Music
Ring the bells of heaven, song number 192 on the first
Ring the bells of heaven, there is joy today
For a soul returning from the wild
See the father meets him out upon the bay
Welcoming his weary wandering child
Glory, glory, how the angels sing
Glory, glory, how the loud harps ring
Sister and some army, like a mighty sea
Peeling for the anthem of the free, song number 192 on the second
Ring the bells of heaven, there is joy today
For the wonder now is reconciled
Yes, a soul rescued from his sinful way
And he's born a new and ransomed child
Glory, glory, how the angels sing
Glory, glory, how the loud harps ring
Sister and some army, like a mighty sea
Peeling for the anthem of the free, sing it out
On the last
Ring the bells of heaven, spread the feast today
Angels swell the glad triumphant strain
Tell the joyful tidings, buried far away
For a precious chorus, born again
Glory, glory, how the angels sing
Glory, glory, how the loud harps ring
Sister and some army, like a mighty sea
Peeling for the anthem of the free, sing it out
Glory, glory, how the loud harps ring
Sister and some army, like a mighty sea
Peeling for the anthem of the free, amen
Amen, welcome to Verity Baptist Church tonight
Let's go ahead and take our bulletins, we'll get some announcements real quickly
If you do not have a bulletin, just raise your hand and one of our ushers can get one for you
If you need a bulletin, just put your hand up, we'll get one for you
If you need a bulletin, just put your hand up, we'll get one
If you need a bulletin, just put your hand up
If you need a bulletin, just put your hand up, we'll get one
If you need a bulletin, just put your hand up, we'll get
We're gonna go to page number 81
As we prepare to receive
The offering, and we're gonna sing
When We See Christ, page number 81
Sing it out on the first
Oftimes the day seems long
Our trials are to bear
We're tempted to complain
To murmur and despair
But Christ will soon appear
To catch
His bride away
All tears forever over
In God's eternal day
It will
Be worth it all
When we see Jesus
Christ's trials will seem
So small
Rise
One glimpse of His dear face
All sorrow will erase
So bravely run
The race till we see
Christ
Sometimes the sky
Looks dark with not
A ray of light
We're tossed and driven on
No human help in sight
But there is one
In heaven who knows
Our deepest care
Let Jesus solve your problem
Just go to Him in
Heaven
It will be
Worth it all
When we see Jesus
Lifestyle will seem so small
When we see Christ
One glimpse of His
Dear face
Will erase
So bravely run the race
Till we see Christ
Good to get out on the last
Life's day will soon be on
All storms forever pass
We'll cross the great divide
To glory safe
at last
We'll share the joys of death
The harp, a home, a crown
The tempter will be banished
We'll lay our burden
Down
It will be
Worth it all
When we see Jesus
Lifestyle will seem so small
When we see Christ
One glimpse
Of His dear face
All sorrow will erase
So bravely run
The race
Till we see Christ
Amen. Good singing. We'll have the guys come up and help us with the offering at this time.
And let's go ahead and bow our heads tonight with a prayer. Heavenly Father, Lord, we do love you. We thank you for allowing
us to gather together tonight. We pray that you bless the offering, the gift and the giver. We ask that you
meet with us as we take time to pray and then of course as we open up your word and study the Bible together.
In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Amen.
Amen. All right, well let's take our prayer sheets tonight and we'll go
through our prayer list and just want to remind you that the way you add a request
to the prayer sheet is through your communication card on the back of the card. There's a place for you to
write a request. Make sure you mark whether it's private or public. If it's private only
I will see it. If it's public we'll put it on the prayer sheet. If you don't mark it we'll do our best to figure it out.
And we won't put them on usually if they aren't
marked. So make sure you do that. We add them in the order that they are received and they are removed after a couple
of weeks. And I do want you to just bring your attention if you look at the
back there for safe and healthy pregnancies and delivery.
I'd like you to notice that Ms. Rizel Lee Wilson has been added
to Expecting Mothers. So congratulations to the Lee Wilson family
on expecting a new baby. And also it's not in there but I'd like you to write
in Ms. Rebecca Lunsford for Expecting Mothers
and congratulations to the Lunsford family as well
on expecting a new baby. I left my notes in my
office. Can you get that for me? Let's go ahead and bow our heads and have a word of prayer.
Heavenly Father, Lord we do love you. We thank you for allowing us to gather
tonight. Lord we thank you for this time of prayer. And Lord we pray for these
on our prayer sheet and our church family. And Lord we begin of course with these
requests regarding salvation. Brother Ron praying for his mom and his family's salvation.
We ask that you would be with them and help them. Ms. Ermalisa
praying for her family's salvation. Ms. Rebecca Arias praying for her family's
salvation. As well Ms. Christine Ortiz praying for her family's salvation.
Ms. Tachma praying for her daughter and her family's salvation. And Lord we ask for all these
individuals. We pray that you would help them and be with them. We ask that you would
move in their hearts Lord and do whatever needs to be done in their lives. That they would
come to the place where they would be willing and able to hear the gospel. And we ask that a soul
winner would clearly communicate the gospel to them. We also pray for these that have
requests regarding health. Brother Ron praying for his
heart condition to heal. Alex Cresson praying for his
health and complete healing as he recovers from medication side effects as well.
Ms. Ittiana praying for her health as well.
And also Ms. Michelle Scott praying
for Brother Graham as he travels to see his father and
for Brother Graham's father's health as his cancer has returned.
Chris Williams praying for complete healing after surgery.
Brother Ryan Gibbs praying for health of his friend Brandon Davis
and that his results would come back negative for cancer.
Ms. Christine Ortiz praying for her health and praying for her sister
Judy's health that she would get better. Brother Salvador praying for his health. Ms.
Tachma for her pain. And Brother Edgar and Ms. Alina continuing
to keep Urezi just in prayer. Continued health
for Urezi that she would be healthy and strong.
And Lord we ask for all these individuals. We pray that you would help them
and that you would be with them regarding health. Lord that you would heal them if it's your will.
