Hardness of Heart

Preached at Glen Aros Christian Fellowship
Sunday 1st June 2008

Let’s look at

Exodus 7:8-13

Ex 7:8 Then the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying,
9 "When Pharaoh speaks to you, saying, 'Show a miracle for yourselves,' then you shall say to Aaron, 'Take your rod and cast it before Pharaoh, and let it become a serpent.'"
10 So Moses and Aaron went in to Pharaoh, and they did so, just as the LORD commanded. And Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh and before his servants, and it became a serpent.
11 But Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers; so the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments.
12 For every man threw down his rod, and they became serpents. But Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods.
13 And Pharaoh's heart grew hard, and he did not heed them, as the LORD had said.

Look at verse 11

11 But Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers; so the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments.

• They did in like manner with their enchantments

The world can repeat all that can be done, with the exception of the resurrection from the dead.

Pharaoh’s son is to die!

God’s son is to rise from the dead

Jesus lives today, Hallelujah!

Look at verse 13

13 And Pharaoh's heart grew hard, and he did not heed them, as the LORD had said.

• Pharaoh’s heart grew hard
• He did not heed them
• As the Lord had said

Pharaoh had a hard heart, because God had made it hard.

Let’s look at

Genesis 47: 13

Ge 47:13 Now there was no bread in all the land; for the famine was very severe, so that the land of Egypt and the land of Canaan languished because of the famine.
14 And Joseph gathered up all the money that was found in the land of Egypt and in the land of Canaan, for the grain which they bought; and Joseph brought the money into Pharaoh's house.
15 So when the money failed in the land of Egypt and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came to Joseph and said, "Give us bread, for why should we die in your presence? For the money has failed."

Look at verse 15

15 So when the money failed in the land of Egypt and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came to Joseph and said, "Give us bread, for why should we die in your presence? For the money has failed."

• When the money failed
• All the Egyptians came to Joseph
• Give us bread
• For the money has failed

All the Egyptians came to Joseph

Because the money system which they relied on had failed, ask yourself what system are you relying on?

Look at Mark 7:1-13

Mr 7:1 Then the Pharisees and some of the scribes came together to Him, having come from Jerusalem.
2 Now when they saw some of His disciples eat bread with defiled, that is, with unwashed hands, they found fault.
3 For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands in a special way, holding the tradition of the elders.
4 When they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other things which they have received and hold, like the washing of cups, pitchers, copper vessels, and couches.
5 Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, "Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?"
6 He answered and said to them, "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: 'This people honours Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me.
7 And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'
8 "For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men--the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do."
9 He said to them, "All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.
10 "For Moses said, 'Honour your father and your mother'; and, 'He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.'
11 "But you say, 'If a man says to his father or mother, "Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban"-' (that is, a gift to God),
12 "then you no longer let him do anything for his father or his mother,
13 "making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do."

Look at verse 6, 7

6 He answered and said to them, "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: 'This people honours Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me.
7 And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'

Jesus refers back to Isaiah when He prophesy’s

• He calls them Hypocrites, actors!
• Who honour Him with their lips
• But their heart is far from Jesus
• Their worship is vain
• Teaching as doctrine
• The commandments of men]

Look at verse 8

Mr 7:8 "For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men--the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do."

• Laying aside the commandment of God
• You hold the tradition of men
• The washing of pitchers
• The washing of cups
• And many other such things you do.

Look at verse 9

9 He said to them, "All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.

• All to well
• You reject the commandment of God
• That you may keep your tradition

Are you any better than Pharaoh who’s heart was hardened, because his trust was not in the living God who brings to us the resurrection from the dead?

Let’s look at

1 Corinthians 7:23

1Co 7:17 But as God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk. And so I ordain in all the churches.
18 Was anyone called while circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Was anyone called while uncircumcised? Let him not be circumcised.
19 Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God is what matters.
20 Let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called.
21 Were you called while a slave? Do not be concerned about it; but if you can be made free, rather use it.
22 For he who is called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord's freedman. Likewise he who is called while free is Christ's slave.
23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.
24 Brethren, let each one remain with God in that state in which he was called.

Look at verse 23

23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.


• You were bought at a price
• Do not become slaves of men

God’s call on your life is to serve Him, in His Kingdom, which is a Kingdom to come, of which you will be a citizen for ever! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Mark 6:52

Mr 6:45 Immediately He made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while He sent the multitude away.
46 And when He had sent them away, He departed to the mountain to pray.
47 Now when evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea; and He was alone on the land.
48 Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them. Now about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by.
49 And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out;
50 for they all saw Him and were troubled. But immediately He talked with them and said to them, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid."
51 Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased. And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled.
52 For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened.
53 When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret and anchored there.
54 And when they came out of the boat, immediately the people recognized Him,
55 ran through that whole surrounding region, and began to carry about on beds those who were sick to wherever they heard He was.
56 Wherever He entered into villages, cities, or in the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched Him were made well.

