WEBVTT 00:00:04.280 --> 00:00:06.350 Alrighty. I have an illustration for you. 00:00:06.350 --> 00:00:08.078 Y'all are my kids time this morning. 00:00:08.078 --> 00:00:08.918 You ready? 00:00:09.086 --> 00:00:09.822 You ready? 00:00:09.918 --> 00:00:10.230 All right. 00:00:10.230 --> 00:00:12.142 So when I came in here this morning, 00:00:12.142 --> 00:00:14.914 I asked Scott to close his eyes. 00:00:15.774 --> 00:00:19.274 Scott didn't trust me enough to close his eyes. 00:00:24.094 --> 00:00:25.758 This is a water balloon. 00:00:25.806 --> 00:00:27.786 Trudy, come up here a moment. 00:00:29.474 --> 00:00:29.882 All right, 00:00:29.882 --> 00:00:30.842 turn face to crowd. 00:00:30.842 --> 00:00:33.706 Trudy, close your eyes. 00:00:33.890 --> 00:00:34.814 Did she? 00:00:35.194 --> 00:00:36.746 She trusts me. 00:00:36.930 --> 00:00:38.154 Can you believe that? 00:00:38.154 --> 00:00:38.442 I mean, 00:00:38.442 --> 00:00:39.050 I could just. 00:00:39.050 --> 00:00:39.866 Right here, 00:00:39.930 --> 00:00:42.282 just. Just pinch . 00:00:42.418 --> 00:00:43.642 I won't do that. 00:00:43.642 --> 00:00:44.290 Thank you. 00:00:44.290 --> 00:00:44.950 All right. 00:00:45.042 --> 00:00:46.842 That was my illustration this morning. 00:00:46.842 --> 00:00:49.414 Because today's message really about trusting God. 00:00:49.714 --> 00:00:54.082 It's really just about trusting God for who he is and what he's done and 00:00:54.082 --> 00:00:55.402 what he has said. 00:00:55.402 --> 00:00:59.306 Right? And so we're going to be looking at that in Hebrews chapter six 00:00:59.306 --> 00:01:03.122 this morning as we finish up some of the thoughts from last week, 00:01:03.122 --> 00:01:07.666 but also moving on into our great high priest. 00:01:07.690 --> 00:01:09.722 So I want to ask you to bow with me as we pray. 00:01:09.722 --> 00:01:12.434 God, thank you for today and all that you're doing, 00:01:12.434 --> 00:01:14.658 God, what you're accomplishing in our midst. 00:01:14.506 --> 00:01:14.914 But, God, 00:01:14.914 --> 00:01:15.578 even more than that, 00:01:15.578 --> 00:01:17.228 what you're accomplishing in us, 00:01:17.794 --> 00:01:19.754 God, you're doing great and mighty things. 00:01:19.754 --> 00:01:23.434 And your word even teaches us you do things that we can't even ask or 00:01:23.434 --> 00:01:24.334 think about. 00:01:24.754 --> 00:01:27.064 So God help us to pay attention. 00:01:27.194 --> 00:01:29.174 God help us to stay close. 00:01:29.994 --> 00:01:35.722 God help us to recognize when you're dragging us sometimes where we might 00:01:35.858 --> 00:01:36.546 resist you. 00:01:36.570 --> 00:01:44.370 But God help us to hear the whisper in which you nudge us closer to you 00:01:44.402 --> 00:01:47.082 and further in the path that you lead. 00:01:47.138 --> 00:01:49.558 God help us to trust you. 00:01:49.746 --> 00:01:52.056 Help us to trust what you've said. 00:01:52.134 --> 00:01:53.782 Help us to live that trust. 00:01:53.782 --> 00:01:56.092 And we pray it in Jesus name. 00:01:55.702 --> 00:01:57.150 Amen. All right, 00:01:57.182 --> 00:01:58.270 you going to pancakes now, 00:01:58.270 --> 00:01:59.142 Trudy? All right, 00:01:59.142 --> 00:02:00.514 she's going to pancakes. 00:02:01.814 --> 00:02:03.238 Hebrews, chapter six, 00:02:03.286 --> 00:02:04.582 verses nine through 20. 00:02:04.638 --> 00:02:06.638 It's a rather long passage, 00:02:06.686 --> 00:02:09.934 and so I want to go ahead and read it for you. 00:02:09.014 --> 00:02:10.422 And kind of. 00:02:10.438 --> 00:02:16.302 It comes on the heels of last week's security message and God doing 00:02:16.398 --> 00:02:17.550 salvation. You know, 00:02:17.622 --> 00:02:18.454 at funerals, 00:02:18.494 --> 00:02:24.410 I always say I can't get up at a funeral and save anybody. 00:02:24.442 --> 00:02:25.762 Do y'all know that? 00:02:27.034 --> 00:02:27.706 You know, 00:02:27.810 --> 00:02:33.254 it's interesting to me how pastors will get up at funerals and try to 00:02:33.594 --> 00:02:35.786 preach the deceased into heaven. 00:02:35.850 --> 00:02:36.330 And I'm like, 00:02:36.330 --> 00:02:37.210 you ain't gonna get him there. 00:02:37.210 --> 00:02:37.974 I'm sorry. 00:02:38.434 --> 00:02:39.042 Matter of fact, 00:02:39.042 --> 00:02:40.418 there's a joke I used to. 00:02:40.418 --> 00:02:41.890 I've told this joke so much. 00:02:41.890 --> 00:02:43.018 So if you're offended by it, 00:02:43.018 --> 00:02:44.998 well, you're just one of many. 00:02:46.084 --> 00:02:49.180 Two brothers were just heinous characters. 00:02:49.372 --> 00:02:49.844 I mean, 00:02:49.844 --> 00:02:50.944 they were crooked. 