Be Confident...A Study of Hebrews

Review and Class by Jim Pounders

lhodges — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 20:25:49 +0000

Study of Hebrews Highlights from the writer of Hebrews thus far: 1. Jesus is superior to any heavenly being and is, in fact, God. Hebrews 1 2. Message of Jesus is superior. Hebrews 2:1-4

a. First, announced by the Lord

b. Second, confirmed by those who heard him

c. Third, testified to by God through:

1) Signs, wonders, miracles

2) Gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will

Hebrews 2:4: I Cor. 12:11; Romans 12:6; Ephe. 3:14-21

3. Jesus made to be family/perfect

a. Shared their humanity

b. Suffered temptation

c. Suffered death

d. In order that he might become the faithful high priest. Heb. 2:10-18

4. Hold firm (be faithful) to the end–not like those who hardened their hearts.

Heb. 3:13-18 5. Sabbath rest for the people of God. Hebrews 4 6. All this leads to Jesus becoming our faithful high priest. Heb. 4:14-5:10

a. Tempted in all points (and far above what we are)

b. Appointed by God

c. Being made complet–author of eternal salvation to all who obey him.

Hebrews Study I. Looking at Hebrews 5:11 through Hebrews 6:12.

A. Hebrews 5:11-14

1. Similar to the writer Paul in I Cor. 3:1-3. Analogy of milk and solid

food often used by Greek writers and biblical writers to denote

weakness and strength, infancy and adulthood (spiritually).

2. A lot of time has elapsed since they became Christians. By now, many

should have become teachers. Similar to Israel. Hebrews 4:2

“…but the message they heard was of no value to them, because

those who heard did not combine it with faith.”

3. Need someone again to teach the elementary truths (first principles);

their grasp of these things has become so inadequate that they

need to learn them again.

a. It is impossible to stand still with regard to God’s word.

“If the dark things do not become plain, then the

plain things will become dark.” Tyndale

b. Illus: Atrophy–because muscles are not used, they can become

smaller and less useful.

4. Distinction between the infant (nerios) and the mature (teleios).

a. Infant Christian is immature and has not grown past first

principles. Illus: Some Christians want only a diet of

first principle lessons–not more mature Bible studies.

b. Mature Christians want and need more. They want to be

“trained” (gumnazo)–Greek word used for the

training of athletes–self-discipline, exercise, practice

in order to develop themselves for the real game!

c. In verse 13, the phrase “not acquainted with” can be

translated “without experience” or “untried”, and

without being “tried” or having “experience”, he is

hard pressed to deal with the real world or the real

Satan.

B. Hebrews 6:1-3 The need to go on–having benefited from first principles, the need to move on to solid food.

1. Irony: Chapter 5:11-14 says that they need to be taught elementary or

first principle truths again, but chapter 6:1-3 says that they need

to leave these teachings and move on to solid food.

a. They should be quick studies of the first things.

b. The great benefits of solid food.

Illus: how an infant quickly grows and matures with

solid food.

2. Six pairs of “first principles” listed.

a. Repentance and faith–central to the early teaching of John the Baptist, Jesus, and the early church.

b. Baptism and the laying on of hands–often coupled as in

Acts 8:16,17 and Acts 19:5-6.

1) Baptism usually in the singular (baptisma); rarely in the

plural (baptismos); used here; in Mark 7:4

Pharisees use of ceremonial washings of cups,

pitchers, kettles); and in Hebrews 9:10 about

ceremonial washings of the priests. Was he

speaking of this?

2) Or was he speaking of water baptism and baptism of

the Holy Spirit.

3) Or was he speaking of the baptism of John unto

repentance or the baptism of Christ to receive

the Holy Spirit?

4) Laying on of hands in O.T. for appointing (Numbers

27:18,25; Deut. 34:9) or for sacrifice (Ex. 29:10;

Lev. 1:4). In the N.T. for appointing (Acts 13:3);

imparting gifts (Acts 8:18; II Tim. 1:6).+

c. Resurrection and judgement

1) Believers also raised. I Cor. 15:20

2) Judgement coupled with resurrection. Acts 17:31;

Heb. 9:27

C. Hebrews 6:4-6. Is it possible to fall from grace?

1. I am a strong advocate of the assurance that Christians have of

forgiveness of sins and eternal life. See I John–the letter.

2. Having said that, is it possible for a person to so scorn the new birth

and the promises of forgiveness and eternal life that he, by his

own actions, dooms himself to death? In other words: is “once

saved, always saved” a true doctrine?

3. Notice the change in pronoun from “we” and “us” to “they” and “those”

4. Three possibilities about Hebrews 6:4-6.

a. He is talking about non-Christians. Calvin and others suggest

that it is possible for a person to possess and experience

much of what is Christian without actually being a new

creature.

1) Seed which fell on rocky soil

2) No mention of the new birth in this passage

b. He is talking hypothetically about something that can never

happen. Dealing with supposition rather than fact, in

order to correct wrong idea. I find this to be highly

unlikely if not impossible. Why on such a serious matter

would this writer suggest that such a thing was possible if

in fact it is impossible? He loses credibility and risks great

confusion–which is not–the style of this writer.

c. He is actually talking about Christians being saved or lost.

(Demas, having loved this present world, has gone to

Thessalonica. II Timothy 4:10)

1) There is the argument that this denies the security of

those who put their trust in Jesus for eternal security

(John 5:24; John 6:37; John 10:28-30; Rom. 8:1;

Hebrews 8:12; I John 2:12; I John 2:25, 5:13). But

notice: this is what God promises to the faithful; it

does not presume how the unfaithful will respond.

2) Here are the other passages to consider. (I John 2:24,25

I John 1:5-7; Matthew 24:13; Mark 3:29; Luke 9:62

Heb. 10:26-29; II Peter 3:17; II Peter 2:4-22;

Rev. 2:10)

3) There is a difference between being adrift and willfully

deciding to be opposed, or to ignore the truth.

Illus: Do you know anyone like this?

5. Notice verse 6: “to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all

over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.” See Numbers

25:4).

6. Purpose of the paragraph: to encourage steadfastness.

D. Hebrews 6:7-8. An illustration by using a contrast between two types of land.

1. Reminds you of Jesus’ parable of the different kinds of soils.

Matt. 13:3-9

2. One soil is porous and able to receive rain (thus is able to change its

ability to produce fruit).

3. The other is not receptive and produces only waste product.

E. Hebrews 6:9-12. Confidence expressed in the Hebrew Christians that

they will be faithful and not make the mistakes leading to destruction.

1. Does not feel his readers have committed apostasy.

2. Encourages them to be diligent to the very end and to imitate the

faith of those who already have their inheritance (Heb. 11).

F. Hebrews 6:13-20 The assurance of God’s promise.

CHRIST IS A SUPERIOR HIGH PRIEST 4:14-6:20

lhodges — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 20:24:10 +0000

IV. CHRIST IS A SUPERIOR HIGH PRIEST 4:14-6:20

(Warning” Don’t Become Dull Toward The Word 5:11-6:20)

(Don’t Drift – Don’t Doubt – Don’t Become Dull)

A. JESUS IS SUPERIOR TO EARTHLY HIGH PRIESTS IN POSITION AND ACCOMPLISHMENT 4:14-16

1. The discussion of the Priesthood is the major theme of chapters 5 – 10

a. It is hard to over emphasize the importance of the Priesthood to the Jewish mind. Tabernacle – Temple =- Aaron

b. It was hard to grasp that something that had been such a vital part of their history and life was now no longer needed – was obsolete.

1). i.e. Trauma associated with shutting down a company etc.

