Finish Strong (Hebrews 11-13)

Table of Contents

Introduction

By Faith (Hebrews 11)

1)A Definition (Hebrews 11:1-3)

What Faith Is Not

What Faith Is

The Unseen Component of Faith

General Revelation (11:3)

2)A Demonstration (Hebrews 11:4-38)

A Commendation

Faith Tested

3)Key Verses

Perseverance

Pleased to Be Our God

Pleasing God

4)Principle

You can't please God apart from faith.

5)Applications

What is the object of your faith? Is it your ability to please God? Or is it the One whose death overcame your inability to please God?

What are you waiting for God to show you before you step out in faith? What did God show Abram? Noah? Rahab?

How has your faith in God caused you to live differently than the world around you?

With Endurance (Hebrews 12)

1)Faith Understands an Author (Hebrews 12:1-2)

2)Faith Provides a Purposeful Context For Suffering (Hebrews 12:3-11)

Consider Jesus (11:3)

Believers' Are Disciplined

The Harvest of Discipline

3)The Hope of the New Covenant (Hebrews 12:18-24)

The Tangible Untouchable (Hebrews 12:18-21)

The Touchable Intangible (Hebrews 12:22-24)

4)The Shakeable and the Unshakeable (Hebrews 12:25-29)

5)Principle

God's discipline deepens faith and dependence on Him.

6)Applications

In what way can “looking to Jesus” help you in your current struggle?

How have you gotten off course in the race, and what do you need to do in order to get back on course?

Are you sure you are in the race? If not, who do you need to talk with tonight in order to be sure?

On Course (Hebrews 13)

1)Give Generously (Hebrews 13:1-6)

Brotherly Love

Hospitality

The Persecuted and the Prisoner

Marital Fidelity

Financial Accountability/Contentment

2)Live Sacrificially (Hebrews 13:7-16)

Imitate the Faithful's Faith

Be Faithful to God's Word

Suffer For the Sake of Christ

3)Prayerfully and Submissively (Hebrews 13:17-19)

4)Benediction (A Blessing) (Hebrews 13:20-21)

5)Final Greetings (Hebrews 13:22-25)

6)Principle

True faith is revealed by the way one lives.

7)Applications

How would you rate your living? Does the way you live live up to the faith you claim to have?

How would you rate your sacrifices? Are you making good use of the opportunities you have to praise God?

How would you rate your purity? What things are you allowing into your life that are toxic to a life of faith?

Conclusion

Introduction

I am not a big runner, but I do recognize the benefits of running. I have run enough to know that you need to set a pace that you are comfortable with in order to finish the race. And that there are times in a race where you feel like you need to pick things up to a faster pace, but you still need to be careful to conserve enough energy to make that final push at the end – so you are able to cross the finish line.

Some of you have run marathons. I never have and don't plan to. In your first race, perhaps just reaching the end mark, the finish line, was the goal. By the time you reach the wall, you were not as interested in your placement in the race as you were in actually completing the race.

You an I are in a race. A race that will end at the end of our lives. We are not competing against anyone, but we are on a unique course laid out for us. And we have been given everything we need to cross the finish line. What we need to finish is faith, endurance, and to stay on course to the end.

By Faith (Hebrews 11)

1)A Definition (Hebrews 11:1-3)

What Faith Is Not

• Blind – you've heard people say, “Just believe”

• A Force – you've heard people say, “If you have enough faith you won't be poor, sick, fill-in-the-blank”

• An Object – Just have faith. Faith in faith. It doesn't matter what you believe as long as you have faith.

• A Crutch – it is for the weak minded

• The Opposite of Fact – Faith (subjective) vs Science (objective)

What Faith Is

Assurance of hope based upon the character of God.

Reasonable faith is always placed in a worthy object of faith. The object of true faith is God himself.

There is a component of faith that deals with the unseen. Being convinced of what you don't yet see – faith does not require sight.

If you have to see it to believe it then it is not Biblical faith. There may even be times when it seems unreasonable to believe God's promise because everything you see and experience seems to indicate otherwise.

But we live in a fallen world and we are fallen and our senses are notoriously flawed in their ability to guide us through life.

Faith is not static in the sense that one remains unmoved by it.

Faith is static in the sense that it endures the tests of time.

The Unseen Component of Faith

• 11:7 – yet unknown

• 11:3 – not made out of visible stuff

• 11:13 – not having received the things promised

• 11:20 – future blessing

• 11:22 – old promise (to Abraham)/future blessing

• 11:39 – did not receive what was promised

So we see that there is an element of unfulfilled expectation involved in faith.

That's why the song writer says,

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight

The clouds be rolled back like a scroll,

The trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend,

“Even so”, it is well with my soul¹

General Revelation (11:3)

Hebrews 11:3 – 3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.

Apart from any special revelation from God, there is a basis for faith – the fact that things exist.

Origins are undeniable and they are quite frustrating to an honest materialist.

But we can't recreate the events that caused the creation, we can only believe that God's account of what is is in fact the way things happened. He spoke and from nothing came every created thing.

There are many who have come to accept the existence of a Creator by being honest with the evidence of origins.

But there are far more that choose faith in lesser things rather than deal with the implications of God being the originator of life.

2)A Demonstration (Hebrews 11:4-38)

As you looked through this collection of heroes of the faith, they may have brought to mind their many frailties. Many of these people who are mentioned here had real issues. In fact, all of them did.

But the fact that they are mentioned here is not due to their ability to live a perfect life, but due to their response to God.

None of those mentioned were faithful to God all the time. But all of them had their faith tested and it endured and was made stronger through the course of time.

None of these people mentioned were extraordinary in and of themselves. But each of them responded to a call of God in some way or other.

Some had more light than others. Some were building upon the promises of God from the past. Others were outside what we would consider the people of God and yet they acknowledged the revelation of God and trusted Him.

And each of them received a commendation from God.

A Commendation

11: 2 For by it the people of old received their commendation.

Not only is their inclusion in this faith hall of fame a commendation, but here are some other commendations:

1. Verse 4 points out the fact that Abel's faith led him to offer right sacrifices to God that God accepted. He was also declared righteous by God.

2. Verses 5-6 go on to point out Enoch who pleased God due to his faith in God. And that there is no other way to please God than by faith.

This nullifies the notion that my works can appease or please God. Faith alone is the basis upon which God is pleased. And the only works that He accepts are those that stem from faith.

3. Verse 16 points out the fact that God is not ashamed to be called their God. To claim God as your God but not have faith in Him is a sham and a shame to Him. But He is not ashamed of those who come to Him by faith.

Faith Tested

All of the individuals mentioned in chapter 11 had their faith tested by God. Some we see had it tested over and over, such as Abraham.

God was faithful in testing their faith and affirming His promise. He provided the testing to help strengthen the small faith and grow it into an enduring faith.

Abraham:

1. leave a wealthy home environment and travel through the desert

2. choose to trust God to provide rather than choose Sodom (i.e., give Lot the choice land)

3. believe he would have a son, even when very old

4. believe that he would have descendants, even when God asks him to sacrifice his heir

5. believe that his offspring would be the fulfillment of God's promise to Adam and Eve

3)Key Verses

Perseverance

11:39 And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised,

This is a tough verse in the 21^st century, instant gratification, US culture. We want to see progress toward a goal. But our idea of progress and the goal necessarily must conform to God's definition of progress toward a goal which we will look at in the next chapter.

But none of these people saw the end results in this life. And none of us will see the end results in this life either – even if Christ returns before we die.

We are strangers and aliens in this world if we truly belong to God. And as such, we need to make sure that we are not getting caught up on the local culture and putting down roots in the foreign soil.

Jesus said to Pilate, “My kingdom is not of this world, if it were, my subjects would stand up and fight for me.”

We are of another kingdom and our fight must be for that King. Our allegiance must not be divided.

Pleased to Be Our God

Another verse, which we already talked about briefly, is this:

11:16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.

