Hebrews 3:14–15
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.”

We never underestimate the importance of endurance.  While we certainly believe that Christ secures those who are His, we also know that those who are His hold fast to the end.  Those who harden their hearts and turn away from Christ prove they were never His.  Ask God to give our church soft hearts that hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end.

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• Les & Cindy Heflin
• Lucy Sanchez
• Neal & Nancy Hindman

Hebrews 3:12–13
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."

The threat mentioned is "the deceitfulness of sin".  The problem is that sin will harden your heart and turn you away from the living God.  Ask God to expose any deceit that sin is spreading in your life or in our church.

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• Lance & Amy Harris (Kodah)
• Rita Harris

Hebrews 3:12–13
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."

The call is not only to examine our hearts, but to examine and encourage each other as well.  Today pray for our church family that every heart be true and full of endurance.

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• George & Pam Goodall
• Max & Rebecca Haney

Hebrews 3:12–13
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."

The admonition is clear, "Take care".  Today examine your heart and make sure it is neither evil, nor unbelieving and, like the Israelites, prone to fall away from the living God."

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• Charlena Fitzgerald (Gage)
• Benny & Cathy Fitzgerald

Hebrews 3:7–11
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.’”

One more note on this quotation from Psalms 95:7-11.  The day in which Israel failed was called "the day of trial in the wilderness".  It is true that God may in fact put each of us through a day of trial and testing.  He expects that in our hour of testing we will remember what God has shown us in the past and trust Him in the future.  Failure to do so is equated by God as us going astray in the heart and failing to truly know who He is.  Prepare your heart for a day of trial by focusing today on who God has been and all that He has done for you in the past.

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• David & Toni Crawford
• Bonnie Edwards

Hebrews 3:7–11
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.’”

The writer is quoting here from Psalms 95:7-11.  It was David's reminder that those who defected from trusting God never entered rest.  But the writer does not read this Psalm as a history lesson, he reads it through the lens of God's word being active and living.  He notes that the Holy Spirit is speaking to us "Today".  WE are in the wilderness.  WE are being called to trust God and cling to Christ.  WE are told not to grumble.  WE are commanded not to return to Egypt.  WE are expected to follow Christ all the way to the end and seize God's rest.  Commit to Christ today!

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• Les & Tammy Fincher (Tyler, Ramey, Seth, Chase)
• Joe & Paula Fincher

Hebrews 3:7–11
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.’”

The children of Israel offended God as they rebelled against God and Moses.  Their offense caused God to make an oath that they would never enter the land of promise.  And now we sit with our greater Moses and our greater promise and the same admonition.  Do not harden your heart!  Do not fall away from Christ!  Do not allow the current hardship to cause you to fall away!

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• Phil & Paula Driggers
• Neta Driggers

Hebrews 3:1–6
1 "Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession; 2 He was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was in all His house. 3 For He has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, by just so much as the builder of the house has more honor than the house. 4 For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God. 5 Now Moses was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken later; 6 but Christ was faithful as a Son over His house—whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and the boast of our hope firm until the end."

The writer concludes his comparison of Moses and Jesus with this one main point.  The children of Israel defected from following Moses and thus were laid low in the wilderness.  We must not defect from following Christ for the consequences would be even more severe.  Commit today to hold fast your confidence in Christ all the way until the end.

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• Leo & Joan Day
• Steve & Janet

Hebrews 3:1–6
1 "Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession; 2 He was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was in all His house. 3 For He has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, by just so much as the builder of the house has more honor than the house. 4 For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God. 5 Now Moses was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken later; 6 but Christ was faithful as a Son over His house—whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and the boast of our hope firm until the end."

Continuing the comparison between Jesus and Moses, we find that while they were both faithful, Jesus is greater than Moses.  "He has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses".  Why?  Jesus is higher in role and position.  Moses was a faithful servant to the house of God, Jesus is the faithful Son over the house of God.  The Son gets more glory than the servant.  If Moses is honored, how much more should Christ be honored?

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• Ronnie & Marcella Bilberry
• Derek & Cheyenne Bilberry (Gentry, Cooper, Kutter)
• VBS - Day 1

Hebrews 3:1–6
1 "Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession; 2 He was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was in all His house. 3 For He has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, by just so much as the builder of the house has more honor than the house. 4 For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God. 5 Now Moses was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken later; 6 but Christ was faithful as a Son over His house—whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and the boast of our hope firm until the end."

The first comparison the writer of Hebrews gives between Jesus and Moses is that like Moses, Jesus "was faithful to Him who appointed Him."  Consider this morning the faithfulness of Jesus to obey the Father, doing everything necessary to secure salvation for His people.

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• The Lost of Spur
• Vacation Bible School starts tomorrow!

