I happen to be one of those who believe that the epistle to the Hebrews is not just a sermon....for it has the marks of a sermon....and reads like a sermon....but also serves as a model sermon....just as the Lord's Prayer is a model prayer. Aah but that's just a lead-in to this:
"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. 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
The above describes not only the written word....but the preached word. Verse two of the same chapter reads....speaking of those who wandered in the wilderness...."For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it."
So in this....sermon....in some of the most intense descriptive words in all of God's word....two-edged sword....piercing even to the division....joints and marrow....thoughts and intents of the heart....no creature is hidden....we are told that we can ignore....or try to hide.....or outright deny....rebellious thoughts and actions....but the word....either read or heard in preaching....mixed with faith....will lay us low....and force us to confront our own sin.
Now we have the Bible before us at all times....or available to be before us....but we read what we choose to read....and avoid or skim through what we might perceive to be a trap. This is why we can focus on a verse such as...."But of that day and hour no one knows".....and skim over...."But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief." (Matthew 24:36 and 1 Thessalonians 5:4)
Folks.....friends if I have any left....this is why you need preaching.....from either preachers of the past....or preachers today....(they are few and far between)....that preach like preachers from the past! This is why I continuously return to the topic of preaching. This is why I continue to warn.
There can be a distinct and discernable advantage in being a graybeard. Some knowledge comes only with time. I have over forty years of observing....but more importantly being subject to that two-edged sword. If you do not regularly hear preaching from....that preacher from the past....or preacher today who preaches like that preacher from the past....you will come out of church every Lord's Day of your believing life....with the real intents of your heart kept hidden....therefore not only prospering you nothing....but making matters worse!
May I reiterate....for this is so important....if you purposely choose to avoid the two-edged sword....as it is meant to be wielded....then you are more than fooling yourself....you are lying to yourself. If you are not having this sword wielded from your own pulpit....then you need to take the time and make the effort through tapes or whatever means available....to have the word give you discernment of your inner-most thoughts and intents! Or....you can languish through malnutrition....and be only of limited service to your King!
How can you test what I'm telling you? If you leave your Lord's Day service....and are not warned before being comforted....if there is no mortification before any balm is applied....if you wonder what there might be to be mortified about....then consider these verses from the same letter to the Hebrews...3:12-15....
