We're currently in this amazing book of Hebrews, and today's text is chapter 12.

It's there on the screen beginning in verse 14. We're going to pick it up where we left off last week.

In verse 13, Lord willing, we'll make it through to verse 17. So I'll ask you to stand if you're able,

if not where you're seated is fine, but you can follow along

as I read the text beginning in verse 14.

The writer of Hebrews by the Holy Spirit writes, make every effort to live in peace with

everyone and to be holy. Without holiness, no one

will see the Lord. See to it, verse 15, that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.

See that no one is sexually immoral or is godless like Esau who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights

as the oldest son. Afterward, verse 17, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected.

Even though he sought the blessing with tears, he could not change what he had done.

Let's pray if you would please join with me.

We'll ask God's blessing on our

understanding. Loving Heavenly Father, we're keenly aware that unless the Holy Spirit is here present,

that we really have no hope of understanding what it is

that you desire to speak into our lives in and through your Holy Word. We need the Holy Spirit.

As we've just got done singing, Lord, we need you, we need you, every hour we need you.

And Lord, at this time we need you because we're a hungry and thirsty and needy people.

And only you can satiate that hunger and that thirst and that need that we have.

So Lord, will you?

Lord, will you speak in that still, small, refining voice of the Holy Spirit?

And as you do, Lord, we want to give you our undivided attention,

...