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THE LIVING WORD. Hebrews 4:11-13. 8/13/2023. #14.
11 Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. 12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
1. Eager to submit to God
a. After Hebrews exhorts readers to abandon the rebellion of their ancestors exiting Egypt
a1. As they held onto idols, the professing Jews were holding onto the Law
a2. Christ fulfilled the Law, so we are free from it
b. Be diligent (eager, hasten, fervent enthusiasm) to enter into to the Lord’s rest
a1. Be exited to embrace Jesus to cease struggles
a2. The rest of God is found in His Son
c. The example of those who failed in the desert should warn the readers not to fail in the same way
d. The odd aspect of coming to Christ is the struggle to be freed from sin
a1. Many hold tightly to their old way of life, even though it causes much heartache and grief
a2. Most do not struggle against the evidence of the Gospel, but the lure of sin and temptation
a3. It should be exciting and joyful to leave our sins behind to fully enter into God’s rest in Jesus
2. Through the Word, by the Word, in the Word
a. God has infused His Word with power
a1. It is alive (zoa, the English word zoo) – not the words or letters, but the concepts expressed
a2. God has given His Word the power to change lives as we receive it (Romans 10:17)
a3. It is powerful (Energeia, energized, effective; the English word: energy)
b. The Word of God is sharper than any two-edged sword
a1. The received Word is able to cut through all pretense to find sin, discover motives, and uncover hidden evil cravings
a2. The Word can apply both reproof and correction (II Timothy 3:16-4:5)
b. The Word pierces to dividing soul and spirit; joints and marrow
a1. The Word penetrates everything
a2. To divide soul (pseuches, Eng. words psychology and psychic) and spirit (pneumatos, English words pneumatic, pneumonia, referring to wind or spirit) means that the Word can impact both our lives and eternal souls (i.e., how we think as temporal beings and the destiny of our souls)
a3. Every part of our being is impacted by the Word (for this reason, those who reject the Word react very strongly against it due to conviction of sin)
c. Discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart
a1. The Word uncovers our secret motivations that may be hidden from others
a2. Once the Word convicts of both sins and wrongful motivations the person can rebel or forsake the sin and receive Christ and forgiveness
a3. The Word can even reveal sinful motivations that was hidden to the person who had them
3. Naked before the creator
a. Nothing is ever hidden from God
b. Numbers 32:23 God knows and will reveal all sin
a1. Matthew 5 even the sins of thoughts will be revealed
a2. No unconfessed sin will go unjudged
c. 3 categories of sin:
a1. COMMISSION – evil acts
a2. OMMISSION – good that is left undone
a3. CONTEMPLATION – sins of thought, attitude, and motivation
d. 3 avenues of judgment
a1. EARTHLY JUDGMENT – sowing and reaping
a2. ETERNAL JUDGMENT – Revelation 20 lost condemned
a3. LOSS OF REWARD – believers useless endeavors
e. I John 1:9 important to confess and forsake sin
f. It is the job of the Word of God empowered by the Spirit of God to be used to cleanse our souls (Psalm 119)
g. II Timothy 2:15 study of the Word is paramount to holy living
h. To increase holiness, increase time in the Word
Key verse: 2 Timothy 3:16-4:5
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.4:1 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.