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“A New Determination”
Pastor J.R. Damiani
The Book of Hebrews is a powerful book. It deserves our special attention. Someone said that chapter 4 is a “Spiritual Salad” – it’s full of “let us”.
First there’s “let us” fear. This is a code red alert. We need be sensitive to the fact that we can’t miss any more opportunity. The writer of this letter points back to the early history of Israel. In chapter 3, verses 16&17, he reminds them of the failure of their ancestors. Hey, look what unbelief did to them. Unbelief is very costly. Unbelief has left disappointment and regret. Unbelief blinds the eyes, dulls the imagination and hinders growth. It was more deadly than cancer to Israel. It cost them a generation.
Unbelief is often neutral – not going anywhere –forward or backward. It is indifferent. It’s the attitude of “I’m comfortable. I like the status quo. Let’s don’t get carried away…” it caused the folk in Mark 1:24 to say to Jesus “Let us alone, what we have to do with thee.” Unbelief deprives the soul of its potential, of its abundant life and of its spiritual possessions! You want the best for your mind and body, and that’s good, but your soul also deserves the best! Unbelief is a destroyer. It will destroy an economy and a society. It will destroy a marriage and a football team. It will destroy a missionary or a student. Unbelief is fatal to faith! You and I must fear unbelief.
Secondly the writer wrote in verse 11 “Let us therefore labor”. I resolve this year to work harder than I did in ’09, to get behind the plan and put my shoulder to the wheel. I will sweat and pray and dig and plod. It’s not easy, but it’s rewarding. It takes faith and work.
Let’s strive to improve: more burden, more improvement in your personality, more follow thru and you’ll see the results. If we invest with Him we will also succeed with Him!
Here’s some more “let us”. Let us hold fast our profession. Verse 14 says, “seeing then that we have a great high priest that is passed into the Heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.” Don’t quit now. There are future benefits!
Let me list the benefits of serving Him fully. If we profess, we must possess, and here’s what’s available: Jesus the Baptizer, Jesus the Counselor, Jesus the Great Physician, Jesus the Prince of Peace, and Jesus the Provider. You’re not serving a martyr! You’re serving an overcomer.
The fourth is “let us” come boldly to the throne. Your approach is based on your need to find grace in time of need. I’ve never known anything else. I need finances to pursue the ministry. I need physical strength. I need anointing to preach. I need wisdom to lead. I need patience. I need! And my focus in 2010 is to fear unbelief, to hold fast my profession, to labor in His field with energy and determination – and I will be bold. Ephesians 3:12 “in whom we have boldness and access with confidence by faith”. |
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