00:02:51.444 --> 00:02:52.504 They cheated. 00:02:53.044 --> 00:02:54.756 They treated people poorly. 00:02:54.820 --> 00:02:56.304 They were just terrible. 00:02:56.684 --> 00:02:58.334 Well, one of them passed, 00:02:58.564 --> 00:03:01.052 and so the brother went to the pastor who was doing his funeral, 00:03:01.052 --> 00:03:01.412 and he said, 00:03:01.412 --> 00:03:05.704 look, if you will say that my brother was a saint, 00:03:06.004 --> 00:03:09.744 I'll write your church a check for $100,000. 00:03:11.024 --> 00:03:12.040 And the preacher was like, 00:03:12.040 --> 00:03:13.808 huh? All right. 00:03:13.896 --> 00:03:15.312 So he got up and he was preaching. 00:03:15.312 --> 00:03:15.560 He said, 00:03:15.560 --> 00:03:16.608 the guy's a thief. 00:03:16.448 --> 00:03:17.304 The guy's a cheat. 00:03:17.304 --> 00:03:18.624 The guy's a crook. 00:03:18.664 --> 00:03:20.314 But compared to his brother, 00:03:20.368 --> 00:03:21.484 he's a saint, 00:03:25.024 --> 00:03:28.444 right? You understand the point of that? 00:03:29.384 --> 00:03:31.472 But I do say at most funerals, 00:03:31.472 --> 00:03:33.064 God's in charge of salvation. 00:03:32.800 --> 00:03:33.644 Not me. 00:03:34.304 --> 00:03:36.000 I'm not in charge of salvation. 00:03:36.000 --> 00:03:38.648 I'm in charge of preaching the good news and preaching the gospel and 00:03:38.648 --> 00:03:42.024 letting you know what God has said about salvation. 00:03:42.144 --> 00:03:44.454 But I'm not in charge of salvation. 00:03:44.624 --> 00:03:47.256 I had a kid once upon a time when I was doing youth ministry. 00:03:47.152 --> 00:03:47.400 He said, 00:03:47.400 --> 00:03:48.016 oh, yeah, 00:03:48.016 --> 00:03:49.968 Pastor Davenport saved me. 00:03:50.096 --> 00:03:50.992 And I told that kid, 00:03:50.992 --> 00:03:51.240 I said, 00:03:51.240 --> 00:03:52.032 oh, my. 00:03:52.208 --> 00:03:53.808 If Pastor Davenport saved you, 00:03:53.808 --> 00:03:54.798 then guess what? 00:03:54.808 --> 00:03:55.764 You're lost. 00:03:56.904 --> 00:03:58.604 Cause only Jesus saves. 00:03:58.984 --> 00:04:01.960 So listen to these verses from Hebrews chapter six, 00:04:02.112 --> 00:04:03.312 verses nine to 20. 00:04:03.368 --> 00:04:05.678 Even though we are speaking this way, 00:04:05.824 --> 00:04:06.920 dearly loved friends. 00:04:06.992 --> 00:04:10.834 And remember that verses one through eight of Hebrews six is a warning 00:04:10.834 --> 00:04:14.666 passage against rejecting faith, 00:04:14.850 --> 00:04:19.426 rejecting trusting God for what he said and what he's done. 00:04:19.530 --> 00:04:20.562 And then he says this. 00:04:20.562 --> 00:04:20.874 He says, 00:04:20.874 --> 00:04:22.658 even though we're speaking this way, 00:04:22.658 --> 00:04:23.458 warning you, 00:04:23.506 --> 00:04:24.378 dearly loved friends, 00:04:24.378 --> 00:04:25.338 in your case, 00:04:25.338 --> 00:04:29.628 we are confident of things that are better and that pertain to salvation. 00:04:29.714 --> 00:04:31.098 For God is not unjust. 00:04:31.098 --> 00:04:34.714 He'll not forget your work and the love you demonstrated for his name by 00:04:34.714 --> 00:04:37.338 serving the saints and by continuing to serve them. 00:04:37.338 --> 00:04:41.254 Now, we desire each of you to demonstrate the same diligence. 00:04:41.374 --> 00:04:44.070 For the full assurance of your hope until the end. 00:04:44.070 --> 00:04:46.114 So that you won't become lazy, 00:04:46.694 --> 00:04:50.598 but will be imitators of those who inherit the promises through faith and 00:04:50.598 --> 00:04:51.430 perseverance. 00:04:51.542 --> 00:04:53.550 For when God made a promise to Abraham, 00:04:53.550 --> 00:04:55.422 since he had no one greater to swear by, 00:04:55.422 --> 00:04:56.742 he swore by himself. 00:04:57.174 --> 00:04:58.702 I will indeed bless you, 00:04:58.702 --> 00:05:00.686 and I will greatly multiply you. 00:05:00.750 --> 00:05:01.342 And so, 00:05:01.342 --> 00:05:02.854 after waiting patiently, 00:05:02.974 --> 00:05:05.648 Abraham obtained the promise. 00:05:05.806 --> 00:05:08.156 For people swear by something greater than themselves, 00:05:08.156 --> 00:05:09.348 and for them, 00:05:09.436 --> 00:05:11.484 a confirming oath ends every dispute. 00:05:11.524 --> 00:05:15.308 Because God wanted to show his unchangeable purpose even more clearly to 00:05:15.308 --> 00:05:16.404 the heirs of the promise, 00:05:16.404 --> 00:05:17.860 he guaranteed it with an oath. 00:05:17.692 --> 00:05:21.964 So that through two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God 00:05:21.964 --> 00:05:22.824 to lie, 00:05:23.204 --> 00:05:27.372 we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to seize the 00:05:27.372 --> 00:05:28.940 hope set before us. 00:05:29.052 --> 00:05:31.844 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, 00:05:31.844 --> 00:05:33.898 firm and secure. 