In the first two chapters of the epistle, the author of Hebrews compared Jesus to the angels. In chapter 3 he compares Jesus to Moses. The Jews revered Moses because of his close relationship with God. Moses' career was characterized by faithfulness- no one disputes that fact. However, with a fitting illustration of servant (Moses in God's house) ans Son, (Jesus over God's house), the writer of Hebrews clearly demonstrates the superiority of Jesus.
Psalm 95:7-10 is a unique citation, filled with disheartening information about Isreal's rebellion and apostasy in the wilderness. The author of Hebrews warns his readers not to fall into the trap of unbelief which leads to a falling away from the living God. The writer stresses the corporate responsiblity of the Christian community in warning the individual believer not to turn away from God but to continue to be strong in the faith. The author applies the words of Psalm 95:7-10 directly to his hearers; for him the message is a matter of eternal life or eternal death.In a sense, Hebrews 3:12, may be called one of the nerve centers of the epistle.
The terrible outcome of their unbelief is not being able to enter God's rest, that has been prepared for all those who truely believe.
This Tuesday night we will begin chapter 4 and look more closely at that rest that God has for all His people.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Released from Satan's Bondage
When our Lord died and then rose again He defeated Satan and set all His people free from his bondage. It is a fact of Scripture that all who are outside of Christ are under the domain of Satan and his kingdom. They are not free to make godly or righteous choices. They are bound under the control of the evil one who is the prince of the power of the air and all unbelievers are 'the son's of disobedience'. Eph. 2:1-6
When someone, by the amazing grace of Almighty God, surrenders to the Lordship of Christ and becomes 'saved', Christ delivers that person from satan's power and control. But not from his torments. The devil actually becomes angry at that new believer and wrecks havoc in his life, especially immediatly following their conversion.
This passage in Hebrews 2:14-18, gives a great deal of comfort to believers, when it tells us that our Savior Jesus has brought us out of the devil's bondage and has released us from the fear of death that is in the heart of all unconverted people. A real sense of darkness and separation in death grips the heart and emotions of people that are apart from Christ. How blessed we are to be delivered from that fear and are given real promises from our Lord that He is with us at the hour of death and will bring us immediatly into His presence and glory.
It is a great truth that Jesus became like us in all things, except sin, so that He could truely be our perfect High Priest. He was faithful in all He did as a man, always obeying His Father and doing all that was needed to accomplish the redemption of His people. He was also merciful in His sacrifice, because we did not deserve so great a forgivness and pardon. He made 'propitiation' for our sins, which means that by His perfect sacrifice on Calvary, He turned the wrath of God away from us and turned it upon Himself. He covered our sins and its punishment by being punished in our place. Like the prophet Isaiah said in 53:4-6;
Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.
What a Savior we have. He has done it all. He even helps us in our temptations. We do not go through these trials on our own strength, but because He was tempted even as we are He can relate to what we are going through and He gives His people aid in their time of need.
Just call out to Him whenever you are felling weak or ready to fall, He will come quickly to your aid. Praise Him always.
When someone, by the amazing grace of Almighty God, surrenders to the Lordship of Christ and becomes 'saved', Christ delivers that person from satan's power and control. But not from his torments. The devil actually becomes angry at that new believer and wrecks havoc in his life, especially immediatly following their conversion.
This passage in Hebrews 2:14-18, gives a great deal of comfort to believers, when it tells us that our Savior Jesus has brought us out of the devil's bondage and has released us from the fear of death that is in the heart of all unconverted people. A real sense of darkness and separation in death grips the heart and emotions of people that are apart from Christ. How blessed we are to be delivered from that fear and are given real promises from our Lord that He is with us at the hour of death and will bring us immediatly into His presence and glory.
