Hebrews 12:3-15 The Father's Chastening

For consider him who has endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, that you don’t grow weary, fainting in your souls. You have not yet resisted to blood, striving against sin; and you have forgotten the exhortation which reasons with you as with children, “My son, don’t take lightly the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when you are reproved by him; For whom the Lord loves, he chastens, and scourges every son whom he receives.” It is for discipline that you endure. God deals with you as with children, for what son is there whom his father doesn’t discipline? But if you are without discipline, of which all have been made partakers, then are you illegitimate, and not children. Furthermore, we had the fathers of our flesh to chasten us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much rather be in subjection to the Father of spirits, and live? For they indeed, for a few days, punished us as seemed good to them; but he for our profit, that we may be partakers of his holiness. All chastening seems for the present to be not joyous but grievous; yet afterward it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been exercised thereby. Therefore lift up the hands that hang down and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that which is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed. Follow after peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no man will see the Lord, looking carefully lest there be any man who falls short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and many be defiled by it. Understand this: The Father's discipline is not the Father's punishment. Punishment belongs to the non-believer and discipline to the Children of God. The purpose of discipline is to prevent serious error by one of his household. It is not pleasant but it puts us back on the straight road set forth by him. If you are never disciplined you have grounds to question weather you are a son. Be sure that if you respond to his discipline you will be rewarded because honoring your father comes with a promise - that things may go well with you. Love is sometimes hard love but we must learn the lesson the the Almighty is presenting. Footnotes:Hebrews 12:6 Proverbs 3:11-Hebrews 12:12 Isaiah Hebrews 12:13 Proverbs 4:26

Hebrews 12:1-2 If we only knew...

Therefore let us also, seeing we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Jesus knew, and Paul learned that everything sinful that entangles us in the world is rubbish compared to the glory of God and his heavenly kingdom. Compared to being in the presence of God where all cry holy, holy, holy, there is nothing on earth that can compete with this. It is like comparing someone for travel for a 1000 mile trip. On the one hand you are offered a bicycle and on the other a jet. Which is the best alternative? This is why Jesus could go to the Cross and Paul be executed in Rome. Jesus said "It is finished" Paul said, "I have run the good race and fought the good fight. Now my prize awaits me. But not for me alone, but to any who are in Christ." So if we only knew or even had a glimpse of glory. Then all of Satan's boats would sink and temptation would die because our eyes have seen the glory of God. Amen.

Hebrews 11: Pillars of Faith in the Bible

Abel: Second son of Adam and Eve who offered his first and best livestock to God. Enoch: God fearing man who walked with God and did not die but was taken by God. Noah: Obeyed God and built an ark on dry land because God said to Abraham: Was called by God to build a great nation and to bless the gentiles through them Sarah: Believed God would provide her a son in her old age. Isaac: The promised son of Abraham & Isaac fulfilling the promise of God foretold by angels. Jacob: The younger son of Isaac whose 12 sons became the nation of Israel. Joseph: The favorite son of Jacob who became a ruler in Egypt in times of famine and delivered Israel from famine. Moses: Great ruler in Israel who led them out of slavery to the Promised Land. Rahab: Prostitute from Jericho who helped the Israelite spies, thus saving her family. David: Greatest king in Israel who was a warrior and a man after God's own heart. Samuel: The prince of the Israeli judges who was a dedicated servant of God from birth. Daily Prayer; Lord Jesus, we ask not for the greatest faith, but the faith of a mustard seed that when it grows, it becomes a large tree that birds can nest in. Amen.

Hebrews 10:26-39 "Every Sin Committed Against the Son of Man will be forgiven him."

For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which will devour the adversaries. A man who disregards Moses’ law dies without compassion on the word of two or three witnesses. How much worse punishment do you think he will be judged worthy of who has trodden under foot the Son of God, and has counted the blood of the covenant with which he was sanctified an unholy thing, and has insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know him who said, “Vengeance belongs to me,” says the Lord, “I will repay.” Again, “The Lord will judge his people.” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. But remember the former days, in which, after you were enlightened, you endured a great struggle with sufferings; partly, being exposed to both reproaches and oppression's; and partly, becoming partakers with those who were treated so. For you both had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your possessions, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and an enduring one in the heavens. Therefore don’t throw away your boldness, which has a great reward. For you need endurance so that, having done the will of God, you may receive the promise. “In a very little while, he who comes will come, and will not wait. But the righteous will live by faith. If he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.” But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the saving of the soul. A redeemed soul still sins because it still has a sin nature. The redeemed soul indeed has two natures: The old man which is thy sinful self and the inner man, the born again soul of the spirit. I don't believe that any intentional sin voids salvation because Jesus said "Any sin against the Son of Man will be forgiven him. But denial of the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven in this world or in the world to come." In the same way the Apostle John said "If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive our sins and set aside our unrighteousness." The good news is that sin is not forever. The day is coming where we will leave this world and be with Christ Jesus and there Satan has no dwelling place. Amen.

