SUNDAY SOUNDS OF PRAISE-O Come, O Come Emmanuel-Piano Guys and Selah

A Study in Hebrews-Week 13

(Get your Bible out and read the verses as we study )Hebrews Chapter 13

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. That would not have occurred to many “religious” Jews.

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 6. In Ephesians the practical aspect of love was emphasized. Paul was big on love. And so he is in Hebrews.

Jews had the idea that you should love your friends and hate your enemies. Jewish Christians might have had a hard time throwing off this concept. Jesus had taught “love your enemies” (Matthew 5:44). Here Paul addresses the need to love self, each other and strangers.

Verses 4-6 – Here Paul speaks of marriage as he did so often, particularly in Ephesians 5:21-32 and Colossians 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 DOCTRINS ARE DERIVED FROM SOME PERVERSION OF THE MEANING OF GOD’S WORD OR BY SOME VISION OR “SPECIAL” REVELATION. 1 Timothy is ALL about being sure to teach right doctrine and to pick leaders who will do so.

Christian fellowship is when we gather around the Word of God and it brings you to the person of Christ.

Verses 11-14 – The priests of the Old Covenant made their sin offerings in a specific place, at the altar in the temple. There is no New Covenant altar. Our altar is the sacrifice of ourselves at the Throne of Grace. 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 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.

The case for Paul’s authorship of Hebrews.

The writer was known by the readers            Paul was known by the readers

The writer was in Italy                                     Paul was in Italy

The writer knew Timothy                               Paul knew Timothy (and was his spiritual father)

The writer had to understand Judaism         Paul would have understood the Hebrew mind set

The writer had converted from Judaism        Paul converted from Judaism going to Damascus

The writer followed Paul’s usual pattern       Hebrews is a perfect commentary to Jews on Romans

Let Me Live!

Famous People We Are Glad Were Not Aborted

Stevie Wonder

Ludwig van Beethoven

Albert Einstein

It's Thanksgiving Day

Don't Be a Cheap Preacher

John MacArthur writes: "(A) fatal path is to be like the preacher who says, I've already got a sermon; I just have to find a verse for it. He starts with a preconceived idea and then gathers some verses to support it—a case of the tail wagging the dog. True biblical sermons don’t drive the biblical text, they are driven by the biblical text. I know if I try to manufacture a sermon, I wind up forcing Scripture to fit my ideas. But when I try to comprehend a passage, the message flows out of that understanding."

Such an unfortunate use of Scripture occurs with dyed-in-the-wool conservative, strict plenary, and with "Bible preaching" interpreters. Preachers with seminary degrees, Bible school degrees and those with secular degrees are not immune to this erroneous way of preaching. They preach a philosophy or theosophy that contains some truth and back it up with Scripture verses from here or there. 

The problem with that type of sermon is that absolutely ANY philosophical position can be supported with selectively chosen verses. Just because a preacher is making true statements (which not all do) and "supports" them with Bible verses does NOT mean he is preaching the Bible. That's exactly what cults and apostates do. They sprinkle truth in their speech, attach Scripture to their topic and proclaim that God has said such-and-such. Their congregations respond as though something profoundly spiritual has been preached.

MacArthur continues: "I heard a sermon on 'they cast four anchors…and wished for the day' (Acts 27:29 KJV); the anchor of hope, the anchor of faith, and so on. Those Acts 27 anchors were not anchors of anything but metal.

"Most interpretive challenges can be resolved through studying the passage within its wider context. 'God is not a God of confusion' (1 Corinthians 14:33) and He does not have a problem explaining Himself. The problem is usually with us—whether it be a personal objection to what Scripture says, a cultural gap between us and the text’s original setting, a refusal to obey, or a lack of broader biblical knowledge. Whatever the case, skills in Bible interpretation can be acquired and applied."

Remember, every verse of scripture must be interpreted in terms of the word used, the chapter it's in, the chapter it's in, the book it's in, the covenant that applies and the Bible as a whole.

Anything else is just cheap.

