BiblicalMastery Buddy's bible blog

Lesson 11

Hebrews 7:11-28

Out with the Old and In with the Beneficial

November 29, 2015

 

If I have heard it once in all of my years the same chorus has been sung in all kinds of environments. It is, “change is inevitable.” No matter even if we know this is true, I like everyone else fights change especially when it affects me directly. Someone brought to mind just the other day another saying that indicates that, change will not be accepted until the pain of remaining the same exceeds the pain that comes with the change. Of course there are changes that come with the passage of time. Until we begin to reach a certain age we do not realize the consequences of some our behavior of earlier years. I know that some of the aches and pains that I am experiencing now come from the wear and tear on my body when I was younger. There are many others that we could discuss but you know what they are for you personally. I would like to think that there are areas of my life where I am better today than yesterday. Our relationship with the Father is one where I need to keep growing or my spirit will atrophy. Another one that affects everyone is the importance of being a life long learner. I am a proponent of using one’s mind to keep it strong like every other muscle. This will only come as I see the need to be open to new ideas being forth all the time.

 

Probably, because it is made up by people with all kinds of ideas of how it should function the church is the last place that wants to change. When those who are in positions of leadership speak about looking at the church in a different way they are not thinking about ways to alter the teachings of God’s Word. The foundation of Scripture must remain firmly in place or the church is no longer the bride of God, but just another organization. Because there are multiple generations attending church at any given time we learn to adapt to new ways of thinking that will reach every different age group. There is a danger however that we find ourselves chasing after every new fad or method that some mega church has made work for them. Again some of those are not based on putting God’s Word at the forefront of what we do but getting crowds in the door. God is not into being a crowd pleaser but life changer.

 

Our lesson today addresses the real need for change. When something is a hindrance to people becoming a true disciple of Christ God will institute a new way of reaching people. For instance we can longer use the methods of evangelizing that once worked but the business of the church is still about reaching people for Christ. Let us not use the old ways of being a church as an excuse to discontinue witnessing to the lost. If God closes a door He certainly can open a window of opportunity for us.

 

Hebrews 7:11

Now the issue of the inadequacy of the priesthood among the Levites is brought to the light. They were incapable of making a person complete through the sacrifices and offering brought to them. Something needed to change to accomplish what they could not do. There needed to be someone who was not part of the system to affect the change in a person’s life that was needed. In the old system of the Aaronic priesthood, Melchizedek would never have been a priest at all. Like Jesus he was an outsider who held his priesthood forever.

 

1. Why were the practices of the Levitical priests inadequate to affect change in a person’s life?
2. If the laws of Moses were inadequate what needed to take place?
3. Why was Melchizedek an example of what needed to occur? (His priesthood was not based on the law or genealogy, but eternal in nature.)
4. Why in your own life are works incapable of getting you closer to God?
5. To whom do we turn to bring about the forgiveness of sins?
6. What changes have you had to make in order to have a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ?
7. Why does our old life before rebirth not work for us?

 

Hebrews 7:12

When it came to the point that the sacrificial system set up in the Old Testament proved insufficient to accomplish the purpose for which it was established then there needed to something to replace it. This meant the kind of priesthood that carried out the law would also need to be changed. Melchizedek was a picture of the new order of things. He was not part of the family of Levi who presided at the altar.

 

In fact, as has been mentioned before his family heritage was completely unknown even to Moses who wrote Genesis. He was a complete outsider and never would have been a priest in the nation of Israel.

 

1. What was the point that the author was trying to make here? (Major changes needed to occur)
2. What was the major change that was to take place? (A priest like Melchizedek would supersede the priests from the tribe of Levi.)
3. How was Melchizedek different than those operating according to Levitical law?

 

Hebrews 7:13-17

According to the Old Testament, Jesus would have never been considered a candidate for the priesthood. From all that has been presented in Scripture it is a fact well verified that Jesus was a descendant of Jesse who was of the family of Judah. The writer emphasizes that Jesus qualified for the priesthood not because of family ties but because God in His word had declared Him to be a priest like Melchizedek with an oath. Both Jesus and Melchizedek have one thing in common. Because they are eternal their priesthood is indestructible.