Hebrews 3:1–6
1 "Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession; 2 He was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was in all His house. 3 For He has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, by just so much as the builder of the house has more honor than the house. 4 For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God. 5 Now Moses was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken later; 6 but Christ was faithful as a Son over His house—whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and the boast of our hope firm until the end."

In the Old Testament the children of Israel were partakers of a heavenly calling as they left Egypt in search of the land of promise.  They were expected to cling to Moses; to obey him and to follow him.  In the same way, we are now expected to cling to Jesus; to obey him and to follow him.  Commit yourself to following Christ, your leader today.

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• Chris & Meegan Weaver (Aydin, Calin, Maggie)
• Texas Girls & Boys Rance

Hebrews 3:1–6
1 "Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession; 2 He was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was in all His house. 3 For He has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, by just so much as the builder of the house has more honor than the house. 4 For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God. 5 Now Moses was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken later; 6 but Christ was faithful as a Son over His house—whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and the boast of our hope firm until the end."

You have likely noticed that the writer of Hebrews has started out in a comparison mode.  He spent the first 2 chapters explaining that Jesus is greater than the angels.  Now in chapter 3 he makes the jump to Moses.  His cry is that Jesus is greater than Moses.  In the Old Testament Moses was God's apostle and Aaron was His High Priest.  Now, Jesus is both!  He is "the Apostle and High Priest of our confession".  This morning consider Jesus as greater than Moses and Aaron combined!

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• Ronnie & Janet Overby
• Taylor & Tanya Phillips (Tyler, Timberlyn)

Hebrews 2:16–18
16 "For assuredly He does not give help to angels, but He gives help to the descendant of Abraham. 17 Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted."

Christ was tempted.  He understands both the temptation to sin and the battle required to overcome it.  He faced sin and He rejected it.  In your battle against sin, run to the One who knows how to overcome it.  What sin plagues you?  Run to Jesus and ask Him to teach you how to kill it.

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• Don & Judy Kaneski
• Ole & Doreen Olson

Hebrews 2:16–18
16 "For assuredly He does not give help to angels, but He gives help to the descendant of Abraham. 17 Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted."

Christ had to become like us.  Become human and dwelling among us earned Him practical sympathy and mercy.  He saw our pain, our suffering, and most importantly our sin.  As a human He could feel our pain, suffer our hardships, and see how badly we needed atonement.  Christ went the extra mile to know you.  Seek to know Him today.

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• Cody Lee
• Brendon Walker

Hebrews 2:16–18
16 "For assuredly He does not give help to angels, but He gives help to the descendant of Abraham. 17 Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted."

What an amazing truth we learn in verse 16.  That Christ did not give help to angels, but He does give help to Abraham's descendants.  That is to say, Christ never became an angel, but He did become human.  He came to help those who are children of Abraham through faith.  Christ made you a priority, make Him a priority in your life today.

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• Gracie Hadding
• Cindy Wampler

Hebrews 2:14–15
14 "Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives."

Because Christ died and rose again Satan's taunts are powerless and fear of death is unwarranted.  The writer calls fear of death a sort of "slavery" that we endured, but in Christ we are now free.  Praise Jesus for conquering death and setting you free.

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• Vicki Diggs
• Cindy Glass
• Liam & Riannon Horn

Hebrews 2:14–15
14 "Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives."

Christ came to die because death is the ultimate penalty.  Not only is death the wages for sin, but it is also the chief threat used by the enemy.  Ever since the garden Satan used "fear of death" as manipulative tool to lead men into sin.  Christ came to overthrow death and thus remove his power.  Ask God to take your fear of death from you in Christ.

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• Ken Brendle
• Doug & Carissa Clark (Elsie, Rivers, Murphy, Hezekiah, Judah)

Hebrews 2:14–15
14 "Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives."

Another reason Christ took on flesh and blood is so that He could experience death.  Consider that Christ became human primarily so that He could die.  As the hymn states, "What wondrous love is this? Oh my soul!"  Thank Christ for such a sacrifice.

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• Kermit & Kathy Woolley
• Kolbey & Jaydee Adams (Waylon)
• Eoin Horn

Hebrews 2:14–15
14 "Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives."

Having firmly established that God considers us His children and Christ considers us His brethren, we come to the chief explanation of the incarnation.  "Since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same".  He became flesh and blood because we are flesh and blood.  The incarnation was born out of love for His children.  Rejoice today that Christ loved you so much!

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• Ronald & Kim Todd
• Norman & Brenda Hill

Hebrews 2:10–13
10 "For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings. 11 For both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one Father; for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, 12 saying, “I will proclaim Your name to My brethren, In the midst of the congregation I will sing Your praise.” 13 And again, “I will put My trust in Him.” And again, “Behold, I and the children whom God has given Me.”