00:05:34.026 --> 00:05:36.914 It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain. 00:05:36.994 --> 00:05:41.554 Jesus has entered there on our behalf as a forerunner because he has 00:05:41.594 --> 00:05:43.250 become a high priest forever, 00:05:43.322 --> 00:05:45.986 according to the order of Melchizedek. 00:05:46.170 --> 00:05:48.050 See, we're not even to chapter seven yet, 00:05:48.050 --> 00:05:51.850 so we don't even get to take a look at who Melchizedek is completely. 00:05:51.546 --> 00:05:55.836 But what we do have here is that God has made a promise. 00:05:56.074 --> 00:05:59.190 God has promised salvation. 00:05:59.302 --> 00:06:04.846 God has promised this relationship that we could be his people through 00:06:04.870 --> 00:06:06.414 the shed blood of Jesus Christ. 00:06:06.414 --> 00:06:10.278 And we've looked at all of this through the book of Hebrews that God has 00:06:10.278 --> 00:06:13.670 spoken in these days through his son Jesus. 00:06:13.782 --> 00:06:15.502 Jesus, his son and heir. 00:06:15.558 --> 00:06:17.838 And he is the creator and sustainer. 00:06:17.838 --> 00:06:20.134 He is the radiance of God's glory. 00:06:20.134 --> 00:06:22.862 He is the exact expression of the essence of God. 00:06:22.862 --> 00:06:25.674 He is king and he is high priest. 00:06:25.774 --> 00:06:27.818 Okay, that is sort of. 00:06:27.946 --> 00:06:28.730 Not sort of. 00:06:28.730 --> 00:06:29.826 There's no sort of to it. 00:06:29.826 --> 00:06:35.106 That is God's final word in his plan of redemption and salvation. 00:06:35.210 --> 00:06:37.394 Jesus accomplished it. 00:06:37.514 --> 00:06:38.434 When Jesus said, 00:06:38.434 --> 00:06:40.414 it is finished on the cross, 00:06:40.594 --> 00:06:42.244 you know what that meant? 00:06:42.674 --> 00:06:43.974 It's finished. 00:06:44.354 --> 00:06:45.362 It's done. 00:06:45.498 --> 00:06:46.642 He did it. 00:06:46.778 --> 00:06:49.578 Okay, now here's the question we have. 00:06:49.746 --> 00:06:52.386 This is what I'm asking you this morning. 00:06:52.924 --> 00:06:54.904 You don't have to trust me. 00:06:55.444 --> 00:06:56.824 I'm not in charge. 00:06:57.124 --> 00:06:58.774 But do you trust God? 00:06:59.444 --> 00:07:02.744 Do you trust God for the salvation that he's offered? 00:07:03.124 --> 00:07:04.052 You see, 00:07:04.228 --> 00:07:08.848 I'm sure that sometime this morning one of those balloons is going to pop. 00:07:09.204 --> 00:07:10.196 That's why I got two. 00:07:10.196 --> 00:07:12.764 I got a third one in the back. 00:07:12.764 --> 00:07:16.244 I'm just kind of waiting to see who I get up here to volunteer. 00:07:16.244 --> 00:07:17.564 Won't that be fun? 00:07:18.454 --> 00:07:19.354 Oh, see, 00:07:20.014 --> 00:07:22.078 got a hand went up back there. 00:07:21.830 --> 00:07:22.634 All right, 00:07:23.174 --> 00:07:28.074 so here's the point of today's message is that God has spoken. 00:07:29.054 --> 00:07:33.474 God has accomplished salvation, 00:07:34.574 --> 00:07:40.830 and we in Christ remain secure in that salvation. 00:07:41.022 --> 00:07:42.494 I shared with you last week, 00:07:42.494 --> 00:07:43.214 all of the different, 00:07:43.214 --> 00:07:46.400 there are four different views of verses one through eight. 00:07:46.400 --> 00:07:47.368 And if you didn't get it, 00:07:47.368 --> 00:07:51.658 then go to YouTube or Facebook or wherever it happens to be recorded. 00:07:51.720 --> 00:07:52.920 Because the idea is, 00:07:52.920 --> 00:07:58.084 is do I trust that God has guaranteed my salvation? 00:07:58.904 --> 00:08:04.072 Do I trust that God did the work on my behalf and that I don't have to do 00:08:04.072 --> 00:08:05.976 the work to save myself? 00:08:06.040 --> 00:08:07.944 I can't earn salvation. 00:08:08.104 --> 00:08:10.828 I can't be good enough to get there. 00:08:11.016 --> 00:08:14.100 Okay. God is the one who saves. 00:08:14.292 --> 00:08:16.732 So is our salvation secure? 00:08:16.828 --> 00:08:20.104 And if our salvation is indeed secure, 00:08:20.724 --> 00:08:23.464 right. How? 00:08:24.604 --> 00:08:31.812 Why? Why is our salvation secure because it's based on God. 00:08:31.948 --> 00:08:34.500 It's based on the character of God. 00:08:34.572 --> 00:08:38.188 It's based on what God has spoken and said. 00:08:38.356 --> 00:08:39.916 So these passages, 00:08:39.980 --> 00:08:41.508 this passage nine through 20, 00:08:41.596 --> 00:08:44.143 is kind of beyond warning. 