tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7892957293062670552024-02-20T03:39:15.056-08:00Bible Studies led by Dr. Larry Reynolds, Denton, TXAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14177977230653907004noreply@blogger.comBlogger180125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-789295729306267055.post-41857253155311557412016-08-04T18:43:00.001-07:002016-08-04T18:43:07.649-07:00Hebrews 11:1-3
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">A
Description of Faith</span></u></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">(Hebrews
11:1-3)</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In the book <u>The Intrusive Word</u> William
Willimon tells of an interesting conversation he had with a college
student...in the conversation Willimon asked the student if he had any
religious convictions...the student responded by saying, <b><i>"I used
to."</i></b>... Willimon asked <b><i>"Could you explain what you mean
by 'I used to?'"</i></b>...here's what the student said:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b><i>"When I was a kid, I was taken to
church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But now ... I don't feel the
need for religion anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The way I see
it, religion is like training wheels on a kid's bike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It's fine, until you get your bearings, can
think for yourself, stand on your own two feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then, you don't need religion anymore."</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>That student expressed very well a widely
held belief among people in our culture...and that belief is that faith,
religious faith, is for those who are too weak, too insecure to make it on
their own...if a person claims to be a person of faith that is, on its
own,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>prima facia evidence of some kind
of intellectual or emotional deficiency in that person's life...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">3.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And the reason many people think that way is
because of a complete lack of understanding of what genuine, biblical faith
is...<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>most people outside the church
think of faith in terms of--</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--believing
something you are not sure about...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--accepting
what you cannot explain...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--clinging
to what you hope against hope is true...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>and I suspect that many inside the church
harbor those same misconceptions...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">4.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Today, in our journey through the book of
Hebrews, we have come to the greatest chapter about faith in the
Scripture...Hebrews 11 has been variously called <i>"The Faith
Chapter"</i> and <i>"God's Roll Call of Faith"</i> and <i>"The
Hall of Fame of Faith"</i>...the chapter begins with a wonderful
description of faith in vv.1-3 and then there is example after example of
people who lived by faith in vv.4-40... today we're going to focus on the
description of faith and in the weeks ahead we'll look in detail at some of the
examples of faith found in this great chapter....look at Hebrews
11:1-3...(text)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">T.S.-Faith may well be the most used and least understood word in the
Christian vocabulary...I have two graduate degrees from a theological seminary
and have been teaching and preaching the Bible for more than 30 years, but I'm
not sure I can articulate a concise definition of faith which does justice the
word...my favorite definition comes from Dr. Milton Fergueson, my teacher of
religious philosophy...he was fond of saying that <b><i>"faith is
commitment based on available evidence"</i></b>...but even that definition
fails to capture the essence of the word...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">In first part of Hebrews 11, the writer of Hebrews does not attempt to
define faith...instead he uses two beautiful phrases to describe what faith
is...want focus on those phrases this morning....</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">I. <i><u>"Faith
is the assurance of things hoped for..."</u></i></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>To
understand that phrase we must begin at the end of it...what does the writer
mean by <b><i>"things hoped for"</i></b>?...does that phrase mean anything
we desire?...are people like former TV preacher Robert Tilton right when they
say that if you have faith you can have anything you want?...is faith the key
to gaining material prosperity or physical health or beauty or power?...the
answer to those questions is a resounding NO!...and people who teach that faith
is some mystical power that we can conjure up to manipulate God into giving us
whatever we desire are teaching heresy...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In
book of Hebrews the word <b><i>"hope"</i></b> used in very specific
sense..it's almost a synonym for salvation...so the statement <b><i>"faith
is the assurance of things hoped for..."</i></b> can be paraphrased <i>"faith
is the assurance of our salvation..."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>3.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>That
is, the thing which makes us confident, assured of the reality of our salvation
is our faith in God...one writer points out that faith on its most basic level
operates quite simply...God speaks, we hear His Word, we believe His Word and
act on it with the confidence God will do what He says He will do...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>4.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Message
of the Bible is that God has spoken...He has said--</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span>--all have sinned and fallen
short of His ideal...I don't need to convince you of that...if take honest look
at your life will have no trouble seeing your sin problem...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span>--wages/result of sin is death
and separation from God... reason so many of us are unhappy, unfulfilled, empty
is because we are separated from our Creator...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span>--Jesus came to our world for
purpose of providing solution to our sin problem...He died on cross for our
sins...paid the price we deserved to pay...cancelled our indebtedness...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span>--by accepting His sacrifice
on our behalf we find forgiveness, salvation, and restored relationship with
God...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>That's what God tells us in His
Word...and we believe/have faith that God is trustworthy...that He will do what
He has said He will do...as a result of that faith we are assured of our
salvation...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
day began working on this study went to bank to make deposit...thought struck
me that the principle being taught in phrase <b><i>"faith is assurance of things
hoped for"</i></b> is at work in my relationship with the bank...gave the
teller a check and deposit slip...was given receipt in return...left with the
assurance the check had been deposited into my account and funds were available
for me to use...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Why
did I have that assurance?...had it because of my confidence in the bank and
those who run the bank to do what they said they would do...I trusted them...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>3.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And
just as I have the assurance of my checking account being credited with the
deposit because of my faith in the trustworthiness of the bank, I have the
assurance of my heavenly account being credited with salvation because of my
faith in the trustworthiness of God...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>4.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Faith
is the assurance of things hoped for...of salvation...</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">II. <i><u>"Faith
is the conviction of things not seen..."</u></i></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>There
is a sense in which every person lives by faith...you've already made many
faith decisions today...for example--</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--when you
flipped on the light switch, did so on faith that the light would come on...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--when took
drink water from faucet, did so on faith that it is safe to drink...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--when took
bite of food, did so on faith that it wasn't contaminated and wouldn't make you
sick...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--when
placed key in ignition of car and turned it over, did so on faith that the car
would start...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>None of those things can we know for
sure merely by looking with our eyes...they are among the hundreds of things we
make faith assumptions about...everyday we operate by faith...the capacity to
do so is built into us...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>What is true in the physical realm is also
true in the spiritual realm...faith is the conviction that there are great
realities of life that are unseen...that there is more to our existence than
our brief time in this world...that there is a spiritual side to life that is
just as real as the physical side...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">3.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Want you to hear how one writer described
this idea:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b><i>"[Faith] is the
evidence, proof, or conviction which enables us to perceive unseen things just
as if they were seen, to sense spiritual realities just as truly as we sense
things by seeing and smelling, hearing and touching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Faith claims the future in the present.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It gives things that are yet to come all the
certainty of things that already are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Through faith, unseen things take on substance, and future things take
on present reality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Faith transcends the
time-space framework in which this present life has to be lived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It transports its holders to the high places
where eternity can be seen beyond all present boundaries and barriers."</i></b>
[Valentine, LBC, p.52]</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">4.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It's important to understand that faith does
not create or make real the unseen spiritual realities of our universe...just
the opposite is true...it's the existence of the unseen spiritual realities
which gives justification to our faith...faith is the evidence of our belief in
the reality of the spiritual dimension of life or in the words of Hebrews 11:1 <b><i>"...faith
is the conviction of things not seen..."</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Imagine a treasure chest filled with valuable
gems...the chest is locked with a padlock which can be opened by a key...where
is the value?...is it in the key or in the treasure?...obviously, it is not the
key which gives value to the contents of the chest...it is the contents of the
chest which gives value to the key...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Using that analogy, faith is like the key and
the spiritual dimension of life is like the treasure...it is the spiritual
dimension of life which gives value to our faith and we cling to faith because
of our conviction of the reality of the unseen spiritual world...</span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">CONCLUSION</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>When son small used play give with him which
is good illustration of faith...know this sounds little weird, but he was
always such a daredevil...would place him on top of refrigerator back up a step
and he would jump off into my arms...his jumping was act of faith in
me...wasn't blind faith...could see me standing there...could see my
outstretched arms...knew I had never hurt him...so with good reason to believe
I would catch him, he would jump into my arms...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In effect what God asking us to do...standing
toward us with outstretched arms and He's saying, <b><i>"Come to Me."</i></b>...and
there's good reason to do so...He has left his fingerprints on the physical
universe in which we live...He has implanted His image in our lives...and in
moments of solitude and quietness, if you will be still and listen with our
spiritual ears will hear Him saying, <b><i>"I made you, I love you, I know
what is best for you, trust your life to me."</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">3.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>May we learn to live by faith...the kind of
faith which is <b><i>"the assurance of things hoped for"</i></b> and <b><i>"the
conviction of things not </i></b></span><b><i><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Baskerville Old Face";">seen"</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Baskerville Old Face","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Baskerville Old Face";">...</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14177977230653907004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-789295729306267055.post-244549104583306312016-08-04T18:42:00.001-07:002016-08-04T18:42:25.492-07:00Hebrews 10:26-39
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Hebrews 10:26-39</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">(10:26-31)</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">There is much debate among Bible scholars concerning to whom these words
in Hebrews 10:26-31 are addressed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are
they addressed to Christians who are in danger of turning their backs on
God?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or, are they addressed to people who
have been exposed in some way to the gospel but never made a faith commitment
to Christ?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Strong arguments can be made
for both points of view.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However,
whether you view the paragraph as having been written to Christians or
non-Christians, in the paragraph are some basic principles about God's judgment
which we all need to understand.</span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">God's judgment is a certain reality</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>There are two extremes of thought concerning
the concept of God's judgment...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>--on one hand there are those in the
church who simply don't want to hear or think about the judgment of God... they
prefer to think of the God of wrath and judgment as being confined to the OT
and that the God of the NT is the God of love, compassion, and forgiveness and
that judgment is not part of His nature...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>--on the other hand there are those who
want to hear nothing but the judgment of God...they think they've not heard a
sermon unless the preacher pounds the pulpit and threatens them with a mean,
angry God whose primary desire is to do them harm...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As is true in the case of most extremes, both
of those views miss the mark...the thrust of the entire Scripture is that God
would prefer to relate to us with redemption and grace...it's God's heart
desire for us to turn to Him and trust our lives to Him...but if we refused to
do that, the inevitable result is that we will stand under God's judgment...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This passage makes it clear that God's
judgment is a certain reality...v.27 speaks of a <b><i>"...certain
terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of a fire which will consume
the adversaries."</i></b>...and in v.31 is that famous statement that
Jonathan Edwards, the colonial American preacher, used to spark one of the
great spiritual awakenings on American soil... <b><i>"It is a terrifying
thing to fall into the hands of the living God."</i></b> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Point is we must not forget the reality and
seriousness of the judgment of God...</span></div>
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<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">In reading came statement which is at the same time both
challenging and disturbing...written by Foy Valentine about this
passage...think it's worth sharing with you... referring to this paragraph
Valentine writes:</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"This is strong medicine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It must be remembered, however, that God is
not an indulgent granddaddy and that the gospel of God in Christ is not a soft
and shallow thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a solemn matter
which has to do with birth and death, blood and fire, heaven and hell, time and
eternity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here is a corrective for the
bumper sticker piety and T-shirt theology which has beset us in this time of
doctrinal flabbiness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A morally
frivolous age, bent on pasting up posters that insist we are all OK and that
confound<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the faith, confuse the
faithful, and comfort the faithless, would do well to hear this prophetic
warning, "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living
God" (v. 31).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is in life and
in the very nature of reality an element of unremitting judgment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God's promises of judgment are as certain as
his promises of grace, and we had better not forget it."</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> [LBC, p.51]</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">If we see nothing else in this paragraph, should see the certainty
and reality of God's judgment...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">If we
experience God's judgment, it is because we brought it on ourselves</span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>That's the basic thrust of v.26 which says, <b><i>"For
if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there
no longer remains a sacrifice for our sins."</i></b>...there are several
things about that statement which are particularly significant--</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>--the phrase <b><i>"go one
sinning"</i></b> is not referring to one particular act of sin...it's
referring to an attitude which results in continuous, repeated
disobedience...this is not the picture of someone who occasionally slips and
falls...it's the picture of someone living a life of habitual rebellion against
God without regard for the consequences...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>--the word <b><i>"willfully"</i></b>
which is placed first in the Greek for emphasis, underscores that the lifestyle
being described is a deliberate decision of one's will...the person knows
he/she is out of God's will, but just doesn't care...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Verse 27 says the certain result of such an
attitude is God's judgment and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>verses
28&29 contain an illustration of this principle...in OT times anyone who
turned his/her back on the law of Moses was subject to death...writer asks in
v.29 how can we expect to escape judgment if we disregard the sacrifice God
made for us in Christ?...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">3.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>If we choose to reject Christ or if we choose
to rebel against God, the sure result is God's judgment...and when that
judgment comes, we bring it on ourselves...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>That's the principle which permeates this
paragraph and it applies both to non-Christians and Christians...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>--in the case of non-Christians, when
people fail to respond to God's offer of salvation through Jesus, the result is
eternal separation from God in hell...some people have asked,<i> "How can
a loving God send someone to hell?"</i>...I think a better question is <i>"How
can a just God allow anyone into heaven?"</i>...and the answer to <i>"How
can God send anyone to hell?"</i> is that He doesn't!...those who go there
choose that for themselves by refusing to accept Christ as their Savior...the
Scripture makes it clear that our destiny is either eternal salvation or
eternal damnation... which it will be is up to us...and we make that decision
in this world...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>--there is also an application of this
principle to those who are Christians...far too many Christians have somehow
gotten the mistaken notion, <i>"Now that I'm saved and my eternal destiny
is secure, doesn't really matter what I do in this world."</i>...if you
think that way, better read this paragraph again...when we willfully,
habitually, continuously disobey God...chose our way over God's way ...we bring
upon ourselves the judgment of God...it's not that God takes our salvation
away...if you're a genuine Christian you can't lose that...but you can lose the
joy of your salvation...you can lose your intimate fellowship with God ...you
can lose your purpose for living, your meaning in life...think reason so many
unhappy, unfulfilled Christians in this world is because they are under God's
judgment for being disobedient to Him...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> OT book of
Ecclesiastes ends with a wonderful piece of advice...after exploring a number
of different things in an effort to find meaning to life, the preacher of
Ecclesiastes reaches this conclusion:</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>"The conclusion, when all has
been heard is:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>fear God and keep His
commandments, because this applies to every person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For God will bring every act to judgment,
everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil." </span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">[Eccl.12:13-14]</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">And because
the judgment of God is a certain reality and because our actions will determine
how we are judged, we should do what the preacher says...<b><i>"...fear
God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person..."</i></b></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">(10:32-39)</span></b></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">The key
phrase in that paragraph is first part of v.36 which says, <b><i>"For you
have need of endurance..."</i></b>...the word translated <b><i>"endurance"</i></b>
means the ability to stand fast, to remain in time of trial...the picture is
that of a soldier under enemy fire who doesn't break and run, but stands his
ground...and in this paragraph we are told how to develop that quality in our
lives...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">To endure in
times of difficulty we must remember God's faithfulness in the past</span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Verse 32 begins with the phrase <b><i>"but
remember..." </i></b>need to focus on that for just a moment...<b><i>"remember"</i></b>
means much more than just to recall...it means to think back carefully, to
reconstruct in your mind, to re-live in great detail...what were they to
remember?...<b><i>"the former days"</i></b>...and the remainder of
the sentence tells what happened in that period of time described as <b><i>"the
former days"</i></b>...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Interesting author instructs them to think
back to the time in lives when their persecution most intense...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>--the intensity of the persecution is
highlighted by the phrases <b><i>"great conflict of sufferings"</i></b>
in v.32 and <b><i>"being made a public spectacle through reproaches and
tribulations" </i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in
v.33...those phrases allude to the Roman arenas where Christians were mocked by
large crowds as they faced lions or gladiators...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>--v.34 points out those not killed faced <b><i>"the
seizure of your property"</i></b>...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">3<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>.When<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>first read vv.32‑34 couldn't help but think, <i>"Why in world want
them remember that?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those were terribly
painful memories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why not encourage them
erase entire episode from minds?"</i>...and reason is because as painful
as those times were, they were also the times when God was with them in a
special way...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">4.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The people who initially read this letter
were the ones who made it through the persecutions being described here...they
were the survivors...and they could look back on those<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>times and see God's hand of blessing and
protection on them...and remembering God's faithfulness in the past would help
them endure in the present...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This is a lesson King David learned very well...over
and over again in the Psalms see David looking back on the works of God to gain
strength for the present and future...for example, says in Psalm 143:5 - <b><i>"I
remember the days of old; I meditate on all Thy doings; I must on the work of
Thy hands."</i></b></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And that's a lesson we all need to
learn...don't forget the times in the past, especially the difficult times,
when God has been faithful to you...maybe it in the time the shock and grief of
losing a loved one...maybe it was in time of financial crisis or personal
illness...maybe it was when some special relationship was lost...remembering
God's faithfulness in times like that helps us to endure in difficulty today...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: center; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">To endure in times of difficulty we must anticipate God's
faithfulness in the future</span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The main thrust of this paragraph is not
backward but forward ...time and again the writer encourages us to look to
future with optimism...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--v.34
speaks of <b><i>"a better possession" </i></b>awaiting us...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--v.35
mentions our <b><i>"great reward"</i></b>...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--v.37
reminds us of the certain return of the Lord...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Point of all that is that Christianity is
future oriented...while the Christian event is rooted and grounded in an
historical event --the death and resurrection of Jesus-- our focus should not
be on the past but on the future...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">3.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And because of our confidence in the
faithfulness of God in the future, we can live lives of endurance in the world
today...<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>How do you view life?...are you basically
optimistic or pessimistic?...some people are always waiting for worst...others
always expecting the best...Christians should have optimistic view of the
future...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Throughout Scripture, and especially in NT,
God's people encouraged view future through optimistic eyes...most decisive
event in all history already occurred…was cross/resurrection event...because of
the victory<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God won for us through
cross, we can be sure that despite whatever temporary setbacks we may
experience, God will ultimately win victory in our lives as well...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Famous sculpture once was asked, <b><i>"What
is your greatest statue?"</i></b>..immediate reply was,<b><i> "The
next one!"</i></b>...and so it should be with our lives...as we place
lives in hands of God, knowing that God is faithful, we can have assurance that
our best experiences still are ahead...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">4.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And remembering that can help us endure in
times of trials today...Apostle Paul said it so well in Romans 8:18 - <b><i>"For
I am convinced that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing
with the glory that is to be revealed to us."</i></b></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">To endure in
times of difficulty we must live in God's faithfulness in the present</span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Role of faith in living full, complete life
given prominent attention in last part of Hebrews 10...are told <b><i>"the
righteous shall live by faith"</i></b> in v.38 and v.39 tells us that <b><i>"those
who have faith"</i></b> persevere to the end...then, of course, Hebrews
11, the great faith chapter at which we will look in detail in the weeks ahead,
begins by defining faith as<b><i> "the assurance of things hoped for and
the conviction of things not seen"...</i></b></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Have heard said many times Christian life is
life of faith...but in Christian community wide diversity of opinion about what
means live by faith...some people, especially those in the neo‑Pentecostal
movement, tend view faith as some sort of <u>mystical power</u> God bestows on Christians...in
their thinking, if something bad happens to you or loved ones it's because
faith wasn't strong enough..conversely, if something happens it's because your
faith was strong...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">3.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>However, believe more biblical approach is to
view faith as a conviction or attitude..to live by faith doesn't mean get
whatever will for ourselves...it means live by conviction that everything God
has told us is true...<b><i>"Faith is the assurance (<u>the foundation</u>)
of what we hope for (<u>and in Hebrews hope is almost always equated with
salvation</u>)"</i></b>....other words, faith is the stuff upon which our
salvation is built...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>One person expressed it this way:<b><i>
"By faith we hold clear title to the property of salvation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With faith in our possession, history becomes
filled with meaning, life's present puzzle is no longer an insolvable mystery,
and the unseen future comes into plain view in clear focus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Faith is not the gift of seeing something
that is not there, but the gift of seeing through all the haze of doubt and the
pollution of sin to the distant city of God set on the mountain of
eternity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Faith is not believing in
something in spite of the evidence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
is living life for the Lord God in scorn of all earthly consequences."</i></b>[Foy
Valentine]</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And only as we are characterized by that kind
of faith are we able to endure in face of difficulty...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14177977230653907004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-789295729306267055.post-33187722718455005342016-08-04T18:41:00.003-07:002016-08-04T18:41:33.745-07:00Hebrews 10:1-25
<br />
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Hebrews
10:1-25</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
following passage is taken from Warren Wiesbe’s <u>Bible Exposition Commentary:</u></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The tenth
chapter of Hebrews emphasizes the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ, in
contrast with the imperfect sacrifices that were offered under the Old Covenant.
Our Lord’s superior priesthood belongs to a better order—Melchizedek’s and not
Aaron’s. It functions on the basis of a better covenant—the New Covenant—and in
a better sanctuary, in heaven. But all of this depends on the better sacrifice,
which is the theme of this chapter.</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The writer
presented three benefits that explain why the sacrifice of Jesus Christ is
superior to the Old Covenant sacrifices.</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Christ’s
Sacrifice Takes Away Sin (Heb. 10:1–10)</span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Sin, of course, is man’s greatest problem. No matter
what kind of religion a man has, if it cannot deal with sin, it is of no value.
By nature, man is a sinner; and by choice, he proves that his nature is sinful.
It has well been said, “We are not sinners because we sin. We sin because we
are sinners.”</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The need for a better sacrifice (vv. 1–4).</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> Why were the Old Covenant sacrifices inferior?
After all, they were ordained by the Lord; and they were in force for hundreds
of years. While it is true that at times the Jewish people permitted these
sacrifices to become empty rituals (Isa. 1:11–15), it is also true that many
sincere people brought their offerings to God and were blessed.</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The very nature
of the Old Covenant sacrifices made them inferior. The Law was only “a shadow
of good things to come” and not the reality itself. The sacrificial system was
a type or picture of the work our Lord would accomplish on the cross. This
meant that the system was temporary, and therefore could accomplish nothing
permanent. The very repetition of the sacrifices day after day, and the Day of
Atonement year after year, pointed out the entire system’s weakness.</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Animal
sacrifices could never completely deal with human guilt. God did promise
forgiveness to believing worshipers (Lev. 4:20, 26, 31, 35), but this was a
judicial forgiveness and not the removal of guilt from people’s hearts. People
lacked that inward witness of full and final forgiveness. They could not claim,
“I have no more consciousness of sins.” If those worshipers had been “once
purged [from guilt of sin]” they would never again have had to offer another
sacrifice.</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">So the annual
Day of Atonement did not accomplish “remission of sin” but only “reminder of
sin.” The annual repetition of the ceremony was evidence that the previous
year’s sacrifices had not done the job. True, the nation’s sins were covered;
but they were not cleansed. Nor did the people have God’s inward witness of
forgiveness and acceptance.</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Yes, there was a
desperate need for a better sacrifice because the blood of bulls and of goats
could not take away sins. It could cover sin and postpone judgment; but it
could never effect a once-and-for-all redemption. Only the better sacrifice of
the Son of God could do that.</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The provision of the better sacrifice (vv. 5–9).</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> It was God who provided the sacrifice and not man.
The quotation is from Psalm 40:6–8, and it is applied to Jesus Christ in His
incarnation (“when He cometh into the world”). The quotation makes it clear
that Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the Old Covenant sacrifices.</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The word
sacrifice refers to any of the animal sacrifices. Offering covers the meal
offerings and the drink offerings. The burnt offering and sin offering are
mentioned (Heb. 10:5, 8). The trespass offering would be covered in the word
sacrifice (Heb. 10:5). Each of these offerings typified the sacrifice of Christ
and revealed some aspect of His work on the cross (see Lev. 1–7).</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The phrase, “a
body hast Thou prepared Me” (Heb. 10:5), is not found in the original
quotation. Psalm 40:6 reads, “Mine ears hast Thou opened.” The writer of
Hebrews was quoting from the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old
Testament. How do we explain this variation? Some connect “Mine ears hast Thou
opened” with Exodus 21:1–6, a passage that describes the actions of a master
whose servant did not want to be set free. The master bored a hole through the
ear lobe of the servant, which was a sign that the servant preferred to remain
with his master. The idea is that our Lord was like a willing servant who had
His ears bored.</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The problem with
that explanation is that only one ear was bored, while the verse (Ps. 40:6)
speaks of both ears. Furthermore, the verb used in Exodus 21 means “to pierce,”
while the verb in Psalm 40:6 means “to dig.” Our Lord was a servant, but it is
not likely that the writer had this in mind. Probably “opened ears” signified a
readiness to hear and obey the will of God (see Isa. 50:4–6). God gave His Son
a prepared body that the Son might serve God and fulfill His will on earth. Our
Lord often referred to this truth (John 4:34; 5:30; 6:38; 17:4).</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Of course, the
same Holy Spirit who inspired Psalm 40 has the right to amplify and interpret
His Word in Hebrews 10. “Opened ears” indicates a body ready for service.</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Twice in this
paragraph, the writer stated that God “had no pleasure” in the Old Covenant
sacrifices (see Heb. 10:6, 8). This does not suggest that the old sacrifices
were wrong, or that sincere worshipers received no benefit from obeying God’s
Law. It only means that God had no delight in sacrifices as such, apart from the
obedient hearts of the worshipers. No amount of sacrifices could substitute for
obedience (1 Sam. 15:22, Ps. 51:16–17; Isa. 1:11, 19; Jer. 6:19–20; Hosea 6:6;
Amos 5:20–21).</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jesus came to do
the Father’s will. This will is the New Covenant that has replaced the Old
Covenant. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus Christ has taken away the
first covenant and established the second. The readers of this epistle called
Hebrews would get the message: why go back to a covenant that has been taken
away? Why go back to sacrifices that are inferior?</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The effectiveness of the better sacrifice (v. 10).</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> Believers have been set apart (“sanctified”) by the
offering of Christ’s body once for all. No Old Covenant sacrifice could do
that. An Old Covenant worshiper had to be purified from ceremonial defilement
repeatedly. But a New Covenant saint is set apart finally and completely.</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Christ’s Sacrifice Need Not Be Repeated
(Heb. 10:11–18)</span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Again the writer contrasted the Old Covenant high
priest with Jesus Christ, our Great High Priest. The fact that Jesus sat down
after He ascended to the Father is proof that His work was completed (Heb. 1:3,
13; 8:1). The ministry of the priests in the tabernacle and temple was never
done and never different: they offered the same sacrifices day after day. This
constant repetition was proof that their sacrifices did not take away sins.
What tens of thousands of animal sacrifices could not accomplish, Jesus accomplished
with one sacrifice forever!</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The phrase “sat
down” refers us again to Psalm 110:1: “Sit Thou at My right hand, until I make
Thine enemies Thy footstool.” Christ is in the place of exaltation and victory.
When He returns, He shall overcome every enemy and establish His righteous
kingdom. Those who have trusted Him need not fear, for they have been
“perfected forever” (Heb. 10:14). Believers are “complete in Him” (Col. 2:10).
We have a perfect standing before God because of the finished work of Jesus
Christ.</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">How do we know
personally that we have this perfect standing before God? Because of the
witness of the Holy Spirit through the Word (Heb. 10:15–18). The witness of the
Spirit is based on the work of the Son and is given through the words of Scripture.
The writer (Heb. 10:16–17) quoted Jeremiah 31:33–34, part of a passage he’d
also quoted in Hebrews 8:7–12. The Old Covenant worshiper could not say that he
had “no more consciousness of sins” (Heb. 10:2). But the New Covenant believer
can say that his sins and iniquities are remembered no more. There is “no more
offering for sin” (Heb. 10:18) and no more remembrance of sin!</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I once shared a
conference with a fine Christian psychiatrist whose lectures were very true to
the Word. “The trouble with psychiatry,” he told me, “is that it can only deal
with symptoms. A psychiatrist can remove a patient’s feelings of guilt, but he
cannot remove the guilt. It’s like a trucker loosening a fender on his truck so
he won’t hear the motor knock. A patient can end up feeling better, but have
two problems instead of one!”</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">When a sinner
trusts Christ, his sins are all forgiven, the guilt is gone, and the matter is
completely settled forever.</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Christ’s Sacrifice Opens the Way to God
(Heb. 10:19–39)</span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">No Old Covenant worshiper would have been bold
enough to try to enter the holy of holies in the tabernacle. Even the high
priest entered the holy of holies only once a year. The thick veil that
separated the holy place from the holy of holies was a barrier between people
and God. Only the death of Christ could tear that veil (Mark 15:38) and open
the way into the heavenly sanctuary where God dwells.</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A gracious invitation (vv. 19–25).</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> “Let us draw near … Let us hold fast … Let us
consider one another.” This threefold invitation hinges on our boldness to
enter into the holiest. And this boldness (“freedom of speech”) rests on the
finished work of the Saviour. On the Day of Atonement, the high priest could
not enter the holy of holies unless he had the blood of the sacrifice (Heb. 9:7).
But our entrance into God’s presence is not because of an animal’s blood, but
because of Christ’s shed blood.</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">This open way
into God’s presence is “new” (recent, fresh) and not a part of the Old Covenant
that “waxeth [grows] old [and] is ready to vanish away” (Heb. 8:13). It is
“living” because Christ “ever liveth to make intercession” for us (Heb. 7:25).
Christ is the new and living way! We come to God through Him, our High Priest
over the house of God (the church, see Heb. 3:6). When His flesh was torn on
the cross, and His life sacrificed, God tore the veil in the temple. This
symbolized the new and living way now opened for all who believe.</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">On the basis of
these assurances—that we have boldness to enter because we have a living High
Priest—we have an “open invitation” to enter the presence of God. The Old
Covenant high priest visited the holy of holies once a year, but we are invited
to dwell in the presence of God every moment of each day. What a tremendous
privilege! Consider what is involved in this threefold invitation.</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Let us draw near
(v. 22). Of course, we must prepare ourselves spiritually to fellowship with
God. The Old Testament priest had to go through various washings and the
applying of blood on the Day of Atonement (Lev. 16). Also, during the regular
daily ministry, the priests had to wash at the laver before they entered the
holy place (Ex. 30:18–21). The New Testament Christian must come to God with a
pure heart and a clean conscience. Fellowship with God demands purity (1 John
1:5–2:2).</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Let us hold fast
(v. 23). The readers of this epistle were being tempted to forsake their
confession of Jesus Christ by going back to the Old Covenant worship. The
writer did not exhort them to hold on to their salvation, because their
security was in Christ and not in themselves (Heb. 7:25). Rather, he invited
them to hold fast “the profession [confession] of … hope.” (There is no
manuscript evidence for the word “faith.” The Greek word is “hope.”)</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We have noted in
our study of Hebrews that there is an emphasis on the glorious hope of the
believer. God is “bringing many sons unto glory” (Heb. 2:10). Believers are
“partakers of the heavenly calling” (Heb. 3:1) and therefore can rejoice in
hope (Heb. 3:6). Hope is one of the main themes of Hebrews 6 (vv. 11–12,
18–20). We are looking for Christ to return (Heb. 9:28) and we are seeking that
city that is yet to come (Heb. 13:14).</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">When a believer
has his hope fixed on Christ, and relies on the faithfulness of God, then he
will not waver. Instead of looking back (as the Jews so often did), we should
look ahead to the coming of the Lord.</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Let us consider
one another (vv. 24–25). Fellowship with God must never become selfish. We must
also fellowship with other Christians in the local assembly. Apparently, some
of the wavering believers had been absenting themselves from the church
fellowship. It is interesting to note that the emphasis here is not on what a
believer gets from the assembly, but rather on what he can contribute to the
assembly. Faithfulness in church attendance encourages others and provokes them
to love and good works. One of the strong motives for faithfulness is the soon
coming of Jesus Christ. In fact, the only other place the word translated
“assembling” (Heb. 10:25) is used in the New Testament is in 2 Thessalonians
2:1, where it’s translated “gathering” and deals with the coming of Christ.</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The three great
Christian virtues are evidenced here: faith (Heb. 10:22), hope (Heb. 10:23),
and love (Heb. 10:24). They are the fruit of our fellowship with God in His
heavenly sanctuary.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/10.1-25.docx" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></sup></b></span></sup></a></span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;">
<br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/10.1-25.docx" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></sup></span></sup></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Bible
exposition commentary</span></i><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> (Vol. 2, pp. 313–315). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14177977230653907004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-789295729306267055.post-20068585085016093972016-08-04T18:40:00.004-07:002016-08-04T18:40:46.763-07:00Hebrews 9:1-28
<br />
<div align="center" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Hebrews 9:1-28</span></b></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
following passage is taken from Warren Wiesbe’s <u>Expository Outlines on the
New Testament:</u></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We
have seen that Christ’s priesthood is better than Aaron’s because it belongs to
a better order, that of Melchizedek (chap. 7) and because it is administered
under a better covenant, namely the New Covenant (chap. 8). Here in chapter 9
we will see that Christ’s priesthood is superior because it is administered
from a better sanctuary.</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .25in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: .5in; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I.</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Inferior Sanctuary Under the Old
Covenant (9:1–10)</b></span></i></div>
<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
writer gives five reasons why the Old Covenant sanctuary was inferior:</span></i></div>
<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It
was on earth (v. 1).</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The word “worldly” means “of this world, on the
earth.” God gave Moses the pattern from heaven, but Moses built the tabernacle
(and Solomon the temple) on earth and of earthly materials. The sanctuary was
divinely appointed, and the services were carried on under God’s direction.
Still, everything was on the earth. As we shall see in the latter part of this
chapter, the new sanctuary is heavenly.</span></i></div>
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<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: .25in; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">B.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It
was but a shadow of things to come (vv. 2–5).</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Here the writer describes the arrangement and
furnishings of the OT tabernacle. Note that “the first” in vv. 2 and 6 means
“the first section of the tabernacle,” the holy place. “The second tabernacle”
of v. 7 does not refer to a second tabernacle built after the first one that
Moses made; it means the second division of the tabernacle—the holy of holies.