 

1. What would have disqualified Jesus from being a priest?
2. What actually was the qualifying characteristic of Jesus?
3. What does it mean that someone is a type of Christ in the Old Testament? (One has some characteristic or quality that would later turn up in Christ.)
4. What did Jesus and Melchizedek have in common?
5. Why do we believe what the writer of Hebrews had to say about these two men? (God’s word is infallible. We do not have to understand everything written in its pages but because we believe the source of its words we accept it as true.)

 

Hebrews 7:18-22

Hebrews is all about contrasts. The author continued that theme here in these verses. He began with old law being put aside because it was as he wrote weak and useless. It could in no way bring about the perfect relationship with God. The Father had a better plan that gave eternal hope to man. It was brought about by an oath spoken by Him. He said, “ The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind, “You are a priest forever.” (Psalm 110:4) Of the priests according to the law who held the position as descendants of Aaron, He made no such oath pronouncement. In Christ God established a new covenant for man who became the priest because of God’s oath.

 

1. How was what God did through Jesus different than what could be accomplished through Aaron’s descendants?
2. What was the reason God set aside the Old Covenant?
3. What was the hope Jesus brought to man?
4. What is the guarantee we have that Jesus is a priest forever? (God declared it.)

 

Hebrews 7:23-25

The writer continued with his contrast of Jesus and the Aaronic priests. He stated that the reason there were so many priests because they were mortal men. Each of them died and had to be replaced by the next generation. Jesus on the other hand lives forever therefore He never needs someone to take His place. He has His position permanently.

 

Because of His status He is able to provide eternal life to those who believe in the Father through Him. He now carries out the functions of the priests as he makes intercession for all men.

 

1. Why did the writer emphasize the fact that there were more priests under the old covenant than the new?
2. What does the new covenant mean for each of us?
3. What is Christ’s role today?
4. Why is it so important for us?

 

Hebrews 7:26-27

In order to restore man to God as a new creation, he needed a savior and priest like Jesus. The qualities of the perfect priest were:

• Holiness as used here is the word hosios. It means goodness that is so great that it is pure in the presence of God.
• It is the man who has never brought any harm to any man. It would be the picture of the Servant of God written about in Isaiah 42:1-5.
• He was undefiled in any way that would keep Him from the presence of His Father
• In his human form He was different from other men because He never sinned.
• Being exalted or lifted up to the highest of heavens where He is eternally with His Father.

 

Because He possessed all of the qualities that made Him complete He did not have to offer sacrifices continually first for Himself and then for the sins of all people. He no longer had to carry out that ritual because He offered Himself once and for all times as a perfect sacrifice on behalf of mankind.

 

1. What are the qualities that made Jesus perfect and complete in the eyes of God and of man?
2. What did have those qualities mean for Him and all of us?
3. What one act did Jesus do that no other priest could accomplish?
4. What does it mean for us?

 

Hebrews 7:28

One last contrast is shared here. Under the law the men who were appointed priest were sinners therefore to weak to provide and answer for the lost condition of any man. On the other hand the priest according to the oath is the Son of God who is perfect forever.

 

1. What is the characteristic that the writer points out about the priests under the Law?
2. How did that weakness play out in their lives? (Their sacrifices had no affect on their relationship with God.)
3. How was Jesus different? (He was the priest according to the oath of God.)
4. What does that mean to us? (He is our perfect bridge builder forever.)

 

• Understand that the change that God brought about with the birth of Christ was and is for your benefit.
• Know in your heart that unless you accept the change that can take place in your heart Christ died in vain.
• Know that rebirth is only the beginning of the new life of being a disciple.
• Understand that God’s Word can be trusted even when you do not completely know what each book means.

 

Having studied this chapter should make each of us so thankful for what God has done for those who are truly part of His church. Just think about the fact that for several thousand years people had to wait for the salvation they never could obtain by obeying the laws and sacrificing animals. The laws of sacrifice found in Leviticus were only a prelude to the one perfect offering of His Son that God was going to provide for all nations. We should never take for granted all that He has accomplished for us. We now live in a culture that is turning its back on our Savior because they have lost touch with the reality of their sins. It is the task of the Church to present the old story in ways that will touch the very heart of those who have rejected Him but being fooled by the what the world has to offer as a poor substitute. The Bible tells us that, “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul.” (Matthew 10:39) To do so we have to realize that although God’s word never changes that we must accept new ways of reaching a world that is so different than it was twenty or thirty years ago. A recent statistic says that seventy-three percent of those born since 1980 do not attend church. Somehow these young people need to hear the word presented to them in a way that they will once again respond to the invitation of Christ to a new life. Christ has no plan B. We are His plan A and must accept that responsibility with gladness of heart.