00:08:44.723 --> 00:08:47.323 The warning is don't reject faith. 00:08:47.363 --> 00:08:50.099 Remember, there are four warnings in the book of Hebrews. 00:08:49.707 --> 00:08:52.583 One is be careful not to drift. 00:08:53.243 --> 00:08:53.903 Right? Remember, 00:08:53.923 --> 00:08:56.083 that was the surfing illustration. 00:08:56.243 --> 00:09:00.243 It's really easy to drift if you're floating out there in the waves. 00:09:00.243 --> 00:09:00.747 Right. 00:09:00.875 --> 00:09:08.739 The second one was that we're to be careful of unbelief as in the days of 00:09:08.771 --> 00:09:09.443 the rebellion. 00:09:09.483 --> 00:09:10.803 And in that passage, 00:09:10.891 --> 00:09:15.644 the writer of Hebrews points back to the wilderness wandering and the 00:09:15.684 --> 00:09:19.028 idea that God's people had seen God work. 00:09:19.156 --> 00:09:21.172 They had heard God's voice at the, 00:09:21.172 --> 00:09:22.436 at the foot of the mountain. 00:09:22.436 --> 00:09:23.224 They had, 00:09:23.524 --> 00:09:27.024 they knew the God that was their God, 00:09:28.204 --> 00:09:29.854 but they didn't trust him. 00:09:31.124 --> 00:09:31.836 They didn't trust, 00:09:31.836 --> 00:09:35.820 they didn't believe that he would do what he said he would do. 00:09:35.660 --> 00:09:37.380 They got to the edge of the promised land. 00:09:37.380 --> 00:09:37.588 He said, 00:09:37.588 --> 00:09:38.924 now go take the promised land. 00:09:38.924 --> 00:09:39.914 And they went, 00:09:40.164 --> 00:09:44.144 nope, we'd rather go back to Egypt because those guys are big. 00:09:45.884 --> 00:09:48.864 And that whole generation died in the wilderness. 00:09:49.324 --> 00:09:50.974 See, they didn't believe God. 00:09:50.772 --> 00:09:51.604 So that's what he said. 00:09:51.604 --> 00:09:54.476 Be careful of unbelief as in the days of rebellion. 00:09:54.476 --> 00:09:55.532 And then in chapter six, 00:09:55.532 --> 00:09:56.116 he says, 00:09:56.116 --> 00:10:00.704 be careful not to reject faith. 00:10:01.004 --> 00:10:01.884 And I explained to you, 00:10:01.884 --> 00:10:03.412 and I'm going to explain it again in a few minutes, 00:10:03.412 --> 00:10:04.732 but what is faith? 00:10:05.804 --> 00:10:06.772 Is it just. 00:10:06.484 --> 00:10:08.820 Okay. I believe that Jesus lived. 00:10:08.852 --> 00:10:10.284 I believe that he died on a cross. 00:10:10.284 --> 00:10:12.264 I believe that he rose again. 00:10:13.084 --> 00:10:13.572 You know, 00:10:13.572 --> 00:10:14.076 I mean, 00:10:14.076 --> 00:10:17.116 romans ten nine says that if you confess with your mouth Jesus is the 00:10:17.116 --> 00:10:19.316 Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, 00:10:19.316 --> 00:10:20.584 you'll be saved. 00:10:21.484 --> 00:10:23.796 Right? So here's my question. 00:10:23.860 --> 00:10:25.156 After I answer those things, 00:10:25.156 --> 00:10:26.148 I don't believe in work, 00:10:26.148 --> 00:10:28.524 salvation. I don't believe you can earn your salvation. 00:10:28.524 --> 00:10:29.348 As a matter of fact, 00:10:29.348 --> 00:10:32.318 I don't believe you can undo what God does. 00:10:32.284 --> 00:10:34.196 Okay? If God saves you, 00:10:34.300 --> 00:10:36.564 I don't believe you can unsave yourself. 00:10:36.564 --> 00:10:37.572 Okay? That's just me. 00:10:37.572 --> 00:10:39.060 You don't have to agree with me. 00:10:38.852 --> 00:10:40.492 I told you all this last week. 00:10:40.492 --> 00:10:43.140 I'm not going to get mad if you disagree with me, 00:10:43.140 --> 00:10:45.924 but don't you get mad mad if I disagree with you, 00:10:45.924 --> 00:10:49.944 okay? I don't think we can undo what God does, 00:10:50.404 --> 00:10:51.064 all right? 00:10:51.148 --> 00:10:52.420 So when I look at this thing, 00:10:52.420 --> 00:10:52.852 I'm thinking, 00:10:52.852 --> 00:10:53.308 all right, 00:10:53.308 --> 00:10:55.940 so why is my salvation secure? 00:10:55.972 --> 00:10:58.824 Because God is warning us against, 00:10:59.444 --> 00:11:00.732 against drifting, 00:11:00.788 --> 00:11:04.344 unbelief and the rejection of faith. 00:11:05.244 --> 00:11:06.028 All right, 00:11:06.156 --> 00:11:07.332 that's the warning. 00:11:07.508 --> 00:11:08.748 And then in this passage, 00:11:08.748 --> 00:11:09.052 he said, 00:11:09.052 --> 00:11:09.764 but guess what, 00:11:09.764 --> 00:11:10.612 brothers and sisters, 00:11:10.612 --> 00:11:13.204 dearly loved friends and a lot of King James. 00:11:13.204 --> 00:11:14.524 I would say beloved. 