2 For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened.
Good news is not exclusive to the Church age. The good news was proclaimed to the people of God then just as good news is proclaimed to us now!
They heard…but did not benefit.
Benefiting from (being helped by) the word of God always results from the same grace of God — receiving in faith what is heard.
Put another way, God’s word will not benefit us if we do not receive it with a genuine, living faith that in turn, not only commits to act, but DOES act on what is heard!
So it is, that faith shows that it is effective when we obey God.
This is why we say “Amen” when we hear God’s word read and proclaimed. Our faith is saying: “Yes, that is true. Yes, I will obey.”
In God’s economy, the benefit is in the believing and is demonstrated in obeying.
Yet, not all are obeying.
Let me urge you NOW! Believe God and obey Him! In EVERY area of the life that He gives and sustains for you! Even in the ways that require you to sacrifice.
God IS trustworthy and faithful! His ways are higher than our ways (Is 55:8-9). His word will be accomplished (Is 55:11).
“Without faith it is impossible to please him.” (Heb 11:6).
Faith benefits because faith unites.
All who receive the word of God with faith trust the God of the word and are united in Him.
Unity requires faith from all. Let there not be even one who is faithless among us! Let there not be even one who is disobedient among us!
As we are united in faith on the basis of God’s word, we are united in the receiving of God’s promise (Heb 4:13).
The Sermon Continues: An Exhortation to Benefit from God's Word
The Sermon Continues: An Exhortation to Benefit from God's Word
Reading of Scripture
Hebrews 4:2 ESV
2 For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened.
Good news is not exclusive to the Church age. The good news was proclaimed to the people of God then just as good news is proclaimed to us now!
They heard…but did not benefit.
Benefiting from (being helped by) the word of God always results from the same grace of God — receiving in faith what is heard.
Put another way, God’s word will not benefit us if we do not receive it with a genuine, living faith that in turn, not only commits to act, but DOES act on what is heard!
So it is, that faith shows that it is effective when we obey God.
This is why we say “Amen” when we hear God’s word read and proclaimed. Our faith is saying: “Yes, that is true. Yes, I will obey.”
In God’s economy, the benefit is in the believing and is demonstrated in obeying.
Yet, not all are obeying.
Let me urge you NOW! Believe God and obey Him! In EVERY area of the life that He gives and sustains for you! Even in the ways that require you to sacrifice.
God IS trustworthy and faithful! His ways are higher than our ways (Is 55:8-9). His word will be accomplished (Is 55:11).
“Without faith it is impossible to please him.” (Heb 11:6).
Faith benefits because faith unites.
All who receive the word of God with faith trust the God of the word and are united in Him.
Unity requires faith from all. Let there not be even one who is faithless among us! Let there not be even one who is disobedient among us!
As we are united in faith on the basis of God’s word, we are united in the receiving of God’s promise (Heb 4:13).
Hebrews 4:1 ESV
1 Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it.