Hebrews 8-10

Hebrews 8 – Superior Covenant

The definition of a covenant is an agreement, a contract, a pact, or a treaty.  The first covenant had many regulations for the tabernacle and for worship.  Only the high priest could enter the inner room of the tabernacle once a year to offer sacrifices for the sins for himself and for the people.  These sacrifices were only a temporary fix and not able to cleanse the peoples’ consciences.    God said He would make a new covenant and put His laws in the minds and hearts of the people.  He would forgive them of their wickedness and remember their sins no more (Heb. 8:12).  This new covenant was Jesus.

The new covenant offers what the old cannot.  It offers eternal life.  Now we can go directly to God without a need for an earthly priest or mediator.  God says our sins will not be remembered.  How can God not remember our past sins?  - Because He chooses not to.  God is either the God of perfect grace or He is not God.  Grace forgets.  He who is perfect love cannot hold grudges.

How does the new covenant give you hope in your daily life?

If God has forgiven your sins, why do you still hold on to guilt?

Principle:  God’s new covenant promises believers a new life and new nature with His sufficient, sustaining grace.

Hebrews 9 – Superior Sanctuary

There were many regulations and limitations with the old covenant.  There were regulations as to worship and also an earthly sanctuary.  The tabernacle emphasized the presence of God in the midst of His people.  It was built in a particular way with an inner room called the Most Holy Place.  That was where God’s presence was.  The earthly tabernacle emphasized God’s holiness and His inaccessibility due to their sins.  No one could enter the inner room but the high priest.  He could enter only once a year and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins of the people.  This had to be done over and over each year to cleanse their sins.  

Why was the shedding of blood necessary?  It’s the way the Sovereign God ordained it.  God cannot tolerate sin.  Without the shedding of blood there can be no forgiveness of sin.  He cannot just forgive sins because He is just.  Blood makes atonement for sin.  (Leviticus 17:11) “For the life of a creature is in the blood and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life.”

The New Covenant is heavenly not earthly.  It is free from the ravages of time.  When Jesus died on the cross, the curtain of the temple which was the barrier between the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place was supernaturally torn in two.  This symbolized the way to God was now open through the death of Christ.   Christ became the High Priest.  He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood having died on the cross for our sins.  The curtain was torn and now people have access to God.  The curtain is Jesus.  His blood cleansed our consciences and through Him we have obtained eternal redemption.  By the shedding of His blood we are set free from our sins and have the promise of eternal inheritance.  “Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings.” – Heb. 10:19-22.

Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of the people and He will appear a second time to bring salvation to those who are waiting on Him. (Heb. 9:28).  He was our substitution.  He stood in our place.  This is the love of God.  When God sees us He doesn’t see our sins, He sees the righteousness of Jesus Christ. 

How do you know with certainty you are in perfect standing with God?  Romans 8:1 “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

Principle:  Jesus Christ’s sacrifice of His own blood provides our access to God.

How is this truth changing your motives? 

What does it mean to you? 

Hebrews 10 – Superior Sacrifice

The Old Testament sacrifices were a shadow of things to come.  They didn’t clear the peoples’ consciences or solve the sin problem.  They were a continual reminder of sin.  Jesus is the real thing.  Everything else is a shadow or a copy.  Only Jesus gives us access to God.  It is Jesus who saves.  Christ’s sacrifice was once and for all.  We now can enter the Most Holy Place, because of the blood of Jesus our Great High Priest. 

How can you apply this confidence to your life?  

            Draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith.

            Hold unswervingly to the hope you profess for He who promised is faithful.

            Consider how you may spur others toward love and good deeds.

            Don’t give up meeting together with others.

            Encourage one another all the more as you see the Day approaching.

            Do not throw away your confidence when exposed to insult and persecution.

            You need to persevere and do the will of God so you will receive what God promised.

            Don’t comprise your beliefs.

There is one sin that cannot be cleansed by Jesus’ blood.  That is the sin of rejecting Jesus as Lord and Savior.  When a person rejects Christ and His cross, he will face God’s judgment and spend eternity separated from God.  He will be in eternal Hell.  (Heb. 10:30-31) “… It is mine to avenge; I will repay, and again, The Lord will judge his people.  It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”

Principle:  Jesus’ superior covenant makes forgiveness of sin permanent.

God keeps His promises.  Forgiven forever is an amazing promise.

Do you know He’s gone through extreme measures for you?

Are you using your access to God?