00:11:15.024 --> 00:11:17.004 I had a preacher growing up. 00:11:17.864 --> 00:11:21.240 He was a retired minister that attended our church, 00:11:21.432 --> 00:11:24.072 and sometimes he'd fill in for the pastor. 00:11:24.264 --> 00:11:28.616 And I noticed this about him when he wanted to stop and read his notes, 00:11:28.616 --> 00:11:29.512 he'd go, 00:11:29.688 --> 00:11:31.004 and beloved. 00:11:33.864 --> 00:11:35.032 That was sort of his pause, 00:11:35.032 --> 00:11:37.004 break. And beloved. 00:11:38.064 --> 00:11:39.832 So me and all my friends, 00:11:39.832 --> 00:11:41.064 as teenagers and kids, 00:11:41.064 --> 00:11:41.872 we'd come out there going, 00:11:41.872 --> 00:11:42.832 hey, beloved. 00:11:42.968 --> 00:11:44.816 We started calling each other beloved. 00:11:44.816 --> 00:11:47.456 Well, it really is in the greek text, 00:11:47.512 --> 00:11:49.496 it is a term of endearment. 00:11:49.640 --> 00:11:52.664 The writer of Hebrews is speaking to people that he knows. 00:11:52.664 --> 00:11:55.592 He's speaking to people that within the body, 00:11:55.688 --> 00:11:56.424 with himself, 00:11:56.504 --> 00:11:58.520 that he serves with and that he cares for. 00:11:58.520 --> 00:11:59.200 And he says, 00:11:59.200 --> 00:12:01.424 even though we're speaking about warnings, 00:12:01.464 --> 00:12:02.576 dearly loved friends, 00:12:02.640 --> 00:12:03.424 in your case, 00:12:03.424 --> 00:12:07.112 we're confident of things that are better and that pertain to salvation. 00:12:07.112 --> 00:12:08.752 For God is not unjust. 00:12:08.752 --> 00:12:13.318 He will not forget your work and the love you demonstrated for his name 00:12:13.318 --> 00:12:14.954 by serving the saints. 00:12:15.494 --> 00:12:16.702 There's a lot in that sentence. 00:12:16.702 --> 00:12:17.834 Y'all notice that? 00:12:18.414 --> 00:12:19.630 So here's my question. 00:12:19.630 --> 00:12:22.590 If you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart 00:12:22.590 --> 00:12:23.934 that God raised him from the dead, 00:12:23.934 --> 00:12:24.774 you'll be saved. 00:12:24.774 --> 00:12:26.424 What does that look like? 00:12:27.814 --> 00:12:28.958 This is my challenge. 00:12:28.958 --> 00:12:31.286 I'm not telling you to work your way to heaven, 00:12:31.286 --> 00:12:36.474 but I am telling you that if there's faith within you, 00:12:38.994 --> 00:12:40.644 then it'll look like something. 00:12:42.314 --> 00:12:44.494 It'll look like love for God. 00:12:46.074 --> 00:12:49.642 It'll look like serving the kingdom of God, 00:12:49.698 --> 00:12:50.914 the body of Christ, 00:12:50.914 --> 00:12:51.914 serving one another, 00:12:51.994 --> 00:12:53.014 serving others. 00:12:53.674 --> 00:12:54.334 You see? 00:12:54.170 --> 00:12:55.458 And that's what he's saying right here. 00:12:55.458 --> 00:12:55.762 He's saying, 00:12:55.762 --> 00:13:02.114 look, we see your faith because of your love for his name and serving the 00:13:02.154 --> 00:13:05.594 saints and continuing to serve them. 00:13:05.974 --> 00:13:09.502 Now, we desire each of you to demonstrate the same diligence for the full 00:13:09.502 --> 00:13:11.486 assurance of your hope until the end. 00:13:11.486 --> 00:13:14.006 What he's saying is that those who endure, 00:13:14.006 --> 00:13:15.994 those that persevere to the end, 00:13:16.534 --> 00:13:19.790 right? Because it's a faith statement. 00:13:19.862 --> 00:13:21.742 It's a trust in who God is, 00:13:21.742 --> 00:13:23.394 that God saved you. 00:13:24.214 --> 00:13:25.350 If you're saved, 00:13:25.422 --> 00:13:26.412 you will endure, 00:13:26.446 --> 00:13:28.756 is what the Bible teaches you will. 00:13:29.054 --> 00:13:32.422 That's why I said to you last week that fourth category of the warning 00:13:32.422 --> 00:13:37.030 last week was that I'm afraid that in churches all over the world right 00:13:37.030 --> 00:13:38.474 now, there's some fakers, 00:13:39.974 --> 00:13:44.714 there's some people pretending to be christians and followers. 00:13:47.134 --> 00:13:49.954 But at the point that they don't endure. 00:13:52.094 --> 00:13:53.434 What's the truth? 00:13:54.554 --> 00:13:57.922 Because what this word is teaching is that if we're saved, 00:13:57.922 --> 00:14:01.214 we will persevere in the promise of God. 00:14:01.914 --> 00:14:03.762 We will persevere. 00:14:03.818 --> 00:14:06.138 We will continue in the promise of God. 00:14:06.138 --> 00:14:08.106 Can I just tell y'all something? 00:14:07.482 --> 00:14:08.894 Life's tough, 00:14:10.594 --> 00:14:11.786 right? If you're not, 00:14:11.786 --> 00:14:12.866 if you're here this morning, 00:14:12.866 --> 00:14:14.516 you don't believe life's tough, 00:14:14.586 --> 00:14:15.674 raise your hand. 00:14:15.834 --> 00:14:17.934 See, life's tough. 