The Compass First Family Church VOLUME 2 ISSUE 25 MARCH 8, 2015 FOR THE WEEK LEADING INTO MARCH 15 Leading Families Toward Spiritual Maturity The Danger of Discarding & the Need for Endurance Hebrews 10:26-39 This week s R2R distinctive Peace (Philippians 4:6-7): I am free from anxiety because things are right between God, myself and others. This week, we look at the next of the Warning Passages from the Epistle to the Hebrews. Some consider this warning the most solemn of all. In this warning, the writer is targeting those who put up a front--who claim to be believers, but continue to deliberately and willfully sin. The issue at hand in the First Century centered on Hebrew believers who continued to uphold the Law and continued to offer sacrifices as a means of seeking forgiveness. By placing their faith in temple sacrifices, they were, in reality, rejecting the finished work of Christ on the cross. This is not a sin we are tempted with today. For one thing, the temple in Jerusalem no longer exists, and, even if it did, I doubt many Americans would feel the need to offer sacrifices at the temple as a way of seeking forgiveness for their sins. No, where we struggle, I believe, is with dancing a delicate dance between Christianity and secularism. If there is an area where we want it both ways, this is it. The friction point for many Christians is the exclusivity of the gospel. This exclusivity flies in the face of our multicultural, pluralistic society. Many Westerners, even those who claim to be Christians, believe there are multiple paths to God, that all religions lead to the same destination. Why is this? Is it because they have made a thorough study of Christian doctrine and concluded this is bedrock truth? No. Many simply grow weak in the knees when challenged with a simple question: So, are you saying that Jesus is the only way to God? Do you mean that unless I believe in Jesus, I m going to hell? That s not acceptable! You are such a narrowminded bigot! Who do you think you are to condemn millions of good people to hell! Those are tough words, without a doubt. Yet, unfortunately, good men and women fall prey to this kind of dialectical bullying all the time. There s something about the exclusive claims of the gospel that stick in our craw. What do we do, then, with the claims of the gospel? Consider these statements: In Acts 4:12, the apostle Peter declared, Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved (NKJV). Paul told Timothy, For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and people. He is the man Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 2:5 NLT). As a Christian, we are being intellectually dishonest if our confession is anything less than this black and white. Continued on page 2...
Page 2 The Compass Continued from page 1... So, how do we respond to the accusations of hate, narrow-mindedness, and judgmentalism? Change the template for a minute from one of a spiritual nature to one of a physical nature. You take your son to the doctor for a physical, and the doctor tells you your son is in great shape. Nothing wrong. A year later, your son is dead from a disease that could have easily been treated. Angry, you return to your doctor and ask him, Why didn t you tell us our son was sock with a deadly disease? Your doctor replies, I didn t want to be the bearer of bad news. Yes, I could have told you your son was sick, but you might have become angry with me and accused me of hate speech. I chose to remain silent. You would be stunned, and rightly so. Yet, isn t this what we do as Christians when we opt to remain silent about the gospel rather than share the life-saving truth with an unbeliever? I could have mentioned the gospel, but I didn t want others to think I am narrow-minded, hateful, or judgmental. So, I chose to remain silent. Friends, if the writer to the Hebrews was addressing us today, I believe he would feel compelled to address this kind of double-mindedness that so many American Christians cling to. It s not out of reasoned response, but simply because we are afraid of offending and appearing judgmental. This is the sin the writer to the Hebrews is addressing in Hebrews 10. He solemnly warns, How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace? (v. 29 NASB). Think about these things this week. May we be a people of boldness and courage, willing to stand on the truth of the gospel rather than opt to remain silent at best or offer the false hope of a false gospel at worse. Chris Eller Day 1 ENCOUNTER God s Word to put yourself in touch with him. Hebrews 10:26-39 (ESV) 26 For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. 28 Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses. 29 How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him who said, Vengeance is mine; I will repay. And again, The Lord will judge his people. 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. 32 But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, 33 sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. 34 For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. 35 Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. 37 For, Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay; 38 but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him. 39 But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.