It is a great truth that Jesus became like us in all things, except sin, so that He could truely be our perfect High Priest. He was faithful in all He did as a man, always obeying His Father and doing all that was needed to accomplish the redemption of His people. He was also merciful in His sacrifice, because we did not deserve so great a forgivness and pardon. He made 'propitiation' for our sins, which means that by His perfect sacrifice on Calvary, He turned the wrath of God away from us and turned it upon Himself. He covered our sins and its punishment by being punished in our place. Like the prophet Isaiah said in 53:4-6;
Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.
What a Savior we have. He has done it all. He even helps us in our temptations. We do not go through these trials on our own strength, but because He was tempted even as we are He can relate to what we are going through and He gives His people aid in their time of need.
Just call out to Him whenever you are felling weak or ready to fall, He will come quickly to your aid. Praise Him always.
Friday, May 20, 2011
Delivered from the Power of Death
Heb. 2:14-18 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
This is such a powerful passage, but I seem to be saying that alot through this study. Hebrews is so jam packed with powerful messages to God's dear people. In this passage we see Jesus taking on human flesh and blood so that He could truely become one of us. He had to be human and also God in order to destroy the power that the devil had over us. He fulfilled what Adam could not. Perfect righteousness, obedience to the letter, always doing exactly what the Father wanted Him to do. Only the One who had been tested in every way as we are could be the merciful High Priest. Only the One who had responded to every test in perfect obedience could be the faithful High Priest, without sin and worthy to offer Himself as the unblemished sacrifice. The writer of Hebrews points this out in chapter 7:26, For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens. also in chap 9:14, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God..
I'll look at verses 16-18 in the next blog.
This is such a powerful passage, but I seem to be saying that alot through this study. Hebrews is so jam packed with powerful messages to God's dear people. In this passage we see Jesus taking on human flesh and blood so that He could truely become one of us. He had to be human and also God in order to destroy the power that the devil had over us. He fulfilled what Adam could not. Perfect righteousness, obedience to the letter, always doing exactly what the Father wanted Him to do. Only the One who had been tested in every way as we are could be the merciful High Priest. Only the One who had responded to every test in perfect obedience could be the faithful High Priest, without sin and worthy to offer Himself as the unblemished sacrifice. The writer of Hebrews points this out in chapter 7:26, For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens. also in chap 9:14, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God..
I'll look at verses 16-18 in the next blog.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Jesus and His Brothers Heb.2:10-13
"In bringing many son's to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the Author of their salvation perfect through suffering".
In verse 9 the writer states that Jesus tasted death for everyone. In this following verse he explains the term everyone by designating those who are saved as "many son's" and by refering to Jesus as the "Author of their salvation. The Son suffered the pains of death, which the sons should have experienced, and was crowned with glory and honor afterward. Because of the redemptive work of the Son, the sons are lead into the glory with which the Son is crowned. (Kistemaker, commentary)
In verse 10 it is clearly speaking about Jesus bringing many sons to glory and that He, Jesus is being made perfect. How can Jesus the altogether perfect One, God Himself be made perfect? We need to have a proper understanding of this word, it means, achieving the highest goal. In the context of the epistle to the Hebrews, the term to make perfect signifies that Jesus removed the sins of His people from the presence of God and thus by His sacrificial death on the cross consecrated the many sons.The perfection of Jesus, therefore, points to the work of salvation He performed on behalf of His people. In 10:14 for example, the author of the epistle writes that, "by one sacrifice He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.
