https://youtu.be/CkX9Cwybyf0

One in three - oneinthree

Gotta know to defend Jehovah witness and mormonism

Matt 3:13-15 Go Back and listen to https://faithandvictory.com/baptism/ for the explanationDon’t want you thinking that we are passing over stuff.16 When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. 17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”Today we are going to talk about the Trinity.Most confusing doctrine in Christianity- Do we believe in 3 Gods? No One God in 3 personsThis verse right here is the central verse to the trinity to me- V 16-17 see all three in operationFather from Above- Jesus bodily form. HS Descending like a DovePeople have difficulty fathoming the reality but to dismiss it is to dismiss Christianity.People say “the word trinity is not in the Bible” well, actually theres not one English word in itElohim is actually a pluralistic word’ Jews said “The OT- The Lord our God is ONE GodJohn Wesley “In preaching on the Trinity, it is our duty to believe according to the word of God, but we are not called to comprehend. That is impossible. Bring me a worm that can comprehend a man, and I will show you a man that can comprehend God. If three candles were burning in a room, the light is but one”how can finite human beings with limited brain capacity understand an infinite God with unlimited capability. We can’t. Its outsideIsaiah 55:8-9 For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. 9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.

The ImportanceThe concept of the Triune God, or Trinity, is one of the foundational teachings of Christianity and is considered bedrock of the Christian faith, because it shows the person and deity of Jesus Christ, who is fully God and fully human.Why is it important?First, if the doctrine of the Trinity isn’t believed, then a person’s salvation is at stake.If Jesus was just a human being, he inherited the sin nature of Adam. He must be GodFurther, if Jesus isn’t fully God, if Jesus is a created being, then He couldn’t be perfect sacrifice.John 1:29  The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!If Jesus isn’t fully God and didn’t die as that perfect sinless sacrifice, we are dead in our sinsSecond, if the doctrine of the Trinity isn’t believed, then salvation wouldn’t be by faith;it would be by works, which would make Jesus a liar when He used God’s holy name saying,John 8:58 Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.”Many many I AM statements in John Signifying and connecting with the I AM of the OTJesus also said, “If you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.” (John 8:24)If Jesus isn’t God as He said, then how can we trust Him when He says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6)

The Meaningthe Bible is the word “Trinity” found, but that shouldn’t rule out its teaching or its reality.The Word Bible isn’t found in the Bible either, but you’ve said it, believed it and defend it.There’s more scriptures to defend the Trinity than to defend the Bible.Colossians 2:9  For in Him dwells all the fullness of the GodheadbodilyThe word, “Trinity,” is derived from the Latin word, “Trinitas,” which means the number three. It has come to stand for “three in the unity of one,” or “Tri-Unity.” The word is used to express the unity of God existing in three distinct persons, also known as the Godhead, Father, Son,

https://youtu.be/XDVB2K1GWgA

One Nation Under God

1. Purpose of Constitution- to recognize that all men are created equal - to acknowledge that we have God-given unalienable rights (life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness)- to protect these rights by declaring that the government derives its power from the people - to limit the government’s authority and power

2. First Amendment to the U.S. ConstitutionCongress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. 

3. What is NOT protected speech?- inciting immediate violence (“fighting words”)- obscenity - defamation (libel or slander)- harassment 

4. Free Speech ForumsQuintessential Public Forum: side walks, parks, etc.- can regulate time, place, and manner- speech restrictions given strict scrutiny 

Limited or Designated Public Forum: municipal auditoriums, public university student centers, etc. - can regulate time, place, and manner- may impose restrictions if there is a “compelling state interest”

Nonpublic Forum: courthouses, municipal building lobbies, etc.- may restrict contents of speech as long as restrictions are reasonable and do not discriminate 

5. Texas v. Johnson - Supreme Court 1989If there is a bedrock principle underlying the First Amendment, it is that the Government may not prohibit the expression of an idea simply because society finds the idea itself offensive or disagreeable. 

