Hebrews Chapter 13
Chapter 10 was the “privileges” chapter; chapter 11 was the “faith” chapter; was the “hope” chapter. And now we come to chapter 13, which is the “love” chapter.
You will remember that it was chapter 13 of I Corinthians that was its “love” chapter. In Romans, it was chapter 12. In II Corinthians chapter 8 was the love-in-action chapter, as was Galatians 6b. In Ephesians the practical aspect of love was emphasized.
Paul was big on love. And so he is in Hebrews.
The Verses
Verses 1-3 – We are to love each other. Paul also emphasizes the importance of loving strangers, in order that we might witness to them as he admonished us in chapter 12:15.
Verses 4-6 – Here Paul speaks of marriage as he did so often, particularly in Ephesians 5:21-32. and Colosians 3:16-25. Because he is speaking to Jews, he keeps it short and to the point: you be personally responsible for keeping your marriage honorable…free from adultery (in thought or deed), and don’t make money the central theme around which it is built.
Verses 7-8 – This love is to extend to your leaders (and here he is talking about your church leaders.
You owe “followship” to your spiritual leaders, so long as they do not lead you away from God’s Word, into illegality or to immorality.
Verses 9-10 – DO NOT BE INFLUENCED BY THOSE WHOSE DOCTRINES ARE DERIVED FROM SOME PERVERSION OF THE MEANING OF GOD’S WORD OR BY SOME VISION OR “SPECIAL” REVELATION.
Christian fellowship is when you are around the Word of God and when it brings you to the person of Christ.
The priests of the Old Covenant made their sin offerings in a specific place. We have an altar without and “address.” It is the Throne of Grace.
Verses 11-14 – The priests of the Old Covenant made the sin offering outside the city walls.
Jesus made his sacrifice outside of the city. He was the sin offering. We are to go to Him.
Verses 15-16 – The only sacrifice we have is ourselves as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1-4) and our praise that confesses His name.
Verse 17 – We are to make our pastor’s work an absolute joy. We are to help him and stand beside him.
Verses 18-19 – Paul desired the prayers of God’s people.
Verses 20-21 – Paul asks that God would equip us with everything we need to accomplish His will, and that we will strive to do what is pleasing to Him.
Verses22-25 – Paul actually had much more to say, but he wanted to get this much out immediately.
He also reminds the reader to lovingly greet their leaders and God’s people from Italy, who send their greetings.
He closes with a prayer for God’s GRACE to be with every one of them.
That's love.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Saturday, February 18, 2012
A Study in Hebrews-Week 14
Hebrews Chapter 12 Part 2
The Verses
Verse 14 – Living in peace with one another does not come easily, automatically or by magic. It takes work. We must strive to overlook and forgive one another’s foils and fables.
Our holiness comes from God through Christ, and is not the result of our own efforts.
Verse 15 – We are to be a constant witness of the grace of God to everyone.
Verse 16 – We are our brothers’ keepers. If they are not saved, we must introduce them to Christ.
Verse 17 – There is a point at which it is no longer possible to reach some people because they have rejected God’s Spirit so often that their hearts are hardened to the gospel.
Verses 18-21 – Here is reference to Moses at Mt. Sinai. Mt. Sinai represents the Old Covenant. A believer is not brought back to the legal system of the Old Covenant (see Exodus 19).
Verses 22-24 – “You have come to Mt. Zion, “Ye are come” indicates position. A believer is
brought to the New Covenant:
(1) “Mt. Zion,” the heavenly city;
(2) “city of the living God”;
(3) “heavenly Jerusalem”;
(4) “angels” in joyful assembly;
(5) “general assembly and church of the first-born” — New Testament church;
(6) “God, the Judge” — the Lord Jesus Christ;
(7) “spirits of just men made perfect” — evidently a reference to Old Testament saints;
(8) “Jesus, the mediator of the new covenant”;
(9) blood of Jesus — better than Abel’s blood.