In verse 9 the writer states that Jesus tasted death for everyone. In this following verse he explains the term everyone by designating those who are saved as "many son's" and by refering to Jesus as the "Author of their salvation. The Son suffered the pains of death, which the sons should have experienced, and was crowned with glory and honor afterward. Because of the redemptive work of the Son, the sons are lead into the glory with which the Son is crowned. (Kistemaker, commentary)
In verse 10 it is clearly speaking about Jesus bringing many sons to glory and that He, Jesus is being made perfect. How can Jesus the altogether perfect One, God Himself be made perfect? We need to have a proper understanding of this word, it means, achieving the highest goal. In the context of the epistle to the Hebrews, the term to make perfect signifies that Jesus removed the sins of His people from the presence of God and thus by His sacrificial death on the cross consecrated the many sons.The perfection of Jesus, therefore, points to the work of salvation He performed on behalf of His people. In 10:14 for example, the author of the epistle writes that, "by one sacrifice He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Hebrews 2:5-8
This passage tells us that in the New Earth, angels will not be in authority, redeemed man will. Christ will be on the throne and all His son's and daughter's will be ruling over the new created order with Him. The quote from Psaml 8 is often refered to Jesus and that is the ultimate interpretation but in this quote the writer of Hebrews in saying that redeemed mankind will follow the Lord Jesus being crowned with glory and honor, being over the works of God's hand and all things being put in subjection under his feet, just like Jesus.
Verse 8b says that Jesus through His redemptive work has spiritually put all things under our feet, given us the inheritance of His Kingdom rule, but it is not yet realized in this dispensation. But when we look at what Jesus acomplished through His death, burial and resurection, we see Him crowned with glory and honor and that He did it for us so that we may receive that glory also.
This is a most amazing thing to think about. What blessings are ours in Christ. Like the apostle Paul says in Ephesians 1:2 '...He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ...' This continues through the whole of chapter 1 and concludes in verse 21 with, '...And He put all things under His feet and gave Him to be head over all things TO THE CHURCH which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. We are so blessed to be included in the authority over the redeemed world which will exsist forever with our Lord reigning over all His creation and we by His side. WOW.
Verse 8b says that Jesus through His redemptive work has spiritually put all things under our feet, given us the inheritance of His Kingdom rule, but it is not yet realized in this dispensation. But when we look at what Jesus acomplished through His death, burial and resurection, we see Him crowned with glory and honor and that He did it for us so that we may receive that glory also.
This is a most amazing thing to think about. What blessings are ours in Christ. Like the apostle Paul says in Ephesians 1:2 '...He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ...' This continues through the whole of chapter 1 and concludes in verse 21 with, '...And He put all things under His feet and gave Him to be head over all things TO THE CHURCH which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. We are so blessed to be included in the authority over the redeemed world which will exsist forever with our Lord reigning over all His creation and we by His side. WOW.
God's people the Crown of Creation
Tuesday night we looked at Heb.2:5-9. We spent alot of time looking at verse 5 were it talks about the "new earth" that we will dwell in with the Lord for all eternity. We will be ruling with Him and the angels will be our assistants and ministers. What a glorious life that will be and we that are in Christ are garenteed to be a part of that great event.
I have to leave for prayer meeting, I'll post some more later
I have to leave for prayer meeting, I'll post some more later
Monday, March 28, 2011
Prophet, Priest and King
Tomorrow night we will be looking at Hebrews 1:1-4 and we will discuss how Jesus is spoken of as the fulfilment of the Old Testament Prophet, Priest and King. All were types of the coming Messiah. All the true prophets of God spoke God's Word to the people in order to reveal God's will and direction. The priests offered the blood sacrifices that were given for the atonement of the peoples sins. Only by the shedding of blood could there be atonement. The kings were those who ruled over the people in the earthly realm. Jesus perfectly fulfilled all these offices in every detail. The writer of Hebrews brings this out in 3 verses and summerizes what he will be teaching in the rest of the letter.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Jesus Our Creator
In Hebrews 1:2b we are told that Jesus is not only the rightful heir of all things but He is the One who created it all. Nothing that is in this universe exsists except by the Word of Christ. He as the Almighty God has spoken all things into creation and it was all created for His glory. The Apostle Paul teaches this truth in Col.1:16"For by Him all things were created....;all things were created by Him and for Him", and also in John's Gospel, 1:3, "Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made".
It is important to understand from this passage in Hebrews, the majesty of the Son of God, who was present at creation and is the sovereign Lord of all created things. He, Jesus, is God.
