1) We must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we will drift away from it.
2) The message that God sent by angels was true. Every violation of the Old Testament law, and every act of disobedience regarding the law was punished.
3) We cannot escape if we ignore the salvation that was announced by the Lord Jesus Christ, and later preached by those who walked with Him and heard Him speak.
4) God confirmed Jesus’ message of salvation by signs, wonders, various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit.
5) The angels were never given control of this world. We are more important to God than the angels.
6) God thinks of and cares for us (mankind).
7) We are created in the image of God. God Himself has crowned us with His presence and honor.
8) God has given us authority over all things; nothing being left out. This truth will be manifest in the future, as it was in the beginning.
9) God has crowned Jesus with glory and honor, because He died for our sins. Jesus, by the grace of God has experienced death for our benefit.
10) God who is the creator of everything has chosen to bring many children into glory by Jesus Christ. Jesus, because of His suffering is a perfect leader, being able to bring all of us to salvation.
11) Jesus and all believers share God as Father. For this reason Jesus has no shame in calling us His brothers and sisters.
12) Jesus makes God the Father known to us. Jesus while here on earth praised God in the presence of mankind.
13) Jesus put His trust in God the Father. By His example we are encouraged to do the same.
14) Because we are human; made of flesh and blood, Jesus became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could He die, and only by dying could He break the power of the devil; who had the power of death.
15) In this way Jesus would free those who were afraid of dying.
16) Jesus came to help us, not the angels.
17) Jesus had to become like us so that he could be merciful to us. He became like us so that he could serve as a faithful High Priest in God's presence and make peace with God for our sins.
18) Because Jesus experienced temptation when he suffered, he is able to help us when we are tempted.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Keys of Truth: Hebrews (Chapter 1)
Introduction to Hebrews
Author: This is the first of the General Epistles (which are sometimes called the Catholic or Universal Epistles). There are eight in all. With the exception of Hebrews, these eight are named after their authors, whereas Paul's letters are named after their recipients. The author of the Book of Hebrews is unknown. However, many suggestions have been made. Tertullian (c. A.D. 155-222) ascribed the work to Barnabas. However, a contemporary, Clement of Alexandria, was of the opinion that Paul wrote it. Later, Origin (c. A.D. 185-254) noted two other opinions, that either Clement of Rome or Luke wrote the book. Origin concluded, "God only knows for certain."
Date of writing: A.D. 68. Many references to Jewish sacrifices and priesthood are in this book. The absence of any reference to the destruction of the temple and priesthood suggests that the sacrificial system was still operative when the book was written. Since the forces of Rome destroyed the temple in A.D. 70, a date somewhat earlier is plausible.
Theme: Heaven's last word. "God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son" (1:1). So begins the epistle, indicating its theme. The burden of the writer is to demonstrate the finality and superiority of Christ. He does this through a series of contrasts in which Christ is shown to be higher than angels, Moses, and priests.
Purpose: This epistle was written to strengthen the endurance of persecuted Christians (10:32-39). If the dating of the book is correct, then these would likely have been Hebrew Christians being persecuted by Jews during the rebellion against Rome. Persecution was common throughout Christian history, as Hebrews testifies. Jewish believers in Jesus were under attack by their fellow countrymen. As a result, some wavered in their commitment to Christ. This epistle urges them to stand fast, since Jesus is God's last word to man.
1) In the past God spoke to His people through prophets. God used His prophets at different times and in different ways.
2) However, in the last days God has spoken to us through His Son, Jesus Christ. God has made Jesus responsible for everything. God, by the agency of His Word (Jesus) has made the universe and everything in it.
3) Jesus is the manifestation of God’s glory and the very likeness of His being; Jesus is everything that God is.
4) God holds everything in the universe together by the power of His Word. And Jesus after cleansing people from their sins received the highest distinction (honor) and position in heaven. He sits at the right hand of God the Father. Jesus the Son of God is greater than all of the inhabitants of heaven, even the angels; having been given a name superior to every name given in heaven or earth.
5) God has never called any of His angels son. He has never said to any angel, “I will be your Father, and you will be my Son.”
6) God commanded all of the angels to worship Jesus.
7) God makes the angels as the wind, and His servants (ministers) flames of fire.
8) God proclaimed that Jesus would sit upon His throne forever. Jesus rules His kingdom with justice.
9) Jesus loves the things that are right, and hates the things that are wrong. For this reason God has anointed Jesus with the oil of joy.
10) Jesus the “Word of God” has laid the foundation of the earth, and created the heavens.
11) The earth and the heavens will come to an end; being worn out like clothes; however, Jesus will live forever.
