Are You Able To Hear The Truth?

Twenty-First Sunday After Pentecost
Light of Christ Anglican Church
The Rev. Michael J. Moffitt October 13, 2024

SCRIPTURE: Hebrews 4:12-16

Last month Teresa and I went to Roanoke to attend a funeral of a dear friend. Whenever we go there we stay at a hotel that we really like. Every morning they serve breakfast for their guests. They serve many delicious foods that I should be disciplined enough to stay away from, but, whatever. Most of the staff in the kitchen and room service only speak Spanish. One of the healthy foods that Teresa likes, who is disciplined about what she eats, was not put out. I went to one of the young ladies to ask if they had what I was looking for, but she didn’t speak any English, but she had a smart phone. She pulled it out and typed something then held it up encouraging me to ask my question. When I did she looked at the translation on her phone. She then understood what I was looking for and went to find it. How simple! Why didn’t I think about that?

I can ask my phone most any question and it will not only direct me to an answer but will make available to me answers from a wide selection of people who felt they knew the answer. I bring this up because we live in a time of misinformation, where lies are being told as truth and opinions are being swayed by those lies.

The good news is that you no longer need to accept the lies. You can do your own research without leaving the comfort of your recliner. You will often find those who claim to be experts in any given field in disagreement with others who claim to be experts in the same field. Often it is helpful to know the background and worldview of those who are making the claims. We all bring presuppositions to our view of right and wrong, good, and bad. Your view of how things really are affect how you understand life, morality, ethics, and most importantly the God of Scripture. You also can find out what God has said in his word without getting up.

Since the times of the Apostles much has been said about the Christian faith by those who hate the claims of the Scriptures. Many of them have an impressive resume and make people think they are “experts”. However, now I can simply type their name into my computer or Smartphone and see who they really are and what they base their views on. It’s very enlightening. I’ll give you one example. Thomas Nagel, American philosopher and former professor of Philosophy and Law at New York University is an atheist. He admitted that his deepest objections to the Christian faith did not stem from philosophy but fear. This what he wrote,

“I am talking about something much deeper---namely the fear of religion itself. I speak from experience, being strongly subject to this fear myself. I want atheism to be true and am made uneasy by the fact that some of the most intelligent and well-informed people I know are religious believers. It isn’t just that I don’t believe in God and, naturally, hope that I am right in my belief. It’s that I hope there is no God; I don’t want the universe to be like that.”

His opinions are not based on any evidence about the existence of God but on his hope that he won’t find out that there is. Today, there are vast numbers of people who believe that if there is a God and they stand before him someday, he will congratulate them for being a fine upstanding human being. However, this is not based on the truths of Scripture and God is very clear that sin has broken our relationship with Him. This is a grave problem because the Bible is very clear about the holiness and perfection of God. It’s also very clear that the only hope is Jesus Christ, the only way to the Father. To believe anything else is to believe a lie and suffer eternal judgment.

One of the things I most love about God’s word is that on the essential things he speaks to us very clearly. This morning we will be considering our Epistle reading from Hebrews 4:12-16 and the lesson that Jesus was teaching his disciples in Mark 10:17-31.

The Book of Hebrews was most likely written to first century Jewish Christians. Most had likely grown up in Judaism but had embraced Jesus as the Messiah. However, things had proven to be difficult because they were struggling through a time of severe persecution and the real possibility of martyrdom. They were thinking about going back to Judaism and the old ways that included animal sacrifices and worship at the temple, the practices that Jews had trusted for generations. Perhaps following Jesus wasn’t what they were promised it was going to be, or they missed the part about spiritual warfare and Satan’ hatred of those who seek to honor and serve God faithfully.

This letter is an encouragement to persevere in their faith in the new covenant and turn away from the temptation to return to the old covenant. The writer points out that the Old Testament itself testifies to the incompleteness of the covenant at Sinai and the Old Testament sacrificial system and pointed to the need for a superior priest. That priest is Jesus Christ and in the first three chapters the writer makes a case showing that Jesus is superior to angels, Moses and, in chapter four, that he was superior to Aaron and the entire Old Testament priestly ministry. Turning from Christ back to outmoded forms of faith would not lead them to a powerful and rewarding faith in God but would in fact lead to his judgment.

Chapter 3 ends with a warning against unbelief and allowing evil to penetrate their hearts causing them to fall away from the living God. The writer reminds them of their forefathers who wouldn’t listen to the commands of God in the wilderness but instead rebelled against him. The result being that God spoke against them, “So, I declared on oath in my anger, They shall never enter my rest.” They found out that neither the blessing of the exodus from Egypt or the privilege of hearing God’s voice while in the wilderness guaranteed that they would enter into God’s rest in the Promised Land.

