The Book of Hebrews John Oakes Bandung Indonesia

The Book of Hebrews John Oakes, Bandung, Indonesia 3/15/2020

Introduction • Audience: Christians in general, but especially those who are of Jewish descent • Second generation disciples who are tempted to lose heart in light of coming persecutions. – Remember those earlier days… Hebrews 10: 32 – A hint: Those who are from Italy greet you. Hebrews 13: 24 • Date of writing: AD 60 -70, probably closer to AD 70.

By calling this covenant “new, ” he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear. Hebrews 8: 13

Introduction cont. • Purpose: To give heart to Christians who have endured but are being tempted to waver in their faith. – Warnings against “falling away. ” • Theme: The preeminence of Jesus Christ!!! – – His deity The greatness of his ministry The greatness of his sacrifice The greatness of his covenant

Jesus Our Mediator/High Priest Matthew: Jesus the Messiah who fulfills the prophecies and fulfills the law of Moses. Mark: Jesus powerfully announces the kingdom of God. Luke: Jesus brings salvation the poor, the outcast, women and Gentiles. John: Jesus the Son of God revealed through his miracles and his I Am statements. Hebrews: Jesus the great high priest who mediates with God for us.

Outline of Hebrews • 1: 1 -2: 18 Jesus is greater than the angels: Therefore let us pay attention. • 3: 1 -4: 13 Jesus is greater than Moses: Therefore let us persevere. • 4: 14 -6: 12 The priesthood of Jesus is greater than the priesthood of Aaron: Therefore let us move on to maturity. • 6: 13 -7: 28 Jesus is the Great High Priest “in the order of Melchizedek. ” • 8: 1 -10: 39 Jesus is the author of a better covenant than that of Moses: Therefore let us persevere to the end. • 11: 1 -12: 29 A practical example of endurance: The faithful cloud of witnesses: Therefore accept God’s discipline in your life.

Hebrews Chapter 1 • Prologue: Hebrews 1: 1 -4 Jesus is greater than the prophets! • In the past, God spoke through the prophets at various times and in varios ways… • Hosea: the grace of God • Amos: social justice • Isaiah: the holiness of God • David: the heart of God • Joel: the judgment of God • But in these last days… – Acts 2: 17, 1 Pet 1: 20, 1 Cor 10: 11

Heb 1: 2, 3 The Greatness of God’s Son great, amazing, excellent, unique, overpowering, beautiful, impressive, beyond imagination, mind-blowing, jaw-dropping, spectacular, …… A. He will inherit everything (Col 1: 15, Romans 8: 17) – Our inheritance is through his inheritance. B. The universe was made through (and for) Him. (John 1: 3) C. He is the radiance of the glory of God. (John 8: 12) – Apaugasma = effulgence, shining forth D. He is the image of God (John 1: 18) – Character = wax seal, exact representation. God revealed himself. E. He sustains all things – beginning (B. Creator) middle (Sustainer) end (A. Inheritor) of all. F. He provided purification for sin

1: 4 -14 Jesus is greater than the angels • Angel = messenger, mediator Greek aggeloi Hebrew malakim

Why is Jesus greater than the angels? • v. 5, 6 A greater name (position, rank): God’s SON • v. 7 -11 Angels are temporary, changing (winds and fires), but Jesus is unchanging and eternal. • v. 12, 13 Angels are ministering spirits. Jesus is the one ministered to. Why worship a worshipper? • Application: Do not admire the messenger, admire the sender of the message; Jesus Christ.

2: 1 -18 Exhortation #1 Pay careful attention! • “pay attention” = prosechein = to fix, moor a ship. • “drift away” = pararrein = to slip away, as with the tides, by careless inattention. • violation = parabasis = outright rebellion • disobedience = parakoe = careless hearing or unwillingness to hear • The point: If the Jews had to pay attention to a Law delivered by angels, and if they faced capital punishment for not listening, how much more ought we to pay attention to Jesus, and how much more great a punishment if we do not. • LISTEN UP!!!