2). The message is to let them know they are not without a Priest, a go between, and that Jesus is the Great High (lit. Great) Priest.

B. FOUR WAYS IN WHICH JESUS IS A GREATER HIGH PRIEST. 4:14-16

1. Jesus accomplished in actuality what all of the other Priest could only pre-figure or fore-shadow.

a. “therefore” ties in with the description of Jesus in 2:17-31

b. “gone through the heavens” not just the veil

1). High priest once a year only.

2). Bells were sewn in the hem of his robe – if bells stopped ringing …this was a reason for concern!

3). Rope tied to one ankle in case something happened.

4). Can you imagine the anxiety of listening for those bells?

5). High Priest stayed no longer than necessary.

c. All this pre-figured what Jesus would do one day.

1). Heb. 8:1, 2 He is in the real Holy of Holies

2). Heb, 9:11, 12 “once for all”

3). Heb, 9:23-26

4). He accomplished what they could on pre-figure.

2. Jesus is a Great High Priest because He has a Greater Name – stature than they did V:14

a. V:14 “Jesus, the Son of God”

1). Isa. 9:6 “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

2). Luke 1:31-32 Jesus…Son of the Most High

3). Matt. 1:23 God with us…Immanuel 3. Jesus is a Great High Priest because He endured the fullness of temptations powers…without sin V:15

a. States the argument in the negative then the positive…we do not have…we have.

b. Gnostic thought of the day tried to separate the flesh and deity.

1). I John 4:1-3————- 2). He experienced a depth of temptation we will never know. 3). Not every temptation, but every type of temptation. 4. Jesus is a Greater High Priest because He supplies us with what no earthly High Priest could…V:16 a. “Mercy” for our failuresb. “grace” for the strength to endure

c. I John 2:1, 2 “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

1). NASV “advocate” paraclete

2). See 2:18…come to the aid of…same idea.

d. “with confidence”

e. “approach” lit continually approaching

f. I John 1:6-7 “

C. QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE GREAT HIGH PRIEST(Type) of WHAT EARTHYL HIGH PRIEST WERE ONLY AN ANTI-TYPE (SHADOW) 5:1-10

NOTE: Vs 1-4 the Qualifications and 5-10 How Jesus fulfills them.

1. Vs: 1-3 A Common Humanity

a. The High Priest could relate to the weakness and the sin of the people – they had to offer a sacrifice for their own sins first, then the people. Vs: 2, 3 lit. “keep on making”

b. “From” men to represent “men” V:1

c. The Sin Problem – Separation from a Holy God

1). Outer Court – Inner Court – Holy Place – Holy of Hollies.

2). Priest and the priesthood was a relationship of reconciliation. NO priest, no forgiveness, no relationship with God.

3). You see a strong transference of this idea in the Catholic Church and there Priest/People relationship.

d. “Gentleness is a product of shared weakness”

2. V: 4 Must Be Called By and Appointed by God – No Exceptions.

a. Examples of those who tried to make an exception.

1). Saul I Sam. 13 – didn’t wait for Samuel and lost his kingdom.

2). Korah and his following: Numbers 16 – earth swallowed them.

3). King Uzziah – tried to offer incense in the temple and was struck with leprosy II Chron. 26:16-21.

b. Now he will show how Jesus meets and surpasses these qualifications – Will start with the last one first.

3. Jesus was called and appointed by God Vs: 5,6

a. Quotes Psa. 2:7 the coronation Psalm.

1). Not speaking of His birth but His resurrection

2). Acts 13:33-34

b. Quotes Psa. 110:4

1). Jesus not from the tribe of Levi, thus not eligible to serve through that line.

2). Melchizedek – Will deal with him later in Chapter 7, but he was a Priest and a King.

c. “Forever” Six times the writer will affirm that Jesus’ Priesthood is for ever: 5:6; 6:20; 7:17, 21, 24, 28.

d. Since He is Priest forever, He gives His people salvation forever…7:23-25

4. Jesus not only has the appointment, He has the Humanity to relate and to understand 5:7-10

a. NASV “days of his flesh”

1). John 1:14 “Word became flesh”

2). Uses the Garden and not the cross as an example

b. The Garden:

1). The Reality of the Cross and its consequences was once for all settled here in the Garden.

2).”saved from death” Not saved from dieing, but by being held by death’s power in the grave. Lit. “out of death”

3).”he was heard” answered – fulfilled in the resurrection.

4). “not my will” he wanted the will of the Father more than His own.

5). “loud cries and tears”

A). Matt. 26:38 “overwhelmed” “sorrow even unto death.”

B). Luke 22:44 “being in agony” The aroist participle suggests a growing intensity in his prayer to the point of reaching agony…tern used only here…term also used by medical writers.

6).”learned obedience” Not the first learning of obedience and other things – talk, walk, read, etc. (He learned what it was like to know what needed to be done and not want to do it, but do it anyway)

7). “source of eternal salvation”

8). “all who obey Him” We are talking about a life commitment, not just a one time profession of faith.

NOTE: The Hebrew Christians has suffered and would suffer even more deeply in the future. The Writer holds Jesus up as an example of how to do what they will be called to do in the near future.

I Peter 2:13-25 (20-21)————————–
Isa. 53:3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.…

D. Warning: Don’t become dull toward the word 5:11 – 6:12

(This section covered by Jim Pounders.)

E. The Assurance of our Hope 6:13-20

1. God’s promise to Abraham:

a. Gen. 12:1-4 God Calls a 75 year old idol worshiper.

b. Gen. 13:14-18 Years pass and still no child/heir.

c. Gen. 15:1-5…ff This was called, “cutting a covenant” It signified that if either parties did not fulfill their part, they should be cut asunder as punishment.

d. But only God passes through! He assumes the responsibility of fulfilling the covenant.

e. 25 years later Isaac is born – name meant laughter

f. Gen. 22:2 A shocking command!!!

1). “we will worship and we will return to you”

2). Heb. 11:17-19

g. V:16, God swears an oath to a man.

h. V:15 said he received it. When is this promise fulfilled? When He saw Jesus face to face.

i. We too are apart of the fulfillment of this promise Gal. 3:7-9

2. How do you have such a hope?

a. Vs:11, 12 Read!————

b. V:17, 18 We are the Heirs!!! Two things make our hope sure.

1). His promise

2). His oath.

3). “Fled for refuge” pictures the cities of refuge Numbers 35.

SIDE NOTE: Promises are not new to us. We hear and see them made all the time, and we also see them broken many times. I doubt that those of us in this room can see we have kept “every” promise we have ever made. Many reasons for our failures; we forget, we are neglectful, and there may also be circumstances beyond our control.

A promise is of no more value than the ability of the one who made it to carry it out. It also includes the willingness to carry it out. When we consider the promises of God we are speaking of one with whom it is IMPOSSIBLE FOR HIM TO LIE. With God we are speaking of one who has a perfect track record of doing what He said He would do, to the point of promising to sacrifice His Son and then DOING IT. All promises since that one are a piece of cake.

As we close this chapter I want us to look at six of the promises that God has made to us.

3. Six Promises of God:

a. He has promised to supply every need we have.

1). Phil. 4:19 “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”

2). Not our wants or things we have come to think of as needs.

b. God has promised that His grace is sufficient for us.

1). II Cor. 12:7-10 “7To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

2) Notice how Paul came to a point in his life where he delighted in weakness! That is a picture of maturity we don’t often hear preached.

c. God has promised to govern the temptations that come out way and also provide a way of escape.