The brazen altar and the laver stood in the outer court. The first veil (note
v. 3) hung between this outer court and the holy place. In the holy place stood
the candlestick, the table of bread, and the incense altar. Behind the second
veil was the holy of holies, into which only the high priest could go, and then
only on the annual Day of Atonement (Lev. 16). In the holy of holies stood the
ark of the covenant. All these things pointed to Christ and were shadows of the
great spiritual realities that God would give in the New Covenant.</span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">C.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It
was inaccessible to the people (vv. 6–7).</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Only the priests could minister in the court and the
holy place, and only the high priest could enter the holy of holies. As we
shall see, the heavenly sanctuary is open to all of God’s people.</span></i></div>
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<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: .25in; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">D.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It
was temporary (v. 8).</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The veil between men and God reminded the people
that the way into God’s presence had not yet been opened. Verse 9 says that
while the veil remained, there would still be two parts to the tabernacle—a
symbol (figure, parable) of the relationship between Israel and God. When
Christ died, the veil was torn and the need for an earthly sanctuary was
abolished.</span></i></div>
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<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: .25in; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">E.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It
was ineffective for changing hearts (vv. 9–10).</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Day after day, the priests offered the same
sacrifices. The blood covered sin but never washed it away. Nor could the blood
of animals change the hearts and consciences of the worshipers. These were
“carnal ordinances,” that is, ceremonies that dealt with the externals, not the
inner person. They were temporary acts, awaiting the full revelation of the
grace of God in Jesus Christ at the cross.</span></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">II.</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Superior Sanctuary Under the New
Covenant (9:11–28)</b></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">At
v. 11 the picture changes, and the writer explains why the New Covenant
sanctuary is superior to the Old and why Christ’s priesthood is superior to
Aaron’s.</span></i></div>
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<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: .25in; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It
is a heavenly sanctuary (v. 11).</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Christ is a high priest of good things “that have
come to pass.” His heavenly sanctuary is greater and more perfect because it
was not made with human hands. The word “building” ought to read “creation”; it
is not of this creation because it is of the new creation. The earthly
tabernacle belonged to the Old Covenant, the old creation, but Christ’s
sanctuary is of the New Covenant, the new creation. See also v. 24.</span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">B.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It
is effective for changing lives (vv. 12–23).</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">What a contrast! The high priest took another
creature’s blood into the holy of holies many times during his life; but Jesus
took His own blood into God’s presence once for all. The OT sacrifices brought
about ceremonial cleansing for the body (v. 13) but could never reach into the
heart and conscience. But the blood of Christ, shed once and for all, purges
the conscience and gives the believer an unchanging and perfect standing before
God. All Jewish ceremonies were but “dead works” in comparison to the living
relationship with God under the New Covenant.</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Verses 15–23 use
the illustration of a testament or will. A person makes a will and determines
how to distribute the estate. But the inheritance goes to no one until the
person dies. Christ had an eternal inheritance to give to His church, and this
inheritance is spelled out in the New Covenant, Christ’s “last will and
testament.” For the will to take effect, He had to die. But the amazing thing
is this: Christ died to make the will effective, and then came back from the
dead to administer His estate personally! Even the first covenant, under Moses,
was sealed with blood (Ex. 24:6–8). When the earthly sanctuary was erected, it
was also dedicated with blood. But this blood of animals could only bring about
ceremonial purity, not inward cleansing.</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Verse 23
suggests that Christ’s death even purified the heavenly things. These things
may be the heavenly people of God (see 12:22ff; Eph. 2:22) who have been
purified by Christ’s blood; or, it may suggest that the presence of Satan in
heaven (Rev. 12:3ff) demanded a special cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary.</span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">C.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It
is the fulfillment and not the shadow (v. 24).</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Aaronic priests ministered in a tabernacle that
was temporary; it pointed to a Christ yet to come. Christ is not ministering in
a man-made tabernacle full of earthly imitations; He is ministering in a
heavenly sanctuary that is the fulfillment of these OT practices. The high
priest sprinkled blood on the mercy seat for the people, but Christ represents
us in the very presence of God. What a tragedy it is when people cling to
religious ceremonies that please the senses and fail to lay hold, by faith, of
the great heavenly ministry of Christ.</span></i></div>
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<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: .25in; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">D.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It
is based on a completed sacrifice (vv. 25–28).</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The superiority of Christ’s sacrifice is the theme
of chapter 10, but it is also mentioned here. The priest’s work was never done
because the sacrifices were never final. Christ’s death was final. He appeared
“at the climax of the ages” to put away sin, not merely cover it. The veil has
been rent and the way opened into the presence of God. Christ appears in heaven
for us; we can come into the presence of God. The OT Jew did not have access to
God’s immediate presence; he would not have dared to enter the holy of holies.
But because of Christ’s completed work on the cross (“It is finished!”), we
have an open path to God through Him.</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Note that the
word “appear” is used three times in vv. 24–28. We see Christ’s past
appearance, which put away sin (v. 26), His present appearance in heaven for us
(v. 24), and His future appearance to take us to glory (v. 28). When the high
priest disappeared into the tabernacle on the Day of Atonement, the people
waited outside expectantly for him to reappear. Perhaps God would refuse the
blood and kill the high priest. What joy there was when he came out again! And
what joy we will have when our High Priest appears to take us to our eternal
holy of holies, to live with Him forever!<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/9.1-28.docx" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></sup></b></span></sup></a></span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;">
<br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/9.1-28.docx" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></sup></span></sup></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
Wiersbe, W. W. (1992). </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wiersbe’s
expository outlines on the New Testament</span></i><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> (699–703). Wheaton, IL: Victor
Books.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14177977230653907004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-789295729306267055.post-45086620738180538332016-08-04T18:39:00.003-07:002016-08-04T18:39:51.039-07:00Hebrews 7:1-28
<br />
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Hebrews 7:1-28</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">I have
listened several times to the beautiful soundtrack of Andrew Lloyd Weber's <b><u>The
Phantom of the Opera</u></b> ...one of the things about that musical I find so
interesting is how the Weber uses repetition of the song <i>"Music of the
Night" </i>to tie the musical together...just when your mind begins to
wander, the melody of <i>"Music of the Night"</i> can be heard softly
in the background calling you back to the main theme of the musical...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">That is
something of what the writer of the book of Hebrews does to keep the major
theme of the book before the reader...we have seen that the main theme of
Hebrews is the superiority of Jesus Christ as our high priest...so for in our
study of Hebrews we have seen that Jesus is superior to the angels (ch.1-2), to
Moses (ch.3), to the priests of Judaism (ch.5), and to Abraham (ch.6)...</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> It is the writer’s purpose in this section to show that
the priesthood of Christ is better than that of Aaron’s (whose successors were
at that time ministering on earth, 8:4) because His priesthood is of a superior
order (chap. 7). It is ministered under a superior covenant (chap. 8), in a
superior sanctuary (chap. 9), because of a superior sacrifice (chap. 10).<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/7.1-28.docx" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[1]</span></sup></b></span></sup></a></span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">And to drive
that point home, the writer again and again repeats a favorite statement...that
statement is that Jesus is a high priest <b><i>"according to the order of
Melchizedek"</i></b>...that statement is repeated at least six times in
Hebrews...we've come to passage in Hebrews which deals in some detail with this
mysterious OT character named Melchizedek...look at Hebrews 7</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">There is
much speculation about the identity of Melchizedek... some people take the
statements in v.3 about him being <b><i>"without father, without mother,
without genealogy..."</i></b> to mean he was not a person like we
are...they say he was either an angel who took on a human form or he was a
preincarnation of Jesus, Himself...however, he couldn't have been an angel
because the Bible says he was a priest and the Scripture makes it clear that
the priesthood is a human not an angelic function...and he couldn't have been
Jesus because v.3 describes him as being <b><i>"made like the Son of
God"</i></b> not being the Son of God...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">So who was Melchizedek?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I agree
with Warren Wiersbe who writes, <b><i>"He was a real man, a real king, and
a real priest in a real city."</i></b>... but since there is no record of
his birth or death there it's as if he is still living and serving as a high
priest...he is a picture, a foreshadowing of Jesus, the great eternal high
priest...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Notice that
verse1 describes this OT character as <b><i>"Melchizedek, king of
Salem..."</i></b>...then verse 2 tells us the meaning of those words...<b><i>"Melchizedek"</i></b>
means <i>righteousness</i>...<b><i>"Salem"</i></b> which is a
shortened form of Jerusalem from the Hebrew word <i>shalom</i> means <i>peace</i>...so
his name is <i>"righteousness, king of peace"</i>...and in that is a
very important biblical principle...that principle is true peace always follows
righteousness...until a person experiences righteousness (which just means
rightness with God) that person will not have peace in his/her life...that
principle surfaces time and again in the Scripture...for example--</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--Isaiah
32:17 - <b><i>"And the work of righteousness shall be peace, and the
effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever."</i></b></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--Romans 5:1
- <b><i>"Therefore being justified [made righteousness] by faith, we have
made peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."</i></b></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Jesus’ priesthood (Melchizedek)
is superior to Aaron’s because the Levitical priests (through Abraham) paid
tithes to Melchizedek (vv.4-10)</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: 0pt;">This is rabbinical exegesis. Since Levi the tribe of Aaron
is descendant from Abraham, then the Jewish priesthood (i.e. even the High
Priest) paid tithes to Melchizedek. Therefore, Melchizedek is superior and
Jesus is superior to Jewish priests.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/7.1-28.docx" name="_ftnref2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[2]</span></sup></b></span></sup></a></span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: 0pt;">Jesus’ perfect priesthood (Melchizedek) replaced Aaron’s
imperfect priesthood (vv.11-19)</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: 0pt;">The Levitic line of priesthood was imperfect (7:11–12). It
was necessary for God to draw the new priesthood from a new line, Judah from
whom Jesus came (vv. 13–15). Because of his endless life, Jesus is a priest in
the order of Melchizedek (vv. 16–17).<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/7.1-28.docx" name="_ftnref3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[3]</span></sup></b></span></sup></a></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="-ms-text-justify: inter-ideograph; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“better hope” </span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">(v.19) – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">This is a recurrent theme in Hebrews:</i></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>much better than the angels (cf. 1:4)</span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>better things concerning you (cf. 6:9)</span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">3.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>lesser is blessed by the greater (cf. 7:7)</span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">4.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>a better hope (cf. 7:19)</span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">5.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>a better covenant (cf. 7:22)</span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">6.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>with better sacrifice (cf. 9:23)</span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">7.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>a better possession (cf.10:34)</span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">8.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>a better resurrection (cf. 11:35)</span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">9.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>God has provided something better (cf.11:40)</span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">10.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>the sprinkled blood speaks better (cf. 12:24)<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/7.1-28.docx" name="_ftnref4" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn4;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[4]</span></sup></b></span></sup></a></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: 0pt;">Jesus’ priesthood is superior to Aaron’s because it is
sealed by an oath (vv. 20-22) </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: 0pt;">While God acknowledged Aaron and his successors in the
elaborate ceremonies described in Ex. 28–30, we have no record of a divine oath
that sealed their priesthood.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/7.1-28.docx" name="_ftnref5" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn5;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[5]</span></sup></b></span></sup></a></span></i></div>
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<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: 0pt;">God’s promises
can be trusted because His character and power stand behind them (cf. Isa.
46:10). This oath is a reference to Ps. 110:4, which is discussed in Heb.
6:13–17.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/7.1-28.docx" name="_ftnref6" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn6;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[6]</span></sup></span></sup></a></span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: 0pt;">“guarantee”
(surety) </span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: 0pt;">(v.22) - </span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: 0pt;">The Hebrew background is “a pledge put in the hand,” which
implies surety. It came to be used in Greek for collateral on a loan or a jail
bond. Also, in Roman law it stood for that which was legally secured. Jesus is
the Father’s surety of the effectiveness of the new covenant.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/7.1-28.docx" name="_ftnref7" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn7;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[7]</span></sup></b></span></sup></a></span></i></div>
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<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: 0pt;">Jesus’ priesthood is superior to Aaron’s because is eternal
as opposed to temporary (vv. 23-25)</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: 0pt;">The Law was holy and good, but it was limited by the
frailties of the flesh. Aaron died; his sons after him also died. The
priesthood was as good as the man, and the man did not last forever. But Christ
lives to die no more! He has an unchanging priesthood because He lives by the
power of an endless life.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/7.1-28.docx" name="_ftnref8" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn8;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[8]</span></sup></b></span></sup></a></span></i></div>
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<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Hebrews 7:25 is one of the most
beautiful verses in the Bible...John MacArthur, in his commentary on Hebrews
says, <b><i>"Like John 3:16, [Hebrews 7:25] contains the whole essence of
the gospel."</i></b>.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Notice
the verse begins with the phrase, <b><i>"Hence, also, He is able to
save..."</i></b>...important understand this verse is concluding statement
of all that has been said before in this chapter… Jesus the perfect High Priest
is compared with the lesser priests of Israel...while the priests of Israel
could offer sacrifices which partially and temporarily covered sin, Jesus
became the sacrifice who removes sin permanently...Because Jesus was perfect -
without sin...because He offered Himself on the cross as the sacrifice for our
sins...He and only He is able to save...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I
know that making such a claim runs directly contrary to the prevailing spirit
of our culture...our culture says there are many paths to God...and that one
path is just as good as another as long as a person is faithful, sincere, and
consistent...and I realize that evangelical Christians are often criticized and
labelled as narrow and bigoted and close-minded for claiming that Jesus is the
only way to God....But the reason we make that claim is because that is exactly
what the Bible teaches...the Scripture states it so clearly in Acts 4:12 - <b><i>"And
there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that
has been given among men, by which we must be saved."</i></b>...and Jesus
said in John 14:6 -<b><i>"I am the way and the truth and the life, and
no-one comes to the Father but through me."</i></b></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Notice this verse describes those
people who experience salvation as <b><i>"those who draw near to God
through Him"</i></b>...it's not the drawing near which saves us...Jesus
saves us...but the result of our salvation is that the enmity between us and
God is ended...the chasm has been spanned...the separation has been closed...And
one of the main themes of the book of Hebrews is that Jesus makes it possible
for us to draw near to God...five times in Hebrews the writer uses the phrase <b><i>"draw
near"</i></b> to describe the result of salvation...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.25in; text-indent: -0.75in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">--Hebrews 4:16 tells us to <b><i>"draw
near with confidence to the throne of grace..."</i></b></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.25in; text-indent: -0.75in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">--Hebrews 7:19 tells us we can <b><i>"draw
near to God"</i></b> because of the hope/assurance we have in Jesus...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.25in; text-indent: -0.75in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">--This verse (Hebrews 7:25) tells
us we can <b><i>"draw near to God through Him [Jesus]..."</i></b></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.25in; text-indent: -0.75in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">--Hebrews 10:1 points out that
it's not the law but Christ which makes it possible for us to <b><i>"draw
near"</i></b> to God...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.25in; text-indent: -0.75in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">--Hebrews 10:22 instructs us to <b><i>"draw
near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith"</i></b> because we
have been cleansed by Jesus...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">A.T. Robertson, the great Greek
scholar, points out the verb translated <b><i>"draw near"</i></b>
comes from a word which means <i>"to approach reverently and with respect
for the purpose of worship"</i>...however, the writer of Hebrews softens
the word immensely...because of what Jesus has done for us, we can approach God
not as some distant, uncaring deity but as a compassionate, loving
Father...Like a child cuddles in the lap of a loving parent, so we have the
privilege of cuddling in the lap of God...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The first part of v.25 tells us
that Jesus <b><i>"is able to save <u>forever</u>..."</i></b>...the
last part of the verse tells us why that is true...<b><i>"...since He
always lives to make intercession for [us]" </i></b>Do you see the
beautiful picture in that?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you see
what this verse is saying about the security, the permanence of our
salvation?...one writer put it this way:</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">"The security of our
salvation is Jesus' perpetual intercession for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can no more keep ourselves saved that we
can save ourselves in the first place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But just as Jesus has power to save us, He has power to keep us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Constantly, eternally, perpetually Jesus
Christ intercedes for us before His Father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Whenever we sin He says to the Father, 'Put that on My account.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My sacrifice has already paid for it.'"
[MacArthur, p.201]</span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Once we have entered a faith
relationship with God through Jesus Christ, it is the power of Christ which
keeps us in that relationship...salvation is permanent...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Verses 26-28 basically restate the main themes of this
chapter.</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;">
<br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/7.1-28.docx" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[1]</span></sup></span></sup></a>
Wiersbe, W. W. (1992). <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wiersbe’s
expository outlines on the New Testament</i> (694). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.</div>
</div>
<div id="ftn2" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/7.1-28.docx" name="_ftn2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[2]</span></sup></span></sup></a>
Utley, R. J. (1999). <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Vol. Volume 10</i>: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Superiority of the New Covenant: Hebrews</i>.
Study Guide Commentary Series (71). Marshall, Texas: Bible Lessons
International.</div>
</div>
<div id="ftn3" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/7.1-28.docx" name="_ftn3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[3]</span></sup></span></sup></a>
Fields, W. C. (1972). Hebrews. In H. F. Paschall & H. H. Hobbs (Eds.), <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The teacher's Bible commentary</i> (H. F.
Paschall & H. H. Hobbs, Ed.) (777–778). Nashville: Broadman and Holman
Publishers.</div>
</div>
<div id="ftn4" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/7.1-28.docx" name="_ftn4" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn4;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[4]</span></sup></span></sup></a>
Utley, R. J. (1999). <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Vol. Volume 10</i>: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Superiority of the New Covenant: Hebrews</i>.
Study Guide Commentary Series (71). Marshall, Texas: Bible Lessons
International.</div>
</div>
<div id="ftn5" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/7.1-28.docx" name="_ftn5" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn5;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[5]</span></sup></span></sup></a>
Wiersbe, W. W. (1992). <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wiersbe’s
expository outlines on the New Testament</i> (695). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.</div>
</div>
<div id="ftn6" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/7.1-28.docx" name="_ftn6" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn6;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[6]</span></sup></span></sup></a>
Utley, R. J. (1999). <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Vol. Volume 10</i>: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Superiority of the New Covenant: Hebrews</i>.
Study Guide Commentary Series (73). Marshall, Texas: Bible Lessons
International.</div>
</div>
<div id="ftn7" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/7.1-28.docx" name="_ftn7" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn7;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[7]</span></sup></span></sup></a>
Utley, R. J. (1999). <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Vol. Volume 10</i>: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Superiority of the New Covenant: Hebrews</i>.
Study Guide Commentary Series (74). Marshall, Texas: Bible Lessons
International.</div>
</div>
<div id="ftn8" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/7.1-28.docx" name="_ftn8" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn8;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[8]</span></sup></span></sup></a>
Wiersbe, W. W. (1992). <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wiersbe’s
expository outlines on the New Testament</i> (695–696). Wheaton, IL: Victor
Books.</div>
</div>
</div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14177977230653907004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-789295729306267055.post-5799626727126945202016-08-04T18:38:00.005-07:002016-08-04T18:38:52.905-07:00Hebrews 5:1-6:20 Part 3
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Hebrews
5:11-6:20 (Part 3)</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">In Hebrews 6 the writer essentially instructs his readers
to do three things:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">Grow
up</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"> (vv.1-3) – Don’t be satisfied with the basics of
Christianity…keep striving toward maturity</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">Watch
out (</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">vv.4-8) – These are the most difficult verses in chapter
6 (and maybe in all of Hebrews!) to interpret…be on guard against being led
away from the truth…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">Keep
on</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"> (vv.9-20) – Don’t grow weary of doing the right things…</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Keep On (Hebrews
6:9-20)</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Like the way
this paragraph begins...look at first part of v.9 - <b><i>"But, beloved,
we are convinced of better things concerning you..."</i></b>...notice how
encouraging that statement is...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Calls them <b><i>"beloved"</i></b> - One of the
NT's most meaningful words...expresses the highest kind of
relationship...refers to unconditional acceptance...used 60 times in NT and
first 9 times used by God the Father in speaking of Jesus, His beloved Son...this
is the only time this particular word is used in Hebrews…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">“convinced”</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> - </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The
verb indicates a past hesitation that has been overcome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Carries the idea of being persuaded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: 0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">The writer here bases
his confidence on the past record of these Hebrew Christians. <a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/5.11-6.20.Part%203.docx" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></sup></b></span></sup></a></span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> Paul uses a form of this word in
2 Timothy 1:12.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">“better things”</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> – As opposed to the things
just listed in the previous verses.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Basically
writer saying, <i>"I have confidence in you"</i>...I have no doubt
you'll do the right thing...instead of raising doubts about them, expressed
confidence in them...needs be read in context of what is said in previous
verses ...had just talked about people who had fallen away, ceased to be
faithful, and were no longer productive in their Christian lives...writer says,
<i>"Even though some have gone that way, I know you won't...I expect
better things from you"</i>...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Growing up I
played organized baseball.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over the
years I had a variety of coaches with different leadership styles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The one I remember the most and who got the
most out of me had a saying that he would use when I made a mistake (especially
a mental mistake) on the field.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead
of <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>chastising, he would simply say <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“You are better than that!”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is kind of what the writer of Hebrews is
doing in this passage.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">“things that accompany salvation”</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> – Probably
a reference to the fruit of a Christian’s life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This is what was previously referred to in that little parable we looked
at in the previous session in verses 7-8.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Verse 10 lists some of that fruit…<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">”…you work..love…ministering t the saints…”</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">“we desire…each one…”</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> – Denotes a
strong, earnest feeling for each individual.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This is an intensely personal statement.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">“full assurance of hope” </span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">- </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: 0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Notice this is related to lifestyle action (cf. James, I Peter, and I
John). Assurance is not primarily a doctrine to affirm, but a life to live (cf.
Matt. 7).<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/5.11-6.20.Part%203.docx" name="_ftnref2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">[2]</span></sup></b></span></sup></a> </span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: 0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">The more we obey to more
assurance we have!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">“…not sluggish…but imitators…”</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> - <b><i>"</i></b>...in
other words, find people who are being faithful...find people who are sticking
with their commitment... find people who are worthy examples, and model your
lives after them...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Notice the
reference to faith (v.12), hope (v.11), and love (v.10) in this paragraph.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the great Christian trilogy that
often appears in the New Testament. (cf. 1 Corinthians 13:13; Colossians 1:4-5)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">The
paragraph in verses 13-20 is basically an illustration of someone who “kept on”
even when it was difficult.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Key phrase
in that paragraph is phrase in first part of v.17 - <b><i>"In the same
way..."</i></b>...in verses before that phrase writer points to God's
faithfulness in fulfilling the promise/covenant with Abraham in OT...and in
verses following the phrase <b><i>"In the same way..."</i></b> in
v.17 points to God's faithfulness in fulfilling the promise/covenant He made
with those who trust their lives to Jesus...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">The basic
teaching of this paragraph can be stated in a single sentence ...God is
trustworthy...God is faithful...God<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>is
dependable...you can count of God doing what He says He will do...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">And in last
part of this paragraph writer uses three figures of speech which ultimately
describe Jesus and which tell us why we can and should trust our lives to
Him...want to share those with you today...</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">We should
trust Jesus because He is our refuge</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Last part of v.18 describes
Christians as those <b><i>"...who have fled for refuge in laying hold of
the hope set before us."</i></b>...the phrase <b><i>"fled for
refuge"</i></b> is reference to the Old Testament <i>"cities of
refuge"</i>...in OT God appointed six cities, three on each side of the
Jordan, to which a person could flee if he accidentally killed someone...as
long as the offender stayed in a city of refuge, the family of the slain person
was not allowed to avenge the death of their relative...<i>"cities of
refuge"</i> were places of protection, of safety for someone who had made
a mistake...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>That's one thing Jesus is for
Christians...He is place of refuge ...place of protection...place of
safety...to Him we have fled... in His hands we have place our lives...and as
one writer put it:</span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--When all about us the storms of life are raging, there
is refuge in Him for the faithful.</span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--When the tides of adversity are sweeping over us, there
is encouragement in Him for the faithful.</span></i></b></div>
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<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--When the battles of life are going against us, there is
hope in Him for the faithful.</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> [LBC, p.40]</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">3.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Where do you turn when things
get difficult?...when life begins to unravel?...when you best laid plans begin
to come apart?...where do you turn for safety and protection?...the only sure
place of refuge is in Jesus...can't tell you how many times I've heard a person
say, <i>"If weren't for presence of Christ in my life, don't think I would
make it through this time."</i>...but His presence makes all the
difference in the world...</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">4.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Psalmist said it so well in
first part of 46th Psalm:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b><i>"God
is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth
should change, and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea..."</i></b>...why?...because
as says at end of the psalm, <b><i>"The Lord of hosts is with us..."</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We should trust Jesus because He is with
us....has promised never to leave us or forsake us...He is our refuge...</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">We should
trust Jesus because He is our anchor</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In verse 19 the writer
describes the hope we have in Jesus as the <b><i>"anchor of the soul"</i></b>...the
anchor was a popular symbol in the early church...in the catacombs in Rome,
that subterranean world where ancient Christians buried their dead, at least 66
pictures of anchors have been found...</span></div>
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<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A well know Greek Stoic
philosopher wrote, <b><i>"One must not tie a ship to a single anchor, nor
life to a single hope."</i></b>...but the early Christians would have
strongly disagreed with that... they had but one anchor...they staked their
lives solely and completely on the hope they had in Jesus...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">3.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In a couple of weeks Carol and
I are going down to Rockport on Texas Gulf Coast...I have gone there most
summers since I was a young child…in middle of Copano Bay near Rockport is a
shell reef known as Lap Reef...gets that name because when tide is low can see
water lapping over it...it's an excellent place to fish...fisherman will come
in their boats to Lap Reef,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>drop the
anchor, and get out of the boat and wade fish around the edges on the reef...on
occasion an anxious fisherman will leave the boat before checking to make sure
the anchor is secure...the boat will drift away from the reef, leaving the
fishermen stranded until another boat comes along...</span></div>
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<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">4.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>When a boat is not anchored
properly, it will drift, usually causing trouble...and when our lives are not
anchored in Jesus, we too will drift into trouble...just as boat needs a secure
anchor, we need a secure anchor for our lives...notice what v.17 says about
anchoring our lives in Jesus...when anchor lives in Christ--</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--have <b><i>"sure"</i></b> anchor...which means it cannot
break no matter how great the pressure...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--have <b><i>"steadfast"</i></b> anchor which means it will
not slip...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">5.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Nothing and no-one apart from
Jesus can give us that kind of security...in addition to trusting Jesus because
He is our refuge and our anchor...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">We should trust Jesus because He is our forerunner</span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The word translated <b><i>"forerunner"</i></b>
in v.20...that word carries the idea of <i>"pioneer"</i> -someone who
goes before others, blazing a trail for others to follow...it also carries the
idea of <i>"scout"</i> - someone who goes ahead to see that the way
is safe for others to follow...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Where did Jesus go as our <b><i>"forerunner"</i></b>
or our pioneer and scout...last part of v.19 says he entered <b><i>"within
the veil"</i></b>... while that's strange language for us, the initial
Jewish recipients of this letter would have immediately understood what it
meant...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">3.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This is third direct reference
in Hebrews to this particular Jewish custom...in Temple the most holy of all
places was the Holy of Holies...it was where the Ark of the Covenant...this
place represented the very presence of God...was<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>separated from the rest of the Temple by a
veil...once a year, on the Day of Atonement, the high priest would go beyond
the veil to make a sacrifice for the people...even on that day he was not
allowed to linger there...was required to make the sacrifice and immediately
leave the Holy of Holies...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">4.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But Jesus has gone beyond that
veil as our forerunner or pioneer...has blazed a trail for us to follow...and
because of what He has done for us, each of us now have the privilege of
entering and living in the very presence of God...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">5.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>One writer summarizes this
part of Hebrews this way:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b><i>"Under
the old Jewish religion no one might enter into the presence of God but the
High Priest, and he might only enter in on one day of the year; but now, Jesus
Christ has opened a way to the presence of God<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>for every [person] at every time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The way that was closed is open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The presence of God is there for all."</i></b> [Barclay, p.64]</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">6.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And, of course, Jesus
accomplished that through His sacrificial death on the cross for our
sins...three of the four gospels tell us that when Jesus died on the cross, the
veil in the Temple separating the Holy of Holies from the rest of the Temple
was torn in two...through Jesus' death on our behalf it is now possible for
each of us to enter the very presence of God...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;">
<br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/5.11-6.20.Part%203.docx" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[1]</span></sup></span></sup></a>
Hacking, P. H. (2006). <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Opening up Hebrews</i>.
Opening Up Commentary (38–39). Leominster: Day One Publications.</div>
</div>
<div id="ftn2" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/5.11-6.20.Part%203.docx" name="_ftn2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[2]</span></sup></span></sup></a>
Utley, R. J. (1999). <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Vol. Volume 10</i>: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Superiority of the New Covenant: Hebrews</i>.
Study Guide Commentary Series (65). Marshall, Texas: Bible Lessons
International.</div>
</div>
</div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14177977230653907004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-789295729306267055.post-52862782438814680812016-08-04T18:38:00.001-07:002016-08-04T18:38:05.178-07:00Hebrews 5:11-6:20 Part 2
<br />
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Hebrews
5:11-6:20 (Part 2)</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="-ms-text-justify: inter-ideograph; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">In Hebrews 6
the writer essentially instructs his readers to do three things:</span></div>
<br />
<div style="-ms-text-justify: inter-ideograph; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">Grow
up</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"> (vv.1-3) – Don’t be satisfied with the basics of
Christianity…keep striving toward maturity</span></div>
<br />
<div style="-ms-text-justify: inter-ideograph; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">Watch
out (</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">vv.4-8) – These are the most difficult verses in chapter
6 (and maybe in all of Hebrews!) to interpret…be on guard against being led
away from the truth…</span></div>
<br />
<div style="-ms-text-justify: inter-ideograph; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">Keep
on</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"> (vv.9-20) – Don’t grow weary of doing the right things…</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: 0pt;">No chapter in
the Bible has disturbed people more than has Heb. 6. It is unfortunate that
even sincere believers have “fallen out” over the doctrine of “falling away”!
Scholars have offered several interpretations of this passage: (1) it describes
the sin of apostasy, which means Christians can lose their salvation; (2) it
deals with people who were “almost saved” but then backed away from trusting
Christ; (3) it describes a sin possible only to Jews living while the Jewish
temple was still standing; (4) it presents a “hypothetical case” or
illustration that could not really happen. While I respect the views of others,
I must reject those ideas just listed. I feel that Heb. 6 (like the rest of the
book) was written to believers, but this chapter does not describe a sin that
results in a believer “losing salvation.” If we keep the total context of the
book in mind, and if we pay close attention to the words used, we will discover
that the main lessons of the chapter are ones of repentance and assurance.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/5.11-6.20.Part%202.docx" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[1]</span></sup></b></span></sup></a></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Grow Up</span></u></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> (6:1-3)</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="-ms-text-justify: inter-ideograph; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">They key
phrase in these three verses is <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“…let us press on to maturity…” </i></b>in
the middle part of verse 1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wiersbe
translates the phrase, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“…let us be
carried forward to maturity…”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Actually, this phrase is not talking so much about our effort as our
being in a position where God causes us to mature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like a plant does not grow itself, it grows
as the natural result of having appropriate levels of nutrients, moisture,
light, and temperature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like a baby does
not grow itself, it grows as natural result of eating, sleeping, exercising,
and being cared for by loving parents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So Christian maturity does not come as a result of our effort, it comes
as a result of our yielding ourselves to God, receiving God’s Word, and
allowing God’s Spirit to reshape us into the image of Christ.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="-ms-text-justify: inter-ideograph; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="-ms-text-justify: inter-ideograph; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">To do that,
we must move beyond the basics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s
what the phrase <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“…leaving the elementary teachings about Christ…” </i></b>in verse 1
means.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this verse the phrase <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“elementary
teachings”</i></b> translates the word <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">arche</i>
(as opposed to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">stochea </i>in Hebrews
5:12).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The word carries the idea of
moving beyond the beginning of something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Some see this word as representing the opposite of the word translated <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“maturity”
</i></b>(<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">teleios</i>) which carries the
idea of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">perfected </i>or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">completed</i>.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="-ms-text-justify: inter-ideograph; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="-ms-text-justify: inter-ideograph; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">In the last
part of verse 1 and verse 2, six elementary doctrines or beliefs are listed
which they must move beyond if they were to reach maturity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Warren Wiersbe has an interesting perspective
on this passage:</span></div>
<br />
<div style="-ms-text-justify: inter-ideograph; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Instead of going ahead, however, these believing
Jews were tempted to lay again “a foundation” that is described in vv. 2–3. The
six items in this foundation do not refer to the Christian faith as such, but
rather to the basic doctrines of Judaism. Facing the fires of persecution,
these Hebrew Christians were tempted to “fall by the wayside” by forsaking
their confession of Christ (4:14 and 10:23). They had already slipped back into
“babyhood” (5:11–14); now they were prone to go back to Judaism, thus laying
again the foundation that had prepared the way for Christ and the full light of
Christianity. They had repented from dead works, referring to works under the
law (9:14). They had shown faith toward God. They believed the doctrine of
washings (not baptism, but the Levitical washings; see Mark 7:4–5 and Heb.
