than Moses because He is the builder of the house, not merely a servant in it.
We are part of that house: Believers are members of the house that Christ built.
Warning from last week's text: Hebrews 3:6 mentions that we are part of Christ's house if we hold fast to our confidence and hope to the end.
Interconnected Nature of Scripture
Importance of the word "wherefore" (Hebrews 3:7):
Indicates a connection to the previous thought.
The Bible is interconnected: Every part of Scripture builds on another, revealing truth progressively.
Keeping verses in context: It’s crucial to study verses in context—not just of the chapter or book, but in the context of the whole Bible.
Avoiding false doctrine: False teachings arise when verses are taken out of context or twisted to fit personal beliefs.
True doctrine: Must align with the entirety of Scripture, as all parts work together to share God's complete truth.
Connection to Psalm 95
Hebrews 3:7 is rooted in Psalm 95:
Psalm 95:7: “For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Today, if you hear his voice…”
We are His sheep: God is our Shepherd, and we are part of His pasture, just as we are part of His house.
Call to hold fast to faith: Just like the Israelites were warned, we are also called to hold fast to the confidence and hope we have in God.
Old Testament truths remain relevant today: Scripture never contradicts itself. The lessons from Psalm 95 apply as much to us now as they did to the Israelites.
Hearing God's Voice Today
“Today, if you hear His voice…” (Hebrews 3:7):
Urgency of obedience: Emphasis on the word "today"—God calls us to immediate obedience. There is no time to delay.
God’s patience has limits: Though He is long-suffering, there is a point where He says "no more." We cannot presume on God’s endless patience.
Warning against hardened hearts:
Example of the Israelites: The Israelites hardened their hearts despite witnessing miracles, leading them to err in their hearts and wander the wilderness for 40 years.
Today’s danger: We too can harden our hearts by ignoring or rejecting God’s Word, leading us away from His truth.
The Danger of a Hardened Heart
Progression of spiritual hardness:
Step 1: Hardening of the heart:
What does it mean?: Hearing the Word of God but rejecting or ignoring it. This causes spiritual callousness.
The word of God is meant to pierce: The Bible is described as sharper than a two-edged sword, able to cut deep into our souls. But it cannot penetrate a hardened heart.
Step 2: Erring in the heart:
Erring means “to roam”: Once the heart is hardened, we begin to wander away from God’s truth.
The Israelites’ 40 years of wandering: Because they hardened their hearts, they wandered in the wilderness instead of entering the Promised Land.
Step 3: An evil heart of unbelief:
Danger of complete departure from God: Continued rejection of God’s Word leads to unbelief.
Example of Israel: Despite seeing God's miracles—parting of the Red Sea, manna from heaven, water from the rock—the Israelites fell into unbelief.
God’s Grief Over Hardened Hearts
Grieving God:
Hebrews 3:10: “I was grieved with that generation…”
God's grief is personal: It is like a parent watching their child make destructive choices.
Ephesians 4:30 reference: “Grieve not the Holy Spirit…” Believers today are warned not to grieve the Spirit through bitterness, wrath, and evil speaking.
The Consequence of Unbelief—No Rest
Israel’s missed rest:
Hebrews 3:11: “They shall not enter into my rest…”
Promised Land denied: Israel was denied entrance into the Promised Land due to unbelief. Instead of rest, they experienced toil and wandering.
Rest in Christ:
Jesus offers rest for our souls (Matthew 11:28), but this rest is only accessed through faith.
Unbelief forfeits that rest, leaving believers struggling with works and self-effort.
Final Warning – Hebrews 3:12
Take heed, brethren:
Addressing believers: The warning is for “brethren,” those who are already part of God’s family.
Danger of an evil heart of unbelief:
Even believers can fall into unbelief if they let their hearts become hardened.
Warning for Hebrew Christians: They were drifting back to Judaism (a religion of works), losing faith in the living Christ.
Faith vs. Works: The shift from trusting Christ to relying on religious works is a departure from the living God.
Application for Today’s Believers
Trust in the living Christ:
Don’t fall into the trap of works-based religion—our salvation and rest are found in faith in Jesus, not in our own efforts.
Keep faith firm to the end: Just as the Israelites lost their rest, so too will we if we harden our hearts and fall into unbelief.
Conclusion & Prayer
Prayer for believers:
That their hearts remain soft to God's Word, avoiding spiritual hardness and error.
That they continue to trust in Christ’s finished work and not be drawn into a works-based mindset.
Invitation for unbelievers: A call for those who have not yet trusted Christ to accept Him for salvation.
Final prayer: For all to rest in Christ, hold fast to their faith, and avoid the dangers of a hardened heart.
Biblical References
Hebrews 3:7-12
"Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, Today if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your hearts… Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief…)."Hebrews 3:6
"But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end."Psalm 95:7
"For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture… Today if ye will hear his voice."Matthew 17:5
"This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him."John 1:18
"No man hath seen God at any time… the only begotten Son… hath declared him."Hebrews 3:9-11
"When your fathers tempted me… I was grieved with that generation… They shall not enter into my rest."Hebrews 2:1-3
"We ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip… How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?"Ephesians 4:30-31
"Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God… Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger… be put away from you."Matthew 11:28
"Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
Reflection Questions
How do you personally experience the importance of physical church gatherings compared to online services?
Reflect on the value of fellowship, worship, and participation in person versus solely receiving the Word online.
In what ways have you seen the interconnectedness of Scripture in your own Bible study, and how has this deepened your understanding of God's Word?
Consider a time when understanding one part of Scripture helped you grasp the meaning of another.
Have there been moments when you felt your heart hardening towards God’s message? How did you overcome it, or what steps can you take to stay receptive?
Think about the dangers of spiritual hardening and how you can stay open to God’s voice.
How does the story of Israel’s unbelief and wandering in the wilderness relate to areas in your life where you may be struggling with faith or obedience?
Reflect on areas of your life where unbelief might be hindering your spiritual growth.
What does it mean to enter into the “rest” of Christ, and how can you apply this rest in your daily walk with God?
Consider how trusting in Christ’s finished work can bring peace, and what it looks like to live in that rest instead of striving through works.
Daily Activities
Reflect on Fellowship
Activity: Reflect on how active you are in church participation.
Application: Commit to attending in-person services, where you can engage in singing, prayer, and fellowship, to experience the full benefits of worship beyond receiving the Word.
Daily Scripture Meditation
Activity: Set aside time each day to meditate on Hebrews 3:7-12.
Application: Reflect on areas of your life where you may be hardening your heart towards God's voice and journal how you can remain open and responsive to Him.
Seek God's Rest in Your Life
Activity: Identify areas where you are trying to work for approval or salvation.
Application: Pray each day this week for God to help you trust fully in Christ’s rest, letting go of self-reliance and embracing His peace.
Guard Against Unbelief
Activity: Review your faith in challenging situations.
Application: Write down moments when you struggle with unbelief and practice daily affirmations, reminding yourself of God's past faithfulness and promises.
Build Spiritual Accountability
Activity: Partner with someone from your church to keep each other accountable.
Application: Discuss areas where you may be hardening your heart or straying from God's ways, and pray together regularly to guard against unbelief.
