03-31-2019 – Keith Cozort – Let Us Part 2 (PM Sermon)

Glad you were able to make it out this evening and to be with us. We certainly appreciate that before we get into the lesson, Let me make you aware of the fact that we, We are planning to have ice cream Wednesday night after Bible bowl. And So if you want it to be, as I jokingly said before service, if you want it to be organized,

then talk to Donna after we’re dismissed. If you want it to be disorganized, then just bring whatever you want to. So we’ll, we’ll let it go with that. But we are going to plan to have ice cream afterwards, Open your Bibles with me. If you will, the Hebrews chapter four last week, we started studying this particular chapter to notice what the Hebrews writer,

whoever it was, whether it was Paul or somebody else speaks concerning in this chapter. Let Us let Us, he says various times in this chapter. And so we want to go through and to read the chapter again, and then we’ll come back And To notice a couple other things that he says in this particular chapter verse one of chapter four, let us therefore fear lest the promise be left us of entering into his rest.

Any of you should, any of you should seem to come short a bit for under us was the gospel preached as well as under them. But the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it for we, which have believed, do enter into rest. As he said, as I have sworn in my wrath,

if they shall enter into my rest, although the works were finished from the foundation of the world for he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, and God did rest the seventh day from all his works and in this place, again, if they shall enter into my rest seeing, therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein and they,

to whom it was first preached, entered, not in because of unbelief. Again, he limited or limited a certain day saying in David today after so long, a time, as it is said today, if you will hear his voice harden, not your hearts for Jesus had given them rest. Then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. There remains therefore a rest to the people of God for he that is entered into his rest.

He also has ceased from his own works as God did from his, let us labor, therefore, to enter into that rest lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief for the word of God is quick and powerful and sharper than two-edged sword piercing. Even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit and of the joints in Morrow and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight for all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do, seeing them that we have a great high priest that it, that is passed into the heavens Jesus, the son of God, hold, let us hold fast. Our profession for we have not in high priest,

which could not be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted like as we are yet without sin, let us therefore come boldly under the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Several times throughout this letter, the Hebrews writer is going to express exhortation to those Jewish Christians that he is writing to in order to encourage them to remain faithful,

encourage them even to greater faithfulness as they serve the Lord. But remembering that these many of these Jewish Christians are ones who are considering going back under the law of Moses, they’re considering turning their back upon Jesus though. They don’t believe that’s what they’re doing in order to go back to that, which they were familiar with and thereby to go back under the law of Moses and the Hebrews writer is writing to show them that they are leaving.

That which is superior to that, which is inferior. If they do such a thing, if they turn against Christ, if they turn against the law of Christ, they’re going back to that, which was pointing to the time when the Christ would come. And yet if they, if they turn against that to go back to the inferior than they are negating everything that Jesus came in order to do,

we discussed last week concerning him speaking concerning fact, let us fear. And again, the word fear here carries with it. The idea of, of reverence toward what God has said and thereby with obedience to it. And yet he speaking concerning this rest that is available to us, the songs that Kevin led tonight, I don’t know if he was thinking about this or not.

He probably was, but that rest that is awaiting us of course is heaven. And if you paid any attention to the songs that we were singing, he was singing about heaven. He was singing about that rest that we have looking forward for us to look forward to, if we will be those who will remain faithful unto God. So let us fear.

The Hebrews writer says in verse one in verse 11, he says, let us labor let us labor therefore, to enter into that rest lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief, meaning the example of unbelief that he had previously talked about with those Jews and how that they did not receive the rest that they look for when they came out of Egyptian bondage,

because they did not look in faith. They rather looked in unbelieved. So he says to these Jewish Christians, as well as to us, let us labor to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief and thereby he speaking concerning the fact that we are to put forth effort, give diligence, to do that, which God has instructed us to do in order to do that.

Then we have to abide by those things that God, through his word and Jesus through the new Testament speaks that we are to do such as when Peter writes second Peter chapter one, when he gives those, as we sometimes call them those Christian graces. When he says beginning in verse five and beside this giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue and virtue knowledge and to knowledge temperance and to temperance patience and the patient’s godliness and to godliness,

brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness, charity for if these things be in you and abound, they make you that you shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he, that liked us. These things is blind and cannot see afar off and have forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore. The rather brethren give diligence to make your calling and election sure.

For if you do these things you shall never fall for. So an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. And so Peter here speaks concerning the fact that we are to give diligence we’re to put forth effort, to add these Christian graces to our lives. And all of us as members of the body of Christ should have these.

Sometimes we have the idea that it takes a long period of time to acquire all of these Christian graces. That’s not the idea at all, but we should. All of us as members of the church, as members of the body of Christ, we should have these. And it shouldn’t take a long period of time for us to acquire these or to manifest these things.

