SUPERIOR LIVING THROUGH A SUPERIOR SAVIOR/STUDIES IN THE BOOK OF HEBREWS Lesson 6 Each day, carefully read the assigned passage and answer each question in your own words. Although you can get a basic idea of the passage itself without completing the Expanded Questions, we encourage you to complete them as thoroughly as you can to see how the principles of the passage apply to your life today and how the Scriptures tie together. Please try not to rely on outside resource books or to just copy a passage for your answers. Rather, take time to pray, and answer the questions from what you learn. 1 Last Week in Review In our previous lesson, the author of Hebrews told us more about our Savior, and how He was superior to even Moses and to all of the things God did through this important figure in Israel's history. He had a more superior house than Moses Moses was the administrator for a set time, while Jesus is the builder of God's house! Thus, we can confidently hold on to Christ. We were also urged to consider God's serious warning about the result of failing to enter His rest; to resist hardening our hearts to God's provision by grace; and to avoid testing Him by our failure to rest in Him. We need to consider the superior confidence we have in Christ, and exhort those around us who are not at rest in Jesus to do so before it is too late for them. The ultimate choice we all must make, the author said, was to choose God's rest or God's wrath. This week, we will examine how Jesus and the rest He has for us is superior to even that which Joshua brought in when Israel entered Canaan. We will also continue to look at Jesus' role as our superior High Priest. Hebrews 5 A Compassionate High Priest Read Hebrews 5:1-3 and answer the following questions. 1. How did someone become the high priest (verse 1)? 2. What important attitude and ability should a high priest have toward those he serves (verse 2)? 3. What else did the high priest need to do (verse 3)? 1
MEN'S/STUDIES IN THE BOOK OF HEBREWS Expanded Questions 1. The priesthood was established under Aaron, and the Levites were to serve as the priests and intermediaries between God and Israel. If you would like to read more on the specific functions of a Jewish high priest, see Leviticus 8-9. We saw in this passage that a priest was chosen from among men, and had the duties of offering the gifts and freewill offerings of the people, as well as sacrifices to atone for their sin. He had to have compassion on those he served, and because he, too, was a sinful, failing person, he had to offer sacrifices to atone for his own sins. Although a human could serve in a temporary role as a high priest, no human because of his own sinfulness would ever be able to deal with man's needs once for all. Yet to be a truly Great High Priest, one would need this same compassion and understanding. How does Jesus fill these requirements perfectly? 1 Timothy 2:5-6: Hebrews 2:17-18; 4:14-15: 2. The word used for compassion here is methriopatheo, meaning literally "to suffer according to a measured limit," or "to act in moderation of one's passions, not too severe or too tolerant toward others, especially when they go astray." After all, we go astray too, so we should have the right kind of compassion toward others the kind that leads them to a solution instead of just leaving them in a fallen state. This is a different compassion than the world knows. It is not just sympathy toward someone's problems, but it is compassion with balanced, appropriate action that Christ alone can give us to help another. What are some things that the Bible tells us about this type of compassion we should have toward others who have fallen? (For example, Galatians 6:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:14; 1 Peter 3:8-9.) Daily Life Point: In the Gospels, whenever we read about Jesus' having compassion, He did something appropriate about it rather than feeling sorry and walking away! Does this kind of balanced and appropriate compassion mark your life as well? What are some things you can do differently, within the resources God has given you, to make a practical difference the next time God stirs His compassion for another in your heart? 2
SUPERIOR LIVING/THROUGH A SUPERIOR SAVIOR Memory Passage This week we will be memorize Hebrews 5:8-9. Review it several times each day this week, and by the end of the week you should have it completely memorized. Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.(Hebrews 5:8-9 NKJV) 2 An Hebrews 5 Honored High Priest Read Hebrews 5:4-6 and answer the following questions. 1. What is important to remember about the one who becomes the high priest (verse 4)? 2. How did this tie in with Jesus' becoming our Great High Priest (verse 5)? NOTE: This is a quote from Psalm 2:7. 3. How else was Jesus called to this role (verse 6)? NOTE: This is a quote from Psalm 110:4. Melchizedek is mentioned in Genesis 14, and is a type of Christ in His priestly role. We will look at this in detail in Hebrews 7. Expanded Questions 1. Jesus was called to His role as our Great High Priest. He didn't call Himself to this, but the Father did, and He revealed Christ as His Son to the world. No one should take upon himself the honor of a calling to serve God; otherwise, he is the only one who receives honor, and the results can be disastrous for all involved. God makes the choices He does to bless His children and to bring glory to His Name. There is nothing wrong at all in seeking to serve God, in desiring certain gifts and abilities, 3