1). I Cor. 10:13 “13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

2). During the last days of my Father’s life my mom struggled and dealt with a lot. I told her God had paid her a great compliment, etc.

d. God has promised us a victory over death – no more fear of dyeing.

1). Heb. 10:26-27 “26If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, 27but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.”

2) I John 4:15ff

3). II Cor. 5:10-11 Note Fear here is for the lost

e. God promises to work in and through the events that happen in our lives.

1). Rom. 8:28 “28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

2). Even if we can not “see” Him, He is at work.

f. God has promised that we can KNOW we have eternal life.

1). John 10:27-30 “27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”

2). I John 5:13 “13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.”

CHRIST IS SUPERIOR TO MOSES 3:1 – 4:13

lhodges — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 16:51:57 +0000

III. CHRIST IS SUPERIOR TO MOSES 3:1 – 4:13

A. Story of Florence Chadwick

When she looked ahead, Florence Chadwick saw nothing but a solid wall of fog. Her body was numb. She had been swimming for nearly sixteen hours.

Already she was the first woman to swim the English Channel in both directions. Now, at age 34, her goal was to become the first woman to swim from Catalina Island to the California coast.

On that Fourth of July morning in 1952, the sea was like an ice bath and the fog was so dense she could hardly see her support boats. Sharks cruised toward her lone figure, only to be driven away by rifle shots. Against the frigid grip of the sea, she struggled on – hour after hour – while millions watched on national television.

Alongside Florence in one of the boats, her mother and her trainer offered encouragement. They told her it wasn’t much farther. But all she could see was fog. They urged her not to quit. She never had . . . until then. With only a half mile to go, she asked to be pulled out.

Still thawing her chilled body several hours later, she told a reporter, “Look, I’m not excusing myself, but if I could have seen land I might have made it.” It was not fatigue or even the cold water that defeated her. It was the fog. She was unable to see her goal.

Two months later, she tried again. This time, despite the same dense fog, she swam with her faith intact and her goal clearly pictured in her mind. She knew that somewhere behind that fog was land and this time she made it! Florence Chadwick became the first woman to swim the Catalina Channel, eclipsing the men’s record by two hours!

B. Next to Abraham, Moses was the most beloved leader of the Jewish People

1. The reasons:

a. Saved by his mother as a baby

b. His youth in Pharoses household

c. Burning bush

d. Lead them out of Egypt

e. Ten Commandment from God – Called the Law of Moses

f. Author of the first five books of the Old Testament

g. Number 12:1-8 (READ)

h. He was buried by God.

2. You might still wonder with all this background why they would be tempted to go back to Moses.

a. They did not have a copy of the Gospels to read and be reminded.

b. Ritual was comfortable and familiar

c. There response was the same as Israel’s just outside of Egypt

3. To return would bring “eternal disaster” AD 70 just around the corner!

C. Three ways in which Jesus is superior to Moses 3:1-4:13 1. Christ is greater in His Person 3:1-2

a. “therefore” (See end of Chapter 2)

b. “Holy brothers:

1). This is the first time he addresses them personally.

2). Note again for the record they are Christians.

c. “share in the heavenly calling”

1). NASV “partakers” Same word used in Luke 5:7 describing the 4 men in partnership in the fishing business –they were in it together.

2). See V:14 “share in Christ”

3). Heb. 12:8 The chastisement is evidence that they are His

d. “fix your eyes on Jesus”

1). Not a passing glance – strong command in the original

2). A steady preoccupation lit. “To give thoughtful and diligent reflection”

3). The key to a faithful life in any generation is “keep your eyes on Jesus!

f. “Apostle and High Priest”

1). Apostle – “one sent with a commission”

2). Moses was called and sent by God word – Jesus sent as God’s last Word.

3). John 3:17, 34; 5:36, 38; 6:29, 57; 7:29; 8:42; 10:36; 17:3

4). These words would have been especially meaningful to Jewish Christians. For Jews, the highest human religious authority was the high priest. For Christians, the highest human religious authorities were the apostles. Jesus, God’s Apostle and High Priest, is the ultimate authority in the church. Both of these titles demonstrate how Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament revelation to people.

5). John 1:18 “No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father’s side, has made him known. (Sent from God –as God – to explain God).

g. “whom we confess”

1). II Cor. 9:13 “Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.

2). Heb. 4:14 “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens,Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.

3). Heb. 10:23 “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

h. As an Apostles – Jesus represents God to men. As a High Priest He represents men to God.

2. Christ is greater in His ministry 3:3-6

a. “house” is used 7 times in these verses (NIV)

1). Obviously not a physical building.

2). II Tim. 3:15; I Peter 2:5; Eph. 2:20

b. Moses was faithful as a (lit. Honored) servant IN God’s House – Jesus faithful as SON OVER God’s House.

c. The Greek word translated “servant” is not the usual New Testament word for servant or slave. This word carries the meaning of “a voluntary servant who acts because of affection.” In the New Testament, it is used only of Moses.

d. “testified to what would be said in the future”

1). Everything Moses wrote anticipated the coming of the Lord!

2). John 1:45 “Philip found Nathaniel and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”

3). After the resurrection on the road to Emmaus Luke 24:27 “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

e. In considering a return to their Jewish Roots they were in danger of praising the house more than the builder

f. “if we hold on”

1). Rev. 2:10 (even if it means death, is what is implied)

2). To go back is to forfeit their hope.

3. Christ is greater in the Rest He Gives 3:7-4:13 (Second Warning: Don’t Doubt – First was Don’t Drift.

Background Information: The Exodus from Egypt

They had been in Egypt for 430 years
Passover night: The smell of roasted lamb – Blood on door post and lintel, Dressed and ready to depart.
Death of the first born – man and beast
Pharaoh calls for Moses this time.
600,000 + women and children = 1.5 to 2 million people
The bones of Joseph are with them according to his request.
They have plundered the Egyptian people.
Pillar of fire and cloud to lead them
Pharaoh’s Army pursues them – cloud moves behind the people of Israel
Moses stretches rod over the Red Sea and it opens – Pharaoh’s army dies trying to follow them.
They murmur on and on wanting to go back to Egypt – Their Tombstones could have read, “ The catastrophe of unbelief”
The writer of Hebrews faces a repeat performance from his audience
What do these two groups share in Common?

a. Both had been recipients of the mighty revelation of God.

b. Neither could plead ignorance – they had both seen the power of and heard the revelation from the God of Heaven.

c. Both were guilty of unbelief – not doubt, not questions – it was willful and outright rejection in the face of abundant information therefore their unbelief was rebellion!

a. Let us Take Heed 3:7-19

1). NASV “therefore” connects the following with conditional statement of verse 6 “if”

2). “Holy Spirit Says”

a). They understood that the scripture was inspired. (See also 10:15)

b). “says” is present tense – He is still speaking

3). Vs:7-11 from Psalm 95 quote is the from second major section of the Psalm.

a). Psa. 95:1-7a Was a familiar call to worship used in Synagogue worship.

b). Psa. 95:7b ff a call to Hear – Hebrew word for hear and obey is the same word.

4). “do not harden your hearts”

a). Numbers 13-14 Story of the 12 spies -tell briefly

b). They were ready to kill Joshua, Caleb Moses and Aaron.

c). This is radical unbelief – this is why it is so bad.

d). The issue here is TRUST! Israel had been delivered from Egypt, Red Sea, etc., Hebrews, delivered by Jesus God’s SON, lived, died, buried and resurrected!

e). God uses difficult times in life, whether it be the desert, persecution, or the pressures we face in life – to test our trust and obedience.