Verse 25 – This is warning against failing to hear the voice of Jesus through the Holy Spirit, both for the unsaved and the saved. We are to pay attention to God’s voice in our lives.
Verses 26-27 – This reminds us that privilege creates responsibility. God has nothing more to say. The Word of Jesus is final. There is danger of not hearing Him. He is shaking the world that men might see some things unshakeable.
Verse 28-29 – We are reminded that what we have in Christ is “earthquake proof.” It is set on a firm foundation (who is Christ), and therefore should fall down in worship with reverence and awe.
The Verses
Verse 14 – Living in peace with one another does not come easily, automatically or by magic. It takes work. We must strive to overlook and forgive one another’s foils and fables.
Our holiness comes from God through Christ, and is not the result of our own efforts.
Verse 15 – We are to be a constant witness of the grace of God to everyone.
Verse 16 – We are our brothers’ keepers. If they are not saved, we must introduce them to Christ.
Verse 17 – There is a point at which it is no longer possible to reach some people because they have rejected God’s Spirit so often that their hearts are hardened to the gospel.
Verses 18-21 – Here is reference to Moses at Mt. Sinai. Mt. Sinai represents the Old Covenant. A believer is not brought back to the legal system of the Old Covenant (see Exodus 19).
Verses 22-24 – “You have come to Mt. Zion, “Ye are come” indicates position. A believer is
brought to the New Covenant:
(1) “Mt. Zion,” the heavenly city;
(2) “city of the living God”;
(3) “heavenly Jerusalem”;
(4) “angels” in joyful assembly;
(5) “general assembly and church of the first-born” — New Testament church;
(6) “God, the Judge” — the Lord Jesus Christ;
(7) “spirits of just men made perfect” — evidently a reference to Old Testament saints;
(8) “Jesus, the mediator of the new covenant”;
(9) blood of Jesus — better than Abel’s blood.
Verse 25 – This is warning against failing to hear the voice of Jesus through the Holy Spirit, both for the unsaved and the saved. We are to pay attention to God’s voice in our lives.
Verses 26-27 – This reminds us that privilege creates responsibility. God has nothing more to say. The Word of Jesus is final. There is danger of not hearing Him. He is shaking the world that men might see some things unshakeable.
Verse 28-29 – We are reminded that what we have in Christ is “earthquake proof.” It is set on a firm foundation (who is Christ), and therefore should fall down in worship with reverence and awe.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
SUNDAY SOUNDS OF PRAISE--JESUS IN EVERY BOOK OF THE BIBLE-He Is-AaronJeoffrey
The Bible is God's revelation of His character, His love for
His creation and His plan for its redemption. It's not me, it's not about you. It's all about Him.
Friday, February 10, 2012
A Study in Hebrews-Week 13
Hebrews Chapter 12 Part 1
The Verses
Verse 1 – Once again Paul uses his signature connective “Therefore”(“Wherefore in KJV). Since all of these Old Covenant people had joined us in their faith in Christ, as “witnesses” (not spectators, but active in their lives), we are to throw off those things that attach us to the world.
Verse 2 – “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus” is a continuation of the “therefore” in verse 1. He is the Pioneer (KJV “author”). That is He is the originator of and the focus of our faith. He authored our faith before the beginning of time. He is also the “Perfecter” (KJV: “finisher”) of our faith. He has finished the work of redemption and now sits at the right hand of God.
Verse 3 – Believers are now in both a contest and a conflict. Jesus knows our struggle and the hurdles we have to overcome.
Verse 4 – There is still a struggle with sin in our lives and we are tempted just as He was in His 40 days n the wilderness. But the shedding of our blood is insufficient to cover sin. Only the shedding of HIS blood is adequate.
Verse 5 & 6 – We have been made God’s children.
It is a mistake when the world says, “We are all God’s children.” Only those who have received the gift of His salvation through faith in, and only in, the finished work of Christ at the cross of Calvary are His children.