Paul, on a couple of different occasions will speak concerning the fact that it’s possible for us to be like those in the old Testament, by not doing what we are supposed to do. When Paul writes to the Corinthians in second Corinthians, chapter 13, the last chapter of the book of second Corinthians, he says in verse five, examine yourselves, whether you be in the faith,

prove your own selves, know ye not your own cells, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except you’d be reprobates, except you’d be reprobates. The word reprobate as Paul is using it. Here is an illustrative term that is being used. The word reprobate back in new Testament times carried with it. The idea Of a coin. Imagine if you will,

that you, We had a coin from the first century and probably it was a coin of Caesar or Of something Other ruler of, of another area. Sometimes you had Those local rulers that even have their own coinage that was used, but you have that Print of that rulers face on the coin. Okay. And that was really all that gave that coin.

Any value. Now you take one of our coins. For example, if you were to take a quarter and to use it so much or rub it so much to where the face on the front of it is no longer distinguishable, that doesn’t eliminate the value of that particular coin, just because you can’t see the face or understand the face, but that was not necessarily the case in the first century that here it speaks concerning the idea of having a coin that is so well worn and that it becomes useless.

It becomes reprobate. It is that which is supposed to express a certain amount of value. And yet, because you can’t distinguish what is on the coin, it has no value at all. Well, that’s the idea that the Paul is speaking of here in second Corinthians chapter 13, examine yourselves, whether you be in the faith, prove your own cells or test your own selves,

know ye not your own cells, how the Jesus Christ is in you except you’d be worthless, except you’d be reprobates. You turn to first Corinthians chapter nine and in first Corinthians chapter nine and in verse 27, the last verse of that chapter, Paul says, but I keep under my body and bring it into subjection less than by any means what I have preached to others.

I myself should be a Castaway. And Paul here is making the point in writing to the brethren in Korea, that he has to continue to examine himself in order to make sure that he is walking and doing what God intends for him to do. He has to test himself to make sure that that is the case. Well, if the apostle Paul had to do that,

then what about you and me? And he does that. He says, because teaching to others, that if he himself falls away from the truth, after having taught others than it is going to be that, which is going to cause problems for himself, because he’s going to end up being cast away. But also those that hear him are going to end up following the same thing is the idea.

And therefore he says, but I keep under my body and bring it into subjection. Last that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a Castaway. Now again, when you think concerning that particular verse, and you have those in the religious world today, many in the religious world today who hold to the idea of one saved,

always say, well, if that were the truth, then Paul would not have to even worry about whether he was one who kept his body in subjection. There was no way he could fall away. Anyway, Paul says, that’s not the case less than by any means. When I have preached to others, I myself should be a Castaway. And so there is to be this self-discipline and examination of ourselves to make sure that we are what God intends for us to be.

And it is to be an examination in every area of our life and our responsibility. Paul, again, would say in Philippians chapter two, as he is writing to the church at Philippi and in verse two or verse 12, rather, he says, wherefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now also are now much more in my absence,

work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. And so in every area of our lives, every area of our responsibility is to be such that it is examined, continued to be reviewed in order for us to labor the way that God intends for us. The reason For the labor is faithfulness. Of course it is faithfulness lest any man fall of unbelief.

The Hebrews writer says the reason that Israel fell was because of their unbelief. It was because of their unfaithfulness. It was because of their disobedience To the truth And the realization, the acknowledgement that the Hebrews writer brings out and Hebrews chapter three, the previous chapter and in verse 12, is to take heed brethren, unless there be in any of you, an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living,

God, again, remember he’s writing to Christians, he’s writing to Jewish Christians and he’s acknowledging it is possible for them to Huh, But an evil heart of unbelief and thereby depart from the living God, which again, shows that once saved always say it is not true. In fact, that’s, that’s the main emphasis of what the Hebrew writer is bringing out here in the book of Hebrews.

And so in our labor to enter into that rest, we must, as he says, in verse 12, we must be those who give place to God’s word, that his word is to affect our lives because there in verses 12 and 13, he says for the word of God is quick and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword piercing, even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit and of joints and marrow,

and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not made manifest in his sight, but all things are naked and open under the eyes of him with whom we have to do. Now, whether you realize it or not, there is a big discussion that generally takes place over verse 12. When he says the word of God is quick and powerful and sharper than any two edged sword piercing,

even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit and of the joints and Morrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. The question is, what does the Hebrews writer mean when he says the word of God is like this. We read that normally. And we automatically think concerning the new Testament concerning the Bible and therefore a description of the Bible,

but there’s also a possibility. And I would suggest a probability that he’s not speaking concerning the word of God itself, as far as the Bible is concerned, but he’s speaking concerning the word of God that became flesh and dwelt among Us, John chapter One, verse 14. And therefore he speaking concerning the Lord himself. And somebody says, well, how can you,

how can you come to that conclusion with what he says, being the word of God being this way? Well, we have to remember a verse in its context previously, diverse 12. He’s talking about Jesus after verse 12, he’s talking about Jesus to slip in concerning God’s word, the Bible as being what is being stated here in the context that we find it it’s out of place.