5). V: 10 “I was angry” Lit “settled, disposition of anger”

a). He swore in His anger

b). We are dealing with a principle that triggers the anger of God.

6). V: 11 “declared an oath” Why an oath? He will never change His mind. “never enter my rest”- unbelief can lead to a point of NO RETURN!

7). The argument here is “from the lesser to the greater” If God acted that way toward them, how much greater to those who would reject His Son. Remember 2:2-3?

NOTE: While the scripture talks about the wrath of God in many places, you don’t hear allot about it today. (I.e. Pendulum swing from all negative to all positive in response). The writer IS using God’s wrath as a motivating factor in his warning. Jesus did also: John 3:36 “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.”Paul did: Rom. 1:18 “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness”. Wrath, or righteous indignation, is a part of the character of God in the same way that Love is. The Cross was the solution to man’s sin problem, but reject the cross, and man still has his problem—the Wrath of God. We cannot afford to over state one in favor of the other!

8). V: 12 “see to it……turn away from the living God:

a). This is what they would be doing if they went back.

b). They would not be going back to the God of the Old Testament – You can’t worship the Father while in denial of the Son!

9). V: 13 The Solution? – Mutual Encouragement!

a). “Today” here and in Verse 7 – This is urgent! Not tomorrow, when you get around to it—NOW!

b). Failure to encourage = “hardening by sins deceitfulness.”

c). Avoid at all cost spiritual isolation!

d). Heb 10:24-25————–

10). V: 14 “if we hold firmly unto the end”

a). Israel didn’t and missed the promised land, you go back and you will miss the rest God has for you.

b). Note: Concerning The doctrine of Eternal Security. If the proof of the genuineness of one’s salvation is not known until death, there is no security in eternal security.

11). Vs: 16-19 Critical Summation with Rhetorical Questions.

a). This is a crescendo of accusations against Israel.

b). They rebelled against God – they sinned against God – they refused to obey God.

c). This is a definition of “Unbelief” V:1

b. “Let us fear: NASV; “be careful” NIV

1). In this chapter “Rest” is used in three different ways:

. The Rest Israel had been promised in Canaan

. God’s Rest after the creation of the Universe

. Rest experienced by Christians - both now and the in future.

2). “Therefore” See 3:19 – Don’t let unbelief be your downfall too.

3). “let us be careful” NASV says :let us fear”

4). “for we have also had the Gospel preached to us” Just as they did!

5). “message of no value” …because of no faith

. “combined” or NASV “united” Greek word has to do with the digestive system” The message was not assimilated by them, therefore hearing and not acting equals hardening of the heart.

. Heb 11:6 “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

6). Vs:3-5 “we……enter that rest” The rest of God from Creation.

7). Vs: 6-8 God’s Rest is still available

. “Today” Ps 95 spoken 500 years after they entered the promised land. Joshua did not give them this rest, it was only a type of the rest to come.

.But available only to believers that do not harden their hearts.

. He continues to emphasis that failure to act…trust…equals hardening.

8). Matt. 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

. Matt. 11:29-30 “29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

. The first is “Peace with God” Rom. 5:1 “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, wehave peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

. The second is “The Peace of God” Phil. 4:6-8 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

. Through obedience of faith we enter His rest, and through surrender to His will His rest enters into us.

c. “Let us make every Effort” NASV “give diligence” 4:9-13 1). V:9 “Remains a Sabbath-rest”

. Sabbath rest is one word in the Gr. Only place

. Resting on the Sabbath was a command, but the Sabbath-rest was a promise.

2). This picture of rest was so important to the Jewish Christian.

. The Jewish Nation had a history of wandering and political turmoil and Jewish Christians also faced hardship, the wrath of their Hebrew family and friends and now Rome.

. To enter God’s rest would mean and end to struggles and pain.

3). Vs: 12-13 “Word of God is…”

. D.L. Moody said, “The Scriptures were not given to increase our knowledge, but to change our lives.”

. Pharisees saw the word of God as a set of Rules— Critics see the word of God as nothing more than an archival record of a nation.

. “Living and Active”

.”Sword” not a broad sword, but short side arm sword used for close combat.

. NASV “division of Soul and spirit” The picture is penetration not division…of not from.

. I Chron. 28:9 “And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.”

. “laid bare” as with sacrificial animal – “to make bare the neck for killing on the altar”…totally venerable.

. Acts 2:37; 5:33; 7:54

. Eph. 6:17 “Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God”

Hebrews 1:4-2:18

lhodges — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 20:25:44 +0000

II. CHRIST IS SUPERIOR TO THE ANGELS 1:4 – 2:18

A. Who/What are Angels and what is their purpose?

1. Spiritual Beings created by God and under His authority – Col. 1:16

2. Messengers (This is the literal meaning of the word) Luke 1:26

3. Often used to protect God’s people – Daniel 6:22; Matt. 18:10

4. Offer encouragement Gen. 16:7ff

5. Give Guidance – Ex. 14:19

6. Carry out punishment – II Sam. 24:16

7. Patrolling the earth – Zech. 1:9-14

8. Fighting forces of evil – Dan. 10:12-14

9. Do not marry – Matt.22:30

10. Jew during Jesus day believed that angels carried prayers to God, so they were highly honored.

11. False teachers taught that God could only be approached through angels – others that Jesus was just a superior angel.

12. SEE: Col. 2:16-18

13. Note: There are times in the OT when it is hard to distinguish between the Angel of the Lord and Christ himself at this Angel.

B. Superior to the Angels 1:4-14

1. Superior Name: He is the Son of God 1:4, 5

a. V:4 is the “result” of what is said about Him in previous verses…”he became”…”he has inherited” result of His finished work.

b. Psa. 2:7 is a “Coronation” Psalm

c. Jesus is called Son at his Baptism, Transfiguration, different since here.

d. Eph. 1:18-23 “I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, 20 which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”

e. This proclamation is made at His Resurrection:

Acts 13:33 “We tell you the good news: What God promised our fathers 33he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus. As it is written in the second Psalm: “ ‘You are my Son; today I have become your Father.”

f. II Sam. 7:14 (first applied to Solomon, now Jesus) “I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with the rod of men, with floggings inflicted by men.”

g. The titles of “Father” and “Son” reveal a distinction between these two members of the Godhead. They also reveal the unique relationship of the Son to the Father. Although a unity exists in the Trinity, a distinction between the members exists, too. The lesson is that no Angel can claim such a relationship.

h. CAN YOU IMAGINE WHAT HIS HOMECOMING WAS LIKE?

2. Superior as “firstborn” deserving of worship 1:6

a. In English conveys the idea of eldest child, but in Greek “prototokos” signifies “preeminence over”

b. Quoted from the Septuagint…all quotes in Hebrews are.

c. Col. 1:15-16 “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.

d. . J. B. Lightfoot pointed out that patristic writers, (patristic literature:body of literature that comprises those works, excluding the New Testament, written by Christians before the 8^th century AD.), distinguished between protoktistos (first-created) and prototokos (“first-born”)…first born of creation must be interpreted in such a way that it is not inconsistent with His other title of (one of a kind) alone of His kind and therefore distinct from created things. (J.B. Lightfoot as quoted on page 67 “Jesus Christ Today”, by Neil R. Lightfoot”.

3. Superior because He is served by Angels 1:7

a. After the temptation: Matt. 4:11; during the agony of the Garden Luke 22:43

b. “Wind” = speed, “fire” power – metaphors for what they do. They are messengers.