If you are a man of faith in God, then He is not ashamed to be called your God. He is not ashamed of you.

Even when you and I sin, He is not ashamed of us, but He does expect us to acknowledge our sin, confess it to Him, and He (because of His Son) is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and cleanse us of all unrighteousness.

He will restore His own to a righteous standing before Him.

Pleasing God

11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Do you want to please God? Stop working and start trusting and obeying and living out a life of faith wherever that may lead.

Jesus said, “If you love me, do what I say”. But the first command one must keep is to “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved”. Faith in Him alone will put you in a state where you can now begin a life that is pleasing to God.

I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me will bear much fruit. Apart from me, you can do nothing.

There are very many people in our world who are very busy doing absolutely nothing.

4)Principle

You can't please God apart from faith.

5)Applications

What is the object of your faith? Is it your ability to please God? Or is it the One whose death overcame your inability to please God?

What are you waiting for God to show you before you step out in faith? What did God show Abram? Noah? Rahab?

How has your faith in God caused you to live differently than the world around you?

With Endurance (Hebrews 12)

When I was in the army, I used to run a lot. Especially when I was stationed at Fort Bragg. We would get up early and start PT at around 5:00-5:15 AM. And then after some exercises, we would take off into the woods on sandy trails for a run in the early morning light. The white sand would provide a little glimpse of a trail and you could tell the trail from the trees on either side. But it was especially helpful to follow behind the person in front of you.

We are running a cross-country race, not against each other, but against our flesh. We are to run the race set before us, just as those who have gone before us.

Their lives are to spur us on. They had a small part of the larger picture of truth that you and I have in our day. All that will be revealed has been revealed to us. And with such an encouraging picture of their lives and persistent faith, we are called to get out onto the trail.

1)Faith Understands an Author (Hebrews 12:1-2)

We not only have the OT saints as witnesses of God's faithfulness and fulfilled promises, we have the author of faith himself to look at.

The OT saints looked forward to God's promise, not really understanding how God was going to work things out. Not realizing exactly how God would fulfill what He promised. But they didn't waiver in trusting that God would bring about what He promised.

The Hebrew readers of this text were well aware of the Hope of Israel that past generations had yearned for. And along with these early Christians, you and I have full revelation of the culmination of all those hopes being realized in the person of Jesus Christ.

All the promises of God and the hope of those promises – the very faith of the OT saints – was authored by Jesus himself. Apart from him, none of what God had promised would have been promised.

Jesus is author of faith in that all those who hope in the promises of God find those promises realized in the person of Jesus Christ.

And not only is he the author of our faith, but He is the one that perfects our faith. Perfection that comes many times in the form of difficult life situations.

So He is author, perfecter, but also prototype of a life of faith. He modeled perfectly what the life of faith should look like:

• looking to the future hope

• faithful endurance in the face of suffering (the cross, shame, etc.)

• present with the Father

2)Faith Provides a Purposeful Context For Suffering (Hebrews 12:3-11)

There's a perfecting work that takes place through suffering in faith. As the author puts it, Jesus is the perfecter of our faith.

In other words, He is faithful to refine my faith in him through life's challenges.

Consider Jesus (11:3)

First off, when you feel that the burden you are faced with is too heavy to bear, go back to your source. Jesus completely understands what suffering is like. No human being is able to understand and identify with your suffering like Jesus.

His suffering went like this:

• God the Son, perfect, eternal, holy, and separated from sin

• Became a man, weak, submitting himself to a life of service to the Father and to serve sinful man

• Was treated as a sinner by sinners even though He was above reproach

• He bore God's wrath for man's sin, becoming, as it were, sin for us (him who knew no sin)

• The physical torture, the emotional agony, the spiritual disparity between who He is and who He identified with

Consider these things when you become overwhelmed in suffering. When you don't know how to deal with your grief and pain. When it seems that no human understands what you are going through.

Believers' Are Disciplined

God knows best what His children need. We don't get to choose what trial is around the bend. But God, like a surgeon, knows what we need.

And so He is the one who is perfecting our faith by sending trials our way.

James tells us to “count it all joy when you meet trials of various kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

We are not made perfect through suffering in the sense that we no longer sin. But there is something about suffering that does this:

• removes our own self-dependence

• causes us to turn more toward God in prayer

• humbles us to depend on others God puts in our path (other believers)

• affords us the opportunity to praise and worship God by exuding confidence, not in myself, but in God

• validation of ownership and reassurance of my sonship

• one more datapoint on God's graph of faithfulness

The Harvest of Discipline

Hebrews 12:10-11 – 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.
11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

A righteous life is what God is interested in. And by allowing discipline to do its job of training, we gain a life that is increasingly more reflective of our Savior.

The more God prunes us, removing our own self-reliance, the more we surrender to Him in obedience and the more we see our perspective on life really change from one of earthly focus, to one in which we realize our true country is with Christ in His coming kingdom.

3)The Hope of the New Covenant (Hebrews 12:18-24)

Briefly, we will look at this contrast the writer makes between the old and new covenants. He has done this type of contrast throughout the book of Hebrews. But now he points out the nature of the two covenants in terms of what they offer.

On the one hand, the old covenant offered many tangible things. But the new covenant offers the unshakeable intangibles of the spiritual realities.

The Tangible Untouchable (Hebrews 12:18-21)

Sight, sound, smell. All the senses were involved when the Israelites were at the foot of mount Sinai. But it was also an emotion of terror to hear, feel, and experience what they experienced.

The Touchable Intangible (Hebrews 12:22-24)

Mount Zion, on the other hand, is the city of the living God. The heavenly Jerusalem. The one that the Apostle John depicts as coming down out of heaven. Where God will dwell with His people eternally.

There is nothing that you and I can touch. We don't hear God's audible voice. We don't see the smoke of burning mountains. Nor do we have the sun's light eclipsed by the Shekinah glory of God.

But we have, as verses 22-24 tell us:

22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering,
23 and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,
24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

What we have is as real (and even more so due to its completeness) than what Israel experienced at the foot of Sinai.

4)The Shakeable and the Unshakeable (Hebrews 12:25-29)

The earth shook then. One day, all the tangible things that we know and love will be shaken. When Christ returns, and he will return, the elements will be burned up. There will be a new creation.

The proclivity to sin will vanish. And we will be resurrected, alive or dead.

Those whose faith is in God need not worry about this disaster for it will not touch anything that we hold dear. In fact, our homeland will be unscathed since we are just pilgrims in a strange land.

5)Principle

God's discipline deepens faith and dependence on Him.

6)Applications

In what way can “looking to Jesus” help you in your current struggle?

How have you gotten off course in the race, and what do you need to do in order to get back on course?

Are you sure you are in the race? If not, who do you need to talk with tonight in order to be sure?

On Course (Hebrews 13)

Whenever you enter into some sort of organized event, be it sports or other types of games, there are rules that need to be followed. There are expectations of anyone who enters into the race that they will adhere to certain imperatives in order to compete.

There are also some hazards, especially if running cross-country, that you want to avoid in order to be able to stay on course and not be disqualified or injured or otherwise impeded in your progress.

A life of faith cannot appease God but it certainly pleases God.

1)Give Generously (Hebrews 13:1-6)

There is something about giving that gets your focus off yourself. When you begin to think of the needs of others, and start to meet those needs, suddenly there is a contentment in whatever your own situation is.

When you love someone and give of yourself to that person, there is naturally a greater sense of love generated as a result.

When you start opening yourself up to hospitality and sharing the abundance God has provided, you gain a deeper bond with those you share with. Those we break bread with often become the closest friends.

When you start to think of those who are down and out in society and begin thinking of them as God does – eternal souls – there is a new outlook on their importance. And that importance in not related to their perceived contributions to society either.