And when you look at the fact that he’s going to be speaking, in fact, when you look at the book of Hebrews from Hebrews chapter four, through Hebrews chapter 10, the focus is on Jesus. The focus is on Jesus and the different qualities concerning Jesus and how those qualities are desirable and necessary for him to be the son of God, for him to be the high priest for him to be the perfect sacrifice.

All of those things that Hebrews writer is bringing out Those chapters And remember as well, he’s writing to the Jewish Christians, The Jewish Christians, those who were looking this one to come the Messiah, the Christ, who is often spoken of in old Testament times as being the word of God, speaking to the people, that’s a reference concerning Jesus himself. It is pre-incarnate state as part of the deity as part of the Godhead he is referred to,

as the word is John brings out in John chapter one, he is the word in the old Testament it’s spoken of as the word of God speaks under them. Well, that is a reference concerning Jesus, our Lord, the second person in the Godhead that is doing the speaking to mankind. It appears anyway that that’s exactly what he means here. And therefore,

when he speaks concerning the word of God is quick. That meaning being alive to be discriminating, passing judgment upon even the thoughts of mankind alive, he’s powerful has dominion and strength that he is sharper than any two-edged sword. And again, this is in the context of he’s, he’s going into talking about him being the high priest, the high priest under our day in time.

Now he was not able to be a high priest under the old law because he was not of the tribe of Levi nor was he of the family of Aaron, but he can be a high priest now in heaven for us. And that’s exactly what the Hebrews writer is going to bring out sharper than any two-edged sword Penetrating Even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit of the joints.

And Morrow is a discerner of the thoughts, discerner of the intents of the heart. When you think concerning the high priest under the old Testament times, he definitely came into play on the day of atonement, excuse me, when he would offer that sacrifice once a year for his sins. And then he would offer that sacrifice for the sins of the people,

but it was the responsibility of the high priest mainly anyway, that when those sacrifices were going to be offered, he had to be the one to examine the sacrifice, to make sure that it was clean to make sure that it was in accordance with what God’s word instructed with, what the law of Moses instructed for the sacrifices to be that it was not one that was contaminated,

that it was not one that was diseased and things such as that. And it was his responsibility as that animal is killed, that animal is going to be divided. He’s going to be cut from the chin all the way down through the rest of its body. And he would be that animal would be opened up to be inspected even on the inside to make sure that it was a good sacrifice that was being offered.

Well, the very idea is Jesus does that with us. Remember we’re to offer ourselves as a spiritual sacrifice. He examines us to make sure that we are good sacrifices. And that is the very idea seemingly that what the Hebrews writer is bringing out concerning our Lord and all who neglect all who neglect the word of God and the responsibilities that are placed upon us in the word of God are those who are not going to be able to enter into that rest because they are not clean sacrifices.

So he brings out in verse 13, That He is watching and, and all things are naked and open unto the eyes of him notice changes from speaking concerning the word of God, to him. And yet it speaking concerning the same thing, same person, just using different terms, open to him with whom we have to do, seeing them that we have a great high priest that is passed into the heavens Jesus,

the son of God, let us hold fast, our profession. And so with this, he’s bringing out the idea that everything that we do, everything that we say, everything that we think that our high priest, the one who is able to discern those things as it relates, even to our thoughts in our intents of the heart, there is that all scene.

I watching us that sometimes we see all seen eyes is watching you well, how true that is. And so the Hebrews writer brings out, let us labor, let us give diligence to make sure that we are doing those things that God would have us to do. Then finally, in verse 16, he says, let us come boldly under the throne of grace,

that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need, recognizing that there is needed assistance for us and needed assistance was available for those children of Israel, as they were leaving Egypt and coming to the promised land. And yet when they got to the promise, then they rejected the assistance. And as a result of them rejecting the assistance,

they’re going to end up wandering the wilderness for a total of 40 years. It’s already been two years. So they’re going to wander for another 38 years because they rejected the assistance that was available to them by God and God acknowledge. You’re not going to defeat the enemies of Palestine because you’re greater than they are or that you have more numbers than they do.

