So this is it. The last Five in Five for Hebrews. There are only three chapters so this weeks post will be a little shorter, but that jut means we can begin another journey in another part of God's word. Chapter 6-10 displayed the new covenant, the power and plan of God. As we finish Hebrews it is always good to review the past chapters and see how God will use them in the last chapters. Another reminder is that the chapters create books, and the books create the Bible; therefore the journey of understanding God's word is never over. In fact it is just beginning, so let's begin...
11. - "Faith is the confidence of things hoped for, the assurance of things not seen." (1) - The stories of Moses, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and countless prophets is one of undoubted faith - Although many people did great things and received fame and goodness, many who also stood by their faith were persecuted and oppressed - "It is impossible to please God without faith." (6) - The earth is not our home- God has prepared a city for us in Heaven Chapter 11 really puts life and life with God into perspective. The great stories we hear of the prophets were ones that wouldn't have happened without complete trust and faith. If God asked you to build an arc with no sight of a flood, would you do it? The idea is that we need to abandon or earthy fears and wants and submit to God's greater glory and true faith. However we also must remember we are to suffer just a Christ suffered. 12. - Run the race of endurance and strip away sin -God is waiting at the finish line - Obey God's discipline - train in righteous living - The Israelites came to Mount Sinai- we will receive Mount Zion "the city of the living God" - The kingdom of God is unshakable -"be thankful and please God -for he is a devouring fire" - "Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong." (13) We have a family of faith in the body of Christ, so we must push toward the end and not let sin trip us up. Chapter 12 can be pictured as a marathon. We have the race of endurance, God is our trainer and disciplines us, and we must encourage and strengthen other races to finish. Chapter 12 also exhibits, like Hebrews has before, a parallel between old and new. The Israelites received the first commands at Mount Sinai; however we will receive Mount Zion- God's kingdom. 13. - Do good to others and help those in need- sacrifices for God - Obey your spiritual leaders- relationships of accountability - Pray for other believers and non believers alike - God "will never fail us and never abandon you." (5) - Pay attention the words of prophets, believers and the bible; they give us direction to live our lives We receive final greeting and instruction from the letter of Hebrews in chapter 13. Aside from the word, history, and future of Gods' covenant, the instruction about the direction of our lives is just as vital. The goal of Hebrews was to show Christianity's superiority to other religions. We see that in Christ. Jesus was greater than the prophets, other priest, leaders of the nations. Jesus was greater than the old covenant, and created and perfected the new covenant. We also know this because of our faith, and the faith of other believers. The life we live as Christian should be the example that nonbeliever use to determine the quality of Christianity. We are to reflect God in all we do, and if that is evident in our lives then his power and glory can be displayed in this world. Remember this is not our home- Live for the kingdom of God. {Dear Lord, As we finish Hebrews let us remember all we have learned. Your son and creation Jesus is superior to all. We thank you for the creation and sacrifice of Christ. We also thank you and ask for direction to live in the new covenant. Let us perfect our faith through you. The race has just begun; guide us in the direction we are to go. Thank you for the cross and let us praise you endlessly. In Christ name I pray -Amen }
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It's been awhile..in the midst of summer comes jobs, vacations, and just general misplaced time management. But not to fear Hebrew is waiting for us! Let's continue through the Five in Five over chapters 6-10. In chapters 1-5 we left off talking about we as believers must mature in or faith, as well as how God's ultimate power and plan are discovered through Christ and the creation of a new covenant.
6. - By rejecting God we in turn nail him to the cross (6) - Keep on loving others as long as life last (11) - God has given us his promise and oath- which are unchangeable (18) - "This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls (19) - Jesus goes before us Chapter six displays why we need to grow more mature spiritually. If we continue to press through our faith and only acknowledge the basics we can never develop a full radical relationship with Christ. If deny his goodness and salvation after we have heard it, we deny him and his resurrection. Today we are going to talk about Hebrews. I will give five main points from each chapter starting with ch.1-5, and each week add five more chapters. When talking about the Roman Road I wanted to summarize each passage, however I would lose focus or commitment. Now all parts of the bible are important, it may just be a bit easier to discusses and summarize using five key points. I also want share what I have learned and love about these scripture more, so I think this will give me a better chance to do that.