That you would give the doctors and nurses dealing with them strength and
discernment and help them to recover and be able to get better.
We also pray for the ladies in our church that are expecting. Ms. Julissa, Ms. Taylor,
Ms. Esther, Ms. Ariel, Ms. Rizel, also Ms. Rebecca
praying that you give them healthy pregnancies with no issues and no complications.
That they would be healthy and strong and have no problems. We also pray for these that are
praying for their friends and family. It's Yana praying for her families
as they mourn the loss of her Uncle Joe. Ms. Maria
Cuda Lima praying for Roma and Skylar's victory over drug addiction.
Brother Salvador praying for his family as well. Lord we ask that you would help
these individuals. We also pray for Ms. Christine and Brother Salvador and their faith.
They'll walk with you. Their finances also Lord. Ask that you would help them with that.
Brother Brandon praying for success at his current job and his finances
and to be able to find better housing and Lord we pray that you would
be with them and guide them in these areas. And then Lord we also
pray for these that have unspoken requests. Ms. Kimmy, Ms. Natalie, Ms. Mary
Filson all having unspoken requests. Ms. Rebecca
Arias, also Brother Salvador, Ms. Dogma having unspoken requests. You know what their petitions
are. You know what they're asking for. Lord we ask that you would please answer according
to your will. And then Lord we pray for
our church family of course. We pray for the members of our prison ministry
that you continue to help them and be with them. We pray for our missionary Dave
Cabuntala and for his wife Angel as she's undergoing treatment for
cancer that you would heal her and help her as she recovers. Lord we also pray for
our missions in Manila Pampanga Bicol and
for Pastor Stuckey and his family that you'd help them and be with them. And of course Lord we
pray for all the upcoming events here at our church. We pray for Easter Sunday
on March 31st and there's so many things to get ready for before the grand
opening of our building and we ask that you would help us with that. We pray for this next generation
youth rally. Lord we ask that you'd help us as we prepare for this.
And even more than us preparing Lord I ask that you'd prepare the hearts
of the young people that will be here for those two days. I ask that you would
prepare the hearts of the preachers that will be speaking to them Lord that the word of
God would do a work in their hearts and that there would be a next generation that would rise
up to do great things for you. We pray for our church here in Sacramento that you would continue to
help us and bless us and be with us and Lord we ask that you'd meet with us tonight
as we take another portion of scripture and study it together. In Jesus' name we pray.
Amen.
Please open up to Hebrews 10.
Hebrews chapter number 10. If you do not have a Bible please raise your hand
and unless you can bring your Bible. Hebrews
chapter number 10. We will read verses 19 through
39. Hebrews 10 verses
19 through 39.
Hebrews 10 beginning in verse number 19.
Having therefore brethren boldness to enter into the holiest by the
blood of Jesus by a new and living way which
he hath consecrated for us through the veil that is to say his
flesh and having a high priest over the house of God
let us draw near with a true heart and full assurance of faith having
our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure blood
let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering
for he is faithful that promised and let us consider
one another to provoke unto love and to good works not forsaking
the assembling of ourselves together as a matter of some is but exhorting
one another and so much the more as you see the day approaching
for if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge
of the truth there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins
but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation
which shall devour the adversaries he that spies Moses law
died without mercy under two or three witnesses and how much sore
punishment suppose he shall he be thought worthy who hath trodden
underfoot the son of God and hath counted the blood of the covenant wherewith he was
sanctified an unholy thing and hath done despite unto the
spirit of grace for we know him that hath said vengeance
belongeth unto me I will recompense save the Lord and again the Lord
shall judge his people it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God
but call to remembrance the former days in which
after you were illuminated he endured a great fight of afflictions
partly whilst you were made a gazing stock both by reproaches and afflictions
and partly whilst he became companions of them that were so
used for he had compassion of me and my bonds and
took joyfully the spoiling of your goods knowing in yourselves that ye have in
heaven a better and enduring substance cast not away therefore your confidence
which hath great recompense of reward for you have need of
patience that after you have done the will of God you might receive
the promise for yet a little while and he that shall come will come
and will not tarry now the just shall live by faith
but if any man draw back my soul shall have no pleasure in him
we are not of them who draw back into perdition but of them that believe
to the saving of the soul let's pray heavenly father thank you for this evening
God I thank you for your word for our church as you please give us all tender hearts with a message tonight
as to be their pastor please strengthen him and fill in the spirit we love you
in Jesus name we pray. Amen.
