Richvale Community Church
Sunday, July 5, 2026
- Good morning! Happy 4th of July.One of the great blessings and privileges we enjoy .. living in the United States is our freedom.Even with all our struggles and differences, we are still deeply fortunate.We have inherited a incredible foundation laid by the framers of our Constitution—built on freedom, justice, and liberty…But as good as our independence is, it cannot compare with the freedom that we have in Christ Jesus ….This morning we continuing our summer series entitled , “Anchored,” and we are looking at …“How the Word of God shapes our lives.In Hebrews ..We're reminded that God offers us true rest—a life that is anchored in Christ, shaped by His Word, and secured by His grace.One of the great natural wonders of the world is the Grand Canyon.I’m told that when you stand on the edge of it is impossible to take in all at once.But here’s the thing: the Grand Canyon didn’t appear overnight.It was formed slowly over thousands—even millions—of years—layer by layer,season by season—through winds, rain, and water cutting through stone.What looks dramatic in the moment… was actually shaped by what we might call ordinary events over time.And in many ways, that is how our lives are formed. Not by one defining moment…but by repeated influences over time:We are shaped by..The voices we listen toThe conversations we allow to impact our hearts and mindsThe habits we practice,But as Christians we are not just formed by experiences and emotions…We are formed by God’s word…Hebrews 4 and 5 shows us — how God’s word shapes our lives..How does this happen?.. when we..1. Let God’s Word Examine Your HeartAn Examine is an inward assessment.It is looking honestly at what motivates us and what controls our lives.Biblically this rooted in scripture…Solomon said in the book of Lamentations ..
Lamentations 3:40 ESV 40 Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the Lord!The Apostle Paul said2 Corinthians 13:5 ESV 5 Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves.Through out Jesus ministry…he taught about the importance of the examining our hearts —He was’t concerned about the Rituals of keeping the law —.. He was interested the heart…Jesus summarized the whole law with two great priorities: Love the Lord You God with all your heart mind and and soul ,and love your neighbor’s as yourself..Every thing rested on these two commandments..In our text in Hebrews 4The writer calls us back to the bible .. To let the word of God be the mirrorTo allow the word of God to examine and search us and reveal what is truly going on within us…He starts with rest… which is the goal?Hebrews 4:11–13 ESV 11 Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. 12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.WE told to strive to enter His rest.Rest has been defined as“God’s ultimate design for each one of us….”It is the fulfillment of our Highest identity and Development…”It is The perfect reflection of being in Christ..The book of Hebrews mentions rest several times…We told that..God rested in Creation…The Joshua generation found rest in the promised land ..…David spoke about a Rest…in the psalms.Then the writer pulls all these sources…and making a case — that Rest is not over… he says..“If there was only one rest God wouldn’t have spoke of another rest.”In other words… rest didn’t end with Israel— It more than Physical rest ..in the land ..there is spiritual rest found in Christ—There is a restfrom trying to earn God's acceptance.A rest from carrying the burden of our sin.A rest that comes from trusting in Christ and his finished work.He says we are to make every effort to enter into His rest..Now when we hear the word effort or striving — we might think of earning our salvation.. words = righteous.But this striving is not … works based… but..STRIVING means —taking hold of.. what God had already doNE FOR us in Christ …striving is persevering Faith… .… we don’t persever to perfection… but persevere to rest.. (John Mac Author said it like ths..“The mark of Christian Character is not perfection .. it is direction—Persevering in faith is stumbling forward into grace…”IN OTHER WORDS..True rest is found God’s Character …. and we learn about God character in his word..This Is the connection in..Verse 12 says"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword..."The writer has just urged us" strive to enter that rest."Then he immediately says,"For the Word of God..is living and active ."In other words, the Word is God's instrument for keeping us on the path to His rest.Ultimately,Israel failed to enter into Gods rest…Israel's problem wasn't geography.It wasn't the desert.It wasn't Moses.It wasn't Joshua.It was unbelief ..— …God spoke to Israel but they never listened…The key to finding rest is listen ing to the word…The Bible says in Rom 10.17Romans 10:17 ESV So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.When we listen to the word of God — it transforms us…Because itis living and active..the KJV says — Quick and powerful..In other words…The bible isn't a dead document.Scripture isn’t merely a static collection of information —but the bible is a dynamic force that works in our lives.The problem is when we have the word … without encountering Jesus…In John 5:39, Jesus talks to the scribes and Pharisees — these were the experts in the law…He saysJohn 5:39–40 ESV 39 You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.He is saying… Okay. You read the words of the Torah - but Simply memorizing Scripture or finding biblical principles is not enough..The problem with the religious crowd — is.