 

 

 

 

 

Lesson 10

Priest Forever

Hebrews 7:1-10

November 22, 2015

 

Some of my favorite places to visit are the homes of famous historical people. There are those that seem to perpetuate the memory of the person. Others, in my opinion, are just museums where the artifacts connected with that individual are housed. Just this past summer while visiting in Charleston my wife and I went to Middleton Plantation. While interesting I did not have the sense of the personality of those who had lived there. Many years ago I had a chance to go to Dwight Eisenhower’s home in Gettysburg, Pa. One room in particular caught my attention. It was the sun porch where he and his wife, Mamie, had spent much of their time during the last years of his life. His son, John, had put the items that were very personal to them in that room. There was a television set of the fifties with a little round screen measuring 8 to 10” in diameter. We have Ipads now with screens almost that big. In one corner was a painting that he had been working on when he died. The setting of the room evoked a feeling of the presence of the man. It was almost as if he was still living on in the things that he cherished. History was so real there that one could almost expect him to walk into the room any minute. The spirit of those men and women live on in the places that we associate with them.

 

Churches memorialize individuals with stained glass windows or portraits hung in different rooms. It is fun to look back at the memorabilia and imagine what those people were like. We would not be here today without their hard work and dedication to the church. In a way they are living on in each of us as we carry on the legacy they have left us. It is now our turn to pass on to the next generation what is valuable for their growth in the faith. Although we do not have a genealogy with physical ties with them, we are in a way connected because of our continuing faith in Christ. We are temporary but He is eternal. We do have a beginning and an end, but He is forever. This is sometimes hard to understand. The writer of Hebrews speaking in terms that the people of his day would have understood spent a good deal of effort explaining the eternality of Christ using a mysterious person from the Old Testament as a type of Christ. It is difficult from our vantage point to understand what he was trying to say. When I come upon one of these passages I trust that the writer was speaking the words God wanted me to have. Some Scripture is easier than others so I have to accept that it will sometimes be a real challenge to comprehend the meaning. I do not feel bad not knowing everything because even the best of the theologians sometimes wrestle with a particular text. This chapter is going somewhere so let’s just stick with and find out in the end what lesson the writer wants us to learn.

 

Hebrews 7:1-3

The writer of Hebrews provided a picture of a type of Christ in the personage of Melchizedek. He began with the story found in Genesis 14:17-20. Abraham had returned from the battle that rescued Lot. He was met by two separate people with two different approaches. The king of Sodom understood that he had no kingdom without people. He was willing to give up any claim to the goods taken by Abraham, that did not belong to him anyway, but to the people, for the people themselves. This would have allowed him to remain as king without any real loss on his part. Melchizedek on the other hand came with refreshment for the people who had gone with Abraham. It is a powerful message to see how humble the king was as he brought the wine and bread to Abraham to provide for his needs. He also realized the importance of him in the eyes of God therefore blessed him and God. About two thousand years later another king who not yet claimed His kingdom offered bread and wine to his followers that they might remember the suffering that He was going to bear for them.

 

The important aspect of this narrative to which the writer referred out of Genesis 14 lay in the action of Abraham. He took ten percent of the spoil he had acquired and gave it to a complete stranger. It was quite evident why Abraham gave a tithe to the stranger because the writer described Melchizedek in the following way:

• His name itself means king of righteousness.
• He was also the king of Salem (Jerusalem).
• He was a man whose genealogy is not given.
• He stepped into history as from nowhere and disappeared just as quickly locking him in place as if he had no beginning or end of life. See the example above of Eisenhower’s home where time seemed to stop. Because of this one appearance he is like Jesus who remains priest forever.

 

1. What differences do you observe in the actions of the three men involved in this event?
2. What was the incident that prompted the writer’s description of Melchizedek?
3. How did the writer describe Melchizedek?
4. How did Abraham show respect to Melchizedek?
5. What does it mean to describe someone in the Old Testament as a type of Christ? (The same characteristics are seen both in man and Jesus the Son of God?
6. In what ways is the reasoning of the writer of picturing Melchizedek as a type of Christ acceptable to you?
7. In what ways would you have a problem with what he said? Why?