Amen. Alright we're there in Hebrews chapter number
10 and of course on Wednesday nights we are going
through the book of Hebrews we're doing a verse by verse study through the book of Hebrews
and we find ourselves tonight in Hebrews chapter number 10 and we actually started Hebrews
10 last time we were in the book of Hebrews and we went through the
first 18 verses and tonight we're going to begin at verse number 19
and I'd like to try to get through the rest of the chapter we'll see how we do
with that but I'd like you to notice just by way of introduction
there's a theme in this portion of scripture that we're going to look at tonight
but before we get into that I just want to show you
something here regarding the veil of the flesh of the Lord Jesus Christ
in Hebrews chapter 10 verse 19 the Bible says this having therefore
brethren boldness to enter into the holiest
by the blood of Jesus by a new and living way and of course
we've been talking a lot in the book of Hebrews about the tabernacle and about
the furniture of the tabernacle and the holy place and the most holy place and
how we have access to God through the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ
that's what it's saying here verse 20 by a new and living way which he
had consecrated for us and then I want you to notice these words here through the veil
through the veil and of course if you remember the tabernacle you remember
that the tabernacle or the temple eventually is divided into two rooms
you have a bigger room that is referred to as the holy place
and then you have a smaller room that is referred to as the holy of holies
or the most holy place this is where the ark of the covenant
resides and these two rooms they are divided
by a veil we've talked about that in the book of Hebrews here
the Bible says through the veil that is to stay
his flesh through the veil that is to stay his flesh and the Bible is
saying that that veil in the tabernacle that separated
between the holy place and the most holy place is a picture
of the flesh of the Lord Jesus Christ and of course
when we talk about the flesh of Christ we're talking about the fact that about his incarnation
his incarnate body now I'd like you to keep your place there in Hebrews chapter 10
that's obviously our text for tonight but go with me if you would to the book of Exodus
chapter 40 in the Old Testament you have the books of Genesis and then the book of Exodus
Exodus chapter 40 and you know when I was studying this and I was looking
at this idea of through the veil
that is to say his flesh initially
I was a little confused by that and I understood
what it said but I was just wondering about the application
what is it exactly that God is trying to tell us here when he says through the veil
that is to say his flesh and then just in my own personal Bible reading
had nothing to do with studying for a sermon I was just happened to be reading in the book of Exodus
chapter 40 and this popped out at me Exodus chapter 40
and verse 1 I'd like to show it to you Exodus 40 and verse 1 the Bible says this
and the Lord spoke unto Moses saying on the first day of the first month
shalt thou set up the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation
that thou shalt put therein the ark of the testimony
we're reading here in Exodus chapter 40 when they're actually setting up the tabernacle
God is commanding them to set up the tabernacle and then he's telling them to put therein
referring to the word therein there is referring to the
tabernacle to put in the tabernacle or therein the tabernacle
the ark of the testimony and of course if you remember
the ark of the testimony was a representation
of the presence of God, the box that was
translated with gold, it had the cherubims over it and the mercy seat
all of this pictured God, the presence of God, the fact that God
was with them and that God was in the midst of the people
but what's interesting is here in Exodus 40 and verse 3 the Bible says this
and thou shalt put therein the ark of the testimony
and cover the ark with the veil
and the idea is this that they were to bring the ark into the tabernacle
the ark is a picture or representation of God
and then they were to cover the ark, we think of the veil
as dividing one room from the other but the wording here is saying
that the ark was to be covered with the veil so that if somebody walked into the
tabernacle they would not directly look at the ark which represented
the presence of God but they would instead look at the veil
that is covering the ark of the covenant, they would look at the veil
that is covering the presence of God and then
this song popped into my head, you might be familiar with it
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see, hail the
incarnate deity, pleased as man with men to dwell
Jesus our Emmanuel, hark the herald angels sing
glory to the newborn king, so when the Bible says here
that they were to cover the ark with the
veil and then the Bible tells us in Hebrews 10 that we are
able to through the veil to enter in by a new
living way which he had consecrated for us through the veil
that is to say is flesh, well the songwriter said it perfectly
when he said veiled in flesh the Godhead see
and the idea is this that in the same way that in the Old Testament they would enter
into the covenant, into the tabernacle and they would look towards
the ark of the covenant but they would not see the presence of God because it was veiled
because it was covered with a veil in the same way
when the Lord Jesus Christ walked on this earth
individuals were looking at God, the Lord Jesus Christ
is God but he is God in the flesh, he was
veiled in flesh, veiled in flesh the Godhead
see, so that's what we're reading here in Hebrews 10.25 when it says that we have
a new and living way which he had consecrated for us through
the veil that is to say his flesh, so we see that
in the application here is that the presence of
God was veiled in the flesh of the Lord Jesus Christ
veiled in flesh the Godhead see, hell incarnate deity
there's so many applications there once you understand that and realize that for example
we know that the veil was rent but the Bible tells us that the body
of Christ was also rent and it was torn and he suffered
on the cross for our sins, we know that the high priest
we've learned this in the book of Hebrews, once a year
only the high priest, only one day out of the year he was allowed
to enter into the holiest of all, into the presence
of the ark but how did the high priest do that, he went through
the veil, you have to go through the veil into the presence
of the ark, well how do we enter into the presence of God
through the veil that is the flesh of the Lord Jesus Christ
we have access to God the Father through the veil of Jesus Christ
this is why Jesus said I am the way, the truth and the life, no man cometh
unto the Father but by me, so we see that the veil here has a lot
of applications and there's a lot of interesting typology
that we see here regarding the veil and the flesh of our Lord Jesus Christ
anyway that's not the main focus of the sermon but I thought that was interesting
and maybe I'm the only one that finds it interesting, I don't know, go back to Hebrews chapter 10
look at verse 21, if you love the Bible you'll find that interesting
so you gauge that, if you like cartoons then you're probably bored right now
but Hebrews 10 and verse 21
Hebrews 10 and verse 21, the Bible says this
and having an high priest over the house of God
and I want to just highlight for you just real quickly in verses 22, 23 and 24
we see the theme in this portion of scripture, I want you to notice
he says let us, let us, he says
and having an high priest over the house of God, let us draw near
with a true heart in full assurance of faith, verse 22 says
let us, then verse 23 says let us
let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering
then verse 24 says this, and let us
let us consider one another to provoke and to love and to good works
I want you to notice that in verses 22, 23 and 24 we have these three progressive
let us, the word, that phrase let us
is an applicable phrase, is a directive phrase and I want you to notice
that we are now entering into a new phase
of the book of Hebrews, the book of Hebrews I believe was written by the apostle Paul
if you argue that, that's fine, I think it's real clear that Paul wrote it