But God acknowledges you’re your small compared to them. The only reason that you’re going to be victorious over them is because I’m going to be fighting for you. And it’s such that I will fight for you as long as you are faithful. And to me, it’s you stopped being faithful. And to me in turn to idolatry and I’ll stop fighting for you.

And he did, which is also the reason why eventually they’re going to lose the land because they didn’t hold up their end of the bargain. They didn’t hold up their into the agreement with God, let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace. God’s throne of grace. Aren’t we thankful that He sits not only on a throne of justice, but also on a throne of grace.

If it were not for his grace, there is not a single one of us that would be saved because sin demands, punishment, seeing demands, Being cute, Pure from those sins in order to be right with God, it is what he demands in order for us to be acceptable to you. This power of grace is obtained Chained as is brought out here through man’s faith and Paul,

when he writes to the Ephesians in Ephesians chapter two in verses eight and nine, he says for by grace, are you saved through faith and that not of yourselves. It is a gift. The gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast. And so it is that grace, by which we are going to be saved, if we’re saved at all,

we’re not a single one of us has not earned our salvation. We have not been so good that God has to give us salvation. No, not at all. It will be by the grace of God. If we receive salvation Paul in Romans chapter five in verses one, and two says, therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand and rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Yes, Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace. God’s dealings with man prove that God is full of grace, full of mercy, and this grace and mercy, when it is neglected, when it is refused in our lives.

And the life that we live is that, which is a denial of him and of his judgment turn over to Hebrews chapter 10, Man Verses 27 and 31. The Hebrews writer says, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries here. He’s talking about this right after he talks about in verse 25, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together as the manner of some is,

but exhorting one another and so much the more as you see the day approaching four, if we sin willfully, after that, we have received the knowledge of the truth. There remaineth no more, no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries, talking about willful sin. After that we have,

and, and willful sin being descriptive of those who are forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, you drop down to verse one. It is a fearful thing to fall in the hands of the living God and how true that is. Therefore the need for grace, for us in order to be what God would have us to Be. And so Let us lay the sacrifice of our service at the feet of the high priest is,

is the very point that the Hebrews writer is making here in chapter four. And in verse four 14, seeing that we have a great high priest that is passed into the heavens Jesus, the son of God, let us hold fast. Our profession, our profession, our Way of life to be acceptable unto him in chapter two and verse 18. The Hebrews writer says that last verse four,

in that he himself has suffered being tempted. He is able to sucker them that are tempted. Again, speaking concerning Jesus, Jesus was tempted in all points like as we are yet without sin. He is The one who knows the trials that we have. He knows the temptations that we face on a daily basis. And therefore in verse 15, when he says in chapter four for,

we have not an high priest, which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted like as we are yet without sin. Yeah. Understands what we are going through because he’s actually lived this life. He’s lived like we have as a man. And again, 100% God, and 100% man, 100% of the time is our description of our Lord.

We don’t completely understand how that’s possible and yet over and over again, the scripture show us that it is possible. And it is because of that, that he knows the very things that we go True. He knows the things that we go through, right? Therefore he amply rewards. Those who are faithful With receiving That rest in the promised land, even as John writes in revelation,

chapter seven, verses 15 through 17. So the Hebrews writer speaks concerning. Let us fear respecting God’s word, being watchful. As we walk before our God, let us give diligence to enter into that way of life and service that leads under the glory land, the place of rest. Let us come to God’s throne of grace. He says, when we’re saddened in life,

when we are in need, when temptation Comes about by the various adversaries, we face in life. When we are happy, when we are joyful, yes, let us come to the throne of grace. And so God’s exercise. It is to the lost here in the book of Hebrews, Those who are considering going back, turning their back upon God,

turning their back upon the law of Christ, turning their back upon the church, turning the back, their backup upon salvation. That’s been provided for them To go to a heart of unbelief. How are you Ridiculous? It is to even consider such Hebrews writer is trying to bring out and to those who are outside the body of Christ, certainly there is expressed over and over again,

the need for obedience to the gospel and to conform our lives to that, which God expects that which God has required of each and every one of us, as we strive to have that eternal rest strive to have heaven as our eternal reward, let us, the Hebrew writer says, let us fear, let us lay, Let us come boldly to the throne of grace,

Outside the body of Christ. We plead with you to obey the gospel before it is eternally too late. If you’re one, who’s a member of the body of Christ, but you’ve gone back into the world. We plead with you to come back in repentance, praying to God for forgiveness, and to begin walking in the way of righteousness. Once more before it is eternally too late,

because no other way, whereby we will receive the rest that God wants to give to each and every one of us The invitation song has been selected to encourage you if you’re needing to respond. And if we can help you, please, will you come as together? We stand and as we sing.