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THE HARD HEART. Hebrews 3:12-15. 7/25/2023. #11.
Hebrews 3:12-15
New King James Version
12 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; 13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end, 15 while it is said: “Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”
1. Take heed
a. “Beware” literally is “look out” or “watch”
a1. There are many spiritual pitfalls in life
a2. Paul told the Philippians to work out their salvation with fear… (Philippians 2:12)
a3. 2 Pet. 1:10 make certain of election
b. Important to be aware of spiritual estate
c. A constant guard and on watch
d. Heb. is concerned that since converted Jews were holding onto their Law & traditions, forsaking the grace of Christ, that they were not truly saved at all
e. 1 Jn. 2:19 cannot lose salvation, but must truly be saved to begins with
2. Many false conversions
a. Unfortunately many come to Christ as a whim or to fit in, but were never truly converted
b. Several examples in Scripture of false saints
a1. Seed falling on thorny & stony soil
a2. MT. 25:1-13 ten virgins & the bride groom
a3. Man with wrong clothes at the wedding
a4. Mt 7 men who did many works in Jesus’ name, but Jesus never knew them
a5. Jn. 15 false branches on the vine
c. Heb. 6:1-8 there are those who “taste of the Holy Spirit” but do not partake of the Holy Spirit
d. Many have a comfortable familiarity with the church & Christians, but are not truly saved
a1. They enjoy coming to church services & even helping in ministry
a2. There is no true permanent commitment to Christ (no vibrant relationship with Him, His Word, or His will)
e. Hebrews was concerned that the Jewish believers’ unwillingness to change indicated lack of saving relationship with Christ
a1. A hard (dried up) heart is one not affected by the Gospel of Christ
a2. People can deceive themselves that they are truly saved when they are not
3. The big IF
a. If we hear the Lord’s voice & heed Him, we are His
a1. Our hearts do not rebel against him
a2. We love to know & obey His Word
a3. Heb. 10:24-25 we love to assemble with God’s people
a4. Love to do God’s will
b. If when endure to the end we will be saved
a1. Holding the beginning of our confidence to the end (no leaving the faith)
a2. Lk. 9:57-62 no man having put their hand to the plow & looks back is fit for the kingdom
a3. Mt. 24:11-14 he who endures to the end will be saved
c. Being a believer is not a passing fade, a phase, an experiment, or a cultural preference
a1. True belief endures doubts, hardships, challenges, attacks, threats, trials, temptations, & failures
a2. There are many who begin walking toward salvation, but get sidetracked or embrace a counterfeit belief system
d. Not all church goers are believers (only a few are)
Key verse: Matthew 25:1-131 “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. 6 “And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ 7 Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. 11 “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ 12 But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ 13 “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.