4. Jesus is God: Enthroned and Anointed 1:8-9 (Psa. 45:6,7)

a. Angels minister before the throne; they do not sit upon it.

b. “your” throne “oh God”

c. Reign “forever”

d. Scepter = Righteousness

e. Psa. 110:1 “The Lord says to my Lord “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for you feet.”

. Quoted 33 times in N.T.

. Mark. 12:35-37 & Acts 2:29-36

. It was through Mary that the Jewish blood line came (David), but it was through the Holy Spirit that the incarnation took place = Jesus is God!

f. Anointed with oil of Joy Heb. 12:2 “for the joy set before him” The Joy of the reward kept Him going!

g. Joy as our motivation: imagine a life absent from the pressures and effects of sin.

5. Superior as the Eternal Creator 1:10-12

a. The creation is wearing out, but not the creator – He is eternal

b. He remains the same, never changing 13:8

c. He is their only security and ours as well.

d. “My hope is built on nothing less”

6. Jesus is superior as Ruler over ALL; Angels are servants for us 1:13-14

a. Angels are created to serve:

b. “The angel answered, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news.” Luke 1:19

c. “footstool” Defeated kings would kiss the feet of the King who had conquered them. The victor would place his foot on the neck of the defeated king.

d. One day, “Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.”

SO WHAT?

1. What are some misconceptions and perceptions about Angels?

2. In what way is Jesus the “first born of creation”?

3. What is the Septuagint?

C. WARNING! DON’T DRIFT FROM THE WORD 2:1-4

1. Drifting away from the Gospel is a process that is imperceptible, but real 2:1

a. Example of Nolan Crawford’s falling away

b. This section is the first of 5 warning in the letter

c. NOTE: The admonition is to believers/Christians. The writer includes himself “we”. NASV Don’t neglect / NIV ignore, neglect is correct. The point is that they weren’t “rejecting” but “neglecting”. Writer is not encouraging sinners to become Christians, but encouraging Christians to pay attention to the salvation they have already received. (See Also: 3:1, 12; 10:19; 13:1, 22)

d. “Therefore” no chapter division in original, what is about to be said is based on what was said before.

e. “drift” is a nautical term used to describe a ship who had broken from it anchor and was drifting from safe harbor.

1). William Perry Artic Expedition of map making. Took their bearings from the stars…took them again the second day and were further from their destination. What they failed to understand was that they were on an Ice Berg that was floating in the opposite direction away from where they were going. The drifting was so gradual it was imperceptible, but real!

2). In over 4 years as a Christian I never saw a Christian wake up one day and say, today is the day I will turn my back on Christ.

3). Church in Ephesus: Rev. 2:1-7 (example of drifting)

SIDE NOTE: HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT THE DRIFTING HAS BEGUN?

When speaking to Him ceases to be a vital part of your life.
When the quest to be like Him no longer dominates your thinking.
When gathering together to worship has lost its delight.
When conversations about spiritual things is an embarrassment to you.
When acquiring things become the driving force in your life.
When you can sing songs without engaging the heart.
When the pursuit of leisure and recreation takes on a predominant role.
When the slightest excuse keeps you from your spiritual responsibility.
When you can read/watch moral degrading material without and uproar in your consciences.
When you can engage in questionable business practices or cheat on a test and excuse it easily.
When you set under preaching and teaching of the word aware of your sin and say someday I will make things right with God.
When any of these exists…the drift has already begun….Example: “Leave It To Beaver” to “Desperate Housewives” how far we have drifted.

2. The Consequence of drifting from the Gospel is severe and sure. 2:2-3a

a. A rabbinical argument, from the lesser to the great

b. Note the legal terms: “binding”, “violation”, “just punishment”.

c. “disobedient and violation” describe willful and defiant disobedience.

d. Sacrificial system was for sin done in ignorance.

1). Numbers 15:27-32 V: 27 unintentional; V: 30 defiant; V: 32 example of previous verses.

2). “just punishment” this was justice under the law.

e. “spoken by Angels was binding”…”how shall we escape?”

1). Angels were present at Sinai and the giving of the Law. Deut. 33:2; Acts 7:37-38

2). Gospel not by Angels, but “SON”

3). One was a sin against “Law” the other a sin against “Love”.

3. What makes this salvation so great? 2:3b-4

a. “announced by the Lord” V:3a

1). The Son declared greater than the Angels in Chapter announced it.

2). He is the originator of the message.

b. “confirmed to us by those who heard him” V:3b

1). More than likely the Apostles

2). NOTE: “us” writer included himself, thus not an eyewitness, thus eliminating Paul as writer. (Gal. 1:12).

3). God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.” V: 4

4). Mark 16:19-20; Acts 8:6; 14:3

5). The Word no longer needs confirmation by the miraculous today. God still works in answering our prayers and I will not deny that miracles happen, but not in the same since as in the first century. In the first century all healing was 100% and complete; no relapses or excuses.

c. This is the Trinity at work: God spoke through His Son and the Spirit confirmed with miracles, wonders and signs.

SIDE NOTE:

1. To overcome the problem of drifting requires the discipline of application. Being not only a hearer of the Word, but a doer as well.

2. Three ways to avoid drifting:

. When under pressure don’t rely on your instincts, but rather the Word from the Lord.

. When making decisions don’t value human ingenuity and opinion more than what you know God said.

. When faced with a choice, choose what is painful (though right) above what is comfortable (though wrong).

D. JESUS IS NOT INFERIOR BECAUSE OF HIS HUMANITY 2:5-18

Through his humanity He was able to regain man’s lost dominion 2:5-9

a. V: 5 “for” (not in the NIV) shows a connection to the original line of reasoning left of in 1:14

b. Quote from Psalm 8:4-6 (Read complete Psalm)

c. Man was given universal dominion over all of God’s Creation Gen. 1:26-31.

d. “yet at present…” man doesn’t have the dominion of God’s design because of SIN.

1). Man doesn’t control, the fish, the wild animals, etc.

2). The earth changed too…thorns, poisonous plants –

3). Rom. 8:20- 24

e. “but we see Jesus…”

1). He human name used here, before it was “Son”, “Lord”, “God”

2). Jesus came to restore to man what Adam lost through sin.

3). Came as a man for man – to be able to taste death, the penalty for sin.

f. “now crowned with glory and honor”

1). These words were used in the Psalm quoted to describe man.

2). Jesus restores the “original purpose” of God.

NOTE: Have you ever been ashamed of Him? Did you feel the urge to speak for Him, but didn’t. You knew you should have spoken up, but didn’t. I am sure that the Hebrews in their struggle with family, friends, co-workers had grown weary of the mounting opposition and had begun to weaken in their testimony.

His humanity allowed for our salvation to be accomplished within the perfect Character of God 2:9-13

a. V:10 “for” is in the original…thus tying all of this together.

b. “bringing many sons” In V:9 “everyone”, but not universal salvation.

1). Exodus imagery “bring out”

2). What saved Israel’s firstborn? Blood of a lamb

c. “it was fitting” appropriate, right

1). God acts in keeping with His character in the process of accomplishing His purpose.

2). This was not a backroom bargain with the devil for the souls of men.

3). Rom 3:23-26 ————-

d. “perfect through suffering” Not saying that Jesus was not perfect in character. Lit. complete, effective, adequate

e. “author” lit. pioneer, founder, champion.

f. “V:11 “same family” we have been adopted – a full and complete identification with us!

g. Vs:11-13 All pictures of His identification with us

h. The basis of our brotherhood with Christ is not our “life” but our Father.

i. MESSAGE: He is not ashamed of you — Don’t you be ashamed of Him!