 

Hebrews 7:4

The writer considered Melchizedek greater than the father of the Hebrew people. Abraham presented him a tithe of the very best of the spoils of war. Abraham somehow understood that he was in the presence of probably one of the greatest men of his day. Here the patriarch of the entire nation gave homage to Melchizedek. In a way it shows that every man no matter how important he may be always will find someone who is superior in someway than he is.

 

1. What tells us of the greatness of Melchizedek?
2. How do we recognize those that we consider greater than ourselves?
3. What must we understand about our position in life, organizations and work? (There will always be someone superior to you in some aspect.

 

Hebrews 7:5-7

The writer keeps building the case for the supremacy of Christ through the image of Melchizedek. According to Jewish law it was the sons of Levi, the descendants of Abraham who were to receive the tithes and offerings from the people. In this case the one who was descended from Abraham or the Levites was given the tenth of the goods by the founder of the Hebrew nation. By this act Abraham recognized this unknown individual as greater than himself even though he was the recipient of the promise of God. The writer makes it very clear that the lesser of two individuals is blessed by the greater.

 

1. According to the writer, who were those that would eventually have the right to present the offerings and sacrifices of the people?
2. What point was the writer trying to make? (Unlike the Levites, Melchizedek received the never-ending priesthood from the Father even though he was not of the lineage of Abraham.)
3. How do we deal with passages like this one that are strange or hard to understand? (We just have to accept them as the inspired accurate word of God.)

 

Hebrews 7:8-10

Here is one of those difficult passages to understand. The writer is building a foundation leading to the position Jesus holds in the universe. Before he began that discussion he wanted to make one more point concerning the greatness of the priesthood of Melchizedek. He indicated that although not yet born Levi vicariously presented the tithe to this non Jew priest based on the fact that his ancestor, Abraham gave him a tenth of what had been recovered in battle. This would mean that the priesthood of Melchizedek was greater than that of the descendants of Levi.

 

1. How do you build a case for something you believe in very strongly? (You present the evidence step by step until you are ready to present the whole picture.)
2. What is the process the writer used to prove his point?
3. Why was this last point so important? (To show how much greater the priesthood of both Melchizedek and Jesus was than that of the Levites)
4. What examples have you seen that indicate that some people try to live vicariously through others? (A claim to be a Christian because his or her grandfather was a Baptist preacher. Parents living through the successes of there children. We are all a little part of those who have gone before us.)

 

• Never skip over the hard passages of the Bible knowing that God has something in them for each of us to learn.
• Think about the context of the passages you are studying and see how they relate to today.
• Trust God’s word in the things you do not understand knowing that God inspire those words written for your benefit. Because He is the ultimate author behind the words you can know that they are true.
• Know the sequence of the case the writer is taking is to keep us focused on the One who is the eternal high priest who is faithful to His children therefore you are to be continually faithful to him.

 

I am sure that often we have walked away from a Bible Study or sermon scratching our heads wondering what the words have to do with life that is to be lived in the chaotic world in which we live. The author although using an argument strange to twentieth first century thinking drove home the one point that every person can understand. The members of the trinity are eternal. It is hard to comprehend for some because Jesus stepped out of that role He held as the second member of the godhead in heaven for a period of thirty-three He still carried within Himself His eternal nature. As Philippians 2 tells us He was willing to put aside His rightful place with the Father so that He could become like man. The one thing that all Scripture tells us is that the work Christ did on earth has guaranteed our eternal salvation because He is our eternal high priest just we get from the picture of the status of Melchizedek. Let us therefore hold fast to the faith because of all He has done and is doing on our behalf.

 

 

 

Lesson 9

The Guarantee of God’s Oath

Hebrews 6:9-20

November 15, 2015

 

I have found the book of Hebrews to be very difficult to understand. Having said that I am thankful for this epistle that not only gives us a powerful picture of Christ but is a letter to pull each me out of the spiritual doldrums in which I sometimes find myself. It is easy to begin to question why God should love someone like me. If those thoughts were to continue long enough a person may choose to walk away from the church. Thankfully whenever that happens all I have to do is turn back to the word of God where there are promises in abundance that He loves me and is not willing to turn loose of me no matter the condition of my mind. The chaos of this world makes us wonder if God really has the power to provide secure relationship that cannot be lost. Events that surround us are causing many to leave the fellowship of believers because what the world seems to offer. In chapter 11 of Hebrews the writer describes Moses as one who believed the relationship with God was more important than anything this world had to offer. Those words of encouragement speaks to me to me and the millions of people who have lived since his time in a way that gives assurance that God is with us even when we seem to be failing in our allegiance and service to Him.

