Day #357

Sermon - Audio
Heb 11-13 - Reading
Heb 11-13 - Audio

Daily Insights - Please Comment

Chapter 11

The Jewish Christians (audience in Hebrews) had been discouraged, and were thinking of giving up on Jesus and Christianity. They needed a good testimony, and so they needed these examples of faith to break them out of their discouragement. What separated Abraham, Isaac, Moses, and other "biblical heroes" from others (see v3, and the keyword throughout the chapter)? In what ways can we increase this trait in our lives?

Chapter 12

We see the picture of "being in a race" many times throughout the Text. In this chapter we see that within this race we should expect suffering on behalf of Christ, and that God may even allow some of it in order to change us into the person He desires us to be (like a good father). We are called to be changed into the image of Christ, to be holy. How have you felt disciplined in your life? Have you seen personal growth on the other side of it?

"Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. "Make level paths for your feet," so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed. Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord."

Chapter 13

In v14 we see that the current cities we are in are not enduring, but we are to look toward the city that is to come. We are told what "looking forward to this new city" means for Christ followers throughout the Text, but specifically throughout this entire chapter. It is a counter-cultural world where we love, serve, and seek justice for others. Everything we are handed is placed in God's possession. As Larry Doornbos once famously said: "The cross is the standard of our sacrifice, not 10%." At the cross Jesus emptied Himself out of love, in order to serve mankind. It is our duty and call to become holy (separated) people that seek to live within God's Story.

Day #356

Sermon - Audio
Heb 7-10 - Reading
Heb 7-10 - Audio

Daily Insights - Please Comment

Chapter 7

The Old Covenant had a mediator (Moses), but no one to guarantee the people’s side of the covenant, so they continually failed under it. But the New Covenant, a "better covenant" has a cosigner on our behalf! Therefore, the New Covenant depends on what Jesus has done, not on what we have done. He is the security/guarantee of our payment. How do you continually remember this truth, and how has it caused you to reflect on your desires in this life?

Chapter 8

We can see God weaving His plan of redemption throughout history. Since the very beginning God has called a people to Himself, and He continues to do so today. In 8-12 we see that the problem wasn't the covenant itself, but the people not following after God. Thus, God provides a way through/in Jesus Christ to come to Him. What does this tell us about God? What does mean for our role within this Story?

Chapter 9

Throughout this chapter we see the temple sacrifice connected with Christ's sacrifice. We see that Jesus was the once and for all sacrifice. In v28 we see that this sacrifice happened for the forgiveness of our sins and that now He will come back for those who eagerly await Him. Do we eagerly await the return of Christ? If so, in what ways do our lives reflect this to be true?

Chapter 10

In v24-25 we see the importance of meeting together in assembly with one another. I believe the writer of Hebrews stresses the importance of this for many reasons, but the verses that follow tell us about rejection, discouragement, forgetfulness, and their own personal willful rejection. In community, we are called to encourage and exhort one another to good works founded in Jesus Christ as we assemble with one another. What happens to us if we aren't in regular assembly with a body of believers? Is it okay to relax and take a "season off" from the assembly of the body of believers? Why or why not?

Day #355

Sermon - Audio
Heb 1-6 - Reading
Heb 1-6 - Audio

Daily Insights - Please Comment

Hebrews 1-6

Chapter 1 – The book of Hebrews focuses on the cross and the ascension. Other NT books focus on the cross and the resurrection. The one thing to remember in studying Hebrews, is that Christ is shown to be superior to all that have come before him and all that exists.

v. 3 – “Majesty” – the Jewish people did not use the name of God “Yahweh”. One of the substitutes that they used for his name was “Majesty” (from 1 Chron. 29:11). By using this title the author makes it clear that Jesus is sitting down next to God and not some earthly king. Also, the use here indicates that this book was most likely written to a Jewish audience.

v. 14 – The angels serve, the son rules. Not only do the angels serve, they serve both Jesus and his followers.

Chapter 2

v. 2 – “the message spoken by the angels” is the Torah (first 5 books of the Bible). Jewish tradition (based on Dt. 33:2) holds that the angels were in an intermediary role at Mt. Sinai. This tradition is upheld in the NT in Acts 7:53 and Gal. 3:19. The argument is that if violation of the words of angels brings punishment, how much more will there be consequences if one ignores the words of Jesus who is greater than the angels.

v. 4 – the gifts the Holy Spirit has given are proof of the gospel.

v. 6 – “someone has testified” – It’s not that the writer of Hebrews doesn’t know who said these words, rather in his writings he emphasizes divine authorship of the scriptures and so he doesn’t mention the human author.

v. 17-18 – Jesus is the faithful high priest, but he is from the tribe of Judah, no Levi. The writer of Hebrews will spend a large part of the book explaining why this is and why this is necessary.

Chapter 3

v. 5 – Moses is a servant in the house, but Jesus is a Son and ruler of the house. Once again Jesus is shown to be superior.

v. 13 – “sin’s deceitfulness” – Sin says that going after it makes for a better and safer life. This phrase points forward to chapter 10 where people are abandoning the faith because it costs too much and to chapter 11 where Moses chooses not to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. As we get into Hebrews we will find that many things in the first couple of chapters point forward to other parts of the book.

Chapter 4

v. 3-7 – The biblical quotations are from Ps. 95 which is used in the Jewish Sabbath liturgy. The writer of Hebrews chooses a passage that is already connected with rest to talk about rest.

v. 10 – “rest” – Just as God rested after creation, so will we fully enter our rest when we cease from battling sin.

v. 15 – Jesus knows the struggles – he too was tempted to not trust the promises of God. This temptation happened throughout his ministry, but we see it especially when Satan tempts him in the wilderness.

Chapter 5

v. 1 – Every high priest has to meet two requirements: 1 – appointed by God 2 – can sympathize with the people’s weakness. Jesus meets both of these criteria.

v. 6 – Melchizedek (means my king is righteous) is mentioned only two times in the OT – Gen. 14:8 and Ps. 110:4. He is used by the writer of Hebrews, of one who was both king and priest, and so Jesus comes from his line not the normal priestly line through Aaron.

v. 11-14 – A mature follower of Christ is someone who applies God’s word to their lives. They obey the word, live an ethical life, and have enough God sense about them that they know right from wrong.

Chapter 6

v. 1-3 – Three pairs of teachings are included in basic Christianity. First, is repentance – turning away from our old style of life to living faithfully before God i.e. everyone out to know that when you profess Christ, you live for him. Second, is baptisms and laying on of hands i.e. the importance of living a holy life and using the gifts God has given to serve in his kingdom. Third, resurrection and judgment i.e. the dead will be raised and there will be a day of judgment. These are things people should simply know and no have to be reminded of.

v. 4-6 – Apparently the people to whom the book of Hebrews is being written are all excited about the sacrificial system and they are doing OT sacrifices again and so denying the work of Christ on the cross.

v. 11-15 – Again, the call is not to be lazy in the faith, but to imitate those who are faithful. Abraham is held out as the example of faithfulness. The thing to notice is that being faithful does not mean being perfect. Abraham, as an example, reveals someone who sticks with God – but not without some serious flaws.