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Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Music Ring the bells of heaven, song number 192 on the first Ring the bells of heaven, there is joy today For a soul returning from the wild See the father meets him out upon the bay Welcoming his weary wandering child Glory, glory, how the angels sing Glory, glory, how the loud harps ring Sister and some army, like a mighty sea Peeling for the anthem of the free, song number 192 on the second Ring the bells of heaven, there is joy today For the wonder now is reconciled Yes, a soul rescued from his sinful way And he's born a new and ransomed child Glory, glory, how the angels sing Glory, glory, how the loud harps ring Sister and some army, like a mighty sea Peeling for the anthem of the free, sing it out On the last Ring the bells of heaven, spread the feast today Angels swell the glad triumphant strain Tell the joyful tidings, buried far away For a precious chorus, born again Glory, glory, how the angels sing Glory, glory, how the loud harps ring Sister and some army, like a mighty sea Peeling for the anthem of the free, sing it out Glory, glory, how the loud harps ring Sister and some army, like a mighty sea Peeling for the anthem of the free, amen Amen, welcome to Verity Baptist Church tonight Let's go ahead and take our bulletins, we'll get some announcements real quickly If you do not have a bulletin, just raise your hand and one of our ushers can get one for you If you need a bulletin, just put your hand up, we'll get one for you If you need a bulletin, just put your hand up, we'll get one for you If you need a bulletin, just put your hand up, we'll get one If you need a bulletin, just put your hand up, we'll get one If you need a bulletin, just put your hand up, we'll get one If you need a bulletin, just put your hand up, we'll get one If you need a bulletin, just put your hand up, we'll get one If you need a bulletin, just put your hand up, we'll get one If you need a bulletin, just put your hand up, we'll get one If you need a bulletin, just put your hand up, we'll get one If you need a bulletin, just put your hand up, we'll get one If you need a bulletin, just put your hand up If you need a bulletin, just put your hand up, we'll get one If you need a bulletin, just put your hand up, we'll get one If you need a bulletin, just put your hand up, we'll get one If you need a bulletin, just put your hand up, we'll get one If you need a bulletin, just put your hand up, we'll get one If you need a bulletin, just put your hand up, we'll get one If you need a bulletin, just put your hand up, we'll get one If you need a bulletin, just put your hand up, we'll get one If you need a bulletin, just put your hand up, we'll get one If you need a bulletin, just put your hand up, we'll get one If you need a bulletin, just put your hand up, we'll get one If you need a bulletin, just put your hand up, we'll get one If you need a bulletin, just put your hand up, we'll get one If you need a bulletin, just put your hand up, we'll get one If you need a bulletin, just put your hand up, we'll get one If you need a bulletin, just put your hand up, we'll get one If you need a bulletin, just put your hand up, we'll get one If you need a bulletin, just put your hand up, we'll get one If you need a bulletin, just put your hand up, we'll get one If you need a bulletin, just put your hand up, we'll get one If you need a bulletin, just put your hand up, we'll get one If you need a bulletin, just put your hand up, we'll get one If you need a bulletin, just put your hand up, we'll get one If you need a bulletin, just put your hand up, we'll get We're gonna go to page number 81 As we prepare to receive The offering, and we're gonna sing When We See Christ, page number 81 Sing it out on the first Oftimes the day seems long Our trials are to bear We're tempted to complain To murmur and despair But Christ will soon appear To catch His bride away All tears forever over In God's eternal day It will Be worth it all When we see Jesus Christ's trials will seem So small Rise One glimpse of His dear face All sorrow will erase So bravely run The race till we see Christ Sometimes the sky Looks dark with not A ray of light We're tossed and driven on No human help in sight But there is one In heaven who knows Our deepest care Let Jesus solve your problem Just go to Him in Heaven It will be Worth it all When we see Jesus Lifestyle will seem so small When we see Christ One glimpse of His Dear face Will erase So bravely run the race Till we see Christ Good to get out on the last Life's day will soon be on All storms forever pass We'll cross the great divide To glory safe at last We'll share the joys of death The harp, a home, a crown The tempter will be banished We'll lay our burden Down It will be Worth it all When we see Jesus Lifestyle will seem so small When we see Christ One glimpse Of His dear face All sorrow will erase So bravely run The race Till we see Christ Amen. Good singing. We'll have the guys come up and help us with the offering at this time. And let's go ahead and bow our heads tonight with a prayer. Heavenly Father, Lord, we do love you. We thank you for allowing us to gather together tonight. We pray that you bless the offering, the gift and the giver. We ask that you meet with us as we take time to pray and then of course as we open up your word and study the Bible together. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. All right, well let's take our prayer sheets tonight and we'll go through our prayer list and just want to remind you that the way you add a request to the prayer sheet is through your communication card on the back of the card. There's a place for you to write a request. Make sure you mark whether it's private or public. If it's private only I will see it. If it's public we'll put it on the prayer sheet. If you don't mark it we'll do our best to figure it out. And we won't put them on usually if they aren't marked. So make sure you do that. We add them in the order that they are received and they are removed after a couple of weeks. And I do want you to just bring your attention if you look at the back there for safe and healthy pregnancies and delivery. I'd like you to notice that Ms. Rizel Lee Wilson has been added to Expecting Mothers. So congratulations to the Lee Wilson family on expecting a new baby. And also it's not in there but I'd like you to write in Ms. Rebecca Lunsford for Expecting Mothers and congratulations to the Lunsford family as well on expecting a new baby. I left my notes in my office. Can you get that for me? Let's go ahead and bow our heads and have a word of prayer. Heavenly Father, Lord we do love you. We thank you for allowing us to gather tonight. Lord we thank you for this time of prayer. And Lord we pray for these on our prayer sheet and our church family. And Lord we begin of course with these requests regarding salvation. Brother Ron praying for his mom and his family's salvation. We ask that you would be with them and help them. Ms. Ermalisa praying for her family's salvation. Ms. Rebecca Arias praying for her family's salvation. As well Ms. Christine Ortiz praying for her family's salvation. Ms. Tachma praying for her daughter and her family's salvation. And Lord we ask for all these individuals. We pray that you would help them and be with them. We ask that you would move in their hearts Lord and do whatever needs to be done in their lives. That they would come to the place where they would be willing and able to hear the gospel. And we ask that a soul winner would clearly communicate the gospel to them. We also pray for these that have requests regarding health. Brother Ron