Hebrews 10:19-25 "It is finished." By Christ we have been reconciled to God and to one another

Having therefore, brothers, boldness to enter into the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by the way which he dedicated for us, a new and living way, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; and having a great priest over God’s house, let’s draw near with a true heart in fullness of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and having our body washed with pure water, let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering; for he who promised is faithful.Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good works, 25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as you see the Day approaching. On the Cross Jesus declared "It is finished." What did he mean? By sacrificing his life for sinners he reconciled God to man (justification). By his work as the risen Son of God (our high priest) he demonstrated his faithfulness and has shown to be faithful to one another by gathering in the church in his name imitating his faithfulness to us.

Hebrews 10: 1-18 The New Covenant: God is no longer satisfied with animal sacrifice to cover human sin

For the law, having a shadow of the good to come, not the very image of the things, can never with the same sacrifices year by year, which they offer continually, make perfect those who draw near. Or else wouldn't they have ceased to be offered, because the worshipers, having been once cleansed, would have had no more consciousness of sins? But in those sacrifices there is a yearly reminder of sins. For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins. Therefore when he comes into the world, he says, “Sacrifice and offering you didn’t desire, but you prepared a body for me. You had no pleasure in whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin. Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come (in the scroll of the book it is written of me) to do your will, O God.’” Previously saying, “Sacrifices and offerings and whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin you didn't desire, neither had pleasure in them” (those which are offered according to the law), then he has said, “Behold, I have come to do your will.” He takes away the first, that he may establish the second, 10 by which will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Every priest indeed stands day by day serving and often offering the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins, but he, when he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God; from that time waiting until his enemies are made the footstool of his feet. For by one offering he has perfected forever those who are being sanctified. The Holy Spirit also testifies to us, for after saying, “This is the covenant that I will make with them: ‘After those days,’ says the Lord, ‘I will put my laws on their heart, I will also write them on their mind;’” then he says, “I will remember their sins and their iniquities no more.” Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. Footnotes:Hebrews 10:7 Psalm 40:6-8 Hebrews 10:16 Jeremiah Hebrews 10:17 Jeremiah 31:34 Here is a paradox: without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sin. However, God no longer accepts animal sacrifice to cover our sins. So what is the remedy for our problem. God sends his only begotten son to take human form and live a life in perfect obedience to God and lay down his life for his brothers. Not only this, but he must raise again from the dead proving his power over death so that all who take faith in him will never perish, but have eternal life.God was pleased with the sons's obedience and gave him a name that is above all names and declared him the judge of all flesh. Animal sacrifice was but a shadow of things to come in the person, life, and death of Jesus Christ God's son. l

Hebrews 9 The Perfect Redemption Must Be Sprinkled With The Blood Of The Redeemer

Now indeed even the first covenant had ordinances of divine service, and an earthly sanctuary. For a tabernacle was prepared. In the first part were the lamp stand, the table, and the show bread; which is called the Holy Place. After the second veil was the tabernacle which is called the Holy of Holies, having a golden altar of incense, and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which was a golden pot holding the manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant; and above it cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat, of which things we can’t speak now in detail. Now these things having been thus prepared, the priests go in continually into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the services, but into the second the high priest alone, once in the year, not without blood, which he offers for himself, and for the errors of the people. The Holy Spirit is indicating this, that the way into the Holy Place wasn't’ yet revealed while the first tabernacle was still standing; which is a symbol of the present age, where gifts and sacrifices are offered that are incapable, concerning the conscience, of making the worshiper perfect; being only (with meats and drinks and various washing's) fleshly ordinances, imposed until a time of reformation. But Christ having come as a high priest of the coming good things, through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation, nor yet through the blood of goats and calves, but through his own blood, entered in once for all into the Holy Place, having obtained eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled, sanctify to the cleanness of the flesh: how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without defect to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? For this reason he is the mediator of a new covenant, since a death has occurred for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first covenant, that those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. For where a last will and testament is, there must of necessity be the death of him who made it. For a will is in force where there has been death, for it is never in force while he who made it lives. Therefore even the first covenant has not been dedicated without blood. For when every commandment had been spoken by Moses to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of the calves and the goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, saying, “This is the blood of the covenant which God has commanded you.” Moreover he sprinkled the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry in the same way with the blood. According to the law, nearly everything is cleansed with blood, and apart from shedding of blood there is no remission. It was necessary therefore that the copies of the things in the heavens should be cleansed with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ hasn't entered into holy places made with hands, which are representations of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; 25 nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest enters into the holy place year by year with blood not his own, or else he must have suffered often since the foundation of the world. But now once at the end of the ages, he has been revealed to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. Inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once, and after this, judgment, so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, without sin, to those who are eagerly waiting for him for salvation. Physical death is a consequence or man's sin, but is separate from our soul and spirit. The body is called the tabernacle because the body will resurrect with the second coming of Christ Jesus. It is foolish to think that the tabernacle was made by man because man is not the Creator. Instead the tabernacle is made by God who appointed man to righteousness for all who believe in their Redeemer. Footnotes:Hebrews 9:1 TR adds “tabernacle”Hebrews 9:20 Exodus 24:8

