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Better Things

Summer 2013. Better Things. “Christ” He did not hold on to his heavenly state (Phil. 2:6-8) He came to earth, but did not campaign for the office of high priest Psalm 2:7 Psalm 110:4 These passages affirm his sonship , his priesthood and his call from God

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Better Things

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  1. Summer 2013 Better Things

  2. “Christ” • He did not hold on to his heavenly state (Phil. 2:6-8) • He came to earth, but did not campaign for the office of high priest • Psalm 2:7 • Psalm 110:4 • These passages affirm his sonship, his priesthood and his call from God • In Hebrews the connection of sonship/kingship/messiaship/priesthood is made • Hebrews also explains how Jesus could be high priest without being a descendant of Aaron Hebrews 5:5-10 – Qualifications of Jesus

  3. 5:7-10—”Hymn of the high priest” • In the “days of His flesh” • He had/has other days that are not “fleshly days” • He offered up “prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears” • His prayer in Gethsemane • Was His prayer answered? • Yes! Hebrews 5:5-10 – Qualifications of Jesus

  4. Two-fold petition in His prayer • Physical deliverance • Humble submission to the will of God • Perfection through suffering (2:10) • Sonship didn’t spare Him from suffering • Learning and suffering • emathen – he learned • epathen– he suffered • “perfect through suffering” • Perfectly (completely) qualified Hebrews 5:5-10 – Qualifications of Jesus

  5. Christ was the one designated by God as “a high priest after the the order of Melchizedek” • A new order of priesthood • Necessitates the ending of the old order, the Aaronic order Hebrews 5:5-10 – Qualifications of Jesus

  6. Christ supersedes all previous high priests, and He can deal gently with us. • He suffered. And through His suffering He was made perfect. • Not every prayer will be answered “Yes”. • God’s love is not always what one would expect. He loves us unconditionally. His love includes divine wisdom. Hebrews 5 – Some Practical Lessons

  7. Five announcement themes in Hebrews • Christ, Superior to the angels (1:4) • Christ, a merciful and faithful high priest (2:17) • Christ, a priest like Melchizedek (5:10) • People of faith (10:39) • Peaceful fruit of righteousness (12:11) • Distinctive features of the middle section • Exhortation: on to mature teaching (5:11-6:20) • Christ, like Melchizedek (7:1-28) • Christ, the source of eternal salvation (8:-10:18) • Exhortation: a call to draw near (10:19-39) Hebrews 5:11-6:20 – Exhortation: On to mature Teaching

  8. Three exhortations so far: • Exhortation against drifting from God’s word (2:1-4) • Exhortation against disbelieving God’s word (3:7-4:16) • Exhortation against dullness toward God’s word (5:11-6:20) • The danger of their condition • Might lead them to apostasy (3:12) • Irreversible consequences to apostasy (6:4-8) • Not likely a sudden departure, but a bit by bit slip into a state of spiritual apathy Hebrews 5:11-14 – Solid Food

  9. The original readers had been Christians for a long time and should be able to receive “advanced” instruction • To think and act maturely • Yet, they were like children and needed to be taught the elementary principles all over again (milk) • Solid food is for grownups • stereos is the Greek word for “solid” • Mature Christians need “stereo food” Hebrews 5:11-14 – Solid Food

  10. Who are the mature? • Those who have their powers of discernment trained • By constant practice • Can distinguish good from evil • “practice” – gegymnasmena • Milk has its value, but these Christians need “stereo food”—a fuller, deeper, maturing vision of Christ, our high priest Hebrews 5:11-14 – Solid Food

  11. Two-fold exhortation • Let us leave • And go on • If they will understand the meaning of Christ’s priesthood and his sacrifice, this will be enough to keep them from apostasy • They must decide: Is Aaron (and his descendants) or Christ high priest? • Who offers the real sacrifice for sins? Hebrews 6:1-3 – Pressing On To Maturity

  12. Six basics that need no further emphasis • Repentance from “dead works” • Faith in God • Washings (baptisms) • Laying on of hands • Resurrection of the dead • Eternal judgment Hebrews 6:1-3 – Pressing On To Maturity

  13. “Impossible” to bring some back to repentance • Those “once enlightened” • Who have “tasted the heavenly gift” • Have shared in the Holy Spirit • Have “tasted the goodness of the word of God and of the age to come” • And have then “fallen away” • Why? • They crucify again the Son of God • They don’t just disbelieve Him, they denounce and disgrace Him before the world Hebrews 6:4-8 – A Warning Against Apostasy

  14. Apostasy illustrated by two kinds of soil • Well-watered and cultivated • Receives a blessing from God • Worthless soil of “thorns and thistles” • Near to being cursed • To be burned • Apostasy • Not the same as “falling short”, but not falling away • It is to “deliberately” keep on sinning • “Wobbling” Christians need to face the peril of their situation Hebrews 6:4-8 – A Warning Against Apostasy

  15. Summer 2013 Better Things

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