praying for his heart condition to heal. Alex Cresson praying for his health and complete healing as he recovers from medication side effects as well. Ms. Ittiana praying for her health as well. And also Ms. Michelle Scott praying for Brother Graham as he travels to see his father and for Brother Graham's father's health as his cancer has returned. Chris Williams praying for complete healing after surgery. Brother Ryan Gibbs praying for health of his friend Brandon Davis and that his results would come back negative for cancer. Ms. Christine Ortiz praying for her health and praying for her sister Judy's health that she would get better. Brother Salvador praying for his health. Ms. Tachma for her pain. And Brother Edgar and Ms. Alina continuing to keep Urezi just in prayer. Continued health for Urezi that she would be healthy and strong. And Lord we ask for all these individuals. We pray that you would help them and that you would be with them regarding health. Lord that you would heal them if it's your will. That you would give the doctors and nurses dealing with them strength and discernment and help them to recover and be able to get better. We also pray for the ladies in our church that are expecting. Ms. Julissa, Ms. Taylor, Ms. Esther, Ms. Ariel, Ms. Rizel, also Ms. Rebecca praying that you give them healthy pregnancies with no issues and no complications. That they would be healthy and strong and have no problems. We also pray for these that are praying for their friends and family. It's Yana praying for her families as they mourn the loss of her Uncle Joe. Ms. Maria Cuda Lima praying for Roma and Skylar's victory over drug addiction. Brother Salvador praying for his family as well. Lord we ask that you would help these individuals. We also pray for Ms. Christine and Brother Salvador and their faith. They'll walk with you. Their finances also Lord. Ask that you would help them with that. Brother Brandon praying for success at his current job and his finances and to be able to find better housing and Lord we pray that you would be with them and guide them in these areas. And then Lord we also pray for these that have unspoken requests. Ms. Kimmy, Ms. Natalie, Ms. Mary Filson all having unspoken requests. Ms. Rebecca Arias, also Brother Salvador, Ms. Dogma having unspoken requests. You know what their petitions are. You know what they're asking for. Lord we ask that you would please answer according to your will. And then Lord we pray for our church family of course. We pray for the members of our prison ministry that you continue to help them and be with them. We pray for our missionary Dave Cabuntala and for his wife Angel as she's undergoing treatment for cancer that you would heal her and help her as she recovers. Lord we also pray for our missions in Manila Pampanga Bicol and for Pastor Stuckey and his family that you'd help them and be with them. And of course Lord we pray for all the upcoming events here at our church. We pray for Easter Sunday on March 31st and there's so many things to get ready for before the grand opening of our building and we ask that you would help us with that. We pray for this next generation youth rally. Lord we ask that you'd help us as we prepare for this. And even more than us preparing Lord I ask that you'd prepare the hearts of the young people that will be here for those two days. I ask that you would prepare the hearts of the preachers that will be speaking to them Lord that the word of God would do a work in their hearts and that there would be a next generation that would rise up to do great things for you. We pray for our church here in Sacramento that you would continue to help us and bless us and be with us and Lord we ask that you'd meet with us tonight as we take another portion of scripture and study it together. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Please open up to Hebrews 10. Hebrews chapter number 10. If you do not have a Bible please raise your hand and unless you can bring your Bible. Hebrews chapter number 10. We will read verses 19 through 39. Hebrews 10 verses 19 through 39. Hebrews 10 beginning in verse number 19. Having therefore brethren boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus by a new and living way which he hath consecrated for us through the veil that is to say his flesh and having a high priest over the house of God let us draw near with a true heart and full assurance of faith having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure blood let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering for he is faithful that promised and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together as a matter of some is but exhorting one another and so much the more as you see the day approaching for if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation which shall devour the adversaries he that spies Moses law died without mercy under two or three witnesses and how much sore punishment suppose he shall he be thought worthy who hath trodden underfoot the son of God and hath counted the blood of the covenant wherewith he was sanctified an unholy thing and hath done despite unto the spirit of grace for we know him that hath said vengeance belongeth unto me I will recompense save the Lord and again the Lord shall judge his people it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God but call to remembrance the former days in which after you were illuminated he endured a great fight of afflictions partly whilst you were made a gazing stock both by reproaches and afflictions and partly whilst he became companions of them that were so used for he had compassion of me and my bonds and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and enduring substance cast not away therefore your confidence which hath great recompense of reward for you have need of patience that after you have done the will of God you might receive the promise for yet a little while and he that shall come will come and will not tarry now the just shall live by faith but if any man draw back my soul shall have no pleasure in him we are not of them who draw back into perdition but of them that believe to the saving of the soul let's pray heavenly father thank you for this evening God I thank you for your word for our church as you please give us all tender hearts with a message tonight as to be their pastor please strengthen him and fill in the spirit we love you in Jesus name we pray. Amen. Amen. Alright we're there in Hebrews chapter number 10 and of course on Wednesday nights we are going through the book of Hebrews we're doing a verse by verse study through the book of Hebrews and we find ourselves tonight in Hebrews chapter number 10 and we actually started Hebrews 10 last time we were in the book of Hebrews and we went through the first 18 verses and tonight we're going to begin at verse number 19 and I'd like to try to get through the rest of the chapter we'll see how we do with that but I'd like you to notice just by way of introduction there's a theme in this portion of scripture that we're going to look at tonight but before we get into that I just want to show you something here regarding the veil of the flesh of the Lord Jesus Christ in Hebrews chapter 10 verse 19 the Bible says this having therefore brethren boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus by a new and living way and of course we've been talking a lot in the book of Hebrews about the tabernacle and about the furniture of the tabernacle and the holy place and the most holy place and how we have access to God through the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ that's what it's saying here verse 20 by a new and living way which he had