Brotherly Love

We are to give our love generously to our brothers. This is such an important aspect that it is seen throughout the New Testament:

Romans 12:10; 1 Thes. 4:9; 1 Peter 1:22; 2:17; 3:8; 2 Peter 1:7; 1 John 3:10; 4:7; 4:20; 4:21

In many of these passages, the apostle tells us that this is one of the indications of the genuine nature of our faith.

Hospitality

The Persecuted and the Prisoner

Some may be in prison due to persecution. Don't forget them. Pray for them. Back in that day, people outside needed to provide for them.

But also, there are those who are justly serving a prison sentence, even in our day. They are often outcasts from society and have very little connection to the outside world. God would have us go to them. Bring the gospel to those behind bars. For who's to say that they are not placed there by God for the purpose of being stopped in their tracks and put in a place where they will listen.

Marital Fidelity

Financial Accountability/Contentment

2)Live Sacrificially (Hebrews 13:7-16)

A believer's life should be characterized by a faith that is move to submission toward God.

Imitate the Faithful's Faith

Be Faithful to God's Word

Jesus does not change. He remains the same.

In verse 7 the writer tells of those leaders who spoke the word of God.

They didn't have access to God's word as we do. So they were to remember what they heard, remember that Jesus does not change over time, and that God's word remains true over time.

If someone tries to teach you something that counters or doesn't square with Scripture, don't listen.

Test all that you hear and make sure that it is true to God's word. And also, make sure that the teacher is not taking God's word and making it say something that it doesn't say.

This is very popular in our day. Reading the Bible as if it were a collection of random thoughts that can be pulled out of context and made to say whatever you want it to say in order to justify your belief.

But all of Scripture is written for a purpose and the reader must be looking for what Scripture is saying, i.e., what God is saying through His word.

Suffer For the Sake of Christ

We are not called to bring suffering upon ourselves. But we are not called to shelter ourselves from the possibility of suffering.

I, sadly, am more prone to avoid the possibility of suffering for the sake of the gospel. I need to have more boldness. I need to ask for more opportunities to speak the truth in love to my lost colleagues.

We are to go outside the camp in relation to our lives. Jesus bore reproach. If we belong to him, how can we expect to be treated any differently? We can't

Remember the beginning of Acts when Peter and John were beaten and they were filled with joy because they were counted worthy to suffer for the sake of Christ.

Our lives must be an offering of continual praise to God. Whether it be through enduring suffering and living before a watching world. Or by acknowledging every good thing that God gives you is actually from Him. That may be good in the sense that it is ultimately good, not that you would consider it something you would have chosen.

15 Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.
16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

3)Prayerfully and Submissively (Hebrews 13:17-19)

4)Benediction (A Blessing) (Hebrews 13:20-21)

20 Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant,
21 equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

5)Final Greetings (Hebrews 13:22-25)

6)Principle

True faith is revealed by the way one lives.

7)Applications

How would you rate your living? Does the way you live live up to the faith you claim to have?

How would you rate your sacrifices? Are you making good use of the opportunities you have to praise God?

How would you rate your purity? What things are you allowing into your life that are toxic to a life of faith?

Conclusion

The finish line is just ahead. Don't give up. Stay on course. Keep your pace. Keep your eyes on the One who has gone before us.

1Horatio G. Spafford, “It Is Well, With My Soul”

Beyond the Shadows (Hebrews 7-10)

Table of Contents

Introduction

A Superior Priesthood (Hebrews 7)

1)Introduction

2)Royal Priesthood (Hebrews 7:13-14)

3)Permanent Priesthood (Hebrews 7:15-17, 23-24)

4)Perfect Priesthood/Perfect Salvation (Hebrews 7:25)

5)Pure Priesthood (Hebrews 7:26-27)

6)The Perfect Son of God (Hebrews 10:28)

7)A Recurring Theme (Hebrews 10:18-19)

8)Principle

Believers have complete representation before God.

9)Applications

How complete is your salvation?

What hope are you experiencing because of Christ's priesthood?

A Better Covenant (Hebrews 8-9)

1)Copies and Shadows

2)Provisional

3)Problems With Old Covenant (Sinai Covenant; Law of Moses)

The People (Hebrews 8:9)

Could Not Clear Conscience (Hebrews 9:8,9)

External Regulations Only (Hebrews 9:10)

Limited Access to Holy Place (Hebrews 9:12)

4)New Covenant Features

5)Key Verses

6)Principle

The types and shadows of the old covenants are fulfilled completely in Jesus Christ.

7)Applications

What promises of the new covenant are you depending on?

What parts of the old covenants are you trying to live under?

How is your conscience?

A Final Sacrifice (Hebrews 10)

1)Shadow of the Good Things

2)The Obsolescence of the Old Covenant

3)It Is Finished

4)Our Response

Draw Near

Hold Fast

Stir Each Other Up

Meet Together

Encourage Each Other

5)Warning and Call to Persevere

6)Principle

There is no sacrifice left for sin.

Conclusion

Introduction

Have you ever looked at the blueprints to a house and wondered what some of the symbols mean? There are markings all over that, to a layman, might seem odd and hard to figure out. But once the house is complete and you look back at the blueprints, some of the meanings become apparent. “I see, that is a light socket. That is a vent. This is a window.”

It would also be ludicrous to see a finished home and own it and then only fixate on the blueprints. To live elsewhere and only dream about the reality by looking at the shadow, the blueprints. Or to have a scale model of the blueprints and live in them rather than the house.

The old covenants were a kind of blueprint. What the author of Hebrews calls a shadow containing copies or representations. But once the building (the new covenant in Christ) has come, the shadows no longer serve their purpose. They are clarified by the finished product, but they offer nothing of eternal value to those who observe them.

A Superior Priesthood (Hebrews 7)

1)Introduction

Theme: Perfection not obtainable through Levitcal priesthood (vs 11)

Key: Christ able to save completely (to the uttermost) (vs 25)

Maybe a bit about Melchizedek.

Malek – king; Zedek – righteousness

Salem (Shalom) is the ancient name of Jerusalem (Jeru Shalom)

2)Royal Priesthood (Hebrews 7:13-14)

The line of Judah is the kingly line of Israel. Jesus descent was from that line.

He fulfills God's covenant with David (2 Samuel 7:12-16).

3)Permanent Priesthood (Hebrews 7:15-17, 23-24)

His priesthood is not based upon a regulation, like Aaron's was.

His priesthood is based upon an indestructible life. In other words, he qualified as priest due to the character of his life.

[might insert the fact that Jesus fulfilled all of the Old Testament covenants that God had made with His people]

As long as he is living, his priesthood will remain.

4)Perfect Priesthood/Perfect Salvation (Hebrews 7:25)

We have an intercessor that will always be there. He always lives.

Those who draw near to God through him are saved completely.

5)Pure Priesthood (Hebrews 7:26-27)

Holy

Innocent

Unstained

Separated from sinners

Exalted

No sacrifices for his own sin

Even though he can sympathize with sinners and understands the suffering that goes with temptation, he is not defiled by sin. There is nothing of sin in him or associated with him or his priestly duties. He is above reproach.

6)The Perfect Son of God (Hebrews 7:28)

You cannot get any higher than that. This is God the Son, our high priest.

7)A Recurring Theme (Hebrews 7:18-19)

Finally, let's look at a recurring theme that we see through the remainder of these 4 chapters: setting aside of the old in favor of the new (that which is fulfilled in Christ).

18 On the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness
19 (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.

After contrasting the Aaronic priesthood with that of Christ and the superiority of the priestly order under the new covenant as opposed to the old, he speaks very bluntly about it. We will look at the weaknesses of the old and contrast the two in the next section.

But I just wanted to point out that everything that comes with Christ's priesthood produces a hope and an ability to do the unthinkable: to draw near to God.

8)Principle

Believers have complete representation before God.

9)Applications

How complete is your salvation?

What hope are you experiencing because of Christ's priesthood?

A Better Covenant (Hebrews 8-9)

A covenant: A mutual agreement of two or more persons or parties, or one of the stipulations in such an agreement.