Hebrews is book detailing the decisions and reasons to follow Christ and Christianity. The main text displays how God is above all, Jesus his son is second, and how he has a place near his throne for us. We should be encouraged by other believers and the word of God to remain strong in the faith, and keep living for God. 1. - Son radiates the character and glory of God - God placed Jesus above all angles or servants - God's throne endures forever - We are a people who will "inherit" salvation - We will perish and Jesus will remain Chapter one introduces the idea that Jesus is above all creation, however a part and under God's power/ design. We can get a glimpse of what the other chapters are about as well as a shadow of the praise and worship we should give to God and his Son. 2. - We as believers should remain close to God's message or risk turning away from God - God placed humans above the creatures and things of the Earth - Jesus was made flesh and blood for us- "perfect leader of salvation" - We are children of God and brothers and sisters in Christ - "Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested." (18) Chapter two really address the idea that reflects back to Genesis. God created humans in his likeness, then placed us in a position of authority over his other creation. The power and regard God has for us amazes and sometimes fathoms me! The idea behind "Flesh and Blood" also shows how Jesus became man to die for our sins, and how God had a plan for basically everything. ( This is greater displayed in further chapters.) 3. - "For every house has a builder, but the one who built everything is God." (4) - Jesus is greater than Moses- Moses represents truths that will be revealed- like Adam & God presented in Romans - Don't harden your heart or turn from God - Trust as firmly as when your first believed - If we believe we can share in his rest. Chapter three shows how even though there are faithful prophets, Jesus is still set above them and intended for a greater purpose. The end of three talks about turning from God and how we will not enter his rest. As believers it is important to stand firm in the Faith. A quote I found recently said "If you don't stand firm in your Faith, you won't stand at all." #TRUTH 4. - We should make spreading God's message a priority - Today is the time for the day of rest- don't harden your hearts - the Word of God is alive and powerful - We are accountable to God - Let us go to the throne boldly to receive grace and mercy (especially in times of trouble) The day of the Lord's returning is close and as believers we should be aware. We need to do all we can to spread the message to those who haven't heard it, then they can enter into God's rest. The word is alive and tells of the glory of God. He will acknowledge all we have or have not done. Luckily God provides unending grace and mercy, as well as a guarantee of salvation for those who believe. 5. - God chose Christ to be our high priest- Christ humbled himself - Jesus learned obedience- we should do the same (Let Go- Let God.) - We should teach others, yet we also need teaching - We need to eat the solid food "word" of God to grow spiritually mature - Jesus as a high priest offered himself as a sacrifice and gave us eternal salvation Chapter five begins the part (I consider) of how God planned and knew what had to be done for our salvation. He chose Christ as a high priest, so he could offer one perfect sacrifice: himself. However in order to fully understand the workings of the Bible and sometimes of God, we need to grow spiritually mature. I know for me the reason behind these post and studying the bible is to grow better in my walk with God. However one theme I can understand and will always know is that Jesus is the source of our salvation, and that salvation was bought on a cross; therefore we should praise and live by the debt that has been paid for us. {Lord, Let us know and understand your power. Let us know your Son and all he has done. Your word is alive and we need to fill ourselves with it. Let us not harden our hearts, but use them to advance your kingdom. We thank you and praise the cross. In Christ name we pray - Amen } How does Moses make tea? He Brews It!!! After reading and detailing out what Paul had written in chapters 1-10 about our salvation, we come to the end of our recap over the Roman Road. We can understand how God calls us to hear and receive his eternal message and how we are eternally called to share it with others. Now we can cover chapters 11-16; let's begin...