Join me here next week as we continue our study of Hebrews.  --  I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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Hebrews 4:14-7:28

Hebrews 4:14-16 – Jesus’ Work as the High Priest

Jesus was appointed as our “great high priest”.  He is able to identify with us, because He was tempted in every way.  As the Son of God He has sympathy for us and understands us.  He has the desire and ability to help through anything we face.

How are you struggling?  Are you trying to resist temptation to rebel or to lose control in anger?  Then read Hebrews 4:15-16 - “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way just as we are - yet was without sin.  Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”  To “have” means to receive, accept, and the assurance of Jesus.  We have a relationship with Jesus.  To approach the throne of grace is to take all our problems and concerns to God with confidence that He will help us to overcome them – not only the big one, but the small ones as well.

Jesus was qualified more than anyone to become our high priest.  He was called by God, He submitted to God’s will, He was without sin, He offered up prayers and petitions to God for others, He learned obedience through suffering and He became the source of salvation for all who believe.

Is He your great high priest?  Do you take your concerns to Him?  Is He your savior?  Everyone has a cell phone these days and also with it you have a limited calling plan.  Jesus is our unlimited plan.  He gives us His unlimited attention and complete access to Him.  He is talking to God the Father about you and He knows what you need. 

Jesus knows your pain and your grief.  He knew what it is like to be hungry, thirsty, and tired.  He knew the horrible agony of physical torture, which He endured in His trial and crucifixion.  He knew what it is like to be mocked, distrusted and betrayed by friends.  He was tempted in all the things as we are, yet He is without sin. 

Jesus knows your hearts.  He knows exactly what you are fighting to remain obedient.  God’s way is costly, but guaranteed to transform your very being.  There is another way – your way.  It’s less painful and may make you feel better for a time, but it doesn’t honor God and doesn’t impact others for God.  Trust and obey or go your own way.

Because He can sympathize with us, we should draw near to the throne of grace with confidence.  We should come to the throne because we are weak and we have Jesus as our sympathetic High Priest.  If you have needs, pray.  Jesus is ready to give you mercy and help you fight your battles.

Principle:  Jesus as the Great High Priest helps His people in times of weakness and temptation.

What problems do you need to take before the throne?

What causes you to doubt?

How confident are you that He hears your prayers? 

Hebrews 5:11-6:12 – Jesus’ Word demands Spiritual Growth

We are grateful that churches teach the basics, but it won’t sustain you in life.  Solid food is for the mature (Heb. 5:14).  It is important that we grow spiritually.  We are spiritual infants and will remain so if we are not intentional.  Maturity just doesn’t happen.  It takes study and real work.  Our thinking needs to be trained.  Jesus didn’t demonstrate emotional thinking.  We need to keep going pass elementary truths.

“It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers to the coming age, if they fall way, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting Him to public disgrace.” (Heb. 6:4-6)  He is not saying that it is impossible for God to forgive them if they fall away.  God will always forgive all who repent and believe.  The problem is with those who don’t repent.  It is possible to get very close to genuine faith and still not actually repent.  If you are willing to go back, perhaps you haven’t truly accepted Christ as Savior.

“Enlightened” is part of the process of salvation, being taught the truth before we believe.  You can be enlightened to the truth, but shut your eyes to the light of Jesus.

“Tasted the heavenly gift” refers to those who understood the freeness of God’s gift and have even had the Holy Spirit convicting their consciences; however they find it too difficult to leave their way of life, change their minds, repent and go on to true saving faith in Christ.  True Christians cannot fall away and be lost.

“Impossible” here means that having rejected the Holy Spirit who has brought them along knowing the gospel, but they cannot now simply turn to God.  They have not truly repented.

Principle:  Christian maturity involves knowing and doing what God Says.

Knowing must be joined with faith, trust and obedience.  Indifference is our greatest enemy.  If you are feeling weary in spirit, dig deeper into His word.  Even churches have people in pews that need to know. 

Christian growth varies.  Some Christians instantly drop those habitual sins and never fall back.  Others struggle daily.  Motivation is key.  “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” – Matt. 5:6.  Hunger and thirst are strong motivators and becomes the only thing on your mind.  You want to satisfy that craving.  We must practice and it and make it a habit, a deliberate effort to grow spiritually.

What indifference do you need to lay aside? 

Are you willing to share the solid food? 

Will you share with those who are spiritually hungry?

What is your greatest challenge to spiritual growth?