The Compass Page 3 Day 2 ENQUIRE the answer to these questions to better understand what the passage means. Use the questions below to guide your reading and to ensure you are grasping the key lessons and themes of the text. This is called Inductive Bible Study, in which you ask the questions, Who?, What?, Where?, Why?, When?, How? as you read the text. (Also known as the 5Ws and an H. ) 1. Why did the author say that those under the new covenant could draw near to God? (10:19-22) 2. What privilege comes to those who are part of the house of God? (10:22) 3. What happens to the guilty conscience of those who put their faith in Christ? (10:22) 4. What kind of behavior should believers in Christ exhibit toward one another? (10:24-25) 5. Why is rejecting Christ more serious than rejecting the old covenant? (10:28-29) 6. What did the author consider a dreadful thing? (10:31) 7. How had the Hebrew Christians responded to persecution at first? (10:32-34) 8. What is promised to those who persevere? (10:35-39) Summary Notes Write a one paragraph summary of this week s text including key areas of interest and significant instruction. Consult the commentary on the text and the notes following this page for additional help.
Page 4 The Compass Day 4 EXPLORE the commentaries to answer the questions. Further Warnings and Encouragement (10:26-39) These verses may be divided into two main movements. The first constitutes a harsh warning perhaps the harshest in the book (10:26 31). The author crafts this warning around a technique used both among the rabbis and the rhetoricians of the day. This technique, an argument from lesser to greater, suggests that if something is true in a lesser situation, it is more certainly true in a greater situation and normally carries greater implications. The author of Hebrews argues that if those who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy upon the testimony of two or three witnesses, those who have trampled the Son of God under foot, treated the blood of the covenant as unholy, and insulted the Spirit of grace deserve an even greater punishment. The second movement hands out encouragement in large doses, especially by instructing the readers to remember their past faithfulness (10:32 39). This pattern of harsh warning followed by a softened word of encouragement is found also at 6:4 12. Deliberately keep on sinning (10:26). The Old Testament addresses what is called sinning with a high hand, a rebellion against the laws of the Lord that was considered equivalent to blasphemy. Note Numbers 15:30 31: But anyone who sins defiantly, whether native-born or alien, blasphemes the Lord, and that person must be cut off from his people. Because he has despised the Lord s word and broken his commands, that person must surely be cut off his guilt remains on him. In Hebrews 10:26 the person who remains in a state of rebellion after receiving a knowledge of the gospel has nowhere else to go for forgiveness. No sacrifice for sins is left because Jesus has annulled all other sacrifices as a means of dealing with sin and relating to God. Raging fire that will consume the enemies of God (10:27). An allusion to Isaiah 26:10 11, this fire constitutes a judgment of the wicked and a vindication of those who truly are God s people: Though grace is shown to the wicked, they do not learn righteousness; even in a land of uprightness they go on doing evil and regard not the majesty of the Lord. O Lord, your hand is lifted high, but they do not see it. Let them see your zeal for your people and be put to shame; let the fire reserved for your enemies consume them. The wicked will be put to shame, God s fire consuming them. Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy (10:28). Deuteronomy 17:2 7 commands that those who violate God s covenant by worshiping other gods must be put to death by stoning. This is only done if there is more than one witness to the breaking of the covenant, and the witnesses are to cast the first stones. According to Deuteronomy 13:8 the worshiper of false gods is to be stoned without mercy. Trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant (10:29). To reject the new covenant high priest, Jesus, and his offering for sin is a greater travesty than those who turned to other gods under the old covenant. The image of trampling someone under foot was used both in classical literature and the Old Testament as an image of utter contempt. Further, those familiar with the ceremonial laws of sacrifice knew the requirements for a fit offering. The word translated as unholy means common, defiled, or unclean; in the context of the Levitical purity laws of the lxx, it referred to that which was ceremonially impure, not worthy of sacrifice to God. Thus, those who have rejected Christ have considered his sacrifice as unworthy, unclean, or inappropriate as an offering for sin. For we know him who said (10:30). The seriousness of the situation for those who have turned away
