J es u s IS. A Study in Hebrews

Transcription

1 J es u s IS A Study in Hebrews

2 Outline of Hebrews Jesus Greater than the Prophets Jesus Greater than the Angels Jesus Greater than Moses Jesus Provides a Greater Rest than Joshua Jesus Greater High Priest than Aaron Jesus Greater Hope Jesus and Melchizedek Jesus Greater Covenant Jesus Greater Sanctuary Jesus Greater Sacrifice Jesus and Faithfulness Jesus and Finishing the Race Jesus and the Practice of Faith

3 Outline of Hebrews Jesus Greater than the Prophets Jesus Greater than the Angels Jesus Greater than Moses Jesus Provides a Greater Rest Jesus Greater High Priest than Aaron Jesus Greater Hope Jesus and Melchizedek Jesus Greater Covenant Jesus Greater Sanctuary Jesus Greater Sacrifice Jesus and Faithfulness Jesus and Finishing the Race Jesus and the Practice of Faith

4 1. Greater kreivttwn. Used 13 times. Describes Christ s superiority in His person and His work (1.4; 6.9; 7.7,19,22; 8.6; 9.23; 10.34; 11.16,35,40; 12.24). 2. Faith pivstiv. Used 31 times (24 in Chapter 11). Conveys the idea of loyalty. 3. Perfect t evl o V. Used 14 times. Completion, maturity, etc. (2.10; 5.9, 14; 6.1; 7.11,19,28; 9.9,11; 10.1,14; 11.40; 12.2,23). Five Theme Words 4. Covenant d i a q h vk h. Used 17 times. Means contract, will, testament, agreement (7.22; 8.6,8-10,15-17,20; 9.4; 10.16,29; 12.24; 13.20). 5. High Priest ajr cier euvv. Used 17 times. Expressly referencing Jesus as the greatest of High Priests, alluding to the OT Priesthood.

5 Five Exhortations Against Apostasy 1. Do not Drift from the Word (2.1-4). 2. Do not Doubt the Word ( ). 3. Do not become Dull to the Word ( ). 4. Do not Despise the Word ( ). 5. Do not Defy the Word ( ). Five Exhortations

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7 Moving Toward Spiritual Maturity, Hebrews Point: God helps all Christians grow spiritually , Press on to perfection. Perfection tel eiovthta, complete, adulthood, maturity. Let us go on f er wvmeqa, better translated carried on. Indicates reliance on God (6.3). The first principles of Christ are the first oracles of God (5.12). The writer provides a list here in

8 Moving Toward Spiritual Maturity, Hebrews First Principles Referred by the Author: 1. Repentance from dead works. Could refer to rituals in Judaism. Probably indicates works that lead to death (sin, 9.14). 2. Faith toward God Contrasts repentance away from sin and faith toward God. 3. Teachings on baptism may contrast cleansing rites in the OT to one baptism in NT (Eph. 4.5).

9 Moving Toward Spiritual Maturity, Hebrews First Principles Referred by the Author: 4. Laying on of Hands Three purposes in NT: Endowment of Holy Spirit (Acts 19.6). Healing of sick (Mark 7.32). Consecration of office (1 Timothy 4.14). 5. Resurrection from the dead. See Eternal judgment. See 9.27 and

10 Warning Against Apostasy, Hebrews Describes those who have fallen away or who are in danger of falling away, who were at one time Christians who had fully embraced Christianity. It is possible to fall from grace. 1. Once enlightened a{pax fwtisqevntav (once shined upon, brightened up, illuminated). Reminds of John 1.4-5, 9. Traditionally used to describe conversion (specifically baptism).

11 Warning Against Apostasy, Hebrews Eaten the heavenly gift (dwr ea :V, gratuity, gift), suggests a personal element. Eaten (g e u vo ma i, eat, taste) connected to milk and meat (5.12). 3. Partakers of the Holy Spirit (metovcouv, sharer, partner, partaker). Acts 2.38, Eph Eaten the good Word of God (r Jh :ma, word, more like commandments or gospel). 5. Powers of the age is Christian dispensation.

12 Two Reasons Restoration Impossible, Hebrews If they fall away. It s a question of Will man repent? not Can God forgive? This is not falling short (Rom. 3.23), but away. It s impossible to repent when you won t repent. 2. Crucify again. Context is age of persecution. Denying Christ in this way is same as shaming Him on the cross again for the world to scoff at (Matthew 27.39ff). See also

13 Parable of the Soil, Hebrews The meaning of the parable (compare Mt. 13). Certain doom for the apostate who refuses to repent (Luke 13.3). Much given, much required (Lk ). Christians must bear fruit or risk dying on the vine (John 15.1ff). 2. Near to cursed (katavr av, from kata and ai[rw (prayer). Sense of imminent danger. 3. To be burned is final judgment (Mt ).

14 Encouragement, Hebrews Point: Author is confident these Christians will do the right thing. He does not consider them apostates. Beloved (ajgapetoiv, 6.9, dearly) is only used here in Hebrews. It softens the bite of Desire (ejp i qu mou :men, 6.11, set heart upon) conveys love for audience. Everyone of you (e{kas ton u Jmw:n) indicates that not all members of this church had fallen away.

15 Encouragement, Hebrews Things that accompany salvation (from e[cw), emphasizes conditional nature of salvation , Three Reasons for Optimism: God keeps His promises/is fair (6.10). Past faithfulness (6.10, ). The example of past faithful people ( ). Desire to imitate these people (11). 3. Slothful (nwqr oi ;) is same word in 5.11 (dull, sluggish, lazy). Opposite is diligence (6.11).

16 Certainty of God s Promises, Point: The hope of heaven is the anchor of the Christian s life. The promises of God are sure and unbreakable. We can rely on God s promises: 1. God has promised by promise and oath ( ). 2. God fulfilled promises to Abraham ( ). 3. Oath is legally binding (6.16), God is reliable. 4. BUT: Only those who persevere, like Abraham, will obtain the promises (6.15).

17 Certainty of God s Promises, Because we can rely on God s promises (by two immutable things: can t lie and oath), we have HOPE. The purpose of God s promise and oath was to give the heirs of promise (6.17) a strong encouragement (6.18) of the hope set before us. Hope (ejl p i vv, expectation, confidence, faith).

18 Description of the Hope 1. Promise made to heirs (6.17). 2. Confirmed by God s oath (6.17). 3. Described as city of refuge (6.18). 4. Anchor of the soul (6.19), not a kite in the wind. 5. It is sure and steadfast (6.19). 6. Christian s hope is heaven. The veil (6.19) is OT reference where God dwells. 7. Christian s hope is in Jesus, the forerunner who has already entered heaven (6.20).

19 Than Melchizedek Hebrews