consecrated for us and then I want you to notice these words here through the veil through the veil and of course if you remember the tabernacle you remember that the tabernacle or the temple eventually is divided into two rooms you have a bigger room that is referred to as the holy place and then you have a smaller room that is referred to as the holy of holies or the most holy place this is where the ark of the covenant resides and these two rooms they are divided by a veil we've talked about that in the book of Hebrews here the Bible says through the veil that is to stay his flesh through the veil that is to stay his flesh and the Bible is saying that that veil in the tabernacle that separated between the holy place and the most holy place is a picture of the flesh of the Lord Jesus Christ and of course when we talk about the flesh of Christ we're talking about the fact that about his incarnation his incarnate body now I'd like you to keep your place there in Hebrews chapter 10 that's obviously our text for tonight but go with me if you would to the book of Exodus chapter 40 in the Old Testament you have the books of Genesis and then the book of Exodus Exodus chapter 40 and you know when I was studying this and I was looking at this idea of through the veil that is to say his flesh initially I was a little confused by that and I understood what it said but I was just wondering about the application what is it exactly that God is trying to tell us here when he says through the veil that is to say his flesh and then just in my own personal Bible reading had nothing to do with studying for a sermon I was just happened to be reading in the book of Exodus chapter 40 and this popped out at me Exodus chapter 40 and verse 1 I'd like to show it to you Exodus 40 and verse 1 the Bible says this and the Lord spoke unto Moses saying on the first day of the first month shalt thou set up the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation that thou shalt put therein the ark of the testimony we're reading here in Exodus chapter 40 when they're actually setting up the tabernacle God is commanding them to set up the tabernacle and then he's telling them to put therein referring to the word therein there is referring to the tabernacle to put in the tabernacle or therein the tabernacle the ark of the testimony and of course if you remember the ark of the testimony was a representation of the presence of God, the box that was translated with gold, it had the cherubims over it and the mercy seat all of this pictured God, the presence of God, the fact that God was with them and that God was in the midst of the people but what's interesting is here in Exodus 40 and verse 3 the Bible says this and thou shalt put therein the ark of the testimony and cover the ark with the veil and the idea is this that they were to bring the ark into the tabernacle the ark is a picture or representation of God and then they were to cover the ark, we think of the veil as dividing one room from the other but the wording here is saying that the ark was to be covered with the veil so that if somebody walked into the tabernacle they would not directly look at the ark which represented the presence of God but they would instead look at the veil that is covering the ark of the covenant, they would look at the veil that is covering the presence of God and then this song popped into my head, you might be familiar with it Veiled in flesh the Godhead see, hail the incarnate deity, pleased as man with men to dwell Jesus our Emmanuel, hark the herald angels sing glory to the newborn king, so when the Bible says here that they were to cover the ark with the veil and then the Bible tells us in Hebrews 10 that we are able to through the veil to enter in by a new living way which he had consecrated for us through the veil that is to say is flesh, well the songwriter said it perfectly when he said veiled in flesh the Godhead see and the idea is this that in the same way that in the Old Testament they would enter into the covenant, into the tabernacle and they would look towards the ark of the covenant but they would not see the presence of God because it was veiled because it was covered with a veil in the same way when the Lord Jesus Christ walked on this earth individuals were looking at God, the Lord Jesus Christ is God but he is God in the flesh, he was veiled in flesh, veiled in flesh the Godhead see, so that's what we're reading here in Hebrews 10.25 when it says that we have a new and living way which he had consecrated for us through the veil that is to say his flesh, so we see that in the application here is that the presence of God was veiled in the flesh of the Lord Jesus Christ veiled in flesh the Godhead see, hell incarnate deity there's so many applications there once you understand that and realize that for example we know that the veil was rent but the Bible tells us that the body of Christ was also rent and it was torn and he suffered on the cross for our sins, we know that the high priest we've learned this in the book of Hebrews, once a year only the high priest, only one day out of the year he was allowed to enter into the holiest of all, into the presence of the ark but how did the high priest do that, he went through the veil, you have to go through the veil into the presence of the ark, well how do we enter into the presence of God through the veil that is the flesh of the Lord Jesus Christ we have access to God the Father through the veil of Jesus Christ this is why Jesus said I am the way, the truth and the life, no man cometh unto the Father but by me, so we see that the veil here has a lot of applications and there's a lot of interesting typology that we see here regarding the veil and the flesh of our Lord Jesus Christ anyway that's not the main focus of the sermon but I thought that was interesting and maybe I'm the only one that finds it interesting, I don't know, go back to Hebrews chapter 10 look at verse 21, if you love the Bible you'll find that interesting so you gauge that, if you like cartoons then you're probably bored right now but Hebrews 10 and verse 21 Hebrews 10 and verse 21, the Bible says this and having an high priest over the house of God and I want to just highlight for you just real quickly in verses 22, 23 and 24 we see the theme in this portion of scripture, I want you to notice he says let us, let us, he says and having an high priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, verse 22 says let us, then verse 23 says let us let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering then verse 24 says this, and let us let us consider one another to provoke and to love and to good works I want you to notice that in verses 22, 23 and 24 we have these three progressive let us, the word, that phrase let us is an applicable phrase, is a directive phrase and I want you to notice that we are now entering into a new phase of the book of Hebrews, the book of Hebrews I believe was written by the apostle Paul if you argue that, that's fine, I think it's real clear that Paul wrote it and if you'll notice like the rest of Paul's epistles they are often divided into two sections, the first section has a lot of theology and doctrine and teaching and then the second section is highly applicable, practical and this is what we're going to see in the book of Hebrews up to this point it has been super doctrinal super theology, a lot of deep teaching but now the writer of Hebrews is going to transition and for the rest of the book really there's still going to be a lot of teaching but there's going to be a lot of practical application and this is where it begins, he begins with these three directives when he says now