12) Jesus will create a new heaven and earth; doing away with the old heaven and earth. However, Jesus will remain the same forever; having unending life.
13) God has never given any angel the honor of sitting at His right hand. This is a privilege reserved for Jesus alone.
14) God sends His angels (they are spirits) to serve (minister for) those who receive salvation.
Author: This is the first of the General Epistles (which are sometimes called the Catholic or Universal Epistles). There are eight in all. With the exception of Hebrews, these eight are named after their authors, whereas Paul's letters are named after their recipients. The author of the Book of Hebrews is unknown. However, many suggestions have been made. Tertullian (c. A.D. 155-222) ascribed the work to Barnabas. However, a contemporary, Clement of Alexandria, was of the opinion that Paul wrote it. Later, Origin (c. A.D. 185-254) noted two other opinions, that either Clement of Rome or Luke wrote the book. Origin concluded, "God only knows for certain."
Date of writing: A.D. 68. Many references to Jewish sacrifices and priesthood are in this book. The absence of any reference to the destruction of the temple and priesthood suggests that the sacrificial system was still operative when the book was written. Since the forces of Rome destroyed the temple in A.D. 70, a date somewhat earlier is plausible.
Theme: Heaven's last word. "God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son" (1:1). So begins the epistle, indicating its theme. The burden of the writer is to demonstrate the finality and superiority of Christ. He does this through a series of contrasts in which Christ is shown to be higher than angels, Moses, and priests.
Purpose: This epistle was written to strengthen the endurance of persecuted Christians (10:32-39). If the dating of the book is correct, then these would likely have been Hebrew Christians being persecuted by Jews during the rebellion against Rome. Persecution was common throughout Christian history, as Hebrews testifies. Jewish believers in Jesus were under attack by their fellow countrymen. As a result, some wavered in their commitment to Christ. This epistle urges them to stand fast, since Jesus is God's last word to man.
1) In the past God spoke to His people through prophets. God used His prophets at different times and in different ways.
2) However, in the last days God has spoken to us through His Son, Jesus Christ. God has made Jesus responsible for everything. God, by the agency of His Word (Jesus) has made the universe and everything in it.
3) Jesus is the manifestation of God’s glory and the very likeness of His being; Jesus is everything that God is.
4) God holds everything in the universe together by the power of His Word. And Jesus after cleansing people from their sins received the highest distinction (honor) and position in heaven. He sits at the right hand of God the Father. Jesus the Son of God is greater than all of the inhabitants of heaven, even the angels; having been given a name superior to every name given in heaven or earth.
5) God has never called any of His angels son. He has never said to any angel, “I will be your Father, and you will be my Son.”
6) God commanded all of the angels to worship Jesus.
7) God makes the angels as the wind, and His servants (ministers) flames of fire.
8) God proclaimed that Jesus would sit upon His throne forever. Jesus rules His kingdom with justice.
9) Jesus loves the things that are right, and hates the things that are wrong. For this reason God has anointed Jesus with the oil of joy.
10) Jesus the “Word of God” has laid the foundation of the earth, and created the heavens.
11) The earth and the heavens will come to an end; being worn out like clothes; however, Jesus will live forever.
12) Jesus will create a new heaven and earth; doing away with the old heaven and earth. However, Jesus will remain the same forever; having unending life.
13) God has never given any angel the honor of sitting at His right hand. This is a privilege reserved for Jesus alone.
14) God sends His angels (they are spirits) to serve (minister for) those who receive salvation.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Dating and Sexual Sin
How are you to avoid falling into sexual sin? The answer is this: while you struggle with unfulfilled sexual desires, the last thing you should do is to toy with them. Human sexuality operates on a positive-feedback system. Each stimulus is designed not to leave you satisfied but to increase your desire until you finally join in sexual intercourse.
Counsel, prayer and accountability – these are three vital tools for healthy, wholesome dating.
Sexual sin will damage and often ruin a promising relationship. It stops the development of emotional, intellectual, and spiritual intimacy.
Imagination is a God-given gift; but if it is fed dirt by the eye, it will be dirty. All sin, not least sexual sin, begins with the imagination. Therefore what feeds the imagination is of maximum importance in the pursuit of kingdom righteousness (Philippians 4:8).
Counsel, prayer and accountability – these are three vital tools for healthy, wholesome dating.
Sexual sin will damage and often ruin a promising relationship. It stops the development of emotional, intellectual, and spiritual intimacy.
Imagination is a God-given gift; but if it is fed dirt by the eye, it will be dirty. All sin, not least sexual sin, begins with the imagination. Therefore what feeds the imagination is of maximum importance in the pursuit of kingdom righteousness (Philippians 4:8).
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