Hebrews 6:4-8 For it is impossible to renew to repentance those who were once enlightened, who tasted the heavenly gift, who shared in the Holy Spirit, who tasted God’s good word and the powers of the coming age, and who have fallen away. This is because, to their own harm, they are recrucifying the Son of God and holding him up to contempt. For the ground that drinks the rain that often falls on it and that produces vegetation useful to those for whom it is cultivated receives a blessing from God. But if it produces thorns and thistles, it is worthless and about to be cursed, and at the end will be burned. Philippians 1:6 I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Big Idea: Salvation requires a heart change. Hebrews 6:4 For it is impossible to renew to repentance those who were once enlightened, who tasted the heavenly gift, who shared in the Holy Spirit… The Enlightenment “The Enlightenment was a time in the 1600s–1700s when many European thinkers started saying, ‘Use your brain.’ In simple terms, it was a movement that emphasized reason and evidence instead of tradition and superstition, and it asked how thinking more clearly could improve government, religion, and everyday life.” Hebrews 2:9 But we do see Jesus—made lower than the angels for a short time so that by God’s grace he might taste death for everyone… Pew Research Survey - What percentage of Americans identify as “Christian”? Matthew 5:44-45 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven. For he causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. Acts 14:16-17 “In past generations, he allowed all the nations to go their own way, although he did not leave himself without a witness, since he did what is good by giving you rain from heaven and fruitful seasons and filling you with food and your hearts with joy.” Hebrews 6:5 …who tasted God’s good word and the powers of the coming age… Romans 2:28-29 For a person is not a Jew who is one outwardly, and true circumcision is not something visible in the flesh. On the contrary, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly, and circumcision is of the heart—by the Spirit, not the letter. That person’s praise is not from people but from God. Luke 6:45 A good person produces good out of the good stored up in his heart. An evil person produces evil out of the evil stored up in his heart, for his mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart. Ezekiel 36:26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. Hebrews 6:6 …and who have fallen away. This is because, to their own harm, they are recrucifying the Son of God and holding him up to contempt. 1 John 2:19 They went out from us, but they did not belong to us; for if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. However, they went out so that it might be made clear that none of them belongs to us. Acts 1:24-25 Then they prayed, “You, Lord, know everyone’s hearts; show which of these two you have chosen to take the place in this apostolic ministry that Judas left to go where he belongs.” Next Step: I will repent of my sins and submit my life to Christ. Hebrews 6:7-8 For the ground that drinks the rain that often falls on it and that produces vegetation useful to those for whom it is cultivated receives a blessing from God. But if it produces thorns and thistles, it is worthless and about to be cursed, and at the end will be burned. Matthew 13:18-23 “So listen to the parable of the sower: When anyone hears the word about the kingdom and doesn’t understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the one sown along the path. And the one sown on rocky ground—this is one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy. But he has no root and is short-lived. When distress or persecution comes because of the word, immediately he falls away. Now the one sown among the thorns—this is one who hears the word, but the worries of this age and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. But the one sown on the good ground—this is one who hears and understands the word, who does produce fruit and yields: some a hundred, some sixty, some thirty times what was sown.” Next Step: I will commit to pray for , , & . Share the names of those you are praying for with our prayer team (Click HERE)