Hebrews 2: 6 - 18 Jesus Made Fully Human

We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. For since the message spoken through angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will. It is not to angels that he has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking. But there is a place where someone has testified: “What is mankind that you are mindful of them, a son of man that you care for him? You made them a little lower than the angels; you crowned them with glory and honor and put everything under their feet.” In putting everything under them, God left nothing that is not subject to them. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to them. But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered. Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters. He says, “I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters; in the assembly I will sing your praises.” And again, “I will put my trust in him.” And again he says, “Here am I, and the children God has given me.” Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Hebrews 2:9-18 Jesus was in the form of man so that through his victory over death, partakers in him will live

But we see him who has been made a little lower than the angels, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that by the grace of God he should taste of death for everyone. For it became him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many children to glory, to make the author of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one, for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brothers, saying, “I will declare your name to my brothers. Among of the congregation I will sing your praise.” Again, “I will put my trust in him.” Again, “Behold, here I am with the children whom God has given me.” Since then the children have shared in flesh and blood, he also himself in the same way partook of the same, that through death he might bring to nothing him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might deliver all of them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For most certainly, he doesn’t give help to angels, but he gives help to the offspring of Abraham. Therefore he was obligated in all things to be made like his brothers, that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people. For in that he himself has suffered being tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted. If God were to say, "O man, why do you sin?" Our response would be you are God and we are but men. So the word became flesh and dwelt among us. We saw his glory and saw him crucified. We say him raise from the dead. Those who are saved are saved by belief and become partakers in his suffering knowing that if we persevere we will inherit eternal life and where Jesus is, there we shall be. Amen.

Hebrews 2:1-8 God's command is that man rule over the earth

Therefore we ought to pay greater attention to the things that were heard, lest perhaps we drift away. For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense; how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation—which at the first having been spoken through the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard; God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders, by various works of power, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to his own will? For he didn't subject the world to come, of which we speak, to angels. But one has somewhere testified, saying, “What is man, that you think of him? Or the son of man, that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the angels. You crowned him with glory and honor. You have put all things in subjection under his feet.” For in that he subjected all things to him, he left nothing that is not subject to him. But now we don’t see all things subjected to him, yet. In the beginning God created man to rule over the earth. God and man had an intimate relationship with one-another, but man sinned and the Serpent of Old took earth as his dwelling place. Man's destiny was death and toil, but at the right time God sent his Son to offer himself as our sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins. Man's date with death was cancelled and believers in Jesus Christ received eternal life in their soul and resurrected body striking down the serpent's weapon of death. So man was born again to live victoriously on earth. But the sin nature remains in man keeping him from being the righteous ruler God intends. For this reason, Jesus who is without sin will make a second advent and rule and reign on earth as is the will of and the power of God.

Hebrews 1:1-14 "Today I have begotten You"

God, having in the past spoken to the fathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, has at the end of these days spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the worlds. His Son is the radiance of his glory, the very image of his substance, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purified us of our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; having become so much better than the angels, as he has inherited a more excellent name than they have. For to which of the angels did he say at any time, “You are my Son. Today have I become your father?” and again, “I will be to him a Father, and he will be to me a Son?” When he again brings in the firstborn into the world he says, “Let all the angels of God worship him.” Of the angels he says, “Who makes his angels winds, and his servants a flame of fire.” But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. The scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your Kingdom. You have loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows.” And, “You, Lord, in the beginning, laid the foundation of the earth. The heavens are the works of your hands. They will perish, but you continue. They all will grow old like a garment does. You will roll them up like a mantle, and they will be changed; but you are the same. Your years will not fail.” 13 But which of the angels has he told at any time, “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies the footstool of your feet?” 14 Aren't they all serving spirits, sent out to do service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation? Jesus Christ is the second member of the Triune God i.e., God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Jesus existed in eternity past and his creation was far greater than angels. The advent of Jesus Christ marks the beginning of the later days. There was a time when God the Father spoke through Angels but now speaks through His Son who He has given control over all things. Christ is indeed very God of very God and speaks the words his Father gives Him. He administers justice and is the judge of all flesh. Jesus was crucified on the Cross to substitute for the wrath against all men who are sinners, but was raised from the dead and ascended to the right hand of the Father where he is the high priest and the only mediator between God and man. Jesus pledges a second advent when all who have been saved will be raised bodily and King Jesus will re reign in righteousness according to God's created order.

