To Dayis the Day :To Dayis the Day February 15, 2009 A.M.


Slide 2:*Hebrews 13:8 says Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and TODAY, and forever. TODAY is here. I will begin with a smile and resolve to be agreeable. I will not criticize. I refuse to waste the valuable time God has given me. TODAY has one thing in which I am equal with others - time. All of us draw the same salary in seconds, minutes and hours. TODAY I will not waste time because the minutes I wasted yesterday are as vanished thought. TODAY I refuse to waste time worrying about what might happen. I am going to spend my time making things happen. TODAY I am determined to study to improve myself, for tomorrow I may be needed, and I must not be found lacking. TODAY I begin by doing, and not wasting my time. In one week I will be miles beyond the person I am today. TODAY I will not imagine what I would do if things were different. I will make a success with what I have. TODAY I will act toward other people as though this were my last day on earth. I will not wait for tomorrow. Tomorrow never comes. 2


Our TEXT:Hebrews 3:7-18 :Our TEXT:Hebrews 3:7-18 7Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, TO DAY if ye will hear HIS VOICE, 8Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation (Massah), in the day of temptation (Meribah) in the wilderness: 3


Slide 4:Mas'sah = temptation Mer'ibah = strife, contention Today - Now; at present. At the very time when the command is addressed to you. It is not to be put off until tomorrow. All God’s commands relate to “the present” - to this day - to the passing moment. Our text is a quotation is from: *Psalms 95:7-11 says For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Today if ye will hear his voice, 8 Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness: 9 When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my work. 10 Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways: 11 Unto whom I swore in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest. 4


Our TEXT:Hebrews 3:7-18 :Our TEXT:Hebrews 3:7-18 9When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works 40 years. 10Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. 5


Slide 6:Numbers 14:22 Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice; Temptations to consider: “They have tempted Me now 10 times.” (1) at the Red Sea, Exo_14:11-12; (2) at Marah, Exo_15:23; (3) in the wilderness of Sin, Exo_16:2; (4) at Rephidim, Exo_17:1; (5) at Horeb, Ex 32; (6) at Tabeerah, Num_11:1; (7) at the graves of lust, Num_11:4.; and (8) here again at Kadesh, the twofold rebellion of certain individuals against the commandments of God at the giving of the manna (Exo_16:20 and Exo_16:27). The despisers of God should none of them see the promised land. 6


Our TEXT:Hebrews 3:7-18 :Our TEXT:Hebrews 3:7-18 11So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest. 12Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 7


Our TEXT:Hebrews 3:7-18 :Our TEXT:Hebrews 3:7-18 13But exhort one another daily, while it is called TO DAY; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 8


Our TEXT:Hebrews 3:7-18 :Our TEXT:Hebrews 3:7-18 14For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; 15While it is said, TO DAY if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. 9


Our TEXT:Hebrews 3:7-18 :Our TEXT:Hebrews 3:7-18 16For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses. 17But with whom was he grieved 40 years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcasses fell in the wilderness? 10


Our TEXT:Hebrews 3:7-18 :Our TEXT:Hebrews 3:7-18 18And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? 19So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. 11


3 Points :3 Points #1 Today is the DAY of GRACE #2 Today is the DAY of HEARING #3 Today is the DAY of FAITH 12


#1 Today is the DAY of GRACE 2 Corinthians 6:1-2 :#1 Today is the DAY of GRACE 2 Corinthians 6:1-2 1We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. 13


Slide 14:“vain” #2756 (ken-os‘ ) Apparently a primary word; empty (literally or figuratively):—empty, (in) vain. We must not simply accept Jesus as our lord and Savior and say thank God I’m going to Heaven someday! NO! NO! NO! Salvation is so much more than that - more than being saved from the LAKE OF FIRE! If we stop before we enter into HIS REST then in one sense we are receiving the grace of god in vain – in part empty! There is so much for us! Look at the empty church – it was created to be full of people –if it stays empty then its not fulfilling its designer’s role for it! We are created to be FULL OF GOD’S GRACE entering TODAY into HIS rest! We’re supposed to be like Christ – the temple of HIS Spirit: *John 1:14 says And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) FULL OF GRACE and truth. 14