Hebrews 8 The Old Testament Points To Our Sin, But The New Covenant To Our Salvation

Now in the things which we are saying, the main point is this. We have such a high priest, who sat down on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a servant of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man. For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices. Therefore it is necessary that this high priest also have something to offer. For if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, seeing there are priests who offer the gifts according to the law; who serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, even as Moses was warned by God when he was about to make the tabernacle, for he said, “See, you shall make everything according to the pattern that was shown to you on the mountain.” But now he has obtained a more excellent ministry, by so much as he is also the mediator of a better covenant, which on better promises has been given as law. For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second. For finding fault with them, he said, “Behold, the days come”, says the Lord, “that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah; not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers, in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; for they didn't continue in my covenant, and I disregarded them,” says the Lord. “For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel. After those days,” says the Lord; “I will put my laws into their mind, I will also write them on their heart. I will be their God, and they will be my people. They will not teach every man his fellow citizen, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for all will know me, from their least to their greatest. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness. I will remember their sins and lawless deeds no more.” In that he says, “A new covenant”, he has made the first old. But that which is becoming old and grows aged is near to vanishing away. Those who try to follow the letter of the law are legalistic and have trouble with salvation. The Bible teaches all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Salvation is admitting the truth about out sinful being and seeking Jesus as Savior over our life. Some try to earn their way to heaven but cannot not because they are born into sin. In the same way salvation requires us to be born again, this time not of the flesh but of the Spirit. This new life under Christ Jesus allows him sway in our lives to use us for his purposes and for his glory. Not for the purposes of salvation, but for the purposes of being about his Father's work. This glorifies God and makes us useful to him in his kingdom. Footnotes:Hebrews 8:5 Exodus Hebrews t 8:8 “Behold”, from “ἰδοὺ”, means look at, take notice, observe, see, or gaze at. It is often used as an interjection.Hebrews 8:11 TR reads “neighbor” instead of “fellow citizen”Hebrews 8:12 Jeremiah 31:31-34

Hebrews 7 Melchizedek the Priest

This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, the name Melchizedek means “king of righteousness”; then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.” Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever. Just think how great he was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder! Now the law requires the descendants of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their fellow Israelites—even though they also are descended from Abraham. This man, however, did not trace his descent from Levi, yet he collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. And without doubt the lesser is blessed by the greater. In the one case, the tenth is collected by people who die; but in the other case, by him who is declared to be living. One might even say that Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham, because when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the body of his ancestor. If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood—and indeed the law given to the people established that priesthood—why was there still need for another priest to come, one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron? For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed also. He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, and no one from that tribe has ever served at the altar. For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is declared: “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God. And it was not without an oath! Others became priests without any oath, but he became a priest with an oath when God said to him: “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: ‘You are a priest forever.’” Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantor of a better covenant. Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. For the law appoints as high priests men in all their weakness; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever. Jesus declared "I am the way, the truth and the life. Nobody comes to the father except through me." He could say that because he meets the requirements of being a high priest forever. But Jesus doesn't require further sacrifices because he gave his life as the perfect sacrifice so that further sacrifices would not be necessary, Because Jesus has no beginning or end he qualifies to be the mediator between God and man. No longer are blood sacrifices needed to cover sin, only faith in the finished work of Christ for the forgiveness of our trespasses.