Somebody Explain Evolution's Requirement for this Behavior

For Those Who Think the Bible is Too Long to Read

The Bible in a Nut Shell

The Holy Bible (Condensed Standard Version)

GENESIS

God: All right, you two, don’t do the one thing. Other than that have fun.

Adam & Eve: Okay.

Satan: You should do the thing.

Adam & Eve: Okay.

God: What happened!?

Adam & Eve: We did the thing.

God: Guys…

THE REST OF THE OLD TESTAMENT

God: You are my people and you should not do the things.

People: Okay. We won’t do the things.

God: Good.

People: We did the things.

God: Guys…

THE GOSPELS

Jesus: I am the Son of God and the Great I Am. Even though your have done the things, the Father and I still love you and want you to live. Turn from the things and follow me.

Healed People: Okay! Thank you.

Other People: We've never seen Him do the things, but He probably does.

Jesus: I have never done the things.

Other People: We’re going to put you on trial for claiming to be the Great I Am.

Pilate: Did you threaten to take over Rome?

Jesus: No.

Pilate: He did nothing I can kill Him for.

People: Kill Him anyway.

Pilate: OK.

Jesus: Guys…

THE CRUCIFIXION:

Jesus: Father, forgive them. Today is your day of salvation. John, take care of Mary. My God, Why have you forsaken me? I’m thirsty. Everything that needs to be done is now complete. Father, Now I can  join you.

PAUL'S LETTERS PART I

People: We did the things.

Paul: Jesus still loves you and because you love Him, He will forgive you and help you stop doing the things.

People: Okay.

PAUL’S LETTERS PART II

People: We keep on doing the things.

Paul: Guys…Listen to God’s Holy Spirit.

People: Okay.

REVELATION

John: When Jesus comes back there will be no more people doing the things. In the meantime, keep following Jesus’ Word and God’s Holy Spirit.

THE END

(Adapted from Joshua Riddle, Co-founder of Young Conservatives)

SUNDAY SOUNDS OF PRAISE-Thank You-The Katinas

A Study in Hebrews-Week 12

Hebrews Chapter 12 - Part 2 (Get your Bible out and read the verses as we study )

(As you study this chapter, try to put yourself in the place of a Jewish reader. Try to understand this passage from a Jewish perspective.)

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. This was taught in the Old Covenant, but the Jews never really grasped it.

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. The Jews thought salvation was just for them.

Verse 16 – We are our brothers’ keepers. If they are not saved, we must introduce them to Christ. The Jews would have had a hard time realizing that Jesus is Messiah.

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. Few Jews accepted Christ and know nothing of His Holy Spirit.

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, whether Jew or Gentile, has come to the New Covenant. A Jew would have understood these references:

(1)    “Mt. Zion”refers to the heavenly city;

(2)     It is the “city of the living God”.

(3)      It is the “heavenly Jerusalem”.

(4)      In the city are “angels” in joyful assembly.

(5)      This would have been new to Jewish Christians, the“general assembly and church of the first-born” — New Testament church.

(6)     the Lord Jesus Christ “God, the Judge”.

(7)    “spirits of just men made perfect” — evidently a reference to Old Testament saints;

(8)    “Jesus, the mediator of the New Covenant,” A difficult concept for Jews (and many Christians today).

(9)     The blood of Jesus — better than Abel’s blood.

Verse 25 – This is a 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 hearts and 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 we should fall down in worship with reverence and awe.

Two Thought Provoking Videos

Does Your Church Preach Repentance and Faith to Achieve Salvation?

Look, I am quite aware that the primary purpose of the church gathering each Sunday is for worship and to celebrate the resurrection of Christ. The latter is why we meet on Sunday instead of Saturday.

That said, there is a legitimate question to be asked: If an unsaved person visited your church, would he (or she) know what the "fuss" is all about?

Would he know of his condition in relationship to God?

Would he know that repentance is absolutely necessary to establish a relationship with God?

Would he know that salvation is a gift of God's grace and is realized by faith in, and only in, the finished work of Christ at the cross of Calvary?