In ancient days, covenants were a way for two parties to make an agreement. It was a contractual obligation, sometimes conditioned on whether the other party followed through with their part of the agreement or not.

It was a solemn agreement, often sealed with blood (Abraham, see Genesis 15).

1)Copies and Shadows

Hebrews 8:1,2 – 1 Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven,
2 a minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up, not man.

Hebrews 8:5 – 5 They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, “See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain.”

Hebrews 9:24 – 24 For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf.

The copies were never meant to be an end in and of themselves. They were meant to serve their purpose for a time and to point to something infinitely more significant than themselves.

2)Provisional

Of the nature of a provision; serving as a provision for the time being; -- used of partial or temporary arrangements;

In speaking of the earthly tabernacle of the Old Covenant, the writer of Hebrews says, in Hebrews 9:10:

10 but deal only with food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until the time of reformation.

3)Problems With Old Covenant (Sinai Covenant; Law of Moses)

Hebrews 8:7 – 7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second.

The People (Hebrews 8:9)

The people had a problem, a sin nature, that naturally rebels against the law.

Although some of the hearers of Jeremiah's prophecy were believers, many were the cause of the coming exile to Babylon. God was taking an opportunity to point out that man's rebellion had broken covenant with God.

This conditional covenant demanded man's obedience to its regulations in order for God to bless the people. And they were about to be exiled due to their unfaithfulness, not God's

Could Not Clear Conscience (Hebrews 9:8,9)

Every time someone brought a sacrifice to the temple or tabernacle as a sin offering or guilt offering, there was still that nagging understanding that I have sinned. There was not relief of conscience.

There was a continual reminder, day in, day out, of sin.

External Regulations Only (Hebrews 9:10)

The law required certain observances, practices, rituals. These were not an option. But they were merely external in nature even though they pointed to a spiritual reality.

Limited Access to Holy Place (Hebrews 9:12)

Have you ever downloaded a free application that has many of the features locked out. You get to see the benefits of the application but the best features require a key to unlock them.

The Old Covenant offered no key to God's presence, only a longing for His presence.

4)New Covenant Features

Old Covenant	New Covenant
Priest ministered in the holy place once per year, every year (endless)	Jesus seated at the right hand of the throne in heaven
Served in the holy place that is a copy	In the true tent, not made by men
External laws	Laws on hearts and minds (Jeremiah 31)
People rebelled against God	He is our God
Commanded to 'know the Lord'	Know (relationship with) God (personal)
Reminder of sins over and over	Remember their sins no more
Obsolete (fulfilled completely by Christ)	Extant (Made available through Christ)
A shadow	The real thing
Blood of animals for external purification	Blood of Christ for forgiveness of sins
Conscience not cleared	A Clear conscience

5)Key Verses

Hebrews 8:6 – 6 But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.

Hebrews 9:22 – 22 Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.

Sin has always required the shedding of blood for forgiveness. It has been that way since sin entered into the world and it will be that way until there is no more sin.

Hebrews 9:27-28 – 27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,
28 so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

Jesus has already dealt with sin. There is nothing more that he can or will do in that regard.

The only thing that stands before each one of us and either judgment or salvation from sin is death or the return of Christ.

Death or his return, either way, the consequences are the same. Christ will not offer another opportunity on the other side of this life.

6)Principle

The types and shadows of the old covenants are fulfilled completely in Jesus Christ.

7)Applications

The new covenant is base upon better promises:

Hebrews 8:6 But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.

What promises of the new covenant are you depending on?

What parts of the old covenants are you trying to live under?

Do you realize that if you are under the old covenants, you are obligated to keep them perfectly? That's a tall order. Only One has ever done (or ever could do) that

How is your conscience?

A Final Sacrifice (Hebrews 10)

Every offering, prior to Christ, once it was offered, its usefulness was done. It was consumed by fire or its blood was poured out. But it could not be reused – its death marked the end of its usefulness.

But Christ, He is alive! The effectiveness of his offering is continual, ongoing, it has no end. He is a living sacrifice.

The old way into God's presence was marked by a continual flow of blood due to the insufficiency of the sacrifices.

But Christ's offering provided, not a dead way into God's presence, but a new and living way. (Hebrews 10:20)

1)Shadow of the Good Things

Once again, the writer brings up the theme of a shadow – merely a reflection of something much greater than itself.

The law meaning the Old Covenant:

• can never make perfect

• requires yearly sacrifices

• cannot remove sin (see Hebrews 10:4)

• cannot clear the conscience

• is a yearly reminder of sin

2)The Obsolescence of the Old Covenant

Verses 5-9 deal with the provisional nature of the Old Covenant sacrificial system.

Strong and seemingly contradictory language is used in Psalm 40:6-8 (quoted in 10:5-7) in that the speaker is talking to God about the sacrificial system:

• God does not desire sacrifices and offerings

• God takes no pleasure in burnt offerings and sin offerings

God had mandated these offerings and sacrifices, but they were not the end that He intended.

He intended to remove his people's sin permanently, but these sacrifices didn't provide that.

What did they provide:

• withholding of judgment

• they upheld the justice of God (He didn't just sweep sin under the rug so to speak)

• a foreshadowing of a coming sacrifice

• it showed the graciousness of God for His people in withholding what our sin deserves

God's desire is justice and righteousness. Both of these are brought about to completion in the final sacrifice.

10:9 points out that the one coming to do God's will was in fact the old covenant is done away with with the arrival of the new covenant. Note: first and second

See Also: Hebrews 8:13

As we will see, this second (or new) covenant leaves no room for improvement. It provides all that God intends it to offer for His people. It is complete!

3)It Is Finished

Hebrews 10:12-14,10,18 –

12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God,
13 waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet.
14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.

10 And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

18 Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.

In reading this text, it is impossible to come away from it thinking there is any work yet to be done.

For all time – past, present, and future sin

Single Sacrifice – no repeats

Sat down – a priest under the old covenant never finished his work

Once for all – all people groups, all ages, all backgrounds, all God's people

No longer any offering – there is nothing left to be covered by his sacrifice

4)Our Response

It's always good to look at the reasons behind why you do things. If you are anything like me, you begin to build patterns in your life and there can be a failure to remember the significance of the why and only remember the what.

Thus, we have spent a great amount of time in these chapters dealing with what Christ has done and how that work is finished on our behalf.

So how should we respond to such a superior priesthood, better covenant, and final sacrifice?

Draw Near

Something that was not possible in the past but is now at our disposal through the curtain, Christ's body.

• With a true (sincere) heart – this is an honest heart; honest about sin; honest and sincere about seeking forgiveness

• Full assurance of faith – faith that Christ has opened the way into God's presence; assured of our acceptance because of him

• Hearts sprinkled clean from an evil (guilty) conscience – using the sprinkling with blood metaphor; clean hearts; clear conscience (something not afforded us under the old covenant)

• Bodies washed with pure water – this may be pointing to the visible symbol of baptism; or it could mean the self-discipline (see Romans 12:1)

So we are to draw near to God's presence and do it often.

Hold Fast

Verse 23 tells us to hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.

Whenever it comes to things of God, we are to hold on to them firmly. Our hope is in a faithful God who is always true to his promises.

Our hope must be in Him.

Everything else in life must be held loosely, but we are to hold fast the things of God.

To what are you holding fast? What evidences in your life would back this up?

Stir Each Other Up

Some people like to stir things up in order to start an argument. But here the writer is telling us to stir each other up to love and good works.

If you have a fire in the fireplace, sometimes you need to go poke and stir the coals in order to get things burning hot again.

The same type of things are necessary with believers. We tend toward dying down over time and need to keep pushing and stirring each other up.

Who do you need to stir up? How do you need to be stirred up?

Meet Together

How can you stir one another up unless you are joined together in as a group of believers in a church. You can't do that much. And the writer here points out that you and I need to be meeting together regularly.