 

Over the last two weeks we have seen one part of the responsibility that the church must take seriously. It is being sensitive to those who may be slipping away from the fellowship of the church. Over time if we pay attention to who is in attendance from Sunday to Sunday there are those who no longer attend. I do not know all of the reasons but it is sad to look around and notice that they are no longer in their usual place. Hopefully someone from a Bible Study Class is aware of the absences and is in contact with them. If that person does feel like we care they may just stay away from every church from now on.

 

The second challenge for us is to encourage them in the faith. We can fall into a state of complacency and believe that everyone is doing fine when in reality there may be many who are hurting who need someone to come along side them with love and encouragement. To keep a person from drifting in a state of apostasy that was discussed last week they should hear that they are important to God. He knows what they have accomplished and will not forget it. The words spoken by the teachers and others should be convincing enough that their hearts will be open to hear the good news. We should be like the writer of Hebrews who admonished and then encouraged the readers of his letter.

 

Hebrews 6:9

The writer seemed to sense that he needed to change the tenor of his writings. To continue admonishing those priests who were about to leave the church may have pushed them to the point of despair. He began to encourage them by saying that what lay ahead was better than what they had already experienced. He wanted to ensure them of salvation that was theirs. He had written of apostasy but now wanted them to know true salvation.

 

1. Why do you think that it was so important for the writer to have admonished them so strongly? (They were on the verge of making a fatal mistake in turning away from the church.)
2. Why was it necessary for the writer to change his approach? (A person can only handle so much discouragement before he falls into a state of despair)
3. How have you felt when a person has had to correct or admonish you in your beliefs or behavior?
4. What did you want to hear from him besides criticism?
5. How did he encourage them? (Understanding where they might be headed could lead to a stronger and persevering faith.)
6. What are some of the important things that go along with salvation of which they were about to miss out on?

 

Hebrews 6:10

He wanted them to know also that God was totally aware of the work they had accomplished in the past. He saw the love they had displayed before the people and how they had continued to minister to others in His name, even they were struggling personally.

 

1. What were the positive things that had taken place in their lives?
2. How did God view them?
3. What does it say that God was remembering what they had done? (There was still hope that they would return to their previous love for Him and commitment to Him.)
4. What is the benefit of ministering to someone else even though you may be having personal struggles?

 

Hebrews 6:11-12

In William Barclay’s “The Daily Study Bible Series” he presented a powerful picture of the life of most Christians. He indicated that, possibly, there will be times when everything about our relationship with Christ becomes very dry and even boring. The person would prefer not to worship corporately, serve others, pray or read God’s word. His solution, as was the writer’s, was to persevere through those periods and not giving in to any of the above. He believed that by doing so eventually the joy and sweetness of that relationship with the Father will return and one will be stronger for having gone through the struggle. That is exactly what the writer wanted to see in the lives of all those who were going to read his letter. He called them to be diligent in their pursuit and they would have the full assurance of the hope had placed before them until the day they entered into their final rest. To do so would keep them from becoming sluggish but imitators of all those who had kept faith and were patient. It was those who were to receive the promise that God had given to them.

 

1. In what ways have you experienced what William Barclay described?
2. What resulted from persevering during those times of struggle?
3. If you are still in the midst of such a struggle, what steps need to be taken to be brought out of it? (It is important to remember to have a trusted companion to walk beside you for encouragement and understanding.)
4. What encouragement does the writer give to those who continue on the path of relying and trusting in God?
5. Why are we to look to others in our times of struggle? (It is important to see how true followers of Christ deal with difficult times.)

 

Hebrews 6:13-16

The best illustrations of how God is faithful and works in the lives of people are found in His word. In them is a clear picture of the sovereignty of God. When He was giving the promises to Abraham He validated them by taking a binding oath upon Himself. Usually one swears an oath to someone greater than himself. There is no one higher than God so He guaranteed that the promises made to Abraham were guaranteed by the oath that He took. Once God issued the oath there was nothing further that needed to be said. His oath was a fact of what He planned to do.

