Hebrews 3:7-13 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness, where your ancestors tested me, tried me, and saw my works for forty years. Therefore I was provoked to anger with that generation and said, “They always go astray in their hearts, and they have not known my ways.” So I swore in my anger, “They will not enter my rest.” Watch out, brothers and sisters, so that there won’t be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage each other daily, while it is still called today, so that none of you is hardened by sin’s deception. Big Idea: Do not harden your hearts to God Hebrews 3:7-10 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness, where your ancestors tested me, tried me, and saw my works for forty years. Therefore I was provoked to anger with that generation and said, “They always go astray in their hearts, and they have not known my ways.” Psalm 95:1-7a Come, let’s shout joyfully to the Lord, shout triumphantly to the rock of our salvation! Let’s enter his presence with thanksgiving; let’s shout triumphantly to him in song. For the Lord is a great God, a great King above all gods. The depths of the earth are in his hand, and the mountain peaks are his. The sea is his; he made it. His hands formed the dry land. Come, let’s worship and bow down; let’s kneel before the Lord our Maker. For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, the sheep under his care First Question of the Westminster Shorter Catechism: Question 1: What is the chief end of man? Answer: To glorify God and enjoy him forever. A lack of awe hinders evangelism A lack of awe produces faithlessness. Hebrews 3:11 So I swore in my anger, “They will not enter my rest.” A lack of awe produces sin You cannot make up for your sin. Hebrews 3:12 Watch out, brothers and sisters, so that there won’t be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. Hebrews 2:1-3 For this reason, we must pay attention all the more to what we have heard, so that we will not drift away. For if the message spoken through angels was legally binding and every transgression and disobedience received a just punishment, how will we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? Evangelical Christians affirm the following: The Bible is the highest authority for what I believe. It is very important for me personally to encourage non-Christians to trust Jesus Christ as their Savior. Jesus Christ’s death on the cross is the only sacrifice that could remove the penalty of my sin. Only those who trust in Jesus Christ alone as their Savior receive God’s free gift of eternal salvation. State of Theology survey questions: Everyone is born innocent in the eyes of God - 64% Agree Psalm 51:5 - Indeed, I was guilty when I was born; I was sinful when my mother conceived me. Everyone sins a little, but most people are good by nature. 53% Agree Romans 3:10-12 - There is no one righteous, not even one. There is no one who understands, there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away; all alike have become worthless. There is no one who does what is good, not even one. God accepts the worship of all religions, including Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. - 47% Agree John 14:6 - Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. Colossians 2:8 Be careful that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit based on human tradition, based on the elements of the world, rather than Christ. Galatians 1:6-9 I am amazed that you are so quickly turning away from him who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another gospel, but there are some who are troubling you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, a curse be on him! As we have said before, I now say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, a curse be on him! Galatians 1:10 For am I now trying to persuade people, or God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. Hebrews 3:13 But encourage each other daily, while it is still called today, so that none of you is hardened by sin’s deception. Disagreement is not hatred. Agreement is not love. Next Step: I will soften my heart to the Lord’s call Next Step: I will ask for God’s help to share his truth in love and grace. Next Step: I will submit my life to Christ.