Hebrews 6:13-20 – Jesus’ Character Anchors Our Hope

There are two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie – His character and His Word.  Believers’ anchor is Jesus Christ and keeps them secure.  Nothing on earth can anchor you securely – only Jesus.

Principle:  Our hope of future salvation is certain because God is incapable of lying.

He is a Promise Keeper!  What makes you feel secure?  Is it your job, money, family?  As we submit by faith and believe the living Word and in His unchanging character, we grow.  Then the world around us will see Jesus.

Hebrews 7 – Jesus is the Superior Priest

Melchizedek is just a man and his features shadow the one to come, Jesus Christ.   Jesus and Melchizedek have some similarities as high priest.  They are:  both are kings, high priests, kings of righteousness, kings of peace and kings forever.  Their differences are:  that Jesus is the Son of God, He lives forever, has a permanent priesthood and is able to save completely.   He is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens is unlike any other high priest and does not need to offer sacrifices day after day for sins.  He is the perfect High Priest – forever!

Not all people have someone praying for them like a mother or a grandmother, but everyone has Jesus praying for them continually.  He’s thinking and talking with God about you right now.

Principle:  God cares enough to send man His very best His Son Jesus Christ.

Join me here next week as we continue our study of Hebrews.  --  I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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Hebrews 1 – 4:13

Hebrews 1-2 – Jesus Fully God and Fully Man

 The author of Hebrews is unknown.  Some of the purposes for writing Hebrews are:  to show Christ is superior to angels (Heb. 1:1-14), to warn believers to pay careful attention and not drift away (Heb. 2:1), to show Christ is faithful which encourages people in difficult times (Heb 6:3) and to remind us to leave the elementary teaching and go on to a maturity in Christ (Heb. 6:1).

Who is the Son?

1.       He’s heir of all. All things belong to him.

2.      He’s creator. All things are made through him.

3.      He’s the radiance of God’s glory.

4.      He’s the exact representation of God’s being.

5.      He’s the sustainer of all things by his powerful word.

6.      He’s the purifier and cleanser of our sin.

7.       He’s enthroned at the right hand of God in all majesty.

Principle:  The way to know God today is to know His son, Jesus Christ.

What are you trusting to meet a need other than Jesus Christ?  No one compares to Jesus Christ.

Who are Angels?

1.       They are ministering spirits sent to serve and help those who are to receive salvation. 

2.      God commanded them to worship Jesus just as we do.

Jews believed angels were like God. They believed angels were consultants to God and that God actually asked angels for advice.  Jews were angel worshippers.  Angels were very important in the Jewish religion. 

Angels are created by God and are in heaven.  Angels worship and serve God.  Angels protect believers from danger, protect children and rejoice when people are saved.  They are and will be our servants.  Angels serve the interest of God the Son.  God the Son is eternal and his reign knows no end.  Jesus is God.  Jesus remains the same and his years will never end. The universe will cease to exist one day, but Jesus will never end.  Angels continually serve as Jesus sits on the throne. 

Note - We do not become angels when we die. 

Principle:  Jesus Christ as God the Son is superior and sovereign.

What do you worship today other than Jesus Christ?
Do you have plans to worship with your family over the holidays, or do you have plans to worship your family?
Do you worship Jesus for who he is or for what he can bless you with?
How does your life reflect that Jesus is Lord?

Old Testament passages are quoted to show that Jesus is God’s son and is superior to angels:

Heb. 1:5 – Ps. 2:7, 2 Sam. 7:14, 1 Chron. 17:3

Heb. 1:6 – Deut. 32:43

Heb. 1:7 – Ps. 105:4

Heb. 1:9 – Ps. 45:6-7

Heb. 1:12 – Ps. 102:25-27

Heb. 1:13 – Ps. 110:1 

These are many passages in the Old Testament that point to Jesus.  There are many in Isaiah.  Just to name a few:

Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 35:3-6, Isaiah 53:5-7  One of my favorites is Isaiah 53:6 “We all, like sheep has gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all”.

Hebrews 2:1 carries a warning to pay attention to what we’ve heard and not drift away.  What we have heard is that Jesus is the Son of God and He is to be worshiped.  He is the only way to God.

Many things in our culture today entice us to drift away.  Just look at TV programs, news, politics, movies and the list goes on.  They are really anti-Christ and where self-indulgence is glorified.  Drifting occurs when we don’t pay attention to Jesus (through God’s Word and communicating with God through prayer).  We’re held accountable for the truth we have been given. 