Philemon 1:1-21 "All Things Work Together For Good'

Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon, our beloved fellow worker, to the beloved Apphia, to Archippus, our fellow soldier, and to the assembly in your house: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers, hearing of your love, and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all the saints; that the fellowship of your faith may become effective, in the knowledge of every good thing which is in us in Christ Jesus. For we have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother. Therefore though I have all boldness in Christ to command you that which is appropriate, yet for love’s sake I rather beg, being such a one as Paul, the aged, but also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. I beg you for my child, whom I have become the father of in my chains, Onesimus, 11 who once was useless to you, but now is useful to you and to me. I am sending him back. Therefore receive him, that is, my own heart, whom I desired to keep with me, that on your behalf he might serve me in my chains for the Good News. 14 But I was willing to do nothing without your consent, that your goodness would not be as of necessity, but of free will. For perhaps he was therefore separated from you for a while, that you would have him forever, no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much rather to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. If then you count me a partner, receive him as you would receive me. But if he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, put that to my account. I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it (not to mention to you that you owe to me even your own self besides). Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in the Lord. 21 Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even beyond what I say. The Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 8:28 “All things work together for good for those who love the Lord and are called according to his purposes.” The reason for starting with this verse is because it contains the three essential components of today’s message: the goodness of the Lord, our proper response to him which is love, and our calling by God. Today’s text is Philemon 1: 1-21. The background for the text is that Paul is in prison in Rome. It was in Rome where the other prison epistles of Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians were written. The time is 60 A.D. To get some perspective of this, Jesus was crucified in 32 A.D., this is 60 A.D. and the last epistle of Revelations was written in 90 A.D. Here, Paul is an old man and describes himself as “a prisoner of Christ.’ Not a prisoner for Christ as though he is suffering in Jesus’ behalf, but instead a prisoner of Christ, where Christ is the master and he is the suffering servant. Recall how Paul obtained the office of apostle. He was a zealot of the Pharisee sect when he was on the road to Damascus to make a house to house search for Jesus’ followers when Jesus meets him on that road and says “Paul, Paul, why do you persecute me? You are a chosen instrument of mine and you will preach to gentiles and their kings, and suffer much for my name’s sake.” At this time in Rome, the Caesar was Nero who was the cruelest of Rome’s leaders. But because Paul’s reputation preceded him to Rome, the Caesar gave him some leeway in his confinement and allowed certain visitors such as John Mark and Luke the physician. In this context, Paul is a prisoner in chains and encounters a run-away slave whose name is Oneismus. He was property of one of his converts from Colosee whose name is Philemon. Oneismus was led to the Lord by Paul’s sharing of the gospel and he became important to Paul’s ministry in Rome and became an emissary of Paul. An emissary is a representative of another. Just as Paul was an apostle and represents Jesus, Oneismus became a representative of Paul in building the church in Rome. In this time, the punishment for a run-away slave was death, but Paul decides to send him back to Philemon, not as a slave, but a emissary of Paul and a fellow brother in Christ. Paul suggests that the run-away of Oneismus was the providence of Christ supplying him a needed someone to carry out his work. Paul had no intention of Oneismus remaining with Philemon, but instead wanted him to send him back to Paul because Oneismus had become profitable to Paul (Oneismus means “profitable”). He wanted Philemon to do this with the right heart attitude. To understand what Jesus defines the right heart attitude, let’s refer to Revelation chapter two where Jesus is judging the seven churches of Asia (All churches planted by Paul). To the angel of the Church of Ephesus, write what he who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks in the midst of the seven golden candle sticks says. “I know of your hard work and how you hate those who call themselves apostles and are not. I know how you worked to show them to be liars. I know of your patience for my name’s sake and your labor, but this I have against you: you have left your first love. So remember from where you have fallen and repent. Return to your first work or I will come quickly and remove your golden candle stick, unless you repent. What we learn is that the Lord desires that our giving and service be from a motivation of love and if it is not, he will remove us as his representative. When it comes to our calling, we will remain in the Pauline epistles in 1 Corinthians 7: 20-24 and learn “Live the life the Lord has appointed to you and for which God has called you. This is my advice to all the churches. But many of us don’t know our calling and if we don’t we should pray that God reveal it to us. But whatever you do, do not do it for the sake of man but for Christ. Did not Jesus say “whenever you have done it to the least of this my brethren, you have done it to me.” So if you go to work and you are a roofer, isn’t that supplying safety to this family? Isn't this service to the Lord? Of course it is. Whatever way you earn your living, make it your ministry and service of love toward the Lord. We have been preaching for weeks how all of us ought to read the Bible more. This book is a small book and to remember what we said today, let’s outlines it as follows: 1. Paul’s introduction of himself as an Apostle and Prisoner of Christ. 2. Paul encounters Oneismus and he becomes profitable to Paul. 3. Oneismus becomes Paul’s representative 4. He is sent back to a convert in Colosee who is Philemon, but as a brother in Christ. 5. He seeks his return based on his gift of love and service to Christ. 6. Oneismus is profitable to both Paul and Philemon. The lessons we can learn from this short book are the following: 1. The Lord is good all the time. 2. Our proper response to him who loved us first by going to the Cross in my place is an attitude of love in my gifts and service. 3. All persons are called and whatever you find to do with your hands, do it for the Lord and not for man. 4. Bring your gifts and service for the love of the Lord. ALL THINGS COME TOGETHER FOR GOOD FOR THOSE WHO LOVE THE LORD AND ARE CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSES. AMEN.

