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HEBREWS 3: 7, 8

"DANGER OF DELAY"

Intro: Hebrews written to people who had lived in hope of Messiah. Now that he had  come
       worried about putting away of old symbols. Danger of unbelief. Necessity  of immediate
       response to divine impulses. World recognizes this: "No time like the present." "Never
       put off till tomorrow."

I. THE NECESSITY OF THE MESSAGE.
        A. Many people lack just one thing, personal actual surrender.
        B. I want to speak with all love and earnestness on the danger of delaying a decision.

II. THE ASSUMPTIONS OF THE TEXT.
        A. Human responsibility begins when you hear the voice.
                "Today if ye shall hear His voice, harden not your heart."
                1. God speaks in many ways.
                        a. Some may escape by saying, I have never heard voice.
                        b. How may I know the voice?
                                1. Not always I think seldom in fiery demonstration.
                                2. Usually through own thinking.
                                        a. "Work out your own salvation -for it is God that 
                                           worketh in you."
                                3. His voice never comes through human lips.

                                        a. We may have heard it in the sermon.
                                        b. We may hear as we read a page.
                        c. We may discern between God and Satan by nature of  thought and 
                           suggestion.
                                1. The call to a higher life.
                                2. The call of a consecration of all.
                        d. Have you ever felt rebuked for wrong doing?
        B. Freedom of will when voice speaks, "harden not your heart."
                1. This means we can harden our hearts.

III. THE WARNING OF THE TEXT, "TODAY IF YE SHALL HEAR HIS VOICE.
        A. "Today" sense of immediate response.
                1. The call is heard, and he who hears intends to obey.
                        a. Obedience will bring change of plans.
        B. The hardening process.

IV. THE GOSPEL IN THE TEXT.
        A. In word today.
                1. Today Gospel is open to you.
                2. Today Christ voice speaking to you.