here's what we need to do, he says let us let us, let us, verse 22 he says let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, verse 23 he says let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering, verse 24 he says and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good work somebody said that this portion of scripture is like a spiritual salad because there's so much lettuce I don't know if you think that's funny but don't ever say that I didn't try to give you a joke every once in a while there's all the let us, so let's look at these let us if you're taking notes maybe you can jot these down in the back of your course so there's a place to write these down number one, let us, I want you to notice there in verse 22, draw near let us draw near, notice what he says, he says let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water, the Bible tells us here and the writer of Hebrews is directing us and he's giving us a directive, he's saying here's what you can do and now remember we've been learning about the fact that Jesus is better, Jesus is better than Moses Jesus is better than the priest, Jesus is better than the tabernacle, Jesus is better than the Sabbath, Jesus is better than everything in the Old Testament and we've been learning about the fact that Jesus is the high priest and we can come boldly into the throne of grace through the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ he says knowing all that and understanding all that, he says let us draw near, let us draw near with a true heart and there's just a couple of things I want you to notice regarding this idea of let us draw near and let us draw near to God, you're there in Hebrews 10, if you would flip over to the book of James James chapter number 4, James probably has the most famous passage of scripture dealing with this idea of drawing near to God although it's not the only passage of scripture, I want you to see it and here's the point that I want you to get because now we're in a very practical, applicable portion of scripture and if you're taking notes I'd like you to write this down, we're looking at this idea of let us draw near and let me just say this the first thing you need to understand is this, that it is possible to draw near to God, it's possible for you I'm not talking about some great man like Moses or Abraham or Elijah, I'm not talking about some great preacher out there that some Jack Hyles or Curtis Hudson or Pastor Anderson or somebody you hold in high esteem, but the Bible says that it is possible for you and it is possible for me to draw near to God notice James chapter 4 and verse 8, the Bible says this draw nigh to God, draw nigh to God and He will draw nigh to you, draw nigh to God and He will draw nigh to you, the Bible says that as you and I take a step towards God, God takes a step towards us when we draw close to Him, He draws close to us, now there are some things that need to happen in regards to us drawing near to God look at the verse there, James 4-8, draw nigh to God, He will draw nigh to you it's not just enough to draw nigh to God, if you're going to draw nigh to God, because the Bible says because Jesus said, because God said be holy for I am holy, the Bible says cleanse your hands you sinners and purify your hearts you double minded you'll notice that there is this idea that if we're going to draw nigh to God we need to cleanse ourselves, we need to come to God we need to be pure and holy and consecrated and set apart we see that in Hebrews 10 22 as well, let us draw near with a true heart and full of assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water, if you're going to come nigh to God you're going to have to cleanse yourself and separate yourself and make yourself meet for the Master's use, but this idea is this that it is possible, it is possible for you and I to draw nigh near to God don't get this idea that well, it's possible for somebody else there's some other pastor out there, there's some other Christian out there, there's some other individual out there that they can draw nigh to God, no, the Bible says that you and I can draw nigh to God, it is possible to draw near to God, which is why the writer of Hebrews says let us draw near with a true heart, he's saying let us draw near to God, now let me just show you a couple of things regarding this idea of drawing near not only is it possible, but I'd like you to notice go to Malachi chapter number 3, it should be fairly easy to find, it's the last book in the Old Testament Malachi chapter number 3, and if you're taking notes I want you to write these sub points down let us draw near, that's point number 1, here's your sub point it is possible to draw near to God, and here's your second sub point you are responsible to draw near to God not only is it possible to draw near to God but the responsibility, who is responsible for my walk with God, your walk with God, our walk with the Lord who is responsible if we don't draw near to God, who is responsible if we aren't close to the Lord, who is responsible for our walk with God it is possible to draw near to God is what we see in James 4.8, draw nigh to God and he will draw nigh to you, but the other thing that I want you to notice is this, that the Bible teaches that you are responsible to draw near to God Malachi 3, look at verse 7, notice what he says even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from my ordinances and have not kept them, I just want you to see how this is brought up in scripture notice what he says, this is God speaking through the prophet Malachi, he says return unto me and I will return unto you return unto me and I will return unto you, doesn't that sound a lot like James 4.8 draw nigh to God and he will draw nigh to you, here's what God is saying if we're not close, it's not my fault if you're not drawing near to me, it's not because I've not given you access because I have given you access, I've given you the blood of my son, the Lord Jesus Christ to give you access and boldness into the throne of grace, he said if you and I aren't close, the responsibility falls on you return unto me and I will return unto you let me give you another passage, go to Zachariah chapter 1, you're there in Malachi, just flip backwards, one book into the book of Zachariah, Zachariah chapter 1, look at verse 3 I often say this to people, I often say this to people when I'm trying to help them in counseling sessions but I say it in other sorts of sessions as well, I think I've said it to every single one of our staff persons whenever I hire them and bring them on staff, and I probably said this to you, I'm going to say it and you're going to think, oh yeah, you said that, and what I often say to people is this if my relationship and your relationship ever comes to an end it will be because you walked away from it, not me and I often tell people the commitment that I'm making to you, the commitment that I'm making to you is that I will not walk away from you, that doesn't mean that I might not be mad at you and I might not be disappointed in you, it means that I might not have to correct you from time to time it doesn't mean all sorts of things, but what I'm saying to you is if my relationship and your relationship ends, it will be because you walked away from me not that I walked away from you, because I make a commitment to you to not walk away from you you say, where did you get that from? I got that from God because God says if you and I are not close, it's not my fault if you and I do not have a good relationship it's not because I walked away from you, because I will never leave thee nor forsake thee Hebrews will tell us later on in a couple of