And I am not just talking about meeting together on Monday nights in this study. We all need to be accountable to a church body where we can be challenged to live out our Christian lives with others.

A television or radio preacher or men's Bible study is no substitute for a local church. There is no accountability in any of these.

Are you part of a healthy church? If not, why not?

Encourage Each Other

It is so easy to find fault and point that out, isn't it. But how much better is it to see something that someone is doing well for the glory of God, and give them some encouragement.

And this should be an ongoing thing, more and more as you see the day approaching. There should be a crescendo in our encouragement.

NOTE: I am not talking about flattery or insincere accolades.

Who do you know that could use your encouragement? Maybe your child, your wife, your pastor or priest...

5)Warning and Call to Persevere

We have seen warnings for the past 3 weeks in this book. Always a call back to the gospel to remember from whence our salvation comes. A sober reminder to remain on course.

And then, as is the writer's custom, a call to persevere. To push on. To stay on course. To run with endurance the race.

Those who shrink from Christ and His work are destroyed, but those whose faith is in him, their souls are preserved (Hebrews 10:39).

Everyone dies under a covenant and is judged based upon that covenant. If under the old, then the provisions of the old must be met perfectly (impossible!). If under the new, the provisions of the old have been met vicariously in Christ.

Which covenant are you under?

6)Principle

There is no sacrifice left for sin.

Conclusion

Blueprints are nice if you're planning a house. But you wouldn't want to live in one. They're not designed for that. They're designed to lead to a house – to point to a house.

The new covenant in Christ's blood, fulfills all the requirements of all the covenants that preceded it (all the blueprints for redemption). Are you in the new house? Or are you still under the blueprints?

Go On To Maturity (Hebrews 4:14-6:20)

Table of Contents

Introduction

A Great High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-5:10)

1)We Need a High Priest

Consider the mindset of the first century Hebrew Christians.

But once Jesus died, God no longer accepted temple sacrifices. They would be detestable to Him.

Jesus is not just a high priest, He is a great high priest.

2)Confident Access (Hebrews 4:16)

3)Gentle and Sympathetic

4)Principle

Everyone needs a priest but only one priest offers everything you need.

5)Applications

How often are you taking advantage of your access to God's throne of grace?

What are you failing to bring to Jesus in prayer because you think he won't understand?

A Growing Maturity (Hebrews 5:11-6:12)

1)Immaturity

2)Spiritual Discernment

3)Elementary Doctrines

4)Can We Skip This Part? No! (Hebrews 6:4-8)

Cannot Repent

A True Believer

A Hypothetical

A Professing Unbeliever

5)This Is Not The Case (Hebrews 6:9-12)

6)Principle

Spiritual maturity is the result of doctrinal knowledge and faithful obedience.

7)Applications

How would your rate your doctrinal understanding? What can you do to gain a deeper understanding?

How would you rate your fruitfulness? What can you do to bear more fruit?

Who do you know that might be in danger of turning away from the faith? What can you do to bring him to the Savior?

An Anchor of Hope (Hebrews 6:13-20)

1)God's Promise

2)Fled For Refuge

3)Our Forerunner

4)Our Soul Anchor

5)Summary

6)Principle

God's word and His character are a sufficient basis for our future hope.

7)Applications

What affect are God's promises having on the way you live your life?

To what or to whom do you have your soul anchored? What ultimate hope does this offer you?

Conclusion

Introduction

Head diameter, weight, height

Weight, height, BMI, percentiles

Developmental: dexterity, hand-eye coordination, speech, crawling, walking, eating, playing, etc.

BMI – Biblical Maturity Index

“Darby, use your fork”

Note: if the aforementioned don't make sense, that's due to the fact that they were merely reminders for the intro to my lecture :)

A Great High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-5:10)

Most of the people of the first century A.D. thought it was great to have a high priest. At least those serious about their position before God and their need of forgiveness.

After reading Hebrews 4:12-13, the desire for an intermediary would be especially high. Someone who would represent them before a holy, righteous, and all-seeing God.

1)We Need a High Priest

Consider the mindset of the first century Hebrew Christians.

• They had been used to a tangible high priest as their intermediary before God.

• There was, most likely, a great temptation to desire that as part of their religious practice

But once Jesus died, God no longer accepted temple sacrifices. They would be detestable to Him.

• They would be making the statement that God's priest and His offering were not sufficient

• They would be saying that there is yet a coming redeemer when in fact he had already come

Jesus is not just a high priest, He is a great high priest.

• That designation had not been used of any of the Old Testament high priests.

• Some had been unfaithful.

• But even faithful ones were mere men carrying out an obligation of God on behalf of themselves and the people.

• In the OT the high priest was designated holy unto the Lord not due to their own holiness, but only because of the provision of the Levitical law and God's grace in atoning for their sins. Jesus was designated holy unto the Lord by his incorruptible life.

• The great high priest has not just entered the holy of holies, he as passed into the heavens. This is his permanent position, with the Father. It's not once a year, it's access all year, every year.

2)Confident Access (Hebrews 4:16)

16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

How can we have confidence in approaching God?

Has God become more tolerant of sinners and of sin in general?

Not at all! He has not become soft on sin. He is still a consuming fire. His wrath is still over the enemies of God.

He is still to be treated with reverence and awe. Nothing has changed in relation to God and His character. The thing that has changed is the superiority of the believers' priesthood.

The superiority of his person, his character, and his offering.

Verse 16 does not say that we come brashly, flippantly, or irreverently before the throne of grace.

We come boldly or confidently, not a confidence in my own goodness, but confident that my high priest has afforded me access through his service and his sacrifice.

3)Gentle and Sympathetic

There is something about having someone understand what you're going through. And there's something about enduring something that makes you more sensitive to those who are going through the same or similar difficulties.

When you lose a job, someone who has endured a job loss and then finally comes through it will understand much better than someone who retires after 40 years at the same company.

If you lose a loved one, someone else who has endured the same loss understands your pain much better than a person who has never experience, but only imagined the experience.

The Hebrews, as well as you and I, could have the idea that since Jesus never sinned, he can't possibility understand the difficulty we face in our Christian lives as we strive to overcome temptation.

Hebrews 4:15 – 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Hebrews 5:1-4 – 1 For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.
2 He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness.
3 Because of this he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins just as he does for those of the people.

At least the Levitical priesthood was of the same sin nature. They were not perfect.

And if you thought you were missing out on the sympathetic nature of a tangible priesthood – Jesus surpasses even that.

Hebrews 5:7-10 – 7 In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence.
8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.
9 And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him,
10 being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.

No priest, before Jesus, understood sin as Jesus did:

• Sin was the complete antithesis of who Jesus was as the Son of God. He was repulsed and offended by sin and yet he willfully put himself in a position of exposure to it.

• He underwent all types of temptation – in all points as we are – yet he did not sin.

• He endured temptation, yet persisted in resistance to sin – no other priest understood that type of character.

• Jesus motivation was selfless. His will was completely in submission to the Father and as such, he selflessly gave himself to an undeserving and rebellious people.

4)Principle

Everyone needs a priest but only one priest offers everything you need.

5)Applications

How often are you taking advantage of your access to God's throne of grace?

What are you failing to bring to Jesus in prayer because you think he won't understand?

A Growing Maturity (Hebrews 5:11-6:12)

There are some things you need not explain to a young child. Sometimes the best response to, “Daddy, where did I come from”, is the plain and simple, “New Jersey, son” (that is if your son is from New Jersey).

1)Immaturity

What causes spiritual immaturity or a lack of spiritual growth?

1. Being a new believer – this is natural

2. Being complacent – thinking Jesus statements about “childlike faith” meant to remain simplistic in understanding.

3. Becoming proud – or full of knowledge but too little practical use of what you've learned – stagnation.

4. Laziness – Always wanting and relying on teachers to tell you what it means without realizing it is your obligation to grow and learn to feed yourself on God's word.

