><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Hebrews) CHAPTER 3:7-4:13 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1) 3:7-4:2. What is the danger against which we are here warned? Why were the Israelites overtaken by it in the wilderness? How may we avoid similar disaster? 2) 4:1-13. In what ways does God use His Word in His dealings with us? What promise of His still stands open for our enjoyment? What are the conditions of obtaining its fulfillment in our experience? Can any avoid having dealings with Him? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Hebrews) Chapter 3:7-4:13 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- We are warned against unbelief and reminded not to be like Israel. When we enter the rest of salvation through Jesus, we can rest from our works of trying to earn salvation through following the law. Jesus Christ is our Lamb - once for all. Hallelujah that the work on the cross is finished, and we are truly spotless before the Lord! However, it does not mean we can sin freely, Galatians 5:13b, "..But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one antoher in love." -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Hebrews 3:7 - 4:13 Danger of Unbelief Part One of Hebrew, 1:1 - 4:13, The Superiority of Christ As A Person: The Superiority over the Prophets ----------- 1-3; The Superiority over the Angels ----- 1:4 - 2:18; The Superiority over Moses ------------ 3:1 - 4:13. In this part, there are two WARNINGS: Warning about the Danger of Neglect ----- 2:1-4; Warning about the Danger of Unbelief -- 3:7-4:13. The warning of neglect is about what was spoken by the Lord and by the apostles, Hebrew 2:3. Now, the second warning is cited by the history of Israelites in the Wilderness of their disobedience - They could not have peace with God because they did not enter into God's rest by observing the Sabbath. God rested on the Sabbath day to enjoy His creation; we rest on the Sabbath (Sunday for us in New Testament time) to praise His work and worship Him. "Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall through following the same example of disobedience. For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart." 4:11-12. There is another emphasis in today's reading that is "TODAY": "-- TODAY if you hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts.", 4:7. "TODAY if you hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as when they provoked Me, Where you fathers tried Me by testing Me, And saw My works for forty years. Therefore I was angry with this generation---." 3:7-10. "----. If ever I loved thee, my Jesus 'tis now." -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) The warning here is against the danger of rebellion from God / unbelief in Him. When we do not trust God to provide, to take care of situations in our lives, we are really rebelling against God. We are hardening our hearts and saying "God, I don't trust you, so I'm gonna do it my way". This is the wrong attitude for us to take. God will not tolerate rebellion from His people. Only those who believe and trust may enter into His rest. 2) In this section of chapter 4:1-13, we see the promise of entering His rest, and the condition of following Him and believing - Today, and every day. Heb 4:10-12 10 For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His. 11 ¶ Therefore let us be diligent to enter that rest, so that no one will fall, through following the same example of disobedience. 12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. If our lives conform to the 'word of God' v12 - then our word(account) on THAT DAY, will be acceptable to God.--Ryrie Study Bible. ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Hebrews) CHAPTER 4:14-5:10 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1) 4:14-16. What truths concerning our CHristian High Priest are we here exhorted to confess, and what consequent privileges open to our enjoyment are we here exhorted fully to possess? 2) 5:1-10. What qualifications for high priesthood are set forth in vs 1-4? How are these possessed by Christ at a higher level and in a fuller way than could ever be true of a Levitical priest? What benefit can He consequently make ours, and on what condition? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Hebrews) Chapter 4:14-5:10 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- Jesus, Jesus, Jesus - our Great High Priest - Hallelujah!!! Therefore, we can HOLD FIRMLY TO THE FAITH WE PROFESS! Because of His humanity, he can sympathize with our weakness. A high priest must deal gently with the ignorant and strays and offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He must be a gentle leader. How joyful I feel to know that Jesus is the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him. The king who rode in on a donkey, humble and gentle, is now glorified at the right hand of the Father. -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Hebrews 4:14 - 5:10 A High Priest According to the Order of Melchizedec From 4:14 to 7:28 indicates that Christ is superior to Aaron. The order of Aaron was for the priesthood only in humanity, whereas the order of Melchizedec is for the priesthood in both humanity and divinity. This will be fully defined in chapter 7. We, as sinful men, can not approach God. We need a mediator, a priest, to bring us to God. Jesus overcome death who is our heavenly priest being able to bring us to the throne of God directly to receive mercy and grace. 