Look at verse 52

52 For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened.

• They had not understood about the loaves
• Because their heart was hardened

Not understanding what Jesus is saying because of a hardened heart

Matthew 16:5-12

Mt 16:5 Now when His disciples had come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread.
6 Then Jesus said to them, "Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees."
7 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, "It is because we have taken no bread."
8 But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, "O you of little faith, why do you reason among yourselves because you have brought no bread?
9 "Do you not yet understand, or remember the five loaves of the five thousand and how many baskets you took up?
10 "Nor the seven loaves of the four thousand and how many large baskets you took up?
11 "How is it you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread? --but to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees."
12 Then they understood that He did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees.


Is there a Dr in the house? This is a case of Hardness of heart!

Pharaohs’ problem, He’s the one who does not believe in resurrection!

Let’s look at

Mark 8: 13-21

Mr 8:10 (Jesus) immediately got into the boat with His disciples, and came to the region of Dalmanutha.
11 Then the Pharisees came out and began to dispute with Him, seeking from Him a sign from heaven, testing Him.
12 But He sighed deeply in His spirit, and said, "Why does this generation seek a sign? Assuredly, I say to you, no sign shall be given to this generation."
13 And He left them, and getting into the boat again, departed to the other side.
14 Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread, and they did not have more than one loaf with them in the boat.
15 Then He charged them, saying, "Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod."
16 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, "It is because we have no bread."
17 But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, "Why do you reason because you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive nor understand? Is your heart still hardened?
18 "Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember?
19 "When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments did you take up?" They said to Him, "Twelve."
20 "Also, when I broke the seven for the four thousand, how many large baskets full of fragments did you take up?" And they said, "Seven."
21 So He said to them, "How is it you do not understand?"

Look at verse 15

15 Then He charged them, saying, "Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod."

• Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees
• Beware of the leaven of Herod

Look at verse 17, and 18

16 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, "It is because we have no bread."
17 But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, "Why do you reason because you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive nor understand? Is your heart still hardened?

• They reasoned among themselves
• It is because we have no bread
• Jesus being aware of it said to them
• Why do you reason because you have no bread?
• Do you not yet perceive
• Do you not understand?
• Is your heart sill hardened?

This is a case of hardened hearts!!!



Let’s look at Isaiah 63:15-19

Isa 63:15 Look down from heaven, And see from Your habitation, holy and glorious. Where are Your zeal and Your strength, The yearning of Your heart and Your mercies toward me? Are they restrained?
16 Doubtless You are our Father, Though Abraham was ignorant of us, And Israel does not acknowledge us. You, O LORD, are our Father; Our Redeemer from Everlasting is Your name.
17 O LORD, why have You made us stray from Your ways, And hardened our heart from Your fear? Return for Your servants' sake, The tribes of Your inheritance.
18 Your holy people have possessed it but a little while; Our adversaries have trodden down Your sanctuary.
19 We have become like those of old, over whom You never ruled, Those who were never called by Your name.

Look at verse 17

17 O LORD, why have You made us stray from Your ways, And hardened our heart from Your fear? Return for Your servants' sake, The tribes of Your inheritance.

• Why have you made us stray from your ways
• Why have you hardened our hearts from your fear?
• Return for your servant’s sake, the tribes of Your inheritance

God’s people get themselves into such a state, and yet God is on their case!
Hardness of heart is nothing to God!

Lets look at Mark 3:1-6

Mark 3:1-6

Mr 3:1 And He entered the synagogue again, and a man was there who had a withered hand.
2 So they watched Him closely, whether He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him.
3 And He said to the man who had the withered hand, "Step forward."
4 Then He said to them, "Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?" But they kept silent.
5 And when He had looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored as whole as the other.
6 Then the Pharisees went out and immediately plotted with the Herodians against Him, how they might destroy Him.

This is God’s people!

Look at verse 5

5 And when He had looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored as whole as the other.

• He looked around at them with anger
• Being grieved by the hardness of their hearts

Let’s look at

Mark 16:14-20

Mr 16:14 Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen.
15 And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.
17 "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;
18 "they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."
19 So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.
20 And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.