He quotes from Proverbs 3:11 & 12.
The word “discipline” does NOT mean “punishment.” It is the same root as “disciple,” one who trains Himself to follow Christ. However the word for “punishment” used in verse 6 means to train (Greek-paideuo) and the word “punishes” or “scourgeth” (Greek-mastigoo) means to press into your mind by force, in a whip-like manner.
(NOTE: Almost all translations try to make this verse mean “gives a whipping to,” which is not the picture it is conveying).
Verse 7 – This really clears the matter up, as it is a continuation of the same thought and tells us that when hardships occur we should see them as opportunities to deepen our faith.
Verse 8 – Further explains that if you are not disciplined (properly trained), you are a fake Christian. (Could this be a strong argument for a Discipleship Training Ministry?)
Verse 9 – Fathers discipline [train (as in Proverbs 22:6)] their children. Properly disciplined (trained) children respect their fathers more than untrained children do. Likewise, we should be trained by God and should submit ourselves to His training.
Verse 10 – As with high school or college, there is an end to the training period, but the learning never stops.
Verse 11 – Discipline is hard to endure. An athlete must train for his sport with weight lifting, running, pushing the blocking sled, etc., and it is tough. But the rewards are great when he gets to play in the Super Bowl.
Discipline in God’s ways produce “…a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who are trained by it.”
Verses 12-13 – Do what it takes to strengthen yourself so you can be useful in the healing of others by introducing them to God’s salvation.
The Verses
Verse 1 – Once again Paul uses his signature connective “Therefore”(“Wherefore in KJV). Since all of these Old Covenant people had joined us in their faith in Christ, as “witnesses” (not spectators, but active in their lives), we are to throw off those things that attach us to the world.
Verse 2 – “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus” is a continuation of the “therefore” in verse 1. He is the Pioneer (KJV “author”). That is He is the originator of and the focus of our faith. He authored our faith before the beginning of time. He is also the “Perfecter” (KJV: “finisher”) of our faith. He has finished the work of redemption and now sits at the right hand of God.
Verse 3 – Believers are now in both a contest and a conflict. Jesus knows our struggle and the hurdles we have to overcome.
Verse 4 – There is still a struggle with sin in our lives and we are tempted just as He was in His 40 days n the wilderness. But the shedding of our blood is insufficient to cover sin. Only the shedding of HIS blood is adequate.
Verse 5 & 6 – We have been made God’s children.
It is a mistake when the world says, “We are all God’s children.” Only those who have received the gift of His salvation through faith in, and only in, the finished work of Christ at the cross of Calvary are His children.
He quotes from Proverbs 3:11 & 12.
The word “discipline” does NOT mean “punishment.” It is the same root as “disciple,” one who trains Himself to follow Christ. However the word for “punishment” used in verse 6 means to train (Greek-paideuo) and the word “punishes” or “scourgeth” (Greek-mastigoo) means to press into your mind by force, in a whip-like manner.
(NOTE: Almost all translations try to make this verse mean “gives a whipping to,” which is not the picture it is conveying).
Verse 7 – This really clears the matter up, as it is a continuation of the same thought and tells us that when hardships occur we should see them as opportunities to deepen our faith.
Verse 8 – Further explains that if you are not disciplined (properly trained), you are a fake Christian. (Could this be a strong argument for a Discipleship Training Ministry?)
Verse 9 – Fathers discipline [train (as in Proverbs 22:6)] their children. Properly disciplined (trained) children respect their fathers more than untrained children do. Likewise, we should be trained by God and should submit ourselves to His training.
Verse 10 – As with high school or college, there is an end to the training period, but the learning never stops.
Verse 11 – Discipline is hard to endure. An athlete must train for his sport with weight lifting, running, pushing the blocking sled, etc., and it is tough. But the rewards are great when he gets to play in the Super Bowl.