#1 Today is the DAY of GRACE 2 Corinthians 6:1-2 :#1 Today is the DAY of GRACE 2 Corinthians 6:1-2 2(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now (Today) is the day of salvation. 15


Slide 16:Quoted from: *Isaiah 49:8 says Thus saith the LORD, In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages; How could the Corinthians possibly receive God’s grace in vain? One sure way was to disbelieve the message Paul had expressed in: *2Corinthians 5:21 says 21For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. 16


HE May Come Today :HE May Come Today 17


While on a South Pole expedition, British explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton left a few men on Elephant Island, promising that he would return. Later, when he tried to go back, huge icebergs blocked the way. But suddenly, as if by a miracle, an avenue opened in the ice and Shackleton was able to get through. His men, ready and waiting, quickly scrambled aboard. No sooner had the ship cleared the island than the ice crashed together behind them. Contemplating their narrow escape, the explorer said to his men, "It was fortunate you were all packed and ready to go!" They replied, "We never gave up hope. Whenever the sea was clear of ice, we rolled up our sleeping bags and reminded each other, 'HE MAY COME TODAY.’ :While on a South Pole expedition, British explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton left a few men on Elephant Island, promising that he would return. Later, when he tried to go back, huge icebergs blocked the way. But suddenly, as if by a miracle, an avenue opened in the ice and Shackleton was able to get through. His men, ready and waiting, quickly scrambled aboard. No sooner had the ship cleared the island than the ice crashed together behind them. Contemplating their narrow escape, the explorer said to his men, "It was fortunate you were all packed and ready to go!" They replied, "We never gave up hope. Whenever the sea was clear of ice, we rolled up our sleeping bags and reminded each other, 'HE MAY COME TODAY.’ 18


#2 Today is the DAY of HEARINGHOW & WHAT :#2 Today is the DAY of HEARINGHOW & WHAT Luke 8:18 Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have. Mark 4:24 And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given. 19


Slide 20:IT’S ACCORDING TO THE WAY WE HEAR? “how” #4459 (poce) Adverb from the base of G4226; an interrogitive particle of manner; in what way? (sometimes the question is indirect, how?); also as exclamation, how much! {Total KJV Occurrences: 103 - how, 98} *TO WHAT DEGREE OR EXTENT.* “what” #5101 (tis) Probably emphatic of G5100; an interrogitive pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions). {Total KJV Occurrences: 525 - what, 268} *Matthew 10:41-42 says 41He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. 42And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward. 20


Positive Example :Positive Example Act 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word (how) with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so. 21


Understanding Salvation #3 Today is the DAY of FAITH :Understanding Salvation #3 Today is the DAY of FAITH Philippians 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 22


Salvation #3 Today is the DAY of FAITH :Salvation #3 Today is the DAY of FAITH TO DAY if ye will hear HIS VOICE But exhort one another daily, while it is called TO DAY TO DAY is the day of salvation 23


Salvation #3 Today is the DAY of FAITH :Salvation #3 Today is the DAY of FAITH What Does salvation mean to you? (so-tay-ree'-ah ) Feminine of a derivative of G4990 a noun; to rescue or safety (physically or morally):—deliver, health, salvation, save, saving. 24


Mediate on These Verses :Mediate on These Verses #4990 (so-tare‘ ) a deliverer, that is, God or Christ:—saviour. (so-tay-ree'-ah ) Total KJV Occurrences: 44 salvation, 40 Luk_1:69, Luk_1:77, Luk_19:9, Joh_4:22, Act_4:12, Act_13:26, Act_13:47, Act_16:17, Rom_1:16, Rom_13:10-11 (3), 2Co_1:6 (2), 2Co_6:2 (2), 2Co_7:10, Eph_1:13, Phi_1:19, Phi_1:28, Phi_2:12, 1Th_5:8-9 (2), 2Th_2:13, 2Ti_2:10, 2Ti_3:15, Heb_1:14, Heb_2:3, Heb_2:10, Heb_6:9 (2), Heb_9:28, 1Pe_1:5, 1Pe_1:9-10 (2), 2Pe_3:15, Jud_1:3, Rev_12:10 (2), Rev_19:1 saved, 2 Luk_1:71, Rom_10:1 health, 1 Act_27:34 saving, 1 Heb_11:7 25