 

The assurance given to Abraham was two-fold. God promised to:

• Bless him
• Give him descendants.

 

The last of these two promises took twenty-five years to be fulfilled in the birth of Isaac.

 

1. Why do so many depend on other resources besides the Bible to find guidance for their lives?
2. How do we know we can trust the Scriptures?
3. What does the writer of Hebrews about the promises of God?
4. In what way do you feel God has blessed your life?
5. If you do not feel blessed what do you believe you need to do in your own life?
6. How do we know that God is greater than any man? (The fact that He is great enough to swear by Himself.)

 

Hebrews 6:17-18a

From the very beginning God has had a purpose for mankind. The writer said that the evidence of God’s desire for man was in the oath He made to Abraham. Again He blessed him and promised that through him the whole world would be blessed. God’s oath was based on the very essence of whom He is. One of His characteristics is the fact He is total truth therefore He is not capable of lying.

 

1. What do you believe God’s purpose is for each person?
2. How does the oath to Abraham extend to us today? (In his descendants we have received the blessing of the relationship with God through Christ.)
3. How do we know that the promises to us are true?
4. In what ways according to these verses is God different than man? (Sadly, man cannot be trusted with keeping his word. At some point in our lives each of us has not been truthful.)
5. Why is God’s guarantee to us so important?

 

Hebrews 6:18b-19

Based on the character of God those who had believed in Him could be confident of the hope that God had presented to them. That assurance is the anchor that keeps one from drifting away from the Father. It is like those on a ship who put down the anchor to keep from being shipwrecked on the rocks hidden under the water. Remember the one who is sure about his beliefs and steadfast in them is able to enter into the heavenly holy of holies beyond the veil that at one time separated God from man.

 

1. What is the one thing of which we can be assured? (Our confidence is well placed in the One who is totally truthful.)
2. When the writer speaks of hope what does he mean?
3. What does having that hope in God do in our lives? (It is the thing upon which man can totally depend to keep from becoming shipwrecked.)
4. Where is the final destination of our hope? (Entering into the presence of God beyond the veil.

 

Hebrews 6:20

Man knows that he is able to enter beyond the veil because Christ who was the firstborn from the dead has entered there. Because of the eternal nature of Christ as high priest the writer was once again uses the example of Melchizedek.

 

1. Who has provided the assurance of entering beyond the veil?
2. How did He accomplish that fact for us? (He was the firstborn from the dead and returned to His rightful place beside His Father as our high priest?
3. Why did the writer once again speak of Melchizedek? (He was a picture of what Christ became. We will speak more of Melchizedek in next week’s lesson.)

 

• Know for a fact that the most difficult passages of Scripture are for our benefit, so do not give up on finding the message God has in them for you.
• It should become evident to you that God’s word can be trusted as total truth because He is incapable of lying to us or to Himself.
• Understand that the final purpose for each of you is the participation of in that special relationship that will carry over into eternity.
• Know that the God who blessed Abraham is the same God that desires for you to receive those same blessings.
• Do not turn away from the fact that you belong to and serve Christ who is the eternal high priest because He cannot die but sits in the presence of God our Father.

 

There are times when we are to be held accountable for our actions that are contrary to the teachings of God. However we are to learn from the writer of Hebrews who knew not to step over the line and drive those who were struggling away from the church. To do so would have resulted in just the opposite hope he had for them. Our discipline must always be tempered with a desire to drive each person into the arms of Jesus not away from Him. The word of God, our guidebook, gives us a clear picture of all the reasons that we can depend on Him. Every promise He has ever made to man is based on His character. John wrote, “God is Spirit and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:24) It should be obvious to us that His word would not call us to do something that is not true of Him. Our salvation is secure because the promise that guarantees it comes from the One whose word is total truth. We are not to give up even in times of great difficulty because we know that God still loves us and wants to bless even in the hardest of times. He is faithful and calls us to be faithful also.

 

Lesson 8

Immaturity for the Christian Is Not an Option

Hebrews 5:11- 6:8

November 8, 2015

 

For twenty-nine years I just did not get it. Even though I had been in church off and on since the age of eight I am not aware that the importance of God ever sunk in. Sure I heard sermons and Sunday School lessons galore, but no one ever drove home the point that it was up to me to grow in my Christian walk. It took a youth retreat to awaken a desire to know God’s word in a way that I had never done before. From that point in time to this day that beginning point I have had a passion to study, meditate on God’s word so that I can share it with those who also want to learn. I have realized that it is not an easy road to travel. Many hours have to be spent in order for the Bible to begin speaking to a person’s heart. I have found that every minute has been well worth the effort. I do not know what kind of person I would be today if I had not made that discovery so many years ago. I would not trade it for anything.

