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Listen "BECAUSE JESUS is our confidence today and forever! February 4, 2024"
Episode Synopsis
In this powerful sermon delivered by Chris Richards on YouTube, he emphasizes the importance of not hardening our hearts against God's promises and falling into rebellion. Richards begins by referring to the common question of whether we want to hear the good news or the bad news first. He then introduces Hebrews 3:7-11 and Psalm 95 to illustrate his point.
Richards recounts the story of the Israelites, who were rescued from slavery in Egypt and led to the border of the Promised Land. Moses sent twelve spies to check out the land and report back. While they acknowledged that the land was abundant with milk and honey, the other spies spread fear among the people, stating that the inhabitants were strong and the cities were fortified. Despite Caleb and Joshua's encouragement to trust in God's promises, the Israelites rebelled and refused to enter the Promised Land.
The consequences of their rebellion were severe, as they wandered in the wilderness for forty years until every person over the age of twenty died. Richards highlights how their lack of belief and trust in God kept them from experiencing the rest and blessings He had promised them.
He also points out that their rebellion was not just a mistake or misstep but a deliberate act of disobedience, which was considered rebellion against God.
Richards then challenges the listeners to reflect on their own lives and consider how they might be hardening their hearts toward God's promises. He reminds them that rest and fulfillment cannot be found in worldly pursuits but can only come from fully trusting and obeying God.
The sermon concludes with the call for the listeners to take care of one another and encourage each other daily, so that none may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. Richards emphasizes the importance of confession, humility, and prayer in maintaining a close relationship with God and resisting the temptation to rebel.
Finally, he reminds the audience of the gospel and the forgiveness and love that can be found through Jesus Christ. He encourages them to hold fast to their assurance in Christ and not harden their hearts, as Jesus is their confidence today and forever.
The sermon ends with a communion ceremony, providing an opportunity for confession and reflection on the message shared.
Richards recounts the story of the Israelites, who were rescued from slavery in Egypt and led to the border of the Promised Land. Moses sent twelve spies to check out the land and report back. While they acknowledged that the land was abundant with milk and honey, the other spies spread fear among the people, stating that the inhabitants were strong and the cities were fortified. Despite Caleb and Joshua's encouragement to trust in God's promises, the Israelites rebelled and refused to enter the Promised Land.
The consequences of their rebellion were severe, as they wandered in the wilderness for forty years until every person over the age of twenty died. Richards highlights how their lack of belief and trust in God kept them from experiencing the rest and blessings He had promised them.
He also points out that their rebellion was not just a mistake or misstep but a deliberate act of disobedience, which was considered rebellion against God.
Richards then challenges the listeners to reflect on their own lives and consider how they might be hardening their hearts toward God's promises. He reminds them that rest and fulfillment cannot be found in worldly pursuits but can only come from fully trusting and obeying God.
The sermon concludes with the call for the listeners to take care of one another and encourage each other daily, so that none may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. Richards emphasizes the importance of confession, humility, and prayer in maintaining a close relationship with God and resisting the temptation to rebel.
Finally, he reminds the audience of the gospel and the forgiveness and love that can be found through Jesus Christ. He encourages them to hold fast to their assurance in Christ and not harden their hearts, as Jesus is their confidence today and forever.
The sermon ends with a communion ceremony, providing an opportunity for confession and reflection on the message shared.
In God we trust