Sermon Central
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Hebrews
Contributed by Tom Fuller on Jul 25, 2005 (message contributor)
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1. New & Improved Or Tired & Old
Contributed on Jul 25, 2005
Sometimes the new and improved isn’t - and we become leary. When God came up with a new and improved way to approach Him, some thought the new way was uncomfortable so they wanted to go back.
There’s no doubt that we as humans like the comfortable and the familiar. Especially when presented with challenges - we like what we know. My dog is like that. She knows that when we are finished exercising on Saturday morning that it’s time for her walk. And at a certain time in the evening - she ...read more
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2. Are You Light Sensitive?
Contributed on Aug 8, 2005
Jesus Christ is like the perfect photograph of the Father - not just physical likeness but His entire personality and character. As He shines His light on your life - are you photo-sensitive to His character?
How many of us would use our drivers license photo for a portrait of ourselves? I can’t seem to get a picture of myself that I like - I look at it and say "that just doesn’t represent me very well." Now - in fact the photo is pretty accurate - it is my ideal of what I want to look like that I am ...read more
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3. Angels
Contributed on Aug 8, 2005
Angels are awesome beings capable of great feats. But are they to be worshipped? We look at the differences between angels and the son of God, Jesus Christ.
Angels - the Greek word for angels means literally "messenger." Angels were created by God for certain purposes - but because of their nature men in the past have actually worshipped them and placed more emphasis on angels than they ought. Among some first century churches angels were the ...read more
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4. Are You Paying Attention?
Contributed on Aug 14, 2005
There are a lot of things that distract us in this life - but if we are not careful we may drift past the most important thing ever.
The Israelites had a problem almost throughout their history - they were easily distracted. It was hard for them to keep on the central and important things. In the wilderness they focused on what they were eating or not eating, rather than focusing on obeying and getting to know this God who had ...read more
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5. Rebellion - The Faith Killer
Contributed on Aug 21, 2005
Many of us are exposed to the gospel, but as the Israelites had a choice to go into the Promised Land, we have a choice whether to believe God when He says salvation is through Jesus Christ. Do you have a hard or soft heart to the Lord?
I grew up in the 60’s when rebellion against authority was turned into an art form. Rebellion says: I don’t like someone taking authority over me. I don’t want you telling me what’s wrong with me, and I certainly don’t want you telling me what to do because what I think is the most important thing ...read more
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6. Finding Rest In God
Contributed on Aug 29, 2005
We run around in our lives looking for peace and rest - but when we see the promise of rest that God promises in Jesus sometimes we hesitate to "seal the deal." Let Him give you rest for your soul!
"I’d love to rest - if I only wasn’t so busy." That’s a statement a lot of us could make. Our society is one of constant motion and activity - if we aren’t always doing something we feel useless and worthless. This can invade our spiritual lives as well. We feel like if we aren’t always "on" ...read more
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7. How Well Does Jesus Know You?
Contributed on Sep 6, 2005
We may not realize it, but we all need a guide - someone to take us into the dangerous presence of God. Many of us feel ashamed because of our own failures. But Jesus knows our weaknesses through and through, yet willingly guides us to the Father.
The family in America is changing. Recent statistics show that the "typical" American household no longer mirrors Ozzie and Harriett - with two married people at home with the kids and the dogs and the Beav. The most common household in America now is a single parent. We’ve gotten used to going it ...read more
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8. Are You A Make-Believer?
Contributed on Sep 12, 2005
The most important decision you can ever make is whether to put your full weight and trust in Jesus Christ. The lesson from Hebrews 5&6 is that you can’t hang out with Christians and be saved.
When it comes to humans - there is a perfect food. One that supplies more bioavailable vitamins and minerals - one that supplies ample amounts of disease fighting white blood cells, self digesting fats due the presence of the enzyme lipase, and special digestive enzymes. Consuming this substance ...read more
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9. Melchizedek
Contributed on Sep 18, 2005
Melchizedek is one of the most mysterious people in the Old Testament, but he holds the key why Jesus is a better high priest than one born of Aaron. Also learn how Jesus knows all of your needs before you do.