The Compass Page 5 from Christ finds further expression with words from the Song of Moses in Deuteronomy 32. This eloquent song, offered by the lawgiver at the end of his life, speaks of God s judgment toward a faithless people who have rejected the covenant. They had rejected God in spite of his great works of love on their behalf. Judgment resulted. The author of Hebrews draws his quotations from two parts of Deuteronomy 32:35 36: It is mine to avenge; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; their day of disaster is near and their doom rushes upon them. The Lord will judge his people and have compassion on his servants when he sees their strength is gone and no one is left, slave or free. The first statement, It is mine to avenge; I will repay, speaks of God s judgment on the wicked. The second, The Lord will judge his people, sounds like a statement of vindication, but it too is given in the context of judgment. In Hebrews 10:31 the author speaks of the dreadfulness of falling into God s hands. The Song of Moses speaks further of the Lord s hand. No one can deliver out of his hand (Deut. 32:39); when his hand grasps the flashing sword for judgment, vengeance on his enemies is a sure thing (32:41). Remember those earlier days (10:32). An important aspect of Greek rhetoric and ancient preaching was to use examples effectively. In 10:32 39 the author uses the hearers themselves as an example for endurance. That they had stood [their] ground in a great contest in the face of suffering suggests they had been persecuted severely. A great contest in the face of suffering (10:32). The word translated contest (athlēsis) speaks of a difficult struggle, and commentators have pointed to the expulsion of Jews from Rome by the emperor Claudius in a.d. 49 as a possible backdrop for the experience mentioned here. At various points in the first century Jews were abused publicly as a group. Eviction from their homes was accompanied by looting of their possessions. It may be that the Christians, caught up in the conflict of Claudius s eviction, experienced various forms of persecution. The author mentions in 10:32 34 that (1) they were publicly exposed to ridicule. The word translated publicly exposed (theatrizō)originally was associated with public performance, meaning to bring up on stage. As the language developed it took on the negative, figurative meaning evidenced here. Evidently these Christians had suffered both verbal and physical abuse. (2) Even when members were not being abused themselves, they suffered the emotional trauma of standing with those who were mistreated. (3) Their identification extended to those in prison, as members of the group sympathized with them. (4) Some of the believers had their property confiscated. The happy response to these persecutions, however, was joy. They celebrated the greater realities of God rather than focusing on the material problems of the moment. Such a perspective provides a solid foundation for Christian endurance. He who is coming will come (10:37 38). The quotation in these two verses juxtaposes Isaiah 26:20 21 and Habakkuk 2:3 4, contrasting the righteous who live by faith in God and the wicked who reject him. Both Old Testament texts mention the coming Isaiah says the Lord is coming, and Habakkuk proclaims the revelation of judgment is coming. In line with dominant twin motifs in Jewish thought, the righteous will be rewarded and the wicked punished. The author interprets these texts to refer to Christ s coming, an event for which the hearers must wait, demonstrating perseverance in the meantime. In the face of difficulties as they now stand with the community of faith, the author challenges them to choose faith and perseverance so they will receive the promises of God. [Clinton E. Arnold, Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary: Hebrews to Revelation., vol. 4 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2002).]