Not teachers, but need to be taught.

Still stuck in the basic principles of the oracles.

Require milk rather than solids.

Remaining a child beyond your years.

2)Spiritual Discernment

Why is spiritual discernment so important?

• There are many who teach false doctrine and would lead the undiscerning away from the truth – the Hebrews were facing those who were trying to pull them back into Judaism

• Discernment is necessary in determining a course in life that is within the will of God.

• Discernment leads away from unnecessary temptation.

• We grow deeper in a walk of holiness before God.

3)Elementary Doctrines

There's a call here, in the first three verses, to leave the elementary doctrines of Christ. And he lists them out, or at least some of them. His purpose is to point the readers in the direction of maturity.

• Repentance and faith vs. dead works – the foundations of salvation

• Washings –

  • Baptisms – the Holy Spirit's vs. Johns

  • Could be Old Testament ceremonial cleansings

• The resurrection of the dead

• Eternal judgment

In verse 1 the writer says “let us leave...” and in verse 3 he says “if God permits.” In other words, the ability to move beyond the basics is not just a human effort. It takes work on the part of the human, but is must be in cooperation with the Holy Spirit enlightening the believer.

4)Can We Skip This Part? No! (Hebrews 6:4-8)

I was hoping to just jump to verse 9 from verse 3. But then verse 9 would not make too much sense apart from 4-8, so alas. We must try and work on this portion just a bit.

What does it mean to fall away (verse 6)? Herein lies the major difficulty in two of the three views I am going to put forth.

1. Does it mean that true believers can fall away from the faith and lose their salvation?

2. Does fall away refer to those who appear to be true believers but are only Christians by name – nominal Christians?

3. Or is the author putting forth a hypothetical situation that could not happen but is showing the logical implications were it possible to happen?

Cannot Repent

First, let's look at the implications of falling away.

Verse 4 tells us that it is impossible to restore again to repentance …

The Greek word, translated impossible, is always used in the New Testament to denote absolute impossibility.

In other words, this is not referring to a difficulty in returning to repentance, but an impossibility.

Other places where this term is used is in the Gospels where Jesus is teaching the disciples about a rich man entering the kingdom of God and comparing it to a camel going through the eye of a needle. Clearly the disciples saw this as an impossibility and in fact asked how any could be saved.

Basically, the logical conclusion would be, nobody can be saved apart from God bringing it about.

The same term is used in Acts 14:8 where the man was crippled and it was impossible for him to walk because of it.

One other place I wanted to point out was in Romans 8:3 where Paul is talking about what it was impossible for the law to do, namely bring salvation, God did by sending his son.

So the consequences of this turning away is an inability to repent and be saved.

So is he talking about a hypothetical situation, or is he talking about an enlightened unsaved, or is he talking about a believer that leaves the faith?

A True Believer

Too many other passages in the Scriptures deal with the idea of eternal security.

Even the concept, eternal life, does not mean sometime in the future but life that begins now and goes on into eternity.

If eternal life does not really mean eternal, what does eternal condemnation mean?

If Jesus is the one that secured the salvation of his own, how can his own unsecure that salvation? If I didn't earn it, how can I unearn it?

There are too many reasons to not choose this option.

A Hypothetical

The warnings surrounding this whole section seem to suggest that the writer is serious about the possibility.

It does not seem likely that he is putting forth some theoretical situation in order to explain the deeper truth.

A Professing Unbeliever

The most probably person is one who is a believer by association only.

One who has been enlightened. In other words, the Holy Spirit has revealed the truth of the gospel to him.

He has hung around believers and had at least an understanding in his head of the truth to the extent that he has been a recipient of some of the benefits of the church – the heavenly gifts.

He has even shared in the power of the Holy Spirit as He is poured out for the building up of the church. He may have even been healed or seen those he cares about healed or changed by the Holy Spirit or had others pray for him and see answers.

And he has tasted the goodness of God's word.

He has hung around enough, but never come to the place of submission to Christ in true repentance.

It's like the warning from chapter 3 where the writer tells the Hebrews that not everyone who came out of Egypt entered into God's rest.

It was not close association with God's people that counted. It was being one of God's people that mattered.

And so this stern warning is to any who might be hanging around in the church, but are just there for some other motive than to be completely committed to God in faith.

Those who have been given much light will be subject to greater judgment for what they did with that light.

To leave and turn away from Christ would be tantamount to trampling under foot his sacred sacrifice.

5)This Is Not The Case (Hebrews 6:9-12)

Quickly, the writer turns to the evidence that he sees in the audience.

They were filled with acts of love and service. Not at all that these were the reasons they were saved. On the contrary, they were saved so they would be able to do these things.

These were just evidence of the salvation that they had received.

His desire is that this same type of life continues on until the end.

11 And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end,
12 so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Over and over the apostle calls the readers to a persistent faith lived out in good fruit.

6)Principle

Spiritual maturity is the result of doctrinal knowledge and faithful obedience.

7)Applications

How would your rate your doctrinal understanding? What can you do to gain a deeper understanding?

How would you rate your fruitfulness? What can you do to bear more fruit?

Who do you know that might be in danger of turning away from the faith? What can you do to bring him to the Savior?

An Anchor of Hope (Hebrews 6:13-20)

We ended the last section talking about imitating those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. What better image of such a person than Abraham, at least in the minds of the Hebrew Christians.

1)God's Promise

How did Abraham live?

• He believed

• He waited – endured in faith

• He obtained the promise

The author is illustrating something about the nature of God and his word that was true in Abraham's day, and is just as true in their day and ours as well.

God lived up to His promise to Abraham.

• He gave a promise – His word is a guarantee based upon His own character – it is impossible for God to lie.

• But He also wanted to instill hope in His people so He gave an oath

  • This did not make the promise more valid than God's word, it just served to encourage and strengthen the hope of the heirs.

  • This encouragement to hope was not just for Abraham, but for all of God's children (those who seek refuge in Him)

2)Fled For Refuge

18b we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.

Refuge from what?

• The wrath to come

• He is our protection from what our moral imperfection deserves

• He is the source of our future Hope – both resurrection (bodily) and salvation from the presence of sin

A hope that begins and ends in Jesus our great high priest.

He is the promise God made to Abraham.

3)Our Forerunner

Verse 19 is an allusion to the priest entering the holy of holies

• This priest (Jesus) entered once forever

• He is a high priest forever

• He is a forerunner – messenger sent before to give notice of the approach of others

• He has made it possible for us to be in that approaching group

4)Our Soul Anchor

An anchor is only as good as its ability to hold onto something solid that will keep the ship steady.

The souls of believers are anchored in the solid rock of a salvation we have not earned. We do not deserve. But in love was given to us by a gracious heavenly Father.

The hope of our souls must be anchored in the hope that only Jesus can bring.

5)Summary

The Hebrews were not losing anything as Christians.

They gained a great high priest.

One who is not temporary or temporal.

One who is not weak but understands weakness.

One whose sacrifice is final.

One who opens the curtain into the presence of God.

Who affords His people confident access because of His acceptability in the eyes of the Father.

And One who is our hope and eternal salvation.

6)Principle

God's word and His character are a sufficient basis for our future hope.

7)Applications

What affect are God's promises having on the way you live your life?

To what or to whom do you have your soul anchored? What ultimate hope does this offer you?

The Man, Jesus (Hebrews 2:5-4:13)

Table of Contents

Introduction

Lower Than Angels (Hebrews 2:5-9)

1)Man's Place in Creation (2:5-9)

Man's Role

Sin's Toll

Jesus (The Second Adam)

2)Principle

Jesus achieved the glory and honor for humanity that Adam lost through sin.

3)Applications

How has sin taken a toll on your life?

How has sin effected your relationships with others?

How is sin effecting your relationship with God?