and if you'll notice like the rest of Paul's epistles
they are often divided into two sections, the first section
has a lot of theology and doctrine and teaching and then the second section
is highly applicable, practical and this is what we're going to see in the book of Hebrews
up to this point it has been super doctrinal
super theology, a lot of deep teaching
but now the writer of Hebrews is going to transition and for the rest of the book
really there's still going to be a lot of teaching but there's going to be a lot of practical application
and this is where it begins, he begins with these three directives
when he says now here's what we need to do, he says let us
let us, let us, verse 22 he says let us draw near with a true heart
in full assurance of faith, verse 23 he says let us hold fast the profession of our faith
without wavering, verse 24 he says and let us
consider one another to provoke unto love and to good work
somebody said that this portion of scripture is like a spiritual
salad because there's so much lettuce
I don't know if you think that's funny but don't ever say that I didn't try to give you a joke every once in a while
there's all the let us, so let's look at these let us
if you're taking notes maybe you can jot these down in the back of your course so there's a place to write these down
number one, let us, I want you to notice there in verse 22, draw near
let us draw near, notice what he says, he says let us draw near
with a true heart in full assurance of faith having our hearts sprinkled
from an evil conscience and our bodies washed
with pure water, the Bible tells us here and the writer of Hebrews
is directing us and he's giving us a directive, he's saying here's what you can do
and now remember we've been learning about the fact that Jesus is better, Jesus is better than Moses
Jesus is better than the priest, Jesus is better than the tabernacle, Jesus is better than the Sabbath, Jesus is better than
everything in the Old Testament and we've been learning about the fact that Jesus is the high priest
and we can come boldly into the throne of grace through the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ
he says knowing all that and understanding all that, he says
let us draw near, let us draw near
with a true heart and there's just a couple of things I want you to notice regarding
this idea of let us draw near and let us draw near
to God, you're there in Hebrews 10, if you would flip over to the book of James
James chapter number 4, James probably has the most
famous passage of scripture dealing with this idea of drawing near to God
although it's not the only passage of scripture, I want you to see it
and here's the point that I want you to get because now we're in a very
practical, applicable portion of scripture and if you're taking notes
I'd like you to write this down, we're looking at this idea of let us draw near and let me just say this
the first thing you need to understand is this, that it is possible
to draw near to God, it's possible for you
I'm not talking about some great man like Moses
or Abraham or Elijah, I'm not talking about some great
preacher out there that some Jack Hyles or Curtis Hudson
or Pastor Anderson or somebody you hold in high
esteem, but the Bible says that it is possible for you and it is possible
for me to draw near to God
notice James chapter 4 and verse 8, the Bible says this
draw nigh to God, draw nigh to God
and He will draw nigh to you, draw nigh to God
and He will draw nigh to you, the Bible says that as you and I
take a step towards God, God takes a step towards us
when we draw close to Him, He draws close to us, now there are
some things that need to happen in regards to us drawing near to God
look at the verse there, James 4-8, draw nigh to God, He will draw nigh to you
it's not just enough to draw nigh to God, if you're going to draw nigh to God, because the Bible says
because Jesus said, because God said
be holy for I am holy, the Bible says
cleanse your hands you sinners and purify your hearts you double minded
you'll notice that there is this idea that if we're going to draw nigh to God
we need to cleanse ourselves, we need to come to God
we need to be pure and holy and consecrated and set apart
we see that in Hebrews 10 22 as well, let us draw near with a true heart
and full of assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience
and our bodies washed with pure water, if you're going to come nigh to God
you're going to have to cleanse yourself and separate yourself
and make yourself meet for the Master's use, but this idea is this
that it is possible, it is possible for you and I to draw nigh near to God
don't get this idea that well, it's possible for somebody else
there's some other pastor out there, there's some other Christian out there, there's some other individual out there
that they can draw nigh to God, no, the Bible says that you and I
can draw nigh to God, it is possible to draw
near to God, which is why the writer of Hebrews says let us
draw near with a true heart, he's saying let us
draw near to God, now let me just show you a couple of things regarding this idea of drawing near
not only is it possible, but I'd like you to notice
go to Malachi chapter number 3, it should be fairly easy to find, it's the last book in the Old Testament
Malachi chapter number 3, and if you're taking notes I want you to write these sub points down
let us draw near, that's point number 1, here's your sub point
it is possible to draw near to God, and here's your second sub point
you are responsible to draw near to God
not only is it possible to draw near to God
but the responsibility, who is responsible
for my walk with God, your walk with God, our walk with the Lord
who is responsible if we don't draw near to God, who is responsible if we aren't
close to the Lord, who is responsible for our walk with God
it is possible to draw near to God is what we see in James 4.8, draw nigh to God
and he will draw nigh to you, but the other thing that I want you to notice is this, that the Bible
teaches that you are responsible to draw near to God
Malachi 3, look at verse 7, notice what he says
even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from my ordinances
and have not kept them, I just want you to see how this is brought up in scripture
notice what he says, this is God speaking through the prophet Malachi, he says
return unto me and I will return unto you
return unto me and I will return unto you, doesn't that sound a lot like James 4.8
draw nigh to God and he will draw nigh to you, here's what God is saying
if we're not close, it's not my fault
if you're not drawing near to me, it's not because I've not given you access
because I have given you access, I've given you the blood of my son, the Lord Jesus Christ
to give you access and boldness into the throne of grace, he said if you and I
aren't close, the responsibility falls on you
return unto me and I will return unto you
let me give you another passage, go to Zachariah chapter 1, you're there in Malachi, just flip
backwards, one book into the book of Zachariah, Zachariah chapter 1, look at verse 3
I often say this
to people, I often say this to people when I'm trying to help them in counseling sessions
but I say it in other sorts of sessions as well, I think I've said it to
every single one of our staff persons whenever I hire them
and bring them on staff, and I probably said this to you, I'm going to say it and you're going to
think, oh yeah, you said that, and what I often say to people is this
if my relationship and your relationship ever comes to an end
it will be because you walked away from it, not me
and I often tell people the commitment that I'm making to you, the commitment that I'm making to you
is that I will not walk away from you, that doesn't mean that I might not be mad at you
and I might not be disappointed in you, it means that I might not have to correct you from time to time
it doesn't mean all sorts of things, but what I'm saying to you is if my
relationship and your relationship ends, it will be because you walked away from me
not that I walked away from you, because I make a commitment to you to not walk away from you
you say, where did you get that from? I got that from God
because God says if you and I are not close, it's not my fault
if you and I do not have a good relationship
it's not because I walked away from you, because I will never leave thee nor forsake thee
