Almighty God, with all of our hearts, we bow before you now and open your word.

Our church, indeed we believe the true church of God around the world, is built upon the rock of your authoritative and inspired word.

The truths that were just sung to us so beautifully are true

we believe because they come from your word. And I pray for your help now as we open your word. I pray that you would strengthen

us by it. Pray that you would make it plain and make us docile and submissive to it.

Draw near now and save those who are without Christ and strengthen those who need to

persevere against great odds and maintain faith against much discouragement.

Help us, I pray. In Jesus' name, amen. I invite you to take your Bible and turn to Hebrew chapter 3.

Hebrews chapter 3 will read verses 7 through 19.

We'll take this text today as a continuation of last Sunday,

and then we will take up the same text next week,

only focus on a different aspect in it.

Hebrew chapter 3, let me read before you,

verse 7 to 19, as you follow along.

There are Bibles underneath the pew there in front of you

if you would like to use one of those to follow.

Therefore, just as the Holy Spirit says, and let me just pause and take note that this writer ascribes the Psalms to the Holy Spirit.

Don't miss things like that.

He is quoting Psalm 95 and he says the Holy Spirit says. This is a high thing he's saying and we as a church should say it of the Bible.

Therefore, just as the Holy Spirit says, today if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts, as when they provoked me as in the day of trial

in the wilderness, where your fathers tried me by testing me and saw my works for 40 years.

Therefore I was angry with this generation and I said they always go astray in their heart.

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