00:14:18.914 --> 00:14:20.130 I hear people all the time say, 00:14:20.130 --> 00:14:22.762 well, I just don't know how people live without Jesus. 00:14:22.762 --> 00:14:25.402 Now there's a ton of people doing it, 00:14:25.904 --> 00:14:26.696 right? 00:14:26.880 --> 00:14:29.924 And a bunch of times they'll complain about us. 00:14:31.144 --> 00:14:31.800 Cause we go, 00:14:31.800 --> 00:14:33.120 well, you know what? 00:14:33.304 --> 00:14:35.324 At least Jesus is with me. 00:14:35.904 --> 00:14:38.214 At least I can count on God. 00:14:38.504 --> 00:14:39.848 At least I can pray. 00:14:39.696 --> 00:14:42.336 At least I got somebody to talk to, 00:14:42.624 --> 00:14:43.284 you know? 00:14:43.336 --> 00:14:44.244 I know. 00:14:45.104 --> 00:14:48.480 I know that Jesus died for me. 00:14:48.512 --> 00:14:50.304 I'm gonna persevere in that promise. 00:14:50.304 --> 00:14:53.800 Last week I shared with you that faith is this combination of things. 00:14:53.624 --> 00:14:54.248 It is. 00:14:54.248 --> 00:14:58.404 It is the knowledge of who and what God has said. 00:15:00.184 --> 00:15:04.352 It is to believe that knowledge, 00:15:04.408 --> 00:15:07.724 believe what God has said and who he is. 00:15:08.064 --> 00:15:14.224 It is to commit and surrender yourself to that knowledge and that belief. 00:15:14.344 --> 00:15:16.848 And it is in that knowledge, 00:15:16.936 --> 00:15:23.664 belief, commitment to have a hope for what God has established, 00:15:24.924 --> 00:15:25.804 you see, 00:15:25.964 --> 00:15:27.344 to trust him. 00:15:28.724 --> 00:15:32.024 I find that there are christians who don't trust God. 00:15:32.924 --> 00:15:38.876 I struggle with that because people will say to me things that trouble me 00:15:38.940 --> 00:15:40.064 as a pastor, 00:15:40.484 --> 00:15:41.324 because I admit, 00:15:41.324 --> 00:15:41.932 as a pastor, 00:15:41.932 --> 00:15:46.384 people think I'm supposed to have answers working on it. 00:15:48.044 --> 00:15:48.948 But I'll say to them, 00:15:48.948 --> 00:15:49.180 I'll say, 00:15:49.180 --> 00:15:51.160 do you trust God with it? 00:15:51.924 --> 00:15:52.964 You know what they come back? 00:15:52.964 --> 00:15:53.624 They say, 00:15:53.644 --> 00:15:54.504 I'm trying. 00:15:55.324 --> 00:15:57.052 I try to trust God, 00:15:57.228 --> 00:16:02.224 at which point I generally will offer my favorite Yoda quote: 00:16:04.084 --> 00:16:05.780 "Do or do not. 00:16:05.972 --> 00:16:07.464 There is no try." 00:16:09.204 --> 00:16:11.332 Right? See, 00:16:11.388 --> 00:16:13.604 God has called us to trust him. 00:16:13.604 --> 00:16:16.244 And I think trust is a growth thing. 00:16:16.484 --> 00:16:21.796 I think you trust God with this and able to trust God with something a 00:16:21.820 --> 00:16:22.972 little more and a little bigger, 00:16:22.972 --> 00:16:25.820 and you continue to grow your trust in, 00:16:25.932 --> 00:16:26.612 first of all, 00:16:26.612 --> 00:16:28.592 the identity of who God is. 00:16:28.444 --> 00:16:30.484 This is God's revelation of himself. 00:16:30.564 --> 00:16:35.284 Folks, if you're not spending time in the word of God every day, 00:16:35.444 --> 00:16:35.940 thank you, 00:16:35.940 --> 00:16:39.196 Chris. That was Chris's testimony yesterday to men's breakfast. 00:16:39.380 --> 00:16:39.820 He said, 00:16:39.820 --> 00:16:44.252 when I started spending time in the word of God every day, 00:16:44.348 --> 00:16:47.104 it made difference. 00:16:48.564 --> 00:16:52.188 If you're not spending time in the word of God every day, 00:16:52.188 --> 00:16:52.848 guess what? 00:16:52.836 --> 00:16:56.024 I can almost guarantee that your faith is weak. 00:16:57.044 --> 00:17:00.344 Sorry, is that too blunt for a preacher to say? 00:17:01.364 --> 00:17:02.724 I can almost guarantee? 00:17:02.804 --> 00:17:03.988 Yeah. Guess what. 00:17:04.036 --> 00:17:06.676 Let's say you only ate 1 hour a week. 00:17:07.764 --> 00:17:09.224 You think you'd survive? 00:17:09.804 --> 00:17:14.876 No. You've got to get into the word of God every day in order to build 00:17:14.876 --> 00:17:16.356 the strength of faith, 00:17:16.420 --> 00:17:19.076 trust the knowledge of who God is, 00:17:19.260 --> 00:17:21.940 the believing that he is who he says he is, 00:17:21.940 --> 00:17:24.804 and he's done what he says he's going to do, 00:17:24.804 --> 00:17:33.252 and trusting him with that God's promise or oath or the testimony that he 00:17:33.268 --> 00:17:34.316 gave to Abraham. 