6. Settle v. Dickson - 6th Circuit 1995Free speech rights of students in the classroom must be limited because effective education depends…on maintaining the focus of the class on the assignment…learning is more vital in the classroom than free speech…it is not for [The Court] to overrule the teacher’s view that the student should learn to write research papers by beginning with a topic other than her own theology. 

7. Gilles v. Davis - 3rd Circuit 2005Gilles’ speech was rude, mocking, confrontational, and insulting…many in the crowd were upset and angry with Gilles.

8. Please have a slide with Texas v. Johnson (#5) and Gilles v. Davis (#7) side by side.

9. Future of Free Speech in Social Media EraPrager U v. Google - YouTube is private and First Amendment free speech rights are NOT protected Knight First Amendment Inst. at Columbia Univ. v. Trump - Twitter is designated public forum, therefore First Amendment free speech rights ARE protected 

For More Sermons Please Visit our SERMON PAGE

Please subscribe to our YOUTUBE PAGE

one nation

https://youtu.be/sctbLGFCfgI

Matt 3:1-12 Bear Fruits

I talk about repentance a lot because I believe its central to the Gospel- I want you to be able to understand it and explain itThis is what happens when you go through a book of the Bible and if its repetitive- good- we should be able to articulate it, appreciate it and defend it.Some of the greatest problems in the church are because there are tons of people who have never repented- they have just agreed to a set of beliefs.People think that joining a church or getting baptized is what makes someone saved- its not- Jesus saves through repentance. No repentance- no salvation.What is repentanceHebrew word nacham which means to turn around or change the mind and sub which return, seek, restoreMetanio- to change the mind to think differently about something- changing your mind. Thinking one way then thinking the other way- I hate vegetables to I like vegetablesRepent simply means to turn around- to change your direction- you are going one way- and you go a different wayAway from God towards God- direction change- this is tied to belief- You didn’t believe in Christ- and then you did believe in Christ- you have repented- you have turned- from no to YesFrom in sin- to forgiveness- turnaroundYou need to change direction in your mind and actions- belief and repent are sides of the same coin you cant have one without the other- you cant believe without turning and you can’t turn unless you believeRepenting is not cleaning yourself up. Its not changing your habits, improving yourself, it’s a simultaneous change of belief and direction at the same time

Repentance is central to the GospelIf you don’t understand the repentance- you don’t understand the Gospel because repentance is central to the Gospel- You must turn towards God. You must turn from your sinYou can’t be in New York and say you are on your way to LA. It doesn’t work that wayYou can’t be living in your sin- and consider it repentance- (Guy at JCNW saved by TV)He repented- he took a life change- He did something different.The first word of John the Baptist was Repent Matt 3:2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”The first word of Jesus Gospel was Repent  Mark 1:15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”The first word of the Disciples was Repent Mark 6:12 So they went out and preached that people should repent.The first word of instruction that jesus gave after his resurrection Luke 24: 47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations,The first word of the first Christian sermon was repent Acts 2:38  Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.The first word of the Apostle paul  was repent Acts 26:20 but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance.To repent is simply to change your mind towards the things of God- Turn from Sin to GraceAnd its central to our faith- When you talk to people who say they are “good” or say “I’m a Christian” or “I was raised in the church” that’s often code for “I never repented”The gift of repentance is that you know there has been a direction change- you knowDon’t be prideful- repentance is a way of living- I repent on the daily. Keep on the path

Repentance has fruitREAD v 4- 8 Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance,We know that based on the Bible and our own experience- that you can see fruitAnd when you see no fruit- you got to check the root- because the root of fruit is repentanceActs 26:20  but declared first to...