Discipline in God’s ways produce “…a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who are trained by it.”
Verses 12-13 – Do what it takes to strengthen yourself so you can be useful in the healing of others by introducing them to God’s salvation.
Sunday, February 05, 2012
Friday, February 03, 2012
A Study in Hebrews-Week 12
Hebrews Chapter 11
This chapter is often called “The Hall of Faith.”
Verse 1 – The definition of faith is found in this verse. In the King James, faith is “substance” (Greek: hupostasis-a scientific term meaning the opposite of a theory or title deed). Faith is also “evidence” (Greek elegchos) is a legal term; it is evidence that is accepted for conviction.
Verse 2 – It was their faith that got the “ancients” (also called “Elders”) that got them “commended” in God’s eyes, not their behavior.
Verse 3 – This is a critical verse regarding the application of our faith. This verse reminds us that God creates, He does not just rearrange what already is.When there was no such thing as light, God spoke it into being.
Verses 4-32a – Each of these people represent a different characteristic of faith:
Abel – the worship of faith (Genesis 4:1-5);
Enoch – the walk of faith (Genesis 5:21-24);
Verse 6 – tells us we come to God only by faith. The emphasis is not on His existence or His rewards, but on His being.
Noah – the witness of faith;
Abraham – the obedience of faith;
Sarah – the power of faith;
Isaac – the willingness of faith (Isaac was grown when Abraham offered him on the altar. Abraham believed in the resurrection.);
Isaac and Jacob – the future of faith; Joseph – the fulfillment of God’s promises;
Moses – the sacrifices of faith;
Joshua – the foolishness of faith (How absurd to think one could bring down a city by marching around its walls);
Rahab – the unlikely place of faith;
Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David and Samuel – faith in action.
Verses 32b-38 – The persecution in store for people of faith.
Verses 39-40 – These are not necessarily heroes of faith, but this is what faith has done in the history of man under different circumstances in different periods through different individuals.
Faith has no merit in itself; merit is in the object of faith.
In other words, we musn’t have faith in our faith, but in Christ, His finished work at the cross of Calvary and His resurrection.
This chapter is often called “The Hall of Faith.”
Verse 1 – The definition of faith is found in this verse. In the King James, faith is “substance” (Greek: hupostasis-a scientific term meaning the opposite of a theory or title deed). Faith is also “evidence” (Greek elegchos) is a legal term; it is evidence that is accepted for conviction.
Verse 2 – It was their faith that got the “ancients” (also called “Elders”) that got them “commended” in God’s eyes, not their behavior.
Verse 3 – This is a critical verse regarding the application of our faith. This verse reminds us that God creates, He does not just rearrange what already is.When there was no such thing as light, God spoke it into being.
Verses 4-32a – Each of these people represent a different characteristic of faith:
Abel – the worship of faith (Genesis 4:1-5);
Enoch – the walk of faith (Genesis 5:21-24);
Verse 6 – tells us we come to God only by faith. The emphasis is not on His existence or His rewards, but on His being.
Noah – the witness of faith;
Abraham – the obedience of faith;
Sarah – the power of faith;
Isaac – the willingness of faith (Isaac was grown when Abraham offered him on the altar. Abraham believed in the resurrection.);
Isaac and Jacob – the future of faith; Joseph – the fulfillment of God’s promises;
Moses – the sacrifices of faith;
Joshua – the foolishness of faith (How absurd to think one could bring down a city by marching around its walls);
Rahab – the unlikely place of faith;
Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David and Samuel – faith in action.
Verses 32b-38 – The persecution in store for people of faith.
Verses 39-40 – These are not necessarily heroes of faith, but this is what faith has done in the history of man under different circumstances in different periods through different individuals.
Faith has no merit in itself; merit is in the object of faith.
In other words, we musn’t have faith in our faith, but in Christ, His finished work at the cross of Calvary and His resurrection.
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