Page 6 The Compass Daily Bible Reading Plan SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 3/8 3/9 3/10 3/11 3/12 3/13 3/14 Num. 10:1-11:23 Num. 11:24-13:33 Num. 14:1-15:16 Num. 15:17-16:40 Num. 16:41-18:32 Num. 19:1-20:29 Num. 21:1-22:20 Mark 14:1-21 Mark 14:22-52 Mark 14:53-72 Mark 15:1-47 Mark 16:1-20 Luke 1:1-25 Luke 1:26-56 Psalm 51:1-19 Psalm 52:1-9 Psalm 53:1-6 Psalm 54:1-7 Psalm 55:1-23 Psalm 56:1-13 Psalm 57:1-11 Proverbs 10:31-32 Proverbs 11:1-3 Proverbs 11:4 Proverbs 11:5-6 Proverbs 11:7 Proverbs 11:8 Proverbs 11:9-11 For complete details on First Family s Daily Bible Reading Plan, visit our website at www.ffclife.com/biblereading. WORDSEARCH all the words come from this week s text or lesson. The Danger of Discarding and the Need for Endurance Hebrews 10:26-39 H M J S L V X S P I R I T O F G R A C E P A P E P S O U L S B E G K Q X D P A E P Y Q M K I X R N E F S L C M D E N T W R I C L D M U J I X Y X O D P U O O I F N L V G A I T I L U V F N I I I R P U Y R N T Y Y P G V W E V T G C Z N E A I Y J T E R U Y O R H T O T E P S A Z N G D Z D R I S G B R A V O F S Y B L R P X C E N X E M M G E S T H C T N S F G S Y W T Z B L F M I C K S A W Q R A H M Y C Y F O C Q A Y H Z M D F Z I E C S F W R I R L E E I I D V E C T H E L A W O F M O S E S J K N I U N G R M R C O N F I D E N C E B B B Y S U O K G E K T E G C Q O H H R T S G L L L N D R P D T M U M S X T V Q N O P E R S E R V E R V P L W G Y F Y V W V B O X D A V Z P O S S E S S I O N P M B V T T L E W Z S A C R I F I C E F O R S I N S E J U M Z Z A G G A R E C T B X X U L M U A Q O W N F E O B I U F E A R F U L E X P E C T A T I O N T Q O P T S H Sacrifice for Sins Fearful Expectation Judgment Fury of Fire Adversaries The Law of Moses Witnesses Punishment Son of God Spirit of Grace Vengeance Plundering Property Possession Confidence Great Reward Endurance Faith Perserve Souls To see the answers to the puzzle, go to www.ffclife.com/wordsearch.
The Compass Page 7 the children s ministry of first family church Let There Be Light Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering. Hebrews 10:32 No blessing is nobler than illumination. It tells of the benediction of the light, of a life that has arisen from darkness and moved into the sun. After illumination a great joy? We would have looked for some conclusion such as that. After illumination, liberty and peace that the world cannot take away? Scripture does not deny these blessed consequences, but in its fidelity to all experience it says that after illumination may come battle. Think, then, of the illumination of the intellect and of all that follows on the light of knowledge. That is not always liberty and power; it is sometimes conflict. When Eve ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, her eyes were opened, and she was illuminated, yet that light did not bring peace to Eve nor gladness nor any rest of the heart, but only the sorrow of struggle. The more we know the more we want to know. The more we know the more we cannot know. And doubts are born and much that once seemed certain grows unstable, until at last, wearied and in perplexity, not through the power of darkness but of light, we realize how grim is the struggle that follows illumination. There are those here who can recall the struggle that followed the light. Here for instance is a young man, a student, who has been trained in a pious home. There he accepted without questioning the faith of his father and mother. Their character commended it to him he saw it lived and therefore felt it true and in a faith that never had been shaken, he joined in worship and in prayer. There are many who never lose that childhood faith. But often, with that light of knowledge that the years bring to most of us today, there falls a different story. Illumination comes by what we read: it flashes on us in our college lectures. And the world is different, and God and humanity are different. And then begins that time of stress and strain, so bitter and yet so infinitely blessed, through which people must fight their way, alone, to faith and peace and character and God. There is a strife that is nobler than repose. There is a battle more blessed than tranquility. There is a stress and strain that comes when God arises and cries to a young heart Let there be light. All which, so modern that it seems of yesterday, is yet so old that Scripture understands it. George H. Morrison CONNECTING THE FAMILY kids FFC Youth www.ffcyouth.com the youth ministry of first family church Memory Time Memory Verse 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. Hebrews 10:35-36 R2R Life Distinctive Peace (Philippians 4:6-7): I am free from anxiety because things are right between God, myself and others. Family Devotions Set aside two times this week for family devotions centered around this week s text. Session 1: Read through this week s text (Hebrews 10:26-39). If you have children old enough to read, let one of them read the text. What has Jesus done for those under the new covenant? (10:20) What must happen before a person can draw near to God? (10:22) Session 2: Re-read this week s text (Hebrews 10:26-39). Why are Christians able to persevere in following Christ? (10:23) What will happen to God s enemies? (10:26-27)
