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Friday, January 26, 2018
Daytime moon
(Photo by Ester)
"A Vital Warning For All"
Daytime moon
(Photo by Ester)
"A Vital Warning For All"
Message summary: We ignore warnings to our own peril, whether it be the many modern warnings to keep us safer or the ancient warnings in Holy Scripture.
Listen to our
message on your
audio player."See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God" (Hebrews 3:12).
We
have a friend who told us that the smoke detector in his home that
going off when his wife was cooking. So, to solve the problem he just
removed the battery. That's one way to deal with annoying or unwelcome
warnings! But I remember telling him that's not
a good idea! I also consider the person who was annoyed by the warning
light on his instrument panel so he put a piece of black electrical
tape over it. That took care of it!However we ignore warnings to our own peril, whether it be the many modern warnings to keep us safer or the ancient warnings in Holy Scripture.
In the beginning of Hebrews 3 the writer draws a parallel from the Israelites experience in the desert to the experience of Christians and their proneness to sin. He recognized the ancient texts as being, "As the Holy Spirit says" (Hebrews 3:7) before quoting Psalm 95:7-11. What a powerful recognition of the divine inspiration of Scripture!
The daily verse is a truth that is so straightforward it requires little exposition. It's a simple but very precise warning. Children can understand it and regardless of age or spiritual maturity we all need to hear and heed it. It speaks to believers today just as it surely did to the congregations who first heard that charge read to them some 2000 years ago.
It doesn't matter where you live, it doesn't matter how long you've walked with God, and it doesn't matter the kind of family you were brought up in. We all know our heart's propensity to behave in a sinful manner, and when sin goes unchecked for a period of time; it turns our hearts away from God. Robert Robinson wrote in 1758 "Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love" (From the hymn, "Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing").
Too many times we "dabble in Egypt" - an expression used for those who are tempted to return to the ways of the world. It's derived from the book of Exodus when the Israelites, who were freed from slavery in Egypt, wanted to return after the going got tough during their journey to the Promised Land. They missed the "good" food but forgot the heavy oppression.
Because sin and righteousness do not peacefully co-exist, we will either turn away from the living God or turn away from the destructive sin. We all know people who have turned away from the Truth, but on the other hand, we’ve also seen some of those people repent of their sins and return to the living God. Our human nature hasn't changed a bit in 2000 years, in that, it is prone to wandering into dangerous waters where it can easily be pulled under by the deadly currents of sin and unbelief.
Warnings are good. Let me share our verse one final time with each reader. I am not able to place my hand on your shoulder and I can't look you directly in the eye and yet I am solemnly quoting this verse even as I type this Biblical charge and warning. Receive it and I encourage you to memorize it. "See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God." This is a vital warning for all.
Be encouraged today.
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Father,
as we walk by faith and not by sight, grant us grace that none of us
will have a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from You, the
living God. Rather may we hate what is evil and cling to what is good.
May we be devoted to one another in brotherly love and honor one
another above ourselves. May we never be lacking in zeal, but keep our
spiritual fervor, serving the Lord, being joyful in hope, patient in
affliction, and faithful in prayer. In Jesus Name. Amen.Prayer adapted from Romans 12:9-13.
BTW, most of you are aware there are special smoke alarms made for the kitchen that have a temporary pause feature!
Today's
Suggested Music and
Supplemental Resources
"Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing" Video Sovereign Grace Music My favorite singing style, congregationally, vocally dominant
"So You Wanna Go Back To Egypt" Video Keith Green A creative song that will give you something to think about!
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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version.
Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
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