Hebrews will tell us later on in a couple of chapters
he says if you and I are not close, it's because you walked away from me
it's because it's possible to draw near to God
but you are responsible to draw near to God
draw an eye to God, he will draw an eye to you, return unto me and I will return unto you
are you there in Zechariah chapter 1, look at verse 3
the Bible says this, therefore say thou unto them, thus saith the Lord of hosts
turn ye unto me, saith the Lord of hosts, look at it, look at it
and I will turn unto you
God says look, I've got an open invitation, you want to get close to me
I can get close to you, turn ye unto me and I will turn unto you
return unto me and I will return unto you, draw an eye to God
and he will draw an eye to you, and let me just say this, and I'm not going to have you go here
just for sake of time, you go back to Hebrews chapter 10, but if you remember the great story
of the prodigal son, the story of the prodigal son in Luke chapter 15
is a great illustration of this idea, where God says draw an eye
to me, let us draw near with a true heart, James 4.8, draw an eye to God
he will draw an eye to you, return unto me and I will return unto you, turn ye unto me
thus saith the Lord, saith the Lord of hosts, and I will turn unto you
this principle that God says, when you start coming in my direction, I'll start going in your direction
is actually pictured and illustrated in the story of the prodigal son
if you remember the story of the prodigal son, when the prodigal son
went wayward and decided to walk away from God
what did the father do? did he chase after him? no he did not
often times in ministry, when people have
gone willfully, sinfully
against the Lord, I have been criticized
people have criticized me and said, well you need to go after them
well show me that in the Bible, you don't see the father chasing
after the son, the son needs to come to the end of himself
the son needs to humble himself and come as forgiveness
of the father, you don't see God the father chasing after
the son in the story, you don't see the father chasing the son in the story of the prodigal son
the father allows the son with his free will
to go make whatever mess he wants, but you know what's interesting in that story, what's interesting in the story
of the prodigal son, which is a parable, is that the father does not go
after the son, but when the son finally comes to the end of himself
when he gets to the end of where sin will take you
when he gets to the end and he realizes there's nothing, by the way let me say to you
and especially young people, there's nothing in that world for you
there's nothing of value, nothing but remorse and regret
and when the son gets to the end of himself, the Bible says when he comes to himself
and when he says, I need to go back home, he said the servants in my father's house
have more than I have right now, and he says I'm going to go and apologize
I'm going to come home, you know what the Bible says, that when the son begins to walk home
and the father sees him coming, then the father runs
to the son, say why does he
run to the son, you know why?
Because when you draw nigh to God, he'll draw nigh to you
return unto me and I will return unto you, turn ye unto me and I will turn
unto you, so I say
to you, like the writer of Hebrews says, let us draw near
you say, pastor you don't understand, I'm so far away, you start walking towards God, he'll start walking
towards you, it is possible to draw
near to God, but you are responsible
to draw near to God, because if you find yourself
away from the Lord, it's not because he walked away from you
it's because you walked away from him, go back to Hebrews chapter 10
look at verse 23, we saw the first of our spiritual salad here
let us, number one, let us draw near
now I'd like you to notice a second let us, and we find it there
in verse number 23, he says let us hold
fast, in verse 22 he said let us draw near
in verse 23 he says let us hold fast
let us hold fast the profession of our faith, and here's what he says, he gives us
an antonym to help us understand
the idea, the concept, the concept is for us to hold fast
you say what does that mean, what does it mean to hold fast, he says holding fast is the opposite
of wavering, he says let us hold fast the profession of our faith, then he says
these words, without wavering, for he is
faithful that promise, now throughout the book of Hebrews we've already
seen this word hold fast used several times, let's just look at it real quickly, you're there
in Hebrews 10, flip back to Hebrews chapter 4, look at verse number 14
Hebrews chapter 4 and verse 14, while you go there let me just give you a definition for the phrase
for the term hold fast
it's actually a nautical term used by mariners and it has to do with
anchoring to something that's going to hold you, the term hold fast means to
bear down, to stay the course, to continue
to believe in or adhere to an idea or principle
synonyms for the phrase hold fast is to stay strong, to see something
through, to stay true, continue to believe, grid it
out, it's to stay with something, to stick with something
notice Hebrews 4 and verse 14, seeing then that we have a great
high priest that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the son of God
notice the words here, let us hold fast our
profession, look at Hebrews chapter 3 and verse number 6
the Bible says but Christ as a son over his own house
whose house are we if we hold fast the
confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm
unto the end, the writer of Hebrews is giving us these directives
he says let us draw near and then he says let us
hold fast, now the opposite of
holding fast is wavering, that's why we saw there in Hebrews 10
and 3, let us hold fast the profession of our faith
without wavering, without wavering, you say how do I
know if I'm holding fast, well ask yourself this question, are you wavering
are you wavering, go to James if you would, James chapter 1 just one
book over, we've already been there tonight, like you notice James chapter 1
the Bible speaks about that, while you turn there let me give you the definition for the word wavering
wavering is defined as fluttering, swaying
to and fro, tottering or reeling, flickering
or quivering, becoming unsteady, vacillating
faltering, fluctuating, swaying, tottering or
fluttering, this is all the opposite
of wavering, notice there James 1 and verse 5 the Bible says this
if any of you lack wisdom, I like how he says if any of you
because we should all just sit right there and say yeah that's me
if any of you lack wisdom let him ask of God, that giveth to
all men liberally and upbraideth not and it shall be given him, by the way I think it's interesting
there's very few portions of scripture where God tells you here's a prayer
request you ought to make and if you pray it I'll answer it
and one of those is if you lack wisdom ask of God that giveth
to all men liberally and upbraideth not and it shall be given you
verse 6, but let him ask in faith, notice the words here
nothing wavering, what does it mean to waver?
to sway back and forth, to become unsteady, he says nothing wavering
for he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea
driven with the wind and tossed, he says you can't be
wavering like a wave of the sea that's driven with the wind
and tossed, you say why? look at verse 7, for let not that man
think that he shall receive anything of the Lord, verse 8, this is all the context
wavering, not being steady, not being hold fast
notice verse 8, a double minded man is
unstable in all his ways, the writer of Hebrews is telling us
you know we ought to draw near, let us draw near
but then he says this, let us hold fast
it's time that we stop wavering, it's time that we
stop vacillating back and forth and trying
to decide whether, look stop trying to decide whether you're going to live the Christian life or not
why don't you just make a decision and stick with it, why don't you just be like Daniel and
purpose in your heart that you're not going to defy yourself with the kings
meat, you're not going to defy yourself with sinful things, why don't you just decide in your heart
here's what I'm going to do, here's what the Bible says, I'm just going to do it
make that decision and don't reopen the conversation
for argument, do you understand what I'm saying to you?