Their rebellion and disobedience was rooted in their unbelief in the word and promises of God. Think about all the ways that God demonstrated his power, glory, majesty, and love for his people. How could they turn away from the God who had manifested himself in such remarkable ways? As we read the accounts of the ministry of Jesus and the profound miracles that he performed i.e., raising the dead, healing the sick, casting out demons, feeding thousands with a few loaves of bread and a couple of fish, or walking on water—yet unbelief blocked the eyes and the heart of men and women, and they walked away from Jesus.

So, Hebrews chapter 4 begins,

“Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it. For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened.”

The writer exhorts the church to not make the same mistake as the generation of those in Israel who never entered the Promised Land because of their disobedience and hard hearts.

He reminds them in verse 11, “Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.” The central theme of the offer of rest, is God’s rest which has existed since the 7th day of creation. When Israel entered into the Promised Land that was an important move by God’s people entering into the eternal, divine rest. The ultimate fulfillment will come when believers in Jesus Christ find themselves in the new creation that He will bring at his return.

So that’s a summary of the passages leading up to this morning’s word. Let’s read verses 12–13,

“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”

Every great move of God has come through the power of God’s word. God will use the simple obedience of his people to declare the truth of God’s word and use it in profound ways.

Author and teacher Michael Kruger in his book “Hebrews For You” writes,

“On October 31, 1517, a German monk named Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the door of the Wittenberg Church. That singular event was the tiny spark that lit an enormous fire that spread throughout all of Europe, and even all the world. It began what we call the Protestant Reformation. Years later, Luther wrote about what made it all happen. What was it exactly that led to this great transformation of the world? Luther’s answer captures the essence of the Reformation. ‘I simply taught, preached, and wrote God’s Word. Otherwise I did nothing…The Word so greatly weakened the papacy that no prince or emperor ever inflicted such losses upon it. I did nothing; the Word did everything.’ The world wasn’t changed through political maneuvering or a big army or lots of money but by the power of the word of God. That is God’s main instrument to change the world—and to change us personally.” (Luther’s Works, Volume 51, p.77)

The Word of God is not merely a book, but it is the word of the living God, that it speaks of and points to. It’s alive and has power to transform lives or to render judgment when not heeded. 2 Timothy 3:16–17 reveals,

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

Ephesians 6:10 reminds us that the Sword of the Spirit is the Word of God, and the writer of Hebrews says that it penetrates through all that makes us who we are and correctly judges those who have been deceived by sin. It exposes the thoughts and intentions of the heart, and no one can hide from his sight. It serves as the spiritual surgeon that cuts away all that is destructive, infected and, dead from sin and corruption and lays us open that we may be healed.

Israel thought that they could get away with violating the Word of God and playing the harlot with the gods of other nations. Apparently, they didn’t know that “no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”

The writer of Hebrews reminds his readers of the history of Israel—their history—and was exhorting the reader to be faithful to God’s commands even when that faithfulness brought on consequences that proved to be painful or even deadly. They had to remember that even though they were suffering at that time, if they remained faithful to God they would receive the Promised Land, and all that God had promised within it for eternity. He wanted them to see that in the end they would be glad that they had stuck it out and finished the course set before them.

In 2 Timothy 4, the apostle Paul encourages Timothy to be faithful in keeping and preaching the word even though, “the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching but having itching ears will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions.” He knew that Timothy would face persecution for remaining faithful as Paul had but that it would prove to be worth it. In 2 Timothy 4:7–8 he wrote,

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.”

It’s possible that these same Christians had read Paul’s letter to Timothy, as it had been written several years earlier. Either way the writer of Hebrews is giving the same message to the Christians in the early church. In the next section he encourages them to remember that Jesus was the perfect High Priest, and unlike the high priests of Israel, Jesus was approachable and had made a way for them to boldly and with confidence enter into the holy of holies—the very throne room of Heaven. Let’s read verses 14–16,

“Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

The sobering thought of our complete exposure before God, the one to whom we must give an account, is tempered by the mercy and grace of the High Priest, who himself was tempted like we are, and can now help us in our weakness. Jesus knows what it is like to be human and to be tempted, but because he didn’t give in to temptation he was without sin.

Confident access to God is ours because Jesus went before us and sympathetically intercedes for us. Because of his intercession on our behalf, and because of his perfect sacrifice for our sin we are invited to come confidently to God’s throne offering our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. We are assured of God’s mercy even though we have not earned it, and we find grace even during those times when we struggle or give in to temptation. The writer wanted those who were struggling to be confident that Jesus not only knew of their situation but was interceding with the Father on their behalf.

Pastor and author David Guzik in his commentary on Hebrews wrote,

“Ancient Jewish Rabbis taught that God had two thrones, one of mercy and one of judgment. They said this because they knew that God was both merciful and just, but they could not reconcile these two attributes of God. They thought that perhaps God had two thrones to display the two aspects of His character. On one throne He showed judgment and on the other throne mercy. But here, in light of the finished work of Jesus, we see mercy and judgment reconciled into one throne of grace.”