— they had all head knowledge without encounter with the Lord…Jesus says ...He is the center of it allThe goal of Scripture is not simply information, but transformation…The writer says,"The Word of God is living and active,..it is also..sharper than any two-edged sword."Last year, I bought a new set of kitchen knives.We had been using the old ones for years, and to be honest, I didn't realize how dull they had become. We had simply gotten used to them.Then I used one of the new knives for the first time.It sliced through vegetables like it was cutting through butter.I actually had to be more careful because a sharp knife cuts so effortlessly.That's the picture Hebrews gives us.God's Word is not a dull instrument.It is sharp.It cuts with precision.It pierces soul and spirit.Joints and marrow.Thoughts and intentions.The Word sees beneath our behavior to our motives.Think about an MRI.When someone has unexplained pain, a doctor doesn't begin with surgery.He begins with a scan.The scan reveals what cannot be seen from the outside.Only then can healing begin.God's Word is the MRI of the soul.It reveals what lies beneath the surface.vers 13Hebrews 4:13 ESV 13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.Here is the remarkable thing about God's Word.Nothing escapes God's awareness.Nothing is hidden from His sight.The writer says thatall things are "naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account."Why?Because knows everything.He doesn't simply hear our words.He knows our thoughts.He doesn't simply see our actions.He knows our motives.That can be unsettling.have you noticed.. When we want God to change our lives, weusually begin by asking Him to change our circumstances."Lord, change my job.""Change my marriage.""Change my finances.""Change that difficult person."But have you noticed that God usually doesn't begin there?He begins with our hearts.Before He changes what's around us...He changes what's within us.David understood that. He prayed,In psalms 139.."Search me, O God, and know my heart... test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."(Psalm 139)That should be our prayer every time we open the Scriptures."Lord, don't just teach me something new.Show me what needs to change."T/s How are we changed by Gods word?1. Let God’s Word Examine Your HeartII. Let God's Word Lead You to ChristThe first time we drove into Yosemite, I'll never forget it.You wind your way through the mountains, and then you come out of the tunnel.Suddenly the whole valley opens before you.There stands El Capitan, Half Dome, and waterfalls pouring down granite cliffs.It's one of those moments that simply takes your breath away.But no one drives to Yosemite just to admire the road.The road exists to lead you to the view.That's what God's Word does. The Bible isn't an end in itself.Yes…The Word exposes our hearts, but its— It doesn’t leave us there!!the ultimate purpose is to bring us to the Savior.the Word leads us to Jesus, our great High Priest (vv. 14–16)…Hebrews 4:14–16 ESV 14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.Notice who Jesus is.He is our Great High Priest.Every Jewish believer understood the role of the High Priest.Once each year he entered the Holy of Holies carrying the blood of a sacrifice.He represented the people before God…Jesus the perfect priest and lamb of God represents us!WE TOLD THAT JESUS.Didn't enter an earthly sanctuary.BUT..He passed through the heavens.He entered the very presence of the Father.His sacrifice is BETTER BECAUSE..The priests UNDER THE OT were dealing in the shadows (types) and Christ was the fulfillment…of every law and every sacrifice..Jesus didnt go through an earthly temple or tabernacle…he went through Heavens and finished the work..JESUS offered his life once for all… and sat down at the right hand o f God..But that is not where it stopped.. before he sat down— Jesus ENTERED INTO THE Human experience.Hebrews says,"We do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses."…He lived through the full texture of human existenceHe experiencedhunger, thirst, fatigue, sleep, learning, growth, love, astonishment, gladness, sadness, anger, grief, and trouble..Jesus knows exhaustion.He knows rejection.He knows betrayal.He knows temptation.He knows sorrow.He knows suffering.Sometimes we believe that.."Nobody understands or can relate to what I'm going through."Hebrews says Jesus does…Not because He gave in to temptation, but because He endured it completely.What difference does this make?It changes how we respond failures..Most people run from God because of shame.We not good enough..The Gospel tells us something completely different.. when we fail we run toward Him.we go to Jesus…Why? He understands… He responds to our deapest concerns ?He had been there—-HE IS OUR MAN IN HEAVEN..but it does r stop there…. then he invites us into grace..Hebrews 4:16 ESV 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.— This is one of my favorite verses…Think about how Israel did everything possible to avoid the holiness of God…There ways always the curtain to the holy of Holies..You had to go through the priest and the temple…But here we are invited…into the throne room…Not to a throne of judgment…not a throne of criticism…butA throne of grace.