Book of Hebrews - Therefore RUN!

Questions in Today's Society

Should Christians adapt to a changing culture to prevent persecution?

Why does God allow suffering for his people?

Was Jesus really God?

Wasn't he just an angel / prophet / good moral teacher?

Is there any other way to God apart from Jesus?

It's not completely correct for me to say that these are questions in just today's society. These questions have been asked since the beginning of Christianity and these are addressed in this letter-sermon to Jewish Christians. So keep these things at the back of your mind as you read this letter.

An Outline of Hebrews from the Bible Project

(They're an awesome group and you should definitely subscribe to them)

As you read Hebrews ask these questions so you can get the flow of the letter:

1. How is Jesus superior in these chapters?
2. Why should I remain faithful despite challenges?
3. What are some verses that challenged / struck me? Why?
4. What are some verses that need clarification?

The Great "Therefore"

Hebrews 12:1-3

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.
 

All of Hebrews chapter 1-10 argues for the supremacy of Jesus over all things and the greatness of the promises that come through him. Also, the letter argues that consequences are more severe if we turn from our only hope for salvation. Faith is then defined by the author in chapter 11 and he gives examples or "witnesses" for us to follow.

After all this, is the paragraph that the whole of Hebrews was written for -- the great "therefore" of chapter 12.

An awesome and highly recommended message on this passage by John Piper:

God to desiringgod.org for more resources!

Scriptural Response to Same-Sex "Marriage"

Note: This lesson outline for 6/28 is in response to the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges requiring all 50 states to license and recognize "marriages" between persons of the same sex. 

#lovewins

Parable of the Good Samaritan (Read: Luke 10:25-37)

Cultural expectations required Samaritans and Jews to hate each other. Many people (wrongfully) expect the same between Christians and LGBT supporters. However, Jesus expects us to love and care for everyone (straight or gay) without hesitation. In school, for example, you should never participate or stand by in the bullying of a classmate for any reason at all. 

Romans 13:8-10
Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. 

A Christian cannot claim to obey the laws of God if he does not love his neighbor. 

1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

The larger context of 1 Corinthians 13 is on how Christians should act in times of conflicts. While a Christian should not be “arrogant or rude”, love also requires that we should “not rejoice at wrongdoing”.  

John 14:15
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”

God ties love for him and obedience to him. You cannot have one without the other. 

God’s design for sexuality and marriage

Jesus on Sexuality and Marriage (Mark 10:5-8)

Jesus replied. “But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female.’ ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh.” 

God’s perfect design in the beginning is for man and woman to be complimentary to each other. “For this reason” marriage is instituted, so that the two become one, and so a family can arise where there is both a father and a mother. 

The Exchange of God is the Root of All Sin (Romans 1:18-32)

(excerpt below; read the whole passage)

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. (…)

Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.
For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error. 

And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. (…).

1 Corinthians 6:9-11
Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

All these passages should not be used hatefully against supporters of same-sex marriage, but rather to realize that all sin (whether sexual or not) comes as a result of not surrendering ourselves to God. Only God can change all of our hearts “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:23-24). So Christians should call all people, without distinction, to follow Jesus. 

Christian Reaction

Peace (John 16:33)

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

“Joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” (Romans 12:9-20)

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. (…)

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
    if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

3 Things to Know About Pentecost

1. What is it?

Pentecost comes from the Greek word for “fiftieth”, since the event occurs 50 days after the end of Passover. This was during the celebration of the Jewish feast of Shavuot (commemorating the giving of the Law at Sinai) during which Jews from many nations travelled to Jerusalem. Read the full description of the event as recorded in Acts chapter 2.

2. What is the significance?

During this event the Holy Spirit was poured out on the early disciples, as prophesied in the Old Testament (Joel 2:28) and as promised by Jesus (John 16:5-15). This was the first time in all salvation history that God himself will indwell his people. The result is that God empowers his people, giving them the necessary gifts and authority, to live holy lives, declare his good news, and be “salt and light” in the world.

Furthermore, this event can be considered a reversal of what happened in the Tower of Babel, when God confused the people’s languages to disunite them in their rebellion against God. In Pentecost, God calls all people of all languages to surrender to Jesus, the Messiah promised to save humanity from their sins. Peter’s first sermon at Pentecost resulted in the salvation of 3,000 people. This marks the beginning of the Christian church (its “birthday”).