chapters he says if you and I are not close, it's because you walked away from me it's because it's possible to draw near to God but you are responsible to draw near to God draw an eye to God, he will draw an eye to you, return unto me and I will return unto you are you there in Zechariah chapter 1, look at verse 3 the Bible says this, therefore say thou unto them, thus saith the Lord of hosts turn ye unto me, saith the Lord of hosts, look at it, look at it and I will turn unto you God says look, I've got an open invitation, you want to get close to me I can get close to you, turn ye unto me and I will turn unto you return unto me and I will return unto you, draw an eye to God and he will draw an eye to you, and let me just say this, and I'm not going to have you go here just for sake of time, you go back to Hebrews chapter 10, but if you remember the great story of the prodigal son, the story of the prodigal son in Luke chapter 15 is a great illustration of this idea, where God says draw an eye to me, let us draw near with a true heart, James 4.8, draw an eye to God he will draw an eye to you, return unto me and I will return unto you, turn ye unto me thus saith the Lord, saith the Lord of hosts, and I will turn unto you this principle that God says, when you start coming in my direction, I'll start going in your direction is actually pictured and illustrated in the story of the prodigal son if you remember the story of the prodigal son, when the prodigal son went wayward and decided to walk away from God what did the father do? did he chase after him? no he did not often times in ministry, when people have gone willfully, sinfully against the Lord, I have been criticized people have criticized me and said, well you need to go after them well show me that in the Bible, you don't see the father chasing after the son, the son needs to come to the end of himself the son needs to humble himself and come as forgiveness of the father, you don't see God the father chasing after the son in the story, you don't see the father chasing the son in the story of the prodigal son the father allows the son with his free will to go make whatever mess he wants, but you know what's interesting in that story, what's interesting in the story of the prodigal son, which is a parable, is that the father does not go after the son, but when the son finally comes to the end of himself when he gets to the end of where sin will take you when he gets to the end and he realizes there's nothing, by the way let me say to you and especially young people, there's nothing in that world for you there's nothing of value, nothing but remorse and regret and when the son gets to the end of himself, the Bible says when he comes to himself and when he says, I need to go back home, he said the servants in my father's house have more than I have right now, and he says I'm going to go and apologize I'm going to come home, you know what the Bible says, that when the son begins to walk home and the father sees him coming, then the father runs to the son, say why does he run to the son, you know why? Because when you draw nigh to God, he'll draw nigh to you return unto me and I will return unto you, turn ye unto me and I will turn unto you, so I say to you, like the writer of Hebrews says, let us draw near you say, pastor you don't understand, I'm so far away, you start walking towards God, he'll start walking towards you, it is possible to draw near to God, but you are responsible to draw near to God, because if you find yourself away from the Lord, it's not because he walked away from you it's because you walked away from him, go back to Hebrews chapter 10 look at verse 23, we saw the first of our spiritual salad here let us, number one, let us draw near now I'd like you to notice a second let us, and we find it there in verse number 23, he says let us hold fast, in verse 22 he said let us draw near in verse 23 he says let us hold fast let us hold fast the profession of our faith, and here's what he says, he gives us an antonym to help us understand the idea, the concept, the concept is for us to hold fast you say what does that mean, what does it mean to hold fast, he says holding fast is the opposite of wavering, he says let us hold fast the profession of our faith, then he says these words, without wavering, for he is faithful that promise, now throughout the book of Hebrews we've already seen this word hold fast used several times, let's just look at it real quickly, you're there in Hebrews 10, flip back to Hebrews chapter 4, look at verse number 14 Hebrews chapter 4 and verse 14, while you go there let me just give you a definition for the phrase for the term hold fast it's actually a nautical term used by mariners and it has to do with anchoring to something that's going to hold you, the term hold fast means to bear down, to stay the course, to continue to believe in or adhere to an idea or principle synonyms for the phrase hold fast is to stay strong, to see something through, to stay true, continue to believe, grid it out, it's to stay with something, to stick with something notice Hebrews 4 and verse 14, seeing then that we have a great high priest that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the son of God notice the words here, let us hold fast our profession, look at Hebrews chapter 3 and verse number 6 the Bible says but Christ as a son over his own house whose house are we if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end, the writer of Hebrews is giving us these directives he says let us draw near and then he says let us hold fast, now the opposite of holding fast is wavering, that's why we saw there in Hebrews 10 and 3, let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering, without wavering, you say how do I know if I'm holding fast, well ask yourself this question, are you wavering are you wavering, go to James if you would, James chapter 1 just one book over, we've already been there tonight, like you notice James chapter 1 the Bible speaks about that, while you turn there let me give you the definition for the word wavering wavering is defined as fluttering, swaying to and fro, tottering or reeling, flickering or quivering, becoming unsteady, vacillating faltering, fluctuating, swaying, tottering or fluttering, this is all the opposite of wavering, notice there James 1 and verse 5 the Bible says this if any of you lack wisdom, I like how he says if any of you because we should all just sit right there and say yeah that's me if any of you lack wisdom let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not and it shall be given him, by the way I think it's interesting there's very few portions of scripture where God tells you here's a prayer request you ought to make and if you pray it I'll answer it and one of those is if you lack wisdom ask of God that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not and it shall be given you verse 6, but let him ask in faith, notice the words here nothing wavering, what does it mean to waver? to sway back and forth, to become unsteady, he says nothing wavering for he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed, he says you can't be wavering like a wave of the sea that's driven with the wind and tossed, you say why? look at verse 7, for let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord, verse 8, this is all the context wavering, not being steady, not being hold fast notice verse 8, a double minded man is unstable in all his ways, the writer of Hebrews is telling us you know we ought to draw near, let us draw near but then he says this, let us hold fast it's time that we stop wavering, it's time that we stop vacillating back and forth and trying to