9:10). Laying on of hands refers to the Day of Atonement, Lev. 16:21; and every
true Jew held to a future resurrection and judgment (see Acts 24:14–15). If
they did not move forward, they would be moving backward, which meant forsaking
the substance of Christianity for shadows of Judaism.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/5.11-6.20.Part%202.docx" name="_ftnref2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[2]</span></sup></b></span></sup></a></span></i></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="-ms-text-justify: inter-ideograph; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">In a certain
Asian tribe there is a common curse which the members of this tribe pronounce
on someone with whom they are displeased...the curse goes like this:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b><i>"May you stay in one place
forever."</i></b> [Brian's Lines, J/A, 1996, p.17]<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately, that is what happens to many
of us in our spiritual lives...we don't grow, mature, progress as we should...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="-ms-text-justify: inter-ideograph; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Watch
out (6:4-8)</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Verses written against a background of persecution...original recipients
of Hebrews facing severe persecution because of their faith in Christ and were
being tempted to abandon the faith and return to Judaism...to encourage them to
hold on and not fall away, the writer reminds them of two important
things...and these things are important reminders to us as well...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Remember the
privileges you have as God's people</span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Some scholars attempt to deal with the
difficulty of this passage by saying the writer is not talking about true
Christians ...they say the people being described in vv.4-5 are those who have
only come close to salvation but never entered into salvation...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Even though would solve some problems in
interpretation, can't bring myself to agree with that...seems to me these
verses contain vivid description of some of the blessings/privileges we
experience because we are Christians...in effect the writer was saying
something like this to these first century Christians...<i> "As you are
buffeted by persecution and as your are tempted to renounce your faith to avoid
suffering, remember all the privileges/blessings you would be renouncing."</i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">3.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>If you'll look at vv.4-5 you'll see five
wonderful privileges we have as Christians...Christians--</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--<b><i>"have
been enlightened"</i></b> - There was ancient saying, <i>"When Jesus
comes, the shadows depart."</i>...for Christians the darkness of guilt,
fear, doubt has been shattered and the light of forgiveness, joy, peace shines
in their lives...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--<b><i>"have
tasted of the heavenly gift"</i></b> - The <b><i>"heavenly gift"</i></b>
refers to God's gift of His Son for the forgiveness of our sins...(<b><i>"For
God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son..."</i></b>)...to
taste means to experience...they had experienced in their lives the gift of
God's Son...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--<b><i>"been
made partakers of the Holy Spirit"</i></b> - The word <b><i>"partakers"</i></b>
means sharers...they shared in the Holy Spirit ...the Holy Spirit lived in
their lives...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--<b><i>"have
tasted the good word of God"</i></b> - That is, Christians have discovered
and experienced the truth of God's Word...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--<b><i>"have
tasted ... the powers of the age to come"</i></b> - Christians have
experienced a foretaste of eternal life...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>What an incredible list of privileges we
have as Christians! But not only are we to remember our privileges as God's
people, we are also to...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Remember the
responsibilities you have as God's people</span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It is important not to read too much into or
misread what is being said in v.6...the issue being discussed here is not
salvation but fellowship with God...the true believer never needs to fear
losing salvation...the Bible is quite clear about that...verse after verse
speaks of the security of genuine Christians...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jesus said in John 10:27-29 - <b><i>"My
sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal
life to them, and they shall never perish; and no one shall snatch them out of
My hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Father, who has given them to Me, is greater
than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand."</i></b></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">3.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>So, when you read Hebrews 6:6 which says that
for those who <b><i>"...have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them
again to repentance..."</i></b> don't take that to mean that a Christian
can lose his/her salvation...even those Christians who do not believe in the
eternal security of the believer, would not say it's impossible for someone who
has fallen away to be saved...statement not about salvation but about
fellowship...</span> </div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">4.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: 0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Fall away” is not the
Gk. word apostasia, from which we get the English word “apostasy.” It is
parapipto, which means “to fall beside, to turn aside, to wander.” It is
similar to the word for “trespass,” as found in Gal. 6:1 (“if a man be
overtaken in a fault [trespass]”). So, v. 6 describes believers who have
experienced the spiritual blessings of God but who fall by the side or trespass
because of unbelief. Having done this, they are in danger of divine chastening
(see Heb. 12:5–13) and of becoming castaways (1 Cor. 9:24–27), which results in
loss of reward and divine disapproval, but not loss of salvation. <a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/5.11-6.20.Part%202.docx" name="_ftnref3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">[3]</span></sup></b></span></sup></a></span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">5.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The last part of v.6 is the key to
understanding this verse...look at what the last part of the verse which
says...<b><i>"...since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God,
and put Him to open shame..."</i></b>...two very important things about
the grammar of that phrase need to understand...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--word
translated <b><i>"since"</i></b> in NASB can also mean <i>"while"</i>...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--the verbs <b><i>"crucify"</i></b>
and <b><i>"put"</i></b> are in the present tense, meaning <i>"are
crucifying"</i> and <i>"are putting"</i>...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Putting all that together, the verse can
be translated this way:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i>"It is
impossible to renew to repentance those who have fallen away <u>while they are
crucifying to themselves the Son of God and putting Him to open shame."</u></i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">6.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Verse does not say these people can never be
brought to repentance...says they can never be brought to repentance as long as
they continue refusing to repent...point is, it is impossible for someone to
renew fellowship with God while<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>that
person is in process of being openly and defiantly rebellious against God...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Let me illustrate it this way...suppose two
people are married ...they are husband and wife...but one of them chooses to be
unfaithful to other, and as a result the relationship between the husband and
wife is broken...even though they may still be married, their relationship
cannot be restored until the one who has been unfaithful changes his/her
behavior, seeks forgiveness, and works toward reconciliation with the other...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Just as it's the primary responsibility of a
husband to be faithful to his wife and a wife to be faithful to her husband,
it's the primary responsibility of a Christian to be faithful to God...and if
we are not faithful, our fellowship with God is broken...but if are faithful,
wonderful things happen...the last part of this paragraph tells us the result
of being faithful...the point of that little parable in vv.7-8 about the
productive ground (which represents a faithful Christian) and unproductive
ground (which represents an unfaithful Christian) is that as we are faithful to
God we are also useful to God...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">3.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>V.7 says that faithful Christians are a
blessing and v.8 says unfaithful Christians are <b><i>"close to being a
curse”</i></b>...if want be blessing to your family, your church, your world,
then be faithful to God...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>From my earliest days, I remember my parents
drilling into me one of life's most important lessons...that lesson is that
along with privilege comes responsibility...the greater the privilege, the
greater the accompanying responsibility...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Think that's the basic message of this part
of Hebrews...as God's people we are the recipients of great spiritual
privileges...in response to those privileges, God expects us to be faithful and
productive...may it be so in our lives...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="-ms-text-justify: inter-ideograph; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;">
<br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/5.11-6.20.Part%202.docx" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[1]</span></sup></span></sup></a>
Wiersbe, W. W. (1992). <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wiersbe’s
expository outlines on the New Testament</i> (690–691). Wheaton, IL: Victor
Books.</div>
</div>
<div id="ftn2" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/5.11-6.20.Part%202.docx" name="_ftn2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[2]</span></sup></span></sup></a>
Wiersbe, W. W. (1992). <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wiersbe’s
expository outlines on the New Testament</i> (691). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.</div>
</div>
<div id="ftn3" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/5.11-6.20.Part%202.docx" name="_ftn3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[3]</span></sup></span></sup></a>
Wiersbe, W. W. (1992). <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wiersbe’s
expository outlines on the New Testament</i> (692). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.</div>
</div>
</div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14177977230653907004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-789295729306267055.post-34592007977024629122016-06-03T18:48:00.002-07:002016-06-03T18:48:42.112-07:00Hebrews 6:11-6:20 (Part 1)
<br />
<div align="center" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Hebrews
5:11-6:20 (Part 1)</span></b></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We
have seen that interspersed throughout Hebrews is a series of passages often
referred to as “warning passages.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In my
opinion, these passages are directed toward Jewish Christians in the 1<sup>st</sup>
century who were considering abandoning Christianity and reverting back to
Judaism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Warren Wiersbe categorizes the
passages this way:</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Drifting from the Word—2:1–4
(neglect)</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Doubting the Word—3:7–4:13 (hard
heart)</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Dullness toward the
Word—5:11–6:20 (sluggishness)</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Despising the Word—10:26–39
(willfulness)</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Defying the Word—12:14–29
(refusing to hear)</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">In
our journey through Hebrews we have come to the third of these passages. Hebrews 5:11-6:20 is a parenthetical
expression in the middle of a larger passage concerning the superiority of
Jesus as our high priest in Hebrews 5 – 9.
Notice the reference to Melchizedek in 5:10 and then again in 7:1. Everything in between those two verses
consists of the parenthetical expression and third major warning passage of the
book.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The
key question in dealing with this warning is determining to whom it is
addressed. John MacArthur argues that
the audience for this warning is unbelieving Jews who had heard the gospel,
understood the gospel, but rejected the gospel.
Others, and I fall in to this camp, hold that this warning is directed
toward Christian Jews who are not progressing in the faith and who are in
danger of falling away.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Verse
11</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“him”</i></b> – Either Melchizedek
(MacArthur) or Christ (Utley). May mean
both in the sense that the point the writer is making in this larger section is
that </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Christ
is a priest after the order of Melchizedek.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“we”</i></b> – Literary plural</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“dull”</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> - </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Made up of two Greek words, one
meaning <i>"no"</i> and the other meaning <i>"push"</i>...literally
it means <i>"no push or slow or sluggish"</i>...in this passage the
writer uses the word in the sense of spiritual dullness or sluggishness...the
tense (perfect active indicative) indicates a settled state of being…this word
is used in the New Testament only here and in Hebrews 6:12 where the NASB
translates it as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“sluggish”</i>… </span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Joey Miller and Matthew McNelly concocted an ingenious
disguise before trying to break into an apartment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, we use the term "ingenious"
very loosely. Matthew and Joey spurned more traditional disguises like masks or
balaclavas, instead choosing to </span></i><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/6431303/Dumb-American-criminals-attempt-robbery-with-permanent-marker-pen-disguises.html" target="_blank"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="color: blue;">draw</span></span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN;"> on their own faces with permanent markers. Here's the
thing about permanent marker. It's extremely difficult to erase. So when the
pair was pulled over by police after the bungled break-in, they were easily
recognizable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The stunt earned Joey and
Matthew the nickname "dumb and dumber".<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>[</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/the-10-dumbest-criminals-in-the-world/story-fnixwvgh-1226708128173]<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">While it may not be as obvious
as that, the truth is that it is easy for us to become characterized by a spiritual
dullness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>“have
become” </span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">- Indicates they weren't always <b><i>"dull of
hearing"</i></b> but that they became that way over time...I doubt that
any Christian makes it his or her goal to be spiritually slow or
sluggish...when person first becomes a Christian there is an enthusiasm an
excitement about his or her Christian life...there is desire to learn more and
more and to grow as a disciple of Christ...but it is possible to drift into
spiritual lethargy without even realizing it is happening to us…(cf. Hebrews
2:1)…</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Some
years ago I conducted a funeral service of man who died in a most unusual
way...he and some of his buddies were camping... were staying in large
recreational vehicle in isolated area...was hot time of year and were running
the air-conditioning system ...something wrong with exhaust and deadly carbon
monoxide fumes began seep into RV...gradually the fumes filled the vehicle and
the men died...they were found sitting at the dinner table...from all
appearances had no idea what was happening to them... </span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">And tragically, over the years
I've seen that process or one similar to it repeated in the lives of many
Christians...people who start well...people who begin with enthusiasm and
commitment but who gradually and steadily drift away from God and His church...usually
blame their lack of involvement on some person or some situation, but truth is
most of those who fall away do so because they have gradually over time drifted
into spiritual dullness...no longer really care about the things of God...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">In the verses that follow in
this chapter, the writer points out several negative things that spiritual
dullness does to us</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">Verse 12a <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>– Spiritual
dullness makes us unproductive…</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">“time”</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"> – </span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">Chronos </span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">as opposed to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">chairos</i>…refers to the linear passage to
time rather than a specific moment of opportunity…(cf. Colossians 4:5)…enough
time had elapsed where they had not excuse for not progressing in the faith…</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">“ought”</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"> –
Strong word denoting a moral obligation…a necessity that is imposed by duty or
law or obligation…describes is something that is a moral imperative, not open
to dispute…</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">“teachers…teach”</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"> –
Note the play on words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While by this
time they should have progressed to the point of teaching others, they were
still in need of being taught!</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">“elementary
principles”</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"> – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">stoichea</i>…used
here, in Hebrews 6:1, and twice in Colossians …the word is translated numerous
ways…</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>NKJV – <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“first
principles”</i></b></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>NRSV – <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“the
basic elements”</i></b></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>TEV – <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“the
first lessons”</i></b></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">The primary idea
behind the phrase is the basics or, as we would say, the ABC’s of a
subject.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were so immature that they
needed to be taught the basics again!</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">“oracles
of God”</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"> - </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">From
the Greek word used also in Romans 3:2, and Acts 7:38, and refers to divine
utterances. <a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/5.11-6.20.Part%201.docx" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: blue;">[1]</span></span></sup></span></sup></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Certainly would include the Old Testament but
would also include the testimony of the Apostles.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">The
point of this statement in 12a is that by this time in their spiritual
pilgrimage they should have been teaching others, they were still in need of
being taught.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">Verse 12b-13 – Spiritual dullness makes us immature…</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">“milk…solid
food”</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"> – A common New Testament figure of speech regarding
spiritual growth…(cf. 1 Cor. 3:2; 1 Peter 2:2)…</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">“word
of righteousness”</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">- </i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Probably, however, in the foreground of the writer’s
thought was the word spoken by the Son (ch. 1:2); the salvation which at first
was spoken by the Lord (ch. 2:3)</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">.*<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/5.11-6.20.Part%201.docx" name="_ftnref2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: blue;">[2]</span></span></sup></span></sup></a></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Verse 14 –
Spiritual dullness impairs our judgment…this verse points out that the
spiritually mature have the ability <b><i>"to discern good and evil"</i></b>
...however, the spiritually dull do not have this ability...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.75in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span>--a baby has very little
concept of what is good or bad for it...of what will hurt it and what will help
it...therefore, a baby will stick almost anything in its mouth, touch anything
it can reach, and go anywhere it can manage to crawl...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.75in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span>--the same principle is true
in the spiritual realm... immature Christians have great difficulty discerning
between right/wrong...truth/falsehood...what is helpful/ harmful...what should
be embraced/avoided...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Nothing so sweet and innocent and
cute as little baby...but when see a child or youth or adult who has not
progressed intellectually or emotionally or physically much beyond baby stage,
not attractive any longer...we find that sad and repulsive...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">We need
constantly to be on guard against spiritual dullness. In chapter 6 the writer
tells us how to do that.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;">
<br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/5.11-6.20.Part%201.docx" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: blue;">[1]</span></span></sup></span></sup></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
Wuest, K. S. (1997). </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wuest's word studies
from the Greek New Testament: For the English reader</span></i><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> (Heb 5:12). Grand
Rapids: Eerdmans.</span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn2" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/5.11-6.20.Part%201.docx" name="_ftn2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: blue;">[2]</span></span></sup></span></sup></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
Vincent, M. R. (1887). </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Word studies in
the New Testament</span></i><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> (Heb 5:13). New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14177977230653907004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-789295729306267055.post-47934574822037942632016-05-26T20:28:00.002-07:002016-05-26T20:28:22.485-07:00Hebrews 5:1-10
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Hebrews
5:1-10</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">We have seen that the central theme of Hebrews is <i>"the high
priesthood of Jesus Christ"</i>...for example--</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 45pt; text-indent: -9pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--in chapter
1 Jesus is portrayed as fulfilling the priestly function of making <b><i>"purification
of sins"</i></b>...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--in chapter
2 Jesus is called <b><i>"a merciful and faithful high priest"</i></b></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--in chapter
3 He is called <b><i>"the Apostle and High priest of our confession"</i></b>...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--in chapter
4 He is described as <b><i>"a great high priest"</i></b></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 45pt; text-indent: -9pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--and
chapters 5-9, at which we'll begin looking today, focus almost exclusively on
the high priesthood of Jesus...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">In first
part of Hebrews 5 the writer lists the basic qualifications of a Jewish high
priest and then shows how Jesus exceeds in every way these qualifications.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">I want to
challenge you to read Hebrews 5:1-10 in a rather unusual way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead of reading the verses in
chronological order, read a statement about the Jewish high priest and then
read the parallel statement about Jesus.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Verse 1 – Verses 5-6</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Verse 2 – Verses 7-8</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Verse 3 – Verses 9-10</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">The thrust of this paragraph is that Jesus is superior in every way to
any earthly high priest...want you to see from these verses how Jesus is
superior and what that means to our lives today...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">I.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><u>Jesus is superior in His calling</u></span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>First thing this passage says about earthly
high priests is that they are <b><i>"taken from among men"</i></b>
and <b><i>"appointed on behalf of men"</i></b>...now, who does the
appointing?...even though the prospective priest was expected to acknowledge
God's call on his life to the priesthood, the confirmation of that call and the
appointment process came through people...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The process is not unlike what I went through
when decided to become a vocational minister...sensed God's calling to this
vocation...shared that with my church family...they formed an ordaining council
to examine me and determine whether or not I should be set aside for vocational
ministry...the call was from God but the confirmation and setting aside came
from people... was basically how person entered priesthood in first century
world...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">3<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>.But verses 5-6 point out that Jesus did not
go through a process like that...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>--He was not taken from among
men...instead He is the Son of God, the only begotten of <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the father...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>--nor was he appointed by men...instead,
He was appointed by God who said of the Son, <b><i>"Thou art a priest
forever, according to the order of Melchizedek."</i></b>...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We'll explore Melchizedek in detail when
we get to chapter 7...but point want make now is that Jesus is a superior
priest because His calling is superior...while there is a human element in the
calling of all other priests, Jesus was made a priest by God alone...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">4.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>What does that mean to us today?...it means
we can have utter, complete confidence in Him...while human spiritual leaders
may stumble and fall, Jesus is consistent...He will never fail us...never
disappoint us...He is absolutely, 100% trustworthy ...I've met many people have
become disillusioned and even bitter because they placed too much confidence in
a some person who has disappointed them...this passage should remind us that
our trust should never be in a person but in Jesus who has the superior calling
from God...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">II.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><u>Jesus is superior in His caring</u></span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">1<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>.Since it was the job of priests in Judaism
to stand between God and people, for a priest to function well had to have a
certain level of understanding and compassion for people...that's thrust of v.2
which speaks of the high priest dealing <b><i>"gently with the ignorant
and misguided"</i></b>...and the reason he can do that according to verse
2 is because <b><i>"he himself also is beset with weakness"</i></b>...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>On surface would think that would give him an
edge over Jesus who never sinned...think he would be more understanding and
compassionate than Jesus because he would know exactly what it means to stumble
and fall...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">3.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Sounds good in theory, but in practice not
the way it generally works...the fact that we have sinned does not make us more
understanding of others who sin...one writer put it this way:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b><i>"You would think that one sinner
would have compassion for another sinner, but this is not always the case.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sin makes a person selfish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sin can blind us to the hurts of others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sin can harden our hearts and make us
judgmental instead of sympathetic ... It is the spiritually minded person with
a clean heart who sympathizes with a sinner and seeks to help him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because we are so sinful, we have a hard time
helping other sinners; but Jesus is perfect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He is able to meet our needs after we sin."</i></b> [Wiersbe, p.53]</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">4.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And in vv.7-8 the writer reminds us of the
agony of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemene and the obedience of Jesus which led
Him to the cross...even though Jesus never sinned, He has been to our world,
walked in our shoes, and understands what we experience in life...and precisely
because He walked in our world without sinning He is superior to any earthly
priest in how He cares for us...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">5.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>What does that mean to us?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a word, everything!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--When you
have nowhere else to turn, can always turn to Jesus.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--When there
is no-one else who will listen, His ear is always turned to us.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--When you
feel no-one in all the world understands you, He understands inside and out.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--When you
fell totally alone, He is always with you.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">6.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The old song says it so well:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b><i>"No-one ever cared for me like
Jesus, There's no other friend so kind as He; No one else could take the sin
and darkness from me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, how much He
cared for me."</i></b></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">7.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jesus is superior to any earthly priest in
His caring....</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">III.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><u>Jesus is
superior in His cleansing</u></span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Verse 3 points out that the primary function
of the high priest was to offer sacrifices for the sins of the people...the
verse points out the high priest <b><i>"is obligated to offer sacrifices
for sins..."</i></b>...as we saw in our study of Hebrews 4:14-16, once a
year on the Day of Atonement high priest would enter the Holy of Holies in the
Temple...after offering a sacrifice for his own sin, would offer sacrifice for
sins of the people...each year, on that particular day, he would repeat that
process for the cleansing of the people's sins...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>However, the cleansing of sin offered by
Jesus is far superior to that...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 63pt; text-indent: -9pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--as opposed
to entering God's presence only once a year, Jesus is constantly at right hand
of the Father making intercession for us...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 63pt; text-indent: -9pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--as opposed
to bringing a sacrifice for sin, Jesus Himself became the sacrifice for our
sins...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 63pt; text-indent: -9pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--as opposed
to providing only a temporary respite from our sin problem, v.9 points out that
the sacrifice of Jesus gives us <b><i>"eternal salvation"</i></b>...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">3.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>What relief and joy that should bring to our
lives...the greatest single need any of have is the need for forgiveness...and
that need is perfectly met by Jesus...a woman named Ruth Calkin wrote the
following beautiful prayer:</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Lord, there are countless things in
my life that are inexcusable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are
things unaccountable and things unexplainable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There are things irrefutable and things irresponsible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it comes to me with unutterable relief
that because of your amazing love, nothing in my life is unforgivable."</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> [Brian's
Lines, Vol.12,No.4,P.22]</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">4.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And that's because Jesus is superior in the
cleansing He offers us...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><u>CONCLUSION</u></span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jesus Christ is our perfect high priest...He
is superior in His--</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--calling
(He is the Son of God)</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--caring (He
came to our world, experience life as we experience it, yet without sin)</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--cleansing
(He offers forgiveness of sin and eternal salvation)</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in -1.75in 0pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14177977230653907004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-789295729306267055.post-79918406431205887472016-05-19T21:41:00.001-07:002016-05-19T21:41:09.712-07:00Hebrews 4:14-16
<br />
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Hebrews 4:14-16</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The theme
of Hebrews can be summarized in a single statement and that statement is <i>"the
high priesthood of Jesus Christ."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">This is the only book in the Bible that
refers to Jesus directly as our high priest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>John MacArthur points out that </span>throughout this letter the high
priesthood of Jesus is stressed...for example--</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">In
chapter 1 Jesus is portrayed as fulfilling the priestly function of making <b><i>"purification
of sins"</i></b>... </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">In
chapter 2 Jesus is called <b><i>"a merciful and faithful high priest"
</i></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">n chapter 3 He is called <b><i>"the
Apostle and High priest of our confession"</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">In
chapter 4 He is described as <b><i>"a great high priest"</i></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">n chapter 6 as <b><i>"a high
priest according to the order of Melchizedek"</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">In
chapters 7, 8, & 9 the focus is almost exclusively on the high priesthood
of Jesus</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Based on
that, it's quite obvious can't really understand the book of Hebrews unless
understand something about the role of the priest in Jewish life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While priests had more than one function, their
basic function was to serve as mediators between people and God.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">It
was through priests the people spoke to God‑‑offering sacrifices for their
sins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Also,
it was through priests that God spoke to the people‑‑sharing his word with
them.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">So for a priest
to function properly, that person had to be in touch with both God and people.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The thrust of this passage is
that Jesus is uniquely qualified to serve as a priest between God and man.
Essentially that is true because of His nature—He is fully God and He is fully
human.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The title the writer uses in the
middle of verse 14, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Jesus the Son of God,”</i></b> emphasizes both aspects of His nature.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Jesu</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">s – This is His human name and it
was not an unusual name for a Jewish male in the 1<sup>st</sup> century world,
much the same way the name is often assigned to males in the Hispanic culture
of today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Hebrew form of this name
is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Joshua.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i>The word Jesus or Joshua is a combination
of two Hebrew nouns: (1) YHWH and (2) salvation. The significance is captured
in Matt. 1:21. </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: 0pt;">It is possible
that this is a typological play on Jesus as the new Joshua. Their names are
exactly the same in Hebrew. The author of Hebrews alludes to the Exodus
material extensively. As Joshua brought God’s people into the rest of the
Promised Land, so too, will Jesus bring them into heaven.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/4.14-16.docx" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[1]</span></sup></b></span></sup></a>
</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: 0pt;">In using this name the writer is reminding us of the humanity of
Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is uniquely qualified to be
our priest because He is one of us!</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Son
of God</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> –
This is His divine name. This is a reminder that Jesus was more than merely a
man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was God incarnate, God in the
flesh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This also makes Him uniquely
qualified to serve as our priest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has
access to God that no-one else could possibly have.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">This is why from the earliest
days of the church there has been a strong emphasis on both aspects of Jesus’
nature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We must not minimize either side
of His nature—the human side or the divine side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are both critical for His role as our
high priest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(see John 1:1, 14 and Mark
1:1)</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Notice what Jesus, the God/man,
has done for us: </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">On
the one hand, He is in touch with God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The phrase <b><i>"has passed through the heavens"</i></b> in
verse 14 is packed with meaning.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The verb is in the perfect tense
which indicates an action completed in the past with continuing
consequences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: 0pt;">Literally, “He has passed through the heavens with the
present result that He is in heaven.”<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/4.14-16.docx" name="_ftnref2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[2]</span></sup></b></span></sup></a></span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The plural <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“heavens”</i></b> may seem
strange to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: 0pt;">There has been much discussion by the rabbis as to whether
there are three or seven heavens</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> (cf. Eph. 4:10; 2 Cor. 12:2). <a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/4.14-16.docx" name="_ftnref3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[3]</span></sup></span></sup></a> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The most common view is that
there were three heavens—the atmosphere of the earth, outer space (planets,
stars, etc), and the abode of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
idea of passing through may be that Jesus went to the furthest heaven, the very
presence of God.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The main thing to see in this
phrase is beautiful picture that the readers of Hebrews would have immediately
understood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once year on Day of Atonement
(Yom Kippur) the high priest would pass beyond veil separating holiest place in
temple from other areas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There, in the
holy of holies, the high priest would offer sacrifices for sins of people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But Jesus has done much more than that: </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">§<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Instead
of merely going behind veil of the Temple, Jesus passed through heavens into
very presence of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">§<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Instead
offering sacrifices from the blood of animals, Jesus became the sacrifice,
offering His own blood for the sins of the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">§<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Instead
of doing the priestly work and then leaving the holy place, Jesus sat down at
the right hand of God...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Our
high priest is the Son of God, God incarnate, God in the flesh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No-one could be more in touch with God than
that!</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">On
the other hand, Jesus is in touch with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Look at v.15...<b><i>"For we do not have a high priest who cannot
sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as
we are, yet without sin."</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus
became flesh, took on human form, and came to our world, walked our shoes, and experienced
life as we experience it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">"sympathize"</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> (be touched with feeling) - </span><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: 0pt;">The word in
the Greek is sunpatheo (</span></i><i><span lang="EL" style="font-family: Gentium; letter-spacing: 0pt; mso-ansi-language: EL; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">συνπαθεο</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: 0pt;">). The word patheo (</span></i><i><span lang="EL" style="font-family: Gentium; letter-spacing: 0pt; mso-ansi-language: EL; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">παθεο</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: 0pt;">) comes from pascho (</span></i><i><span lang="EL" style="font-family: Gentium; letter-spacing: 0pt; mso-ansi-language: EL; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">πασχο</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: 0pt;">) which means “to suffer.” The prefixed preposition means
“with.” The compound word means “to suffer with” another person, thus to
sympathize with him to the extent of entering into his experience and feeling
his heartache yourself. The use of the word here means more than a knowledge of
human infirmity. It points to a knowledge that has in it a feeling for the
other person by reason of a common experience with that person. Our Lord’s
appreciation of our infirmities is an experiential one, based upon the fact
that He was tempted like we are.</span></i><a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/4.14-16.docx" name="_ftnref4" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn4;" title=""><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[4]</span></sup></span></span></sup></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“weaknesses”</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> – Simply means the human
condition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Refers to our spiritual and
physical frailties that make us vulnerable to temptation.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“tempted”</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> – There are two Greek words used
to convey the idea of testing someone for a purpose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dokimazo
</i>carries idea of testing for genuineness as in the testing of a metal for
purity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the NT this term is used in a
positive sense of being tested to prove and/or strengthen our faith (see James
1:3).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The other word, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">pierazo</i>, carries the idea of testing to
destroy or bring down someone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
used of the temptation of Jesus and of Satan’s tempting believers to disobey
God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is the word used here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus knows what it is like to be tempted by
Satan.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“without sin” </span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">– <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">choris hamartia</i> – Though He was tempted as we are, He was
completely free of sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was not a
taint of sin in Him!</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Jesus is one with God and one
with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Therefore, there is no‑one is
better qualified to be our high priest, to accomplish our salvation than Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is the God/man, uniquely qualified to
bring God and people together again...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">As a
result of all that, we are to do two things:</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">"hold
fast our confession"</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“hold fast”</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> – This exact phrase is used four
times in Hebrews. The phrase carries the idea of clinging tenaciously to
something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Refusing to let go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The verb is in present tense, denoting
continuous action. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“confession” </span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">– We saw this word in Hebrews
3:1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">homologia </i>which is a compound word made up of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“the same”</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“to say.”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The same thing that believers say about Jesus
is that He is Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our confession is
our confession of faith in Jesus as Lord.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The idea is that commitment to
Jesus Christ as the great high priest who accomplishes our salvation is not
just one time act.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a continuing
process. We are to keep on holding fast, to keep on clinging tenaciously to
Jesus as our high priest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: 0pt;">We must balance our initial decision (cf. John 1:12; 3:16;
Rom. 10:9–13) with ongoing discipleship (cf. Matt. 28:19–20; Eph. 2:10). Both
are crucial! <a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/4.14-16.docx" name="_ftnref5" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn5;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[5]</span></sup></b></span></sup></a> </span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: 0pt;">“</span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">draw
near with confidence to the throne of grace..."</span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">"throne of grace"</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> is synonymous with presence of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What remarkable difference expressed here
between Christianity and Judaism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
Judaism only high priest would enter presence of God and then only once
year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Christianity, because of the
high priesthood of Jesus, every believer encouraged to draw near God with
confidence and boldness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">And want you notice in v.16
purpose of drawing near<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>is twofold:</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">§<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">First,
that <b><i>"we may receive mercy" </i></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">T</span>hat is, that we may receive forgiveness
for our sinfulness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The greatest single
need any of us have is the need for forgiveness of sin and right relationship
with God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">§<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Second,
that <b><i>"we may find grace to help in time of need"</i></b> The
second greatest need any of us have is the need for strength, direction, God's
presence to make it through life day after day.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">And
as we draw near to God through Jesus Christ, both of these needs are met.</span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: center; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">CONCLUSION</span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The letter of Hebrews was written to Jewish Christians undergoing
severe persecution because of their faith in Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the face of such persecution, some of them
were being tempted renounce faith in Christ and seek salvation in Judaism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this passage sthe writer reminds them that
there is no need to return to religious system emphasizing earthly priest when
have in Christ completely sufficient high priest.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The Bible says in Colossians that <i>"In Jesus is all of God
in a human form and you have everything you need when you have Christ." </i>Basically
that is what Hebrews 4:14-16 is saying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We have no need which is not met in our great high priest.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;">
<br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/4.14-16.docx" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[1]</span></sup></span></sup></a>
Utley, R. J. (1999). <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Vol. Volume 10</i>: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Superiority of the New Covenant: Hebrews</i>.
Study Guide Commentary Series (48). Marshall, Texas: Bible Lessons
International.</div>
</div>
<div id="ftn2" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/4.14-16.docx" name="_ftn2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[2]</span></sup></span></sup></a>
Wuest, K. S. (1997). <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wuest's word studies
from the Greek New Testament: For the English reader</i> (Heb 4:14). Grand
Rapids: Eerdmans.</div>
</div>
<div id="ftn3" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/4.14-16.docx" name="_ftn3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[3]</span></sup></span></sup></a>
Utley, R. J. (1999). <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Vol. Volume 10</i>: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Superiority of the New Covenant: Hebrews</i>.
Study Guide Commentary Series (48). Marshall, Texas: Bible Lessons
International.</div>
</div>
<div id="ftn4" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/4.14-16.docx" name="_ftn4" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn4;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[4]</span></sup></span></sup></a>
Wuest, K. S. (1997). <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wuest's word studies
from the Greek New Testament: For the English reader</i> (Heb 4:15). Grand
Rapids: Eerdmans.</div>
</div>
<div id="ftn5" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/4.14-16.docx" name="_ftn5" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn5;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[5]</span></sup></span></sup></a>
Utley, R. J. (1999). <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Vol. Volume 10</i>: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Superiority of the New Covenant: Hebrews</i>.
Study Guide Commentary Series (48). Marshall, Texas: Bible Lessons
International.</div>
</div>
</div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14177977230653907004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-789295729306267055.post-15979220012564412722016-05-19T21:40:00.003-07:002016-05-19T21:40:17.943-07:00Hebrews 4:1-16
<br />
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Hebrews 4:14-16</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The theme
of Hebrews can be summarized in a single statement and that statement is <i>"the
high priesthood of Jesus Christ."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">This is the only book in the Bible that
refers to Jesus directly as our high priest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>John MacArthur points out that </span>throughout this letter the high
priesthood of Jesus is stressed...for example--</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">In
chapter 1 Jesus is portrayed as fulfilling the priestly function of making <b><i>"purification
of sins"</i></b>... </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">In
chapter 2 Jesus is called <b><i>"a merciful and faithful high priest"
</i></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">n chapter 3 He is called <b><i>"the
Apostle and High priest of our confession"</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">In
chapter 4 He is described as <b><i>"a great high priest"</i></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">n chapter 6 as <b><i>"a high
priest according to the order of Melchizedek"</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">In
chapters 7, 8, & 9 the focus is almost exclusively on the high priesthood
of Jesus</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Based on
that, it's quite obvious can't really understand the book of Hebrews unless
understand something about the role of the priest in Jewish life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While priests had more than one function, their
basic function was to serve as mediators between people and God.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">It
was through priests the people spoke to God‑‑offering sacrifices for their
sins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Also,
it was through priests that God spoke to the people‑‑sharing his word with
them.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">So for a priest
to function properly, that person had to be in touch with both God and people.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The thrust of this passage is
that Jesus is uniquely qualified to serve as a priest between God and man.