00:17:34.460 --> 00:17:37.420 And a lot of people get uncomfortable with this language because they 00:17:37.420 --> 00:17:38.144 think, well, 00:17:38.804 --> 00:17:40.304 why would God swear? 00:17:40.924 --> 00:17:42.924 For when God made a promise, 00:17:43.084 --> 00:17:44.774 covenant with Abraham, 00:17:44.964 --> 00:17:47.194 since he had no one greater to swear by, 00:17:47.194 --> 00:17:48.218 he swore by himself. 00:17:48.218 --> 00:17:48.594 He said, 00:17:48.594 --> 00:17:50.122 I will bless you. 00:17:50.258 --> 00:17:52.454 I will greatly multiply you. 00:17:53.234 --> 00:17:55.714 What is the oath that God is making there? 00:17:55.714 --> 00:17:56.146 He's saying, 00:17:56.146 --> 00:17:59.454 look, you can trust me to do it. 00:18:00.274 --> 00:18:02.914 You can count on me to accomplish it. 00:18:03.034 --> 00:18:05.934 See, that's the oath he's making there. 00:18:06.554 --> 00:18:07.042 And so, 00:18:07.042 --> 00:18:07.834 waiting patiently, 00:18:07.874 --> 00:18:13.182 Abraham obtained the promise for people swear by something greater than 00:18:13.198 --> 00:18:13.670 themselves. Now, 00:18:13.670 --> 00:18:15.118 he's not talking about God right there. 00:18:15.118 --> 00:18:16.438 He's talking about us. 00:18:18.334 --> 00:18:20.254 If you want to make an oath, 00:18:20.254 --> 00:18:22.078 you'll swear by something certain, 00:18:22.246 --> 00:18:25.554 right? Something solid. 00:18:26.614 --> 00:18:28.342 People swear by something greater than themselves. 00:18:28.342 --> 00:18:28.702 For them, 00:18:28.702 --> 00:18:30.994 a confirming oath ends the dispute. 00:18:31.454 --> 00:18:34.486 What is he saying at the end of the argument? 00:18:34.054 --> 00:18:35.638 I guarantee it, 00:18:35.806 --> 00:18:38.314 right? That's the stamp of the oath. 00:18:39.224 --> 00:18:45.048 God showing his unchangeable purpose even more clearly to the heirs of 00:18:45.056 --> 00:18:45.512 the promise. 00:18:45.512 --> 00:18:49.120 He guaranteed it with an oath so that two unchangeable things in which 00:18:49.120 --> 00:18:51.100 it's impossible for God to lie, 00:18:51.664 --> 00:18:56.080 we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to seize the 00:18:56.152 --> 00:18:58.524 hope set before us. 00:19:00.104 --> 00:19:04.864 Do you have an anchor in this world? 00:19:07.204 --> 00:19:07.620 I mean, 00:19:07.620 --> 00:19:08.404 think about it. 00:19:08.404 --> 00:19:09.484 Think about some of the anchors. 00:19:09.484 --> 00:19:10.264 Some people. 00:19:11.004 --> 00:19:12.984 Some people depend on the government. 00:19:15.244 --> 00:19:16.340 Yeah, they do. 00:19:16.492 --> 00:19:17.692 I know we're all sitting here going, 00:19:17.692 --> 00:19:18.464 mm mm. 00:19:19.924 --> 00:19:21.344 But some people do. 00:19:22.244 --> 00:19:24.180 Some people depend on family. 00:19:24.252 --> 00:19:26.308 Anybody ever known family to let you down? 00:19:26.156 --> 00:19:29.126 I'm not even gonna look up asking that question. 00:19:31.224 --> 00:19:35.004 Friends. I ever known friends to let you down. 00:19:36.184 --> 00:19:38.072 Can I go ahead and throw the other one in there? 00:19:38.072 --> 00:19:40.124 Some people depend on church. 00:19:41.064 --> 00:19:43.704 Anybody ever know church to let you down? 00:19:43.864 --> 00:19:46.040 Understand, church is not an organization. 00:19:46.152 --> 00:19:47.044 It's people. 00:19:48.024 --> 00:19:49.674 And people let you down. 00:19:50.384 --> 00:19:51.284 Okay. 00:19:53.664 --> 00:19:55.314 God doesn't let us down. 00:19:55.934 --> 00:19:56.638 He is. 00:19:56.686 --> 00:19:57.126 And listen, 00:19:57.126 --> 00:20:00.542 we have this hope as an anchor for the soul. 00:20:00.598 --> 00:20:01.870 Firm and secure. 00:20:02.022 --> 00:20:04.662 It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain. 00:20:04.574 --> 00:20:05.622 So Jesus, 00:20:05.798 --> 00:20:09.950 doing what no other human being could do, 00:20:10.142 --> 00:20:12.514 passed through the heavens, 00:20:12.974 --> 00:20:16.150 which is the veil of our atmosphere, 00:20:16.222 --> 00:20:18.070 into heaven, 00:20:18.262 --> 00:20:20.234 the dwelling place of God, 00:20:20.634 --> 00:20:23.014 the inner sanctum the holy of holies, 00:20:23.474 --> 00:20:29.774 and brought the sacrifice that no one else could bring for our salvation. 00:20:30.154 --> 00:20:33.642 Jesus has entered there on our behalf as a forerunner because he has 00:20:33.642 --> 00:20:35.574 become a high priest forever, 00:20:35.914 --> 00:20:39.454 according to the order of Melchizedek. 