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Published: Nov. 28, 2023, 8 a.m.

Welcome to Day 2249 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Hebrews-10 The Brighter Side \u2013 Daily Wisdom Putnam Church Message \u2013 06/18/2023 \u201cThe Brighter Side\u201d Hebrews 6:9-20 Last week, we continued our extended series through the book of Hebrews in the New Testament. Our focus was on The Peril Of Failing to Thrive. We learned the three Practical Principles for Spiritual Progress, which are:

1. We need to partake in solid spiritual food.
2. We need to maintain the practice of righteous living.
3. We need to exhibit a trained sense of discernment.

\xa0 This week, we will take the strong warnings from last week and look at \u201cThe Brighter Side\u201d of our journey that we, as believers, need to mature spiritually. \xa0 The great German poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe once said, \u201cCorrection does much, but encouragement does more. Encouragement after censure is as the sun after a shower.\u201d The strong warning we studied last week in Hebrews 6:1\u20138 is among the most sobering in all Scripture. (Drama) I can imagine those words hung over the original audience like thick, black storm clouds rumbling and flashing, threatening to pour out their floodwaters and hurl their barbs of lightning at any moment. \xa0 But then/ the thunder stops. The lightning gives way to a speck of light peeking through the clouds. Then another \u2026 and another. Suddenly, a brilliant sunbeam pierces the darkness, brightening the day and bringing warmth, joy, and encouragement. That\u2019s the feeling those Jewish Christians had when they got to 6:9. Surely they wouldn\u2019t forget the stern warning of the previous verses: \u201cDon\u2019t stray from the path of spiritual growth!\u201d However, the Lord led the author of Hebrews to transition into a section of affirmation, encouragement, and hope (6:9\u201312), leading the audience out from under the shadows of the threatening storm clouds and back to his original theme: Jesus Christ is our High Priest in the Order of \xa0Melchizedek (6:13\u201320). Let's start with reading Hebrews 6:9\u201312 on page 1868 of the Pew Bibles. 9\xa0Even though we speak like this (harsh warnings), dear friends,\xa0we are convinced of better things in your case\u2014the things that have to do with salvation.\xa010\xa0God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.\xa011\xa0We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope\xa0for may be fully realized.\xa012\xa0We do not want you to become lazy,/ but to imitate\xa0those who through faith and patience/\xa0inherit what has been promised. \xa0 As in construction or road work, blasting is sometimes needed before building begins. The author of Hebrews issued a strong command in 5:11\u20136:3\u2014\u201cGrow up!\u201d He followed that with the reverberating blast of grim consequences for those who fail to thrive and instead fall away (6:4\u20138). Now, just...