1. His humanity allowed Him to disarm Satan and deliver us from the fear of death 2:14-16

a. “destroy” Doesn’t mean annihilation, for he is still alive…means to render inoperative, make of no effect.

b. Death is still sure, but the fear of it is gone.

c. I Cor. 15:19, 54-57—————-

1). Greek burial ground was a “necropolis” meaning city of the dead — now we call burial grounds “cemetery” a sleeping place.

d. Rev. 1:17-18——————

e. V:16 Jesus didn’t take on nature of angels to save fallen angels, but went a “little lower” became a man to save us…Abraham descendants

His humanity allows Him to be a sympatric High Priest 2:17-18

a. “Therefore”

b. “in everyway” IMPORTANT!

c. “propitiation” is the term, not Atonement as in the NIV

1). Lit to turn away the wrath of God.

2). Sacrifice that meets the demands of Justice.

d. “He Himself was tempted”

1). Heb. 4:14-16————–

2). Not only in all ways, but in a greater degree than we have ever experienced.

3. i.e. Pain…when it reaches a certain point, we pass out. We are weak and give in to temptation before we experience all that Satan has to through at us.

Hebrews 1:1-3 Outline and Review Suppliment

lhodges — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 20:22:45 +0000

SECTION I: A SUPERIOR PERSON – CHRIST (1-6)

I. CHRIST IS SUPERIOR TO THE PROPHETS 1:1-3

A. God Spoke…”through the prophets”

1. The first four verses are a single sentence in the Greek

. Elegantly written Greek

. The very choice of words give a since of weight and importance to the message .

2. Lit. Many parts – many ways: (40 authors of the Old and New Testaments)

. The message was for the period in which it was given, but not a complete picture.

. Visions (Isa. 6); Dreams (Jacob Gen. 28:10-22); Object lessons (Jer. 13); through the marriage of a prophet (Hosea 1-3)

3. Amos 3:7; Matt. 13:16-17; I Peter 1:10-12

B. “Last Days” (And Last Revelation or Word from God)

1. Lit. “last of these days” Darby “at the end of these days” American Standard 1901 “at the end of these days”

2. First mention of last days: Gen. 49:1

. Num. 24:13-14; Deut. 31:29; Jer. 23:16-20; Ezek. 38:16; Dan. 1014; Micah 3:12, 4:1

. There is a consistency in all these verses as referring to the same period.

. It is easy to lose the receptiveness of this term when translators are bias.

2. Isa. 2:1, 2 “This is what Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem: In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. 3. Acts 2:14ff

4. Matt. 24:1-3 “End of the age”

5. Heb. 9:26 “Then Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself.

6. Heb. 8:13 “By calling this covenant “new,” he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear.

7. I Peter 1:18-20 “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake.”

C. “spoken to us by his Son” (Lit) “a Son”

1. The emphasis is on the relationship.

2. Prophets were the friends of God – Jesus is the Son of God.

3. Prophets had a message from the mind of God; Jesus had the mind of God.

4. No more in fragments – Last word would be from His Son – through spoken word and life.

5. II Cor. 4:6 “For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

. NLT: “For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.

D. Seven Affirmations of Christ’s Deity:

1. “heir of all things” Romans 8:15-17

2. “through whom he made the universe” John 1:1,2; Col. 1:15,16 (God spoke and nothing became everything.)

3. “the radiance of God’s glory” original word for radiance can mean source or reflection…Jesus is both. As the rays from the sun are inseparable from the Sun so is the Son from the radiance of His Father.

4. “exact representation of his being”

. Lit. “Character” the imprint made by a seal in hot wax is the exact representation.

. Col. 1:15 “eikon“- exact image; John 1:18 declared in flesh what God was like; Phil. 2:6 “equality with God”

5. “sustaining all things by his powerful word“.

. Col. 1:17

. Some translations “up holds”, but it’s not a picture like Atlas with earth on his shoulders.

6. “provided purification for sins” This is a central message of Hebrews.

7. “sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.”

. A view from Heaven of the ascension of Christ Dan. 7:13-14

. Psalm. 110:1 The LORD says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.”

JESUS WAS:

1. God sent – John 7:16 Jesus answered, “My teaching is not my own. It comes from him who sent me.

2. God inspired – John 8:26, 28 “I have much to say in judgment of you. But he who sent me is reliable, and what I have heard from him I tell the world.”…”So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am the one I claim to be and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me”.

3. God empowered – Luke 11:20 “But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come to you”.

4. God offered – John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life”.

5. God Raised – Heb. 13:20 “May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep,”

6. God Exalted – Heb. 1:3 “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven”.

SO WHAT?

1. How does believing these things about Jesus help us deal with the challenges we face in life?

2. How do the accounts of the Transfiguration and the Baptism of Jesus have a similar message?

3. How would you answer the question ask earlier “How can we make Christians believe what they believe?”

4. Does God still release divine truth?

5. Is God still in control of the world today?

A REVIEW: IF ME DON’T UNDERSTAND THESE FIRST THREE POWERFUL VERSES, THE CHANCES ARE GREAT WE WILL MISS THE AWESOME POWER OF THIS BOOK.

Have you ever felt that God was silent at the very moment you most needed Him to speak? You wanted Him to speak…You needed Him to speak…But all you heard was silence…When you heard…Cancer, the baby is has Down syndrome, your mate has left, your job has been eliminated…You cried out….but only silence.

Have you ever felt that God was silent at the very moment you most needed Him to speak?

Jesus had that experience. “My God, My God Why have you forsaken me”…no response, just silence – But God was not forever silent…THE RESSURECTION!

God’s silence is not indifference, a lack of compassion, but an eloquent silence. His silence sets the stage for his most eloquent and powerful speaking.

For the majority of their lives these Hebrews Christians had only known persecution, lost of property and possessions, and other forms of persecutions. And they had stayed faithful…at least until now

Nero is now on the throne…the ultimate test us just ahead…Where is God? Does He care? Maybe we ought to go back to Judaism, the familiar, the safe………And all they heard from God was silence.

And then one day a letter arrives

“Through the Prophets” now “through …”Son”

. God’s relationships with the prophets seem to vary in closeness, but the closest seems to have been with Moses and Elijah.

.. Deut. 34:10 “no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face,”

.. Walked with God…God took him

. The disciples had the opportunity to LIVE with God, in the flesh for 3 ½ years.

. Transfiguration – same message

SEVEN AFFRIMATIONS OF THE DEITY OF CHRIST:

1. “appointed heir of all things”

. Col. 1:16 “For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.

. The universe, the animal kingdom, this planet, all mankind.

2. “through whom he made the universe”

. Stephen Hawkins world renowned Cambridge Physics said:

.. Our galaxy is 100,000 light years in diameter. Light travels at 186,000 miles per second X 1 years of seconds = 600 trillion miles in diameter.

.. 100,000 million stars in our galaxy…and 100,000 million other galaxies, the most distant from ours is 8 billion light years away

. John 1:1,2a “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.”

3. “the radiance of God’s glory”

. Where and when was the “shekinah” glory of God seen in the O. T.?

..Burning Bush – Holy Ground

.. Pillar of fire – lead Israel in the wilderness.

.. Mt Sinai – they did not dare touch the mountain

.. Tabernacle/Temple – Holy of Hollies – Ark Mercy Seat

.. Ezekiel saw a vision in which the glory of God left the temple and it never returned…that is …..

. John 1:14 “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

. II Cor. 3:4-6 “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.”

4. “exact representation of his being”

. eikon = wax impression

. Col. 2:9 “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form.