11. Chapter 10 allowed us to receive the instruction on how to pray to receive Christ, and stated that the gift of salvation exists for those who believe (even though Israel and we rebel sometimes.) The gift of salvation comes from God's underserved mercy and kindness, that is ultimately free for all to receive. God tested Israel's disobedience by offering salvation to gentiles who believed; however when Israel receives that salvation "it will be like life for those who are dead."(15) It tells that Israel was taken from the tree (of God) and the gentiles replaced the absent branch. However we must remain humble in our obedience to Christ for "we are just a branch and not the root."(18) God's mercy exist for everyone that is why he can choose who to take off and place on his tree; "his gifts can never be withdrawn." (29) Verse 36 states the ultimate will and reasoning behind God's master plan. " For everything comes from him and exist by his power and is intended for his glory." (36) We are created for the sole purpose of glorifying God and advancing his kingdom. The words of salvation exist and we are to help spread the message to believers and unbelievers alike. 12. As a sacrifice to God we must offer our bodies as a "living and holy."(1) We must live to glorify and devote ourselves to Christ with all our being. For just as we are to devote our mortal bodies we must devote our selves to a greater body; the body of Christ. "We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other." (5) Just as each part of the body has a specific purpose God gives each of us special gifts. (6) We are called to use them to help and love others, and hold tight to that which is Good." (9). "Rejoice in hope be patient in trouble, and keep praying" (12) to live in peace with God and all his children. A hard part of this is to "bless those who persecute you" (14). We have to love our neighbors as ourselves, love is the greatest representation of Christ in our lives. Paul gives us encouragement by stating: "do not let evil conquer you but conquer evil by doing good."(21) 13. Aside from loving those who hurt us, we also must submit to authority; for all authority comes from Christ." (1) Chapter 13 restates the importance of loving your neighbor, and says that love "fulfills the requirements of God's law."(10) We as a people need to "wake up" and "put on the shining armor of God"(12) We need to live a life of light resembling the light of Christ. Instead of putting on earthly garments, put on the armor of God; "clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ." (14) 14. In the process of living a life like God we must "accept other believers". We need to set aside the difference in ideologies, preferences, and focus on the one thing that matters: a shared belief in God, and the life as his children. "For we don't live for ourselves or die for ourselves. If we die live it's to honor the Lord, if we die it's to honor the Lord."(7-10) Why must we care for other believers? Aside from showing and spreading love, it is truly to spread the glory of God. For the Lord says "every knee will bow and every tongue will confess and praise God."(11) For we are all called to receive judgement therefore we must life a "life goodness, peace, and joy in the holy spirit" (17) How can we stay accountable to those things though? "If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning."(23). We have both the law, and God's word to lead us on the narrow path; however we must be obedient and live righteously as well. 15. "We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord." (2) We should also accept others as Christ has accepted us in his glory. We must be bold (15) like Paul to share his word and the principles of righteous living. Paul also states that "we must not boast in ourselves, only what God has done for us." (18) Like Paul our main mission should be to "Preach the Good News where the name of the Lord has never been heard." (20) Paul also calls us to share the fellowship and partnership that God calls us to have with other disciples. We must pray for other, and encourage each other in the Faith. (30) We must live by three words- to PREACH-PRAY-AND PRAISE GOD. There is no such thing as a solitary Christian. So LOVE GOD-LOVE PEOPLE-MAKE DISCIPLES. 16. Paul ends his letter by thanking other believers, however through his he still presents important lessons. We need to greet one another in Christian love (16), and stay wise in what is right. (19) We can be confident in those words though as Paul reminds us that "The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet."(20) We can become stronger by glorifying God (25) and knowing in the reassurance of his plan. Paul end his message in the lasting glorification of Christ. 'ALL GLORY TO THE ONLY WISE GOD, THORUGH JESUS CHRIST, FOREVER. AMEN."(27) ROMAN ROAD In writing these post I wanted to grow in a better understanding and commitment to God. I have learned that it will take some time to be confident in my relationship with God; however God is constantly guiding us along the way. Romans (through Paul) shares the message of undeserved redemption and salvation that is ours through Christ Jesus. We must live to share that message and God's love. Paul describes the trials, and task we as followers of Christ must go through to serve God. God has been through the storm, now it is our turn to trust and follow him. I promise it will be worth it! {I pray that we learn about your word and how to keep it in our hearts. Let our armor and clothes be of God in order to trample those who persecute and hinder our faith. Let us learn and magnify your love. Let us be and make disciples. We thank you that through your sacrifice we have everything, and the undeserved gift of eternal life. Let us never stop praising and serving you. In Christ name - Amen } |