Hebrews 4:14–16 has been one of my favorite verses for a long time and I memorized it long ago. However, initially I felt it hard to believe that I would be so well received at the throne of God. I knew my own heart and the sins that so easily ensnared me. God used this passage in my life, and it caused me to invite God to change me every day and to reveal what he wanted for me.

Today, I still love this passage because it reminds me that Jesus, as my High Priest has made a way for me to approach the throne of God with confidence that I am in deed welcome there. Thank you Lord.

I suspect that a lot of Christians wrestle with this and part of spiritual warfare is knowing that Satan would have us be afraid of seeking the presence of God because we are not worthy. You know what? I am worthy because Jesus paid the price for my sin and brought me into the family. The writer of Hebrews wanted the people of God to bring all their fears, feelings of unworthiness, doubts and struggles and uncertainties to Jesus, their High Priest. There they would encounter the only one who truly understood their heart and loved them with a depth of compassion that seemed not just unlikely but impossible. Coming with confidence does not mean proudly, arrogantly, or with presumption. It did mean that they could come constantly, without reservation, without fancy words, with persistence and with the expectation of mercy and grace. Coming to Jesus should be the one place that would be totally safe and free of danger if we are those who remain faithful to the word of God. For this reason, they should remain faithful to God and unlike their forefathers they should strive to persevere in their faith. It would be well worth it in the end.

For those who refuse to follow Jesus Christ as Lord and the only way to the Father, this verse is not an invitation to find grace and help but a reminder that the day will come when they stand before the Lord of glory and find judgment. We must never offer this verse as a promise to those who find no refuge in the cross. Instead we must point them to Hebrews 4:13,

“And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”

In this mornings Gospel reading a young man runs up to Jesus and knells down before him in humility and says, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” All three of the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) provide an account of this story. Luke’s Gospel says the man was a ruler (Luke 18:18), Matthew states that he was young and wealthy (Matthew 19: 20, 22) and Mark notes that he had great possessions. Perhaps for all that he possessed he knew that he lacked the most profound treasure, eternal life. He demonstrates his lack of understanding of what Jesus was teaching when he asked, “what must I do to inherit”. He assumes there was something he could do revealing his ignorance of the seriousness of man’s sin before God. Like many then and now there was the belief in works righteousness. Jesus gave the perfect reply, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.” Jesus wasn’t denying that he was good but rather no one is good but God alone. For all his sincerity the man could never earn eternal life.

Psalm 91, that we read together this morning, expresses trust in God in spite of trouble. The original setting appears to be warfare with the threat of battles and plague in the war camp. God is depicted as a mother bird protecting her young. The Psalmist expresses confidence in God’s protection because he had already experienced God as his refuge and strength. How much more should Christians express confidence in light of Christ death and resurrection. I love the way the Psalmist expresses his trust in verses 8-9. He speaks these words of comfort even in the midst of great battles going on all around him. Even when all Hell was breaking lose, yet God promises,

“You will only look with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked. Because you have made the LORD your dwelling place—the Most High, who is my refuge—”

The promise isn’t that we will be spared trouble, but that God will be with us enabling His servants to accomplish the tasks of declaring the hope found only in the Lordship of Christ, or the certainty of God’s judgment.

All of the examples from our readings today point us to the reality of struggle and suffering in this life but of our assurance in God’s unending care and provision. Jesus and the disciples are models of what it means to persevere and flourish even in the midst of struggle, pain, and suffering. Jesus, our great High Priest invites us to confidently come to him for comfort and provision. It’s when we can walk in the freedom and confidence of the love of God in Christ for us that we will be effective witnesses to those around us who don’t yet know him. We must speak the truth in love. Without Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. There is no hope, there is only judgment.

These passages are so clear that it takes spiritual blindness to not find hope and salvation in them. Each of our passages this morning were written that God’s people throughout history would find strength to persevere in the midst of chaos and unbelief. There has always been and will always be chaos and unbelief until Jesus returns. These promises are God’s word to us that we might believe and remain faithful to the Lord and faithful to the commandment of our Lord to fulfill the Gospel mandate. However, when we don’t know that mandate, or the promises of God or understand the spiritual darkness in the hearts of those who don’t know Jesus or even care to, then our reaction to the lies that are being spewed out will be fear and the desire to hide for our own safety. That is not the way of the cross but the way of the enemy wishing to take us out of the battle.

The battle before us is becoming more clear every day but the answer of the Gospel is the sure defense. You can even read the hope of Christ found in his word and pray while resting in your recliner.

Let’s pray.

1 Os Guinness, Fools Talk, Intervarsity Press, Downers Grove, 2015, p. 82
2 Michael Kruger, Hebrews For You; The Good Book Co, UK, 2021, p. 59
3 https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/guzik_david/StudyGuide2017-Hbr/Hbr-4.cfm?a=1137012