Brothers and Sisters 😊

📖 In Hebrews chapter 12 and 13 today we see a myriad of God’s very great and precious promises, as His Word brings all-encompassing HOPE, awe-inspiring REVERENCE, everlasting SECURITY, and a steadfast calling for all followers of Jesus to SERVICE in Christ for the good of God’s people and the glory of His eternal name…

✝️ HOPE:

“But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12:22-24‬ ‭

✝️ REVERENCE

“Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a Kingdom that cannot be shaken, and let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12:28-29‬ ‭

✝️ SECURITY:

“Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with such things as you have, for He has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear what man can do to me!”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭13:5-6‬ ‭

✝️ SERVICE:

“Therefore let us go to Jesus outside the camp and bear the reproach He endured. For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. Through Him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge His name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭13:13-16‬

Brothers and Sisters 😊

📖 In Hebrews chapter 11 today we see the well-known “Faith chapter” of the Bible, and its many godly examples of believers who willingly gave up the pleasures of this world to selflessly serve Christ, fully believing that the eternal reward was worth the earthly sacrifice…

“By faith Moses refused to be called the son of Pharaoh, choosing to be mistreated with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the greater reward” (vs 24-26).

Q. Do these old testament heroes of the faith inspire you to be “Imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises of God?”

Q. Does the fact that all of them were broken sinners (just as we are) give you hope that you can endure to the end and accomplish the same by the grace of God?

🙏 Heavenly Father thank you so much for the gracious gift of faith that compels us to believe our true and better treasure is Jesus, instead of the world – Please continue to empower us to serve in sacrificial ways, “Always looking forward to a better country, our heavenly homeland, and the holy city that has foundations whose designer and builder is God.”

🙏 Lord Jesus we praise you today for being the founder and perfecter of our faith, and enduring the cross for our eternal good – Please help us to find daily motivation in you to lay aside our sin, run the race with endurance that is set before us, and follow you come what may, for you alone are so worth it…

✝️ “And what more shall I say? For I could tell you of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, and became mighty in war…so that they might rise again to a better life.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11:32-35‬ ‭

Brothers and Sisters 😊

📖 In Hebrews chapter 10 today we see a back-to-back-to-back Gospel driven encouragement towards the triple virtue of faith, hope, and love, as Jesus’ finished work spurs on His followers to die to self and live for Christ…

Faith:

“Let us draw near in full assurance of FAITH, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water” (vs 22).

Hope:

“Let us hold fast the confession of our HOPE without wavering, for He who promised is faithful” (vs 23).

Love:

“Let us consider how to stir up one another to LOVE and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as we see the Day drawing near” (vs 24).

Q. Can you “Recall the former days” in your past when the reality of the Gospel and God’s grace for you gave you great strength in seasons of trial, hardship, and suffering to persevere and not give up?

🙏 Heavenly Father thank you so much that we no longer have to cling to the fleeting things of this world for identity, fulfillment, or motivation (money, relationships, approval, reputation, possessions, etc), but that you have granted us a “Better possession and an abiding one” in Christ – Please strengthen our belief in your promises and help us endure to the end in faith, hope, and love for our eternal good and your eternal Glory…

✝️ “Therefore do not throw away your confidence which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. Be encouraged brothers, for ‘Yet a little while, and the One which is to come will arrive and will not delay’…And we will not shrink back, but will (by the grace of God) have faith that preserves our souls to the end!”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭10:35-39‬ ‭

Brothers and Sisters 😊

📖 In Hebrews chapter 9 today we see a massively lopsided contrast of countless old testament blood sacrifices made for sin, compared with the everlasting power and effect of a single sacrifice made by Jesus – His sacrifice achieving eternal deliverance, redemption, and salvation for millions, while millions of old testament sacrifices could not save even one sinner from judgment…

“But when Christ appeared as a High Priest of the good things that have come, He entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of His own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption” (vs 11-12).