Hebrews 6 Let every man be a liar, But God's Promises are True

With this in mind, we should stop going over the elementary truths about Christ and move on to topics for more mature people. We shouldn't repeat the basics about turning away from the useless things we did and the basics about faith in God. We shouldn't repeat the basic teachings about such things as baptisms, setting people apart for holy tasks, dead people coming back to life, and eternal judgment. If God permits, we will do this. Some people once had God’s light. They experienced the heavenly gift and shared in the Holy Spirit. They experienced the goodness of God’s word and the powers of the world to come. Yet, they have deserted Christ. They are crucifying the Son of God again and publicly disgracing him. Therefore, they cannot be led a second time to God. God blesses the earth. So rain often falls on it, and it produces useful crops for farmers. However, if the earth produces thorns and thistles, it is worthless and in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned. Dear friends, even though we say these things, we are still convinced that better things are in store for you and that they will save you. God is fair. He won’t forget what you've done or the love you've shown for him. You helped his holy people, and you continue to help them. We want each of you to prove that you’re working hard so that you will remain confident until the end. Then, instead of being lazy, you will imitate those who are receiving the promises through faith and patience. God made a promise to Abraham. Since he had no one greater on whom to base his oath, he based it on himself. 14 He said, “I will certainly bless you and give you many descendants.” So Abraham received what God promised because he waited patiently for it. When people take oaths, they base their oaths on someone greater than themselves. Their oaths guarantee what they say and end all arguments. God wouldn't change his plan. He wanted to make this perfectly clear to those who would receive his promise, so he took an oath. 18 God did this so that we would be encouraged. God cannot lie when he takes an oath or makes a promise. These two things can never be changed. Those of us who have taken refuge in him hold on to the confidence we have been given. 19 We have this confidence as a sure and strong anchor for our lives. This confidence goes into the holy place behind the curtain 20 where Jesus went before us on our behalf. He has become the chief priest forever in the way Melchizedek was a priest. The argument here is the argument between loss of salvation and loss of reward. In these passages it presents a hypothetical case and not an actual case of a believer losing his salvation. It's purpose is to demonstrate that if the sacrifice of Christ weren't sufficient, this person could not be redeemed. But throughout the Bible we see God's promises always come true. Let every man be a liar, but God is always true to his word. He gave Jesus to the world and then sent the Holy Spirit so that we could be sure of our salvation even in the midst of sin. When a man becomes saved and sins with a high hand, he will not lose his salvation (a promise from God) but will lose the reward that God set aside for him.

Hebrews 5 Jesus Christ is the author of eternal salvation

For every high priest, being taken from among men, is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins. The high priest can deal gently with those who are ignorant and going astray, because he himself is also surrounded with weakness. Because of this, he must offer sacrifices for sins for the people, as well as for himself. Nobody takes this honor on himself, but he is called by God, just like Aaron was. So also Christ didn't glorify himself to be made a high priest, but it was he who said to him, “You are my Son. Today I have become your father.” As he says also in another place, “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.” He, in the days of his flesh, having offered up prayers and petitions with strong crying and tears to him who was able to save him from death, and having been heard for his godly fear, though he was a Son, yet learned obedience by the things which he suffered. Having been made perfect, he became to all of those who obey him the author of eternal salvation, named by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek. About him we have many words to say, and hard to interpret, seeing you have become dull of hearing. For although by this time you should be teachers, you again need to have someone teach you the rudiments of the first principles of the revelations of God. You have come to need milk, and not solid food. For everyone who lives on milk is not experienced in the word of righteousness, for he is a baby.c But solid food is for those who are full grown, who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern good and evil.

Hebrews 4 GOD’S WORD Translation: We Will Enter God’s Place of Rest

God’s promise that we may enter his place of rest still stands. We are afraid that some of you think you won’t enter his place of rest. We have heard the same Good News that your ancestors heard. But the message didn't help those who heard it in the past because they didn't believe. We who believe are entering that place of rest. As God said, “So I angrily took a solemn oath that they would never enter my place of rest.” God said this even though he had finished his work when he created the world. Somewhere in Scripture God has said this about the seventh day: “On the seventh day God rested from all his work.” God also said in the same passage, “They will never enter my place of rest.” However, some people enter that place of rest. Those who heard the Good News in the past did not enter God’s place of rest because they did not obey God. So God set another day. That day is today. Many years after your ancestors failed to enter that place of rest God spoke about it through David in the passage already quoted: “If you hear God speak today, don’t be stubborn.” If Joshua had given the people rest, God would not have spoken about another day. Therefore, a time of rest and worship exists for God’s people. Those who entered his place of rest also rested from their work as God did from his. So we must make every effort to enter that place of rest. Then no one will be lost by following the example of those who refused to obey. God’s word is living and active. It is sharper than any two-edged sword and cuts as deep as the place where soul and spirit meet, the place where joints and marrow meet. God’s word judges a person’s thoughts and intentions. No creature can hide from God. Everything is uncovered and exposed for him to see. We must answer to him. We need to hold on to our declaration of faith: We have a superior chief priest who has gone through the heavens. That person is Jesus, the Son of God. We have a chief priest who is able to sympathize with our weaknesses. He was tempted in every way that we are, but he didn't sin. 16 So we can go confidently to the throne of God’s kindness to receive mercy and find kindness, which will help us at the right time. God commanded us "Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy." God created the heavens and the earth in six days and rested on the seventh. In this way, God is unhappy with those who do not trust him and labor on the seventh day as though their faithful Father will not meet their needs. It as Jesus said, "Look at the lilies of the field. They neither sow nor reap by their heavenly father takes care of them. Are you not important than lilies?" Yet, while we should not labor we should worship and meditate on God and the good things he provides us.This is proper and right and is our means of entering his rest.