The author has discussed his readers’ immaturity (5:11-14) and offered a prescription for growing out of it (6:1-3). In the verses that follow, he paints a sobering picture of what happens when that medicine isn’t taken....
In Hebrews 5:1-10, the author briefly introduced Melchizedek (5:6, 10). He still has “much to say” (v 11) about Melchizedek and Jesus’ high priesthood which he’ll get to in chapters 7-10. But first he shifts gears to address his readers’ immaturity (5:11-6:3), to warn them against falling away (6:4-8), and to call them to endure in their faith (6:9-20)....
In the Old Testament, there were two primary qualifications for a high priest. First, he needed to be from among the people he represented (v 1). As one of them, he could represent them. And by sharing the nature and weaknesses of his people (and by having his own sins to atone for) the high priest could deal gently with the people’s sins (vv 2-3). In other words, while taking sin seriously, he could show patience, not indignation, toward sinners....
In Hebrews 4:12-13, the author said that we are completely laid bare before our Father in heaven and known for exactly who we are ...
Psalm 95 is the basis for Hebrews 4:1-11, and this gives the thrust for what the author asserts in Hebrews 4:12-13. As pointed out in 4:7, the focus is on “Today”. If you hear the Word of the Lord, do not be indifferent to it and fail to enter God’s rest. Using the Israelites’ disobedience as an example, the author says, “Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.” (4:11) This warning and encouragement to persevere has been a recurring theme in Hebrews....
Because of their “disobedience” (4:11) and “unbelief” (3:19), the first generation of Israelites who came out of Egypt were forbidden from entering the land of Canaan - God’s “rest” (3:11). But the next generation, led by Joshua, did enter it. ...
In Hebrews 3:1-6, the author compared Moses and Jesus. Now he compares the people each of them led. He shows that Christians living in these “last days” (1:2) are in a similar spot that the Israelites were in the wilderness - free from slavery but not yet home....
In Hebrews 2:17, Jesus was referred to as a “faithful high priest”. Now the author reflects on Jesus’ faithfulness by comparing him to an Old Testament model of faithfulness: Moses....
Regarding angels, the author has so far argued that the Son is superior to angels (1:5-14) and thus deserving of our full attention and obedience (2:1-4). In 2:5-9 he focused on the Son becoming human to restore humanity’s rule over the earth. Now he meditates on why the Son had to be truly human....
When God created people, he created them in his image to rule over the whole earth (Genesis 1:26-28). In Psalm 8, David reflects on humanity in its pre-fallen state. Looking at the stars in the sky, he marvels that the God who created such a vast universe should pay attention and give such great honor to humans. ...
God’s plan for Abram has been slowly revealed in stages. First, Abram was promised that he would become a great nation and that his descendants would occupy the land of Canaan (12:1-9). Later, God clarified that this nation would come from Abram’s biological son, not an adopted heir, and he made a covenant with Abram to fulfill his promise (15:1-21). In Genesis 17, God...
Keep ReadingINTRODUCTION In Genesis 15, Abram believed that God would fulfill the promise of offspring (12:2) through his servant Eliezer (15:2-3), probably assuming he was too old to physically have a child. But God made it explicitly clear that Abram himself would have a son. But the passage of time continued to put a strain on him and Sarai, and chapter 16 presents us with an ex...
Keep ReadingAfter his military victory against Chedorlaomer’s armies, Abram was met by two kings: Melchizedek, the king of Salem, and the unnamed king of Sodom. While Melchizedek celebrated Abram’s victory and blessed him, the king of Sodom offered him a business transaction: “Give me the persons, but take the goods for yourself.” (Genesis 14:21) Not wanting to be indebted to ...
Keep ReadingINTRODUCTION After a "trial of abundance" in which the land was not big enough to accommodate both Abram and Lot's possessions, Abram graciously offered to let Lot choose whatever portion of the land of Canaan he wished to dwell in. Instead, Lot chose to leave the land of promise and dwell near the beautiful (but ungodly) city of Sodom. MAIN POINT Love inconvenien...
Keep ReadingAfter failing to trust God to provide for him in famine and a disastrous trip to Egypt, Abraham returns to the land of promise and worships God again. Back in Canaan, he now faces a new test....
Keep ReadingINTRODUCTION In obedience to God’s costly call, Abraham left his family and homeland to go to a new land that God would show him. Upon arrival, God promised to give this land to Abraham’s offspring. In response, Abraham worshipped God....
Keep ReadingAfter the flood, God told Noah and his descendants to “the fill the earth” (Gen. 9:1). Instead, they proudly settled in one place and attempted to build the tower of Babel (11:1-9). In judgment, God confused their language, causing them to separate from one another and form the nations of the earth (Gen. 10). Following the account of Babel is a genealogy (11:10-32) tha...
Keep ReadingINTRODUCTION Jude's short letter has been called by at least one scholar as the "most neglected book in the New Testament." That may be due in part to how short it is and its being tucked away near the back of the New Testament. Nevertheless, this short letter contains God's very words which are given to us for our good, and therefore we should pay close attention to it. ...
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In the study guide below, you'll be able to follow along with us as we look at the tenets of the Reformation and how they impact us today....
Keep ReadingAfter God created the world, after Adam and Eve sinned, then what? Join us for our sermon series on Genesis 4-11 as we see how sin escalates from Cain and Abel through the flood to the Tower of Babel. You can pick up a hard copy on Sunday morning if you prefer. Many Community Groups take a break during the summer, so this is a great resource to encourage and equip you to ...
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