It is important to understand from this passage in Hebrews, the majesty of the Son of God, who was present at creation and is the sovereign Lord of all created things. He, Jesus, is God.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
God has Spoken
In the first verse the writter states a very blessed phrase, "God has spoken..." It truely is a blessing that the Almighty God of the universe has chosen to make Himself known through special revelation. We know from other parts of the Word that God reveals Himself to all mankind through His creation. Every part of this universe yells out that there is a God and that we are under His authority. In Romans chapter one it says that all know that there is a God but that they supress the truth in unrighteousness.
The most blessed thing is that our Creator God has in His pure Mercy chosen to reveal Himself to those that seek Him. He has done this through 'special' revelations. He has been doing it from the very begining of time, since Adam fell into sin and was separated from God, God has been making Himself known to the sinful fallen race of mankind.
Do you see what a blessing that truth is? That a Holy, Perfect God would choose to reveal Himself to us. But it is only to those who have a desire to look for Him. Where does that desire come from? Not from within us, if we were left to ourselves we would never seek after God, He has to give us the desire. He has to reveal to each one of His Elect Children that they are lost sinners in need of a Savior. It is all the Mercy and Grace of God. Have you experienced that Mercy and Grace?
The most blessed thing is that our Creator God has in His pure Mercy chosen to reveal Himself to those that seek Him. He has done this through 'special' revelations. He has been doing it from the very begining of time, since Adam fell into sin and was separated from God, God has been making Himself known to the sinful fallen race of mankind.
Do you see what a blessing that truth is? That a Holy, Perfect God would choose to reveal Himself to us. But it is only to those who have a desire to look for Him. Where does that desire come from? Not from within us, if we were left to ourselves we would never seek after God, He has to give us the desire. He has to reveal to each one of His Elect Children that they are lost sinners in need of a Savior. It is all the Mercy and Grace of God. Have you experienced that Mercy and Grace?
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Last night of Revival
Brother Stanly closed out our revival tonight with another anointed message. He looked at Deu.30:11-20 with the main point on verse 20 where he looked at 3 necessary steps to God's blessing. 1. Love the Lord your God, 2. Obey His voice , and 3. Cling to Him. It seems so basic yet how often do we loose site of this very clear truth. I know that the Lord spoke to my heart tonight. To often I allow the things of this world to push the Lord out of the first place and my love for Him wains. To often I am side tracked and I don't listen to His word and obey it. There are so many noices in my life that I'm not listening to the most important sound, which is His Holy Word directed to my heart. I do need to make sure that I have that altar set up in order to have a good QUIET time with my Lord. Loving and listening and obeying my Lord is the most important thing His children can be doing.
Did you notice how often Brother Stanly quoted from the Book of Hebrews? The one I heard the loudest was from chapter 11 which I was reading this morning; verse 6, "without faith it is impossible to please God".... The only way we can have a relationship with God is by faith. Going back to verse 1 of that same chapter we see the definition of Faith. Believing in what we can't see. Believing in the promises of God without seeing them physically.
My prayer for each one of us is that our faith would grow and guide us to a closer walk with the Lord. May we all be the people of God that we have been called to be.
Did you notice how often Brother Stanly quoted from the Book of Hebrews? The one I heard the loudest was from chapter 11 which I was reading this morning; verse 6, "without faith it is impossible to please God".... The only way we can have a relationship with God is by faith. Going back to verse 1 of that same chapter we see the definition of Faith. Believing in what we can't see. Believing in the promises of God without seeing them physically.
My prayer for each one of us is that our faith would grow and guide us to a closer walk with the Lord. May we all be the people of God that we have been called to be.
First Meeting
We began our first study in Hebrews on Tuesday March 8th. We met at our house because Trish Jones went to Cleveland to visit her brother and Bobby had to take her to the airport. We will resume our weekly study on March 29th at the Jones' home. My prayer is that this study will encourage and strengthen many of the brethern.
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