You ought to just decide, if someone is having a conversation
every Sunday morning, should I come to church or not, should I go to church
or not, if somebody's having a conversation every Saturday morning, should I go soul winning
or not, if someone's having a conversation every Sunday night, should I
go to church tonight, you're not going to go half the time
but if you just decide and make a decision and say when I get up in the morning
I read the Bible, on Saturday I go soul winning, I'm Sunday morning and Sunday night
and Wednesday night, these are decisions I've made, they're not up for debate, we're not questioning them
this is what we've already decided, the writer of Hebrews says we ought to
draw nigh to God and he says we ought to hold fast
stop wavering, stop vacillating back and forth
make a decision and stick with it, if there's certain music that you've
decided you're not going to have in your household then don't bring it back
if there's a certain type of entertainment you've decided you're not going to have in your, don't bring it back
stop wavering and going back and forth because this idea
of vacillating back and forth, this idea
only speaks to your immaturity
Ephesians chapter 4, if you would, I'd like you to see this, Ephesians 4
Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, Romans 1, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians
Ephesians chapter 4
a double minded man is unstable in all his ways
you know, you ought to just make a decision and stick with it
I don't think you should make hasty decisions, I think that if you're going to make a decision
you should think about it, you should seek counsel, you should pray, you should be wise about it
but once you've came to a conclusion, look, once you've decided I'm
King James only, don't open that up for discussion again
once you've decided I believe in eternal security, I don't need to open that up for discussion again
the decision has been made, Ephesians chapter 4
verse 13, notice what the Bible says, Ephesians 4
13, till we all come in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God
unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature
by the way, I just want you to notice, unto a perfect man, this is referring to
maturity, completeness, unto the measure of the stature, this is
referring to maturity, it's referring to growth, of the fullness of Christ
that we henceforth, look at the words here, be no more
children, that we henceforth be no more children, and notice how he describes
children, toss to and fro
and carried about with every wind of doctrine by the sleight of men and cunning craftiness
whereby they lie in wait to deceive
the writer of Hebrews is telling us we ought to hold fast
and the decision that you need to make is that I'm going to stop wavering
and I'm going to hold fast, I'm going to stop wavering
I've made a decision, I've decided this is what we're going to do, I've decided
this is how we're going to live, I've decided this is how we're going to raise our children
I've decided that this is how we're going to have our home, I've decided that this is the type of church
I'm going to be in, just make the decision and stop wavering
and I want you to notice, you're there in Ephesians, go to 1 Corinthians 15
you go backwards, you have Galatians, 2 Corinthians, 1 Corinthians
here's how it goes, you stop wavering and you become
held fast, you become held fast
you hold fast, there's a synonym to that word
and it's steadfast, steadfast
is defined as firm in belief, determination or adherence
staying the same and not changing quickly or unexpectedly
1 Corinthians 15 and verse 58 says this, therefore my beloved brethren
be ye steadfast
same idea as hold fast, firm
determined, you're not changing, you've made a decision
it's not up for debate, it's not up for argument
be ye steadfast, and then he gives us synonyms, unmovable
that's the opposite of wavering, but notice these words
always abounding in the work of the Lord, for as much as you know
that your labor is not in vain in the Lord
when we become hold fast or steadfast
we can go from wavering to always abounding
we stop wavering, we stop being tossed to and fro
we get steadfast, and then we can start
always abounding in the work of the Lord, and here's what the Bible says, and here's what the Bible teaches
that your rewards are connected to your ability to hold
fast, you don't have to turn here, I'll just read this for you, Revelation 3 and verse 11
this is Jesus speaking, I come quickly
hold that fast which thou hast that no man
take thy crown, so the writer of Hebrews here tells us
let us draw near, he says
let us hold fast, and look I believe every Christian needs to
make a decision that I'm going to draw near to God
I'm going to purposefully begin to draw near to God
understanding that as I draw near to God, God draws near to
me as well, because it is possible to draw near to God, and I'm also
responsible to draw near to God, and if I'm away from the Lord
it's not the Lord's fault, it's my fault
and then I think every Christian needs to make a decision to hold fast
you need to hold fast, you need to just decide, look you need to decide what you're going to do
and stick with it, decide what you're going to do and don't change
don't be given to change, look are there times
that the Christian life gets difficult, of course there are
are there times that ministry gets difficult, of course there are
there are times when the ministry can be so overwhelming and the pressure
that is laid upon my wife and I and other people
in ministry, you can almost feel it on your shoulders
sometimes I tell people the ministry will kill me, I'll be in heaven
so it will be okay, but you know, if when I die
just know, you did it
are there times that I've wanted to quit, of course there are
but we just hold fast, we just make a decision
we're going to stick with this thing, my positions are not up
for debate, and they're not up for debate and they don't change
based off the culture, they don't change based off what's
popular, what's accepted, they don't change based off people
they are principles from the word of God, we decide them, we follow them
we stick to them, we hold fast
so he said let us draw near, then he says let us hold fast
and I'd like you to notice the third one tonight, go back to Hebrews chapter 10 if you would
Hebrews chapter 10
let us draw near, let us hold fast, and then we see the third one there in verse 24
he says this, let us consider
one another, he says let us consider one another
to provoke unto love and to good works
I want you to notice there are a couple things that he says here regarding considering one another
he says we ought to consider one another, and you know, in life
life is not just, it's not all about you
there's other perspectives, there's other people, there's other things, we do not live on an island
our lives influence other people, and here the writer of Hebrews says
let us consider one another, what does he mean by that, well he says the first thing
in regards to considering one another is to provoke unto love and to
good work, to provoke unto love and to good work
and the idea is this, that the people that are around you
the people that you surround yourself with, they ought to
provoke you unto love and to good work, think of the word provoke
usually we think we use the word provoke in a negative sense
somebody provoked me to do something wrong
but here the Bible says that we ought to be around people
we ought to consider one another, and we ought to be provoking others
unto love and to good work, look at verse 25
not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is, we'll talk about that here in a minute
I want you to notice this phrase, but exhorting, the word exhort means to strongly encourage
or urge, but exhorting one another and so much the more
as you see the day approaching, and here's what I'm saying to you, the Bible is teaching
that you should consider one another
and that you should be around people who provoke you
unto love and to good works, that exhort you
and that are exhorting you and encouraging you and urging you to do
good things, go to Proverbs 27 if you would, Proverbs 27
I know you know this verse, but I want you to see it
Proverbs 27, 17, the Bible says this
iron sharpeneth iron
and here's the application, so a man sharpeneth the countenance
of his friends, this is the idea of provoking
unto love and to good work, you know you should spend time with people
that make you a better Christian, because iron sharpeneth iron
so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friends, look at Proverbs 13 and verse 20
here we see the same principle said it a little different, Proverbs 13
and verse 20
the Bible says this, he that walketh with wise men shall be wise
I'm not preaching on wisdom tonight, but we already got two great verses on wisdom, you want some wisdom?