https://youtu.be/gBKbwJlV9gw

Hold Fast

Hebrews 4:14-16

New King James Version

Our Compassionate High Priest

14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

In this passage the Word of God is calling for us as Christians to

Hold fast to our ConfessionAnd to come boldly to the throne of grace

We’re going to cover both tonight as they go together…

How can could we come boldly before the throne of grace if we don’t first old fast to our confession

We need to have confidence in the Lord, that is that boldness to go before the throne of grace completely trusting in Him

We can’t be wavering in our faith and at the same time go boldly before the throne of grace

James 1:5-8

New King James Version

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

We need to HOLD FAST TO OUR CONFESSION

(That is Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior, and that we put all our hope and trust in Him)

When I hear hold fast, it reminds me of being on a ride at the fair  –

Story about Jayda

Our family goes annually to the fair; however our daughter Jayda is not a fan of the rides… And honestly neither am I.

Jeremy, Jarrett, and Nevaeh all LOVE THEM

Because Jeremy loves rides so much, he had convinced Jayda to get on the tilt a whirl with us…

Before the ride even started, she was yelling out, “I’m going to Die… “

The ride starts…”I’m really going to Die”

Jarrett Could hear her crying out from where he was standing and watching

She was holding so tight to me that she was making it spin faster.

She Clung tight to us till the very end, she was literally holding on for dear life. (Mom, I almost died!)

In life we will experience ups and downs temptation and persecution

Like Pastor Matt said Sunday, Persecution will come

It might even at times feel just like Jayda did on that ride…

Are you clinging to your Father?

Are you HOLDING FAST to your confession?

The term to HOLD FAST comes from the word Krat-eh’-o (Krateô)

Its to lay hold of and cling tightly

It’s to use strength to seize or retain (literally or figuratively)

Hold fast to your confession, your faith and belief in Jesus Christ

take hold of it with all your strength and cling to it!

Get in your Word and dig deeper and continue to strengthen and grow your relationship and faith in the Lord!

Stay in fellowship with other believers,

https://youtu.be/Osr3BIa_D0I

Matt 2:16-23 Attempted Murder of JesusDo not expect to be honored in a world where your master was crucified- CH SpurgeonThis portion begins the persecution of Jesus. From the time he was born, he hadn’t even done anything, the Governmental powers were out to Kill him.We talked before about Herod propensity for Sin- and here we see the fulfillment of itPeople have always had a problem with Jesus. The world will never fully accept himWe can, and should do whatever we can to lead people to him, but to think that somehow, the world is going to fully accept him and his ways, is a false theology- JESUS was rejected- HE was crucified- we aren’t more powerful than he was-Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess eventually- but persecution is our inheritanceI want to talk to you about persecution today.  What it is, how to prepare, what to doYou will hear many people today say that Christians are not persecuted-

David Guzik came up with - 10 Myths about Persecution that I want to share briefly

1. It’s only persecution when people are getting killed. No Joseph and Mary were persecuted when they needed to flee- when Paul was beaten. When you lose a job, or are ostracized.

2. As long as someone else is persecuted worse, we shouldn’t complain. No persecution is persecution. Is Racism in your apartment complex ok because you weren’t killed?

 3. Persecution has to be violent to be real persecution. Bullying is persecution. Words. laws

 4. Persecution has to directly impact everyone before it is real persecution. Not all Christians in the world are treated the same- and it’s the same in America- Right now we are treated different than other states in the union

 5. Persecutors openly hate Jesus Christ and Christianity. Not always- sometimes they seem friendly- but they don’t agree with what we believe silently. Some churches help the persecution