Essentially that is true because of His nature—He is fully God and He is fully
human.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The title the writer uses in the
middle of verse 14, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Jesus the Son of God,”</i></b> emphasizes both aspects of His nature.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Jesu</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">s – This is His human name and it
was not an unusual name for a Jewish male in the 1<sup>st</sup> century world,
much the same way the name is often assigned to males in the Hispanic culture
of today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Hebrew form of this name
is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Joshua.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i>The word Jesus or Joshua is a combination
of two Hebrew nouns: (1) YHWH and (2) salvation. The significance is captured
in Matt. 1:21. </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: 0pt;">It is possible
that this is a typological play on Jesus as the new Joshua. Their names are
exactly the same in Hebrew. The author of Hebrews alludes to the Exodus
material extensively. As Joshua brought God’s people into the rest of the
Promised Land, so too, will Jesus bring them into heaven.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/4.14-16.docx" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[1]</span></sup></b></span></sup></a>
</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: 0pt;">In using this name the writer is reminding us of the humanity of
Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is uniquely qualified to be
our priest because He is one of us!</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Son
of God</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> –
This is His divine name. This is a reminder that Jesus was more than merely a
man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was God incarnate, God in the
flesh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This also makes Him uniquely
qualified to serve as our priest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has
access to God that no-one else could possibly have.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">This is why from the earliest
days of the church there has been a strong emphasis on both aspects of Jesus’
nature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We must not minimize either side
of His nature—the human side or the divine side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are both critical for His role as our
high priest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(see John 1:1, 14 and Mark
1:1)</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Notice what Jesus, the God/man,
has done for us: </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">On
the one hand, He is in touch with God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The phrase <b><i>"has passed through the heavens"</i></b> in
verse 14 is packed with meaning.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The verb is in the perfect tense
which indicates an action completed in the past with continuing
consequences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: 0pt;">Literally, “He has passed through the heavens with the
present result that He is in heaven.”<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/4.14-16.docx" name="_ftnref2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[2]</span></sup></b></span></sup></a></span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The plural <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“heavens”</i></b> may seem
strange to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: 0pt;">There has been much discussion by the rabbis as to whether
there are three or seven heavens</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> (cf. Eph. 4:10; 2 Cor. 12:2). <a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/4.14-16.docx" name="_ftnref3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[3]</span></sup></span></sup></a> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The most common view is that
there were three heavens—the atmosphere of the earth, outer space (planets,
stars, etc), and the abode of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
idea of passing through may be that Jesus went to the furthest heaven, the very
presence of God.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The main thing to see in this
phrase is beautiful picture that the readers of Hebrews would have immediately
understood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once year on Day of Atonement
(Yom Kippur) the high priest would pass beyond veil separating holiest place in
temple from other areas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There, in the
holy of holies, the high priest would offer sacrifices for sins of people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But Jesus has done much more than that: </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">§<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Instead
of merely going behind veil of the Temple, Jesus passed through heavens into
very presence of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">§<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Instead
offering sacrifices from the blood of animals, Jesus became the sacrifice,
offering His own blood for the sins of the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">§<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Instead
of doing the priestly work and then leaving the holy place, Jesus sat down at
the right hand of God...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>Our
high priest is the Son of God, God incarnate, God in the flesh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No-one could be more in touch with God than
that!</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">On
the other hand, Jesus is in touch with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Look at v.15...<b><i>"For we do not have a high priest who cannot
sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as
we are, yet without sin."</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus
became flesh, took on human form, and came to our world, walked our shoes, and experienced
life as we experience it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">"sympathize"</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> (be touched with feeling) - </span><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: 0pt;">The word in
the Greek is sunpatheo (</span></i><i><span lang="EL" style="font-family: Gentium; letter-spacing: 0pt; mso-ansi-language: EL; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">συνπαθεο</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: 0pt;">). The word patheo (</span></i><i><span lang="EL" style="font-family: Gentium; letter-spacing: 0pt; mso-ansi-language: EL; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">παθεο</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: 0pt;">) comes from pascho (</span></i><i><span lang="EL" style="font-family: Gentium; letter-spacing: 0pt; mso-ansi-language: EL; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">πασχο</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: 0pt;">) which means “to suffer.” The prefixed preposition means
“with.” The compound word means “to suffer with” another person, thus to
sympathize with him to the extent of entering into his experience and feeling
his heartache yourself. The use of the word here means more than a knowledge of
human infirmity. It points to a knowledge that has in it a feeling for the
other person by reason of a common experience with that person. Our Lord’s
appreciation of our infirmities is an experiential one, based upon the fact
that He was tempted like we are.</span></i><a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/4.14-16.docx" name="_ftnref4" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn4;" title=""><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[4]</span></sup></span></span></sup></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“weaknesses”</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> – Simply means the human
condition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Refers to our spiritual and
physical frailties that make us vulnerable to temptation.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“tempted”</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> – There are two Greek words used
to convey the idea of testing someone for a purpose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dokimazo
</i>carries idea of testing for genuineness as in the testing of a metal for
purity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the NT this term is used in a
positive sense of being tested to prove and/or strengthen our faith (see James
1:3).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The other word, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">pierazo</i>, carries the idea of testing to
destroy or bring down someone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
used of the temptation of Jesus and of Satan’s tempting believers to disobey
God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is the word used here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus knows what it is like to be tempted by
Satan.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“without sin” </span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">– <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">choris hamartia</i> – Though He was tempted as we are, He was
completely free of sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was not a
taint of sin in Him!</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Jesus is one with God and one
with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Therefore, there is no‑one is
better qualified to be our high priest, to accomplish our salvation than Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is the God/man, uniquely qualified to
bring God and people together again...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">As a
result of all that, we are to do two things:</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">"hold
fast our confession"</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“hold fast”</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> – This exact phrase is used four
times in Hebrews. The phrase carries the idea of clinging tenaciously to
something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Refusing to let go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The verb is in present tense, denoting
continuous action. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“confession” </span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">– We saw this word in Hebrews
3:1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">homologia </i>which is a compound word made up of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“the same”</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“to say.”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The same thing that believers say about Jesus
is that He is Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our confession is
our confession of faith in Jesus as Lord.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The idea is that commitment to
Jesus Christ as the great high priest who accomplishes our salvation is not
just one time act.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a continuing
process. We are to keep on holding fast, to keep on clinging tenaciously to
Jesus as our high priest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: 0pt;">We must balance our initial decision (cf. John 1:12; 3:16;
Rom. 10:9–13) with ongoing discipleship (cf. Matt. 28:19–20; Eph. 2:10). Both
are crucial! <a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/4.14-16.docx" name="_ftnref5" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn5;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[5]</span></sup></b></span></sup></a> </span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: 0pt;">“</span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">draw
near with confidence to the throne of grace..."</span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">"throne of grace"</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> is synonymous with presence of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What remarkable difference expressed here
between Christianity and Judaism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
Judaism only high priest would enter presence of God and then only once
year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Christianity, because of the
high priesthood of Jesus, every believer encouraged to draw near God with
confidence and boldness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">And want you notice in v.16
purpose of drawing near<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>is twofold:</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">§<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">First,
that <b><i>"we may receive mercy" </i></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">T</span>hat is, that we may receive forgiveness
for our sinfulness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The greatest single
need any of us have is the need for forgiveness of sin and right relationship
with God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">§<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Second,
that <b><i>"we may find grace to help in time of need"</i></b> The
second greatest need any of us have is the need for strength, direction, God's
presence to make it through life day after day.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">And
as we draw near to God through Jesus Christ, both of these needs are met.</span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: center; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">CONCLUSION</span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The letter of Hebrews was written to Jewish Christians undergoing
severe persecution because of their faith in Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the face of such persecution, some of them
were being tempted renounce faith in Christ and seek salvation in Judaism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this passage sthe writer reminds them that
there is no need to return to religious system emphasizing earthly priest when
have in Christ completely sufficient high priest.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The Bible says in Colossians that <i>"In Jesus is all of God
in a human form and you have everything you need when you have Christ." </i>Basically
that is what Hebrews 4:14-16 is saying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We have no need which is not met in our great high priest.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;">
<br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/4.14-16.docx" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[1]</span></sup></span></sup></a>
Utley, R. J. (1999). <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Vol. Volume 10</i>: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Superiority of the New Covenant: Hebrews</i>.
Study Guide Commentary Series (48). Marshall, Texas: Bible Lessons
International.</div>
</div>
<div id="ftn2" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/4.14-16.docx" name="_ftn2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[2]</span></sup></span></sup></a>
Wuest, K. S. (1997). <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wuest's word studies
from the Greek New Testament: For the English reader</i> (Heb 4:14). Grand
Rapids: Eerdmans.</div>
</div>
<div id="ftn3" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/4.14-16.docx" name="_ftn3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[3]</span></sup></span></sup></a>
Utley, R. J. (1999). <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Vol. Volume 10</i>: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Superiority of the New Covenant: Hebrews</i>.
Study Guide Commentary Series (48). Marshall, Texas: Bible Lessons
International.</div>
</div>
<div id="ftn4" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/4.14-16.docx" name="_ftn4" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn4;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[4]</span></sup></span></sup></a>
Wuest, K. S. (1997). <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wuest's word studies
from the Greek New Testament: For the English reader</i> (Heb 4:15). Grand
Rapids: Eerdmans.</div>
</div>
<div id="ftn5" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/4.14-16.docx" name="_ftn5" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn5;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[5]</span></sup></span></sup></a>
Utley, R. J. (1999). <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Vol. Volume 10</i>: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Superiority of the New Covenant: Hebrews</i>.
Study Guide Commentary Series (48). Marshall, Texas: Bible Lessons
International.</div>
</div>
</div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14177977230653907004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-789295729306267055.post-70085415294686480762016-05-07T18:38:00.001-07:002016-05-07T18:38:19.022-07:00Hebrews 3:12-19
<br />
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Hebrews
3:12-19</span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Hebrews 3:7-4:13 is the second of what some scholars call the five
warning passages in Hebrews.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the
more interesting views of these warning passages comes from Warren Wiersbe: </span></div>
<br />
<div style="-ms-text-justify: inter-ideograph; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="-ms-text-justify: inter-ideograph; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Each of these
passages encourages us to heed God’s Word (“God … has spoken”) by pointing out
the sad spiritual consequences that result if we do not. Let me list these
passages for you and explain their sequence in the Book of Hebrews. I think you
will see how they all hang together and present one message: heed God’s word.</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="-ms-text-justify: inter-ideograph; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Drifting</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> from the Word—2:1–4 (neglect)</span></div>
<br />
<div style="-ms-text-justify: inter-ideograph; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Doubting</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> the Word—3:7–4:13 (hard heart)</span></div>
<br />
<div style="-ms-text-justify: inter-ideograph; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Dullness</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> toward the Word—5:11–6:20
(sluggishness)</span></div>
<br />
<div style="-ms-text-justify: inter-ideograph; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Despising</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> the Word—10:26–39 (willfulness)</span></div>
<br />
<div style="-ms-text-justify: inter-ideograph; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Defying</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> the Word—12:14–29 (refusing to
hear)<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/3.12-19.docx" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[1]</span></sup></span></sup></a></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">In this
second warning passage are three specific commands:</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-indent: -.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--3:12
contains the command to <b><i>"take care"</i></b>... (</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: 0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">a present imperative involving
durative action. “Be seeing to it constantly, keep a watchful eye ever open,” </span></i><a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/3.12-19.docx" name="_ftnref2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[2]</span></sup></b></span></span></sup></i></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: 0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">)</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--4:1
contains the command <b><i>"let us fear"</i></b>...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--4:11
contains the command to <b><i>"be diligent"</i></b>...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Hebrews 3:12
is one of most difficult verses in Hebrews to interpret...basically three
possible ways to approach the verse--</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Some view it as written to people who had heard the
gospel but had not yet accepted the gospel</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">...had said no to God so many
times were in danger of hardening their hearts to point of being unable to
respond to God's offer of salvation...while it is certainly possible to do that
and while interpreting the verse that way solves some sticky theological
problems, don't think that interpretation fits the context of this chapter...<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Others view verse as referring to Christians who are in
danger of losing their salvation by falling away from God</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">...on
surface would appear to be what this verse and larger passage is saying...but
there are a number of problems with that interpretation...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -1in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 4;"> </span>--conflicts with one of
the main themes of Hebrews which is that Christians have eternal salvation
because they trust a living Savior who constantly intercedes for them...one of
the basic teachings of Hebrews is not that Christians are saved by holding to
our confession but that holding to our confession is evidence that we are truly
Christians...Jesus saves us and Jesus keeps us saved...but if He's done that,
we won't turn our backs on Him...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -1in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -1in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 4;"> </span>--conflicts with the
larger teaching of the NT about the security of the believer in Christ...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -1in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -1in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 4;"> </span>--doesn't fit the
context of this chapter...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">O<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">thers view verse as referring to Christians
who are in danger not of losing their salvation but of losing their fellowship
with God</span></span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">...think this interpretation makes the most sense in
light of the verse's context and has the most direct application to our
lives...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">One of
fundamental principles of biblical interpretation is that you should always
look at a particular passage with context of its larger context...that's
especially important in case of Hebrews 3:12...just prior to v.12 there is a
quote from Psalm 95 about a significant event in the history of Israel...it's
the story about the Israelites being led by God from the bondage of slavery in
Egypt to the edge of Canaan, the Promised Land...but they balked at crossing
the Jordan and taking the land, and because of their disobedience God caused
them to wonder forty years in the wilderness until that generation of
Israelites had passed away...they missed the opportunity of going into Canaan
because they hardened their hearts to the will of God and failed to be
obedient...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Reason that
story is told so many times in Scripture is because in that story are some
great spiritual lessons...many parallels can be drawn between Israel's history
and the spiritual pilgrimage of Christians...for example--</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.75in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--the period
of Israel's bondage in Egypt parallels our bondage in sin before salvation...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.75in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 27pt; text-indent: -9pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--Israel's
deliverance from Egypt by the blood of the passover lamb parallels our
deliverance from sin by the blood of Jesus...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 27pt; text-indent: -9pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 27pt; text-indent: -9pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--and the
land of Canaan, Israel's earthly inheritance parallels our spiritual
inheritance in Christ...it is unfortunate that in some of our hymns and
especially old gospel songs the land of Canaan is equated with heaven and
crossing the Jordan with death...Canaan which was a place of battles and even
defeats for the Israelites is not a symbol of heaven...but it is a symbol of
the inheritance God has for his people...in case of Israelites the inheritance
was a physical land...for us, is our a spiritual inheritance in Christ...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="-ms-text-justify: inter-ideograph; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">To whom does this passage relate:
(1) believing Jews or (2) unbelieving Jews? The use of “brothers” in 3:1 and
the added phrase “partakers of a heavenly calling” and “brothers” in 3:12
demand that it refer to believers.</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="-ms-text-justify: inter-ideograph; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">What then is the
warning relating to: (1) salvation or (2) faithfulness? In context it must
refer to faithfulness; Jesus was faithful, they must be faithful. Hebrews views
the Christian life from the end (cf. v. 14), not the beginning (like Paul).</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="-ms-text-justify: inter-ideograph; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The “falling away”
of v. 13 must relate to continual faith and obedience. The Israelites had
faith, but not functioning, obedient faith. They rejected God’s promise of the
land flowing with mild and honey, not their faith in God. In this context
“falling away” does not mean “falling from faith,” but “falling from
faithfulness”!<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/3.12-19.docx" name="_ftnref3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[3]</span></sup></b></span></sup></a></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Now, putting
that all together,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hebrews 3:12 is
referring to those people who are <i>"out of Egypt"</i> but not yet <i>"in
Canaan"</i> ...that is, they have been saved but because of a doubting and
disobedient heart they are not experiencing the fullness or richness of their
relationship with Christ...they were Christians but the joy wasn't there...they
were Christians, but the fire had dimmed...they were Christians, but there was
an emptiness inside them...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">How can we avoid that in our lives?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What can we do to keep our relationship with Christ fulfilling and
meaningful?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How can we keep our
spiritual heart from becoming cold and hard?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>One of the great things about the Scripture is that it does not merely
point out potential problems...it also gives solutions to problems...and within
these verses is a good formula for maintaining the vitality of our spiritual
lives...here's a simple three step process—</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">First, need to trust God with details of our lives...the <b><i>"evil,
unbelieving heart"</i></b> (</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: 0pt;">The Greek
order of words is “a heart evil with reference to unbelief.” <a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/3.12-19.docx" name="_ftnref4" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn4;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[4]</span></sup></b></span></sup></a></span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: 0pt;">) </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">in v.12 is
not heart which refuses to believe intellectually...it is a practical
unbelief...kind of unbelief which says, <i>"There is a God, but I'm not
sure I can trust Him with my life."</i>...when Israelites refused cross
Jordan and enter Canaan, wasn't because didn't believe in God...was because
didn't trust God...starting point of maintaining spiritual vitality is doing as
writer of Proverbs said:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b><i>"Trust
is the Lord with all your heart..." </i></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Second, need to surround ourselves with people who will
encourage us in our spiritual commitments...notice the first phrase of v.13 - <b><i>"But
encourage one another day after day..."</i></b>...the word translated <b><i>"encourage"
</i></b>is a form of the word often used by Jesus to describe the Holy
Spirit...means to come alongside another person to give help and support...this
is one reason involvement in the church is important...in the fellowship of the
church we give and receive encouragement...I've never known a healthy, vibrant
Christian who is separated from the community of faith...that's why later in
Hebrews we're told <b><i>"not to forsake assembling together..."</i></b>[Heb.10:24]...when
we separate ourselves from the nurturing, encouraging atmosphere of the church,
our spiritual lives invariably suffer... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Third, need to take advantage of the opportunities of the
present...the phrase <b><i>"as long as it is still called today"</i></b>
in v. 13 is reminder that every moment in our lives is precious...must not be
presumptuous about time or opportunity...the Romans had a saying -- <i>carpe
diem --</i> which means seize the day...that's what Christians should do...it's
one of the keys to maintaining spiritual vitality...we should not waste
opportunities but live each day to its fullest...</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></b></div>
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<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;">
<br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/3.12-19.docx" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[1]</span></sup></span></sup></a>
Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Bible
exposition commentary</i> (Heb 1:1–3). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.</div>
</div>
<div id="ftn2" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/3.12-19.docx" name="_ftn2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[2]</span></sup></span></sup></a>
Wuest, K. S. (1997). <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wuest's word studies
from the Greek New Testament: For the English reader</i> (Heb 3:12). Grand
Rapids: Eerdmans.</div>
</div>
<div id="ftn3" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/3.12-19.docx" name="_ftn3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[3]</span></sup></span></sup></a>
Utley, R. J. (1999). <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Vol. Volume 10</i>: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Superiority of the New Covenant: Hebrews</i>.
Study Guide Commentary Series (39). Marshall, Texas: Bible Lessons
International.</div>
</div>
<div id="ftn4" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/3.12-19.docx" name="_ftn4" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn4;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[4]</span></sup></span></sup></a>
Wuest, K. S. (1997). <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wuest's word studies
from the Greek New Testament: For the English reader</i> (Heb 3:12). Grand
Rapids: Eerdmans.</div>
</div>
</div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14177977230653907004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-789295729306267055.post-66587114711216232722016-05-07T18:37:00.003-07:002016-05-07T18:37:27.172-07:00Hebrews 3:1-11
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Hebrews
3:1-11</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">In Hebrews
3:1 is a command which ties together first six verses of chapter 3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The command is <b><i>"consider Jesus."</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is very strong command.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The word translated <b><i>"consider"</i></b>
carries ideas of strong attention, continuous observation, and intense
focus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The word doesn't merely mean to
look.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It means to look and understand, to
look and learn, to look and see the real implications of that on which you are
focusing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One writer says the command <b><i>"consider
Jesus"</i></b> means, <b><i>"Put your mind on Jesus and let it remain
there, that you may understand..."</i></b>...</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">With that in
mind, look at Hebrews 3:1-6.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">At the very outset of our study of Hebrews I told you the primary theme
of this book is the superiority of Jesus Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the first two chapters the writer pointed
out that Jesus is superior to --</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--the
prophets of the Old Testament which the Jewish recipients of Hebrews revered...</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--the angels
which many of the Jewish recipients of this book worshipped...</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Now, in chapter 3 argues that Jesus is superior to Moses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is an important argument because the
Jews esteemed Moses far above any other person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He was the one to whom God had spoken face to face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was the one through whom the law came to
Israel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was the one who lead the
nation to freedom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was the one who
gave the plans for the Tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If Jesus were really the Messiah sent by God,
it would have to be conclusively demonstrated that Jesus was superior to
Moses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that's what the writer of
Hebrews does in these six verses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">This passage begins with a significant statement about us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are--</span></div>
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<b><i><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">"holy brethren"</span></u></i></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">This phrase blends</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> two
thoughts we explored from the last part of chapter 2...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 63pt; text-indent: -9pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--We saw that Jesus has made us holy in the eyes of God...when God looks
at us does not see our frailty, our mistakes, our shortcomings, our sins...sees
the sacrifice of Jesus on our behalf...and even though may not feel holy or
even at times act holy, in God's eyes we are holy because of Jesus...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 63pt; text-indent: -9pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--We also saw that Jesus has made us part of a great spiritual
family...we are brothers and sisters in Christ under the Fatherhood of God...</span></div>
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<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Now, the
writer begins ch.3 by saying, <i>"Now remember who you are!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As you consider Jesus, don't forget what He
has made you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are holy brethren!"</i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">1<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The implications of that are
many and certainly one of the implications has to do with how we treat each
other in the fellowship of faith...when you look at your fellow believers, you
should see them as God sees them... people who are made holy through
Jesus...and people who are you brothers and sisters because of our common
spiritual heritage...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And because of that, of all
the places in the world the fellowship of the church should be permeated with
an atmosphere of love, acceptance, understanding, tenderness, and
compassion...we ought to treat each other/every member of the fellowship as <b><i>"holy
brethren"</i></b> because that is what we are in Christ...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">3.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>No doubt you've heard or read
the phrase <i>"partisan bickering"</i> many times in the media during
recent works...used to describe what has been going on for some time in the
current political environment in our nation...a bitter, divisive spirit seems
to have infected our national leadership in both major political
parties...surveys indicate that vast majority of Americans are tired of the <i>"partisan
bickering"</i> and desire a return of civility in our national debates...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">4.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And certainly, as the church
of the living God, we should have no partisan bickering among ourselves because
we are have been made <b><i>"holy brethren"</i></b> by Jesus...</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">“partakers
of a heavenly calling”</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> - </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: 0pt;">This concept is used in several ways: (1) Israel was called
by God to be a kingdom of priests to bring the world back to God (cf. Gen.
12:3; Exod. 19:5). In the OT this was a call to service, not individual
salvation, and a corporate call (national Israel) to an assigned task
(worldwide evangelization); (2) individual believers are called (cf. John 6:44,
65) to an eternal salvation; and then (3) every individual Christian is called
to serve the body of Christ through spiritual giftedness (cf. 1 Cor. 12:7, 11).<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/3.1-11.docx" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[1]</span></sup></b></span></sup></a></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">The word
translated <b><i>"partakers"</i></b> can also be translated <b><i>"partners"</i></b>...the
exact same word is used in Luke 5 to describe the relationship between Peter,
Andrew, James, and John in the fishing business...they functioned as partners
in the business...</span></div>
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<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in;">
<br /></div>
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<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">It is our <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“heavenly
calling” </i></b>that keeps the church from disintegrating into self-serving
special interest groups...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">In June of
1941 Winston Churchill stood before the House of Commons in England and said, <b><i>"I
have only one purpose, the destruction of Hitler..."</i></b>...and the
people of England were bound together by that purpose...focusing on our <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“heavenly
calling”</i></b> and remembering that we are partners in that is what keeps the
church together…</span></div>
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<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">After identifying
his readers (this is usually done in the first verse of a letter, but his is
more a sermons than a letter), the writer makes the case for Jesus being
superior to Moses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Essentially, he says
three things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus is superior--</span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: center; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: center; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">In His office...He
is Apostle and High Priest (v.1)</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="-ms-text-justify: inter-ideograph; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“the
Apostle and High Priest”</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> These two titles deal with
Jesus’ superiority over Moses as official messenger and Aaron as the Levitical
high priest. Chapters 3 and 4 deal with Jesus’ superiority over Aaron. Since
the Greek terms for “messenger” and “angel” are the same, “apostle,” which was
a Greek term “to send,” may relate to both angels sent by God to serve those
being saved (cf. 1:14) and to Jesus sent by God to redeem those who are being
saved (cf. John 3:17). This is the only place in the NT that Jesus is called
“the Apostle,” although John uses the verb over and over to refer to Him being
“sent” from the Father (cf. John 3:17, 34; 5:36, 38; 6:29, 57; 7:29; 8:42;
10:36; 11:42; 17:3, 18, 21, 23, 25; 20:21).</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="-ms-text-justify: inter-ideograph; margin: 9pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Wingdings 2"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">©</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“Apostle”</b> This comes from the verb
“to send” and was used by the rabbis in the sense of one sent as an official
representative of another. Moses served in the house of God as a servant while <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jesus was “a son,” a family member. God
called Moses to serve, but sent Jesus from heaven.</b></span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="-ms-text-justify: inter-ideograph; margin: 9pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Wingdings 2"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">©</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“High Priest”</b> Hebrews is the only
book of the Bible to call Jesus high priest. It takes an extensive rabbinical
argumentation to convince first century Jews that Jesus, from the tribe of
Judah, really was a priest. The Dead Sea Scrolls community expected two
Messiahs, one royal (tribe of Judah) and one priestly (tribe of Levi, cf. Deut.
18:18; Ps. 110:4; Zech. 3).</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="-ms-text-justify: inter-ideograph; margin: 9pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Wingdings 2"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">©</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“our confession”</b> This is the Greek
term homologia, which is a compound of “to say” and “the same.” The readers had
made a confession of their faith in Jesus Christ. Now they must hold fast this
confession/profession (cf. 4:14; 10:23). This is one of the main issues of the
book.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/3.1-11.docx" name="_ftnref2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[2]</span></sup></b></span></sup></a></span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">In His work...while Moses served in God's house, Jesus is
the builder of God's house (vv.2-4)</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: 0pt;">“House” is used six times in this paragraph, sometimes with
the connotation of a building and sometimes of a family. The argument seems to
run as follows: (1) Moses was part of God’s house/household, but Jesus was the
builder of that house, (2) Moses is a servant, while Jesus is a family member,
(3) Moses failed to bring in God’s rest, while Jesus will not fail.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/3.1-11.docx" name="_ftnref3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[3]</span></sup></b></span></sup></a></span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">In His person...Moses was a servant of God but Jesus is
the Son of God (vv.5-6)</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: 0pt;">Jesus the Son (cf. 1:2; 5:8; 7:28) is contrasted with Moses,
the servant (cf. 1:2; 5:8; 7:28). Moses was faithful (cf. Num. 12:7), but Jesus
was a family member!<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/3.1-11.docx" name="_ftnref4" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn4;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[4]</span></sup></b></span></sup></a></span></i></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">“…if
we hold fast our confidence and our hope until the end…”</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> – Third
class conditional clause assuming the condition will be met…i.e., <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“….since we will hold fast…”</i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">“hold fast” </span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">– Carries the idea of staying on course…continuing in the
right direction<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">… </i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: 0pt;">It is used in nautical circles in the meaning of “holding
one’s course toward.” Luke uses it in Acts 27:40 where the storm-tossed ship
held its course toward shore…If these Hebrews would hold their course in life
steadfastly along the lines of their present profession, that would show that
they were saved. If they veered away from that course, that would show that
they never had been saved, but that their profession of Messiah had been, not
one of the heart but of the head.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/3.1-11.docx" name="_ftnref5" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn5;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[5]</span></sup></b></span></sup></a></span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">“<span style="font-variant: small-caps;">they shall not enter my rest</span>”</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"> This is a partial FIRST CLASS CONDITIONAL with no conclusion but with
an implied NEGATIVE. This term “rest” is used in chapters 3 and 4 in four
different ways: (1) in Gen. 2:2 it is used for God’s rest on the seventh day of
creation (cf. 4:3, 4, 10); (2) in Num. 13 and 14 it is used of Joshua bringing
the people into the Promised Land (cf. 3:11, 18; 4:8); (3) in Ps. 95:7–11 it is
used of David’s day in which God’s rest had not yet fully come (cf. 4:1, 9–10;
and (4) it is used metaphorically of heaven (Go</span></i>
<br />
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;">
<br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/3.1-11.docx" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[1]</span></sup></span></sup></a>
Utley, R. J. (1999). <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Vol. Volume 10</i>: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Superiority of the New Covenant: Hebrews</i>.
Study Guide Commentary Series (34). Marshall, Texas: Bible Lessons
International.</div>
</div>
<div id="ftn2" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/3.1-11.docx" name="_ftn2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[2]</span></sup></span></sup></a>
Utley, R. J. (1999). <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Vol. Volume 10</i>: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Superiority of the New Covenant: Hebrews</i>.
Study Guide Commentary Series (34). Marshall, Texas: Bible Lessons
International.</div>
</div>
<div id="ftn3" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/3.1-11.docx" name="_ftn3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[3]</span></sup></span></sup></a>
Utley, R. J. (1999). <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Vol. Volume 10</i>: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Superiority of the New Covenant: Hebrews</i>.
Study Guide Commentary Series (35). Marshall, Texas: Bible Lessons
International.</div>
</div>
<div id="ftn4" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/3.1-11.docx" name="_ftn4" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn4;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[4]</span></sup></span></sup></a>
Utley, R. J. (1999). <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Vol. Volume 10</i>: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Superiority of the New Covenant: Hebrews</i>.