Titus 3:1-11 Shun men of strife and be about your Father's work

Remind them to be in subjection to rulers and to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing all humility toward all men. For we were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love toward mankind appeared, not by works of righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy, he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly, through Jesus Christ our Savior; that, being justified by his grace, we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This saying is faithful, and concerning these things I desire that you affirm confidently, so that those who have believed God may be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men; but shun foolish questionings, genealogies, strife, and disputes about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. Avoid a factious man after a first and second warning; knowing that such a one is perverted and sins, being self-condemned. Here it says that men in the government were placed there by God, so we are to obey them. Many things of men subvert the work of the Father. The wrangling and fighting of men is not from God so don't so them. Instead glorify God by the fruits of the spirit which are love and peace and obedience against which nobody can accuse you. So shun the strife of men and edify others which is the work of the Father.

Titus 2:1-15 As we get older, we should leave our youthful ways behind and to be an example of goldy living awaiting the blessed appearing of the return of our Savior as he has promised

But say the things which fit sound doctrine, that older men should be temperate, sensible, sober minded, sound in faith, in love, and in patience: and that older women likewise be reverent in behavior, not slanderers nor enslaved to much wine, teachers of that which is good; that they may train the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sober minded, chaste, workers at home, kind, being in subjection to their own husbands, that God’s word may not be blasphemed. Likewise, exhort the younger men to be sober minded; in all things showing yourself an example of good works; in your teaching showing integrity, seriousness, incorruptibility, and soundness of speech that can’t be condemned; that he who opposes you may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say about us. Exhort servants to be in subjection to their own masters, and to be well-pleasing in all things; not contradicting; 10 not stealing, but showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God, our Savior, in all things. For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we would live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world; looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify for himself a people for his own possession, zealous for good works. Say these things and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no man despise you.