🙏 Blessed Triune God we thank you and praise you today that you have reconciled the believing world to yourself through Christ, and that the Holy Father, sent Jesus the perfect Son, through the eternal Spirit, to a once for all sacrifice without blemish for our sin – Please continue to purify our consciences from dead works, to the honor of enjoying you wholly, walking with you humbly, and serving you daily until we see Jesus face-to-face…

✝️ “Jesus did not have to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, He has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. It is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for Him.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭9:26-28‬ ‭

Brothers and Sisters 😊

📖 In Hebrews chapter 8 today we see a radical contrast between the “Old” (inadequate), and the “New” (perfected) relational dynamic for God’s people because of the better mediator (Jesus), who brought better promises (eternal), through a better covenant (guarantee), for all New Testament believers…

“But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry which is more excellent than the old, for He is the Mediator of a better covenant that unites God and man. For if that first (old) covenant had been faultless, there would have been no need for a second (new) one” (vs 6-7).

Q. Why did the Old Covenant fail?

Q. Why is the New Covenant complete, unfailing, and perfect?

Q. Does it bring you peace and relieve any pressure to know that even when you fail to keep your promises to trust and obey God, He will continually keep His promises of favor and salvation to you?!!!

🙏 Heavenly Father thank you so much that your love never fails, and that even though we have often times been faithless, you remain faithful because of the finished work of Christ on our behalf.

🙏 Lord Jesus we praise you today as our better and Great High Priest who has brought full, final, and forever forgiveness of our sins – Please help us believe and rejoice daily in the innumerable benefits of your New Covenant, and let us make it our aim to zealously share the exceedingly good news of the Gospel to all who will hear…

✝️ “For this is the covenant that I will make with my people declares the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people…For they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more!”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭8:10-12‬ ‭

Brothers and Sisters 😊

📖 In Hebrews chapter 6 and 7 today we see a strong warning against drifting & defiance, as well as uplifting encouragements that we were made for better things because of God’s irresistible grace and our unification with Christ by faith…

“Though we warn you that some have fallen away, yet in your case beloved, we feel sure of better things for you, things that belong to salvation…For you have Jesus as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where He has gone as a forerunner on your behalf” (Heb 6:9,19)

Q. Are you glad that your salvation and favor from God does not depend on the consistency or intensity of your own righteousness and good works, but on the guarantee of a better Hope, the once-for-all sacrifice of Christ?

Q. In light of Jesus finished work for you, how should you respond to God’s call for sacrificial service and love towards others?

🙏 Heavenly Father thank you so much for your unchangeable character of good purposes for your people – We praise you Lord that you cannot lie, and will not change your mind about your very great and precious promises for us in Christ…

✝️ “This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant…Consequently, He is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him, since He everlives to make intercession for them. For we have a great High Priest who is holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sin, and exalted above the heavens…He offered up Himself once for all, the Son of God who has been made perfect forever.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭7:22,25,28

Brothers and Sisters 😊

📖 In Hebrews chapter 5 today we see the matchless grace of God in full bloom for humanity as He appoints Jesus, the eternal King of kings, to put on flesh and become human (the God/man) in order to be our better Mediator and Priest, making intercession for us and giving the ultimate sacrifice…

“In the same way that every high priest is chosen from among men, appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, offering gifts and sacrifices for sins and dealing compassionately with the weak and wayward…So also Christ was appointed by God, who said to Him, ‘You are my Son, today I have begotten you…You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek” (vs 5:1,2,5,6).

Q. What does it mean for Jesus, the perfect and eternal Son of God, to have “Learned obedience” and go through the process of “Being made perfect” as He lived out His divine ministry on earth as true King of all, and suffering servant for all?

🙏 Heavenly Father thank you so much that you sent Jesus to experience the trials of humanity and become fully qualified as our great High Priest – Please help us respond by consistently living out our lives in full gratitude for your magnificent gift.

