JESUS -The Finisher of our Faith - Studies in the Book of Hebrews #6
Text: Hebrews 11&12
Why be a Christian?
This is one of the themes of the outstanding book known to us as the
Book of Hebrews. The writer has shown us quite convincingly the reason
that while the Old Covenant was good; it is inferior to the one
brought in by Jesus. In fact, its purpose in existing was not to act
as an alternate to Christianity, but a lead-in.
Paul explained this well in Galatians 3:24,25.
I have been attempting to bring forth the idea that this book is
really a good commentary on some of the messages of Jesus in the four
gospels.
Really, the theme corresponding to Jesus declaration in John 14:6 that
"I am the way, the truth and the life".
We are approaching the end of Hebrews, and are going to study
three of the most fascinating chapters of the Bible this week and the
beginning of next month.
I was trying to think about a teaching of Jesus that really fit with
chapters 11 & 12 and while there are a lot of them, the one that really
stuck in my mind was what Jesus said in Matthew 16:15-19- the gates of
Hades shall not prevail against the church! We'll explain later on!
Chapter 11- the great hall of faith!
Now, if you ever want to know what the Bible means by saving faith, you
need to do a study of Hebrews 11 & 12 with the corresponding accounts
of their lives in the other books such as Genesis and Exodus. In the
11th chapter, we possibly could not do it justice in one lesson, as
there are probably hundreds if not thousands of different lessons in
this one chapter.
Vs.1-3- the writer begins by going into detail concerning the
essentiality of us having faith if we want to be saved! (also see ve.6)
Remember, in chapter 10 the writer started to make some concluding
remarks about us taking Jesus on in our lives. We can draw near to God
in the real Holy of Holies because of Jesus. We don't want to give
that up, so we continue to believe and thus believe unto salvation
(10:39).
What does it mean though to have this kind of saving faith?
He begins by describing faith- it is the thing that gives us hope. We
stand on faith, its what the men of old did as well. We also
understand that God spoke the world into existence!
Vs.4-38- the great men and women of faith.
The writer now starts to get at the heart of the Old Covenant heroes.
They were not heroes because they lived under the old law, or covenant,
but they were heroes because they lived by faith!
They teach us what it means to have faith today. We can't go through
every case, but let's just notice this:
Faith took the word of God as true (promise or warning).
Faith then did what the command of God required.
Finally, they were blessed because of that!
What do people need to understand about these men?
Vs.35-37- their faith was severely tested!
The world in which they lived did not want them around! Yet, the
writer reminds us of something- vs.38- the world was not worthy to have
them. While the world did not want them, they needed to realize they
did not deserve them!
Vs.39,40- here's the key now to this chapter- while these men were
good, they did not receive the promise! (look back at vs.10,13).
These men were good, but not yet perfect! They without us should not
be made perfect! God gave us something better in the New Covenant- the
fulfillment of the promise!
You see, people might think, why is it necessary to live in a different
system than Abraham, or Moses, or Joshua?
Because, that system needed the next (Matthew 13:17).
Listen, everything about God's dealing with man was centered on Jesus!
Why all this talk of faith?
Why now this talk of their needing to have us?
Chapter 12- The Need to Pay Heed to the New!
Vs.1-4- These people are a cloud of witnesses around us.
They are an audience who have just competed and are watching the next
competitors to cheer them on!
What is their witness?
Faith is the victory. Keep living by faith- taking what God says as
true, doing what God says to do and then being blessed by God!
What does he tell us to do?
3 things:
- lay aside every weight!
The things that hinder our race, drop them!
If your life has things in it that hurt your following God, drop them.
- Get rid of sin!
Things that are contrary to God put us in the wrong lane.
- Who is our chief example?
JESUS!
He is the leader of our faith and the perfector of it. He carries the
faith through to its completion. Now, what does looking at Jesus do
for us?
It encourages us to keep running!
Keep your eyes on the prize and you won't grow weary!
Vs.5-11- when we receive discipline, we should not count it a totally
terrible thing!
Why?
All loving Fathers discipline their children.
Why? Vs.9-11!
If we take the discipline of our fathers of flesh, should we not the
Father of spirits?
Why does a father discipline his children?
For his own enjoyment?
No, for the profit of the child!
God, the Father is the same way!
Listen, our hardships today are not joyous, but they produce something!
Vs.12-17- Don't be like Esau!
Since that is the case, that hardships can actually be blessings, don't
be weary! Pursue a life of peace and holiness! (Matthew 5:8)
The only way to see God is through this avenue! Vs.16- we can become
like Esau, so entranced by the lusts of the flesh, that spiritual
things become neglected and we lose our inheritance!
Don't be like that, keep going despite the hardships. Don't sell your
birthright for a mess of pottage!
Vs.18-24- What is it that we have found when we come to Jesus Christ?
Notice the real difference between Israel and the church- the true
Israel of today!
18-21- physical mountain that could be touched.
22-24- Mount Zion - Phil.3:20. God's city-the one Abraham was
searching for!
A great company of angels.
The church of the first born whose names are written in heaven!
God- the judge of all.
Spirits of just men made perfect- these men of faith who have reached
completion!
Jesus- mediator of a New Covenant (Romans 5:2, 1 Cor.1:30),
blood of sprinkling- the washing away of sins!
What is the better thing that we have today?
The washing away of sins, that enables us to come to Mount Zion.
Vs.25-29- conclusion- don't refuse him who speaks!
Who is it that speaks?
Heb.1:1,2- He speaks through Jesus today!
God said, He would shake the earth once more (Haggai 2), so the things
that could not be shaken might remain!
What is it that cannot be shaken?
The Kingdom which we receive, which Jesus Christ set up. The kingdom
that the forces of Hell could never prevail against!
Listen, we receive that today, let us have grace to serve God
acceptably and let us have an unshakeable faith!
1 Corinthians 15:58,59.
To reject Jesus, there's nothing left!
Vs.29- our God is a consuming fire!
Have you accepted the offer of Jesus to be washed in his blood?
Have you who entered that relationship of blood, continued to have the
faith to follow Jesus?
My friends, the great men of old testify to us today, the certain
victory of faith, will you decide to follow Jesus faithfully?
I hope you do, let's stand and sing.
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