3. How does this affect our daily lives?

All Christians have the Holy Spirit in their lives.

Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body – whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free – and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 (NIV)

This indwelling of the Spirit is not passive but an active reality that results in visible fruit. Christians are commanded to walk “in step” with the Holy Spirit. This is summed up beautifully in Galatians 5:16-26 (NLT):

So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses.

When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.

(See also: Romans 8:1-11)

Lesson on God's Grace

On Holy Communion

This article is taken from the Pentecostal Evangel, a magazine published by the Assemblies of God. I chose this article because I realized that we often don’t recognize the importance of communion, and the seriousness of the act. Read this with a Bible in hand, and discuss this with an adult if you have any questions. I highlighted important parts. -- Kris

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Communion: the Lord’s table

Some Christian traditions refer to Communion as the "Eucharist," however, the wording used is much less important than the recognition that "the Lord’s supper" (1 Corinthians 11:20) takes place at "the Lord’s table" (1 Corinthians 10:21). The original language here is quite emphatic; this experience belongs to God.

Jesus modeled the Communion moment at a Passover meal that would eventually be called the Last Supper (Matthew 26:26-28). The common label is incorrect. This was really the first supper, the beginning of two millennia of believers celebrating Christ’s presence among them. Three truths present themselves every time we meet with the Lord around His table.

Past tense: a table of history. 

The Lord’s table recognizes the historical reality of Jesus’ sacrifice. Of the bread, Jesus said, "This is My body which is broken for you." Of the cup, He said, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood" (1 Corinthians 11:24,25, NKJV). Rather than being a hollow ritual about Christ, the Lord’s Supper commemorates what He has actually done for our forgiveness and reconciliation with the Father.

In water baptism, we individually identify with Christ’s death and resurrection. But at the Lord’s table, the entire community focuses on the Cross and the empty tomb. In this act, the history of redemption is affirmed by the congregation, and the congregation is affirmed by the Agent of that history. As Jesus said, "Do this in remembrance of Me" (1 Corinthians 11:24,25). Assemblies of God churches serve Communion frequently in order to bond the congregation together around the central reality of Christianity: the Cross.

Present tense: a table of accountability. 

One purpose of the Communion experience is to call participants to a moment of accountability before the Lord. Paul addressed the church at Corinth on this issue. The congregation was fractured by competing loyalties and was displaying grotesque moral and relational failures. Even the regular fellowship meals, and the following Communion services, were coming to resemble the feasts held in local pagan temples (1 Corinthians 11:18-22).

The Corinthians needed to "examine" themselves: "For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself" (1 Corinthians 11:29, NIV). This injunction means that the blessing of Communion is not only neutralized, but reversed, when the Lord’s table (and the sacrifice and community it represents) is treated with disrespect. There is no benefit in the bread and cup for Christians who choose to live in flagrant disobedience before coming to the table.

Assemblies of God churches tend to take a sober attitude while serving Communion, providing opportunity for members to consider the quality of their lives and make things right with God and with others.

Future tense: a table of prophecy. 

Communion is temporary. One day the ordinance will be replaced permanently by fellowship among Christ and His people in eternity (Revelation 19:9). Jesus spoke of this when He told the Twelve at their final Passover meal, "I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father’s kingdom" (Matthew 26:29).

Every time the church celebrates Communion, then, we "proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes"

(1 Corinthians 11:26). Coming to the Lord’s table is a way of recognizing that the future will not be an endless extension of the present. Christ is coming for His church. The bread and the cup foreshadow the real Last Supper, the one that will never end.

Ordinances are visible representations of invisible realities. We are water baptized to signify our entry into the kingdom of God through identification with Christ in His death and resurrection. We come to the Lord’s table to remember the present reality of the Cross, to make our lives accountable to God, and to look forward to Christ’s return. As we participate in the ordinances, we connect both to God and to His people.

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The author, Earl Creps, D.Min., Ph.D., is director of the Doctor of Ministry Program at Assemblies of God Theological Seminary in Springfield, Mo