Look at verse 14

Mr 16:14 Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen

• He rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart
• Because they did not believe those who had seen him after He had risen

The world cannot reproduce the resurrection. The Law cannot bring forth life. The Law is simply a schoolmaster to lead to Jesus who is the Christ, the one who raises from the dead.

Even with unbelief and hardness of heart Jesus sends them out into all the world to preach the gospel to every Creature!

This is amazing!

Jesus leaves His eleven disciples, and goes to Heaven to receive his Kingdom. The disciples have unbelief and hardness of heart, and struggle with the resurrection from the dead, and they are told get out there and get on with it.

A teaching so different from the teachings of the Pharisees and the Sadducees!

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Numbers 17:1-12

Nu 17:1 And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying:
2 "Speak to the children of Israel, and get from them a rod from each father's house, all their leaders according to their fathers' houses-twelve rods. Write each man's name on his rod.
3 "And you shall write Aaron's name on the rod of Levi. For there shall be one rod for the head of each father's house.
4 "Then you shall place them in the tabernacle of meeting before the Testimony, where I meet with you.
5 "And it shall be that the rod of the man whom I choose will blossom; thus I will rid Myself of the complaints of the children of Israel, which they make against you."
6 So Moses spoke to the children of Israel, and each of their leaders gave him a rod apiece, for each leader according to their fathers' houses, twelve rods; and the rod of Aaron was among their rods.
7 And Moses placed the rods before the LORD in the tabernacle of witness.
8 Now it came to pass on the next day that Moses went into the tabernacle of witness, and behold, the rod of Aaron, of the house of Levi, had sprouted and put forth buds, had produced blossoms and yielded ripe almonds.
9 Then Moses brought out all the rods from before the LORD to all the children of Israel; and they looked, and each man took his rod.
10 And the LORD said to Moses, "Bring Aaron's rod back before the Testimony, to be kept as a sign against the rebels, that you may put their complaints away from Me, lest they die."
11 Thus did Moses; just as the LORD had commanded him, so he did.
12 So the children of Israel spoke to Moses, saying, "Surely we die, we perish, we all perish!
13 "Whoever even comes near the tabernacle of the LORD must die. Shall we all utterly die?"

Look at verse 5

5 "And it shall be that the rod of the man whom I choose will blossom; thus I will rid Myself of the complaints of the children of Israel, which they make against you."

• The rod of the man whom I choose will blossom
• In this way I will rid myself of the complaint of the children of Israel which you make against you

Look at verse 10

10 And the LORD said to Moses, "Bring Aaron's rod back before the Testimony, to be kept as a sign against the rebels, that you may put their complaints away from Me, lest they die."

• Bring Aaron’s rod back before the Testimony
• To be kept as a sign against the rebels
• That you may put their complaints away form Me
• Least they die

Take note that Rebels die!

You may have unbelief, you may have a heard heart which stops you understanding what Jesus is saying to you.

But let me tell you that in the same way as Aaron’s rod that budded is before the people to silence the Rebels, and complainers. Jesus is our eternal testimony in Heaven before the Father.

The only reason we are not consumed is because of the eternal testimony of Jesus resurrection!

Of all the rods which could have budded, it was Aarons.

Of all men, it is Jesus, that God has chosen to be the fruitful vine!

Jesus is the resurrection and the life, and he is the rod which stands as a testimony in heaven.

You are not killed

You are not condemned

Because of Jesus

He is our High Priest in heaven

Look at verse 11, 12, and 13

11 Thus did Moses; just as the LORD had commanded him, so he did.
12 So the children of Israel spoke to Moses, saying, "Surely we die, we perish, we all perish!
13 "Whoever even comes near the tabernacle of the LORD must die. Shall we all utterly die?"

• Surely we die
• Surely we perish
• Surely we all perish
• Whoever even comes near the tabernacle of the Lord must die
• Shall we all utterly die?

They cried out that they would all die if they came near the tabernacle, but because of their rebellious, unbelieving, hardened heart they did not understand what was being done or said.

Because of the rod that budded the rod whom God had chosen, it is entirely safe for you to come rear to God.

Yes our rebellion,

Our unbelieving

Our hardened heart

Our complaining

Our murmuring

Will condemn us all

Only because of the resurrection of Jesus can we come near to God

He is the rod of Authority alone which provides the fruit of the Spirit of God.

You can come near to God this morning because of Jesus.

If this were not so you would all be condemned to die.