if any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, let him give it to all men liberally
and abraighteth not, and it shall be given him, you want wisdom? you got to ask for wisdom
you know another key to wisdom is this, you want wisdom? walk with wise people
when you surround yourself with wise people
the Bible says he that walketh with wise men shall be wise
but then here's the contrast, because Proverbs often does that, we have to compare and contrast
he says he that walketh with wise men shall be wise, but a companion
of fools shall be destroyed
why does he say that a companion of fools ends up destroyed?
because a companion of fools becomes a fool
in the same way that he that walketh with wise men
shall be wise
so let us consider one another, the idea is this, that you should surround yourself
number one, let me say it this way, you need to surround yourself
with others who are urging you
who are exhorting you, who are provoking you
to love and good works, but the other way is also true
you need to make sure that you're the type of friend that is encouraging others
that is encouraging others to love and to good works
someone said this, show me your friends and I'll show you your future
someone said this, your friends will determine the quality and direction of your life
who you surround yourselves with
will have an impact on your life, who you allow to influence you
will have an impact on your life, so the writer of Hebrews says
let us consider, let us consider one another
then I want you to notice, he says, here's how you do it
you say, how do I find, how do I get around people
that are going to provoke us unto love and to good works
well notice there in Hebrews 10.25, he says, not forsaking
the assembling of ourselves together
as the matter of some is, but exhorting one another
and so much the more, as you see the day approaching
this is a verse referring to church attendance
the assembly or the assembling of ourselves is church
the word church is defined as a congregation, as an assembly of believers
a church is not a building, a church is a congregation
of believers, it's a group, it's a called out assembly
of believers that are called out of the world and they assemble themselves together
when we meet here on a Wednesday night, the Verity Baptist Church is congregating
and meeting together, this building is not a church, it's a beautiful building
this building is not a church, the church is you, and whether we're meeting in this beautiful building
or we're meeting under a tree out in our field out there, or if we're meeting next to a methadone clinic
it would not matter where we're meeting because the church is the congregation
and here the Bible says that we are to not forsake the assembling
of ourselves together as a manner of some is, now there are some who
take this verse and say this verse is only referring to people who
quit church altogether, they'll say this verse has nothing to do with
church attendance or how much your church attendance is, it's just saying that you should not
forsake the assembling, it's not saying that you need to be faithful to church or go every week or go
Sunday mornings and Sunday nights and Wednesday nights, it's just saying that you shouldn't forsake the assembly altogether
now I will say this, that that's definitely an application, not forsaking the assembling
of ourselves together is definitely an application
that we can put to this verse that says don't quit church
you ought not quit church altogether
you ought not forsake the assembly, but I don't believe that that's the only application
here, and the reason that I don't believe that is because what the verse says
we ought to just look at what the Bible plainly says
and the plain things are the main things
just look at what it's saying, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves
together, notice the words here, as the manner of some is
as the manner of some is, the word manner means customer habit
he says don't forsake the assembly like some
people have a habit or a custom of doing, well here's the thing about
a habit or a manner or a custom, that in order for it to be a habit
or a manner or a custom, it's something that you must do on a regular basis
so this verse is only talking about, I'm just quitting the church
I'm never going back, and it's saying don't do that, well how does somebody do that on a
regular basis? If you just quit church and
denounce church altogether, that's something you do one time
but here he says there are some people who forsake the assembly on a
regular, habitual, it's a manner or a custom of their
life, what is he talking about? He's talking about church attendance
look yes, do not forsake the church, don't quit the church, but also
you ought to be concerned
with your church attendance, now I realize I'm preaching to the Wednesday night crowd
and I'm, you know, whatever, literally preaching to the choir
but it's good for us to hear, and I will say this about church attendance
I think that people often do better
than they actually, they think they're doing better than they actually do
what I would encourage you to do is if you're wanting to follow the
advice given to us in Hebrews and you want to let us consider
one another unto love and good works, then you should track your church attendance
I'm talking about on a calendar, on your phone
put in, track your church attendance, do it for a month
do it for a year, do it for a while, you might be shocked
how inconsistent you are
because the Bible tells us here, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together
as the manner of some is, some people have the manner
some people have the habit of skipping out on church
you ought not have that manner, now let me just say this
and I don't want you to see it, I don't think I'm going to get to the whole chapter, the rest of the chapter tonight
that's okay, in verse 26 begins
a different subject
but it's all connected in context, and I want you to see it there in verse 26
he says, for if we
sin willfully, now in verse 26
begins a different context, like I said, a different thought
or idea, but I want you to understand that it's all in context
and the context is this, that when we forsake the assembling of
ourselves together, we are sinning willfully
we are sinning willfully, so you ought to just make a decision
I'm going to be consistent with the church, I'm going to be faithful to the church
remember point number 2, let us hold fast, why don't you just hold fast to being consistent
you say, well how much church do we need, pastor
because we have Sunday morning, we have Sunday night, we have Wednesday night
well look at what the verse says, Hebrews 10.25, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together as the manner of some is