decide whether, look stop trying to decide whether you're going to live the Christian life or not why don't you just make a decision and stick with it, why don't you just be like Daniel and purpose in your heart that you're not going to defy yourself with the kings meat, you're not going to defy yourself with sinful things, why don't you just decide in your heart here's what I'm going to do, here's what the Bible says, I'm just going to do it make that decision and don't reopen the conversation for argument, do you understand what I'm saying to you? You ought to just decide, if someone is having a conversation every Sunday morning, should I come to church or not, should I go to church or not, if somebody's having a conversation every Saturday morning, should I go soul winning or not, if someone's having a conversation every Sunday night, should I go to church tonight, you're not going to go half the time but if you just decide and make a decision and say when I get up in the morning I read the Bible, on Saturday I go soul winning, I'm Sunday morning and Sunday night and Wednesday night, these are decisions I've made, they're not up for debate, we're not questioning them this is what we've already decided, the writer of Hebrews says we ought to draw nigh to God and he says we ought to hold fast stop wavering, stop vacillating back and forth make a decision and stick with it, if there's certain music that you've decided you're not going to have in your household then don't bring it back if there's a certain type of entertainment you've decided you're not going to have in your, don't bring it back stop wavering and going back and forth because this idea of vacillating back and forth, this idea only speaks to your immaturity Ephesians chapter 4, if you would, I'd like you to see this, Ephesians 4 Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, Romans 1, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians Ephesians chapter 4 a double minded man is unstable in all his ways you know, you ought to just make a decision and stick with it I don't think you should make hasty decisions, I think that if you're going to make a decision you should think about it, you should seek counsel, you should pray, you should be wise about it but once you've came to a conclusion, look, once you've decided I'm King James only, don't open that up for discussion again once you've decided I believe in eternal security, I don't need to open that up for discussion again the decision has been made, Ephesians chapter 4 verse 13, notice what the Bible says, Ephesians 4 13, till we all come in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature by the way, I just want you to notice, unto a perfect man, this is referring to maturity, completeness, unto the measure of the stature, this is referring to maturity, it's referring to growth, of the fullness of Christ that we henceforth, look at the words here, be no more children, that we henceforth be no more children, and notice how he describes children, toss to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine by the sleight of men and cunning craftiness whereby they lie in wait to deceive the writer of Hebrews is telling us we ought to hold fast and the decision that you need to make is that I'm going to stop wavering and I'm going to hold fast, I'm going to stop wavering I've made a decision, I've decided this is what we're going to do, I've decided this is how we're going to live, I've decided this is how we're going to raise our children I've decided that this is how we're going to have our home, I've decided that this is the type of church I'm going to be in, just make the decision and stop wavering and I want you to notice, you're there in Ephesians, go to 1 Corinthians 15 you go backwards, you have Galatians, 2 Corinthians, 1 Corinthians here's how it goes, you stop wavering and you become held fast, you become held fast you hold fast, there's a synonym to that word and it's steadfast, steadfast is defined as firm in belief, determination or adherence staying the same and not changing quickly or unexpectedly 1 Corinthians 15 and verse 58 says this, therefore my beloved brethren be ye steadfast same idea as hold fast, firm determined, you're not changing, you've made a decision it's not up for debate, it's not up for argument be ye steadfast, and then he gives us synonyms, unmovable that's the opposite of wavering, but notice these words always abounding in the work of the Lord, for as much as you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord when we become hold fast or steadfast we can go from wavering to always abounding we stop wavering, we stop being tossed to and fro we get steadfast, and then we can start always abounding in the work of the Lord, and here's what the Bible says, and here's what the Bible teaches that your rewards are connected to your ability to hold fast, you don't have to turn here, I'll just read this for you, Revelation 3 and verse 11 this is Jesus speaking, I come quickly hold that fast which thou hast that no man take thy crown, so the writer of Hebrews here tells us let us draw near, he says let us hold fast, and look I believe every Christian needs to make a decision that I'm going to draw near to God I'm going to purposefully begin to draw near to God understanding that as I draw near to God, God draws near to me as well, because it is possible to draw near to God, and I'm also responsible to draw near to God, and if I'm away from the Lord it's not the Lord's fault, it's my fault and then I think every Christian needs to make a decision to hold fast you need to hold fast, you need to just decide, look you need to decide what you're going to do and stick with it, decide what you're going to do and don't change don't be given to change, look are there times that the Christian life gets difficult, of course there are are there times that ministry gets difficult, of course there are there are times when the ministry can be so overwhelming and the pressure that is laid upon my wife and I and other people in ministry, you can almost feel it on your shoulders sometimes I tell people the ministry will kill me, I'll be in heaven so it will be okay, but you know, if when I die just know, you did it are there times that I've wanted to quit, of course there are but we just hold fast, we just make a decision we're going to stick with this thing, my positions are not up for debate, and they're not up for debate and they don't change based off the culture, they don't change based off what's popular, what's accepted, they don't change based off people they are principles from the word of God, we decide them, we follow them we stick to them, we hold fast so he said let us draw near, then he says let us hold fast and I'd like you to notice the third one tonight, go back to Hebrews chapter 10 if you would Hebrews chapter 10 let us draw near, let us hold fast, and then we see the third one there in verse 24 he says this, let us consider one another, he says let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works I want you to notice there are a couple things that he says here regarding considering one another he says we ought to consider one another, and you know, in life life is not just, it's not all about you there's other perspectives, there's other people, there's other things, we do not live on an island our lives influence other people, and here the writer of Hebrews says let us consider one another, what does he mean by that, well he says the first thing in regards to considering one another is to provoke unto love and to good work, to provoke unto love and to good work and the idea is this, that the people that are around you the people