 

If my life is anywhere close to what most of church members have experienced then it is understandable that many churches are not growing and thousands are closing their doors every year. It takes mature Christians to grow a church. That maturity has only one source. It is the Gospel that changes lives. It is changed lives that impact those God leads to intersect with our lives. Recently, I listened to a podcast by Alistair Begg titled “Marks of a God Given Ministry.” He made some statements that speak to where many of our people are today. He indicated that:

• The message is what God has given to the teacher.
• The shepherd leads the sheep into the pasture where they can eat.
• Mature sheep will not need be spoon-fed or with a bottle.
• The most important question to be asked of everyone in the body is “Are you eating?”

 

If a person is not willing to make God’s word a major part of his life he will not grow. There are too many over aged members sitting in the pews of churches today. God’s will only expand into the world from the efforts of mature followers of Christ. The writer of Hebrews exhorts members of God’s family to become adults in God’s kingdom.

 

Hebrews 5:11

The writer indicated that there was much more he wanted to say about, Jesus alone or both He and Melchizedek. He understood that it was a very difficult subject to address. It appears that suddenly the thought came to him that they were not ready to hear what he had to say. He stated that their minds were slow to take in what he was writing. Matthew quoting Isaiah 6 said, “You will keep on hearing, but will not understand; You will keep on seeing but will not perceive; for the heart of this people has become dull.” (Matthew 13:14-15) There is so much false information flooding a man’s life today that it is difficult, if not almost impossible, for him to filter out all that is false and discern the truth. The postmodern era with its concept of everything being relative has done much to perpetuate the misunderstanding of God’s word.

 

1. Why do we find God’s word is so hard to understand today?
2. In what ways are we like the priests that the writer of Hebrews was addressing? (Our views are skewed by the traditions and values of the day that the truth has a difficult time penetrating into our minds)
3. What are some of the things that dull our minds and hearts?
4. How do you think Isaiah 6:8-10 and Matthew 13:14-15 paints a clear picture of what we see in the church today?
5. How do we make Scripture clearer and more understandable? (Be willing to spend the time in the word and understanding will come)
6. Why do we not spend the time in God’s word that is needed to mature? (Too busy etc.)

 

Hebrews 5:12-13

It is disturbing what the writer saw in those men. Although they had spent years in study to become priests and should have been able to teach others they were still like babies in their knowledge of the things of God. Because they had not learned the basics of what it meant to be a mature follower of Christ they still needed someone to teach them what the teachings of God meant. It was like learning the ABC’s all over again. When these men should have able to digest the meatier aspects of the word someone was still having to bottle feed them. The person who never grows beyond the state of infancy in Christ will never comprehend righteousness.

 

1. How can a person spend a lifetime, learning and still not have the ability to teach the truth?
2. How is it that so many people in the church today are still infants and at best children in the faith?
3. What will it take to get them beyond that point? (Involve them in life changing study of God’s word in small groups.)
4. What do you consider the milk to which the writer was referring?
5. What would be the meat or solid food?

 

Hebrews 5:14

There is a clear picture of what it takes to become a mature follower of Christ. First of all he repeats the idea that only the mature can digest solid food. The way to become mature is to practice. That means to study God’s word. After that a person then practices what he has learned. Through rigorous exercise the mind will be trained and sharpened to understand the difference between right and wrong, good and evil. This will never occur without the person immersing himself in the Scriptures. The answers one seeks will not be found from any other source.

 

1. Do you feel that you have reached the level of being able to receive solid food?
2. What did the writer consider to be solid food?
3. What does it take for a person to reach a level of maturity in Christ? (Prayer, consistent Bible Study, worship and putting into practice what he has learned)
4. How does spiritual exercise compare to what a person tries to achieve by doing physical exercise?
5. Why is it important to become mature in your faith? (Mature Christians are able to share Christ with others.)