Titus 1:1-16 The man of God is sober minded, has self control and governs will his own house

Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s chosen ones, and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness, in hope of eternal life, which God, who can’t lie, promised before time began; but in his own time revealed his word in the message with which I was entrusted according to the commandment of God our Savior; to Titus, my true child according to a common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior. I left you in Crete for this reason, that you would set in order the things that were lacking, and appoint elders in every city, as I directed you; if anyone is blameless, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, who are not accused of loose or unruly behavior. For the overseer must be blameless, as God’s steward; not self-pleasing, not easily angered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for dishonest gain; but given to hospitality, a lover of good, sober minded, fair, holy, self-controlled; holding to the faithful word which is according to the teaching, that he may be able to exhort in the sound doctrine, and to convict those who contradict him. For there are also many unruly men, vain talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, whose mouths must be stopped; men who overthrow whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for dishonest gain’s sake. One of them, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, and idle gluttons.” This testimony is true. For this cause, reprove them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, not paying attention to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn away from the truth. To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their mind and their conscience are defiled. They profess that they know God, but by their deeds they deny him, being abominable, disobedient, and unfit for any good work. Titus, like Timothy is a coworker with Paul in the gospel. The main ministry of Titus was on the island of Crete which is one of the first places Paul visited on his missionary tours. Paul places Titus there because he is responsible and holds fast to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Titus is a gentile,a Greek by ethnicity and is warned to reprove the people of Crete who live worldly lives and don't understand or live the gospel. Paul outlines the criteria for elders in this church and insists that a leader be beyond reproach and a sober man who demonstrates good character and good works. This defines the man of God.

2 Timothy 4:1-18 "I Pray the Lord my Soul to Take"

I command you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at his appearing and his Kingdom: preach the word; be urgent in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with all patience and teaching. For the time will come when they will not listen to the sound doctrine, but, having itching ears, will heap up for themselves teachers after their own lusts; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside to fables. But you be sober in all things, suffer hardship, do the work of an evangelist, and fulfill your ministry. For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith. From now on, there is stored up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that day; and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved his appearing. Be diligent to come to me soon, for Demas left me, having loved this present world, and went to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service. 12 But I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. Bring the cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus when you come, and the books, especially the parchments. Alexander, the copper smith, did much evil to me. The Lord will repay him according to his deeds, of whom you also must beware; for he greatly opposed our words. At my first defense, no one came to help me, but all left me. May it not be held against them. But the Lord stood by me, and strengthened me, that through me the message might be fully proclaimed, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. 18 And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me for his heavenly Kingdom; to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. When we were children we prayed the prayer "Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep, If I should die before I wake, I pray to Lord my soul to take Amen. This should be the Christian life. Jesus Christ said on many occasions that he is coming back. This was repeated by the angels at the Mt. of Olives. But Paul is warning Timothy that people will fall away from the faith. They will create a new kind of gospel that satisfies their sinful self. But the reality is Jesus is coming back as he said and God has given him authority to judge all flesh who are not protected by the gospel of Jesus Christ. For the Christian it involves suffering just as a woman in labor suffers to bring new life into the world. For the believer who is in Christ he need not fear the return of Jesus, because this is his blessed hope. For those who have not fought the good fight for Jesus, they will be judged by him.

2 Timothy 3:1-17 In The Last Days, The Golden Rule Is Broken

But know this, that in the last days, grievous times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, not lovers of good, traitors, headstrong, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God; holding a form of godliness, but having denied its power. Turn away from these, also. For some of these are people who creep into houses, and take captive gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, always learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Even as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so do these also oppose the truth; men corrupted in mind, who concerning the faith, are rejected. But they will proceed no further. For their folly will be evident to all men, as theirs also came to be. But you did follow my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, steadfastness, persecutions, and sufferings: those things that happened to me at Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. I endured those persecutions. The Lord delivered me out of them all. Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But you remain in the things which you have learned and have been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them. From infancy, you have known the holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus. Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. When I say the last days, I am referring to the time after the ascension of Jesus into heaven, but before his return. These passages speak of this time. In this time men's world view will put man in the center instead of God. Instead of life getting better and better, life will become progressively worse. Yes there have always been bad times, but in these times man will lose his created order. Even the clergy will be self centered and self righteous. More comfort will be placed on money than on the awesome power of God. It will be like the days before Noah and his family entered the Ark before God swept away mankind. Remember Satan was defeated on the Cross, but humans will be like little devils only without power. Rather listening to the word of God, they will do what is right in their own eyes, lacking the wisdom to follow their conscience. That is because they will have repressed their conscience and have lost wisdom also.