Beware of Unbelief Hebrews 3:1-19

The “Apostle and High Priest of Our Confession” Christians should center their thoughts on Jesus, the “Apostle and High Priest of our confession” (Hebrews 3:1) –An apostle is one sent (John 3:16-17; 13:20; 20:21; 1 John 4:14) –Jesus, as our High Priest, made reconciliation for our sins, especially offering the sacrifice on the day of atonement (Hebrews 2:17-18) –“Confession” is 1) a public avowal of one’s belief 2) a way of life for the Christian (Rom. 10:9-10)

Moses in the House of God Moses was trustworthy in carrying out the duties appointed to him in God’s house Jesus is held in higher esteem (Hebrews 3:2-4) –Moses was part of the house of Israel, but Jesus was both the builder and furnisher of that house –Even today, the man who builds a great building is considered greater than the building God is the builder –Thus, Jesus is God (compare Hebrews 1:2)

Christ Is a Son in God’s House Moses was faithful as a servant in God’s house –His faithfulness testifies to the accuracy of the message he brought –Moses’ service was a foreshadow of things to come (Colossians 2:17; Hebrews 10:1) Jesus is Son over the house, which the writer identifies as his “own” (Hebrews 3:6) –Christians are part of God’s household (1 Tim. 3:15) –One can become a part of Christ’s house (church), but must speak boldly of it and hold fast to the hope of it to the end of life (Matthew 16:18; Acts 2:47)

A Call to Worship Psalm 95:7-11 includes a call to worship God and a warning against a disobedient heart (Hebrews 3:7-11) –The Hebrew brethren were being reminded that their fathers hardened their hearts, rebelled against and rejected God in the wilderness –They were not allowed to enter into “rest” (Canaan) –Clearly, God will not tolerate unbelief after he has shown his power to his people –The writer of Hebrews called his readers to worship and asked them to remain receptive so they could enter into God’s rest (heaven)

“Heart of Unbelief” The writer warns individual Christians against the “heart of unbelief” (Hebrews 3:12) –A heart that does not trust God and his promises –Can cause one to distrust so much that he will turn totally away The readers were considering rejection of Christ and turning back to the law of Moses –The writer equates rejection of Christ with rejection of God

An Exhortation to Faithfulness Christians should encourage one another today, before the night of death (Hebrews 3:13- 14) –This is done so sin and its tricky ways will not harden a believer in the ways of sin Christians come to share with Christ if they hold close the hope with which they started –Hope must be held firmly until the end, unlike those first generation Israelites who lost hope and trust in God, resulting in their dying without entering Canaan

Keep Your Heart from Hardening The repetition of the quote from Psalm 95:7 shows the great importance of keeping one’s heart from hardening (Hebrews 3:15-16) “Who were they who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt?” (N.I.V.) –The rebellion was complete save for Joshua and Caleb –All those who enjoyed deliverance under Moses, one of God’s great leaders, were lost because of unbelief

Falling Because of Unbelief Israel’s fall in the wilderness demonstrates the possibility of falling (Hebrews 3:17-19; Numbers 14:28-32) –Though they once believed and trusted God, actually possessing the land in promise, they were unable to enter the rest God offered because they turned to unbelief –Their falling was not due to any unfaithfulness on Moses’ part or inability on God’s part (Edward Fudge), their death being solely their responsibility –They simply quit trusting God (Deuteronomy 32:20)