but exhorting one another, look at the words here, and so much the more
and so much the more as you see the day approaching, here's what I'm saying to you
is the Bible says, the closer we get to the day of judgment, the closer we get
to the end of the world, the closer we get to the tribulation period
and the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, we need more church, not less
so much the more, as you see the day approaching
so I just make the decision, why don't you just be three to thrive
Sunday morning, Sunday night, Wednesday night, just be consistent
just decide, just decide, Christ is my life
why don't you just make a decision, I remember when we were kids growing up
the decision, the way that it was worded when I was growing up, and this was definitely the way that
my home was, and this is the way my home is now, was this
if the church doors are open, we're going to be there, if the church doors are open
we're going to be there, if there's something going on in church, we're going to be there, if there's church on Sunday morning
there's church on Sunday night, there's church on Wednesday night, if there's a red hot preaching conference on Thursday night
and Friday night, if there's a special event, if there's something going on, we're going to be there
not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together
as the matter of some is, so much the more
as you see the day approaching, go to Acts 20 if you wouldn't
I keep looking up thinking there's a clock, but there's no clock, every time I'm disappointed
which you may think, oh it's not a big deal, but have you noticed that I've been preaching longer lately?
so maybe somebody should take some initiative
and put a clock up them, just saying
it's not my responsibility that the sermons go long, it's your fault
Acts 20 verse 18
and when they were come to him, he said unto them
you know from the first day that I came into Asia, after
notice the word here, what manner
the word manner means customer habit, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves
together as the manner of some is, here Paul says after what
manner I have been with you at all seasons
he says I've been consistent, I've been with you at all seasons
even football season, even football season, even baseball season, he says all seasons
what manner I've been with you at all seasons
we're just going to finish it there, we'll pick up the rest
of the chapter when we get back
on Wednesday and finish up the rest of the chapter, but I want you to consider
these three directives given to us in this passage
let us, let us, the writer of Hebrews
is shifting gears, he's saying based off the things
we know, based off all the things that we've heard, he says
we have an opportunity, he gives us a spiritual
salad, let us draw near, let us hold fast
let us consider one another.
Heavenly Father, Lord we do love you, we thank you for
allowing us to gather together tonight and Lord we thank you for this
portion of scripture and I pray that we would take it seriously
I do pray that
we would all take this spiritual advice, Lord I pray
my prayer is that we would
all draw near to God
that we would all hold fast
and that we would all consider one another
just realize that we need each other, we're not an island
we were created for community
we need each other to provoke and to love and to good works, we need
to be assembled together in so much the more as we see the day approaching
learn these things and understand these things, help us to apply these things in the matchless name of Christ
we pray, amen. Alright we're going to have brother RJ come up and lead us
in a final song, just want to remind you that if you
have not yet gone back there and looked at the nine chapters of the day
clipboard, please make sure you go back there and do that, check for your name
make sure it's spelled right, check off your name if it is right, if it's not right
cross it out, write it clearly so we can fix it, if it should be there
and it's not there, please add it, if it's there and it shouldn't be there, you know
have some honesty and cross it out, but help us with that
and then don't forget that we have the homeschool group tomorrow, the PE is
at 10 am, so just remember that and be aware of that, I think there's been a few
PE classes that will cancel, we want to make sure that you're aware of that
if there's anything we can do for you, please let us know and we'll have brother RJ come up at this time
Amen, let's grab our songbooks
and turn to page number 183
song number 183
we're going to sing
Oh How I Love Jesus, song number 183, sing it out
on the first
Oh how I love Jesus
Because He first loved me
It tells me of a Savior's love
Who died to set me free
I love His precious blood, the sinner's perfect
plea
Oh how I love Jesus
Because He first loved me
It tells me of one
day it tread a
dark sun path, yield sunshine all the way
Oh how I love Jesus
Because He first loved me
Sing it out on the last
Oh how I love Jesus
Because He first loved me
Sing it out on the last
Oh how I love Jesus
Oh how I love me
Alright, well this evening we have Noah Deakins coming for baptism
and Noah's a young boy that's growing up here in our church
it's exciting to be able to baptize these kids and Noah have you accepted the
Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Savior? Alright by your profession of faith I baptize
you my brother in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost
married in the likeness of His death, ways to walk in the newness of life
God bless you
Alright
and we have another baptism
there you go, good
go ahead and have a seat
go ahead and have a seat, let's get a picture over here
this way
got it?
Alright we have Gerard Harris coming for baptism, Gerard have you accepted the Lord Jesus Christ
as your personal Savior? Alright Gerard by your profession of faith I baptize you
my brother in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost
married in the likeness of His death, ways to walk in the newness of life
God bless you
Alright and all God's people said
Amen, praise the Lord, if there's anything we can do for you please let us know
I'm gonna ask brother whoever was leading the music down there, RJ
to pray and dismiss us with a word of prayer
Let's bow our heads and pray, dear Lord we love you and we thank you for that sermon Lord and we thank you
for the opportunity to be in church tonight Lord and we thank you for
the sermon that we heard Lord, pray that you'd help us draw near to you
and let us consider one another as the Bible says Lord and
pray that you bless the rest of the evening, bring us back to church for soul winning
on Saturday and on church on Sunday, in Jesus' name I pray, Amen
...