Page 8 The Compass R2R Life! Becoming Ready to Reproduce Disciples of Jesus 10 R2R Core Beliefs The Bible (2 Timothy 3:16 17): We believe the Bible is the inspired, infallible Word of God, and the final authority in all matters of faith and conduct. God the Father (Psalm 121:1 2): We believe God is personally involved in and cares about the daily lives of His children. Jesus Christ (John 1:12): We believe in Jesus Christ, His deity, virgin birth, sinless life, vicarious death, burial and bodily resurrection, His ascension to the right hand of the Father and His personal future return in power and glory. We are significant only because of our position as children of God. The Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 13:14): We believe the God of the Bible is the only true God and is eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Humanity (John 3:16): We believe all people are born separated from God by sin, but God in his love sent his Son Jesus Christ as their savior. Eternity (John 14:1 4): We believe there is a heaven and a hell and that Jesus Christ is returning to judge the earth and to establish his kingdom. We believe in the resurrection of the dead: the believer to life everlasting and the unbeliever to the resurrection of judgment. The Church (1 Corinthians 12:12-13; Ephesians 4:15-16): We believe in the church as the body of Christ, which is composed of all believers who have accepted Christ as Savior. We believe the church is God s primary way to accomplish His purposes on earth today. Stewardship (1 Timothy 6:17-19): We believe that everything we have, including our very life, belongs to God. Salvation by Grace (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 3:23-25; 8:38-39): We believe a person has a right relationship with God only by His grace, through faith in Jesus Christ. This makes believers eternally secure in Jesus Christ. Compassion (Psalm 82:3-4): We believe God calls all Christians to show compassion to those in need. 10 R2R Core Practices Worship (Psalm 95:1-7): I worship God for who He is and what He has done for me. Bible Study (Hebrews 4:12): I study the Bible diligently to know God, to become like Christ, and to discern His will for my life. Service (Colossians 3:17): I give away my time to fulfill God s purposes. Witness (Matthew 28:18-20): I live to tell the story of Jesus and to make disciples of Him even to the ends of the earth, knowing he is with me always. Biblical Community (Acts 2:44-47): I fellowship with other believers in a small group to accomplish God s purposes in my life, others lives, and in the world. Prayer (Psalm 66:16-20): I pray to God to know Him, to lay my request before Him and to find direction for my daily life. Spiritual Gifts (Romans 12:4-6): I know and use my spiritual gifts to accomplish God s purposes. Authenticity (John 13:33-34): I know and understand biblical truths and transfer these truths into everyday life. Who I am on the inside and outside is a pure reflection of Christ and His Word. Simplicity (Matthew 6:33): I seek to live a simple life focused on God and his priorities for my life. Possessions (Luke 16:11 12): I seek to maintain an eternal perspective on money and possessions, realizing God has give me all that I have, and that he expects me to manage it wisely for His glory. 10 R2R Core Virtues Gentleness (Philippians 4:5): I am thoughtful, considerate and calm in dealing with others. Faithfulness (Proverbs 3:3-4): I have established a good name with God and with others based on my long-term loyalty to those relationships. Hope (Hebrews 6:19-20): I can cope with the hardships of life and with death because of the hope I have in Jesus Christ. Joy (John 15:11): I have inner contentment and purpose in spite of my circumstances. Love (1 John 4:10-12): I sacrificially and unconditionally love and forgive others. Peace (Philippians 4:6-7): I am free from anxiety because things are right between God, myself and others. Self-Control (Titus 2:11-13): I have the power, through Christ, to control myself. Humility (Philippians 2:3-4): I choose to esteem others above myself. Patience (Proverbs 14:29): I take a long time to overheat and endure patiently under the unavoidable pressures of life. Kindness/Goodness (1 Thessalonians 5:15): I choose to do the right things in my relationships with others. About The Compass The Compass is produced throughout the school year to help you connect with the Word of God on a daily basis and to study and meditate on the specific biblical text that will be the focus of the upcoming weekend services. The Compass also helps tie-in the principles of discipleship found in 10 Core Beliefs (doctrine) 10 Core Practices (disciplines), and 10 Core Virtues (spiritual fruit). Together, we call these R2R Distinctives, or becoming a Ready to Reproduce Disciple of Jesus Christ. If you would like The Compass delivered each week to your email box, you can to to www.ffclife.com/ compass and register.