Question: • How might we “ignore (neglect) such a great salvation? ”

Hebrews 2: 5 -10 A difficult little passage. • v. 7 God made us humans a little lower than himself elohim – God’s intent was that we have greatness and dominion! – “him” throughout this section is us. • v. 8, 9 But unfortunately, that is not the case right now. Our sin messed up everything. • v. 9, 10 Jesus came so that, through his death, we can be restored to the glory God had in mind in the first place.

Because Jesus Became Like Us… v. 10 Because he suffered like us we are saved v. 11 Because he came here, we are “of the same family. ” v. 14 Because he shared our humanity, we are no longer slaves v. 16 Because he is like us, he is a merciful high priest. v. 17 Because he became like us, we can become like him. v. 18 Because he suffered, he can relate and help those who are tempted.

2: 10 -18 The importance of Jesus’ humanity and his suffering. • Archegos Jesus is author, founder, pioneer, source, origin; the one who goes first both to make and to point the way for us. • Teleios Jesus is the perfecter, the completer. He is the one who points the way, but he is also the one who completes the journey toward perfection. He is our perfecter through suffering. • In becoming human, Jesus forged a way for us into the presence of God. • The Point: Jesus is both the initiator and the completer of our salvation. Everything depends on Jesus, not us.

Jesus Can Relate…. Jesus is not up in an airconditioned office while we slave away on the factory floor. In becoming human, Jesus forged a way for us into the presence of God. What does this mean to you?

Conclusion…. He became like us so we could become like him. He is our great high priest. So…. . Pay attention to Jesus and to the salvation he offers us. Fix your eyes on Jesus.

Jesus is Greater Than Moses • Hebrews 1: 1 -3 Jesus greater than all the prophets before him. • Hebrews 1: 4 -14 the angels. Jesus is greater than • Hebrews 3: 1 -5 Jesus is greater than Moses.

Parallels Between Moses and Jesus Moses Jesus Pharaoh tried to kill him Herod tried to kill him Called by God to leave Egypt Carried out of Egypt Forty years in the wilderness to prepare por his ministry Forty days in the wilderness to prepare for his ministry Left his position with the king of Egypt to dwell with the Jews Left the right hand of the Father to life with the Jews Led Israel out of slavery in Egypt Leads Spiritual Israel out of sin Aaron prepared the way John the Baptist prepared the way Baptized Israel in the Red Sea in order to free them Commands baptism in water for freedom from sin Gave manna in the wilderness (sort of) Gives spiritual bread to all who hunger Gave water to the people in the desert Spoke to God on Mt. Sinai Gives spiritual water: the Holy Spirit Spoke to God on Mt. Hermon

Jesus: a new and better Moses a household servant (v. 5) Jesus owns the house (v. 6) Moses faithful in God’s house Jesus faithful over Moses received the Law Jesus is the Law Moses gave them bread Jesus is the bread

Exhortation #2 • Do not harden your hearts. (Hebrews 3: 8) • Do not turn away. (Hebrews 3: 12) • Do not let your bodies fall in the desert. (Hebrews 3: 17) • Do not fall short. (Hebrews 4: 1) • Instead…. . • Make every effort to enter (do not rest). (Hebrews 4: 11)

Historical type/antitype in the Exodus OLD TESTAMENT TYPE NEW TESTAMENT ANTITYPE SLAVERY IN EGYPT LOST, SLAVE TO SIN WANDERING IN THE WILDERNESS SAVED, BUT LIVING THE LIFE OF A DISCIPLE ENTERING THE PROMISED LAND ENTERING HEAVEN

Our Goal: • A Sabbath rest with God. katapausis • Sabbath-rest = with God in heaven • The point: You will rest in heaven. Do not start resting now!

Question: In what ways are you tempted to rest now, rather than in heaven?

What is at stake? Everything! • They shall never enter my rest 3: 11, 4: 5 • We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly to the end the confidence we had at first. 3: 14 • They were not able to enter because of their unbelief 3: 19 • Some… did not go in because of their obedience 4: 6 • So that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience 4: 11 • Do you get the point?