MEN'S/STUDIES IN THE BOOK OF HEBREWS and even seeking to be in a place of leadership. The Bible affirms these pursuits (e.g., 1 Timothy 3:1; 1 Corinthians 14:1). But it is God alone who calls us to the service He would have us fulfill, and we must avoid selfish ambitions and desires in this. J. Oswald Sanders said well in his book, Spiritual Leadership: "All Christians are under obligation to make the most of their lives, to develop to the utmost their God-given powers and capacities. But Jesus taught that any ambition that centers on and terminates on oneself is wrong.... True greatness, true leadership, is achieved not by reducing men to one's service but in giving oneself in selfless service to them." 1 What three important truths and warnings do we need to keep in mind as we seek to serve God? Jeremiah 45:5: Mark 10:43-44: James 3:1: Daily Life Point: Have you been seeking your own promotion or your own honor? In view of the things we discussed today, what changes do you need to make in your own life? Memory Passage By memory, try to fill in the missing words in the blanks below. Keep on reviewing the passage several times throughout the day today. Though He was a Son, yet He obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been, He became the author of eternal to all who obey Him. (Hebrews 5:8-9 NKJV) 4
SUPERIOR LIVING/THROUGH A SUPERIOR SAVIOR 3 A Hebrews 5 Disciplined High Priest Read Hebrews 5:7-10 and answer the following questions. 1. Although Jesus was called by God to be our Great High Priest, what were some of the things He had to go through (verse 7)? 2. Why did this have to happen (verse 8)? 3. What was the wonderful result for all of us, because of what Jesus went through (verse 9)? Expanded Questions 1. Jesus had to experience all that we do in this life, even to the point of vehement, forcible grief and crying. Through it, He learned (Greek: "to be brought into one's experience") obedience and was able to fulfill His work. Trials are never fun, but at times, we have to be brought to the end of our rope before we can find the beginning of God's! Job was one who suffered terribly and was even misunderstood by his friends, who accused him of some sin or wrongdoing. Yet he did nothing wrong. It was God who allowed the breaking process in his life to bring him to greater accomplishments than he had experienced before the trials came his way (see Job 42). While still in the midst of his trials, what sustaining truth did Job hang onto that sustained him (Job 23:10-12)? What does 1 Peter 1:6-7 add regarding this? 2. Jesus was heard because He entrusted Himself to the One whom He knew was able to sustain Him through even the darkest hours of suffering for us in His earthly life. The word able means "to have power and ability out of one's own resources" God is able, out of His awesome power and resources, to see us through all we will face as well. What confidence can we have in God as we trust in His ability to help us through the trials of this life (2 Corinthians 9:8; Ephesians 3:20; Philippians 1:6)? 5
MEN'S/STUDIES IN THE BOOK OF HEBREWS Daily Life Point: Are you struggling with trials or your own weakness today? How does the fact of His using them to build you up, as well as His ability to sustain you, give you a renewed perspective and hope to endure? Memory Passage By memory, try to fill in the missing words in the blanks below. Keep on reviewing the passage several times throughout the day today. Though He was a Son, yet He obedience by the things which He. And having been, He became the author of eternal to all who Him. (Hebrews 5:8-9 NKJV) 4 Arrested Hebrews 5 in Spirituality Read Hebrews 5:11-12 and answer the following questions. 1. The author of Hebrews now takes a sudden detour after introducing us to the concept of Jesus as our Great High Priest and as superior to Aaron. Why did the author do this (verse 11)? 2. What was the problem with many of the recipients of this important epistle (verse 12)? Expanded Questions 1. Several good Bible teachers and scholars feel this passage was intended for unbelievers in the readers' midst who were stuck in the "milk" of the Old Testament, rituals, and man's traditions instead of moving on to the "meat" of the New Testament and salvation through faith in Christ. This point will not be debated here, but it is obvious in the experiences of too many Christians who have been truly born again, that they can have arrested spiritual growth. Slow and sluggish in their pursuit of God, they still are seeking after the milk of the word. By the time they should be teaching others, they still are pursuing entertainment and emotional experiences instead of diving into, and enjoying, growth in 6
