Staying on Course

Heb. 2:1
Concepts of staying on course are simple! Doing it and acting on it can be more difficult!

Last week: Pay attention, hold on (sometimes life is out of control), move on (to maturity), spur on, gather together, draw near.

Add.....

#1. See to it. Heb. 3:12 Heb. 12:15 Heb. 12:25 (a)
In other translations: take heed, care; look diligently; exercise foresight and be on watch
The phrase IMPLIES: A. ability - you are able to do this
B. responsibility - it is your responsibility to do this. It is NOT the church's, parents', spouse's responsibility to keep you on course!

#2. Remember (recall) - Heb. 10:32-34 - how used to stand when persecuted
Remember..... former decisions, commitment, experiences, His faithfulness, your victories
ALSO failures! Heb. 3:16-4:2 1 Cor. 10:11-13

#3. Be thankful Heb. 12:28-29 - focus brought back to giving thanks.
BE thankful leads to give thanks leads to "worship - acceptable with reverence and awe!"
Review: 1 Chron. 17:16-17
Add: Heb. 13:15-16 - why worship is so important

#4. Hold to truth. Heb. 13:9 (a) - (give heed, go on to maturity, stand firm) with Eph. 4:14-15
Contrast today's philosophy - "follow your heart"
On one hand, it is not always wrong to follow your heart..... However, Jer. 17:9 - heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked.
The answer is to judge the heart with the Word..... then if it's acceptable, follow it!!

#5. Imitate the faithful. Heb. 6:11-12 and Heb. 13:7
Many books have been written "Habits Of A Successful _____" Why???? Imitate someone who is successful to BE successful!!!
This is true of business, sports, health, diet, etc. But of the faith???? Christianity??? Why wouldn't it be true of the faith, of Christianity as well?

#6. Make every effort. Heb. 6:11-12 Heb. 4:11 (a) Heb. 12:14 (a) It is work, takes effort to get it done.
It requires hard work, self discipline, perseverance!!
It's easy to take the right step but how about the right journey??? It takes diligence and perseverance to continue. The Christian life is NOT easy!! 2 Pet. 1:3-7

#7. Bear with these words. Heb. 13:22
They are words of Paul to Hebrew Christians. They are pastoral: based on truth from the heart and for your good!!!
John 8:31-32