Study Guide Commentary Series (36). Marshall, Texas: Bible Lessons
International.</div>
</div>
<div id="ftn5" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/3.1-11.docx" name="_ftn5" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn5;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[5]</span></sup></span></sup></a>
Wuest, K. S. (1997). <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wuest's word studies
from the Greek New Testament: For the English reader</i> (Heb 3:6). Grand
Rapids: Eerdmans.</div>
</div>
</div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14177977230653907004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-789295729306267055.post-90025682454365926132016-04-14T18:17:00.003-07:002016-04-14T18:17:17.593-07:00Hebrews 2:10-18
<br />
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Hebrews
2:10-18</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">One of Ann Landers’ classic newspaper columns was entitled "A
hysterical view of the historical."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In that column she listed what are purported to be actual statements
made by high school students on history and English exams.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She got the information from the works of
Richard Lederer, a well-known American author.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Listen to what some high school students had to say about some major
historical figures--</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--Socrates was a famous Greek teacher who died from an overdose of
wedlock...</span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--William Tell shot an arrow through an apple while standing on his
son's head...</span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--Martin Luther was nailed to the church door at Wittenberg for selling
papal indulgences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He died a horrible
death, being excommunicated by a bull...</span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--Sir Walter Raleigh invented cigarettes...</span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--Sir Frances Drake circumcised the world with a 100 foot clipper...</span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--John Milton wrote <u>Paradise Lost</u>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then his wife died and he wrote
"Paradise Regained."</span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--Gravity was invented by Isaac Walton.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is chiefly noticeable in autumn, when apples are falling off the
trees.</span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--Bach and Handel were famous composers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Handel was half-German, half-Italian, and half-English.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was very large.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bach died from 1750 to the present.</span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--Beethoven was so deaf that he wrote loud music.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He expired in 1827 and later died from this.</span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--Karl Marx became one of the Marx brothers...</span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I suppose those statements
should serve to remind us that it's easy to get the facts of history
confused.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it's important that we not
make that mistake when it comes to understanding who Jesus is and what He does
for us.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">3.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In our last session began
looking at a paragraph in Hebrews 2 which clearly sets forth the identity of
Jesus and the work of Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
paragraph begins at verse 9 and goes to the end of the chapter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From Hebrews 2:9, the first verse of the
paragraph, we saw that when we really see Jesus we see--</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--humility (Jesus was made for awhile a little lower than the
angels...He left the glory of heaven to dwell on the earth...)</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--sacrifice (He died on the cross)</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--substitute (He died in our place)</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In this session, from the
remainder of this paragraph, we are going to focus on some specific things
Jesus does for us.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Want you to think for a moment of the most significant
thing anyone has ever done for you...perhaps was some gift given out of
love...perhaps some kind word or compliment...maybe some personal favor done
for you at great sacrifice of someone else...hold that thought in your mind for
moment...want you to know that no matter how significant or how great the thing
another person did on your behalf, it pales in comparison with what Jesus has
done and continues to do for you...and from this rather long, complicated
passage want share with you in summary form five things Jesus is doing for
every person who trusts his or her life to Him...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">I.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><u>Jesus shows us the way to
salvation</u></span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>One of most descriptive titles for Jesus to be found in Scripture
is in verse 10...called <b><i>"the author of ... salvation"</i></b>...word
translated <b><i>"author"</i></b> in NASB and <b><i>"captain"
</i></b>in the KJV is <i>archegos</i>...word literally means <i>"pioneer"</i>
or <i>"leader"</i>...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jesus is like a pioneer who
has gone before us and blazed a trail for us to follow...and as we follow after
Him, He leads us into salvation...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">3.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">William Barclay illustrates the meaning of the word <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">archegos</span> this way...says suppose ship
was stuck on some rocks not too far from shore...the only way get passengers
safely to shore was for someone to swim through the surf with a line so that
once the line was secured the other passengers could take hold of it and follow
it safely to shore...Barclay says the one who was first to swim to shore would
be the <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">archegos</span>...that person
would have blazed the way to safety for the others...</i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">4.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>That's what Jesus has done for
us...He has gone before us and shown us the way to salvation...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">II.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><u>Jesus makes us holy before
God</u></span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Verse 11 describes those who
are followers of Jesus as <b><i>"those who are sanctified"</i></b>...word
<b><i>"sanctified"</i></b> is from same word family as word <b><i>"holy"</i></b>...there's
a wonderful thought here...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>From our perspective, it is
very difficult to think of ourselves as holy...after all, we are very aware of
our sinful nature...we know our evil thoughts and we know our un-Christlike
actions...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">3.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But as a result of the
sacrifice of Jesus on our behalf, in eyes of God we are holy...that's because
instead of seeing our sin, when God looks at our lives, He sees the sacrifice
of His Son for our sins...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">4.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Our holiness in God's eyes is
not something we have achieved in our strength...it's not a result of our good
conduct...it's what Jesus does for us...one writer put it this way:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b><i>"Before God, those who are in His
Son are holy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We may not act holy, but
we are holy -- just as a child who often does not act like his father or please
his father is still his father's child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We are holy in the sense that before God the righteousness of Christ has
been applied and imputed in our behalf."</i></b> [McArthur, p.67]</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">III.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><u>Jesus
makes us part of God's family</u></span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">1.Family terminology permeates this section of Hebrews--</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--in v.10 we are referred to as <b><i>"sons"</i></b>...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--in v.11 God is called <b><i>"Father"</i></b> and we are
described as <b><i>"brethren"</i></b> or brothers of Jesus...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--in v.12 we are again called <b><i>"brethren"</i></b> or
brothers...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--then in v.13 and again in v.14 we are called <b><i>"children"</i></b></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Point of all that is when we
gave our lives to Christ, we became part of a spiritual family...under the
Fatherhood of God and the Lordship of Jesus, we are brothers and sisters in the
family of God...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">3.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I have an older brother who is today and always has been one of my heroes...he's
kind, unselfish person who is always concerned about welfare of others...when I
was small wanted go everywhere he went...would follow him like a shadow...can
imagine this caused some problems in our family...when wanted go somewhere
without me, would wait until my guard was down, burst out the backdoor, and run
around and around the outside house until he lost me...sure there were times he
wished I wasn't his brother...</i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">4.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But Jesus never feels that way
about us...told in v.11 that <b><i>"He is not ashamed to call [us]
brethren..."</i></b>...He gladly makes us part of God's family...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">IV.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><u>Jesus
delivers us from the terror of death</u></span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In v.14 the writer of Hebrews
points out again that Jesus became flesh and He came to our world...and through
His death He defeated the one who holds the power of death, the devil...one
writer put it this way:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b><i>"The
only way to destroy Satan was to rob him of his weapon, death -- physical
death, spiritual death, eternal death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Satan knew that God required death for us because of sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Death had become the most certain fact of life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Satan knew that [all people], if they
remained as they were, would die and go out of God's presence into hell
forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Satan wants to hold onto
[people] until they die, because once they are dead the opportunity for
salvation is gone forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>[People]
can't escape after death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So God had to
wrest from Satan the power of death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
just for that purpose Jesus came."</i></b> [McArthur, p.69-70]</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And the result of His coming
--of His death and resurrection from the dead-- is spelled out clearly in
v.15...and that is that He <b><i>"might deliver those who through fear of
death were subject to slavery all their lives."</i></b></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">3.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And point of all that is that
while still hurts when we are separated from loved one by death, Jesus has
robbed death of its terror and dread and sting...and in place of those things
has given us hope...and He accomplished that by going before us in death...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">4.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">One of my professors in seminary was Dr. John Kiwiet...at one time
became very ill and had one of those near death experiences...he said
experienced transition from this world to the next like walking through a long
tunnel...tunnel was very narrow and lined with sharp thorns...impossible walk
through without being scratched by the thorns...but as entered tunnel noticed
all thorns had been broken in direction was walking so walls of tunnel were
smooth...on tips of each thorn was drop of blood...realized God's way of
telling him he didn't need to fear death because Jesus had gone before him and
paved the way...</i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">V.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><u>Jesus helps
us overcome temptation</u></span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Look at very last phrase in
this paragraph in v.18...says <b><i>"He is able to come to the aid of
those who are tempted..."</i></b>...Why?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Because any temptation we face he has already faced and overcome...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>When facing some crisis or
difficult problem and need some help, just makes sense to seek the counsel of
someone who has already successfully dealt with the kind of situation with
which you're struggling...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">3.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And do well to remember that
whatever we may face in this life, Jesus has faced it before us...and whatever
path we must walk, Jesus has walked it before us...and when going gets tough
can turn to Him and with confidence say, <i>"Lord you know what I'm going
through...you understand thoroughly... please help me through this..."</i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">4<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>.Later in Hebrews we're told
of Jesus, <b><i>"For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize
with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet
without sin."</i></b>...and that, above all else, qualifies Him to help us
with our temptations...</span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">CONCLUSION</span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A man named Tony Bullimore was competing in an around the world yacht
race when his boat capsized in icy water near Antarcita...was trapped in cabin,
in freezing water up to his neck, being thrown about by large waves...expected
to live only for a few minutes...but fortunately an Australian warship heard
his distress signal, sent out a rescue team and extracted him from the sinking
yacht...Bullimore was taken to Australia where was given a hero's welcome...was
given an opportunity to address the nation on national television and simply
said, <b><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">"Thank you, Australia,
for giving me my life back."</span></b></i> [DMN, Jan.14,1997]</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>When look at this passage in
Hebrews and see all the things Jesus does for us--</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.25in; text-indent: -0.75in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.5pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Show us the way to God... </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.25in; text-indent: -0.75in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.5pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Makes us holy before God...<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.25in; text-indent: -0.75in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.5pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Makes us part of God's family... </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.25in; text-indent: -0.75in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.5pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Delivers us from the terror of death... </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.25in; text-indent: -0.75in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.5pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Helps us overcome temptation...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.5pt; letter-spacing: -.1pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>How can we say anything less
than <i>"Thank you Jesus for giving me life?"</i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14177977230653907004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-789295729306267055.post-77309894711466913662016-03-31T18:24:00.001-07:002016-03-31T18:24:16.932-07:00Hebrews 2:5-9
<br />
<div align="center" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Hebrews
2:5-9</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Hebrews 2:9 begins with the
statement, <b><i>"But we do see Him [Jesus]..."</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Obviously that verse picks up in middle of a
thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To understand the statement <b><i>"But
we do see Him..." </i></b>must understand the larger thought of which it
is a part.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 2:5-8 the writer of
Hebrews makes the point that humanity was made by God a little lower than
angels and all creation has been subjected to humanity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The previous paragraph ends with the writer
declaring, <b><i>"But now we do not yet see all things subjected to
him."</i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then he continues
that thought with this statement in Hebrews 2:9.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">This section of Hebrews reminds
us of some significant truths about who we are and what we should see when we
look at Jesus.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">What Hebrews 2:5-8 tells us about ourselves</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">There is an old parable about a
man who discovered his shadow… as he watched his shadow move along with him,
the man made the erroneous assumption that his shadow must be alive just as he
was alive…and because his shadow followed him so faithfully and never left his
side, he decided his shadow must be his servant… however, gradually the man’s
idea about his shadow began to change…since the shadow never really did
anything to serve him, the man began to think that instead of the shadow being
his servant, he must be his shadow’s servant…he began to be concerned about the
comfort and welfare of his shadow…he would awkwardly position himself so that
his shadow might sit in a chair or lie on a bed…before long, the poor deluded
man became nothing more than the shadow of his shadow…</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I share that little parable as
reminder of the importance of us understanding our identity…if we fail to
understand clearly who we are, all kinds of negative consequences can occur in
our lives…Hebrews 2:5-8 has something of value to say to us about who we are…the
thought of this passage is a little difficult to follow… but if look carefully
at these verses, will discover two important truths about ourselves…and we can’t
really understand who we are until we understand these two truths…</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">On one hand, the Bible teaches we
are a unique creation of God and as such each of us has dignity, value, and
worth</span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>One of the characteristics of Hebrews is that
it makes extensive use of the OT…throughout this book are numerous and lengthy
OT quotes…this passage good example of that…the bulk of Hebrews 2:5-8 is a
quote from Psalm 8…</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Can’t understand this paragraph in Hebrews
unless understand Psalm 8…and key to understanding Psalm 8 is identifying the
subject of the Psalm…when look at Psalm 8 it is clear the Psalm is about
humanity…it’s about us…we are the subject… David looked at the vastness of the
universe in which we live and asked the question of God, <b><i>“What is man,
that Thou rememberest Him? Or the son of man, that thou art concerned wtih him?”</i></b>…because
Jesus often referred to Himself as <i>“the Son of Man”</i> some people
mistakenly assume this verse is about Him…but in OT phrase <i>“son of man”</i>
is often used simply to mean mankind…that’s how it is used here…</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">3.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Psalmist looked at how small, insignificant
we seem in relation to our universe and asked, <i>“Why would God be concerned
about or involved with us?”</i>…and as he thought about that the Psalmist came
up with two specific answers…</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">God
is concerned about us because He made us</span></u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> – Verse 7 (read text) refers to the creation story
in Genesis…even cursory reading of that story reveals that man and woman were
the highlight, the crown, the climactic event of the creative process …the way
the account is written, it’s as if everything made before humanity was in
preparation for us…without humanity, the crowning piece of the creative
process, creation has no meaning or finality…over and over the Bible affirms
that we are a unique creation of God…</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">--Job said,
<b><i>“Thy hands have fashioned me and made me altogether.”</i></b></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">--Psalmist
said, <b><i>“For Thou didst form my inward parts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thou didst weave me in my mother’s womb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will give thanks to thee, for I am
fearfully and wonderfully made.”</i></b></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">--Paul
said, <b><i>“In Him we live and move and have our being.”</i></b></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">And ultimately our worth as a
person does not come from what we may own or how much power we have or how we
look or how smart we may be…comes from fact that each one of us is special
creation of God…</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">God
is concerned about us because He has given us a special place in creation</span></u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> – Notice what last part of v.7
and first part of v.8 says…<b><i>”Thou…has appointed him over the works of thy
hands; Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet.”</i></b> …God has
given to us the great privilege of caring for, ruling over, managing, being
stewards of His creation…</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">On
the other hand we are people who have sinned against God</span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Look at last phrase of v.8 – <b><i>“But now
we do not yet see all things subjected to him.”</i></b>…that’s one of the
saddest statements in the Bible…while all things were made to be in subjection
to us, that is not what is happening…as matter of fact, just the opposite is
happening…while we were made to rule the world of things, the world of things
is in reality ruling us…</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Why is that?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s becasue as Paul said in Romans 1:21 we have <b><i>“…worshipped and
served the creation rather than the Creator…”</i></b>…we are like a child who
has been given a wonderful gift by a parent then allowing the gift to become
more important to him/her than the parent who gave it…in selfishness and
self-centeredness, we have turned our backs on God and attempted be our own god’s…</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">3.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>That is the essence of sin…sin in its most
basic form is simply refusing to accept God as God and ourselves as His
creation… when Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, their transgression
was not merely eating of the forbidden fruit, it was desiring to be their own
god…the tempter’s promise to them was, <b><i>“…if you eat of the fruit you will
be like God…”</i></b></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">What Hebrews 2:9 tells us about Jesus</span></b></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">While at this point in time we do
not see humanity as God intended us to be, we do see a preview of that in
Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are three significant
statements about Jesus in this verse:</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Jesus <b><i>"has been made
for a little while lower than the angels..."</i></b></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In chapter 1 the writer had gone to great
lengths to demonstrated Jesus was in every way superior to angels...but in this
verse he points out that for short time was made lower than angels...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And that time, of course, was when He became
flesh and came to our world...the greatest act of humility in all of creation
was Jesus leaving the glory of heaven for the cross of earth...Paul put it this
way in that beautiful passage in Philippians - <b><i>"... although He
[Jesus] existed in the form of God, [He] did not regard equality with God a
thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant,
and being made in the likeness of men.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And being found in appearance as a man,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even
death on a cross."</i></b> [Phil.2:5-8]</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">3.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And that great act of humility by Jesus is an
example for us to follow...no doubt you've heard the phrase, <b><i>"He's
full of himself..."</i></b>...refers to person who is selfish,
self-centered, who thinks he is better/superior/a cut above everyone else...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">4.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And that kind of attitude is totally out of
step with the attitude of Jesus...the Bible instructs us to have within
ourselves the attitude Jesus had...and that means, as Paul put it in that same
passage in Philippians 2 that we are to <b><i>"Do nothing from selfishness
or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another
as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal
interests, but also for the interests of others."</i></b>...that's kind of
spirit which characterizes true Christians...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">5.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And when you really see Jesus, see that
spirit of humility in action...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Jesus was <b><i>"...because
of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor..."</i></b></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Any account of the life of Jesus which does
not include His sacrificial death is an incomplete account...have always been
people who wanted to pick and choose from the sayings of Jesus to follow as
their life's philosophy...but the sayings of Jesus lose their authority apart
from a clear understanding of His purpose for coming to our world...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The writer of Hebrews makes it clear that
reason Jesus was made a little lower than he angels was to die...if we miss
that, we miss the very heart of the gospel...one writer put it this way: <b><i>"He
became a man so that He could die.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
came to die because His death, and only His death, could accomplish [our]
salvation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those tiny hands fashioned by
the Holy Spirit in Mary's womb were made to take two great nails.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those little feet were made to climb a hill
and be nailed to a cross.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That sacred
head was made to wear a crown of thorns, and that tender body wrapped in
swaddling clothes was made to be pierced by a spear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For this Christ came to earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His death was the furtherst thing from an
accident.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, despite the malignant evil
that crucified Him, His death was the furthest thing from a tragedy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was God's ultimate plan for His Son and
His ultimate gift for mankind."</i></b> [McArthur, p.63)</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">4.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Whatever else you may see when you look at
Jesus, if you don't see His sacrificial death on the cross for the sins of the
world, you haven't really seen Him...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Jesus died <b><i>"...for
everyone."</i></b></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jesus didn't just die on the cross...He died
on the cross as a substitute for those who deserved to die...and the word <b><i>"everyone"</i></b>
describes those who deserve to die...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The Bible says <b><i>"the wages of sin
is death"</i></b> and it also says that <b><i>"all have sinned and
come short of the glory of God"</i></b>...and because all people have
sinned and because the wages of sin is death, it follows then that all people
deserve to die, to be separated from God for eternity...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">3.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>However, Jesus, who never sinned and thus did
not deserve to die, stepped in and died in our place...as the Apostle Paul put
it, <b><i>"He made Him who know no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we
might become the righteousness of God in Him."</i></b> [2 Cor.5:21]</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">4.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And when you read the last phrase of Hebrews
2:9 would do well to substitute the word <b><i>"me"</i></b> for the
word <b><i>"everyone"</i></b>...is perfectly correct for every person
to read that phrase <b><i>"...[Jesus came] that by the grace of God He
might taste death for <u>me</u>."</i></b>... </span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">5.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In ancient days kings had food tasters whose
job it was to taste the king's food to make certain it was free from poison or
other contamination...being the food taster for the king wasn't one of the
choice jobs in life!...when think about it ,that's sort of what Jesus did for
us...He drank the poison of our sin so that we might have life...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">6.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>John R. Stott in the book <u>Basic
Christianity</u> points out that <b><i>"The Son of God identified himself
with the sins of men.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was not content
to take our nature upon him; he took our iniquity as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was not only 'made flesh' in the womb of
Mary; he was 'made sin' on the cross of Calvary." </i></b>[p.92]</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">CONCLUSION</span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Nikolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf was born in
Austria in the year 1700...he became a very influential Christian thinker with
a strong emphasis on evangelism and church unity...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The turning point of Zinzendorf's life came
when he was 19 years of age...he had just finished his degree in law and was
sent off on a tour or European cities to complete his education...his family,
which was quite wealthy, sent him on this tour to make him a man of the world
but the desire of his heart was to be a man of God...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">3.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In Dusseldorf he visited an art gallery and
was intrigued by the masterful painting of Italian artist Domenico Fetti which
is painting of Christ being presented to the angry mob by Pilate on the day of
he crucifixion...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">4.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>For a long time Zinzendorf stood transfixed
before the painting and the eyes of Christ seemed to penetrate his
heart...Zinzendorf was deeply convicted by the inscription written above and
below the painting...it said, <b><i>"This I did for you; what are you
doing for me?"</i></b>...then and there, Zinzendorf committed himself to a
life of service to Jesus...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">5.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And when you look at Jesus and when you
really see Him...when you see His--</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">--humility
which motivated Him to leave the glory of heaven to come to our world...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">--love
which motivated him to suffer and die on the cross...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">--willingness
to be the substitute who took upon Himself the sentence of death we deserved...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">How can we do anything less than
commit ourselves to living a life of service to Him?</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14177977230653907004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-789295729306267055.post-76593884527529016032016-03-31T18:23:00.003-07:002016-03-31T18:23:21.188-07:00Hebrews 2:1-4
<br />
<div align="center" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.1in; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Hebrews 2:1-4</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>British Admiral William Edward
Parry became famous for his explorations of the Arctic Circle...during his
lifetime led three expeditions searching for the North Pole.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The closest he ever came to reaching the North
Pole was about 400 miles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On one of his
trips a very interesting thing happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They went as far as they could by ship, and then decided to attempt to
move by foot over the frozen ocean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
calculated their position by the stars and began a very difficult and treacherous
march toward the north.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After walking
for many hours, near exhaustion they stopped to rest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While they were stopped, they again
calculated their position by the stars, and to their dismay they discovered
they were farther south than they were when they began walking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They finally figured out that the layer of
ice on which they were walking was drifting to the south at a faster rate than
their progress to the north. They thought they were going in one direction when
in reality they were going in just the opposite direction.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>That is how many of us are in
our spiritual lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We desire to be
closer to God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We desire to better
understand and follow His will for our lives, but the reality is that many of
us are gradually and subtly drifting further and further away from him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In our study of Hebrews, going look at
passage which tells us how to avoid that spiritual drift in our lives.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">3.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Hebrews 2:1-4 is the first of
five strong warning passages in this letter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Without doubt, they are the most difficult passages in Hebrews to
interpret.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In my opinion, this first
warning is the easiest with which to deal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is obviously directed toward those who are Christians and it is a
reminder of the danger of drifting away from God.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Warren
Wiersbe says of these five warning passages:</span></div>
<br />
<div style="-ms-text-justify: inter-ideograph; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">To begin with,
these five passages are not really “warnings.” Three basic words are translated
“warn” in the New Testament, and the only one used in Hebrews is translated
“admonished” in Hebrews 8:5 (<span style="font-variant: small-caps;">kjv</span>,
where it refers to Moses) and “spake” in Hebrews 12:25. Only in Hebrews 11:7 is
it translated “warned,” where it refers to Noah “being warned of God.” I think
that the best description of the five so-called warning passages is the one
given in Hebrews 13:22—“exhortation” (<span style="font-variant: small-caps;">kjv</span>),
or “encouragement” (<span style="font-variant: small-caps;">berk</span>). This
does not minimize the seriousness of these five sections of the book, but it
does help us grasp their purpose: to encourage us to trust God and heed His
Word.</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="-ms-text-justify: inter-ideograph; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The Epistle to the
Hebrews opens with an important declaration: “God … has spoken to us in His
Son” (Heb. 1:1–2, <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">nasb</span>). Near the
close of the book, the writer states: “See to it that you do not refuse Him who
is speaking” (Heb. 12:25, <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">nasb</span>).
In other words, the theme of Hebrews seems to be: “God has spoken; we have His
Word. What are we doing about it?”</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="-ms-text-justify: inter-ideograph; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">With this truth in
mind, we can now better understand the significance of those five “problem
passages” in Hebrews. Each of these passages encourages us to heed God’s Word
(“God … has spoken”) by pointing out the sad spiritual consequences that result
if we do not. Let me list these passages for you and explain their sequence in
the Book of Hebrews. I think you will see how they all hang together and
present one message: heed God’s word.</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt; mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Drifting from the
Word—2:1–4 (neglect)</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="-ms-text-justify: inter-ideograph; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Doubting
the Word—3:7–4:13 (hard heart)</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="-ms-text-justify: inter-ideograph; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Dullness
toward the Word—5:11–6:20 (sluggishness)</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="-ms-text-justify: inter-ideograph; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Despising
the Word—10:26–39 (willfulness)</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="-ms-text-justify: inter-ideograph; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Defying
the Word—12:14–29 (refusing to hear)</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="-ms-text-justify: inter-ideograph; margin: 9pt 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">If
we do not listen to God’s Word and really hear it, we will start to drift. Neglect
always leads to drifting, in things material and physical as well as spiritual.
As we drift from the Word, we start to doubt the Word; because faith comes by
hearing the Word of God (Rom. 10:17). We start to get hard hearts, and this
leads to spiritual sluggishness which produces dullness toward the Word. We
become “dull of hearing”—lazy listeners! This leads to a despiteful attitude
toward the Word to the extent that we willfully disobey God; and this gradually
develops into a defiant attitude—we almost “dare” God to do anything!</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="-ms-text-justify: inter-ideograph; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Now what does God
do while this spiritual regression is going on? He keeps speaking to us,
encouraging us to get back to the Word. If we fail to listen and obey, then He
begins to chasten us. This chastening process is the theme of Hebrews 12, the
climactic chapter in the epistle. “The Lord shall judge His people” (Heb.
10:30, italics mine). God does not allow His children to become “spoiled brats”
by permitting them to willfully defy His Word. He always chastens in love.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/2.1-4.docx" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[1]</span></sup></b></span></sup></a></span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">The key
phrase in this first waning passage around which everything else is built is
the phrase <b><i>"lest we drift away"</i></b> near end of v.1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The picture behind that phrase is a ship
drifting past the safety of the harbor and into destruction because the captain
is asleep at the helm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The point is spiritual
drifting is dangerous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And because the
danger of drifting away from God is so real, the writer of Hebrews tells us in
the passage how to avoid that danger.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">I.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><u>To avoid
drifting from God we must anchor ourselves to Jesus</u></span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Look again at first phrase of
v.1...<b><i>"For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we
have heard..."</i></b>...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b><i>"For this
reason"</i></b> means essentially the same thing as <i>"therefore"</i>...points
back to all that was said in the previous chapter...that chapter focuses on the
superiority of Jesus to the OT prophets and even to the angels...we are told in
Hebrews 1 precisely who Jesus is and what Jesus has done...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To avoid spiritual drifting
the writer of Hebrews says <b><i>"we must pay much closer attention"</i></b>
to what we have heard about Jesus...and that phrase doesn't mean merely to
listen more attentively like teacher telling student to <i>"pay attention
to me"</i>...it means to anchor your life in Jesus... actually, the word
translated <b><i>"pay attention"</i></b> is a nautical term...it was
used to describe the tying of a ship in the safety of a harbor...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The writer is saying to avoid
drifting, tie yourself to Jesus who is stable, secure, solid, unchanging...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">I have a friend who lives in Waco who looks at world
through different eyes...you know kind of person talking about...just has
rather unique way of viewing life...early 1950's terrible tornado swept through
Waco causing much destruction and death...people who are native to the area, as
this person is, have inbred fear of tornadoes...but this person, who sees
things differently, says she has fool proof plan for being safe in a
tornado...plan is go into bathroom and cling to toilet...says in all pictures
she has seen, even when house is totally destroyed, toilet always left
standing...figures that's safest place to be...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Don't know about her tornado survival plan, but do know
way avoid spiritual drifting is to cling to person of Jesus...later in this
letter we are told to <b><i>"run with endurance the race set before us,
fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith..."</i></b>...if
we keep our focus on who He is and what He as done for us, much less likely to
drift away from God...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">II.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><u>To avoid
drifting from God we must recognize the consequences of drifting</u></span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>There is price to be paid for
neglecting our spiritual lives...V.2 is reminder that in OT days, when people
drifted away and neglected God, they were punished...the verse says that <b><i>"every
transgression and disobedience received a just recompense"</i></b>... the
word <b><i>"transgression"</i></b> refers to sins of commission,
doing things that are wrong...the word <b><i>"disobedience"</i></b>
refers to sins of omission, failing to do what is right...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The question in v. 3 <b><i>"How
shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?"</i></b>...is graphic
way of asking, <i>"If God punished those who disobeyed the law in OT days,
how can we expect to escape punishment for drifting away from Him after all He
has done for us in Jesus?"</i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>One person compares drifting
into disobedience to buying something on credit...it is easy at first but in
long run you pay a high price for it...on the other hand, obedience is like
investing...may seem difficult at first but in long run reap a positive
dividend...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>What appears to be a small act
of disobedience may seem insignificant at first, but in long run it can be very
costly...William Barclay put it this way: <b><i>"For most of us the threat
of life is not so much that we should plunge into disaster, but that we should
drift into [it].<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are few people
who deliberately and in a moment turn their backs on God;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>there are many who day by day drift farther
and farther away from Him. There are not many who in one moment of time commit
some disastrous sin; there are many who, bit by bit and almost imperceptibly,
involve themselves in some situation, and suddenly awake to find that they have
ruined life for themselves and broken someone else's heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We would do well to be continually on the
alert against the peril of the drifting life."</i></b></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">3.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Recognizing the consequences
of drifting away from God can help us avoid doing so...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">III. <u>To avoid drifting from God we must remember the
truth of what we believe</u></span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The thrust of the last part of
v.3 and all of v.4 is that the biblical message about salvation through Jesus
is true...these verses tell us three evidences for the truth of the good
news/gospel of Jesus...we know it is true because--</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--it was proclaimed by Jesus...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--it was faithfully passed on by those who heard/saw...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--it was attested by special signs, wonders, miracles, and gifts...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>How does remembering the truth
of what we believe keep us from drifting from God? Let me illustrate it this
way. Suppose you're on trip and drive into city with which not familiar. You
are looking for particular hotel and have no idea how get there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, you stop and ask someone and person says,
<i>"Well, not really sure but think know where it is."</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That person gives you some directions which
are rather vague and you do your best to follow them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the further you drive the less confidence
you have in what that person told you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It would not be long before you abandon or drift away from those directions
for something else.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">3.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But suppose you're in same
situation and ask person for directions and person says, <i>"I know
exactly where that hotel is because that is where I work."</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That person gives you precise instructions on
how to get there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No doubt you would
follow those instructions until you arrive at the destination.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">4.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Having confidence in something
helps us to stick with it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
remembering that what Bible teaches about Jesus and salvation is truth will
help us keep from drifting from it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If
we really believe what we profess to believe about Jesus--</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--that He is God come to earth...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--that He died on cross for our sins...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--that those who believe in Him find forgiveness of sin, abundant life,
and eternal life...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">then we have
every motivation to stay with Him and not drift away...</span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">CONCLUSION</span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The person I'm about to describe is a real
person and the events are real events...not going use his real name in case
some of you may know him...will call him John...if ever person seemed to have
it all it was John...sweet wife, two young sons, high profile exciting
career...was one of pillars in his church...sang in choir...led Bible studies...
served on committees...even participated in outreach activities... was very
successful in his career, and as became more successful began drift away from
church...at first was nothing radical or of major significance, but just wasn't
quite as faithful in any area as once was...then, began to give up his
leadership roles...not all at once, but sort of gradually one by one...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As drift continued, John became involved in
some things which were obviously wrong for a Christian...he became unfaithful
to his wife and eventually left her...his sons, hurt by their father's
behavior, became very trouble children...his closest friends became alienated
from him...and to my knowledge, John is still estranged from the Lord and his
family and friends...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">3.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And tragically, that is the story of many
Christians…they start out well, but somewhere along the way began to drift and
lost their way...how can we avoid that tragedy in our lives?...this passage
says it well--</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--anchor your life in Jesus...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--remember the consequences of drifting away...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--focus on the truth of the gospel...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;">
<br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/2.1-4.docx" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><sup><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><sup><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">[1]</span></sup></span></sup></a>
Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Bible
exposition commentary</i> (Heb 1:1–3). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.</div>
</div>
</div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14177977230653907004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-789295729306267055.post-43402122033738427332016-02-24T09:13:00.003-08:002016-02-24T09:13:58.440-08:00Hebrews 1:2a-3<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Hebrews
1:2a-3<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="sermon" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">1. Samuel Porter Jones, a 19<sup>th</sup>
century Methodist evangelist, is credited with being the original author of the
following statement. Over the years,
others have added to and refined the statement.
I can’t think of a better way to begin a study of these verses in
Hebrews than by sharing it. This version
is in John MacArthur’s commentary on Hebrews:
<b><i>"Christ came from the bosom of the Father to the bosom of a
woman. He put on humanity that we might
put on divinity. He became Son of Man
that we might become sons of God. He was
born contrary to the laws of nature, lived in poverty, was reared in obscurity,
and only once crossed the boundary of the land in which he was born -- and that
in His childhood. He had no wealth or
influence and had neither training nor education in the world's schools. His relatives were inconspicuous and
uninfluential. In infancy He startled a
king. In boyhood He puzzled learned
doctors. In manhood He ruled the course of
nature. He walked upon the billows and
hushed the sea to sleep. He healed the
multitudes without medicine and made no charge for His services. He never wrote a book and yet all the
libraries of the world could not hold the books written about Him. He never wrote a song, yet He has furnished
the theme for more songs than all songwriters together. He never founded a college, yet all the
schools together cannot boast of as many students as He has. He never practiced medicine and yet He has
healed more broken hearts than all the doctors have healed broken bodies. This Jesus Christ is the star of astronomy,
the rock of geology, the lion and the lamb of zoology, the harmonizer of all
discords, and the healer of all diseases.
Throughout history great men have come and gone, yet He lives on. Herod could not kill Him. Satan could not seduce Him. Death could not destroy Him and the grave could
not hold Him." </i></b></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">[MacArthur,
p.9]</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="sermon" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">2. In this session we are going to focus on one
of the most complete, and yet at same time, most succinct descriptions of Jesus
found in Bible. In our previous session
we saw from Hebrews 1-2a that God has spoken.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="sermon" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">--in v.1 saw that <b><i>"long
ago"</i></b> God spoke through the prophets...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="sermon" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">--in first part of v.2 saw that <b><i>"in
these last days"</i></b> God has spoken in His Son...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="sermon" style="margin-left: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Beginning in middle of v.2 and
continuing through v.3 writer of Hebrews gives a beautiful description of God's
Son.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.25in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">3. These statements about Jesus fall into two
broad categories. Some focus on who
Jesus is and some focus on what Jesus has done.
Instead of looking at them in chronological order, we will look at them
under those two broad categories<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="sermon">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="sermon" style="text-align: center; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">WHO
JESUS IS</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="sermon">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">This is the central question of
Christianity and indeed central question of life. If we get this wrong, it doesn't really
matter what else get right because have missed the essence of life in this
world. That's why when Jesus nearing end
of earthly ministry He took disciples up to Caesarea Philippi, a beautiful
place at foot of Mt. Hermon where melting snow of the mountain form the headwaters
of the Jordan River. There, in that
beautiful setting, Jesus tested His disciples understanding of His
identity. I is significant that during
that time of testing did not ask, <i>"How do you interpret Old Testament
or what is most pressing social issue of day or what are you political
leanings?"</i>... Instead, He wanted to know if they understood His true
identity. That's because in contrast to
all other world religions, Christianity is not based primarily on an institution
or code of ethics or list of rules and laws or even a book. Christianity is based on a person, the person
of Jesus Christ. That's why it is
absolutely critical that we have a clear understanding of who Jesus is. These verses tell us four important things
about the identity of Jesus:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="sermon">
<br /></div>
<div class="sermon">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Jesus is <i>"…heir of all
things…"</i></span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
(v.2)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="sermon" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">All
of creation, both physical and spiritual, belongs to Jesus. The Father has willed it all to the Son. When think about that, it's rather amazing
statement. As one writer pointed out, <b><i>"Think
of it ... a Galilean carpenter who was crucified on a hill outside the city of
Jerusalem"</i></b> has the title to everything that ever was. And even more amazing than that is that we,
through faith in Him, are joint heirs with Him! (Galatians 4:7; Romans 8:17)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="sermon" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> In the first century world, an heir had all
the rights and privileges of the owner. And the phrase <b><i>"heir of all
things"</i></b> is simply beautiful, poetic way of saying <b><i>"Jesus
is Lord."</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="sermon" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">2. While world does not now see it nor does the
world understand it, the day will come when, as Paul put it in Philippians 2:10,
<b><i>"At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow … and every tongue
confess that He is Lord to the glory of God the Father."</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="sermon" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">3. The earliest confession of the church was, <b><i>"Jesus
is Lord"</i></b> and that is still the basic confession God desires from
us today. He is <b><i>"Heir of all
things."</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="sermon">
<br /></div>
<div class="sermon">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Jesus is <i>"…the radiance
of His [God's] glory…"</i></span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">
(v.3)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="sermon" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">1. The word translated <b><i>"radiance"</i></b>
(used only here in the New Testament) means <i>"to send forth light."</i> Jesus is the light of God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="sermon" style="margin-left: 63pt; text-indent: -9pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">--Just as
the rays of the sun shine on the earth providing light and warmth, so Jesus is
the light of God which shines on us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="sermon" style="margin-left: 63pt; text-indent: -9pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">--And just
as the sun was never without and cannot be separated from its brightness, so
God has never been without or separated from Christ. Never was God apart from Christ nor Christ
apart from God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="sermon" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">2. And we would never be able to see the light
of God if it were not for Jesus, the radiance of God's glory. As the Apostle John put it in John 1:18, <b><i>"No
man has seen God at any time; the only begotten Son who is in the bosom of the
Father, He has explained Him."</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="sermon" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">3. To a world darkened by sin, injustice,
failure, hurt, separation, sickness, pain, and death God sent His Son. And the Son said, <b><i>"I am the light
of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the
light of life."</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="sermon" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">4. The OT refers to the <i>"shekinah"</i>
glory of God that dwelt first in the tabernacle and then later in the
temple. Jesus Christ is the <i>"shekinah"</i>
glory of God Who dwells in the lives of those who know Him. He is <b><i>"the radiance of God's glory."</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="sermon">
<br /></div>
<div class="sermon">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Jesus is <i>"…the exact
representation of His [God's] nature…"</i></span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> (v.3)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="sermon" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">1. This phrase literally overflows with
meaning. The imagery is taken from a
very common practice in the first century.
A die or stamp was often used to make a distinctive mark on a seal. A small amount of wax would be place on the
paper to be sealed, and while wax was still soft and pliable, the die or stamp
would be pushed down into it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="sermon" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">2. The image left in the wax would be whatever
was on the seal. In the wax would be an
exact representation of what was on the seal.
And obviously, when you looked at the image in the wax, would see the
image of the seal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="sermon" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">3. In same way, when you look at Jesus, you see
God. That's why Jesus could make such
statement as, <b><i>"I and the Father are one"</i></b> and <b><i>"If
you have seen Me you have seen the Father..."</i></b> Jesus is the exact representation of the very
nature or essence of God....<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="sermon">
<br /></div>
<div class="sermon">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Jesus is <i>“…at the right hand of the Majesty on high…”</i></span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> (v.3)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="sermon" style="margin-left: 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">This
phrase reminds us of the exaltation of Jesus.
<i>“</i></span><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: 0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">God does not
have a right hand. This is a biblical metaphor of power, authority, and
preeminence.”</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: 0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/1.2a-3.docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title=""><sup><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">[1]</span></sup><!--[endif]--></sup></a></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="sermon" style="margin-left: 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: 0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">The ‘right hand’ of God
speaks of the place of authority which belongs to Jesus by right as God’s Son.
Significantly, he is now there as our high priest, one of the great themes of
this letter. This was red-hot teaching for Jewish Christians, with temple
worship still proceeding; it should be a powerful reminder to us not to go back
to Old Testament ritual.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: 0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/1.2a-3.docx#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" title=""><sup><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">[2]</span></sup><!--[endif]--></sup></a></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="sermon">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="sermon" style="text-align: center;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">WHAT
JESUS HAS DONE</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="sermon">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Jesus
made the world – <i>“…through whom also He made the world…”</i></span></u></b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span></u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">(v.2)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="sermon" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">1. The translated <b><i>"world"</i></b> in that statement is
not normal Greek word which is translated world. That word is <i>"kosmos"</i> and it
generally means physical world. The word
used here, (<i>“aionos”</i>) is much broader
meaning. It carries the idea of the
world of time, space, energy, and matter.
