We Have A Better And Lasting Possession Series

I. EXORDIUM:

What can make you happy?

To be with JESUS.

II. AUDIENCE PROFILE:

Believers

III. OBJECTIVES:

To show that JESUS prepared a better and lasting possession for us.

IV. TEXT:

Hebrews 10:34 (Amplified Bible)

10:34 For you did sympathize and suffer along with those who were imprisoned, and you bore cheerfully the plundering of your belongings and the confiscation of your property, in the knowledge and consciousness that you yourselves had a better and lasting possession.

V. THESIS:

Thank You very much, LORD JESUS, I praise You because You had prepared a better and lasting possession for me.

VI. TITLE:

We have a better and lasting possession

Subtitle: Study on the Book of Hebrews

VII. EXPLICATION:

A. Date of writing: Before AD. 70

B. Style of writing: Best Greek style

C. Authorship: Not specific, but generally attributed to Apostle Paul. Can be also ascribed to Barnabas, Luke, Apollos

D. Audience: Hebrew Christians

E. Theme: Christ is superior to the prophets; Christ is superior to angels - J. Vernon McGee's Thru The Bible

F. Purpose: The chief doctrinal purpose of the writer was to show the transcendent glory of the Christian dispensation, as compared with that of the Old Testament.Thompson Chain - Bible Book Outlines

VIII. MAIN BODY:

A. Sympathizing with Paul, the prisoner of CHRIST

"For you did sympathize and suffer along with those who were imprisoned,"

Acts 21:33 (Amplified Bible)

21:33 Then the commandant approached and arrested Paul and ordered that he be secured with two chains. He then inquired who he was and what he had done.

Acts 28:20 (Amplified Bible)

28:20 This is the reason therefore why I have begged to see you and to talk with you, since it is because of the Hope of Israel (the Messiah) that I am bound with this chain.

Ephesians 6:20 (Amplified Bible)

6:20 For which I am an ambassador in a coupling chain [in prison. Pray] that I may declare it boldly and courageously, as I ought to do.

We sympathize with Paul and other prisoners as all major churches I've seen have prison ministry as well. But we don't forget that the WORD of GOD cannot be imprisoned.

2 Timothy 2:9 (Amplified Bible)

2:9 For that [Gospel] I am suffering affliction and even wearing chains like a criminal. But the Word of God is not chained or imprisoned!

B. We bore cheerfully the plundering and confiscation of our property

"and you bore cheerfully the plundering of your belongings and the confiscation of your property,"

Joyfully, cheerfully or "chara" in Greek meaning:

1. calm delight

2. joy

3. gladness

Matthew 5:11-12 (Amplified Bible)

5:11 Blessed (happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous—with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of your outward conditions) are you when people revile you and persecute you and say all kinds of evil things against you falsely on My account.

5:12 Be glad and supremely joyful, for your reward in heaven is great (strong and intense), for in this same way people persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Acts 5:41 (Amplified Bible)

5:41 So they went out from the presence of the council (Sanhedrin), rejoicing that they were being counted worthy [dignified by the indignity] to suffer shame and be exposed to disgrace for [the sake of] His name.

James 1:2-3 (Amplified Bible)

1:2 Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations.

1:3 Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience.

It is not our job as first-class soldier of CHRIST to get entangled with the riches of this world, for we have better riches in the Heavens.

2 Timothy 2:3 (Amplified Bible)

2:3 Take [with me] your share of the hardships and suffering [which you are called to endure] as a good (first-class) soldier of Christ Jesus.

C. In our knowledge and consciousness we had a better and lasting possession

"in the knowledge and consciousness that you yourselves had a better and lasting possession"

Matthew 6:19-20 (Amplified Bible)

6:19 Do not gather and heap up and store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust and worm consume and destroy, and where thieves break through and steal.

6:20 But gather and heap up and store for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust nor worm consume and destroy, and where thieves do not break through and steal;

Matthew 19:21 (Amplified Bible)

19:21 Jesus answered him, If you would be perfect [that is, have that spiritual maturity which accompanies self-sacrificing character], go and sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have riches in heaven; and come, be My disciple [side with My party and follow Me].