HoHum:
The Bible says that the men are supposed to make coffee. He Brews
WBTU:
Today we are beginning a series on Hebrews.
Basic information on Hebrews:
Who wrote this book? We don’t know. The one who penned this did not give his name, probably on purpose. Go from least supported to most supported: Priscilla, Clement (Philippians 4:3), Apollos, Barnabas, the apostle Paul. If written by Paul, the original was written in Hebrew and probably Luke translated it into Greek.
Who were the first readers of the book? Jews who had become Christians. Lived in Palestine near Jerusalem. They were not strong in their beliefs. They were in danger of going back to their old religion. The writer argues from the Old Testament to keep them trusting in Jesus.
When was this book written? Before the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem in 70 AD.
Why was this book written? These Christian Jews had to make a choice. They could not continue in Judaism and be Christians. They must decide between the two. The Jews had now turned completely against Christians. They could not go to the temple now as the Jews would not let them. To follow Jesus is much better than the ceremonies of their former religion, which Jesus had replaced.
What makes this book unique? It fills in the gaps on many difficult points in the transition between the Old and the New Testaments. Without this book, some teachings from the Old Testament would not line up with some teachings in the New Testament. It attempts to answer many objections to Jesus from the 1st century Jews.
What sort of book is this? Many call it a letter but without chapter13 we would never know it as a letter. The way it is written is almost like a sermon or a lecture.
Why study this book? We have a choice to make as well. Go back to the worlds system, some other religion besides Christianity, or remain Christians. In our culture, as persecution gets worse, we will have to choose. No more riding the fence.
C. This is my wife’s favorite book. I have avoided preaching it because it is difficult to preach.
The word “better” is used in Hebrews twelve times. The book speaks of “better things” (6:9), “better hope” (7:19), “better covenant” (7:22), “better promises” (8:6), “better sacrifices” (9:23), “better possessions” (10:34), “better country” (11:16), and a “better resurrection” (11:35).
However we might describe the Christian life, it is certainly better than the devil or this present world system. The word “better” speaks of the excellence of something.
Thesis: Let’s think about some things that are “better” about the Christian life.
For instances:
It is a better way of life.
Why? Because we have a “better” temple.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20: Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
In the Old Testament those who wanted to worship had to go to a building, the tabernacle or the temple. Under the New Testament, the tabernacle or temple is our bodies. We take God wherever we go. We do not leave God in the “temple.”
Christianity is a way of life. As a matter of fact, that is one of the reasons that these Hebrews wanted to go back to Judaism. Judaism had elaborate ceremonies in the temple, the Christian faith really didn’t have any, just communion and baptism. These Hebrews understood the ceremonies and they could do them and be done with it. Leave it in the temple or synagogue.
Mike Liebstein and his interest in the ceremonies.
Why? We know what the Lord wants from us.
Romans 12:1-2 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
He does not want dead sacrifices but living ones.
We can know what God’s will is. In the OT it sometimes was unclear, had to rely upon traditions, visions and dreams and the Urim and Thummin. Today we have the Word, Bible.
Hebrews 8:10-11: This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest.
Hebrews 4:12: For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
The best way to live is to live for the Lord. It would be terrible to get to the end of the way and realize we had wasted our lives serving sin or ourselves. If God and the gospel are not true, then life is meaningless. However, if God and the gospel are true, life has great meaning, and we better live for God. If we believe in Jesus and we turn out to be incorrect, we have lost nothing -- but if we don't believe in Jesus and turn out to be incorrect, we will go to hell. We have everything to gain and nothing to lose.
The Christian life is better because it is a life of peace, and a life of promises, and a life of power. Who is his right mind would want to forsake the life we have in Jesus for a life of debauchery and dishonesty? If we have the best, why look somewhere else?
E. John 14:6- Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life.”
It is a better quality of life. Three reasons for a better quality:
We have eternal life.
* We just don’t hope we have eternal life, we know. Plan of salvation. John 3:16. The Old Testament never gave a clear picture of the afterlife and was unclear on how to be saved.
We have abundant life. John 10:10. Hebrews 12:1- let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
We have a gratifying life.
Philippians 4:13- I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Not everything that we want but as Hebrews 13:20-21: May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
equip you = Doctor – “to set a broken bone.” Fisherman – “to mend a broken net.” Sailor – “to outfit a ship.” Soldier – “to equip an army for battle.” The Lord wants to equip us
III. It is a better view of life.
We have a “better hope” (Hebrews 7:19). This acts like an anchor in life to settle and stabilize us. Hebrews 6:19- We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.
Hebrews 4:16: Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
We have a sure, confident expectation of better things for the future.
During the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge in S.F. that during the first half of the construction 23 men fell to their deaths in the waters below. It was so dangerous that they stopped construction. Then they built a huge net under the bridge at a cost of $100,000, so if anyone did fall they would not be hurt. During the second half of the construction only 8 men fell and of course, none of them died. But here’s the amazing thing.. during the last half of construction the work proceeded at 25% greater efficiency. Having the net under them didn’t make them more careless it made them more confident & more efficient. In order for us to be as efficient as possible in the Christian life, we must have confidence in our salvation.
Be very sure, be very sure, your anchor holds and grips the solid Rock.
It brings better companions in life.
When we are saved, we become more careful about our company. It should be the desire of every Christian to seek the company of those that have a fear, or respect, of the Lord.
Hebrews 10:24-25: And let us consider how we may spur (or stir) one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
The baseball player Reggie Jackson referred to himself as “the straw that stirs the drink.” Cocky and outspoken, he had a knack for keeping the adrenaline flowing among his teammates. Hebrews is telling each of us to be the straw that stirs the drink in fellowship together as we stir up love among God’s people. The church needs people who are “stir crazy”- a place in which people come with a relentless purpose to be a blessing to at least one person today.
