Hebrews 3
February Memory Verse: For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)
Read: Hebrews 3
Remember what it says: “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled.” Hebrew 3:15
Hebrews 3 is a stern warning to us about the sin of rebellion. Rebellion is opposition to one in authority. It’s when we know what God is telling us to do and we don’t do it – or when we know what He’s telling to stop doing and we keep right on doing it. That’s rebellion – defiance to His commands.
Genesis 3 and the story of Adam and Eve is an example of this. God told them not to eat of the tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil and they did that anyway. They defied God’s command and wanted their own way.
The story listed here in Hebrews 3 is another example of rebellion – the Children of Israel in the journey in the wilderness. Their disobedience resulted in 40 years of wandering in the desert. The people disobeyed the Word of the Lord given through Moses – and as our text reminds us, Jesus is greater than Moses.
God does not condone or ignore rebellion.
Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols. 1 Samuel 15:23
What are some ways you and I rebel against God and His Word?
• Willfully choosing to sin when we know what we’re doing is wrong
• Not obeying the commands of God through the Bible
• An evil heart that is hard to the things of God
• Disobedience through procrastination (planning to obey but never doing it)
What can we do about it?
• Repent of this sin
• Confess it to the Lord (1 John 1:9)
• Turn from it and obey
• Seek accountability so as not to return to it
What is God speaking to you about this morning?
What steps will you take to obey Him today?
How can we help you?
By: Tim Parsons
Read: Hebrews 3
Remember what it says: “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled.” Hebrew 3:15
Hebrews 3 is a stern warning to us about the sin of rebellion. Rebellion is opposition to one in authority. It’s when we know what God is telling us to do and we don’t do it – or when we know what He’s telling to stop doing and we keep right on doing it. That’s rebellion – defiance to His commands.
Genesis 3 and the story of Adam and Eve is an example of this. God told them not to eat of the tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil and they did that anyway. They defied God’s command and wanted their own way.
The story listed here in Hebrews 3 is another example of rebellion – the Children of Israel in the journey in the wilderness. Their disobedience resulted in 40 years of wandering in the desert. The people disobeyed the Word of the Lord given through Moses – and as our text reminds us, Jesus is greater than Moses.
God does not condone or ignore rebellion.
Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols. 1 Samuel 15:23
What are some ways you and I rebel against God and His Word?
• Willfully choosing to sin when we know what we’re doing is wrong
• Not obeying the commands of God through the Bible
• An evil heart that is hard to the things of God
• Disobedience through procrastination (planning to obey but never doing it)
What can we do about it?
• Repent of this sin
• Confess it to the Lord (1 John 1:9)
• Turn from it and obey
• Seek accountability so as not to return to it
What is God speaking to you about this morning?
What steps will you take to obey Him today?
How can we help you?
By: Tim Parsons
11 Comments
Did I not place you there to be faithful to Me? But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. Consider Jesus. Yes, consider how great He is. I dare not think a life is poorly spent thinking on Him, and speaking well of Him to friend and family.
Ugh. I was cruising along pretty well until you got to procrastination.
Sorry! 😩
“Just as a person who builds a house deserves more praise than the house itself. 4 For every house has a builder, but the one who built everything is God.”
The wisdom in God’s word is amazing. Humans have a tendency to worship created things more than the Creator.
Regarding rebelliousness: If I’m really honest with myself I have a rebellious streak a mile wide. I’m not a natural born rule follower like my sweet wife. Often my pride leads me to believe I can do it better myself. God’s word makes it clear that we are to follow His instructions EVEN if it doesn’t make sense to use. When I want to get even with that person who did me wrong, God’s word reminds me to forgive and leave vengeance in the hands of an all knowing, all loving God. I need daily repentance for my natural desire to rebel. I praise God that His mercies are new each morning. Lamentations 3:23.
Thanks for the good word this Saturday morning TP.
Great comments! Thanks Mike!
Lord forgive me for disobedience through procrastination! Help me to do what You tell me to do, when You tell me to do it, and how You tell me to do it!
Thank you for your kind heart Rasheed. I’m grateful for you!
"But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "today," so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin" - Hebrews 3:13
I love the picture of accountability here. I know how important it has been in my life, and I am grateful this passage has brought it to my attention yet again. I'm glad that God created us for community so that we can build one another up so we don't fall into sin.
Yep. Can you imagine trying to do this on your own? Biblical community is a gift and it’s so important!
I wrote down the definition of rebellion and let it soak in. I think I need to be more attentive to details in my life that I may not have thought of as rebellion. Praying that God brings it to my attention as soon as thoughts/actions of rebellion even enter my mind so I can turn away!
Thank you Reva. I agree. Me too!