that you surround yourself with, they ought to provoke you unto love and to good work, think of the word provoke usually we think we use the word provoke in a negative sense somebody provoked me to do something wrong but here the Bible says that we ought to be around people we ought to consider one another, and we ought to be provoking others unto love and to good work, look at verse 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is, we'll talk about that here in a minute I want you to notice this phrase, but exhorting, the word exhort means to strongly encourage or urge, but exhorting one another and so much the more as you see the day approaching, and here's what I'm saying to you, the Bible is teaching that you should consider one another and that you should be around people who provoke you unto love and to good works, that exhort you and that are exhorting you and encouraging you and urging you to do good things, go to Proverbs 27 if you would, Proverbs 27 I know you know this verse, but I want you to see it Proverbs 27, 17, the Bible says this iron sharpeneth iron and here's the application, so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friends, this is the idea of provoking unto love and to good work, you know you should spend time with people that make you a better Christian, because iron sharpeneth iron so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friends, look at Proverbs 13 and verse 20 here we see the same principle said it a little different, Proverbs 13 and verse 20 the Bible says this, he that walketh with wise men shall be wise I'm not preaching on wisdom tonight, but we already got two great verses on wisdom, you want some wisdom? if any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, let him give it to all men liberally and abraighteth not, and it shall be given him, you want wisdom? you got to ask for wisdom you know another key to wisdom is this, you want wisdom? walk with wise people when you surround yourself with wise people the Bible says he that walketh with wise men shall be wise but then here's the contrast, because Proverbs often does that, we have to compare and contrast he says he that walketh with wise men shall be wise, but a companion of fools shall be destroyed why does he say that a companion of fools ends up destroyed? because a companion of fools becomes a fool in the same way that he that walketh with wise men shall be wise so let us consider one another, the idea is this, that you should surround yourself number one, let me say it this way, you need to surround yourself with others who are urging you who are exhorting you, who are provoking you to love and good works, but the other way is also true you need to make sure that you're the type of friend that is encouraging others that is encouraging others to love and to good works someone said this, show me your friends and I'll show you your future someone said this, your friends will determine the quality and direction of your life who you surround yourselves with will have an impact on your life, who you allow to influence you will have an impact on your life, so the writer of Hebrews says let us consider, let us consider one another then I want you to notice, he says, here's how you do it you say, how do I find, how do I get around people that are going to provoke us unto love and to good works well notice there in Hebrews 10.25, he says, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together as the matter of some is, but exhorting one another and so much the more, as you see the day approaching this is a verse referring to church attendance the assembly or the assembling of ourselves is church the word church is defined as a congregation, as an assembly of believers a church is not a building, a church is a congregation of believers, it's a group, it's a called out assembly of believers that are called out of the world and they assemble themselves together when we meet here on a Wednesday night, the Verity Baptist Church is congregating and meeting together, this building is not a church, it's a beautiful building this building is not a church, the church is you, and whether we're meeting in this beautiful building or we're meeting under a tree out in our field out there, or if we're meeting next to a methadone clinic it would not matter where we're meeting because the church is the congregation and here the Bible says that we are to not forsake the assembling of ourselves together as a manner of some is, now there are some who take this verse and say this verse is only referring to people who quit church altogether, they'll say this verse has nothing to do with church attendance or how much your church attendance is, it's just saying that you should not forsake the assembling, it's not saying that you need to be faithful to church or go every week or go Sunday mornings and Sunday nights and Wednesday nights, it's just saying that you shouldn't forsake the assembly altogether now I will say this, that that's definitely an application, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together is definitely an application that we can put to this verse that says don't quit church you ought not quit church altogether you ought not forsake the assembly, but I don't believe that that's the only application here, and the reason that I don't believe that is because what the verse says we ought to just look at what the Bible plainly says and the plain things are the main things just look at what it's saying, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, notice the words here, as the manner of some is as the manner of some is, the word manner means customer habit he says don't forsake the assembly like some people have a habit or a custom of doing, well here's the thing about a habit or a manner or a custom, that in order for it to be a habit or a manner or a custom, it's something that you must do on a regular basis so this verse is only talking about, I'm just quitting the church I'm never going back, and it's saying don't do that, well how does somebody do that on a regular basis? If you just quit church and denounce church altogether, that's something you do one time but here he says there are some people who forsake the assembly on a regular, habitual, it's a manner or a custom of their life, what is he talking about? He's talking about church attendance look yes, do not forsake the church, don't quit the church, but also you ought to be concerned with your church attendance, now I realize I'm preaching to the Wednesday night crowd and I'm, you know, whatever, literally preaching to the choir but it's good for us to hear, and I will say this about church attendance I think that people often do better than they actually, they think they're doing better than they actually do what I would encourage you to do is if you're wanting to follow the advice given to us in Hebrews and you want to let us consider one another unto love and good works, then you should track your church attendance I'm talking about on a calendar, on your phone put in, track your church attendance, do it for a month do it for a year, do it for a while, you might be shocked how inconsistent you are because the Bible tells us here, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together as the manner of some is, some people have the manner some people have the habit of skipping out on church you ought not have that manner, now let me just say this and I don't want you to see it, I don't think I'm going to get to the whole chapter, the rest of the chapter tonight that's okay, in verse 26 begins a different subject but it's all connected in context, and I want you to see it there in verse 26 he says, for if we sin