Where We Reside

Beware a “hardened heart.”

'So, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the wilderness, where your ancestors tested and tried me, though for forty years they saw what I did. That is why I was angry with that generation; I said, ‘Their hearts are always going astray, and they have not known my ways.’ So I declared on oath in my anger, ‘They shall never enter my rest.’ ” See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. '

- Hebrews 3:7-13 NIV

The leading cause of a hardened heart is a distracted life.

‘Their hearts are always going astray, and they have not known my ways.’

- Hebrews 3:10 NIV

God built rest into the rhythm of creation.

'For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: “On the seventh day God rested from all his works.”’

- Hebrews 4:4 NIV

Take a break from the noise and listen for God’s voice. 

'Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.'

- Hebrews 4:11 NIV

'“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light… At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath…’

- Matthew 11:28-30 and 12:1a

We can reside in God’s rest.

There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his.'

- Hebrews 4:9-10 NIV

High Above All

'In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.'

- Hebrews 1:1-2 NIV

Jesus is high above all.

He is God Most High.

'The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.'

- Hebrews 1:3

He holds the place of highest honor and authority.

'So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs. For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father”? Or again, “I will be his Father, and he will be my Son”? And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.” In speaking of the angels he says, “He makes his angels spirits, and his servants flames of fire.” But about the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.'

- Hebrews 1:4-8

He is the great High Priest.

'In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered.'

- Hebrews 2:10

'For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.'

- Hebrews 2:17

We can find help from on high.

'Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.'

- Hebrews 2:18

'No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.'

- 1 Corinthians 10:13

'For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age…”

- Titus 2:11-12

Anchored in Christ

"Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away."

- Hebrews 2:1 NKJV

Life on earth, if not anchored in Christ, causes you to drift away.

"...when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God..."

- Genesis 3:5 NIV

"...then the eyes of both of them were opened..."

- Genesis 3:7 NIV

Today, people who don't have Jesus are lost!

"Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don't believe."

- 2 Corinthians 4:4 NLT

“The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to.”

- Luke 4:5-6 NIV

3 Things We Must Do to Not Drift Away:

1) Believe and Trust the Word (Jesus)

“Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be SURE to all the seed…”

- Romans 4:16 NKJV

“These things I have written to you who BELIEVE in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to BELIEVE in the name of the Son of God.”

- 1 John 5:13 NKJV

2) Hold on to the Word (Jesus)

“Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God…”

- Heb 2:17 NKJV

““What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’” - Luke 15:4 NKJV

3) Identify yourself in Jesus

“Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren.…. “

- Hebrews 2:17 NKJV

“For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.”

- Hebrews 2:18 NKJV

Jesus identified with us.

“Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.”

- Luke 24:39 NKJV

Paul Identified himself in Christ.

“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

- Galatians 2:20 NKJV

John Identified himself in ChrisT.

“Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.”

- 1 John 4:17 NKJV

Identify yourself in Christ.

“When Christ WHO IS OUR LIFE appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.”

- Colossians 3:4 NKJV

“fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”

- Hebrews 12:2 NKJV

Not Even Close

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

- Hebrew 1:1-4

Jesus speaks 

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.

- Hebrews 1:1-2

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” 8 Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?

- John 14:6-9

Jesus sustains

He upholds the universe by the word of His power.’

- Hebrews 1:3

16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities — all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

- Colossians 1:16-17

Jesus stands alone

For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”?

- Hebrews 1:5

“Let all God's angels worship him.”

- Hebrews 1:6

And to which of the angels has he ever said, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”? 14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?

- Hebrews 1:13-14