SUPERIOR LIVING/THROUGH A SUPERIOR SAVIOR Christ. Spiritual immaturity and carnality will always keep us dull, ineffective, unable to make progress, and "asleep in the light," just where the devil would want us to be! What did Paul warn the dividing church in Corinth about carnality (1 Corinthians 3:1-3)? What was his urgent warning to his readers in Rome, and of course, to us (Romans 13:11-14)? Daily Life Point: Does this passage describe your life now? In what areas do you need to awake from your spiritual naptime, put down your baby bottle, turn from carnal, selfish pursuits, and make a difference for Christ? How can your group pray for you in this? Memory Passage By memory, try to fill in the missing words in the blanks below. Keep on reviewing the passage several times throughout the day today. Though He was a Son, yet He obedience by the things which He. And having been, He the of eternal to all who Him. (Hebrews 5:8-9 NKJV) 5 Accelerating Hebrews 5 Our Spirituality Read Hebrews 5:13-14 and answer the following questions. 1. What happens when we only partake of spiritual "milk" (verse 13)? 7
MEN'S/STUDIES IN THE BOOK OF HEBREWS 2. What is the result of a life feeding on the solid food of God's Word (verse 14)? Expanded Questions The author of Hebrews summarizes well our options at this point: If we remain unskilled (Greek: "inexperienced or ignorant") in the Word of God and in putting it into practice in our daily lives, then we'll have a spiritually immature and useless life. But, if we accelerate our spirituality by exercising it, then we'll have the wisdom and discernment we need to live a productive and fruitful life. 1. What is the entire goal of our Christian walk, and how does the body of Christ need to work together toward this goal (Ephesians 4:11-16; Colossians 2:2, 6-7)? 2. How will we see our spiritual growth accelerated (Romans 12:1-2; Colossians 3:1-5)? Daily Life Point: How does all of this impact your personal walk with Christ? What differences are needed in your daily life and priorities to truly pursue God and get beyond spiritual immaturity? 8
SUPERIOR LIVING/THROUGH A SUPERIOR SAVIOR Memory Passage Without looking back at it, can you write out this week's memory passage here now? Try to do so and keep reviewing the passage throughout the day today. Hebrews 5:8-9: 6 Superior Hebrews 5 Living 1. This has been another awesome and convicting chapter. Studying the High Priesthood of Jesus Christ is also very important, because we want to truly know Him, follow Him, and be like Him in our daily dealings. How has the compassion of Christ as our High Priest shown you how to be more compassionate yourself? How did His humility and His refusal to seek His own honor teach you about how much we honor ourselves and how much of yourself still needs to get out of the way so you can effectively serve Him? Please feel free to share what you've learned about this with your group, so they can pray with you as you put these things into practice. 2. Jesus was also a disciplined High Priest, having to "learn" how to identify with us and understand our needs and weaknesses. We, too, must follow that same path of testing and trials in our lives, to help purge us from self, and to be more productive, just as a fruit tree must be purged and trimmed back at times to bear more fruit in the future. Charles Swindoll has said that "God's wisest saints are often people who endure pain rather than escape it." 2 What are some of the lessons you are currently learning, and how has studying this chapter helped you address the trials and difficulties you're experiencing? How can your group be supporting and helping you through the trials you're facing? 9
MEN'S/STUDIES IN THE BOOK OF HEBREWS 3. We all need to make the choice of a life of spiritual growth or spiritual stagnancy. How we live and what we do with God's Word will make all the difference. What choices have you made to put off the carnal and fleshly to instead get off the baby bottle, out of the diapers, and pressing toward maturity? How will you approach your time in God's Word differently in view of the things we have discussed? 4. Lastly, what else would you like to share about what you learned this week? Memory Passage Hopefully you can write out this week's memory passage fully by now. If not, keep on reviewing it until you can. Hebrews 5:8-9: 10
SUPERIOR LIVING/THROUGH A SUPERIOR SAVIOR Notes 1. J. Oswald Sanders, Spiritual Leadership (Chicago: Moody Press, 1980), p. 19-20 2. Charles R. Swindoll, gen. ed., The Living Insights Study Bible (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan Publishing House, 1996), p. 1334. 3. Arhtur W. Pink, An Exposition of Hebrews (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Book House, 1954), p. 247. 4. William R. Newell, Hebrews Verse by Verse (Chicago: Moody Press, 1947), p. 175. 11
MEN'S/STUDIES IN THE BOOK OF HEBREWS Lecture Notes Group Prayer Requests 2000 by Harvest Christian Fellowship. All rights reserved. Written by Tom Klock, for Harvest Men s Bible Fellowship, 2000-2001. Harvest Christian Fellowship, 6115 Arlington Ave., Riverside CA 92504 USA