Proper understanding of and application of Scripture will always lead to the need for repentance, for confessing Christ as Lord and for belief in what He has done through His death burial and resurrection. That is the sum-total of what Scripture is about.

ANY sermon that does not reveal every person's sin problem and the solution to that problem in Christ has failed to fulfill God's desire for that sermon.

Every service should involve worshiping God. Every service should involve celebrating Christ's resurrection. Every service should also include why we need salvation and how repentance and belief in Christ is necessary to achieve it.

SUNDAY SOUNDS OF PRAISE-He Covers Me - Steve Camp

A Study in Hebrews-Week 11

(Get your Bible out and read the verses as we study )

Hebrews Chapter 12 Part 1

As your study this chapter, try to put yourself in the place of a Jewish reader. Try to understand this passage from a Jewish perspective.

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 Messiah, 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 in 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.

Here Paul 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 football player 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 produces “…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.

Reading the Bible to Make Real Sense

Romans 8:12 "Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation-but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it."

So, what is the obligation of which Paul speaks? The first hint is in the latter part of verse 13, ..."but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live,..." That's certainly true, but it still does not tell us what the obligation is.

Then Paul seems to abandon the subject and goes off in different directions. Some seem to think he was spacey and disjointed. Nothing could be further from the truth.

From Romans 8:14 through Romans 11:36 Paul is setting the stage for the obligation. He says that since the Holy Spirit testifies about Jesus, since Jesus willingly died to save us and sent His Holy Spirit to encourage us, since we who know Jesus are more than conquerors, and so on, we have an obligation and he reveals that in chapter 12:1 - "...present your bodies as living sacrifices."

Paul actually states specifically what our obligation is, but he wants us to know why we have the obligation. That's the reason for the parenthetical explanation in between the "...we have an obligation..." and the statement of the obligation: to "present your bodies as living sacrifices..." The sentence, without the parentheses, reads like this: We have an obligation to present ourselves as living sacrifices...

That is why reading Scripture as a narrative, instead of little pieces here and there, is so important. If we do not read it as a narrative, we stand the chance of drawing many different conclusions, many of which are not even related to the point.

Often the chapter and verse divisions of the Bible (which are not part of God's inspiration) hinder us from understanding the point. Without the point, the Scripture might very well be improperly applied.

God did not design the Bible for proof-texting. No part of the Scripture stands alone. It all has to be understood in terms of the word used, the verse it's in, the chapter it is in, the book the chapter is in, the covenant to which it applies and to the Bible as a whole. Anything else cheats the meaning of any passage.

Learn to read the Bible as a narrative rather than a series of proverbial thought. Then it always demonstrates continuity. It makes sense!

Veterans of the USA - The Goads

Hebrews 12 Preview

Great Cloud of Witnesses

Sometimes we start out in Hebrews understanding that it was written to people of Jewish background. By the time we get to chapters 11, 12 and 13, though, we forget about the Jewishness of the book and begin to think it is written to Gentiles as well.

Let's be clear. Hebrews was written FOR both Jew and Gentile, but it was written TO Christians of Jewish descent. That is why it is called The Letter to the Hebrews.

When we get to chapters 11, 12 and 13, we do well to remember to whom the book is written or else we will miss some of its more salient points. To find out more about chapter 11, read the posts below. For this post we will focus on a preview of chapter 12.

Chapter 12 is often treated as though it is a change of subject. It is not. The narrative of chapter 12 is a continuation of the thoughts of chapter 11. The "great cloud of witnesses" refers to those Paul (whom I believe wrote Hebrews) listed in chapter 11. Their witness would have been understood by both Jews and Christians of Jewish descent. The "hinders" of verse 1 refers to the ceremonial and legalistic practices of the Jews that would have caused them to resist the New Covenant in Christ.

In verse 2 we see the continuation of the absolute focus on the person of Jesus. This represented a great change for those of Jewish culture. They were used to rules and regulations. Jesus brought freedom and release from the Law.