Red flags to help you identify if you are “drifting”:
            Is reading the Bible just a chore?
            Are you more concerned with the affairs of the world than the heart of God?
            Do you not care if you miss church?

Stop now and let God know:
            I want to care about what you care about.
            Please take my heart and mind to your Word.
            Make me want what you want for me.

How does the time you spend in the world compare to the time you spend with him and serving him?  Your spiritual gift is not just for you.  Ask God to show you the temporary scaffolding in your life that keeps you going.  Take a step off of that temporary scaffolding to allow God to keep you secure.  Jesus is your sure foundation.

(Heb. 2:2-3)  The message given by angels is true and disobedience to the word of angels is dangerous.  How can we escape if we pay no attention to the great salvation?  How much more dangerous is it to be neglectful of words spoken by Jesus?

Principle:  Spiritual drifting results from neglecting Jesus, the anchor of hope. 

Why was it necessary of Jesus to become human?  Satan held the power of death so God sent His Son Jesus to destroy death.  He died on the cross and rose from the dead defeating death and Satan’s power.  By dying He became merciful and atonement for our sins.

Hebrews 3-4 – Jesus Worthy of Great Honor

God put Jesus in charge of salvation.  He did not put angels in charge.  I think “The world to come” in Heb. 2:5 refers to Jesus’ millennial reign, which takes place after His second coming.  God put everything under Him and left nothing that is not subject to Him.  He was honored this way “because He suffered death” (Heb.2:9).  He died for us, in our place.

Scripture here speaks of 3 enemies from which Christ’s death freed us:

            1. The devil

            2. Eternal Death

            3. Sins. 

Christ destroyed Satan, but he is still active in the world today.  He is the Prince of Death and is over this world ever since he tempted and caused Adam and Eve to sin against God.  He continues to tempt us.  Jesus’ death conquered Satan’s hold over the world and Jesus will return to reclaim the earth.

(Hebrews 3:1-6)  Both Moses and Jesus did God’s work and were sent to save people.  Moses led the people out of Egyptian slavery and Jesus leads people from the slavery of sin.  Moses sinned against God and God would not let him enter the Promised Land, but Jesus was perfect without sin and through Him we all can enter Heaven’s Promised Land. 

Jesus is worthy of greater honor than Moses (Heb. 3:3).  Jesus is the creator and Moses is the created (Heb. 3:4).  Jesus is the faithful Son of God over God’s house, while Moses was a faithful servant in God’s house (Heb. 3:5-6)

Heb. 3:1 tells us to fix our thoughts on Jesus.  How can we fix our thoughts on Jesus?  We can read and study the Bible, talk with God in prayer, and confess and repent of our sins.  We can recognize God in all things and give Him credit for our blessings.  We can follow the examples of Jesus.  If we don’t stay close to God, it opens a door for Satan can find his way into our thoughts and actions.

What is the difference between Christian meditation and other forms of meditation?  We as Christians meditate or focus on Jesus in order to get closer to Him and to know Him better.  Other types of meditation are used to relax, take away stress, to calm the mind.  In other words it’s all about self and has nothing to do with God.

(Hebrews 3:7-19) Israel rebelled and hardened their hearts against God.   They sinned and disobeyed God and had unbelief .  God responded with anger and they spend 40 years in the wilderness of the desert and did not allow them to enter the Promised Land.

Some specific ways we can show our unbelief and squander our time today in the wilderness of the world is to spend too much time on TV, internet, video games, hobbies, etc.  and of course the obvious - ignoring God, His truth and His word.  When we do any of these things, every second of our time is wasted.

(Hebrews 4:1-13) God’s rest is used two ways in this chapter.  1. God’s rest, which is the ultimate resting place - heaven (Heb. 4:1), 2. God rested from His work after He made creation (Heb. 4:4). 

How do we enter God’s rest?  God offers us this rest through faith in His Son, Jesus.  We have a choice to accept it or not.  Don’t be like the Israelites by being disobedient, disbelieving and refusing God time after time.  All we have to do is – believe.  Believe what?  Believe the gospel – that God sent His Son, Jesus to earth in human form, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again on the 3^rd day.  Now all who believe and trust in Him will have eternal life.

We also enter God’s rest by relying of God, trusting Him, and not worrying.  His Word gives us rest, comfort, and encouragement.  When we read the Scriptures, it’s God speaking to us.  Next time you read the Bible, remember it’s not just words.  This is God speaking to you.

Join me here next time as we continue our study of Hebrews.  --  I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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