I invite you to take your own Bible if you have one or a Bible from under the pew in front of you or if you prefer to simply listen carefully and turn to Hebrew 6 4 through 8. Hebrews chapter 6 verses 4 through 8.

verses 4 through 8. We're on our way through the book of Hebrews and we've arrived now at

verse 4 of chapter 6.

For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been

partakers of the Holy Spirit and have tasted the good word of God

and the powers of the age to come.

And then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to

repentance since they again crucify to themselves the son of God, and put him to

open shame.

For ground that drinks the rain which often falls upon it and brings forth vegetation useful

to those for whose sake it is also tilled receives a blessing from God.

But if it yields thorns and thistles,

it is worthless and close to being cursed

and it ends up being burned.

Father, I ask for your help in opening this portion of your double-edged powerful effectual word, I pray that it would

have its appointed effect upon your people and upon those outside your people who are being

drawn by the very fact that they're here this morning. I pray that we would have ears to hear. You

would protect us from error and imbalance. I pray that the spirit of the hearing and the preaching would be the spirit of Christ.

We need your help, Lord. We can't do anything without you.

And so draw near now and save and sanctify, secure, stabilize, give joy, heal, reconcile, pull back from suicidal trajectories,

and grant untold blessing to come to your people in these minutes.

Through Christ I ask it, amen.

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