…It is here we receive mercy for yesterday.Grace for today.Help for tomorrow.ApplicationWhat do we learn?When God's Word convicts US , WE don't close your Bible.Don't withdraw from church.Don't hide in shame.WE Run to Jesus.The purpose of conviction is restoration.Every conviction is an invitation to experience His grace.T’s How does God shape us through His Word?We are to ..1. Let God’s Word Examine OUR HeartII. Let God's Word Lead US to ChristIII. Let God's Word Grow You into MaturityHave you ever noticed that when you're flying on an airplane, your coffee doesn't spill?Even when the plane makes a HARD bank, your coffee doesn't end up in your neighbor's lap, your peanuts don't fly down the aisle…The reason is that every cockpit has an instrument called the artificial horizon.It always stays aligned with the true horizon ON THE GROUNDED—no matter what the pilot feels or what the weather is doing.HE LOOKS TO THE true Horizon..As Christians we are to do the same thing.. Our emotions, circumstances, and culture can all deceive us… WE GET CONFUSED WHERE WE ARE IN RELATION TO CHRIST..But we have the true horizontal in the word of God..The challenge is to focus on the the word…The problem that the writer addresses is that these Hebrews were not walking in Faith…not trusting the instrument..of That apostle a teaching..He adresses the issue..Hebrews 5:11–14 ESV 11 About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, 13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. 14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.This preacher has much to say about Christ our High Priest… …but he is going expound on that later..…in chapter 7We are just being introduced to him here…But he pauses.Almost like a pastor interrupting his own sermon."I have much to say, but it is hard to explain because you have become dull of hearing."Notice those words.They had become dull.This wasn't their starting point…like my boxes they got blunt..never realizedSomething had changed with these Hebrew Christian… a point where they no longer tuning into the word..here is the thing..It is possible to hear sermons every week and stop listening.To read your Bible every day and stop responding.To know the truth without allowing it to change your life.The writer says they should have been teachers by now.Instead, they still needed milk.Milk isn't bad.Every baby needs milk.But healthy babies grow..beyond milk.. their Diet has to expand for maturityImagine visiting a family and finding a twenty-five-year-old drinking from a baby’s bottle.You would immediately know something was wrong.God expects growth in His children.Spiritual maturity isn't measured by how long you've been a Christian.It's measured by how deeply God's Word shapes our lives…SPIRITUAL FORMAYION.thats why you meet Christian’s … they know John 3.16 and thats where the y stayed..Hebrews says we need solid food to grow..Notice verse 14.Hebrews 5:14 ESV 14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.What is the difference?Mature seek a different diet.. digging deeper INto the meaning of scripture..… not only are they hearing they are practicing..The mature have trained themselves through constant practice.maturity isn't automatic.It develops as we repeatedly hear, obey, and apply God's Word…training implies that we do something regularily..We pracitice our faith.. everytime we open the word..We train ourselves in obedience through - reading and applying the word..I never grew up,playing basket ball..it is some thing that we have been doing evenings … Ryan taught proper form.. slowly learning.. but it take a training…i remember reading thst it takes over 10 000 hours of practice to master a skill..I have a long way to go..Here is the thing … you have to go BEYONDtheory…we have to put on our sneakers.. get out on the court.. get out of our comforts Zones..One of the biggest enemy to our growth is Comforts....We need ask the hard questions..Are we growing inthe word??—-..Am I more like Christ today than I was a year ago?Is God's Word changing how I speak?How I treat people?How I handle conflict?How I spend money?How I respond to temptation?The goal isn't simply to know the Bible.The goal is for the Bible to shape us.ConclusionWe have every thing in the Bible..for our maturity..2 Timothy 3:16 ESV All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,The Word of God is living active and powerful…But, it is how it is received..Have you noticed…It’s the same sun that melts wax also hardens clay…The difference is not the sun. It is what the sun shines on.In the same way, the difference is not God’s Word.It is how we respond to it.For some, the Word softens the heart. For others, it hardens the heart.That has been the warning running through Hebrews.God’s people in the wilderness heard His voice. They saw His works.They experienced His provision. And yet an entire generation failed to enter His rest.Why? Not because God was unfaithful. Not because His promises failed. But because they stopped listening.Their hear TS hardened.Hebrews 4 reminds us that God’s invitation still stands. He invites us into His rest.So the question becomes clear:If God is calling us into His rest, how does He keep us from drifting away?re—We grow when…—don’t resist His voice.Don’t run from His conviction.Don’t settle for spiritual infancy.Today it is God who calls us into His rest…As we come to communion… we remember the work of the cross.. the completion..Our man in a heaven.. sympathizes with weaknesses.. Lamentations 3:40ESV
2 Corinthians 13:5ESV
Hebrews 4:11–13ESV
John 5:39–40ESV
Hebrews 4:13ESV
Hebrews 4:14–16ESV
Hebrews 4:16ESV
Hebrews 5:11–14ESV
Hebrews 5:14ESV
Richvale Community Church
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