Hebrews - session 2
Hebrews 10 - 13
For us, as Christians, Jeremiah's prophecy reminds us of the strong effect and up-lifting power that the Holy Spirit brought upon all Believers from the time of Pentecost, on until the end of the age. This sentence from the book of Jeremiah was used here in Hebrews to encourage those who were about to, or had accepted Christ as the long awaited messiah. Their own prophet had given them this hope many years before.
I will put my laws in their hearts and I will write them on their minds. [Hand-writing is a symbol of the action of the Holy Spirit.] Their sins I will remembered no more. (Jeremiah 31-34 found in Hebrews 10:16-18)
Do read the encouraging words to persevere, in chapter 10:19-25: ". . . let us draw near to God with a sincere heart". How important it is "where the heart is" for there lies your treasure. There is a severe warning against one who "has treated, as an unholy thing, the blood of the covenant that sanctified him and [then he] insults the Spirit of Grace" (Hebrews 10:29).
Chapter eleven starts off with a beautiful description of FAITH! "Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, being the proof of what we do not see" (Amplified Bible).
Chapter eleven starts off with a beautiful description of FAITH! "Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, being the proof of what we do not see" (Amplified Bible).
Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe he exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6, NIV)
In my class, this is where I would interject the understanding that God's Grace includes the ability to receive faith in Him. Recall the verse in Paul's letter to the Ephesians: "You are saved by Grace through faith, and even that is not of yourselves, so that no one can boast" (Eph. 2:8). God gives us the ability to receive faith in Him and then reinforces our faith through His faithfulness to us.
Chapter twelve starts off with, "Run with perseverance the race marked out for us" (Hebrews 12:1). Doesn't that sound like Paul? He gives us strong encouragement to endure whatever hardships arise that test our faith. Anyone reading Hebrews is not under any illusion that the Christian Life is a bed of roses.
In chapter thirteen, you will find this exhortation;
Chapter twelve starts off with, "Run with perseverance the race marked out for us" (Hebrews 12:1). Doesn't that sound like Paul? He gives us strong encouragement to endure whatever hardships arise that test our faith. Anyone reading Hebrews is not under any illusion that the Christian Life is a bed of roses.
In chapter thirteen, you will find this exhortation;
Keep on loving each other [as in one family] as brothers . . . entertain strangers for, by doing so, some have entertained angels without knowing it. (Hebrews 13:1-2)
Do not be carried away by strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by ceremonial foods [concluded to be other ceremonies, as well] which are of no value to those who eat them.
Do not forget to do good and share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
Paul closes with a beautiful prayer that my husband loved: "May the God of Peace, the great shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing His will and working in us what is pleasing to Him" (Hebrews 13:20-21). And that includes EQUIPPING US with FAITH.
God bless!
God bless!