Everything that is and everything that ever will be has been created by
Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="sermon" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">2. That is theme which permeates
New Testament. The early Christians placed
strong emphasis on Jesus being God's agent/instrument in the creative process.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="sermon" style="margin-left: 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">John 1:3</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> - <b><i>"All things came into being by/through Him
[Jesus], and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into
being."</i><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="sermon" style="margin-left: 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">I Cor.8:6</span></u></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> - <i>"...there is ... one Lord, Jesus Christ, by
whom are all things, and we exist through Him."<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></div>
<div class="sermon" style="margin-left: 0.75in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Colossians 1:16</span></u></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;"> - <i>"For by Him [Jesus]
all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and
invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities -- all things
have been created by Him and for Him."</i></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="sermon" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">3. One of most important
philosophical questions you must answer is the question, <i>"Am I hear by
chance or choice?"</i> Did creation
just happen due to string of unbelievable coincidences or was universe created
on purpose by higher power. The biblical
message is that everything which exists was created by, through, and for Jesus
Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="sermon" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">4. Since birth of age of
rationalism in middle-ages there has been an on-going debate between science
and religion concerning the matter of creation.
The debate still rages today. To
my way of thinking it is a misguided debate.
Science and religion have totally different roles in relation to
creation. Science looks at creation and
asks the question <i>"How?"</i> but religion looks at creation and
asks the question <i>"Who?"</i>
And no matter what science may determine about how the world was made,
the biblical message is that behind that process was the person of Jesus
Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="sermon" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">5. And understanding that has
tremendous implications for our lives.
It means that we're not just sophisticated piece of primeval slime which
have no dignity, value, and worth. We are
a special creation of God. And because
He made us, He has a creative claim on our lives. We are not free to do as we please, we are
only free to do what pleases Him, Our Creator.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="sermon">
<br /></div>
<div class="sermon" style="margin-left: .25in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Jesus holds
the world together – <i>“…upholds all things
by the word of His power…”</i></span></u></b><i><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span></u></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">(v.3)</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="sermon" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">1. Jesus didn't just create the
universe ages ago, set it in motion, and then leave it alone. He is the force, the power which keeps the
universe on track.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="sermon" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">2. We live in a delicately
balance world. I want to share with you
another quote from John MacArthur’s commentary on Hebrews. <b><i>"The sun
has a surface temperature of 12,000 degrees Fahrenheit. If it were any closer to us we would burn up;
if it were any farther away we would freeze.
Our globe is titled on an exact angle of 23 degrees, providing us with
four seasons. If it were not so tilted,
vapors from the oceans would move north and south and develop into monstrous
continents of ice. If the moon did not
retain its exact distance from the earth the ocean tides would inundate the
land completely twice a day ... If the ocean floors were merely a few feet
deeper than they are, the carbon dioxide and oxygen balance of the earth's
atmosphere would be completely upset, and no animal or plant life could
exist. If the atmosphere did not remain
at its present density, but thinned out even a little, many of the meteors
which now harmlessly burn up when they hit the atmosphere would constantly
bombard us. We would have to live
underground or meteor-proof buildings.
How does the universe stay in this kind of fantastically delicate
balance? Jesus Christ sustains and
monitors all its movements and inter-workings.
Christ, the preeminent Power, maintains all."</i></b> [MacArthur, p.17]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="sermon" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">3. But not only does Jesus hold
the universe together, He is the One who holds our lives together. When we --<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="sermon" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--are crushed by some sorrow, He becomes our Comforter...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="sermon" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--are overcome by loneliness, He becomes our Friend...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="sermon" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--are in need, He becomes our Provider...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="sermon" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--are depressed, He becomes our Encourager...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="sermon" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--are confused and disoriented, He becomes our Guide...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="sermon" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--are weak, He becomes our Strength...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="sermon" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--afraid, He becomes our Confidence...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="sermon" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">--sad, He becomes our Joy...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="sermon" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">And the list could go on and on because Jesus is the One who holds the
world together.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="sermon">
<br /></div>
<div class="sermon">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">Jesus has redeemed the world – <i>“…He made purification for sins…”</i></span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> (v.3)</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="sermon" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">1. That prhase is, of course, a
reference to the sacrificial death of Jesus on the cross. The Bible says that the wages of sin is
death. Because of our disobedience and
rebellion against God, we deserve spiritual death, which is eternal separation
from God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="sermon" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">2. But Jesus intervened on our
behalf, going to the cross, and dying in our place. He took upon Himself the penalty of our
sin. And by accepting His death on our
behalf, He frees us from the penalty of sin and purifies us from the stain of
sin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="sermon" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">3. Because God is a holy and
righteous God, the penalty for our sin must be paid. Either we pay it ourselves and that price is
eternal death/separation from God, or we accept Jesus' payment on our behalf which
results in eternal life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="sermon" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">4. Jesus not only made us physically,
but He has re-made us spiritual. He has both a creative and a redemptive claim
on our lives...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="sermon" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">5. When I was small child the
pastor of the church we attended told a story that has stuck with me all these
years. It is about a boy who made a
small sailboat. He spent hours carefully
crafting and painting the little boat.
After a rain he took the boat to a drainage ditch near his home and
watched helplessly as the water swept it away.
Some days later he saw the little boat in the window of a second hand
shop with a for sale sign on it. He
saved his money until he had enough to purchase the boat. When he brought it home he said, <i>“Now it is really mine. I made it and I have purchased it.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="sermon" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">6. And that is exactly
what Jesus did for us has done for us.
He made us and then bought us with His blood. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="sermon" style="tab-stops: center 171.0pt; text-align: center;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt;">CONCLUSION<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="sermon">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; letter-spacing: -.1pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">At the very outset on this
letter, the writer eloquently declares the unique relationship between Jesus
and the Father. </span><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">This is spelled out in seven
descriptive phrases. It is one of the highest Christologies in the NT (cf. John
1:1–18; Phil. 2:6–11; and Col. 1:15–17).<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 9.35pt 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">1. the heir of the Father’s creation (v. 2)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.25in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">2. the
agent of the Father’s creation (v. 2)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.25in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">3. radiance
of the Father’s glory (v. 3)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.25in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">4. Exact
image of the Father’s nature (v. 3)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.25in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">5. the
sustainer of the Father’s creation (v. 3)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.25in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">6. the
means of forgiveness of the Father’s creation (v. 3)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.25in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">7. the
royal and priestly Messiah sent by the Father (v. 3)<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/1.2a-3.docx#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" title=""><sup><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><b><sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">[3]</span></sup></b><!--[endif]--></sup></a><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="sermon">
<br /></div>
<div class="sermon">
<br /></div>
<div class="sermon">
<br /></div>
<div class="sermon">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div>
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<!--[endif]-->
<div id="ftn1">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/1.2a-3.docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title=""><sup><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><sup><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></sup><!--[endif]--></sup></a>
Utley, R. J. (1999). <i>Vol. Volume 10</i>: <i>The Superiority of the New Covenant: Hebrews</i>.
Study Guide Commentary Series (11). Marshall, Texas: Bible Lessons
International.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn2">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/1.2a-3.docx#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" title=""><sup><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><sup><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[2]</span></sup><!--[endif]--></sup></a>
Hacking, P. H. (2006). <i>Opening up Hebrews</i>.
Opening Up Commentary (14). Leominster: Day One Publications.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn3">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/1.2a-3.docx#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3" title=""><sup><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><sup><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[3]</span></sup><!--[endif]--></sup></a>
Utley, R. J. (1999). <i>Vol. Volume 10</i>: <i>The Superiority of the New Covenant: Hebrews</i>.
Study Guide Commentary Series (7–8). Marshall, Texas: Bible Lessons
International.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14177977230653907004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-789295729306267055.post-25451567665491679892016-02-24T09:12:00.003-08:002016-02-24T09:12:27.482-08:00Hebrews 1:1-2a<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Hebrews
1:1-2a</span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">This letter is
not a diet for “spiritual babes” who want to be spoon-fed and coddled (Heb.
5:11–14). In this letter you will find “strong meat” that demands some
“spiritual molars” for chewing and enjoying. The emphasis in Hebrews is not on what
Christ did on the earth (the “milk”), but what He is now doing in heaven (the
“meat” of the Word). He is the great High Priest who enables us by giving us
grace (Heb. 4:14–16). He is also the Great Shepherd of the sheep who equips us
to do His will (Heb. 13:20–21). He is working in us to accomplish His purposes.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/Introduction%20and%201.1-2a.docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title=""><sup><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><b><sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">[1]</span></sup></b><!--[endif]--></sup></a><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "CG Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "CG Times";">One prominent NT scholar has called Hebrews <b><i>"the
riddle of the N.T."</i></b> [E.F. Scott, quoted in Barclay, p.xvii] Normally when begin study of book in Bible,
especially a NT letter, we explore such issues as who wrote the letter, to whom
was it written, when was it written, and why was it written. We will just briefly touch on each of those
issues:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "CG Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "CG Times";">Who
wrote Hebrews? </span></b><span style="font-family: "CG Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "CG Times";">– The text does not mention the name of the
author, so there has been much speculation about this. Among the suggestions are Paul, Peter,
Apollos, Luke, Philip, Mark, and Priscilla &Aquila. Various arguments have been advanced for
different people but none are convincing enough to settle the matter. Origen,
one of the early church fathers who lived in the late 2<sup>nd</sup> century
and early 3<sup>rd</sup> century, concluded that no-one knows and I tend to
agree with him! It is obvious that the
writer had a very strong Jewish background.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">WarrenWiersbe
argues for Pauline authorship: <i>The writer is obviously a Jew, since he
identifies himself with his Jewish readers (1:2; 2:1, 3; 3:1; 4:1; etc.). He
also identifies himself with Timothy (13:23), which certainly Paul could do.
The closing benediction of grace is typical of Paul (see 2 Thes. 3:17–18). The
writer has been in prison (10:34; 13:19). The matter seems to be settled by 2
Peter 3:15–18, where Peter clearly states that Paul had written to the same
people Peter wrote to, the Jews of the dispersion (1 Peter 1:1; 2 Peter 3:1).
Furthermore, Peter calls Paul’s letter Scripture. Now, if Paul wrote an
inspired letter to the Jews scattered abroad, and that letter has been lost,
then a part of God’s inspired, eternal Word has been destroyed; and this is
impossible. The only writing in Scripture that is addressed to Jews and is not
credited to another author is Hebrews. Conclusion: Paul must have written
Hebrews. Those who argue that the style and vocabulary are not typical of Paul
must bear in mind that writers are free to adapt their style and vocabulary to
their readers and topics.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/Introduction%20and%201.1-2a.docx#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" title=""><sup><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><b><sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">[2]</span></sup></b><!--[endif]--></sup></a></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "CG Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "CG Times";">To whom
was Hebrews written?</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">– John
MacArthur, in his excellent commentary on Hebrews, identifies three distinct
groups who are addressed in this letter, all of whom come from a Jewish
background: Hebrew Christians, Hebrew
non-Christians who believe the essential facts of the gospel but who have yet
to trust Jesus for their salvation, and Hebrew non-Christians who did not
believe the essential facts of the gospel.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "CG Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "CG Times";">When was
it written?</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">– Clement of
Rome, who lived in the late 1<sup>st</sup> century, quoted from Hebrews, so the
letter was certainly written before the end of the 1<sup>st</sup> century. Hebrews 10:1-2 indicates that when the letter
was written sacrifices were still being offered in the temple, it would seem
that the letter was written before the temple was destroyed by Titus in 70 A.D. It is also obvious from the letter that it
was written to people who had and who continued to experience persecution (cf.
10:32-39; 12:4). This has led many to
conclude that the letter was written after 64 A.D. when the Neronian
persecution of Christians began and before 70 A.D. when Jerusalem and the
Temple was destroyed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-family: "CG Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "CG Times";">Why was
Hebrews written?</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">- <i>The main message of Hebrews is summarized in
6:1: “let us go on unto perfection [spiritual maturity].” The people to whom
Hebrews was addressed were not growing spiritually (5:11–14) and were in a
state of second childhood. God had spoken in the Word, but they were not
faithful to obey Him. They were neglecting God’s instruction and drifting away
from His blessing. The writer seeks to encourage them to move ahead in their
spiritual lives by showing them that in Christ they have the “better”
blessings. He is the “author and perfecter [finisher] of our faith” (12:2). The
book presents the Christian faith and life as superior to Judaism or any other
religious system. Christ is the superior Person (1–6); His Priesthood is
superior to that of Aaron (7–10); and the principle of faith is superior to
that of law (11–13).<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/Introduction%20and%201.1-2a.docx#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" title=""><sup><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><b><sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">[3]</span></sup></b><!--[endif]--></sup></a><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="sermon">
<span style="font-family: "CG Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "CG Times";">If familiar with the letters of the New
Testament, you will immediately recognize that Hebrews begins in rather unusual
way. There is no small talk, no personal
greetings, no salutation, no words of explanation. Instead, Hebrews begins with a great
theological discussion about the nature of God.
It is easy to conclude from opening paragraph that the writer of this
letter had strong Jewish background.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="sermon">
<br /></div>
<div class="sermon">
<span style="font-family: "CG Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "CG Times";">Jews would never argue about or try to justify
or try to defend the existence of God.
The basic assumption of Hebrew theology is that God is. That can be seen in very first verse of OT
which says, <b>"In the beginning God..."</b> And so at the very beginning of Hebrews,
rather than attempting to prove the existence of God, the writer begins by
stating a great truth about God. Look at
Hebrews 1:1-2a (text)...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="sermon">
<br /></div>
<div class="sermon">
<span style="font-family: "CG Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "CG Times";">In the B.C. comic series by Johnny Hart there
is the following comic strip:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="sermon" style="margin-left: 39.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: -1.0in -.5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "CG Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "CG Times";">Frame 1 - A man is on knees praying on what is
obviously bright, sunshiny day, <b><i>"God, the Bible says you created
light." </i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="sermon" style="margin-left: 39.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: -1.0in -.5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "CG Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "CG Times"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Frame 2 – The man, sti</span><span style="font-family: "CG Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "CG Times";">ll in the bright light of day, continues the prayer
by asking God, <b><i>"How do we know the Bible is true?" </i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="sermon" style="margin-left: 39.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: -1.0in -.5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "CG Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "CG Times"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Frame 3 – The man is in total darkness and </span><span style="font-family: "CG Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "CG Times";">all that
is visible is the whites of his eyes.
And in that total darkness the man says to God, <b><i>"Okay. That's good enough for me."</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="sermon">
<br /></div>
<div class="sermon">
<span style="font-family: "CG Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "CG Times";">Don't you wish God always spoke to us that
clearly? Well, the book of Hebrews
begins with the assertion that God has indeed spoken and spoken clearly to
us. God has made Himself known. Theologians call this activity of God
revelation. Christianity is a religion
of revelation. God has taken the
initiative to make Himself known to us.
He has spoken.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="sermon">
<br /></div>
<div class="sermon">
<span style="font-family: "CG Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "CG Times";">If look carefully at Hebrews 1:1-2 will see
the writer of Hebrews refers to two major time frames in which God has
spoken. In verse 1 he says that God
spoke <b><i>"long ago" </i></b>and in verse 2 he says that God has
spoken <b><i>"in these last days."
</i></b>Hebrews was written to Jewish people. Jews, especially in the first century world,
divided all of history into two periods -- the days before the coming of the Messiah
and the days after the coming of the Messiah.
Following that division, <b><i>"long ago"</i></b> refers to
all the days before Christ and <b><i>"last days"</i></b><i> </i>refers
to all the days after Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="sermon">
<br /></div>
<div class="sermon">
<span style="font-family: "CG Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "CG Times";">With that in mind, want you see what these verses say about how God
has spoken...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="sermon">
<br /></div>
<div class="sermon" style="margin-left: .25in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "CG Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "CG Times";">I. <u>Long ago God spoke through the prophets</u></span></b><span style="font-family: "CG Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "CG Times";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "CG Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "CG Times";">1. Hebrews 1:1 refers to
God's self-revelatory activity in the OT.
The writer tells us that in times past God spoke through <b><i>"the
prophets in many portions and in many ways."</i></b> That phrase is rich in meaning. In the most general sense, a prophet was
anyone who spoke for God or through whom God spoke. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">
The Jews believed that prophets wrote Scripture. This is why Moses was
considered a prophet (cf. Deut. 18:15) and why the Jews labeled the historical books
of Joshua through Kings as the “former prophets.” Therefore, this phrase does
not refer to the OT prophets only, but to all the OT writers.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> The phrase
“in (</span></i><i><span lang="ES" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES;">en</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">) the prophets” (v. 1) is
parallel to “in (</span></i><i><span lang="ES" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: ES;">en</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">) His son” (v.
2). There is an obvious contrast between the two means of revelation. One was a
servant and one is a family member. The first was only partial but the second
is full and complete (cf. Col. 1:15–17).<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/Introduction%20and%201.1-2a.docx#_ftn4" name="_ftnref4" title=""><sup><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><b><sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">[4]</span></sup></b><!--[endif]--></sup></a><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="sermon" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "CG Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "CG Times";">2. The verse is saying that
God revealed Himself to and through the writers of the Old Testament in a
variety of ways. Sometimes He used
visions, other times parables, other times symbols. And the prophets used a variety of literary
devices to communicate these revelations of God. Sometimes they used poetry, other times
narrative, other sometimes law, and sometimes prophecy. But no matter what the form of the revelation
or what the form of the literary device used to communicate it, it was always
God speaking.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="sermon" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "CG Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "CG Times";">3. What does God's
self-revelation through the prophets of the OT say to us about God today? Well, among other things, it is a reminder of
God's great patience toward us. The OT
spans a period of 1500 years written by some 40+ writers. But when you read it through eyes of faith, you
can see it is all pointing toward the Christ event. But God allowed the revelation to unfold a
piece at a time so the people could understand it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="sermon" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "CG Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "CG Times";">4. Just as children are
first taught letters, then words, then phrases, then sentences, and then
paragraphs, so God allowed His revelation to unfold a piece at a time. Genesis reveals some truth, Exodus more, and
so forth and so on until the time was right for God to reveal Himself fully and
completely in Jesus Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="sermon" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "CG Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "CG Times";">4. And even though the
revelation of God in the OT was necessarily incomplete and fragmentary because
that is all the people could comprehend, God never lost patience or gave up on
His creation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="sermon">
<br /></div>
<div class="sermon">
<b><span style="font-family: "CG Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "CG Times";">II. <u>In the last days God has spoken through
His Son</u></span></b><span style="font-family: "CG Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "CG Times";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="sermon" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "CG Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "CG Times";">1. The tense of the verb <b><i>"has
spoken"</i></b> in v.2 describes an action in its entirety. In the coming of Christ --His birth,
ministry, death, and resurrection -- God has spoken His full and final word to
the world. The idea is, <i>“God having spoken in the prophets, has now
spoke fully and completely in His Son.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="sermon" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "CG Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "CG Times";">2. This is what makes
Christianity different from all other world religions. All other religions represent humanity's
attempt to discover God. Only
Christianity speaks of God bursting into our world to reveal Himself. And that's why it is foolish for someone to
say, <b><i>"It doesn't matter what you belief or what religion you follow,
as long as your sincere."</i></b> It
most certainly does matter. It matter's
because we are incapable of identifying, understanding, and knowing God on our
own strength. For us to know Him, God
had to come to us and make Himself known.
And that's exactly what He did in Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="sermon" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="sermon" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "CG Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "CG Times"; mso-fareast-font-family: "CG Times";">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "CG Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "CG Times";">In 1963
Karl Barth, the famous theologian, was asked to give the Princeton Lectures at
Princeton University. A student asked
him, <b><i>"Sir, don't you think God has revealed himself in other religions
and not only Christianity."</i></b>
According the reports of the meeting, Barth shocked those who were
present by saying, <b><i>"No, God has not revealed himself in any
religion, including Christianity. He has
revealed himself in his Son."</i></b>
I think the writer of Hebrews would say “amen” to that!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="sermon" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="sermon" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "CG Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "CG Times";">1. The implications of that
for us are staggering. Because God has
revealed Himself to us, the way to knowing God is not discovery but
acceptance. Some people think the way to
God involves some long, difficult, mysterious journey. They speak of <i>"finding or discovering
or searching"</i> for God. But God
does not need to be found for He has never been lost. He is not playing some game of celestial hide
and seek with us. The way to God
involves accepting what He has already shown us about Himself in Jesus Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="sermon" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "CG Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "CG Times";">2. That is why Jesus said:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="sermon" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "CG Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "CG Times";">--to some Pharisees who were questioning His authority to teach, <b><i>"You
know neither Me, nor My Father; if you know Me, you would know My Father
also."</i></b> (John 8:19)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="sermon" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "CG Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "CG Times";">--to Thomas, one of His disciples, <b><i>"If you had known Me,
you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen
Him." </i></b>(John 14:7)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="sermon" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "CG Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "CG Times";">--to Philip, another disciple, who requested that Jesus show him
God, <b><i>"Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to
know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has
seen the Father; how do you say, 'Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father,
and the Father in Me?"<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="sermon" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "CG Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "CG Times";">3. What's the point?...the
point is that in Jesus Christ God has revealed Himself fully and completely to
us...and if you want to know God, the way to know Him is through Jesus...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="sermon">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="sermon" style="text-align: center;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: "CG Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "CG Times";">CONCLUSION</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "CG Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "CG Times";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="sermon">
<br /></div>
<div class="sermon" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "CG Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "CG Times";">1. What an amazing
statement!...<b><i>"God, after He spoke long ago to the father's in the
prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us
in His Son..."</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="sermon" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "CG Times","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "CG Times";">2. That is the foundation of
everything else we believe as Christians...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div>
<!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="ftn1">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/Introduction%20and%201.1-2a.docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title=""><sup><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><sup><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></sup><!--[endif]--></sup></a>
Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). <i>The Bible
exposition commentary</i> (Heb 1:1–3). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn2">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/Introduction%20and%201.1-2a.docx#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" title=""><sup><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><sup><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[2]</span></sup><!--[endif]--></sup></a>
Wiersbe, W. W. (1992). <i>Wiersbe’s
expository outlines on the New Testament</i> (674–675). Wheaton, IL: Victor
Books.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn3">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/Introduction%20and%201.1-2a.docx#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3" title=""><sup><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><sup><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[3]</span></sup><!--[endif]--></sup></a>
Wiersbe, W. W. (1992). <i>Wiersbe’s
expository outlines on the New Testament</i> (674). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn4">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/Introduction%20and%201.1-2a.docx#_ftnref4" name="_ftn4" title=""><sup><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><sup><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[4]</span></sup><!--[endif]--></sup></a>
Utley, R. J. (1999). <i>Vol. Volume 10</i>: <i>The Superiority of the New Covenant: Hebrews</i>.
Study Guide Commentary Series (8). Marshall, Texas: Bible Lessons
International.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14177977230653907004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-789295729306267055.post-78148832475133142822016-02-24T09:10:00.004-08:002016-02-24T09:10:36.071-08:00Hebrews 1:4-14<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Hebrews
1:4-14<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">In this section
the writer of Hebrews makes the case that Christ is superior to the
angels. This was an important
distinction for those early Jewish Christians who were being tempted to return to
the old Jewish sacrificial system which placed great emphasis on angels. Essentially, the author makes five arguments
regarding the superiority of Christ over angels:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Christ
is “the Son” of God while angels are sometimes merely referred to as “sons” of
God<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Angels
are commanded to worship the Son<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Angels
are servants; Christ is sovereign<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">4.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Angels
are creatures; Christ is creator<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">5.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Angels
are ministers; Christ is mediator<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.25in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">In the following material all the text
in italics is a direct quote from <u>The Bible Exposition Commentary</u> by
Warren Wiersbe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.25in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Angels
were most important in the Jewish religion, primarily because thousands of
angels assisted in the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai. This fact is stated in
Deuteronomy 33:2 (where “saints” in <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">kjv</span>
means “holy ones” or “angels”); Psalm 68:17; Acts 7:53; and Galatians 3:19.
Since the theme of Hebrews is the superiority of Christ and His salvation to
the Law of Moses, the writer would have to deal with the important subject of
angels.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">This long
section on angels is divided into three sections. First, there is an
affirmation (Heb. 1:4–14) of the superiority of Christ to the angels. The proof
presented consists of seven quotations from the Old Testament. Second, there is
an exhortation (Heb. 2:1–4) that the readers (and this includes us) pay earnest
heed to the Word God has given through His Son. Finally, there is an
explanation (Heb. 2:5–18) as to how Christ, with a human body, could still be
superior to angels who are spirits.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.25in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Affirmation: Christ Is Superior to the
Angels (Heb. 1:4–14)</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 9pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">This
section is comprised of seven quotations from the Old Testament, all of which
prove the superiority of Christ to the angels. Scholars tell us that the writer
quoted from the Greek version of the Hebrew Old Testament, known as the
Septuagint. (The word </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Charis SIL"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Septuagint</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> is a Greek word that means “seventy.” Tradition
claims that seventy men translated the Hebrew Old Testament into the Greek. The
abbreviation for Septuagint is LXX, Roman numerals for seventy.) However, the
same Holy Spirit who inspired the Scriptures has the right to quote and restate
the truth as He sees fit.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Let us note the
affirmations that are made about our Lord Jesus Christ, and the quotations that
are cited to support them.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He
is the Son (vv. 4–5)<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The “more excellent name” that Jesus possesses is
“Son.” While the angels collectively may be termed “the sons of God” (Job 1:6),
no angel would be given this title individually. It belongs uniquely to our
Lord Jesus Christ. The first quotation is from Psalm 2:7: “Thou art My Son,
this day have I begotten Thee.” Paul pinpointed the time of this “begetting”:
the resurrection of Jesus Christ (Acts 13:33). From eternity, Jesus Christ was
God the Son. He humbled Himself and became Man (see Phil. 2:5–6). In His
resurrection, however, He glorified that humanity received from the Father and
received back the eternal glory He had veiled (John 17:1, 5). The Resurrection
declares: “Jesus is God’s Son!” (Rom. 1:4)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 9pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“you
are my son”</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">
This is the first in a series of seven OT passages quoted from the Septuagint
to prove the superiority of the Messiah over the angels. The first phrase comes
from Ps. 2:7, while the second is from 2 Sam. 7:14. This first phrase is used
several times in the Gospels to refer to Christ:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 9pt 0.25in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">1. at His baptism (cf. Matt. 3:17; Lk, 3:22)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.25in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">2. at the Transfiguration (cf. Matt. 17:5; Mark
9:7)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.25in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">3. at the Resurrection (cf. Acts 13:33; Rom.
1:4)<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/1.4-14%20a.docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title=""><sup><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">[1]</span></sup><!--[endif]--></sup></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“today I have
begotten thee” </span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">-
Jesus has always been deity (cf. John 1:1–18). Therefore, this cannot refer to
the essence of His nature, but to His manifestation in time (the incarnation).
Some commentators relate it to the resurrection (cf. Rom. 1:3–4). <a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/1.4-14%20a.docx#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" title=""><sup><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">[2]</span></sup><!--[endif]--></sup></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The second
quotation is from 2 Samuel 7:14. The immediate application in David’s
experience was to his son, Solomon, whom God would love and discipline as a son
(see Ps. 89:27). But the ultimate application is to Jesus Christ, the “greater
than Solomon” (Matt. 12:42).<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He
is the Firstborn who receives worship (v. 6)<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The term “firstborn” in the Bible does not always
mean “born first.” God made Solomon the firstborn (Ps. 89:27) even though
Solomon is listed tenth in the official genealogy (1 Chron. 3:1–5). The title
is one of rank and honor, for the firstborn receives the inheritance and the
special blessing. Christ is the “Firstborn of all creation” (Col. 1:15, <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">nasb</span>) because He created all things; and
He is the highest of all who came back from the dead (Col. 1:18). When He came
into the world, the angels worshiped Him (quoted from Deut. 32:43 in the LXX:
“Heavens, rejoice with Him, let the sons of God pay Him homage!”). God
commanded them to do so, which proves that Jesus Christ is God; for none of
God’s angels would worship a mere creature.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“into the world”</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> This implies the pre-existent
Jesus, who has always been deity, but a new stage of His redemptive ministry
began at Bethlehem when He took on human flesh (cf. Phil. 2:6–8a). <a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/1.4-14%20a.docx#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" title=""><sup><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">[3]</span></sup><!--[endif]--></sup></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He says, ‘<span style="font-variant: small-caps;">And
let all the angels of God worship him</span>’ ”</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> This is a quote
from the Septuagint of either Deut. 32:43 or Ps. 97:7. The Hebrew word for
“angels” used in Ps. 97:7 is <i>Elohim</i>.
From Cave #4 of the Dead Sea Scrolls we have a corroboration of this Septuagint
translation. The term <i>Elohim</i> can
refer to God, angelic beings, human judges (cf. Exod. 21:6; 22:8–9), or even
the human spirit (cf. 1 Sam. 28:13).<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/1.4-14%20a.docx#_ftn4" name="_ftnref4" title=""><sup><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">[4]</span></sup><!--[endif]--></sup></a><i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He
is served by the angels (v. 7)<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">This is a quotation from Psalm 104:4. The Hebrew and
Greek words for “spirit” are also translated “wind.” Angels are created
spirits; they have no bodies, though they can assume human forms when
ministering on earth. Angels sometimes served our Lord when He was on earth
(Matt. 4:11; Luke 22:43), and they serve Him and us now.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He
is God enthroned and anointed (vv. 8–9)<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">In some false cults this quotation from Psalm 45:6–7
is translated, “Thy divine throne,” because cultists dislike this strong
affirmation that Jesus Christ is God. But the translation must stand: “Thy
throne, O God, is forever and ever.” Angels minister before the throne; they do
not sit on the throne. One of the main teachings of Psalm 110 is that Jesus
Christ, God’s Anointed (Messiah, Christ), is now enthroned in glory. Jesus
Himself referred to this important psalm (Mark 12:35–37; 14:62), and Peter used
it on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:34–36). Our Lord has not yet entered into
His earthly kingdom, but He has been enthroned in glory (Eph. 1:20).<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Thy throne, O God, is forever”</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> This is a quote
from the Septuagint of Ps. 45:6, which addresses the Messianic King. In the OT
context the PRONOUN is very ambiguous and can refer to God the Father or God
the Son. However, in this text it seems that this is one of the strongest
affirmations of the deity of Christ found anywhere in the Scriptures (cf. John
1:18; 20:28).<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/1.4-14%20a.docx#_ftn5" name="_ftnref5" title=""><sup><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">[5]</span></sup><!--[endif]--></sup></a><i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">When Christ
ascended and entered the heavenly glory, He was anointed for His heavenly
ministry with “the oil of gladness” (Heb. 1:9). This probably refers to Psalm
16:11, which Peter referred to at Pentecost: “Thou shalt make Me full of joy
with Thy countenance” (Acts 2:28). What a joyful scene that must have been!
Psalm 45 is a wedding psalm, and our Lord today is the heavenly Bridegroom who
experiences “the joy that was set before Him” (Heb. 12:2). Angels praise Him,
but they cannot share that position or that joy. Our Lord’s throne is forever,
which means He is eternal God.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He
is the eternal Creator (vv. 10–12)<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">This long quotation comes from Psalm 102:25–27. The
angels did not found the earth, for they too are a part of creation. Jesus
Christ is the Creator, and one day He will do away with the old creation and
bring in a new creation. Everything around us changes, but He will never
change. He is “the same yesterday, and today, and forever” (Heb. 13:8).
Creation is like an old garment which will one day be discarded in favor of a
new one.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Christ
is the Sovereign; angels are the servants (vv. 13–14)<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Again, the writer quotes Psalm 110:1. The fact that
Jesus Christ is now at the Father’s right hand (the place of honor) is
mentioned many times in the New Testament (see Matt. 22:43–44; 26:64; Mark
16:19; Acts 2:33–34; Rom. 8:34; Col. 3:1; Heb. 1:3, 13; 8:1; 10:12; 12:2; 1
Peter 3:22). Angels are the ministering spirits who serve the Lord seated on
the throne. But they also minister to us who are the “heirs of salvation”
through faith in Christ. The angels today are serving us!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It would be
impossible to do away with the evidence presented in these quotations. Jesus
Christ is greater than the angels, and this means He is also greater than the
Law which they helped deliver to the people of lsrael.<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/1.4-14%20a.docx#_ftn6" name="_ftnref6" title=""><sup><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><b><sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">[6]</span></sup></b><!--[endif]--></sup></a><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div>
<!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="ftn1">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/1.4-14%20a.docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title=""><sup><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><sup><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></sup><!--[endif]--></sup></a>
Utley, R. J. (1999). <i>Vol. Volume 10</i>: <i>The Superiority of the New Covenant: Hebrews</i>.
Study Guide Commentary Series (12). Marshall, Texas: Bible Lessons
International.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn2">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/1.4-14%20a.docx#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" title=""><sup><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><sup><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[2]</span></sup><!--[endif]--></sup></a>
Utley, R. J. (1999). <i>Vol. Volume 10</i>: <i>The Superiority of the New Covenant: Hebrews</i>.
Study Guide Commentary Series (12). Marshall, Texas: Bible Lessons
International.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn3">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/1.4-14%20a.docx#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3" title=""><sup><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><sup><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[3]</span></sup><!--[endif]--></sup></a>
Utley, R. J. (1999). <i>Vol. Volume 10</i>: <i>The Superiority of the New Covenant: Hebrews</i>.
Study Guide Commentary Series (14). Marshall, Texas: Bible Lessons
International.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn4">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/1.4-14%20a.docx#_ftnref4" name="_ftn4" title=""><sup><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><sup><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[4]</span></sup><!--[endif]--></sup></a>
Utley, R. J. (1999). <i>Vol. Volume 10</i>: <i>The Superiority of the New Covenant: Hebrews</i>.
Study Guide Commentary Series (14). Marshall, Texas: Bible Lessons
International.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn5">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/1.4-14%20a.docx#_ftnref5" name="_ftn5" title=""><sup><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><sup><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[5]</span></sup><!--[endif]--></sup></a>
Utley, R. J. (1999). <i>Vol. Volume 10</i>: <i>The Superiority of the New Covenant: Hebrews</i>.