00:20:40.794 --> 00:20:42.138 Did y'all know that? 00:20:42.306 --> 00:20:45.414 Anybody know if you've read ahead in chapter seven? 00:20:45.834 --> 00:20:48.174 The name Melchizedek means what? 00:20:49.484 --> 00:20:50.804 I looked it up. 00:20:51.484 --> 00:20:54.624 King of righteousness. 00:20:55.524 --> 00:20:58.124 The name itself means king of righteousness. 00:20:58.164 --> 00:21:00.804 But he's also called the king of Salem, 00:21:01.244 --> 00:21:04.214 right? We get to talk about that next week. 00:21:04.364 --> 00:21:05.876 So here's the question of the morning. 00:21:05.876 --> 00:21:07.196 Do you trust God? 00:21:08.764 --> 00:21:15.746 Do you trust eternity to what God has done unto who God is? 00:21:15.930 --> 00:21:18.250 See, you can't earn it. 00:21:18.442 --> 00:21:20.752 Can't work hard enough to get there. 00:21:20.090 --> 00:21:23.174 But I'm going to offer this one little caveat, 00:21:24.234 --> 00:21:25.618 because I heard a preacher say it, 00:21:25.618 --> 00:21:26.770 so I'm going to steal it from him. 00:21:26.770 --> 00:21:27.574 You ready? 00:21:28.154 --> 00:21:29.174 I'm giving. 00:21:29.634 --> 00:21:31.284 I don't want to plagiarize, 00:21:31.290 --> 00:21:33.270 but I don't know his name. 00:21:33.794 --> 00:21:39.334 But he says I'm going to believe like it's up to God, 00:21:40.494 --> 00:21:43.794 but I'm going to work like it's up to me. 00:21:47.494 --> 00:21:49.314 Can you make that distinction? 00:21:50.134 --> 00:21:51.794 God saved us, 00:21:52.494 --> 00:21:55.754 so I owe him everything that I am, 00:21:56.974 --> 00:21:59.614 and I'm going to work like it's all his. 00:21:59.614 --> 00:22:02.286 Okay. All righty. 00:22:02.350 --> 00:22:03.950 Because work's not going to save you. 00:22:03.758 --> 00:22:05.408 You can't be good enough. 00:22:05.474 --> 00:22:07.138 I love talking to people who say, 00:22:07.138 --> 00:22:08.322 well, good people go to heaven. 00:22:08.322 --> 00:22:08.602 I go, 00:22:08.602 --> 00:22:10.254 really? Which ones? 00:22:11.234 --> 00:22:13.730 And they look at me like I go, 00:22:13.730 --> 00:22:14.534 how good? 00:22:15.034 --> 00:22:16.684 What's the measure of good? 00:22:17.354 --> 00:22:19.394 Well, God gave us the measure. 00:22:19.554 --> 00:22:22.054 Holy as I am holy. 00:22:22.394 --> 00:22:23.458 Right? Remember last week, 00:22:23.458 --> 00:22:24.946 I told you all the righteous people, 00:22:24.946 --> 00:22:25.936 raise your hands. 00:22:26.354 --> 00:22:29.202 We're only righteous because we're clothed in the righteousness of 00:22:29.202 --> 00:22:31.554 Christ. Alrighty. 00:22:32.134 --> 00:22:33.870 If you don't know Jesus this morning, 00:22:33.870 --> 00:22:35.814 we want to introduce you to him. 00:22:35.814 --> 00:22:36.894 Love it that you're here. 00:22:36.894 --> 00:22:38.544 Love it that you gathered. 00:22:38.654 --> 00:22:41.454 Love it that you made worship a priority this morning. 00:22:41.454 --> 00:22:43.206 But if you're here and you don't know Jesus, 00:22:43.206 --> 00:22:45.186 that is your single greatest need. 00:22:45.614 --> 00:22:46.854 You need Jesus. 00:22:47.014 --> 00:22:48.310 And we'd love to introduce you. 00:22:48.310 --> 00:22:50.374 Okay, we're going to sing one more song, 00:22:50.374 --> 00:22:53.094 give you the opportunity to respond to God, 00:22:53.134 --> 00:22:54.438 to respond to his word. 00:22:54.278 --> 00:22:54.814 All right? 00:22:54.814 --> 00:22:55.350 Pray with me. 00:22:55.350 --> 00:22:57.342 Father, thank you for today and God, 00:22:57.342 --> 00:22:59.322 for all that you have done. 00:22:59.574 --> 00:23:01.894 God, I just thank you for who you are. 00:23:01.894 --> 00:23:02.462 Cause, God, 00:23:02.462 --> 00:23:03.782 you are at work. 00:23:04.094 --> 00:23:05.254 You're at work in us. 00:23:05.254 --> 00:23:06.502 You're at work around us. 00:23:06.502 --> 00:23:06.862 And, God, 00:23:06.862 --> 00:23:08.726 we get to be a part of what you're doing. 00:23:08.726 --> 00:23:10.190 Thank you for the writer of Hebrews. 00:23:10.190 --> 00:23:11.814 I thank you for the book of Hebrews, 00:23:11.814 --> 00:23:14.234 which knits it all together for us, 00:23:14.934 --> 00:23:16.822 God, that you are who you are, 00:23:16.822 --> 00:23:19.462 and you have done what you have done. 00:23:19.230 --> 00:23:22.154 And Jesus is the final word. 00:23:22.894 --> 00:23:24.614 So God help us to pay attention. 00:23:24.614 --> 00:23:25.994 Help us to listen. 00:23:27.104 --> 00:23:29.644 God help us to trust. 00:23:30.784 --> 00:23:32.434 God help us to surrender. 00:23:32.416 --> 00:23:34.056 And we pray it in Jesus name. 00:23:34.056 --> 00:23:34.264 Amen.