. Phil. 2:6 “equality with God”

5. “sustaining all things by his powerful word”

. He is intimately involved with His creation.

a. Sun is the perfect distance from the Sun

b. Earth’s Axis is 23 Degrees – perfect for our climate

c. Moon the exact distance from the earth to prevent flooding at high tide

d. Not like Atlas caring the world on his shoulders

. Lit. “to carry forward to its appointed ends” Providence; Col. 1:17 “in him all things hold together.”

6. “provided purification for sins”

. Effects of sin = defiled, filthy, polluted

. God is Perfect Purity

. Sacrificial System – offered the same sacrifices over and over and over again.

.. Furniture in the Temple: Brazen alter, lamp stand, table of shew bread Holy of Hollies – Ark, et.

.. No place to sit – their work was never finished.

.YOU WANT TO GO BACK TO THAT??

7. “sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven”

. Jesus could say from the Cross…”It is Finished” Once for all sacrifice

.. Buried, resurrected, ascended

.. SAT DOWN

. A view from Heaven of the ascension of Christ:

“In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

SACRED TEXTS IN AN ORAL CULTURE—How Did They Function?

lhodges — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 13:08:45 +0000

Dr. Ben Witherington, professor at Asbury Theological Seminar, has made a recent lecture he gave available in print form. While the lecture does not deal with the text of the letter to the Hebrews specifically, its principles apply to all New Testament scripture including Hebrews.

What follows on this blog entry is the first of the four Parchman lectures I gave at Truett Seminary at Baylor University this week.

—————

Ours is a text based culture, a culture of written documents. You need look no further than your computer screens to verify this assertion. There could only be an internet age if there was widespread literacy, which in turn leads to widespread production and reading of texts. It is thus difficult for us in a text-based culture to conceive of and understand the character of an oral culture, much less understand how sacred texts function in such an oral culture. Yet however difficult, it is important that we try to understand such a thing, since all of the cultures of the Bible were essentially oral cultures, not text-based cultures, and their texts were in fact oral texts, which some might think is an oxymoron on a part with Microsoft Works, but in fact it is not so.

The literacy rate in those Biblical cultures seems to have ranged from about 5% to 20% depending on the culture and which sub group within the culture we are discussing. Not surprisingly then, all ancient peoples, whether literate or not, preferred the living word, which is to say the spoken word. Texts were enormously expensive to produce—papyrus was expensive, ink was expensive, and scribes were ultra expensive. Being a secretary in Jesus’ age could be a lucrative job indeed. No wonder Jesus said to his audiences—‘let those who have ears, listen’. You notice he did not ever say—‘let those who have eyes, read’. Most eyes could not read in the Biblical period.

So far as we can tell, no documents in antiquity were intended for ‘silent’ reading, and only a few were intended for private individuals to read. They were always meant to be read out loud and usually read out loud to a group of people. For the most part they were simply necessary surrogates for oral communication. This was particularly true of ancient letters.

In fact, most ancient documents including letters were not really texts in the modern sense at all. They were composed with their aural and oral potential in mind, and they were meant to be orally delivered when they arrive at their destination. Thus for example, when one reads the opening verses of Ephesians, loaded as it is with aural devices (assonance, alliteration, rhythm, rhyme, various rhetorical devices) it becomes perfectly clear that no one was ever meant to hear this in any language but Greek and furthermore, no one was ever meant to read this silently. It needed to be heard.

And indeed there was a third reason it needed to be orally delivered—because of the cost of making documents a standard letter in Greek would have no separation of words, sentences, paragraphs or the like, little or no punctuation, and all capital letters. Thus for example imagine having to sort out a document that began as follows: PAULASERVANTOFCHRISTJESUSCALLEDTOBEANAPOSTLEANDSETAPARTFORTHEGOSPELOFGOD. The only way to decipher such a collection of letters was to sound them out– out loud. There is of course the famous anecdote about St. Anselm and St. Ambrose. Anselm said that Ambrose was the most remarkable man he had ever met, because he could read without moving his lips or making a sound. Clearly, an oral culture is a different world than a largely literate text based culture, and texts function differently in such a world. All sorts of texts were simply surrogates for oral speech, and this statement applies to many of the Biblical texts themselves. Click here to read the rest of the article.

The Tabernacle and the Jewish Sacrificial System

lhodges — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 16:04:49 +0000

The tabernacle and the Jewish Sacrificial System are an intergral part of our study of Hebrews. Here is a great link to understanding not only the layout of the tabernacle, but also information about the different sacrifices required by the Law. It does require a harmless plug in, so when promted to down load it just say yes. The 3D Bible Project

Introduction To The Book Of Hebrews

lhodges — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 15:30:16 +0000

This is an expanded outline of material covered in our first class.

INTRODUCTION

A. Who wrote this letter?

1. During the first two centuries church fathers strongly leaned to Paul as the author.

2. Others names as possible authors, Barnabas, Apollos, Luke, Silas, Aquila and Priscilla, and Philip.

3. Deut. 29:29a “The secret things belong to the Lord…

B. When was it written?

1. AD 65 to 66

2. Reasoning

. Clement of Rome used Hebrews…so prior to A.D. 95

. The Temple and Temple sacrifices were still in place (Temple destroyed in A.D. 70)

. They had apparently suffered one period of persecution already. 10:32-34

. But not to the point of shedding of blood. 12:4

. The persecutions under Nero and Domitian were filled with the blood of Christians.

. During the reign of Claudius Jews were expelled from Rome, including Jewish Christians.

. Acts 18:2 Aquila and Priscilla were among them.

. These were second generation Christians. 2:3

3. Time Line:

30 A.D. __________________49 A.D.________________64 A.D.____66 A.D____68 A.D.___70 A.D.

. 30 – Jesus Crucified

. 49 – Persecution under Claudius

. 64 – Nero – a part of Rome is destroyed by Fire and Nero blames the Christians

. 68 – Nero Dies

. 66 – 70 Rome/Jewish wars. Four sieges of Jerusalem

. 70 – Temple destroyed Jewish nation overcome by Armies of Rome.

C. To Whom was it written?

1. Hebrew Christian who may have been considering a return to Judaism.

2. A specific group of believers:

. Gospel was preached to them by eyewitnesses 2:4

. They had seen signs and wonders 2:4

. They knew the first principles of the faith 6:1

. They had ministered to people who had been mistreated 10:32-34

. The writer knew of their earlier days 10:32, previous persecutions 10:32, 12:4

. The writer also knew their state of mind 5:11-12; 6:9-12.

. This was a group that the writer had visited before and hope to see again 13:19, 23

3. A group that was a part of a larger community.

. He had expected them to be teachers by now 5:12.

. This might imply that they were a house church group in a city with other house groups

D. Destination? Unknown

E. Key Words in Hebrews:

1. Better: 13 times (Gr. Kreisson): Not always translated Better

.1:4 “So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.”

. 6:9 “we are confident of better things in your case”

. 7:7 as to Melchizedek and Abraham “the lesser person is blessed by the greater.”

. 7:19 “and a better hope is introduced,”

. 7:22 “Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.”

. 8:6 “But the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, and it is founded on better promises”.

. 9:23 “with better sacrifices than these”. (Latter called a “sacrifice of himself: V.26)

. 10:34 “because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions.”

. 11:16 “they were longing for a better country”

. 11:35 “so that they might gain a better resurrection.”

. 11:40 “God had planned something better for us .”

. 12:24 “blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.”

2. Perfect: 14 times (Gr. Terleioo: Not always translated perfect.)

. 2:10 “perfect through suffering.”

. 5:9 “once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.”

. 6:1 “go on to maturity,”

. 7:11 “If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood …”

. 7:19 “(for the law made nothing perfect),”

. 7:28 “appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.”

