Exodus Lessons – Hebrews 3:7-4:3
In chapters 3 and 4, the author of Hebrews takes Psalm 95 as his text and applies the lessons of wilderness wanderings and Canaan promise to his audience with sermonic clarity and emphasis. The application of this text is strikingly relevant to his readers then and now. It is important and powerful to note in this sermon within a sermon that the authority cited is absolutely unambiguous. Even here, within scripture, the writer appeals to scripture as the inarguable voice of the Spirit of God. This appeal is also found in (1:1-2, 9:8, 10:15). There is no doubt that the self-authenticating Scripture's doctrine of inspiration is the divine-breathed reality of the recorded voice of God the Holy Spirit. There is also little doubt who is the author's target audience – The legitimate church of Jesus Christ. A summary definition of the true church could be adapted from 4:2-3. The 'rest-bound' who are united by faith with all who listen to and believe the Good News. A practical test question along these lines: “Do you have a brother or sister in Christ you are close to who you could never imagine connecting with if you were not both believers?”