Salvation #3 Today is the DAY of FAITH :Salvation #3 Today is the DAY of FAITH Luke 1:68-69 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, 69 And hath raised up a horn of SALVATION for us in the house of his servant David; 26


SalvationO.T. Type and Shadow :SalvationO.T. Type and Shadow “for he hath visited, and redeemed his people; as he did Israel of old” Exodus_3:16 Go, and gather the elders of Israel together, and say unto them, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared unto me, saying, I have surely visited you, and seen that which is done to you in Egypt: 27


SalvationO.T. Type and Shadow :SalvationO.T. Type and Shadow “for he hath visited, and redeemed his people; as he did Israel of old” Exodus_3:17 says And I have said, I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt unto the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, unto a land flowing with milk and honey. 28


SalvationO.T. Type and Shadow :SalvationO.T. Type and Shadow “for he hath visited, and redeemed his people; as he did Israel of old” Exodus 12:36-37 And the LORD gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians. 37 And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children. 29


Too Much Walking?Beriberi ? :Too Much Walking?Beriberi ? 30


SalvationO.T. Type and Shadow :SalvationO.T. Type and Shadow “for he hath visited, and redeemed his people; as he did Israel of old” Deuteronomy 8:4 Thy raiment waxed not old upon thee, neither did thy foot swell, these forty years. Deuteronomy 29:5 And I have led you forty years in the wilderness: your clothes are not waxen old upon you, and thy shoe is not waxen old upon thy foot. 31


Slide 32:"Neither did thy foot swell, these forty years." A missionary doctor explained to me that out in the Orient where he served, the people had a sameness of diet. They did not get all the vitamins they needed; so they would show the manifestations of Beriberi (a deficiency disease marked by inflammatory or degenerative changes of the nerves, digestive system, and heart and caused by a lack of or inability to assimilate thiamine). One of the symptoms is a swelling of the feet. Now, you see, Israel got all their vitamins. They got all the nourishment that they needed. What did these folk eat for forty years? Why, it was manna. God fed them with manna, which was a miracle food. It provided everything they needed for the nourishment of their bodies. 32


TodayTomorrow May Not Come :TodayTomorrow May Not Come 33


Slide 34:Closing illustration: D. L. Moody said that his “greatest mistake” occurred October 8, 1871. On that night his message was based on Pilate’s question, “What shall I do then with Jesus?” (Matthew 27:22) As he concluded, he said, “I wish you would seriously consider this subject, for next Sunday we will speak about the cross, and at that time I’ll inquire, ‘What will you do with Jesus?’” Ira Sankey then sang the closing hymn, which included the lines, Today the Saviour calls; For refuge fly; The storm of justice falls, And death is nigh. Little did anyone know that these words would be the last ever heard in that huge hall. Even as they were being sung, the soloist’s voice was nearly drowned out by the sound of clanging bells in the street. That was the night of the great Chicago fire which almost destroyed the entire city. Among the hundreds who died were some who earlier had been in Moody’s audience. The evangelist was greatly distressed by this and lamented his tragic error in not asking men and women to receive the Lord that evening. “Now, whenever I preach,” he said later, “I press for a definite decision. I would rather lose my right hand than give people even a day to decide for Christ, for I don’t know if I’ll ever see them again.” The gospel invitation is a “today only” offer! 34


The FAITH of TodayBrings the RESULTSof Tomorrow :The FAITH of TodayBrings the RESULTSof Tomorrow 35


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