Study Guide Commentary Series (14). Marshall, Texas: Bible Lessons
International.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn6">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/Larry/Documents/Bible%20Study%20Notes/Hebrews%20Study/1.4-14%20a.docx#_ftnref6" name="_ftn6" title=""><sup><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><sup><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[6]</span></sup><!--[endif]--></sup></a>
Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). <i>The Bible
exposition commentary</i> (Heb 1:4–14). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14177977230653907004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-789295729306267055.post-42584616825559256632016-01-18T13:08:00.003-08:002016-01-18T13:08:51.716-08:00Parables About Prayer (Luke 18:1-14)<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>Parables About Prayer</u><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>(Luke 18:1-14)<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Do you believe that God answers
prayer? All of my life I have professed
to believe that, but in reality it is a very difficult concept for me to
grasp. Actually, on one level I have
more questions about prayer than answers:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Why
is it necessary for me to ask God for what He knows I already need? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Why
should I believe that the God of a universe so vast that my mind cannot grasp
it would be personally interested in and would intervene in my life?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->What
is the purpose of prayer?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Why
does it seem that prayers go unheard or unanswered?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; text-align: justify;">
And the list of similar question could
go on and on.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->However, on another level I know that
prayer works. I have seen it the lives
of others and have experienced it in my own life. Prayer is a powerful resource that God has
given to us that we rarely use as God intended.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->I want to direct your attention to
Luke 18. In the first 14 verses of this
chapter are two parables Jesus told about prayer. These two parables are addressed to two different
groups. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l3 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list .75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->The
first parable, in verses 1-8, is addressed to His disciples. It is a continuing of the teaching that began
in Luke 17:22 which begins, <b><i>“And He said to the disciples...”</i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l3 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list .75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->The
second parable, in verses 9-14, is addressed to the religious leaders who were
self-righteous and contemptuous toward others.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; tab-stops: .25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
But while the parables are addressed to
different groups, they both deal with the subject of prayer and there is much
for us to learn from these stories. (Text – Luke 18:1-14)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; tab-stops: .25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; tab-stops: .25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
T.S. – There
is much more in those two stories than we can even touch on in a single study. But I want to point out to you two things
these stories teach us about praying with power.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; tab-stops: .25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; tab-stops: .25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b>I. <u>Praying
with power involves praying continually.</u></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: .25in list .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->The parable of the persistent widow is
unusual because we are told the meaning of the story before getting to the
story. Verse 1 says that Jesus’ purpose
in telling this parable was <b><i>“...to show that at all times they ought to
pray and not to lose heart.”</i></b> We
could spend all of our time on that one statement. Essentially, that statement tells us there
are only two ways to approach life. We
can live in faith or we can live in fear.
There really is no middle ground.
Ultimately we are a faith-filled people or we are a fear-filled people.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: .25in list .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->To approach life with faith means to
live a life of continual prayer. The call
to <b><i>“...pray
at all times...”</i></b> echoes throughout the Scripture. For example:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; tab-stops: .25in list 1.0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Ephesians
6:18 says to <b><i>“...pray at all times in the Spirit...”</i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; tab-stops: .25in list 1.0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Colossians
4:2 says to <b><i>“...devote yourselves to prayer...”</i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; tab-stops: .25in list 1.0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->1
Timothy 2:8 calls people <b><i>“...in every place to pray...”</i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; tab-stops: .25in list 1.0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->1
Thessalonians 5:17 says to <b><i>“...pray without ceasing...”</i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<ol start="3" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">How is it possible to do
that? How can we pray at all
times? Well, if our understanding
of prayer is limited to our saying words to God, we can’t. However, if we understand that prayer is
something much deeper, much more meaningful than just saying words to God,
it really is possible to <b><i>“...pray at all times...”</i></b> <u><o:p></o:p></u></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">One my all-time favorite books is the
classic little book, <u>The Practice of the Presence of God</u> by Brother
Lawrence. Brother Lawrence was a cook in a Carmelite monastery in the 17<sup>th</sup>
century. The goal of his life
became to live continually in the presence of God. He said, <b><i>“There is not in the world a
kind of life more sweet and delightful, than that of a continual
conversation with God...”</i></b> But he discovered that such a life is not
lived by bowing one’s head continually in prayer and just throwing words
at God. Listen to his secret to
praying at all times. <b><i>“The
time of business does not with me differ from the time of prayer; and in the noise and clutter of my
kitchen, while several persons are at the same time calling for different
things, I possess God in as great tranquility as if I were upon my knees
at the Blessed Sacrament.” </i></b>[Preface to <u>The Practice of the
Presence of God]</u><o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">I don’t know about you, but that
is a revolutionary concept to me.
It means that prayer can be happening in our lives in the midst of
anything—while wrestling with a problem at work or struggling with bills
at home or chasing after little children or sitting in a doctor’s office
or doing the lawn or walking through the mall or whatever! That’s true because, at its heart, prayer
is living each moment in the awareness that we are in the presence of God
and at some level in our lives there is a continuing, on-going
conversation with Him. <o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">That is one thing we can learn
from the parable in Luke 18 about the unrighteous judge and the persistent
widow. G. Campbell Morgan points
out that the widow in this parable, got her request granted because she
continually placed herself in the presence of the judge. And he says that the main point of this
story is not that we have to badger God into answering us. The main point is that if an unrighteous
judge would grant a request simply because the widow would not go away,
how much more can we depend on a righteous, loving God to grant our
requests as we live continually in His presence!<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">So, we can choose to live in faith
which is expressed in a life of continual prayer. But there is an alternative to that kind
of life. And, if you are like me,
you find yourself slipping to easy into the other approach to life. That is, if we do not <b><i>“...pray
at all times...”</i></b> we end up living not in faith but in fear or we <b><i>“...lose
heart...” </i></b>as verse 1 puts it.
That phrase, <b><i>“...lose heart...”</i></b> translates a
single word in the Greek text. It
is made up of two words. A
preposition which means <i>“in or with”</i>
and a noun which means <i>“bad or
evil.”</i> In other words, we
constantly face the choice of living in God or apart from God. In God, faith dominates our lives. Apart from God, fear dominates our
lives. Praying with power involves
continually living in God.<o:p></o:p></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; tab-stops: .25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b>II. <u>Praying
with power involves coming to God in humility.</u></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: .25in list .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Luke 18:9 tells us that the second
parable in this chapter is directed toward <b><i>“...some people who trusted in themselves
that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt...”</i></b> While there are many nuances of meaning in
the parable of the Pharisee and tax-collector praying in the temple, the main
point is so obvious, so transparent that it is impossible to miss. The main point is that to pray effectively
requires that we come to God in a spirit of genuine humility.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: .25in list .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->The Pharisee in this story was the
antithesis of humility. Everything about
him spoke of self-righteousness, pride, and arrogance. With great irony Jesus said in verse 11 that
he <b><i>“...was
praying this to himself...”</i></b> In
other words, his prayer was not directed toward God. He said these words for his own benefit and
to enlighten those who may have been listening to him. Notice he mentioned God only once in his
prayer and that in a cursory way at the very beginning. Five times he refers to himself, using the
personal pronoun <b><i>“I.”</i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: .25in list .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->On the other hand, everything about
the tax-collector speaks of humility.
Notice what Jesus said in verse 13 about this man:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo3; tab-stops: .25in list 1.0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><i>“...standing some distance away...”</i></b> – While the Pharisee seemed to seek
the central place so that all could see him, this humble man was content to
stay on the periphery.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo3; tab-stops: .25in list 1.0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><i>“...was unwilling to lift to lift his eyes to heaven...”</i></b> – He did not feel worthy even to look
in God’s direction.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo3; tab-stops: .25in list 1.0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><i>“...was beating on his breast...”</i></b> – A way of expressing sorrow and genuine repentance.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo3; tab-stops: .25in list 1.0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><i>“...God, be merciful to me, the sinner...”</i></b> – While he began his prayer with the
same word as in the prayer of the Pharisee, the entire tone is different. His prayer was just a simple plea for mercy
and an acknowledgment of his sin.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: .25in list .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->4.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->These two men could not have been more
different. And the result of their
prayers could not have been more different.
God answered the prayer of humility, granting mercy on the one who offered
that prayer. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: .25in list .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->5.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Humility is a prerequisite for
powerful praying. The Scripture says <b><i>“...humble
yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.” </i></b>(James
4:10). That is exactly what happened to
the tax-collector in this parable. He
cast Himself upon God and God lifted him up. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: .25in list .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->6.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->I want you to hear another quote from
the writings of Brother Lawrence: <b><i>“I
consider myself the most wretched of men, full of sores and corruption, and who
has committed all sorts of crimes against his King. Touched with a sensible regret I confess to
Him all my wickedness. I ask His
forgiveness, I abandon myself in His hands, that He may do what He pleases with
me. </i></b> <b><i>This King, full of mercy and goodness, very
far from chastising me, embraces me with love, makes me eat at His table,
serves me with His own hands, give me the key of His treasures; He converses and delights Himself with me
incessantly, in a thousand and a thousand ways, and treats me in all respects
as His favorite. It is thus I consider
myself from time to time in His holy presence.” </i></b>[<u>The Practice of the
Presence of God</u>, p.32]<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .25in; text-align: center;">
<b><u>Conclusion</u></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list .25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->I do not stand before you today pretending
to be an authority on prayer. I am
keenly aware that there are people in this room who are much further along in
the journey than I will probably ever be.
But I can point you to some things God’s Word tells us about this
amazing privilege. And these stories in
Luke 18 clearly teach us that:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l4 level2 lfo4; tab-stops: list .75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->To
pray with power we must pray continually <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l4 level2 lfo4; tab-stops: list .75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->To
pray with power we must pray in a spirit of humility<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list .25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->I want to conclude today by reading a
wonderful prayer about learning how to pray.
It was written by Andrew Murray in his classic book <u>With Christ in
the School of Prayer.</u> So that you
can concentrate on the words, I am going to ask that you close your eyes and
let this prayer be your prayer this morning.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .25in; text-align: justify;">
<b><i>“Blessed
Lord Jesus! Once again I am coming to
You. Every lesson You give me convinces
me all the more deeply that I don’t know how to pray properly. But every lesson also inspires me with hope
that You are going to teach me what prayer should be. O my Lord!
I look to you with courage. You
are the Great Intercessor. You alone pray and hear prayer for the sole purpose
of glorifying the Father. Teach me to
pray as You do.<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .25in; text-align: justify;">
<b><i> Let
you life and Your love of the Father take possession of me. A new longing is filling my soul that every
day and every hour prayer to the glory of the Father will become everything to
me. O my Lord! Please teach me this!<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .25in; text-align: justify;">
<b><i> My
God and Father! Accept the desire of
Your child who has seen that Your glory is along worth living for. Show me Your glory. Let it overshadow me and fill my heart! May I dwell in it as Christ did. Tell me what pleases You, fulfill in my Your
own good pleasure, so that I may find my glory in seeking the glory of the
Father. Amen.” </i></b>[Quoted in <u>Spiritual Classics</u>, Foster and Griffin,
p.274]<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .25in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14177977230653907004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-789295729306267055.post-43549808521450509502016-01-07T18:07:00.004-08:002016-01-07T18:07:25.034-08:00The Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31)<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>The Rich Man and Lazarus</u><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>(Luke 16:19-31)<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->If you were asked to make a list of single words that
describe Jesus as you understand Him, what are some of the words you would
choose? Here are a few on my list:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: red;">LOVING COMMITTED STRONG<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: red;"> POWERFUL GENTLE GRACIOUS<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: red;"> FOCUSED FORGIVING CARING<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: red;"> GENEROUS PRESENT WISE TEACHER GOD SAVIOR <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: red;">LORD SERVANT KING <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: red;">JOY PEACE PATIENT <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: red;">FORTRESS SACRIFICE LIFE<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: red;"> ROCK LIGHT HOPE<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: red;"> FAITHFUL TRUE KIND <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: red;"> HONEST CALM FRIEND<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: red;"> ETERNAL HOPE MERCIFUL<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: red;"> WONDERFUL COUNSELOR POWERFUL <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: red;"> DISCERNING OBEDIENT WELCOMING<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: red;"> COMPASSIONATE HOLY HEALER<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; tab-stops: .25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
And, of
course, you can no doubt think of many other words that would be appropriate to
use to describe Jesus.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: .25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->However, there is one word—not matter how little or how
much a person may know about Jesus—one word that would never be used to
describe Him. And that is the word <i>“<span style="color: red;">SELFISH</span><span style="color: blue;">.</span>” </i>No matter what else one may think of Jesus,
no-one can make the claim that He was selfish, that He lived primarily for
Himself. His life was the very
antithesis of selfishness.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: .25in list .75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->The Scripture says in Philippians 2 that when He
came to our world He <b><i><span style="color: red;">“...emptied Himself,
taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of man.” </span></i></b><span style="color: red;">[Philippians 2:7]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: .25in list .75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->During His earthly ministry He constantly talked
about the importance of denying self and putting others before self, and He
demonstrated that kind of life for His followers to see.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: .25in list .75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->And, of course, the great climax of His earthly
ministry was the voluntary laying down of His life for the sins of the world,
the One with no guilt dying in place of the guilty, the righteous dying for the
unrighteous, the just dying for the unjust so that we could be pronounced not
guilty, righteous, and just in the eyes of God.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->And Jesus, who lived a life of perfect unselfishness,
calls those who follow Him to that kind of life as well. You cannot read God’s Word without hearing
the call to a life of unselfishness.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Philippians 2:3 tells us to <b><i>“Do nothing from selfishness...” </i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Romans 2:8 warns us that those who are <b><i>“...selfishly
ambitious...”</i></b> face the <b><i>“...wrath and indignation...”</i></b> of
God.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->2 Timothy 3:2 lists <b><i>“...lovers of self...”</i></b>
which basically means those who are selfish, among the very worst of people.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->James 3:16 reminds us that <b><i>“...selfish ambition...”</i></b>
leads to <b><i>“...every evil thing.”</i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Proverbs 23:6 says that we are not to <b><i>“...eat
the bread </i></b>(which means to fellowship with or associate with)<b><i> a
selfish man...”</i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: red;">4.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Today, as we continue looking at some of those
stories in Luke’s Gospel that are found nowhere else in the Scripture, we have
come to a story that has much to teach us about the danger of selfishness. Look at the last part of Luke 16. <span style="color: red;">(Text – Luke 16:19-31)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .25in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .25in; text-align: justify;">
T.S. – The temptation
we face in trying to understand this story is to focus on what it teaches about
life after death. And there certainly
are some important lessons in this story about that, but those lessons are
secondary to the main point of this story.
In the larger context of Luke 16, it is clear Jesus told this story in
response to the obvious selfish, self-centered attitude of the Pharisees, who
by this time in His ministry were questioning everything that Jesus did. This story must be read in light of <span style="color: red;">Luke 16:14</span> which says, <b><i><span style="color: red;">“Now the
Pharisees, who were lovers of money, were listening to all these things, and
they were scoffing at Him.”</span></i></b>
And in response to that, Jesus said to the Pharisees, <i>“God knows your hearts. He knows you are selfish and self-centered
people.”</i> Then He told the story of
the rich man and Lazarus to warn them of the danger of that kind of spirit. From this story I want to point out to you
why a life of selfishness is dangerous and why God instructs us to avoid that
kind of life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .25in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; tab-stops: .25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b>I. <u><span style="color: red;">Selfishness is
dangerous because it diminishes our lives.</span></u></b><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; tab-stops: .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
1. One of the great lies
of Satan is that the more I focus on me and the more I look out for myself, the
better my life becomes. Actually, just the opposite is true. The more we focus on self, the less fulfilling
our lives are. People who are
preoccupied with self are generally the unhappiest people you will ever meet.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; tab-stops: .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
2. Everything that Jesus
says about the rich man in this story indicates he was preoccupied with
himself. Verse 19 indicates that nothing
but the best was good enough for him. He
dressed in the finest of clothes.
Everyday was a feast day for him.
He lived a classic life of hedonism, pursuing pleasure as the way to
meaning and fulfillment. But there is no
evidence that he found any meaning or fulfillment, either in this world or the
next world.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: .5in list 1.0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->It is interesting that absolutely nothing is
said about the rich man’s life in this world except that <b><i><span style="color: red;">“...he
habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, gaily living in splendor every
day.”</span></i></b><span style="color: red;">
</span>Nothing about his vocation.
Nothing about his family. Nothing
about his spiritual commitments. Nothing
about anything he did to make the world a better place. His life in this world was an empty life that
made no positive impact on anyone or anything.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: .5in list 1.0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->And certainly his experience in the afterlife
was not positive. He found himself
separated from God and in torment.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; tab-stops: .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
And one thing we can
learn from all that is when we live only for ourselves, our lives are not
enhanced; they are diminished. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; tab-stops: .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
3. <i>In his book on <u>Leadership</u>, Bill Hybels writes about Howard
Hughes. He says that Howard Hughes was
one of the most self-willed, self-centered people who ever lived. He lived to
satisfy his personal desires.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 100%; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l6 level2 lfo4; tab-stops: 0in .25in .5in .75in list 1.0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><i>He wanted
more money, so he parlayed inherited wealth into a billion-dollar pile of
assets. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 100%; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l6 level2 lfo4; tab-stops: 0in .25in .5in .75in list 1.0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><i>He wanted
more fame, so he broke into the Hollywood scene and soon became a film-maker
and star. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 100%; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l6 level2 lfo4; tab-stops: 0in .25in .5in .75in list 1.0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><i>He wanted
more sensual pleasures, so he paid handsome sums to indulge his every sexual
urge. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 100%; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l6 level2 lfo4; tab-stops: 0in .25in .5in .75in list 1.0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><i>He wanted
more thrills, so he designed, built, and piloted the fastest aircraft in the
world. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 100%; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l6 level2 lfo4; tab-stops: 0in .25in .5in .75in list 1.0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><i>He wanted
more power, so he secretly dealt political favors so skillfully that two U.S.
presidents became his pawns. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; tab-stops: .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<i> He was absolutely convinced that a self-centered, hedonistic
life-style would bring him true satisfaction. Did it work? You be the judge. At the end of his life he was emaciated and
colorless; with a sunken chest; fingernails in grotesque, inches-long corkscrews;
rotting, black teeth; tumors; and innumerable needle marks from his drug
addiction. Howard Hughes died, a billionaire junkie and insane by any normal
standards, clinging to the illusion that a self-willed life is the way to
fulfillment.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; tab-stops: .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<i>4. </i>Selfishness is dangerous precisely because it does not lead to
fulfillment. It diminishes our lives.<i><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; tab-stops: .25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b>II. <u><span style="color: red;">Selfishness is
dangerous because it blinds us to the needs of others</span></u></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; tab-stops: .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
1. The use of the name <b><i><span style="color: red;">“Lazarus”</span></i></b> in this parable is interesting. Normally, Jesus did not use names for the
characters in His parables. The name
literally means <i><span style="color: red;">“he
whom God helps”</span></i> and perhaps Jesus used that name to let His hearers
know in advance that even though the rich man did not help Lazarus, God would.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; tab-stops: .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
2. Lazarus was a
pathetic figure. Notice how Jesus
described Him in verses 20 and 21:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo5; tab-stops: .5in list 1.0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><i><span style="color: red;">“poor man”</span> </i></b>–
That is rather obvious, given where he was and what he was doing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo5; tab-stops: .5in list 1.0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><i><span style="color: red;">“laid at his gate”</span></i></b><span style="color: red;"> </span>– The implication is that someone placed him there,
meaning that he was unable to walk.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo5; tab-stops: .5in list 1.0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><i><span style="color: red;">“covered with sores”</span></i></b>
– His body was a mass of ulcers<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo5; tab-stops: .5in list 1.0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><i><span style="color: red;">“longing to be fed
with the crumbs which were falling from the man’s table”</span> </i></b>– The
insertion of the word <b><i>“crumbs”</i></b> is a little
misleading. The reference is probably to
the pieces of bread that were used as napkins to wipe one’s hands after dipping
meat in sauce or gravy. The bread was
thrown on the floor to be swept out.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo5; tab-stops: .5in list 1.0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><i><span style="color: red;">“even the dogs were
coming and licking his sores”</span></i></b> – In other words, Lazarus waited
with the dogs for the scraps to be swept from the banquet hall.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; tab-stops: .5in; text-align: justify;">
Jesus
could not have painted a more pathetic picture.
One writer describes Lazarus as <b><i>“...a filthy, festering beggar.” </i></b>[<u>The
Gospels in Study and Preaching</u>, p.34]<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->5.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->The rich man in this story is not condemned because of
what he did to Lazarus. Actually, there
is no evidence that he did anything to him.
Lazarus was not forced to leave the gate. He was not forbidden from eating the scraps
from the table. He was not hit or kicked
or abused in anyway. Instead, the rich man
was condemned for what he did not do.
And basically, what he did not do was even notice that Lazarus was
there. He was so wrapped up in himself,
so selfish and self-centered, that apparently he felt nothing toward
Lazarus. No grief. No sorrow.
No pity. No sadness. And he felt nothing because he saw
nothing. As Barclay says, <b><i>“His
was the punishment of the man who never noticed.” </i></b>[Barclay, p.222]<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->6.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->I wonder if that is a description of my life. I wonder if there are people I come across
everyday who are hurting, lonely, afraid, and overwhelmed, but because I am so
wrapped up in myself I never even see their need. That is one thing selfishness does to us. It can cause us to be so focused on ourselves
that we fail to recognize the needs of others.
That’s why the Bible tells us in Philippians 2:4, <b><i>“...do not merely look out for
your own personal interest, but also for the interest of others.”</i></b> <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; tab-stops: .25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b>III. <u><span style="color: red;">Selfishness is
dangerous because it distorts our thinking about God.</span></u></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo6; tab-stops: .25in list .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->When the rich man died and found himself in the place
of torment, he was able to look, presumably into heaven, and see Abraham who
was cradling Lazarus in his arms. Notice
what the rich man did. He made two
requests, both of which are basically selfish requests. Death had not changed the selfish nature of
this man.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo6; tab-stops: .25in list 1.0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red;">He asked for water to
quench his thirst.</span> There is no
indication that he cared about or even recognized the thirst of others in that
place.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo6; tab-stops: .25in list 1.0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red;">He asked for his
brothers to be warned of the place of torment.</span> There is no indication that he was concerned
that others be warned as well.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; tab-stops: .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
What I want you to
see in that is that his selfishness carried over into the spiritual realm.<o:p></o:p></div>
<ol start="2" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo6; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;">And that is the most dangerous things selfishness
does to us. It distorts our
thinking about God and our understanding of how we are to relate to
God. If we are characterized by
selfishness and self-centeredness, instead of viewing ourselves as
servants of God, we begin to view God as our own personal butler.<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo6; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;">Do not misunderstand what I am saying. God wants to do good things for us. The
Bible is filled with promise after promise of God’s protection of and
provision for His people. But the
deepest longing of God for us is that we know Him and live in daily
communion with Him. God’s greatest
gift to us is the gift of Himself.<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo6; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;"><i>When Roy
DeLamotte was chaplain at Paine College in Georgia, he preached the
shortest sermon in the college's history. However, he had a rather long
topic: <b>"What does Christ
Answer When We Ask, "Lord, What's in Religion for Me?"</b> The
complete content of his sermon was in one word: <b>"Nothing."</b> He later explained that the one-word
sermon was meant for people brought up on the 'gimme-gimme' gospel. [<u>Resources</u>,
1990]. <o:p></o:p></i></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo6; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;">I understand what that chaplain was saying. He was trying to discourage the view of
God as our personal servant, bringing us what we want when we want
it. But I think I would have
answered the question, <i>“What does
Christ answer when we ask, ‘Lord, What’s in religion for me?’”</i> with a
different word. Instead of the word
<i>“nothing”</i> I would answer with <i>“everything.”</i> Because when we lay aside our
selfishness and self-centeredness and truly seek God, we get
everything. That’s what the Bible
says in Colossians 3:10 where we find this wonderful phrase: <b><i>“For in Him [Jesus] you have been made
complete...”</i></b> or as the Living Bible so beautifully paraphrases it,
<b><i><span style="color: red;">“You have everything you need when you have Christ...”</span></i></b><o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo6; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;">The great tragedy of a selfish, self-centered life is
that it distorts our view of God causing us to miss the daily life of
communion He wants us to have with Him.<o:p></o:p></li>
</ol>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>Conclusion</u></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo7; tab-stops: list .25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Every day we live we must choose between living a
self-centered life or a God-centered life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-insideh: .5pt solid windowtext; mso-border-insidev: .5pt solid windowtext; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 480;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 203.4pt;" valign="top" width="271">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;">A self-centered
life<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 203.4pt;" valign="top" width="271">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;">A God-centered
life<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 203.4pt;" valign="top" width="271">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: red;">Diminishes
us<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 203.4pt;" valign="top" width="271">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: red;">Fulfills
us<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 203.4pt;" valign="top" width="271">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: red;">Makes
us blind to people<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 203.4pt;" valign="top" width="271">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: red;">Makes
us sensitive to people<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 203.4pt;" valign="top" width="271">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: red;">Distorts
our relationship God<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 203.4pt;" valign="top" width="271">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: red;">Enhances
our relationship with God<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; tab-stops: .25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
May we
choose wisely!<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14177977230653907004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-789295729306267055.post-71263166955277733572015-12-11T21:39:00.002-08:002015-12-11T21:39:15.015-08:00Parables of Lost Things (Luke 15:25-32)<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="sermon"><b><u>Parables of Lost Things</u> - Luke 15:25-31<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo8; tab-stops: -1.0in -.5in list .25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="sermon">1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="sermon">Luke 15 is one of the great chapters
in the Bible, containing three of the most well known stories told by Jesus—the
story of the lost sheep in vv.3-7, the story of the lost coin in vv.8-10, and
the story of the lost sons in vv.11-32. In
this study we are going to focus on just the last part of the third story in
this great chapter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo8; tab-stops: -1.0in -.5in list .25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="sermon">2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="sermon">The key to understanding Luke 15 is
found in the first two verses of this chapter.
In those verses we are introduced to two distinctly different groups of
people. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo12; tab-stops: -1.0in -.5in .75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="sermon"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="sermon">In verse 1 we meet <b><i>“the
tax-gatherers and the sinners”</i></b> who were flocking to Jesus because of
His message of mercy and grace. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo12; tab-stops: -1.0in -.5in .75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="sermon"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="sermon">In verse 2 we meet <b><i>“the
Pharisees and the scribes”</i></b> who criticized Jesus for associating with
people they considered to be immoral, unworthy, unclean, and of no value.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo8; tab-stops: -1.0in -.5in list .25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="sermon">3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="sermon">In the wonderful story at the end of
Luke 15 of the father who had two sons, both of whom were lost to him, we see
both groups—<b><i>“the tax-gatherers and the sinners”</i></b> and <b><i>“the Pharisees and the scribes”</i></b>—portrayed. There is word for both of those groups in
this great story.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="sermon"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="sermon">The younger son, the one who left home,
represents <b><i>“the tax-gatherers and sinners”</i></b> introduced in verse 1. Those people had obviously strayed away from
God. They had fallen into sins of the
flesh which were apparent for all to see.
The son who left home and returned to be received by his father is a
reminder that God does not reject such people when they turn to Him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="sermon"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="sermon">The older son, the who stayed home,
represents <b><i>“the Pharisees and the scribes”</i></b> introduced in verse 2. These self-righteous religious people failed to
understand that there is another type of sin in addition to sins of the
flesh. While <b><i>“the Pharisees and the scribes”</i></b><i> </i>may have carefully avoided the outward
sins of the flesh, they were infected with sins of the spirit. The older brother in this story reminds us
that in the eyes of God, sins of the spirit are as reprehensible to God as sins
of the flesh. I want to direct your
attention to the part of this story that deals with the older brother. (text – Luke 15:25-32)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="sermon">T.S. – If you were
asked to make a list of the worst sins a person could commit, what would be on
your list? Of course, the worst sin of
all is the sin, the only sin for which there is no forgiveness, is rejecting
God’s self-revelation in Christ. But
other than that, what would you list as the worst sins? If you are like most people, you list would
include things like murder, stealing, sexual immorality, lying, cheating. If those are the kinds of things you would
list, you can be sure that Jesus would disagree. While never condoning sins of the flesh,
Jesus recognized that sins of the spirit are just as, if not more,
reprehensible in the eyes of God. From
the example of the older brother in this story, I want to point out to you some
sins of the spirit about which we need constantly to be on guard. These sins of the spirit are expressed in our
attitude about self, God, and others.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="sermon"><b>I. <u>We need to be on guard against pride
which is demonstrated primarily in our attitude toward ourselves.<o:p></o:p></u></b></span></div>
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1. Many
theologians view pride as the root of all other human sin. And there is evidence in the Bible that God
sees it that way too. For example, in Proverbs
6 is a list of seven things said to be an abomination to God. The very first thing on the list is word
which essentially means pride.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Root meaning of word <b><i>"pride"</i></b>
is to lift up or exalt oneself. Pride
was motivation for very first sin. Adam
and Eve disobeyed God because wanted exalt selves to level of God. The serpent promised them if ate of forbidden
fruit, they would be like God. And every
person since Adam and Eve has struggled with temptation of exalting self, of
lifting self up over others.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->That is what the older brother in this
story did. He obviously viewed himself
as being far superior to his younger brother.
After all, he had not made the kind of mistakes his younger brother
made. He had not demanded his share of
the family inheritance, left home, and wasted his money in immoral living. And
he was angry that his brother, who had done all those things, was welcomed home
with party.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->4.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->The words of the older brother in
vv.29‑30 reek with attitude of pride.
Notice the repeated use of personal pronouns in his statement. Five times in one sentence the older brother
says <b><i>“I”
“me”</i></b> or <b><i>“my.”</i></b> Listen to his
words: <b><i>"...for so many years
I have been serving you, and I have never neglected a command of yours; and yet
you have never given me a kid, that I
might be merry with my friends; but when this son of yours came, who has devoured your wealth with prostitutes, you
killed the fattened calf for him..." </i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->4.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Can't you just hear the attitude of
pride/superiority in his words? While he
gladly points out the sin of his brother, there is no mention whatsoever of his
own sin. No mention—<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->That
he was totally insensitive to the feelings of his father concerning the return
of lost son<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->That
he had been harboring anger and bitterness and resentment in his heart toward
his younger brother<o:p></o:p></div>
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His pride had blinded him to his
faults and magnified the faults of others, even to the point that he found
fault with his father for welcoming home his lost son.<o:p></o:p></div>
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5. And
that is one thing pride does to us. It invariably
causes us to magnify the faults of others and to minimize our own faults. <i>That’s the point of that ridiculously
exaggerated illustration Jesus used in the Sermon on the Mount about the person
trying to remove speck of dust from another person’s eye but not noticing the
large beam sticking out of his own eye. </i>Pride
puffs us up. It makes us self-centered. It causes us to be blind to our own faults and
shortcomings. And we must constantly be
on guard against it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>II. <span class="sermon"><u>We need to be on guard against living a grim life of
“joylessness” which is demonstrated primarily in our attitude toward God.<o:p></o:p></u></span></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="sermon">1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="sermon">However else we may describe the older
son in story, we certainly cannot describe him as living a joyful life. His statement in verse 29, <b><i>“...for
so many years I have been serving you and I have never neglected a command of
yours...”</i></b> indicates to me that he did the right things with the wrong
motive. He served and obeyed, not so
much because he loved the father, but because it was expected of him. It was the thing he was supposed to do, and
so he gritted his teeth and did it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="sermon">2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="sermon">Here was a man who had the privilege
of living every day in the presence of his father, and yet he found no joy in
that. His life was characterized by they
joyless existence of dull monotony. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="sermon">3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="sermon">Helmut Thielicke, the German
theologian, wrote a wonderful sermon based on the life of the older son in this
story. Here is one thing he said in that
sermon: <b><i>“...the worst thing that can
happen to our Christianity is to let it become a thing taken for granted, which
we wear around every day, just as the older brother wore, and wore out, his
existence in the father’s house as he would wear an old, tattered shirt. The marvel of God’s gracious act upon our
life never really dawns upon us unless we render thanks to him every day. Only the man who gives thanks retains the
wonder of God’s fatherly love in his thoughts.
But one who has this wonder in his thoughts keeps the very spring and
freshness of his Christianity. He holds
on daily and nightly, to a living joy in his Lord and Saviour. He knows that all this is not mere ideas and
habits, but life, and fullness, and joy.”
</i></b>[<u>The Waiting Father</u>, p.35]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="sermon">4.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="sermon">We must never forget that God calls us
to life and fullness and joy, and not merely grim existence. We should have about us a sense of wonder and
excitement because we live every moment in the very presence of our Heavenly
Father.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="sermon"><i>5.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal;">
</span></i></span><!--[endif]--><span class="sermon"><i>Earlier this week Carol and I took our youngest grandchild, Heath,
Christmas shopping. He is 4 years old
and his enthusiasm for life is amazing.
Every time he sees us his first statement is, <b>“Mimi & Pa, I have missed you so much!” </b>And he always says that as if he has not
seen us in years. <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="sermon">6.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="sermon">And that is how God wants us to live
each day in relation to Him. We should
exclaim every day, <b><i>“Father, I’ve missed you so much.