Identified With Man (Hebrews 2:9-18)

1)Jesus Tasted My Death (Hebrews 2:9)

2)The Author of My Salvation Made Perfect Through Suffering (Hebrews 2:10)

3)I Am In God's Family Tree (Hebrews 2:11-13)

4)Satan Is Destroyed (Hebrews 2:14)

5)I Am Released From Slavery to the Fear of Death (Hebrews 2:15)

6)I Am Abraham's Descendant (Hebrews 2:16)

7)I Have a Merciful and Faithful High Priest (Hebrews 2:17)

8)He Understands Temptation (Hebrews 2:18)

9)Summary

10)Principle

Jesus identified with man to purchase man's indemnity with God.

11)Applications

Which of the eight benefits of Jesus identity with man do you struggle with and why?

What temptations are you facing alone that need to be brought to the One who understands you situation completely?

What facts about Jesus are you believing but have yet to turn to him in repentance and faith? What are you waiting for?

Greater Than Moses (Hebrews 3:1-4:13)

1)Jesus Superior to Moses (Hebrews 3:1-6)

2)A Warning From Yesterday About Today (Hebrews 3:7-11)

3)Take Care Brothers (Hebrews 3:12-15)

4)Case In Point (Hebrews 3:16-19)

5)Hearing Without Faith (Hebrews 4:1-7)

6)The Three Rests (Hebrews 4:8-10)

7)Final Admonition (Hebrews 4:11-13)

Strive Against Same Disobedience (4:11)

God's Word Reveals What's Inside (4:12)

God Is the Judge (4:13)

8)Principle

A persevering faith is required to experience God's rest.

9)Applications

What warning from Israel's history is applicable to you tonight and what will you do about it?

What do you need to do in order to start the habit of exhorting your brothers?

Conclusion

Introduction

Mother earth.

Mother nature.

Guess you had to be at the lecture :)

Lower Than Angels (Hebrews 2:5-9)

1)Man's Place in Creation (2:5-9)

Hebrews 2:5-9 – 5 Now it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking.
6 It has been testified somewhere,

“What is man, that you are mindful of him,
or the son of man, that you care for him?

7 You made him for a little while lower than the angels;
you have crowned him with glory and honor,

8 putting everything in subjection under his feet.”

Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him.
9 But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

Man's Role

When God created man, Adam and Eve, He gave them work to do. There were specific directives from God to the final masterpiece of creation:

Genesis 1:26-28 – 26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

27 So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.

28 And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

So man's dominion was over all that God had created. And we were to care for creation. Tending the garden, so to speak.

But man was not faithful and there was a devastating result. Sin took a toll on the created order.

Sin's Toll

In Genesis 3:14-19, God pronounces a glimpse of the effect of sin upon creation.

There would be enmity, hostility, between man and the creatures. (Certainly this had spiritual meaning as well in regard to the coming seed of the woman and the serpent)

To increase and cover the earth now would be fraught with pain. It would become a more challenging venture than it otherwise might have been.

That rather than having dominion over the earth, there would be weeds, thorns, and thistles that would dominate and man would have to contend with them.

The items that I've pointed out here are merely a sampling of the toll of sin.

But as the writer of Hebrews says, “At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him.”

Man's dominion over God's creation is not realized in modern man, then or now.

So what do we say? Is the psalmist wrong? Are the things that he refers to inaccurate or distorted?

Not at all. The psalmist was declaring the way God designed it with the hope of God's work in restoring things to the way they were prior to the fall.

Jesus (The Second Adam)

The answer to the questions regarding the psalmist's view on reality is the reality of Jesus.

No, we can't see that we are in the role we were designed for. And that is no fault of God only our own.

But we do see that the reality of what the psalmist says is found in Jesus. That is, if we are willing to look closely enough (which the writer of Hebrews is going to help us with in the next section).

You know the last part of that Genesis passage I referred to earlier, after the fall, spoke about the ultimate destiny of all men because of sin. God told Adam and Eve that their bodies would return to the dust. They were going to die.

And that has been the case ever since. Some die young, some very old, but all will die.

The author of Hebrews points out that Jesus is crowned with honor and glory because he suffered death. How does that bring honor and glory?

These are the exact words that Jesus used when talking about his death to his disciples. When the son of man is glorified.

Jesus death brought glory to the Father and to the Son. Just do a search for glory and glorified in John and you will find a bunch of verse, most dealing with the death of Christ. His death paid what had gone unpaid since sin came into the world. Jesus fulfilled all that Adam lost. Jesus restored the broken relationship between God and His people. Many other reasons why glory is associated with Jesus death on the cross.

The glory of Christ is wrapped up in the last part of verse 9, he tasted death for everyone. In other words, God's original plan for humanity was made possible (after the fall) by the fact that Jesus tasted death. And we'll look at that in greater detail in the next section.

2)Principle

Jesus achieved the glory and honor for humanity that Adam lost through sin.

3)Applications

How has sin taken a toll on your life?

How has sin effected your relationships with others?

How is sin effecting your relationship with God?

Identified With Man (Hebrews 2:9-18)

1)Jesus Tasted My Death (Hebrews 2:9)

Death is a result of sin. It was the warning that preceded the fall. It was the declaration after the fall.

Romans 6:23a For the wages of sin is death

Atonement for sin has always resulted in something innocent dying for the guilty.

God made clothing out of animal skins.

God accepted Abel's offering from the flock.

The Levitical law.

But if man dies in sin, his own death does not satisfy the consequences of sin. The result is eternal separation from God and punishment for sin.

It's not a trivial matter.

None of the sacrificial system sufficed to cover all sin. A substitute was necessary, one that was like man in every way. But one who had no sin of his own. But their was no such man.

Not until God's Son took on flesh and blood and was born Jesus. And so the writer here points to the fact that Jesus tasted our death when he died. He was not dying for anything he had done, but only for everything we had done – not to mention all the saints of the Old Testament.

2)The Author of My Salvation Made Perfect Through Suffering (Hebrews 2:10)

10 For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering.

Jesus was already morally perfect. The author is not trying to indicate that Jesus had arrived at some level of perfection that was adequate of salvation.

Instead he is talking about the fact that the task before him, the salvation of his people, required suffering. And as such, he was perfected for the task because it required suffering.

3)I Am In God's Family Tree (Hebrews 2:11-13)

11 For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one origin. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers,

We are still speaking about Jesus here, the one who sanctifies, or sets apart as holy. He is not ashamed to call us brothers since his work of sanctification has made us children (sons) of God.

Here's what Paul says in Galatians, chapter 4:

4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law,
5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.
6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”
7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.

4)Satan Is Destroyed (Hebrews 2:14)

14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,

Jesus' death, destroyed the devil and his power over death.

He is the deceiver, the one who initially deceived our parents in the garden. And he is the one who blinds the eyes of those who are perishing.

He is the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that works in the children of disobedience. All those outside Jesus family lines are in fact under the rule of the devil.

But Jesus, the seed of the woman, has crushed the head of the serpent (the devil).

He has been cast down to the earth. He is bound for 1000 years. He is destined for the lake of fire.

And his power has been defeated by Jesus death.

5)I Am Released From Slavery to the Fear of Death (Hebrews 2:15)

15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.

What is one of the biggest things most people in our world fear? I would say death. We try to avoid getting older. We market all types of products designed to give us an appearance of youth.

The fear of death is bondage. Part of the reason is that we all know it is coming and those that fear it are always looking for ways to avoid it even though they have no control over when and where it will happen.

The fear of death is rational, at least for those who are not children of God. Because deep down inside we all know that random chance is really not our mother (and for that matter, neither is earth).

And part of the fear is the unknown. What happens after death?

But for the child of God, Jesus has gone before us. He is our champion. He conquered death and the power that death had over us through fear.

6)I Am Abraham's Descendant (Hebrews 2:16)

16 For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham.

It's interesting how the author keeps going back to angels in these short 2 chapters. Neither could an angel have done what Jesus did in dying for us, nor did Jesus do this for the angels. In other words, the angels that rebelled against God have nothing to look forward to beside eternal torment in the Hell.