willfully, now in verse 26 begins a different context, like I said, a different thought or idea, but I want you to understand that it's all in context and the context is this, that when we forsake the assembling of ourselves together, we are sinning willfully we are sinning willfully, so you ought to just make a decision I'm going to be consistent with the church, I'm going to be faithful to the church remember point number 2, let us hold fast, why don't you just hold fast to being consistent you say, well how much church do we need, pastor because we have Sunday morning, we have Sunday night, we have Wednesday night well look at what the verse says, Hebrews 10.25, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together as the manner of some is but exhorting one another, look at the words here, and so much the more and so much the more as you see the day approaching, here's what I'm saying to you is the Bible says, the closer we get to the day of judgment, the closer we get to the end of the world, the closer we get to the tribulation period and the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, we need more church, not less so much the more, as you see the day approaching so I just make the decision, why don't you just be three to thrive Sunday morning, Sunday night, Wednesday night, just be consistent just decide, just decide, Christ is my life why don't you just make a decision, I remember when we were kids growing up the decision, the way that it was worded when I was growing up, and this was definitely the way that my home was, and this is the way my home is now, was this if the church doors are open, we're going to be there, if the church doors are open we're going to be there, if there's something going on in church, we're going to be there, if there's church on Sunday morning there's church on Sunday night, there's church on Wednesday night, if there's a red hot preaching conference on Thursday night and Friday night, if there's a special event, if there's something going on, we're going to be there not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together as the matter of some is, so much the more as you see the day approaching, go to Acts 20 if you wouldn't I keep looking up thinking there's a clock, but there's no clock, every time I'm disappointed which you may think, oh it's not a big deal, but have you noticed that I've been preaching longer lately? so maybe somebody should take some initiative and put a clock up them, just saying it's not my responsibility that the sermons go long, it's your fault Acts 20 verse 18 and when they were come to him, he said unto them you know from the first day that I came into Asia, after notice the word here, what manner the word manner means customer habit, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together as the manner of some is, here Paul says after what manner I have been with you at all seasons he says I've been consistent, I've been with you at all seasons even football season, even football season, even baseball season, he says all seasons what manner I've been with you at all seasons we're just going to finish it there, we'll pick up the rest of the chapter when we get back on Wednesday and finish up the rest of the chapter, but I want you to consider these three directives given to us in this passage let us, let us, the writer of Hebrews is shifting gears, he's saying based off the things we know, based off all the things that we've heard, he says we have an opportunity, he gives us a spiritual salad, let us draw near, let us hold fast let us consider one another. Heavenly Father, Lord we do love you, we thank you for allowing us to gather together tonight and Lord we thank you for this portion of scripture and I pray that we would take it seriously I do pray that we would all take this spiritual advice, Lord I pray my prayer is that we would all draw near to God that we would all hold fast and that we would all consider one another just realize that we need each other, we're not an island we were created for community we need each other to provoke and to love and to good works, we need to be assembled together in so much the more as we see the day approaching learn these things and understand these things, help us to apply these things in the matchless name of Christ we pray, amen. Alright we're going to have brother RJ come up and lead us in a final song, just want to remind you that if you have not yet gone back there and looked at the nine chapters of the day clipboard, please make sure you go back there and do that, check for your name make sure it's spelled right, check off your name if it is right, if it's not right cross it out, write it clearly so we can fix it, if it should be there and it's not there, please add it, if it's there and it shouldn't be there, you know have some honesty and cross it out, but help us with that and then don't forget that we have the homeschool group tomorrow, the PE is at 10 am, so just remember that and be aware of that, I think there's been a few PE classes that will cancel, we want to make sure that you're aware of that if there's anything we can do for you, please let us know and we'll have brother RJ come up at this time Amen, let's grab our songbooks and turn to page number 183 song number 183 we're going to sing Oh How I Love Jesus, song number 183, sing it out on the first Oh how I love Jesus Oh how I love Jesus Oh how I love Jesus Oh how I love Jesus Because He first loved me It tells me of a Savior's love Who died to set me free I love His precious blood, the sinner's perfect plea Oh how I love Jesus Oh how I love Jesus Oh how I love Jesus Because He first loved me It tells me of one day it tread a dark sun path, yield sunshine all the way Oh how I love Jesus Oh how I love Jesus Oh how I love Jesus Because He first loved me Sing it out on the last Oh how I love Jesus Oh how I love Jesus Oh how I love Jesus Because He first loved me Sing it out on the last Oh how I love Jesus Oh how I love Jesus Oh how I love me Alright, well this evening we have Noah Deakins coming for baptism and Noah's a young boy that's growing up here in our church it's exciting to be able to baptize these kids and Noah have you accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Savior? Alright by your profession of faith I baptize you my brother in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost married in the likeness of His death, ways to walk in the newness of life God bless you Alright and we have another baptism there you go, good go ahead and have a seat go ahead and have a seat, let's get a picture over here this way got it? Alright we have Gerard Harris coming for baptism, Gerard have you accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Savior? Alright Gerard by your profession of faith I baptize you my brother in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost married in the likeness of His death, ways to walk in the newness of life God bless you Alright and all God's people said Amen, praise the Lord, if there's anything we can do for you please let us know I'm gonna ask brother whoever was leading the music down there, RJ to pray and dismiss us with a word of prayer Let's bow our heads and pray, dear Lord we love you and we thank you for that sermon Lord and we thank you for the opportunity to be in church tonight Lord and we thank you for the sermon that we heard Lord, pray that you'd help us draw near to you and let us consider one another as the Bible says Lord and pray that you bless the rest of the evening, bring us back to church for soul winning on Saturday and on church on Sunday, in Jesus' name I pray, Amen ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...