The "shedding your blood" phrase in verse 4 reminded the Jews that their sacrifices of bulls, lambs and doves had been replaced with Jesus' perfect blood sacrifice. It also reminds them that there is nothing they can do, not even sacrificing their own blood, to achieve salvation. Salvation comes through Jesus or it does not come at all.

When Jews believed in and turned to Christ in repentance, they would face monumental hardships. Their families would disown them and their friends would forsake them. If they had any resources they would lose them. They would be disciplined by their father by being cut off from the family and treated as though they had died. This is presented in verses 7-11. In verses 12-13, the Jewish converts were being encouraged to prepare themselves for the persecution they would inevitably suffer.

In verses 14-27, Paul lays the groundwork for the glorious freedom from the Law that Jews would experience through the grace of God in Christ. Theirs is not a mountain that can be defiled by animals, but rather it is Mount Zion, the beautiful city of God. Jews who trust in Christ will see the heavenly Jerusalem, not some earthly Jerusalem that is subject to wars and destruction. They would be among the angels and those who were part of the church of the first born (Christ)...those whose names would be written in the Lamb's Book of Life.

Jews and Christians of Jewish heritage are told that this heaven will be a kingdom that cannot end. They are to rejoice and revel in this new kingdom and should worship the God who provided all of this for them in reverence and awe.

What Paul was telling Christians of Jewish heritage is the same thing he told Christians in Rome. In fact, Hebrews is actually a commentary to the Jews on the book of Romans.

When we understand that, we are faced with a whole new perspective on the book of Hebrews and its hero, the Lord, Jesus Christ. To Him both Jew and Greek can turn in repentance, trusting in, and only in, His finished work at the cross of Calvary. Therein, and only therein we find eternal life.

SUNDAY SOUNDS OF PRAISE-How Great Thou Art-Stikyard

A Study in Hebrews-Week 10: The Hall of Faith

(Get your Bible out and read the verses as we study) 

Hebrews Chapter 11

This chapter is often called “The Hall of Faith.” It is important to remember that Hebrews was written to Jews and Jewish Christians. They would have immediately understood the references.

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). For Abel to have faith was amazing. He was the first man to really exercise positive faith in God. He not only believed he bet his life on it.

Enoch – the walk of faith (Genesis 5:21-24). What pleases God is when you walk by faith. Coming to God by faith and walking with God in faith pleases God. Enoch pleased God. Enoch lived in faith, believing God.

Verse 6 – tells us we come to God only by faith. The emphasis is not on His existance or His rewards, but on His being.

Noah – the witness of faith. Is he perfect? Oh no he was guilty of a sin. He was caught naked and drunk. Noah’s not a perfect man before men, but he is a perfect man before God because by faith, righteousness was credited to his account.

Abraham – the obedience of faith. Abraham was not righ­teous because of his personal holiness. He was righteous because he was a man of faith and God imputed righteousness to him.

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.).

Jacob – the future of faith.

Joseph – the fulfillment of God’s promises.

Moses – the sacrifices of faith.

Joshua – the irrationality of faith (How absurt to think one could bring down a city by marching around its walls). Faith is not about “reason,” it is about following God’s plan.

Rahab – the unlikely place of faith. Can a harlot be saved? You betcha.

Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, Samuel – faith in action.

David – An imperfect man whom God called “…a man after my own heart” because of his faith. The man from whose line came Messiah (Jesus).

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. Faith’s merit is in the object of faith, Jesus Christ.

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.

THE ELDERS’ FAITH IN THE COMING SALVATION

HCSB

I have never heard a preacher preach from this passage correctly. Never. Maybe some have, but I've never heard one.

The pastors I've heard invariably use chapter 1 as a definition of faith for us, and as an admonition to have faith in either some ethereal God or in faith, itself.. It is not.

The Bible is not stream of consciousness. It does not begin dealing with one subject and abruptly interrupt its train of thought for a few verses and then return to what it was talking about in earlier verses. It just doesn't. It might seem to, if you don’t know how to read above a second grade level, but it does not.

