1. Hebrews 4:19

2. The N.T. sets forth the importance of faith.
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6

3. The N.T. sets forth the importance of faith.
For we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7

4. Unbelief Illustrated
For who, having heard, rebelled? Indeed, was it not all who came out of Egypt, led by Moses? 17 Now with whom was He angry forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose corpses fell in the wilderness? 18 And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey?

5. Unbelief Illustrated
19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. Hebrews 3:16-19

6. Unbelief Illustrated
Then they came to the Valley of Eshcol, and there cut down a branch with one cluster of grapes; they carried it between two of them on a pole. They also brought some of the pomegranates and figs The place was called the Valley of Eshcol, because of the cluster which the men of Israel cut down there.

7. Unbelief Illustrated
And they returned from spying out the land after forty days.26 Now they departed and came back to Moses and Aaron and all the congregation of the children of Israel in the Wilderness of Paran, at Kadesh; they brought back word to them and to all the congregation, and showed them the fruit of the land.

8. Unbelief Illustrated
Then they told him, and said: "We went to the land where you sent us. It truly flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. Numbers 13:23-27

9. Unbelief Illustrated
But the men who had gone up with him said, "We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we." Numbers 13:31

10. Unbelief Illustrated
There we saw the giants (the descendants of Anak came from the giants); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight." Numbers 13:33

11. Unbelief Illustrated
So they said to one another, "Let us select a leader and return to Egypt." Numbers 14:4

12. Unbelief Illustrated
But Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes; 7 and they spoke to all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying: "The land we passed through to spy out is an exceedingly good land.

13. Unbelief Illustrated
8 If the Lord delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, 'a land which flows with milk and honey. ' 9 Only do not rebel against the Lord, nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread; their protection has departed from them, and the Lord is with us. Do not fear them."

14. Unbelief Illustrated
10 And all the congregation said to stone them with stones. Now the glory of the Lord appeared in the tabernacle of meeting before all the children of Israel. Numbers 14:6-10

15. Unbelief Illustrated
"When you go to war in your land against the enemy who oppresses you, then you shall sound an alarm with the trumpets, and you will be remembered before the Lord your God, and you will be saved from your enemies. Numbers 10:9

16. Unbelief Illustrated
Say to them, 'As I live, ' says the Lord, 'just as you have spoken in My hearing, so I will do to you:29 The carcasses of you who have complained against Me shall fall in this wilderness, all of you who were numbered, according to your entire number, from twenty years old and above. Numbers 14:28-29

17. The case of Israel becomes an Example for God’s People today.
Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. Hebrews 4:11

18. The case of Israel becomes an Example for God’s People today.
Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (i n both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), 2 that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior,

19. The case of Israel becomes an Example for God’s People today.
3 knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, 4 and saying, " Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation."

20. The case of Israel becomes an Example for God’s People today.
5 For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, 2 Peter 3:1-5

21. The case of Israel becomes an Example for God’s People today.
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17

22. The case of Israel becomes an Example for God’s People today.
And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name. John 20:30-31

23. The case of Israel becomes an Example for God’s People today.
Therefore take heed how you hear. For whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he seems to have will be taken from him." Luke 8:18

24. The case of Israel becomes an Example for God’s People today.
For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. Hebrews 5:12

25. The case of Israel becomes an Example for God’s People today.
So they said to one another, "Let us select a leader and return to Egypt." Numbers 14:4

26. The case of Israel becomes an Example for God’s People today.
For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning.

27. The case of Israel becomes an Example for God’s People today.
21 For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them.

28. The case of Israel becomes an Example for God’s People today.
22 But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: "A dog returns to his own vomit," and, "a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire." 2 Peter 2:20-22

29. The case of Israel becomes an Example for God’s People today.
Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. Hebrews 4:1

30. Conclusion
1. Although Israel lacked faith in God’s word, the Lord meant what He said. 2. God’s word is still: a. Living b. Powerful

31. Conclusion
2. God’s word is still: c. Discerner of thoughts and intents of man’s heart

32. Conclusion
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two- edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

33. Conclusion
13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. Hebrews 4:12-13

34. Conclusion
4. Faith is belief that God is, and that God means what He says.