Numbers 18:1-7

Nu 18:1 Then the LORD said to Aaron: "You and your sons and your father's house with you shall bear the iniquity related to the sanctuary, and you and your sons with you shall bear the iniquity associated with your priesthood.
2 "Also bring with you your brethren of the tribe of Levi, the tribe of your father, that they may be joined with you and serve you while you and your sons are with you before the tabernacle of witness.
3 "They shall attend to your needs and all the needs of the tabernacle; but they shall not come near the articles of the sanctuary and the altar, lest they die-they and you also.
4 "They shall be joined with you and attend to the needs of the tabernacle of meeting, for all the work of the tabernacle; but an outsider shall not come near you.
5 "And you shall attend to the duties of the sanctuary and the duties of the altar, that there may be no more wrath on the children of Israel.
6 "Behold, I Myself have taken your brethren the Levites from among the children of Israel; they are a gift to you, given by the LORD, to do the work of the tabernacle of meeting.
7 "Therefore you and your sons with you shall attend to your priesthood for everything at the altar and behind the veil; and you shall serve. I give your priesthood to you as a gift for service, but the outsider who comes near shall be put to death."

Look at verse 1

1 Then the LORD said to Aaron: "You and your sons and your father's house with you shall bear the iniquity related to the sanctuary, and you and your sons with you shall bear the iniquity associated with your priesthood.

Look at verse 4

4 "They shall be joined with you and attend to the needs of the tabernacle of meeting, for all the work of the tabernacle; but an outsider shall not come near you.

You have the privilege of ministering in this tabernacle of Glen Aros Christian Fellowship. This temporary dwelling place of the Son of God
You have the privilege of meeting with God here in this place

Verse 4 says ‘…for all the work of the tabernacle’.

Look at verse 6

6 "Behold, I Myself have taken your brethren the Levites from among the children of Israel; they are a gift to you, given by the LORD, to do the work of the tabernacle of meeting.

• Some called Levites taken from among the people of God to minister in the meeting place of God.
• They are a gift to you
• Given by the Lord
• To do the work of the tabernacle of meeting

Hallelujah!

A group of God’s people take from among God’s people to minster of things beyond the Vail!

Hallelujah!

Verse 7

7 "Therefore you and your sons with you shall attend to your priesthood for everything at the altar and behind the veil; and you shall serve. I give your priesthood to you as a gift for service, but the outsider who comes near shall be put to death."

• This is a ministry at the altar
• This is a ministry behind the veil

Are you still ministering this side of the veil?

Dealing with doctrines of men, Pharisees, Sadducees, the teachings of Herod?

Paul says he bears in his Body the sufferings of Jesus!

There is a ministry at the altar, behind the veil, for you.

There is a calling to the ministry of God’s Heavenly kingdom, of the true tabernacle, which is not of this world, and the call is to you.


John 12: 37- 50

Joh 12:37 But although He had done so many signs before them, they did not believe in Him,
38 that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke: "Lord, who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?"
39 Therefore they could not believe, because Isaiah said again:
40 "He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, Lest they should see with their eyes, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them."
41 These things Isaiah said when he saw His glory and spoke of Him.
42 Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue;
43 for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
44 Then Jesus cried out and said, "He who believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him who sent Me.
45 "And he who sees Me sees Him who sent Me.
46 "I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.
47 "And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world.
48 "He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him--the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.
49 "For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak.
50 "And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak."

I had the privilege twenty years ago to drive a mini bus full of believers to the lake District. The journey was of interest to me. Comments on my driving skills were on the addenda. Some of the comments hurt, others were very witty, but they were all at my expense.

On the return journey my friend Andrew drove, and would you believe it, not a single comments! Later I discussed the journey with Andrew. I told him how I felt about all the comments being made at my expense.

Ronald, he replied, they just felt more comfortable around you, and are willing to say what they like. You don’t criticize them or try and change them. You just love them as they are, they seem to know that you want them to change, and know that they have to do it for themselves. I do, I replied!

Yes, replied Andrew, (and added, very honestly), I suppose they know that if they say anything out of line, I will put them right.

That little incident astounded me! I was thinking I was in the wrong and should be more like my friend Andrew, whom I respected and admired, and here’s Andrew, aspiring to be more like me!

You see when Jesus is present, we feel more comfortable, love is in the air, we say.

The presence of the perfect one among us, the one full of perfect love has come, and perfect love cast’s out all fear.

When Jesus is present, the fullness of love; and the heart is exposed, some hearts will cast stones some hearts will pronounce blessings.

When Jesus is present hard hearts are softened,

Old hearts are replaced with new ones

Unbelievers, believe again

The gifts of God are given freely without effort on your part.

Stand if you are ready to do the work of the ministry of God beyond the veil.

Pray

God bless you as you are led by the Father into His future for you.

His Kingdom come

His will be done

Amen