For instance, “and by his stripes we are healed” is used to “prove” that Jesus has already provided healing for whatever physical ailments we endure. That is just plain stupid reading of the Scripture. To draw that conclusion, we have to believe that God instructed Isaiah to write like this: Spiritual, spiritual, spiritual, spiritual, spiritual, physical, spiritual, spiritual. He did no such thing! God is consistent. He is the same, yesterday, today and forever. He is not willy-nilly.

Another example is Romans 8:12. Paul writes that we have an obligation but does not tell us what the obligation is! Actually he does, but not in verse 13, 14 or any other verse from there through chapter 11. What’s going on here? What happened to the obligation? The answer is that Roman 8:13-through Romans 11:36 is parenthetical, explaining why we have the obligation that he reveals in Romans 12:1, that is, that we present our bodies as living sacrifices. Take out the parentheses and you have: “Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation to present our bodies as living sacrifices.”

When will we EVER learn to read Scripture? When will we ever learn to read what it is really about: God’s character; His love of His creation and His plan for its redemption.

Now let’s look as Hebrews chapter 11.

To begin with, it is written to Jews and Jewish Christians. The whole book is written to Jews and Jewish Christians.

Secondly, it is about Jesus. The whole book is about Jesus.

So let’s examine verse 1:

¹ Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

 Paul was defining faith to his Jewish readers. He is about to explain to them in terms Jews would understand how the “elders,” that is, Jewish leaders of old trusted in God for salvation through a Savior, to whom they referred as Messiah.

What Paul was saying in verse 1 is: The faith I’m about to speak about is the substance of things hoped for (salvation), the evidence of things unseen. The Jews hoped for salvation and knew it would come through Messiah.

² For by it the elders obtained a good report.

That is, the elders gained favor with God by their faith in the substance of their salvation (something real) and the evidence of something they have not seen: Jesus.

³ Through the substance of what he hopped  for (salvation) and the evidence of what he did not see (Messiah), we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

⁴ By the substance of what he hopped  for (salvation) and the evidence of what he did not see (Messiah),Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.

⁵ By the substance of what he hopped for (salvation) and the evidence of what he did not see (Messiah), Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

⁶ But without the substance of things hopped for and the evidence of things unseen, it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

⁷ By the substance of what he hopped for (salvation) and the evidence of what he did not see (Messiah), Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

⁸ By the substance of what he hopped for (salvation) and the evidence of what he did not see (Messiah), Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

⁹ By the substance of what he hopped for (salvation) and the evidence of what he did not see (Messiah), he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:

¹⁰ For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

¹¹ Through the substance of what she hopped for (salvation) and the evidence of what she did not see (Messiah),  also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.

¹² Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.

¹³ These all died in the substance of what they hopped for and the evidence of what they did not see,, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

¹⁴ For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.

¹⁵ And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.

¹⁶ But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

¹⁷ By the substance of what he hopped for (salvation) and the evidence of what he did not see (Messiah), when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,

¹⁸ Of whom it was said, that in Isaac shall thy seed be called:

¹⁹ Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.

²⁰ By the substance of what he hopped for (salvation) and the evidence of what he did not see (Messiah), Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.

²¹ By the substance of what he hopped  for (salvation) and the evidence of what he did not see (Messiah), Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.

²² By the substance of what he hopped for (salvation) and the evidence of what he did not see (Messiah), Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.

²³ By the substance of what he hopped for (salvation) and the evidence of what he did not see (Messiah),  Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.

²⁴ By the substance of what he hopped for (salvation) and the evidence of what he did not see (Messiah), Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;

²⁵ Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

²⁶ Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.

²⁷ By the substance of what he hopped for (salvation) and the evidence of what he did not see (Messiah),  he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.

²⁸ Through the substance of what he hopped for (salvation) and the evidence of what he did not see (Messiah), he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.

²⁹ By the substance of what he hopped for (salvation) and the evidence of what he did not see (Messiah), they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.

³⁰ By the substance of what he hopped for (salvation) and the evidence of what he did not see (Messiah), the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.

³¹ By the substance of what he hopped for (salvation) and the evidence of what he did not see (Messiah), the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.