 6. Christians are persecuted without reason. No we are- we are against what they believe

7. Christians should always silently accept persecution. No- Paul spoke up- we can speak up

8. Persecution always unites the Church. Not always- some Christians stand by in silence

 9. Persecution never “Works.” Sure it does- Christians are afraid to speak up!

10. Persecution is the worst thing that can happen to Christians. No- we’ll live through it

What does persecution look like

People think its being burned at the stake- but its bullying on social media. Its ostracizing by people at work and in community. Often at the hands of professing Christians who have abdicated their role in society under the banner of tolerance, acceptance and love. Infiltration in public schools/unisLaws that directly affect Christians and the Institution of the church-zoning, gathering, taxesRhetoric that is pervasively attacking Christian institutions and beliefs on media and TVChristians believe that Jesus is the only way to heaven- exclusive claim to truthBelieve that marriage and sex should only be between a married man and womanMale headship patriarchy- ACB too- finagled herself out of the kitchen to a Supreme court seat.The nuclear family as God’s ideal for the world- I’m a child of divorce- but its not the IDEALWe don’t believe in abortion- We don’t believe in evolution- We believe that Sexual immorality is wrong- drunkenness and drug abuse is wrong. We hate pornography and lawlessnessThe people who are the actual power brokers in this world say that Christians are oppressive, but ABC, NBC,CBS, FOX, CNN, Every city newspaper,

https://youtu.be/iBIv7h5J9Hc

“Are You Legit?”

Hebrews 4:12-13 New King James Version (NKJV)

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.

The above Scripture speaks directly to the disobedient generation of Israelites, connecting verse 11 “Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience” v. 12-13 are a warning demonstration of the necessity for compliance with the exhortation uttered Hebrews 4:11. Many have used this as a stand alone verse speaking to the power of the Word of God, but this is speaking directly to the power of God’s Word to CORRECT and bring forth legitimate sons and daughters of the Lord, those who have all the rights and authority of sonship, unlike that disobedient and rebellious generation.

The Scripture says that we then are to be “diligent to enter that rest”. How? Not by the disobedience of that rebellious generation, but by obeying the Word of God. His Word is a double-edged sword, sharp and precise as a surgeon’s scalpel- cutting away that which offends God and has potential to do us harm.

For the word of God – It is NOT a ref to Jesus as the “Logos”. “The Word made flesh”, but rather the translation is “the Word that God speaks.”  The "Word of God" is "what God speaks" - whether it be a promise or a threatening; whether it be Law or gospel; whether it be a simple declaration or a statement of a doctrine. The idea here is, that what "God has said" is suited to detect hypocrisy and to lay open the true nature of the feelings of the soul, so that there can be no escape for the guilty. His "truth" is adapted to bring out our real feelings, and to show man exactly what he is. I LOVE His Word- it is the power to transform

James 1:22 New King James Version (NKJV)

22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 

Truth always has this power - whether preached, or read, or communicated by conversation, or impressed upon the memory and conscience by the Holy Spirit. There can be no escape from the penetrating, searching application of the Word of God. The truth has power to show what man is, and is like a penetrating sword that lays open the whole man

We cannot escape the notice of God; all insincerity, unbelief, hypocrisy, will be detected by Him; and since our hearts are perfectly open before him, we should be sincere and should not attempt to deceive Him. The truth of God is all-penetrating and searching, and the real thoughts and intents of the heart will be brought to light, and if there is insincerity and self-deception there can be no hope of escape.

The Word is quick - Greek ζῶν zōn - "living." It is not dead and powerless. It has a "living" power, and is energetic and active. It is "adapted" to produce this very effect.

And powerful - Mighty. Its power is seen in awakening the conscience; alarming the fears; laying bare the secret feelings of the heart, and causing the sinner to tremble with the apprehension of the coming judgment.

Sharper than any two-edged sword - Literally, "two-mouthed" sword - The word "mouth" was given to the sword because it seemed to "devour" all before it. It consumed or destroyed as a lion consumes its prey. The comparison of the Word of God to a sword,

https://youtu.be/QEuhrpbfER8

Matt 2:13-15Everybody wants to belong. People that say they don’t typically have just been rejected and are being self preservating. We were made to be in community. We were made to belong 1 Corinthians 12:27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.Ephesians 4:16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.Colossians 1:18  And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.Today we are talking little nugget of scripture today-  a prophecy- but has deep meaningI’ve been a part of a lot of things- sports teams, army, but the most important thing to me is the church. Nothing more cosmically important than being a member of a local churchWhen I was a kid- at nordstroms- trying to share gospel with old man- he says- nothing matters more to me than my churchAt the time I thought- why didn’t you say Jesus? He’s most important- but Church is his body. And from this scripture- we see- the Church is the nation of God- an Israel.

