Be Faithful
Hebrews 3:1-15
Introduction Faithfulness, Of God: God is Faithful
One day a pastor visited a farmer who was a member of his congregation. As the pastor climbed out of his car he noticed a windmill on the barn which carried an inscription. Squinting his eyes, the pastor could just make out the words: GOD IS FAITHFUL. "Do you mean," asked the pastor, "that God's faithfulness depends on the direction the wind is blowing?" "No!" said the farmer. "The words mean that, regardless of which way the wind blows, God is faithful."
1. Be Faithful . . Considering Christ. 3:1-6
A. Consider The . . Companionship In Christ. V 1-2
Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus, 2 who was faithful to Him who
appointed Him, as Moses also was faithful in all His house.
B. Consider The . . Commendations Of Christ. v 3-5
3 For this One has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as
He who built the house has more honor than the house. 4 For every house is built
by someone, but He who built all things is God. 5 And Moses indeed was faithful
in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which would be
spoken afterward,
C. Consider The . . Confidence In Christ. v 6
6 but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end.
Illustration Christ, Humanity Of: He Knows About Our Storms
Joseph Mallord Turner, English painter, invited Charles Kingsley to his studio to see a picture of a storm at sea. In rapt admiration, Kingsley exclaimed, "It's wonderful! It's so realistic! How did you do it?" The artist replied, "I went to the coast of Holland and engaged a fisherman to take me out to sea in the next storm. Entering his boat as a storm was brewing, I asked him to bind me to the mast. Then he steered his boat into the teeth of the storm. "The storm raged with such fury that at times I longed to be in the bottom of the boat where the waves would blow over me. I could not, however. I was bound to the mast. Not only did I see the storm in its raging fury, I felt it! It blew into me, as it were, until I became a part of it. After this terrible ordeal, I returned to my studio and painted the picture."
Application Heb 2:18
Since he himself has gone through suffering and temptation, he is able to help us when we are being tempted.
Be Faithful . . Considering Christ.
2. Be Faithful . . Connect with History. 3:7-11
A. Connect with A . . Spiritual Connection. v 7-8
7 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: "Today, if you will hear His voice, 8 Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion,In the day of trial in the wilderness,
B. Connect with A . . Sympathetic Connection. v 9-11
9 Where your fathers tested Me, tried Me, And saw My works forty years.
10 Therefore I was angry with that generation, And said, 'They always go astray
in their heart, And they have not known My ways.' 11 So I swore in My
wrath,'They shall not enter My rest.'"
Illustration Spirit, Filled With:
If you fill a clay pot with a gallon of water and carry it on your head it will soon grow heavy. However, when you swim underwater you have many gallons of water on top of your head and the weight is not nearly as burdensome. Why the difference? The environment that you are in. When you are in an environment of air water is hard to carry. When you are in the environment of water it is easier.
So it is in the spirit. If you are in the environment of the flesh, then God's command are extremely burdensome. If you are in the environment of the Spirit they are much easier.
Application
Be Faithful . . Connect with History
Spiritually, and Sympathetically
7 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: Today, if you hear His voice, 8 do not harden your hearts
3. Be Faithful . . Cautioning One Another. 3:12-15
A. Cautioning about . . Skepticism. v 12
12 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God;
B. Cautioning about . . Sin. v 13
13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
C. Cautioning about . . Stability. v 14-15
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." NKJV
Illustration
A lesson in heart is my little, 10 year old daughter, Sarah, who was born with a muscle missing in her foot and wears a brace all the time. She came home one beautiful spring day to tell me she had competed in field day - that's where they have lots of races and other competitive events. Because of her leg support, my mind raced as I tried to think of encouragement for my Sarah, things I could say to her about not letting this get her down - but before I could get a word out, she said Daddy, I won two of the races. I couldn't believe it.
And then Sarah said, I had an advantage. Ah. I knew it. I thought she must have been given a head start...some kind of physical advantage. But again, before I could say anything, she said, Daddy, I didn't get a head start... My advantage was I had to try harder.
Application BE FAITHFUL
Considering Christ, Connecting with History, Cautioning One Another.