³² And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:

³³ Who through the substance of what he hopped for (salvation) and the evidence of what he did not see (Messiah), subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions.

³⁴ Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

³⁵ Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:

³⁶ And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:

³⁷ They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;

³⁸ (Of whom the world was not worthy) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

³⁹ And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:

⁴⁰ God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

Can you see it? The WHOLE CHAPTER IS ABOUT THE ELDERS’ FAITH IN THE COMING MESSIAH!

We treat it as though it was written about US! But it is NOT! It was written for us, but not about us. We treat it as though it is written about “faith” in some ethereal God or faith in faith. It is NOT! It is written about JESUS, whom we saw in chapters 1-10 is greater than them all. He is greater than the High Priest, Melchizedek. He is greater than the greatest and greater than all of the greatest put together and about whose greatness we will continue to read about in chapters 12-13!

SUNDAY SOUNDS OF PRAISE-He's Been Faithful-Damaris Carbaugh

A Study in Hebrews Week 9

Hebrews Chapter 09

Many people seem to think that the New Testament is just an extension of the Old Testament. That's what the Judaizers of Galatia thought. They were dead wrong. They thought that since the Old Testament had certain rules, that Christians had to follow those rules. They thought Christians had to be circumcised. They thought Christians had to worship according to an Old Covenant pattern. They thought Christians had to tithe their income. They thought the Old Covenant was still applicable. As we saw in Hebrews 8:13, the Old Covenant has been made obsolete. 

Hebrews 9 lays out some very specific distinctions between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant. 

The Verses

Verse 1 – Here we see a contrast being set up to distinguish the “earthly” sanctuary from the heavenly sanctuary. We also see the contrast between the “first” covenant (Old Covenant) and the New Covenant.

Verse 2 – The tabernacle is used to picture the spiritual. Here we see the floor plan and the furniture. God is always organized and concerned with details. Check out the detail He laid out for the building of the temple in 1 Kings 6.

Verses 3-4 – The “Golden censer” (KJV) is the Most Holy Place. It is an altar of incense. It speaks of prayer.

Verse 5 – Paul (whom I believe wrote Hebrews as a commentary on Romans to the Jews) does not want to go into detail about the tabernacle because it is not the subject. The subject is the priesthood…specifically the priesthood of Christ.

Verses 6-10 – The “Holy of Holies” was a temporary, makeshift arrangement. Only Christ can bring us to God (John 14:6)

Verse 11 – The better tabernacle does not belong to this natural creation.  The better tabernacle is both spiritual and literal…it is real. It is, in fact, not an "it," but a "who." His name is Jesus.

Verse 12 – Christ did not depend on the blood of animals, but on His own blood. “…having obtained eternal redemption…” is not a reference to Christ being redeemed, but of the completeness of His work to obtain redemption for His redeemed. His is a superior sacrifice to the earthly sacrifices of animals.

Verses 13-14 – If the blood of animals could produce redemption, there would have been no reason for Christ to die on the cross.

Verse 15 – Christ is now the mediator of the New Covenant.

Verses 16-17 – When we make a will, it does no good while we are yet alive. So Christ’s will was “made active” through his sacrificial death.

Verses 18-22 – The word “blood” occurs six times in this section. There was the ritualistic blood of the Old Testament contrasted with the saving power of the blood of Christ under the New Covenant.

Verse 23 – Earthly things need cleansing because of “original sin.” The Old Testament holy sacraments,  artifacts and ceremonies were only pictures of the spiritual things to come.

Verse 24 – Christ did not enter heaven through earthly, man-made sacrifices, but through the perfect sacrifice of Himself. It is through Him that we, too, must enter the heavenly sanctusry.

Verse 25 – The priest had to repeatedly enter the sanctuary.

Verse 26 – Christ entered only once…and that for eternity.

Verse 27 – Christ had failed to save in His death at His first coming, there would be nothing afterward but judgment. He is not coming back to die.

Verse 28 – This is not a reference to the Rapture, but His coming as Sovereign to

judge the earth. Believers will not come into judgment.