. 9:9 “sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper.”

. 9:11 “he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man-made,”

. 10:1 “can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near…”

. 10:14 “because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.”

. 11:40 “so that only together with us would they be made perfect.”

. 12:23 “spirits of righteous men made perfect,”

. 13:21 “equip you with everything good for doing his will,”

3. Eternal: 5 times (Gr. aionics)

. . 5:9 “he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.”

. 9:12 “once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption.”

. 9:14 “who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, “

. 9:15 “that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance,”

. 13:20 “who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus

4. Confidence: 5 times (Gr. parresia)

. 3:6 “if we hold on to our courage and the hope …”

. 4:16 “approach the throne of grace with confidence”

. 10:19 “since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus,”

. 10:35 “So do not throw away your confidence”

, 13:6 “So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.”

5. Impossible: 4 times (Gr. adunatos)

. 6:4 “It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened”

. 6:18 “it is impossible for God to lie”

. 10:4 “because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.”

. 11:6 “without faith it is impossible to please God,”

6. The importance of these words is magnified knowing the problems being addressed.

F. Five warnings are interspersed through out the text of the letter.

1. Don’t drift from the Word – 2:1-4 (neglect)

2. Don’t doubt the Word – 3:7-4:13 (hard heart)

3. Don’t allow dullness toward the Word: -5:11-6:20 (sluggishness)

4. Don’t despise the Word-10:26-39 (willfulness)

5. Don’t defy the Word – 12:14-29 (refusing to hear)

6. These show a progress that leads one away from the Lord.

G. Exhortations are frequent in Hebrews. (Let us…)

1. 4:1, 11, 14, 16

2. 6:1

3. 10:22, 23, 24

4. 12:1a, 1b, 28

5. 13:13, 15

H. Hebrews is not written in the style of other New Testament letters.

1. It is more a sermon than a letter.

2. You can picture a speaker standing before a small group of believers teaching and exhorting.

3. Writer describes his letter as, “Brothers, I urge you to bear with my word of exhortation, for I have written you only a short letter.” 13:22

I. Occasion and Purpose

Frances Taylor Gench said, “Recently, I heard (Ed) Craddock observe, in his inimitable way, that different letters in the New Testament were no doubt sent with different degrees of haste to those who received them. He says that when Paul, for example, wrote his angry letter to the church at Corinth, he probably let it sit on the desk for a few days. (“Its one thing to write a letter like that—it’s another thing to send it.”) First Thessalonians consists almost entirely of prayers, songs, confessions, and words of praise, and Paul probably said to the postal carrier when he mailed that one, “Just as long as it gets there by Sunday—they’ll want to use it.” The letter to Jude? “There’s no telling what the writer thought, but if it never got there, it wouldn’t hurt!” And Hebrews: “very heavy, very ponderous—put it on the scales and it took three extra stamps.” But Craddock says even though it cost a lot, stamped by the writer on the outside of the folder were the words, “Special delivery, Overnight Mail, Federal Express, Get it There!”

These were dark and perilous times for Christians. When the Book of Hebrews was written, the ages were colliding and society seemed to be shaking. The persecution that had begun at the death of Stephen has continued for over 35 years. The Book of Hebrews is addressed to a second generation of Jewish Christians who had experienced loss and persecution as others before them. The Roman Empire permitted conquered nations to practice their original religions, but no new ones were allowed. Early Christianity had been able to slip under Rome’s radar and flourish under the umbrella of Judaism. However, all that was about to change. Christians were now being faced with a coming persecution by both Jews and the Romans. Nero will make it his obsession to wipe out these catacomb dwellers once and for all. So on the horizon looms another more devastating period of persecution, and this time they are questioning if it is worth paying the price.

Judaizers had long tried to entice these Jewish Christians to return to the old sacrificial system of their fathers, and they had refused, but now with more persecution on the horizon the old and familiar ways of the past didn’t seem so bad after all. The splendor of the temple worship and their discouragement due to persecution became the basis for many of them to consider returning to Judaism. Tom Long observes, “The threat to this congregation is not that they are charging off in the wrong direction; they do not have enough energy to charge off anywhere . . . (they are) Tired of walking the walk, many of them are considering taking a walk, leaving the community and falling away from the faith.”

Could it be that God is shaking up their world so they will learn to live by faith and not by sight? Could it be that He has a plan for their lives that will be built on the eternal and not the unstable shakable world in which they live?

J. What’s in it for us?

Persecution that had been faced and was to come for the Hebrews is not apart of the world in which we live. Few if any of us have a former religion to look longingly back too, as they did. What may pull us back today, are things like a former lifestyle, materialism, or the culture of worship of self. It is also easy to get caught up in the world’s system and put our confidence in money, buildings, programs and other passing material things. The message of Hebrews speaks to the superiority of Christ over all things, and that only in Him can we find forgiveness and a life that satisfies. He alone deserves our adoration, worship and praise.

When God shakes up our world there is a reason. He wants us to turn loose of those things that we are depending on and clinging to for our security and turn and trust him. The situation in our world today is nothing like theirs, but it does have its own challenges. A young man in a bible group once asked the question, “Why doesn’t the world believe what we have to say? Then he added, “I think it’s because so many Christians don’t act like they believe it themselves.” Then he asked the logical but thorny question, “How can we make Christians believe what they believe?”

This is the very theme of the book of Hebrews! The world is waiting to see Christians living their faith before them. Jesus Christ is the total answer to every human need. No book of the New Testament focuses upon Christ like the book of Hebrews does.

New Material And Links Added

lhodges — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 14:51:33 +0000

We are off and running in our study of the Book of Hebrews. Your questions and comments are adding so much to the class. While we are on a pretty aggressive schedule to complete this study in 13 weeks, I don’t want to miss out on what each of you have to add.This coming Wednesday we will cover Chapter one and time permitting the first few verses of Chapter two. Let me encourage you in your preparation to read this first chapter a few times and the entire letter at least once this week. Disciplined reading of the letter will make all the difference in the world in the retention of what you learn.

One of the areas of our study this coming week will deal with Angels. I have added a link to an article written by a Jewish Rabbi that will give you some back ground on Jewish thought concerning Angels. Angels by Rabbi Geoffrey W. Dennis.

I have added some additional links to the right as study aids. As with much of the Bible, the Book of Hebrews is a Jewish book. Understanding the context in which the writers lived is often very important in understanding what the writer says. So I have added a link to an online Jewish Encyclopedia. This work is filled with material that can aid your study. Another similar site, but more from a Christian background is Follow The Rabbi . There is allot of great information here as well.

If you have questions or comments at any time be sure to pass them along. Until next Wednesday, God Bless!

WELCOME!

lhodges — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 13:28:50 +0000

Welcome to the support site for our study in the Book of Hebrews. There is always more material that surfaces, in a study like this, than there is time to cover in class. So I will be listing actual material and links to more information from time to time as we progress through class. I hope you will come here often. You will be able to comment on listed material and if you have something you think we as a class could benefit from, please let me know and I will post it here, or feel free to leave a link in the comments section to a particular post.

Because of hackers and spammers, you will be required to register to participate here. Your personal information is safe. I have my own blog with Word Press and they are a great group to work with. So you don’t have to worry that someone is going to get your personal information and then blast you with unwanted stuff just because you signed up here.

Jim, Mark and I all look forward to sharing with you the wonderful Book of Hebrews. I know of no New Testament letter that does more to exalt the name of Jesus that this letter. We hope you will find strength and encouragement as we journey together through this study.