 

Hebrews 6:1-3

The writer of Hebrews wanted the priests to move on from the basics of the faith based on the teachings of the Old Testament. They had a difficult time of letting go of the traditions and rituals that had been integrated into their lives. He wanted them to have a mature faith that would help them to face the difficulties ahead of them. He went on to speak of those things that were elementary in his view. They included:

• Repentance from dead works
• Weak faith that was based on those works
• Instructions about the traditions of washings held by the Jews. See Mark 7:3 and Matthew 15:2 for Jesus’ view of such ceremonial washings.
• Laying on of hands. The Jews used the laying on of hands as a visible sign of the transfer of guilt. One example of this practice was the sending the scapegoat out into the wilderness carrying the guilt of the people away.
• Resurrection of the dead. This was the general or universal resurrection that would occur at the end of time. It would include both the righteous and the unrighteous.
• Eternal judgment.

It was the desire of the writer for his readers to move beyond continual discussion of these basic beliefs.

 

1. What does it say about a person who needs to return to the basic teachings all the time? (One would have to question whether the person understands what Christ has done for him.)
2. Why did the writer want to move on from the ABC’s of Christ? (If we do not mature in our faith there is no way to witness to others.)
3. Which of the above list were particular to the Jewish religion?
4. Why would the priest want to hold on to those traditions?
5. What other teachings could be included in ABC’s of the religion that people do not want to give up?

 

Hebrews 6:4-5

There is a great danger for those to whom the writer refers in these verses. They were those who had the opportunity to:

• Have the message of God shine its light into their lives.
• Experience the gift of grace bestowed on mankind through the fellowship in the church. Head knowledge may come into play.
• Partake in the things of the Holy Spirit. Saw how the Holy Spirit was working in the church.
• Hear God’s word of truth presented to him.
• Hear about the end time matters leading to the eternal life with God.

 

1. What are some of the key words that would indicate the shallowness of the belief of the people to whom the writer sent this sermon or letter?
2. What is the danger of such a surface participation in the Church? (Christianity is not a half way relationship with God but with one’s whole heart.)
3. How is it possible to be in the midst of all of what the Holy Spirit is accomplishing and not understand what God is doing?
4. How can this happen to us? (To treat all that God has done lightly. For example superficially and inconsistently studying God’s word.)

 

Hebrews 6:6-8

The result that takes place in the life of one who believes in such a shallow way will fall away from the church when difficult times come. Those who turn away from Christ were probably not saved in the first place. Because their participation in all that God was minimal at best, many of them will never find salvation or return to the church. Those individuals who have been identified as part of the church will bring ridicule to the body of Christ as they with their actions show Christ as unworthy of their commitment. The writer made a serious charge against those apostates. They crucified Christ once again and brought mockery to His precious name.

 

He then painted a picture of what that apostasy looks like. Soil that receives the rain and then brings forth the good harvest is blessed of God. If the land that benefits from the same rain but produces thorns is useless and is only good to be burned in fire. The parable of the soils found in Matthew 13:3-9 could be a parallel thought to the above analogy.

 

1. What is the real danger of a shallow or childlike faith? (It is easy to fall away in time of trouble because there is no solid foundation to carry one through difficulties.)
2. What can we discern from the fact that a person turns away from the church?
3. How can you make sure that your faith is strong and is able to weather the storms that face us? (See Matthew 7:24-27)
4. How does the world view Christ when a person falls away from the Church?
5. According to the writer how did the writer view such a person with his analogy of the soil?

 

• Evaluate your life to see if you are growing in Christ.
• Do not keep going back to what got you saved but how you can continue to grow and be a true servant of Christ.
• Make Bible Study and prayer true priorities in life.
• Understand that difficulties are going to come in every life and be prepared in your walk with Christ to face them so that you may be victorious in them.
• Understand how important your faith is as the world watches the way you live your life.
• Before considering leaving the church spend some time with trusted leaders and on your knees knowing that the decision you make will have eternal consequences.

 

If we expect to impact the world for Christ we must do everything with the help of the Holy Spirit to become mature and complete in Christ. This will never take place unless we give our highest priority to God’s word. There must be an time of intentional Bible reading, study and meditation. None of us can expect to grow without being consistent in that one area. There is no one who is so busy that they cannot find at least fifteen minutes to spend time with God. As we grow then we can reach out to those who do not know Christ. Let us be faithful in our commitment to Christ so no one can blaspheme God because of our actions. We are the only representatives that God has to reach the world.