It is a joy to live in your presence.”</i></b> We need constantly to guard ourselves against
a grim life of joylessness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>III. <span class="sermon"><u>We need to be on guard against a critical spirit which is
demonstrated primarily in our attitude toward others.</u></span></b><span class="sermon"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Having an attitude of pride in
relation to ourselves and grim joylessness in relation to God, inevitably leads
to negative, bitter, critical spirit toward others. That is apparently what happened to the older
brother. You can be sure this wasn't the
first time he had criticized the younger brother. More than likely that was pattern of his
life. As matter fact, some Bible
scholars contend that it may have been negative carping of older brother that
caused younger son to leave home in first place. Maybe the younger son just became fed up with
the constant critical attitude of his older brother. The day finally came when he said, <i>"That's
it! I've had it! I won't stay another moment in this house!" </i>and he
took his inheritance and left.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Have you ever been around person who
is impossible to please? That is certainly
not pleasant place to be.<o:p></o:p></div>
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--they never see the positive, only
the negative...<o:p></o:p></div>
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--they never see the opportunity, only
the problems...<o:p></o:p></div>
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--to them the clouds never have a
silver lining...<o:p></o:p></div>
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--to them the glass is always half
empty, never half full...<o:p></o:p></div>
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They are always...<o:p></o:p></div>
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--expecting the worst...<o:p></o:p></div>
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--constantly predicting doom and
gloom...<o:p></o:p></div>
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--unhappy about something or
someone...<o:p></o:p></div>
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--negative and critical...<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Exactly how Pharisees, to whom story was
originally directed, were. All they could
do was grumble and complain that Jesus was associating with sinful people. They refused allow themselves see any good in
what He was doing.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Want you know that kind of spirit is
poison for in life of an individual and poison in life of a family, and poison
in the life of a church. Nothing will
destroy the witness of a Christian, the harmony of a home, or the fellowship of
a church faster than for people be characterized by negativism and
criticism. We need to be on guard
against that kind of spirit.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><u>CONCLUSION</u></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->The way Jesus chose to end this story
is intriguing. He does not tell us how
the older son responded to the pleadings of the father. Did he make an attitude adjustment and go
into the house, make peace with his brother, and join the celebration? Or did he stay outside, a pouting, bitter,
tragic figure? <o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->It's almost as if Jesus leaves the
story for us to finish for ourselves.
And in doing that, He may well have been saying to us, <i>"The
choice is yours. You can live a limited
restricted life dominated by an attitude of—</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><i>Pride toward yourself</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><i>Grim, joylessness toward God</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><i>Criticism toward others</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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<i> Or you can reject the path of
pride, joylessness, and criticism and choose to find rich, full, abundant life
in relationship with the Father.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="Quick1" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo7; tab-stops: -1.0in -.5in 0in list .25in left .5in .75in 1.0in 1.25in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in; text-align: justify;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->And as we make that choice, we would
do well to remember that sins of the spirit (as seen in life of the older
brother) are just as reprehensible to God as sins of the flesh (as seen in life
of younger brother).<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14177977230653907004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-789295729306267055.post-39977529202286765802015-12-03T15:23:00.001-08:002015-12-03T15:23:03.802-08:00The Parable of the Dinner - Luke 14:15-24<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>Parable of the Dinner</u> - Luke 14:16-24<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal;">
</span></span></i><!--[endif]--><i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Not long after Carol and I were married, we moved from
Houston to Ft. Worth where I attended seminary.
We had been in Ft. Worth just a couple of months when I got an
invitation to preach at a very small rural church in Parker County not far
outside of Weatherford. They invited me
back a couple of more times and finally asked me to be their very part-time
pastor. Looking back on that, I now
understand they called me not because of any ability I had but because Carol
could play the piano, and they were in desperate need of a church pianist.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal;">
</span></span></i><!--[endif]--><i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">It is a long way from the suburbs of Houston to rural
Parker County. We were at that church
for four years and found the people to be wonderful, compassionate people. However, some of them, living as they did,
had much different standards of hygiene than Carol and I had. There was one particular family who were the
nicest people you could ever know but who lived in an environment that just
made our skin crawl. From time to time,
they would invite Carol and me to their home for Sunday lunch. That was always a tough day for us! <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal;">
</span></span></i><!--[endif]--><i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">When we went to their home, I would stay out in the
yard with the man of the house and Carol would go into the kitchen (and after
shooing the animals out!) would help prepare lunch. On one particular Sunday when we sat down
with them to eat, I noticed that Carol ate nothing but mashed potatoes. That kind of embarrassed me and as we were
driving back to the seminary I asked her why she had done that. Her explanation made perfect sense to
me. She told me that she had prepared
the mashed potatoes, so she knew they were relatively clean. After that, whenever we were invited to the
home of that family, I watched Carol and ate what she ate!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">4.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal;">
</span></span></i><!--[endif]--><i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Looking back on that, I realize that was not a very
gracious thing to do. I am sure if our
hosts noticed what we were doing (and I don’t see how they could have missed
it!) they thought we were a little strange.
<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->5.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->In this session I want to direct your attention back to
Luke 14, at which we looked in our last meeting. In Luke 14 Jesus is attending a dinner at the
home of one of the leaders of the Pharisees.
And at this dinner Jesus did and said some things that, no doubt, his
host viewed as strange and offensive. The
very first verse of Luke 14 tells us something very significant about this
dinner. It tells us that <b><i>“...they
were watching Him closely.”</i></b> In
other words, Jesus was invited to this dinner not because the host wanted to
socialize with Him but because he wanted to scrutinize Him. Perhaps the Pharisees were looking for some
weakness in Jesus that they could use against Him. It’s interesting that instead of shrinking
from the challenge, Jesus took advantage of the setting to challenge the
thinking of the Pharisees.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l4 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list .75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->In verses 2-6, Jesus healed a man on the
Sabbath, doing something the Pharisees viewed as a sin. By his action Jesus rebuked them for their
lack of compassion.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l4 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list .75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->In verses 7-11, on which we focused in our
previous session, Jesus criticized them for their lack of humility which caused
them to jockey for the seats of honor at such dinners.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l4 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: list .75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->In verses 12-14, criticized them for their
selfishness which caused them to invite into their homes only those who could
return the invitation.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->6.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->After that series of events, you can imagine the
awkward silence that must have fallen over that dinner. To break the silence, someone blurted out in
verse 15, <b><i>“Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!”</i></b> To <b><i>“...eat bread in the kingdom of God...” </i></b>means
to participate in God’s Kingdom. The
Kingdom of God means the reign of God, the rule of God in our hearts. To participate in God’s Kingdom is the same
thing as being saved, being born again, being a Christian. And when that person blurted out that
statement, Jesus took the opportunity to tell a story designed to remind those
who heard it that day and those who hear it in our day, that it is possible to
miss out on the Kingdom of God. God has
invited us to a great party, but we can turn down then invitation. Listen to what Jesus said. (Text – Luke
14:16-24)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
T.S. – What a great invitation we
have all received. We are invited into
the very presence of God! We are invited
to live our lives in continuous relationship with the God of the universe, the
One Who created us! But the last verse
of this paragraph where Jesus says, <b><i>“For I tell you, none of those men who were
invited shall taste of my dinner...”</i></b> reminds us that it is possible to
be invited but to miss the banquet! I
want you to see in this story some things that will cause us to miss out on God’s
invitation to genuine fellowship with Him<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; tab-stops: .25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b>I. <u>We miss God’s invitation to fellowship
with Him when we fail to understand that the invitation us is based on God’s
grace, not our merit.</u></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Notice the very first thing Jesus said in verse 16 – <b><i>“A
man <u>was giving</u> a big dinner...”</i></b>
We are likely, in our haste to get to the rest of the story, to skip
right over that. But we shouldn’t. It is a very important statement. The <b><i>“man” </i></b>in this parable obviously
represents God. The <b><i>“dinner”</i></b> represents the
offer to live in fellowship with God. It
is significant that Jesus says the dinner was being given. As the story unfolds, it is obvious that the
guests were not invited based on their merit.
They were invited based on the graciousness of the man giving the
dinner.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: .25in list .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->That little statement reminds us of the most important
thing we can know about salvation.
Salvation is not something we do; it is something God gives. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l6 level2 lfo2; tab-stops: .25in list 1.0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->We do not enter into fellowship with God because
we deserve to do so. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l6 level2 lfo2; tab-stops: .25in list 1.0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->We do not have an on-going relationship with God
because we, in some way, have earned that right.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l6 level2 lfo2; tab-stops: .25in list 1.0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->We do not experience forgiveness of our sin and
cleansing from our sin on the basis of merit.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; tab-stops: .25in; text-align: justify;">
Salvation
is not based on what we do; it is based on the grace of God. As it has often been said, <b><i>“We
do not achieve salvation; we receive salvation.”</i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<ol start="3" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l6 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;"><i>Martin Luther,
the great reformer was a man of
great intellect, but Luther had a way of reducing great theological truths
to simple statements. Luther summed
up all of Christian theology in three simple, yet profound, statements:<o:p></o:p></i></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: .5in list 1.0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><i>“sola scriptura” </i></b><i>– Scripture alone (What we believe must be
based upon Scripture.)<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: .5in list 1.0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><i>“sola gratias” </i></b><i>– Grace alone (Our salvation is not dependent on what we do but what
God has done for us in Christ.) <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: .5in list 1.0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><i>”sola fide” – </i></b><i>Faith alone (Our response to what God, in His grace, has done for us is
simply to accept or believe.) </i>[Richard Foster, <u>Freedom of Simplicity</u>,
pp. 61-61]<o:p></o:p></div>
<ol start="4" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l6 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;">And until we understand that God’s invitation to us
comes from His grace and not our merit, we will always miss the life to
which He invites us.<o:p></o:p></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .5in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; tab-stops: .25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b>II. <u>We miss God’s invitation to fellowship with
Him when we fail to understand that the invitation is not exclusive but
inclusive.</u></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; tab-stops: .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
1. Look at the rest of
that statement in verse 16. <b><i>“A
man was giving a big dinner, and he <u>invited many</u>...”</i></b> And as the story unfolds, it is quite clear
that no one was left out or excluded from this invitation. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; tab-stops: .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
2. Three distinct groups
of people were invited to this dinner.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: .5in list 1.0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b>The first
group, introduced in verses 16 & 17, was made up of those who had been
informed of the dinner in advance</b>.
This reflects a common custom in the 1<sup>st</sup> century. Guests were invited and accepted a dinner
invitation days in advance, not knowing the precise time of the dinner. On the day of the dinner, when everything was
ready, the host would send for those who had promised to come. When the host sent word that it was time for
the meal, those who had previously accepted the invitation all began to make
excuses about why they could not come.
Many commentators interpret this group as being the nation Israel. Through the prophets God told Israel of the
coming Messiah. When the Messiah came,
He first came to Israel. However, by and
large Israel rejected Him.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: .5in list 1.0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b>The
second group, introduced in verse 21, was made up of those in the <i>“streets and lanes of the city.”</i></b> While these people may have been Jewish,
because they were <b><i>“...poor and crippled and blind and lame...”</i></b> they were excluded
from full participation in the religious community of the 1<sup>st</sup>
century. They were looked down upon as
being inferior and unworthy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: .5in list 1.0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b>The third
group, introduced in verse 23, was made up of those in <i>“...the highways and hedges...”</i> </b> This was outside the city and probably is a
reference to travelers of all sorts, including non-Jews.<o:p></o:p></div>
<ol start="3" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;">It has been suggested that this parable is a
foreshadowing of the command Jesus gave the church in Acts 1:8 when He
said, <b><i>“...you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem and all Judea </i></b>(Jewish
people)<b><i>, and Samaria </i></b>(those considered outcasts and unclean)<b><i>,
and even to the remotest part of the earth.” </i></b>(those in the
highways and hedges)<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;">And the point is that all people are invited to God’s
banquet table, to fellowship with God.
No one is left out. No one
is excluded. The invitation is open
to all. And until we understand
that, we will miss the life to which He invites us.<o:p></o:p></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; tab-stops: .25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b>III. <u>We miss God’s invitation to fellowship with
Him when we fail to respond personally to the invitation.</u></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
1. To enter the Kingdom, to experience the rich,
full, abundant life of fellowship with Him that begins in this world and
extends throughout all eternity, requires a personal response from us. This is not a life you can enter into by
proxy. Someone else cannot make the decision
for you. You must come to the point in
your life of saying “yes” to God’s invitation.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
2. There is a little phrase in this parable that
in the history of the church has been grossly misinterpreted and misused. I’m referring to the phrase in verse 23, <b><i>“...and
compel them to come in, so that my house may be filled...”</i></b> That statement has been interpreted by some
that phrase as a command that we are to coerce people, force people into
becoming followers of Jesus. But that is
not at all what Jesus is saying here. If
you look carefully at the ministry of Jesus, you will see that He never used
forced to get anyone to follow Him. The
decision to follow was always a voluntary decision. As a matter of fact, Jesus often stressed the
difficulty of following and warned people that there is a cost in
following. What did He say? <b><i>“If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must
deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” </i></b>(Matthew 16:24)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
3. Actually, this parable reminds us of some
things we must leave behind to follow Christ.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo6; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->The man who refused the invitation because he
had bought some land allowed <b>possessions
</b>to keep him from the party.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo6; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->The man who refused the invitation because he
had bought some oxen (the tools of his trade) allowed <b>profession</b> to keep him from the party.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo6; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->The man who refused the invitation because he
had married a wife allowed a <b>person</b>
to keep him from the party.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify;">
And the point of
all that is nothing—not what we have, not what we do, not who we know—must be
more important to us than relationship with God.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
4. We will miss God’s great invitation to live
in fellowship with Him if we refuse to make the decision of laying all that we
are and all that we have at His feet. We
do that by-<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo7; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b>Admitting
</b>our need for God (The Bible calls that confession.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo7; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b>Turning</b>
from self to God (The Bible calls that repentance.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo7; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b>Accepting</b>
Jesus into our lives (The Bible calls that believing.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<ol start="3" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo8; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;">And until we make that personal response to God, we
will miss the party.<o:p></o:p></li>
</ol>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>Conclusion</u></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; tab-stops: .25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
1. <i>I remember reading some time ago about a
small Episcopal church in the mountains of North Carolina known as The Church of
the Frescoes. A fresco is a mural done
in plaster, and this little church contains several outstanding frescoes. One stretches across the entire back wall of
the sanctuary and it is a depiction of the Last Supper. You would think the focus of the painting
would be Jesus, but in this case it is not.
While Jesus is prominently displayed, the central object in the fresco
is a stool—an empty stool—which is directly across the table from Jesus. The stool beckons to all who look at the
painting to come and take their place in the loving fellowship of Jesus.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; tab-stops: .25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
2. That’s the
message of this parable of the dinner on Luke 14. Through His grace God has made it possible
for any person who responds in faith to His Son to live in eternal fellowship
with Him.<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14177977230653907004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-789295729306267055.post-84783171852466642015-11-12T21:25:00.003-08:002015-11-12T21:25:20.291-08:00The Parable of the Guests (Luke 14:7-11)<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Luke 14:7-11 - The Parable of the Guests</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Some of you will remember that old country song by Mac
Davis with the chorus that says:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>Oh Lord it’s hard to be humble
when you’re perfect in every way<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>I can’t wait to look in the
mirror ‘cause I get better lookin’ each day<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>To know me is to love me, I must
be a [heck] of a man<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>Oh Lord it’s hard to be humble,
but I’m doin’ the best that I can.</i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Not only is it hard to be humble, it is also not
cool. Actually, it never has been. The basic biblical word that is translated <i>humble </i>or <i>humility</i> in the New Testament was never used in classical Greek
literature with a positive connotation.
Because of that, it has been said that humility is a virtue created by
Christianity and introduced to the world through Christianity. In the New Testament the word <i>humble </i>(which means <i>to make low</i> or <i>to bow before </i>as
opposed to exalting or building up) is always used in a positive connotation. The Scripture teaches that we are to desire
humility. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l4 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: .25in list .75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Zephaniah 2:3 instructs us to <b><i>“...seek
righteousness [and] seek humility...”</i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l4 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: .25in list .75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Colossians 3:12 tells us to <b><i>“...put on a heart of ...
humility...”</i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l4 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: .25in list .75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->I Peter 5:5 tells us to <b><i>“...clothe yourselves in humility
toward one another...”</i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l4 level2 lfo1; tab-stops: .25in list .75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->I Peter 5:6 instructs us to <b><i>“...humble yourselves under the
mighty hand of God...”</i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; tab-stops: .25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
Humility is
such an important virtue that Jonathan Edwards, the great early American
preacher, described humility as <b><i>“...one of the most essential things that
characterizes true Christianity.”</i></b>
It ranks right up there with love as the highest of Christian virtues.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->In this study we are going to focus on another of Jesus’
parables found only in the Gospel of Luke.
This parable, found In Luke 14:7-11, has much to teach us about
humility. It was a Sabbath day
(Saturday, the Jewish day of worship) and Jesus had been invited to the home of
one of the leaders of the Pharisees for a dinner. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .25in; text-align: justify;">
T.S. – <i>To understand that story you have to
understand something about the dining customs in the first century. The homes of wealthy, influential people—and
certainly the leader of the Pharisees who was hosting this dinner would be in
that category—generally had a spacious room which was used for large
dinners. The tables in the room were
arranged in a horseshoe configuration.
There were no chairs; instead guests would recline on pillows on the
floor around the low tables. Generally the host would sit at the head of the
horseshoe, sometimes in the middle and sometimes toward one of the ends. The seats closest to the host were considered
the most honored seats. Generally, the
seats were not assigned. The people in
that culture knew their status in relation to other people, so they just knew
where to sit. But it was always
dangerous to take a seat before the other guests arrived. For there was the possibility that someone
with a higher status than you would show up and you would have to give up your
seat. To avoid this embarrassing
situation, Jesus said, “Play it safe.
Take the lowest place at the table, then you can only move up!” <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .25in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .25in; text-align: justify;">
Of course, this
story is not just about table etiquette; it’s about life. Jesus is saying, <i>“Choose to live in humility. And
if you do, you will discover that your life will be better.”</i> But the question is,<i> “How do we do that? How do we
bridle our ego, our deeply engrained desire to be praised, our constant struggle
for recognition and choose a way of living that, on the surface, seems so
unnatural to us?”</i> It seems
impossible, but fortunately the Scripture gives us some clear direction about
this. Look at I Peter 5:5b-6. Those
verses tell us a couple of very important things about how to choose to live in
humility.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .25in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; tab-stops: .25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b>I. <u>We choose to live in humility by
recognizing our dependence on God</u></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; tab-stops: .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
1. It is important to
understand where humility begins and what humility is. Humility does not begin with us; it begins
with God. And humility is not about
self-depreciation; it is about God appreciation. The truly humble person is not the person who
is always talking about how bad or weak or inadequate he or she is. Being humble does not mean that we spend our
time and energy—<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: .5in list 1.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Putting ourselves down<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: .5in list 1.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Beating ourselves up<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: .5in list 1.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Viewing ourselves as lowly creatures who have no
worth.<o:p></o:p></div>
<ol start="2" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;">Instead, humility is the kind of spirit that
recognizes who we really are. It
recognizes that we are not God. We
are not the Creator; we are the created ones. It’s the kind of spirit expressed by the
psalmist when he exclaimed, <b><i>“Know that the Lord Himself is
God. It is He who has made us, and
not we ourselves. We are His people
and the sheep of His pasture. </i></b>[Psalm 100:3] And understanding who we are keeps us
from living a life of arrogant self-centeredness and reminds us to live
with a quiet confidence, a steady trust in God. To choose humility essentially means to
place our lives in God’s hands with a spirit of utter confidence and
complete trust. And, the truth is,
that is very difficult for us to do because we just naturally trust
ourselves more than we trust God.<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;">Notice the command of I Peter 5:6. It is not merely <b><i>“...humble yourselves...”</i></b> That is not enough. The command is to <b><i>“...humble yourselves <u>under
the mighty hand of God...”</u></i></b><u> </u> And that phrase makes all the difference
in the world. <b><i>“The mighty hand of God...”</i></b>
is a common Old Testament phrase that is used to describe God’s protection
over and deliverance of His people.
In Solomon’s great prayer of dedication for the Temple in I Kings
8, he spoke of the Temple as being a place where people would hear of
God’s <b><i>“...great name...mighty hand...and outstretched harm...”</i></b><o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;">There’s a beautiful promise here that I don’t want
you to miss. As we humble
ourselves, make ourselves low before God, we don’t become weak; we become
strong. We don’t lose; we
gain. We don’t find darkness; we
find light. We bow to God’s <b><i>“...mighty
hand...”</i></b> and find it completely adequate for all of our needs. <o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;">I think that’s what Jesus meant at the end of the
parable in Luke 14 when He said in verse 11, <b><i>“For everyone who exalts
himself shall be humbled, and he who humbles himself shall be exalted.”</i></b><o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;"><i>Tom Elliff tells
about meeting with his friend, Ron Dunn, shortly after Ron Dunn and his
wife had come home to find the body of their son who had committed
suicide...Eliff said to his friend, <b>“I
have no words that I can say to ease your pain. I just want to be with you. But I’ve got to know, what is that has
kept you going through all this?”</b>
And there is what Ron Dunn said, <b>“I’ve been to the very bottom and I have discovered that there is
rock down there and you can stand on it!”</b><o:p></o:p></i></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;">Choosing to live in humility means to stand on the
Rock -- to live in the recognition of our complete, utter dependence upon
God and our helplessness apart from Him.<o:p></o:p></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; tab-stops: .25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b>II.</b> <b><u>We choose to live in humility by giving
ourselves away in service to others.</u></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: .25in list .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->The instruction in I Peter 5:5 is <b><i>“...clothe yourselves with
humility toward one another...”</i></b>
The word translated <b><i>“clothe”</i></b> comes from the word for <b><i>“knot”</i></b>
as in <i>to tie a knot</i>. It literally means to tie a piece of cloth to
one’s body. There is a graphic picture
behind this word that anyone who lived in the culture of the 1<sup>st</sup>
century would immediately see. In that
world, between one-third and one-half of the people were slaves. Slaves would tie on a white scarf or white apron
over their other clothing to identify themselves as slaves. What this verse is saying is that Christians
are to tie on the scarf or the apron of humility, and by doing so we show the
world that we belong to Christ.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: .25in list .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->How do we do that?
There is only one way. By giving
ourselves away in service to others.
Service is the tangible, outward expression of inward humility. No matter how much we talk about humility, no
matter what humble demeanor we maintain, if we are not serving people we are
not choosing the path of humility.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: .25in list .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span><!--[endif]-->There
is a sense in which we do not choose humility; it chooses us. We don’t really get humility by chasing after
it. Humility comes as a by-product of
serving others. In the 1700’s William
Law wrote a classic book entitled <u>A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life.</u> He pointed out the relationship between
service and humility. He says that if we
want humility then <b><i>“...condescend to all the weaknesses and infirmities of your
fellow-creatures, cover their frailties, love their excellencies, encourage
their virtues, relieve their wants, rejoice in their prosperities, [show
compassion] in their distress, receive their friendship, overlook their
unkindness, forgive their malice, be a servant of servants...”</i></b> [Quoted
by Richard Foster in <u>Celebration of Discipline</u>, p.131] That is the path to humility.<i><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<ol start="4" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: .5in; text-align: justify;"><span class="CITE">There
is a beautiful story about D.L. Moody, the famous evangelist...he invited
a group of pastors from Europe to a Bible conference in the United
States...following the European custom of the time, </span><span class="CITE">each guest put his shoes outside his
room to be cleaned by the hall servants overnight. But of course there
were no hall servants in America.
Walking through the halls that night, Moody saw the shoes and
determined not to embarrass his brothers. He gathered up the shoes, and,
alone in his room, the world’s only famous evangelist began to clean and
polish the shoes. Only the unexpected arrival of a friend in the midst of
the work revealed the secret. When the
foreign visitors opened their doors the next morning, their shoes were
shined. They never know by whom.</span><span class="CITE">[Gary Inrig, A Call to Excellence, (Victor
Books, a division of SP Publ., Wheaton, Ill; 1985), p. 98]<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: .25in list .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->5.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->That is the kind of service that results in genuine
humility.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; tab-stops: .25in; text-align: center; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b><u>Conclusion</u></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; tab-stops: .25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
1. Does it really
work? Is it true ... what Jesus said
about those who humble themselves being exalted? Well, it certainly worked in His life! Jesus is the perfect example of humility
toward both God and others.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo5; tab-stops: .25in list .75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Jesus trusted the Father fully and
completely. He placed His life in God’s
hands, He perfectly obeyed, He never wavered from God’s plan. The Scripture says that Jesus <b><i>“...humbled
Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross...” </i></b>[Phil.2:8]<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo5; tab-stops: .25in list .75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->And in relation to others, Jesus served without
reservation. He said that He came <b><i>“...not
to be served but to serve and give His life a ransom for many...” </i></b>[Matt.20:28]<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; tab-stops: .25in; text-align: justify;">
And
the result was that <b><i>“...God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above
every name...”</i></b> [Philippians 2:9]<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; tab-stops: .25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
2. And Jesus
says that principle is at work in our lives as well. <b><i>“For everyone who exalts himself will be
humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” </i></b>[Luke 14:11]<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14177977230653907004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-789295729306267055.post-29054642898849585762015-10-29T14:01:00.001-07:002015-10-29T14:01:12.091-07:00The Rich Fool (Luke 12:13-21)<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>The Rich Fool - Luke 12:13-21</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .25in; text-align: justify;">
The man in this
story would be considered a success by almost any measure the world uses to
determine success. But that’s not how
God viewed this man. God’s analysis of
this man’s life was direct, to the point, and brutally honest. His entire life is summed up in the simple
statement in verse 20, <b><i>“You fool!” </i></b> That doesn’t mean the man was not intelligent
or talented or motivated. There a plenty
of intelligent, talented, motivated fools in the world. The word <b><i>“fool”</i></b> is not a description of this
man’s mental capacity or natural abilities.
Instead, it is a commentary on his spiritual discernment. He did not have the spiritual discernment to
value those things in life that are really valuable. I want to list five foolish things that we
are constantly tempted to do in the culture in which we live.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: .25in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; tab-stops: .25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b>I. <u>We are foolish to trade our health for
possessions.</u></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
1. It seems to me that the rich man in this
story was a typical “Type A” personality.
He was hard-driving, hard-working, never satisfied with the status
quo. There is an interesting statement
about him in verse 17. The first part of
that verse says, <b><i>“And he began reasoning to himself...”</i></b> The word from which the word <b><i>“reasoning”</i></b>
is translated is the Greek word from which our word <i>dialogue</i> comes. In other
words, he began to have a dialogue, a conversation with himself. The blessing of the bumper crop made him
start talking to himself! What was he
going to do with all that abundance? The
only solution this “Type A” person could see was to keep expanding—tear down
the old barns and build bigger barns.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
2. Could it be that his hard driving
personality, his insatiable desire for more is what caused him to die? Was he so caught up in stuff that he worried
and worked himself to death? We can’t
really say if that was the case for him or not.
But we certainly can say that it happens to many people in our
culture. They live under such stress and
are so bent making a dollar, that the time comes when the stress catches up
with them and their health begins to fail.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
3. <i>There
is a classic story about two men. One
was very wealthy but in poor health. The
other was very poor but in excellent health.
The wealthy man would give anything for a healthy body and the poor man
would give anything to be wealthy. In
this story there was a world famous surgeon who was able to give them both what
they wanted. He had perfected a
technique to do brain transplants. The
wealthy man gave the poor man all his wealth and the poor man gave the wealthy
man his healthy body just by allowing this surgeon to switch their brains. But that’s not the end of the story. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><i>The
formerly poor man suddenly found himself surrounded by incredible wealth. He didn’t know how to use it and quickly
squandered to away. However, the sickly
body he had inherited became healthy again when he was not burden with the
stress and anxiety of managing a large amount of possession. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><i>On the other
hand, the formerly wealthy man who was given the healthy body of a poor man
began to use his expertise to accumulate more money. But the more the money piled up, the more his
new found health began to deteriorate as dealt with the stress and anxiety of
managing his new found wealth. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify;">
<i>The story ends with both men back where they
started—one wealthy in a sick body and the other poor in a healthy body.</i> [Eric
Butterworth, <u>Unity of Life</u>, New York: Harper & Row, 1969]<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
4. I don’t share that to imply our only options
in life are to be wealthy and sick or poor and well. But I share it to remind you it is foolish to
be so driven with accumulating things that we destroy our health in the
process.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; tab-stops: .25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b>II. <u>We are foolish to live only for ourselves.</u></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
1. The man in this story was obviously a very
self-centered person. When he had that
conversation with himself about what to do with the extra crops he had
harvested, he focused on only one option—how to keep it for himself. The thought of giving the extra away to other
people never even crossed his mind.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
2. It is interesting that in three verses—verses
17, 18, & 19—this man uses the personal pronouns <b><i>“I”</i></b> or <b><i>“my”</i></b>
not less than eleven (11) times. In his
eyes, life was all about him. He did not
care about anyone else. One person
described him as having <b><i>“...full barns, but an empty heart.”</i></b>
[Brett Blair, “Building Barns, Postponing Life” esermons.com] He was just the opposite of the woman
described by St. Jerome in around 400 A.D. who, according to him, <b><i>“...preferred
to store her money in the stomachs of the needy than in her purse.” </i></b>[Ibid]<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
3. One of the very best things you can do for
yourself is simply learn to be a giver rather than a hoarder. You are missing one of the great blessings of
life if you horde everything you have for yourself. That’s why the God says so much to us in
Scripture about giving. We are to give,
not because God needs our money, but because we need the experience.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; tab-stops: .25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b>III. <u>We are foolish to measure our self-worth in
terms of our net-worth.</u></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
1. It is fairly obvious that the man in this
story was feeling pretty good about himself.
After all, everything seemed to be going his way. As his assets increased, his value in his own
eyes increased as well. No doubt there
was a certain sense of pride in his financial success. In his mind, who he was was all tied up in
what he possessed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
2. That is one of the most subtle and insidious
temptations we face as we live in the affluence of 21<sup>st</sup> century
America. We live under constant pressure
to place excessive value on the accumulation of certain things. It has been estimated that by the time a
person in our culture graduates from high school, that person has been
bombarded with more than 350,000 commercials designed to convince him or her
that the way to be successful is to have certain material things. And some people run themselves ragged to be
able to wear the right clothes, drive the right car, live in the right house
that says to others, <i>“See, I am a
successful, worthwhile, valuable person.”</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
3. Philosopher Sidney J. Harris wrote: <b><i>“Men may be divided almost any way we
please, but I have found the most useful distinction to be made is between
those who devote their lives to conjugating the verb ‘to be’ and those who
spend their lives conjugating the verb ‘to have.’” </i></b>In other words, some people devote
their lives to being something and others devote their lives to having
something.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
4. As Christians, we need to remember our
self-worth does not come from—<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 1.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->What we have but from who we are!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 1.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->What we have but from Who has us!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify;">
We belong to
God. We are His special
possessions. He made us and redeemed
us. We have dignity and value and worth
not because of how many material possessions we may have but because of who we
are in Jesus.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; tab-stops: .25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b>IV. <u>We are foolish to confuse what we want with
what we need.</u></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;">The man in this story had some incredible wants. He wanted to be able just to sit back
and enjoy life. As he put it, he
wanted to take his <b><i>“...ease, eat, drink, and be merry.” </i></b>(verse
19) That’s not necessarily what he
needed, but it is what he wanted.<o:p></o:p></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in; text-align: justify;">Probably none of us needs all that we think we
do. When you get right down to it,
our needs are rather simple.<o:p></o:p></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo3; tab-stops: .5in list 1.0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Physically, we need food for the day, clothes
for our bodies, and shelter from the elements.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo3; tab-stops: .5in list 1.0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Emotionally, we need people to love us and a
purpose for our lives.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo3; tab-stops: .5in list 1.0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Spiritually, we need to live in relationship
with the God who created us.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; tab-stops: .5in; text-align: justify;">
Beyond
those basic things, just about everything else falls into the category of
wants. And when we confuse what we
really need with what we merely want, we tend to get our values all confused.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; tab-stops: .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
3. <i>Do you remember Leo Tolstoy’s, the Russian novelist, famous story? The story is about a farmer who was not
satisfied with his lot in life. One day
a farmer received a novel offer. For 1000 rubles, he could buy all the land he
could walk around in a day. The only catch in the deal was that he had to be
back at his starting point by sundown. Early the next morning he started out
walking at a fast pace. By midday he was very tired, but he kept going,
covering more and more ground. Well into the afternoon he realized that his
greed had taken him far from the starting point. He quickened his pace and as
the sun began to sink low in the sky, he began to run, knowing that if he did
not make it back by sundown the opportunity to become an even bigger landholder
would be lost. As the sun began to sink below the horizon he came within sight
of the finish line. Gasping for breath, his heart pounding, he called upon
every bit of strength left in his body and staggered across the line just
before the sun disappeared. He immediately collapsed, blood streaming from his
mouth. In a few minutes he was dead. Afterwards, his servants dug a grave. It
was not much over six feet long and three feet wide. The title of Tolstoy's
story was: How Much Land Does a Man Need?</i> (Adapted from Bits & Pieces,
November, 1991.) <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; tab-stops: .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
4. Confusing our wants
with or needs is foolish because it can be deadly.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; tab-stops: .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; tab-stops: .25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b>V. <u>We are foolish to look to possessions for
security.</u></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; tab-stops: .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
1. That, of course, is
the main point of this story. The rich
man thought his abundance of possessions guaranteed him security. He made the erroneous assumption that because
his crop was big, his problems were over.
But, of course, that was not the case. His possessions did him no good when death
came knocking on his door.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; tab-stops: .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
2. And his life is a
graphic reminder of the foolishness of depending on material possessions for
security. The only real security in life
is found in relationship with God. Everything
else is temporary, it is passing away.
Verse 21 makes it clear that anyone who looks to temporary material
things for eternal security is a fool.
In that verse Jesus said that just as the rich man in this story was a
fool, <b><i>“So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich
toward God.”</i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; tab-stops: .5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
3. The only lasting
security is found in the God. Hebrews
13:5 says it so well: <b><i>“Make
sure your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you
have; for He Himself has said, ‘I will never desert you, nor will I ever
forsake you.’” </i></b> If it is security
you want, you will never find it in things, only in God.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; tab-stops: .5in; text-align: center; text-indent: -.25in;">
<b><u>Conclusion</u></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; tab-stops: .25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
1. If someone
were to write the obituary for this man in the first century world, I am
certain his death would have been described as a tragedy. After all, he seemed to have been in the very
prime of his life. Everything was going
so well for him. It had all come
together. And suddenly he dies. But the truth is, it is not his death that
was a tragedy; it was his life. His life
was a tragedy because he--<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: .25in list .75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Traded his health for possessions<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: .25in list .75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Lived only for himself<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: .25in list .75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Measured his self-worth in terms of his
net-worth<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: .25in list .75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Confused what he wanted with what he needed<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: .25in list .75in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Looked to possession for security<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; tab-stops: .25in; text-align: justify;">
May
we have the wisdom to avoid making those mistakes in our lives!<o:p></o:p></div>
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