Do Not Harden Your Heart

Epistle to the Hebrews - Part 6 • Hebrews 3:7-19 • October 11, 2020 • Vesper Service 6:00 PM

Sermon Introduction

The message of the writer of Hebrews is clear. Christ is better than Judaism. He is better than the prophets and the angels, and Christ is more excellent than Moses. Although the author stated that Christ is better several times, he shifts to a position that there is no comparison. The author undoubtedly stated that Christ is God. How can anyone compare? God, the Father, called His Son, God. The recipients of the letter received a warning about neglecting so great a salvation. The author explained the more severe punishment of those who neglect God’s salvation.

Doy Sto. Domingo Elder

Hebrews 3:7-19 NASB

7 Therefore, just as the Holy Spirit says,

“Today if you hear His voice,
8 Do not harden your hearts as when they provoked Me,
As in the day of trial in the wilderness,
9 Where your fathers tried Me by testing Me,
And saw My works for forty years.
10 “Therefore I was angry with this generation,
And said, ‘They always go astray in their heart,
And they did not know My ways’;
11 As I swore in My wrath,
‘They shall not enter My rest.’”

12 Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. 13 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. 14 For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end, 15 while it is said,

“Today if you hear His voice,
Do not harden your hearts, as when they provoked Me.”

16 For who provoked Him when they had heard? Indeed, did not all those who came out of Egypt led by Moses? 17 And with whom was He angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? 18 And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who were disobedient? 19 So we see that they were not able to enter because of unbelief.

Notes

Furthermore, the writer declared that Christ is both the Apostle and High Priest of our confession. He represents heaven to us, and He represents us to God through intercession. And through Christ, many would become part of God’s family.

The author reminded the Jewish believers about their ancestors who hardened their hearts. They provoked God, and as a result, they wandered the wilderness. The stubborn people did not enter God’s rest (3:7-11, 15-19).
The writer instructed them to watch one another, make sure that there would be no evil, unbelieving heart that falls away. They were to encourage each other daily so that none would be hardened and deceived by sin (3:12-13).
The writer explained that they were partakers of Christ if they held on until the end. One clear sign that one is truly saved, or chosen by God, is perseverance, not letting go of Christ no matter what (3:14).

Application

Let us take heed of the warning of the writer of Hebrews. We should not harden our hearts against His word. Those who hardened their hearts did not enter into His rest but suffered in the wilderness.
Let us watch each other in the assembly, in the small groups, and the family. Let us encourage one another and let us warn everyone. No one should fall away from Him. Otherwise, there would be consequences. All should fear God.
We belong to Christ if we persevere until the end. Thus, we hold on to the gospel, and we overcome everything that is in the way of the gospel. Those chosen by God will endure and persevere until the end.

Discussion Questions

What happened to those who hardened their hearts in the wilderness?
Describe those who hardened their hearts in the wilderness?
In what ways can we harden our hearts today? Name at least three.
Why should we watch one another and encourage one another? What should we watch?
According to the text, how do we know if we belong to Christ?