4:14-16. Christ's Priesthood Is Like Melchizedek (Genesis 14) A royal priesthood - Kings of peace and righteousness; An universal priesthood - Not alone for the Jews; No human ancestry - "Without father or mother." No successor - everlasting priesthood. [Henrietta C. Mears] -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) 4:16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. This confidence is the confidence in Christ, our High priest. We are told to hold fast the confession that Christ has been raised again and is alive. He was tested in all ways yet there was no sin in Him. 2) Every High priest was to be: - a man(v1) - compassionate(v2) - chosen by God(v4-6) - had to learn through suffering(v7-8) (RYRIE STUDY BIBLE) These are fulfilled perfectly by Christ since He was the perfect man, compassionate beyond our comprehension, not only chosen by God, but God Himself, and suffered the ultimate suffering. He was also called as a priest according to the order of Melchisedek. Coming from the tribe and lineage of Judah, Christ could never be a Levitical Priest. BOth Christ and Melchisedek were: - men(7:4;1Tim 2:5) - King-priests(Gen 14:18;Zech 6:12-13) - appointed directly by God(7:21) - called King of Righteousness and King of Peace(7:2;Is 11:5-9) (RYRIE STUDY BIBLE) Praise God for appointing our High Priest Jesus Christ, who is called according to the order of Melchisedek. Not only to mediate for us, but to serve as our King. Therefore, He is able to deliver us and become the 'source of eternal salvation'. BUT, we must OBEY in order to partake of this fountain of eternal salvation. May God grant us each one the heart to obey His calling daily. ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Hebrews) CHAPTER 5:11-6:8 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1) 5:11-14. What is the writer's complaint about his readers? What does he imply are the conditions of spiritual growth? By these standards, considering how long I have been a Christian, by this time what ought I to be? 2) 6:1-8. What teaching constitutes the foundation of the gospel? See acts 2:38;20:21;26:18. What reason is given here for not laying this foundation again? What were the only possibilities now open to such people? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Hebrews) Chapter 5:11-6:8 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- We must be prepared for the Lord's return. If we are unfruitful Christians and have fallen away from the Word, fellowship, etc., we are in DANGER. v8, "..But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in dange rof being cursed. In the end it will be burned." May it be a warning to us to always keep serving the Lord with ZEAL, PASSION and a HOLY FIRE. Romans 12:11, "Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord." -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Hebrews 5:11 - 6:8 Third Warning - Danger of Not Maturing The matured Christians could digest the Word of God and discriminate between both good and evil, 5:14. They are the ones who not only know the Word but also practice the Word of Life. "----, let us press on to maturity ---- of [I ]repentance from dead works and of [ii] faith toward God, [iii] of instruction about washings (teaching of baptisms), and [iv] laying on of hands, [v] and the resurrection of the dead, and [vi] eternal judgment." 6:1-2. Some of the Hebrew Christians tasted the salvation and now went back to their old traditions, Jewish religion, 6:6. The result would be "but if it yields thorns and thistles, it is worthless and close to being cursed, and it ends up being burned." 6:8. "For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man builds upon the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay straw, each man's work will become evident; for the day will show it, because it is to be revealed with fire; and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work. If any man's work which he has built upon it remains, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work is burned up, he shall suffer loss; but HE HIMSELF SHALL BE SAVED, yet so as through fire." I Corinthians 3:11-15. -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) The writer is complaining in 11-14 that the readers have not matured as Christians. They should be teachers, but are still in need of teaching. There is the implication that practice of the Word and application to the lifestyle is necessary for true spiritual growth. 2) The gospel foundation is: Believing that Jesus Christ, born of Mary lived as a man, died for our sins, and was raised from the dead by God. Acts 2:38 38 Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The outcome of v4-8 is not a pleasant one. These verses talk about the ground that would not produce vegetation, but produces thorns. This is a charge to each one of us that we apply the Gospel foundation we have received and build upon it each day of our lives. That we may be fruitful and productive for Christ. ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Hebrews) CHAPTER 6:9-20 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1) vs9-12. What gives the writer confidence concerning his reader's final salvation? In what ways does he desire to see improvement in their Christian living? Examine yourself to see in which of these characteristics you are strong or weak. 2) vs 13-20. If we have made Christ our refuge, what 3 unshakable grounds of assurance have we that our confidence and hope will not dissapoint us? In what ways is Jesus Himself like an anchor? What benefits does He guarantee? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Hebrews) Chapter 6:9-20 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- THis passage is VERY inspiring to me, especially regarding unsaved or shaky-ground Christians. v10-12. Surely, God sees all work done for Him and even unbelievers whose deeds begin to show the fruit of the Holy Spirit touching them. The most beautiful thing is to see a life changed by Jesus' sweet, gentle but mighty power. I'm sure most have seen it in someone. The hope that does not disappoint is ours - our ANCHOR FOR THE SOUL. How good to be anchored to Christ, the ROCK of our salvation. While the world changes and decays, one thing IS CONSTANT - JESUS CHRIST. Hallelujah! -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Hebrews 6:9 - 20 A Better Covenant Throughout the Old Testament, God made the Abrahamic Covenant, the Palestinian Covenant, The Davidic Covenant. In 6:9-16, Abrahamic Covenant is mentioned - It is a Covenant of promise of a national land, redemption and a great nation. 6:20 declares a better covenant according to the order of Melchizedek. It is an everlasting Covenant. A nation forever, a king forever, a throne forever. 6:19 - "This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil." There is a hymn written related to this verse - "I anchored my soul in the heavenly rest and sail the stormy sea no more ---." -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) The writer is given confidence of His reader's final salvation because of of their ministry to the saints. Their service and devotion to Christian service were examples and demonstration of their faith. He desires to see them not be sluggish, and imitate those with faith and patience. We too need to strive for diligence in our daily walk, to be alive and fresh in our faith and patient with the world around us and in God's timing for things to happen in our lives. 2) If we make Christ our refuge, we have 3 unshakable ground of assurance: a) the promise made with Abraham, b) the promise and oath that rests on the very being of God Himself, c) Christ's pioneering effort. In v20 we are told that Christ is the forerunner, not only has he gone before, but he is the 'trailblazer' - one who makes the way possible for others. The pioneer of the new and better covenant, guaranteeing us an anchor for our soul and hope which is unchangable. ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Hebrews) CHAPTER 7:1-14 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1) vs1-10. On what grounds is Melchizedek said to be greater than Abraham and consequently superior to the Levitical priesthood? By what the scriptural record both does and does not tell us about him, in what ways is Melchizedek made to resemble the Son of God? 2) vs11-14. Why could not Jesus possibly be a priest after the order of Aaron? What does the promise in the Old Testament of a new order of priesthood(see Ps 110:4) imply concerning the existing Levitical priesthood? IF the priesthood is changed, what must inevitably be changed as well? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Hebrews) Chapter 7:1-14 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- Melchizedek was superior; he held both offices - king and priest. He blessed Abraham (the great forefather), and usually the greater blesses the lesser one. His mysterious genealogy makes him a prefigure of Christ. M.'s priesthood symbolizes that of Christ's - everlasting. M.'s coming also signified change, not of the old law such as in Aaron's day. SAlvation, once for all, came thru Jesus Christ, our Lord. -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Hebrews 7:1 - 14 The Everlasting Priest and King The emphasis of this reading is that the Levitical priesthood is the ministry of forgiveness of sin. Jesus did not come out of the tribe of Levi; He came from the tribe of Judah which is a tribe of the kings, 7:14. The beginning of the chapter tells us Mechizedek is King of Righteous and King of Peace, His kingdom lasts forever. The reason Mechizedek came to greet Abraham is to show that God recognizes the righteous deed of A. of rescuing Lot. God's covenant made with A., as stated in April 22, 1999 notes, it was a covenant of land and a nation to prepare the place for the birth of Jesus. Then, the Davidic covenant was the promise of the kingdom. Mechizedek holds a kingdom which lasts forever, "without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but MADE LIKE THE SON OF GOD, HE ABIDES A PRIEST PERPETUALLY. 7:3 -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) We go to the OT to get our background on Melchizedek - Gen 14:17-20 and Ps 110:4 17 ¶ Then after his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the valley of Shaveh (that is, the King's Valley). 18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; now he was a priest of God Most High. 19 He blessed him and said, "Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; 20 And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand." He gave him a tenth of all. 4 The LORD has sworn and will not change His mind, "You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek." Melchizedek was given a tithe by Arbraham, indicating Ab. paying honor and tribute to Mel. Mel. is made to resemble Christ in that he has no traceable father, priest in perpetuity, king as well as priest. 2) If Christ were to have been a priest after Aaron's order, then it would end upon his death, but Mel.'s priesthood was a continuing one. With the change in priesthood, the Law had to be altered. The imperfect Law that was good, had to be bettered by the perfect Covenant of Grace - through the perfect priesthood of Christ.