The incarnation was fitting!  It fit the character of God to save His children.  It fit the character of Christ to save His brothers.  But we also read that it was fitting "to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings".  The incarnation not only demonstrated selfless love, but also extreme sympathy.  Christ became human to suffer and thus to become a perfect high priest and Savior.  His willingness to suffer for us certainly demonstrates His great love.  Praise Him for that.

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• Cathy Spencer
• Tommy & Peggy Swaringen

Hebrews 2:10–13
10 "For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings. 11 For both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one Father; for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, 12 saying, “I will proclaim Your name to My brethren, In the midst of the congregation I will sing Your praise.” 13 And again, “I will put My trust in Him.” And again, “Behold, I and the children whom God has given Me.”

The writer speaks not only of the love of God to send Christ, but the love of Christ to come and consider us as His brothers.  Quoting from Psalm 22:22 (a Messianic Psalm about the cross) the writer reveals that Christ considered us to be His brethren.  Quoting again from Isaiah 8:17-18 He reveals that Christ calls us "the children" who were given to Him by God.  Praise Jesus for consider you His brethren and for His willingness to come and save you.

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• John & Shannon Parum
• Martha Pickens

Hebrews 2:10–13 
10 "For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings. 11 For both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one Father; for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, 12 saying, “I will proclaim Your name to My brethren, In the midst of the congregation I will sing Your praise.” 13 And again, “I will put My trust in Him.” And again, “Behold, I and the children whom God has given Me.”

The incarnation was "fitting" to God's plan.  And it was fitting in this way.  The humiliating incarnation of Jesus Christ was absolutely in line with the nature and character of God.  The writer reminds here that God loves all of His children.  We are "all from one Father".  And if God could humiliate and send one Son to save the rest of His sons He would gladly do it.  The incarnation is consistent with God's saving love.  Praise Him for such love.

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• Rory & Carrie Mosley (Abigail)
• Willie & Margaret Nuefeld (Marissa, Cassie, Tyler, Aubrey, Ruby)

Hebrews 2:10–13
10 "For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings. 11 For both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one Father; for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, 12 saying, “I will proclaim Your name to My brethren, In the midst of the congregation I will sing Your praise.” 13 And again, “I will put My trust in Him.” And again, “Behold, I and the children whom God has given Me.”

The theme of Hebrews 2 is the incarnation.  Namely that Christ was made for a little while lower than the angels.  However, this was a difficult truth for Jews to accept.  It was hard for them to grasp the God of Sinai suffering such a humiliating status.  And yet, not only did God do it, but in 2:10 God says it was absolutely fitting that He do it.  The incarnation makes perfect sense to God's redemptive plan.  Praise Him for humbling Himself to dwell among us.

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• Charlie & Fronye Morris
• Tommie McCormick-Davis

Hebrews 2:5–9
5 "For He did not subject to angels the world to come, concerning which we are speaking. 6 But one has testified somewhere, saying, “What is man, that You remember him? Or the son of man, that You are concerned about him? 7 “You have made him for a little while lower than the angels; You have crowned him with glory and honor, And have appointed him over the works of Your hands; 8 You have put all things in subjection under his feet.” For in subjecting all things to him, He left nothing that is not subject to him. But now we do not yet see all things subjected to him. 9 But we do see Him who was made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone."

We don't see man in charge, but we do see Christ.  He is the One "who was made for a little while lower than the angels".  That is to say that Jesus became human.  Why?  So that He could die and take the penalty for the sin which we committed.  He is now "crowned with glory and honor", but not before He tasted death for everyone.  We don't see man where they belong, but we do see the One who came to restore man to his rightful place.  Praise Jesus for His work of redemption.

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• George & Evelyn Matthewson
• Woody & Linday McArthur

Hebrews 2:5–9
5 "For He did not subject to angels the world to come, concerning which we are speaking. 6 But one has testified somewhere, saying, “What is man, that You remember him? Or the son of man, that You are concerned about him? 7 “You have made him for a little while lower than the angels; You have crowned him with glory and honor, And have appointed him over the works of Your hands; 8 You have put all things in subjection under his feet.” For in subjecting all things to him, He left nothing that is not subject to him. But now we do not yet see all things subjected to him. 9 But we do see Him who was made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone."

God gave authority over creation to man, but because of sin we do not enjoy that authority.  Instead, we are now consigned to futility and death as the consequence of our sin.  We actually return to the dust from which we were created.  "We do not yet see all things subjected to [man]".  "But we do see Him..."  We may not see man in the position where he belongs, but we do see the One who came to restore man to his rightful position.  This morning praise Jesus Christ as the One God sent to redeem this fallen creation.

PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY

• Lee & Alice Kidd
• Nell Martin