🙏 Lord Jesus we praise you today that you willingly became the ultimate man of sorrows who is well acquainted with grief, so that we could be eternally rescued and delivered from our grief and sorrows for sin – You alone are worthy of all honor and glory…

✝️ “Although Jesus was a Son who had never been disobedient to the Father, He learned obedience through what He suffered. And being made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, being designated by God as High Priest after the order of Melchizedek.”

‭‭Hebrews 5:8-10‬ ‭

Brothers and Sisters 😊

📖 In Hebrews chapter 4 today we see a massive dilemma for every human being on planet earth, as our innermost thoughts and desires are fully exposed to God, and (if not dealt with) will inevitably lead to judgment & condemnation for all…

“For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from His sight, but all are exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must give an account” (vs 12-13).

Q. How is it possible that the perfectly just and righteous God of the universe can know every selfish and evil thought, word, and action that a person has ever had, and still approve of and favor that person with perfect forgiveness and love.

Q. Does God’s mercy and forgiveness through Christ motivate you to consistently confess, repent, and persevere in waging war against the sin that lies within?

🙏 Heavenly Father thank you so much that the promise of entering your rest still stands for lost and needy sinners like us – Please help us to experience more and more of your relentless love, that because of Jesus we can confidently run to you instead of away from you.

🙏 Lord Jesus we praise you today for leaving the comfort of heaven for our sake, perfectly resisting every temptation, sympathizing with our every human need, initiating a new and better covenant for us by your shed blood at the cross, and turning God’s throne of judgment into a throne of grace for all who put their trust in you…

✝️ “Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭4:14-16‬ ‭

Brothers and Sisters 😊

📖 In Hebrews chapter 3 today we see a strong warning to examine our hearts and our manner of life, and a subsequent call for proactive accountability and daily encouragement to help prevent our faith from shipwreck…

“Take care brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another daily that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin” (vs 12-13).

Q. What are some practical antidotes to the poison of worldly drift, and wandering away from fellowship and closeness with God?

🙏 Heavenly Father thank you so much for the absolute necessity of Your Word, Your Spirit, Your people, and Your wise instruction in our lives on a daily basis to be vigilant and take heed, lest we fall.

🙏 Lord Jesus we praise you today for your saving grace, transforming grace, and sustaining grace that we can live a life of repentance and faith, looking forward to entering your rest in a short time to come – Please continue to make daily intercession for us and keep our hearts from going astray, for we have no good apart from you…

✝️ “Therefore holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession…For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end. As it is said, ‘Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, but rather trust in the Lord and enter His rest.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭3:1,14,15

Brothers and Sisters 😊

📖 In Hebrews chapter 1 & 2 today we see the dual identity and glorious supremacy of Jesus Christ (the better Prophet, Priest, and King), being clearly revealed to all who have eyes to see and ears to hear…

Jesus Deity:

– Creator & inheritor of the universe (Heb 1:2)

– The radiance & exact imprint of God (Heb 1:3)

– Son of God & promised Messiah (Heb 1:5)

– Rightly praised & worshipped by angels (Heb 1:6)

– King of kings & God incarnate (Heb 1:8)

– The beginning & the end of all things (Heb 1:12)

Jesus Humanity:

– Temporarily lower than the angels (Heb 2:7)

– The suffering servant & atoning sacrifice (Heb 2:9)

– Brother & friend of redeemed sinners (Heb 2:11)

– Destroyer of death, by His human life & death (Heb 2:14)

– Liberator & rescuer of slaves to sin (Heb 2:15)

– Merciful & faithful High Priest (Heb 2:17)

🙏 Heavenly Father thank you so much that you sent your righteous Son Jesus to rescue condemned sinners from death, hell, and judgement, and to be our ENOUGH in every season of this life and the life to come.

🙏 Lord Jesus we give you eternal praise and glory, for great indeed we confess, is the mystery of godliness: You were manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory!…

✝️ “In these last days God has spoken to us by His Son…Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it…Jesus Himself, through His own death, has made propitiation for the sins of His people, and has destroyed the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil. He has delivered all those who formerly feared death, breaking the bonds of their lifelong slavery!”

‭‭Hebrews‬ 1-2 vs medley