But God's children are in a different category. Those of us who have faith in Jesus death, burial, and resurrection on our behalf are both children of God and descendants of Abraham. We are the true Israel along with the OT saints.

7)I Have a Merciful and Faithful High Priest (Hebrews 2:17)

17 Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.

The old testament high priest offered sacrifices on behalf of the people. There was nothing an ordinary Joe like you and me could do. We completely depended on the high priest and the faithfulness and mercy of God to accept that offering and forgive our sins.

But Jesus took on the role of being a perfect high priest who offered a final sacrifice for sin, his own body. He did this to make propitiation for the sins of the people.

God's justice demands payment for sin.

The payment cannot be made by the perpetrator because he is imperfect.

The payment must be of equal or greater value than the offense.

The offense is infinite.

The penalty is death.

Thus, the infinite Son of God, becomes man – flesh and blood – suffers and dies, willfully and obediently so that propitiation can be made on behalf of the brothers.

And in so doing, God's justice is met, and man's penalty is paid in full.

8)He Understands Temptation (Hebrews 2:18)

Last, but not least, the writer tells us that Jesus life on earth made him uniquely equipped to help us when we are tempted.

18 For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Isn't struggling with a besetting sin difficult. Sometimes you have victory over it for days, weeks, even years, and then in a moment of weakness, you succumb to temptation and sin.

Have you ever thought to yourself in such an occasion, I can't believe I did that? I thought I was beyond that.

There is a struggle to remain true to God that we face if we seriously want to remain pure and holy (as He has called us to be, mind you).

But none of us knows what it's like to go through life continually faced with temptation but never, never, falling into sin. Now that is suffering.

And Jesus is the only one every to have done that and the only one who ever will do that.

But you and I can never say that we are uniquely tempted and He just can't understand what our situation is like.

Paul tells us, in 1 Corinthians 10:13:

13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

God gives a way out. And we have a Savior who understands what we are faced with. He wants us to bring our weaknesses to him. He wants us to call out for help when we suffer under temptation. He knows what we face.

Later in Hebrews we will discover that every point where we have been tempted, Jesus, our High Priest, has been there as well.

9)Summary

• He tasted my death

• Suffering perfected his task of salvation

• He calls me his brother

• He destroyed Satan's power

• He remove the fear of death

• I'm in Abraham's lineage

• He's a merciful and faithful high priest and perfect sacrifice

• He understands my temptations

10)Principle

Jesus identified with man to purchase man's indemnity with God.

11)Applications

Which of the eight benefits of Jesus identity with man do you struggle with and why?

What temptations are you facing alone that need to be brought to the One who understands you situation completely?

What facts about Jesus are you believing but have yet to turn to him in repentance and faith? What are you waiting for?

Greater Than Moses (Hebrews 3:1-4:13)

1)Jesus Superior to Moses (Hebrews 3:1-6)

The writer of Hebrews now moves on to compare Jesus with Moses.

Now Moses was held in extremely high regard by the Jewish people. After all, he was the one instrumental in bringing them out of bondage in Egypt. Confronting Pharaoh on their behalf. Interceding before God on behalf of the people. He spoke directly with YHWH and relayed what he heard back to the people.

He was a uniquely called out man and he was faithful to God. But he was not above reproach and in fact was in need of a redeemer himself.

He was a part of God's house as a saint, but he was not above God's house as Lord.

Both Moses and Jesus were faithful in their calling. And it was Moses who warned the people look for a prophet like himself that would come. And his warning was that the people should listen to him.

And so as we enter into a couple of chapters dealing with warnings, then and now, it seems appropriate for the writer to bring Moses into the picture. But to also point out that the warnings from Moses' day should stand as a stark reminder to us in our day. A reminder to listen while there is a today.

Notice how those addressed in this letter are called the house of God. This is a theme throughout Scripture that God's people are his house and that He dwells among them.

And one warning at the end of verse 6, a warning that will be brought up in various ways through the rest of this section, is the warning to hold fast. In other words, one of the characteristics of genuine faith is perseverance to the end. And we will see as the author expounds on that theme as we move forward.

2)A Warning From Yesterday About Today (Hebrews 3:7-11)

[Psalm 95:7-11]

If you've studied the Life of Moses with us, you remember the wilderness wanderings and all that went on during that time. And it seemed that there was a continual disbelief on the part of the people. Grumbling, complaining, disobedience. And they had witnessed amazing miraculous deeds done by God.

But in verse 10, it says that they have not known my ways. They saw what God did. The reaped the benefit of being with the people of God. But they didn't have knowledge of God and His ways. They were not his.

And so, they were precluded from entering the rest of God. The rest that was typified in the Land of Canaan, but that was but a shadow of the rest that was to come.

And so God puts up with people's rebellion only for so long.

The warning given in the text is today if you hear his voice, don't harden your heart. There might not be a tomorrow. And if you think there will be, you are playing with a fire that will consume.

3)Take Care Brothers (Hebrews 3:12-15)

Notice in 12 through 15 he makes a point that the brothers should have someone among them with an evil heart, unbelieving heart. He's not talking about a brother with that type of heart, but that there may be some among you with that type of a heart.

What are we to do to combat such a situation. (And when I say combat I am not talking about trying to expel an unbeliever from a church). But what I mean is how should we treat each other in order to ensure we are all genuine in our faith?

You and I need to exhort each other every day, as long as it is today. In fact, we are to be that voice of God to each other so that we give opportunities to NOT turn away.

Someone may believe they are in the faith when they are not really in the faith. By exhorting each other, we serve to reveal what's going on inside. Sin is so deceitful. It can cause us to think we are something that we really are not.

In verse 14 he brings out that perseverance of true faith. That holding firm to the end. The real thing will not fall away.

4)Case In Point (Hebrews 3:16-19)

The writer points out to us that there were many in the community that exited Egypt who thought they were redeemed because they were reaping the benefits of those who were redeemed. They were part of the community after all. They joined in all the festivals and feasts, and were there for the reading of the law.

But they were rebels, sinners, disobedient, and unbelievers. They were with the people, but that were not part of God's House.

And the result, they died apart from God's rest.

5)Hearing Without Faith (Hebrews 4:1-7)

2 For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened.

The problem with the ancients was not a lack of information, but a lack of faith. As verse 2 tells us, they heard the good news, the gospel, but they didn't listen because they didn't combine what they heard with faith.

Instead, they heard God's voice, but hardened their hearts, and therefore were precluded from His rest.

6)The Three Rests (Hebrews 4:8-10)

There are three types of rest being spoken of in chapter 4.

1. The rest in the promised land – symbolic of a coming rest

2. God's Sabbath rest – He began on the 7^th day of creation

3. A rest for the believer that begins with peace with God and lasts on into eternity (4:9)

7)Final Admonition (Hebrews 4:11-13)

Strive Against Same Disobedience (4:11)

The same type of disobedience is hearing but not believing – hardening the heart.

Remember: sin is deceitful; man can be fooled

God's Word Reveals What's Inside (4:12)

This is no ordinary book. It is divinely inspired and reveals what the heart thinks is hidden.

This is the voice of God the writer is talking about. When you hear His voice, don't harden your heart. When what is inside is laid bare, don't run from the truth and continue to hide it, let God's word confront you.

Let it do its work. It will be uncomfortable, but there is peace and rest for those who let it do its work.

God Is the Judge (4:13)

The scary thing is, by trying to avoid what God's word reveals, a person places themselves in a position to stand before the final Judge.

We are all going to give an account of ourselves to God. That is part of being under his sovereign authority. We are answerable to Him.

Would it not be better to heed His word today, rather than face His wrath tomorrow?

8)Principle

A persevering faith is required to experience God's rest.

9)Applications

What warning from Israel's history is applicable to you tonight and what will you do about it?

What do you need to do in order to start the habit of exhorting your brothers?