Once someone’s mind is made up it is very difficult sometimes to change it. Back in the 15th century the world’s leaders and scientists were convinced that earth was flat because, after all, when you look out towards the horizon it looks flat. People were executed for doubting this principal. It ...read more
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10. Telegraph Or Telephone Connetion To God
Contributed on Sep 25, 2005
What is your connection to God like - a telegraph or a telephone? Learn why the model of the Tabernacle is so crucial to understanding the heavenly presence of God
When Alexander Graham Bell first introduced his invention for sending speech over electric wires - it was dismissed. In fact, Bell had to lie to his financial backer by telling him that he was inventing a dual telegraph - a telegraph capable of sending and receiving Morse code at the same ...read more
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11. Living Debt Free
Contributed on Oct 2, 2005
How is your debt ratio with God? Do you walk around feeling the weight of your sin, past present and future, around you neck? Learn what it means to live a guilt free - debt free life.
Americans are racking up credit card debt at a record pace. Now, don’t worry, this isn’t a message about being a good steward and owing no man or anything like that. But while our financial debt soars, no one talks much about the spiritual debt we owe to God. I know for myself - every time I ...read more
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12. Hard Wiring God's Character
Contributed on Oct 9, 2005
Do you revisit old sins? Did you know that God has forgotten them purposefully and it would be wrong to go over and over them? Learn about freedom from guilt in the once for all sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Have you ever been in a contract dispute? Maybe charges got put on your account that you feel aren’t yours or aren’t fair. I had a situation recently with an agreement that I signed an extension on - and the other party and I discussed the changes and then I signed the document I received. Little ...read more
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13. What Is Faith? Part 1
Contributed on Oct 16, 2005
What is your definition of faith? You may be surprised to learn that it could be different from how the Bible defines it. Learn the keys true faith.
Richard Dawkins - a torchbearer for Charles Darwin’s theories of evolution describes faith this way: "faith is blind trust in the absence of evidence, even in the teeth of evidence." Discover Magazine, August 2005 I would submit that Richard certainly didn’t consult the Bible for his definition of ...read more
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14. What Is Faith? Part 2
Contributed on Oct 23, 2005
What is faith? We see faith worked out in what we call heros of the Old Testament - but they, like us, were stretched and confronted with problems as they learned to trust God.
Last time we began chapter 11 of Hebrews - the great chapter on faith. Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. We learned that faith is believing that God is who He says He is and that He will do what He promised He will do - even ...read more
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15. Hanging In There
Contributed on Nov 7, 2005
Are you at the end of your rope? Suffering from trials and troubles? Perhaps it is the Lord’s discipline- given out of love for your good. Find hope and help in the first part of Hebrews 12.
The Apostle Peter to me is one of the great men of the Bible - not because he was so perfect and strong and patient and so much like the Lord - but because he was so imperfect and impetuous and impatient and so much like us! One of my favorite stories about Peter is found in Matthew chapter 14. ...read more
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16. Which Mountain Have You Come To?
Contributed on Nov 7, 2005
Are you afraid to approach God? It could be that you should be - if you do not have Jesus - but perhaps you are afraid because you are coming to the wrong mountain - Mt Sinai instead of Mt Zion. Also learn about a city that cannot be shaken - ever.
Earthquakes are the worst kind of disaster - unlike hurricanes and tornadoes; you have little if any warning of an earthquake. Despite many years of research, scientists have yet to accurately predict where, when, and how big an earthquake will be. Just weeks ago in Pakistan a 7.4 quake killed ...read more
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17. The Nugget Of Truth
Contributed on Nov 13, 2005
What are some modern day ways that we can fall into the same error as the Hebrews? Also - carving down to the nugget of God’s truth - and - letting the Spirit live out the Law of God in our lives.
How do you sum up a letter like Hebrews? I see two ways that the author takes this chapter to make his final points to a people who were afraid to leave Judaism behind and fully plant their feet in Jesus. His first point is that they are not really leaving all they knew behind - but they will ...read more