Matthew continues to draw to prophecyMatthew, more than any gospel writer, wants to show that Jesus’ birth, life, and death, are rooted firmly in the Old Testament.Jesus was born of a virgin (fulfilling Isaiah 7:14). He was born in Bethlehem (fulfilling Micah 5:1-2). He was sought out to be killed by Herod (fulfilling Jeremiah 31:15). He was preceded by John preparing the way (fulfilling Isaiah 40:3). He healed diseases (fulfilling Isaiah 53:4). He spoke through parables (fulfilling Psalm 78:2). He came to Jerusalem riding on a donkey (fulfilling Zechariah 9:9).Therefore- His using and quoting of Hosea 11 is more than just a simple reference to EgyptThis is an important distinction and understanding of scripture that will help us robustly understand the meaning of “out of Egypt I called my son”

Jesus is Israel and God’s sonRemember- Matthew is speaking to Jewish audience- Chapter one starts with the genealogy of Jesus. The very first words, in Greek, are “biblos geneseos Iesou Christou”– The book of the Genesis of JesusSame parallel to Genesis being the beginning of Gods work on this earth with IsraelJesus is the new Exodus- Jewish people celebrate Passover- remembering the exodus of IsraelSoon after his birth he Goes back into Israel to “come out of Egypt” in the same was as IsraelRight after the exodus Jesus is baptized in the same way that Israel was baptized in the Red Sea after their exodus  1 cor 10:1-5 READ (Drawing OT and NT together) Israel comes through Red Sea Baptism, 40 years in desert, after Jesus baptism 40 days in desertWhich brings us to the Hosea 11 passage READ Hosea 11:1-4God’s redemptive plan began soon after Adam and Eve’s failure- Promises to Abraham in Genesis, Isaac, Jacob. David etc. God will redeem. There will be a king. Israel will reign.This idea is rooted in son-ship offspring- Chosen people and nation of Israel connectednessFrom the beginning- God had a redemptive plan that would be executed through Jesus- because Israel was not sinless, they could never be the perfect means by which God could eradicate sin- it was inevitable that a Savior would come- to Save from sin and deathJesus is the seed of Abraham- Galatians 3:16 Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of one, “And to your Seed,” who is Christ.But God would call a Israel a “son” Exodus 422 Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the Lord: “Israel is My son, My firstborn. 23 So I say to you, let My son go that he may serve Me. But if you refuse to let him go, indeed I will kill your son, your firstborn.

https://youtu.be/KVDMRiyAlog

Some, must enter Hebrew 4: 1-11

The idea of rest is very appealing – TGIF2019 Americans 1.1 Trillion on vacations$1,979 per vacation 17- 20 days a year We value our rest so much that we will work hard looking forward to a weekend or vacationThe only issue is that, these vacations have an end date Folks, we can and I know we will continue to strive for that time that we can get a way, However, the Writer of Hebrews is talking about a promise of a rest like no other 

****READ THE VERSE ****Hebrew 4: 1 - Therefore, while the promise of entering His rest still remains and is freely offered today, let us fear, in case any one of you may seem to come short of reaching it or think he has come too late.And it likens to the Israelites, having been enslave for 400 years and a moment comes when they are supposed to rest, but through disobedience they don’t enter that rest.Matthew 11:28-30 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am [a]gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.This is not just for now, but it’s a preparation for the future to comeThere is a promise to enter rest – That is a guarantee that some will enter, but also some will notThink about that walk up the airport and you have you ticket in hand, you board and off you go on vacation – but this time round its PermanentThe opposite of that is like, working so hard and when it’s the day of vacation, you walk up to the cruise line and your ticket is no good

