12 Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. 13 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. 14 For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.
An unbelieving heart refuses to trust God. An unbelieving heart has not faith.
Faith STANDS
“leading you to fall away from the living God”
It is fear that paralyzes and turns the heart into a stagnant pond. When fear is left to fester, it breeds unbelief and falling away.
Genuine faith overcomes fear by standing firm in the present nearness of the living God, even in a desert!
A faith that stands may be costly, especially as a leader who follows God. Moses thought the people would stone him when they grumbled and quarreled because of thirst! (Ex 17).
Yet, a faith that stands is required by leaders of God’s people for the people of God to imitate (Heb 13:7). Leaders of God’s people keep watch over souls as those who will have to give an account (Heb 13:17).
Therefore, people of God — stand firm in faith in the living God! Imitate the faith of those who speak God’s word to you!
Faith MOVES
“exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today”
God desires that we move with faith from one day to the next. Yesterday’s faith does not stay there. It builds and supports the faith needed for today.
Faith is not concerned with answers to questions like “How?” “When?” “Where?” (or the most common) “With What !?!”
Faith inherently contains doubts. We ask: “Is this really “faith” or is this “foolishness?” Is this “of God” or is this “of me”? If the process is so easily seen, it is certainly not faith.
Yet, when facing the impossibilities of the present and future, we face them all with an invitation for faith, believing that nothing will be impossible with God (Lk 1:37).
Therefore, people of God — exhort one another to faithfulness — Today! Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow (Heb 13:8). He is faithful, and always will be. So trust Him Today!
Faith ENDURES
“if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.”
God gives faith. God rewards faith. Hear the promise: “they will see His face” (Rev 22:4). They is not all, but only His servants who live by faith.
A faith that endures is a gracious opportunity to walk with God from beginning to end. Faith is for the in-between — the journey.
Faith that endures thanks God for uncertainties in the way. It is in these uncertain seasons that we get to hold fast to what God has given! We get to trust! We get to believe!
Therefore, people of God — hold on to your original confidence! Walk with God in faithful endurance! He has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ (Heb 13:5).
Conclusion
“let none of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.”
…For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin. (Rom 14:23).
Is Christ dwelling in your hearts, through faith? (Eph 3:17).
When standing in faith together, we are standing with God.
The Sermon Continues: A Meditation on Faith from Hebrews 3:12-14
The Sermon Continues: A Meditation on Faith from Hebrews 3:12-14
Reading of Scripture
Hebrews 3:12–14 ESV
12 Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. 13 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. 14 For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.
An unbelieving heart refuses to trust God. An unbelieving heart has not faith.
Faith STANDS
“leading you to fall away from the living God”
It is fear that paralyzes and turns the heart into a stagnant pond. When fear is left to fester, it breeds unbelief and falling away.
Genuine faith overcomes fear by standing firm in the present nearness of the living God, even in a desert!
A faith that stands may be costly, especially as a leader who follows God. Moses thought the people would stone him when they grumbled and quarreled because of thirst! (Ex 17).
Yet, a faith that stands is required by leaders of God’s people for the people of God to imitate (Heb 13:7). Leaders of God’s people keep watch over souls as those who will have to give an account (Heb 13:17).
Therefore, people of God — stand firm in faith in the living God! Imitate the faith of those who speak God’s word to you!
Faith MOVES
“exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today”
God desires that we move with faith from one day to the next. Yesterday’s faith does not stay there. It builds and supports the faith needed for today.
Faith is not concerned with answers to questions like “How?” “When?” “Where?” (or the most common) “With What !?!”
Faith inherently contains doubts. We ask: “Is this really “faith” or is this “foolishness?” Is this “of God” or is this “of me”? If the process is so easily seen, it is certainly not faith.
Yet, when facing the impossibilities of the present and future, we face them all with an invitation for faith, believing that nothing will be impossible with God (Lk 1:37).
Therefore, people of God — exhort one another to faithfulness — Today! Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow (Heb 13:8). He is faithful, and always will be. So trust Him Today!
Faith ENDURES
“if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.”
God gives faith. God rewards faith. Hear the promise: “they will see His face” (Rev 22:4). They is not all, but only His servants who live by faith.
A faith that endures is a gracious opportunity to walk with God from beginning to end. Faith is for the in-between — the journey.
Faith that endures thanks God for uncertainties in the way. It is in these uncertain seasons that we get to hold fast to what God has given! We get to trust! We get to believe!
Therefore, people of God — hold on to your original confidence! Walk with God in faithful endurance! He has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ (Heb 13:5).
Conclusion
“let none of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.”
…For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin. (Rom 14:23).
Is Christ dwelling in your hearts, through faith? (Eph 3:17).
When standing in faith together, we are standing with God.
When moving in faith, we are moving with God.
When enduring in faith, we are enduring with God.
God is present with us, through faith. Amen.