The promise (good news)Vs 6: It remains that some must enter!This is a great reassurance, because we as a world don’t deserve it Ecclesiastes 7:20 For there is not a just man on earth who does good and does not sin.Roman 3:23 - for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of GodYet, there is a standing promise that, you and I have an opportunity by the blood of Jesus It’s a promiseJoshua 21:45 - Not one of the good promises which the Lord had made to the house of Israel failed; all came to passIn that good news, are some not so good news – In fact the worst news every- that only some will inherit that promiseSome must enter!! – When you look at your life ...Does that bring you joy or sorrow /Why?

Profit Vs. 2 For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it.Hearing is an opportunity – But profit is when we mix it with faith Two people will hear the same Word of God, one will be in tears while the other will be playing with their coffee cup One is filtering the Word through Faith …while the other, its just words.Lots of people have ideas, I do as well, but action is required to bring those ideas to life Same concept here, you have to allow the Word to take root and have Faith  that it willWithout Faith we cannot please GodWhere is your faith anchor in? Reveal that to me Lord Ephesian 2:10 - For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.We have to work hard to attain what is set before us. Its freely given but we have to get up and get it 

Disobedience Vs 6:  Since therefore it remains that some must enter it, and those to whom it was first preached did not enter because of disobedience,There was great joy, when the Israelites left Egypt and great sorrow when they couldn’t make it to the promise landImagine the tragedy – Joy as they got ready only to bury everyone who had left Egypt except 2 peopleHe swore that they shall not enter The Israelites ...

wordwise

https://youtu.be/zU--rXvJmGg

“Will You Profit from Others Experience?”

“Learn from the Mistakes of Others. You Can’t Live Long Enough to Make Them All Yourself”

Quote from Eleanor Roosevelt

WE can learn from the mistakes of others or we can learn from making our own mistakes; regardless what is important is not where we learn but whether we learn at all. Ask most younger siblings- they learned what to do and what not do based on how their older siblings were encouraged and disciplined.

Hebrews 3:7-19 New King James Version (NKJV)

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, 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.’ ” 12 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; 13 but [a]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.” 16 For who, having heard, rebelled? Indeed, was it not all who came out of Egypt, led by Moses? 17 Now with whom was He angry forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose corpses fell in the wilderness? 18 And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey? 19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.

The Holy Spirit says- Along with other NT writers, the writer of Hebrews regards Scripture in the ultimate and truest sense as the words of the Holy Spirit rather than the words of a mere human.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 New King James Version (NKJV)

16 All Scripture is given by inspiration (breathed) of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for [a]instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

When we read the Bible, we should not think we are reading merely the opinions of Matthew, Paul, Peter, John; we are reading the very words of the Holy Spirit revealing who God is, the nature of His salvation and what His will is for the church and for our lives.

Today if you will hear His voice- the writer refers to the disobedience of Israel in the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt as a warning for believers under the new covenant. The Hebrew believers would know only all too well the tragedy of the Exodus generation.

Psalm 95:7-11 New King James Version (NKJV)

7 For He is our God, And we are the people of His pasture, And the sheep [a]of His hand. Today, if you will hear His voice: 8 “Do not harden your hearts, as in the [b]rebellion, As in the day of [c]trial in the wilderness, 9 When your fathers tested Me; They tried Me, though they saw My work.10 For forty years I was [d]grieved with that generation, And said, ‘It is a people who go astray in their hearts, And they do not know My ways.’ 11 So I swore in My wrath, ‘They shall not enter My rest.’ ”

Because of Israel’s unbelief in the promises of God, their constant disobedience, failure to resist sin and hardness of heart, they were barred from entering the promised land. Likewise, the Spirit says,