How can we make our entrance more sure? • Give and receive encouragement (Heb 3: 1214) • Give yourself “no rest. ” (Isaiah 62: 6 -7) • Fear this! Fear of falling short (Heb 4: 1) • Let the Word of God do its work (Heb 4: 12 -13)

Jesus the Perfect High Priest • What is a priest? • A Pontifex Literally, a bridge-builder. A mediator. An advocate. A representative. One who give access. One who can speak the language of both the worshipper and the one worshipped. • The bridge before Jesus: – – – The Law The Priest and the Sacrificial System But they did not work, and that is the point of Hebrews 7 -10: 18

The Law: An Incomplete Bridge

Jesus the Great High Priest • Like a High priest: – Can relate to us (Heb 4: 15) – Makes intercession before God for us (Heb 4: 16) – Offer gifts (fragrant offerings) and sacrifices (sin, guilt offering) (Heb 5: 1) – Selected by God from men (Heb 5: 1, 4 -5) – Represents man to God (Heb 5: 1) • Greater than any High Priest – – – Serves in the Heavenly Tabernacle, not the earthly one. (Heb 4: 14) Tempted, yet was without sin. (Heb 4: 15) Did not need to offer sacrifices for his own sin. (Heb 5: 3) A priest forever (Heb 5: 6) A priest from the order of Melchizedek (Heb 5: 6)

A wonderful word… • metriopatheia • • • Heb 5: 2 Empathy, Sympathetic feeling, Bear with people without becoming angry Completely unlike the Greek concept of God • God cannot possibly feel anything or he is weak.

Hebrews 5: 2 cont. “He deals gently with those who are ignorant and going astray. ” This is accidental sin, not willful sin. There was no sacrifice for willful sin in the Law of Moses. Hebrews 10: 26, Leviticus 4: 13, Numbers 15: 30 -31 Willful sin is defiance, rebellion, willful (obviously) Unwillful sin is an act of impulse or thoughtlessness or ignorance.

Willful Sin

Hebrews 5: 8 -9 5: 8 Jesus learned obedience through suffering. “learned” in the sense of experiencing. 5: 9 once made perfect (teleio) = complete

Exhortation #3 • Grow up! • • • Move on to maturity. Mature in life and docrine (1 Timothy 4: 16) Do not be nothros (slow-moving in mind, torpid, witlessly forgetful, dull of hearing) • Are you on a diet of milk? Then you are an infant. • Grow up both in the knowledge (v. 12) and the practice (v. 14) of holiness.

Hebrews 6: 1 -2 The Basics a. repentance b. faith c. baptism d. the Holy Spirit e. Resurrection f. Judgment

Hebrews 6: 4 -6 Who is he talking to? a. been enlightened (NT church “enlightened” = baptized) b. tasted the heavenly gift (salvation? ) c. shared in the Holy Spirit d. tasted the goodness of the word e. tasted the coming age (saved) • Yes, you can fall away! Conclusion: You had better move on toward maturity in Christ.

Hebrews 6: 4 -8 • It is impossible… if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance. • They are crucifying the Son of God all over again. • Land that produces thorns… will be burned.

Hebrews 10: 26 -31 Falling Away • • • Crucifying the Son of God all over again. (Heb 6: 6) Subjecting Jesus to public disgrace (Heb 6: 6) Trampling the Son of God under foot. (Heb 10: 29) Insulted the Holy Spirit (Heb 10: 29) Blasphemed (spoken against) the Holy Spirit (Matt 12: 32) • Committed the unforgivable sin (1 John 5: 16) • What is the “unforgivable sin? ” To willfully, deliberately continue in sin. (Hebrews 10: 26) • Deliberate sin: Nunbers 15: 30 -31

Four things which are impossible for God to do • Bring us to renewed repentance once we have fallen away. (Hebrews 6: 4) • For him to lie. (Hebrews 6: 18) • For the blood of bulls and goats to forgive sins (Hebrews 10: 4) • For us to please God without faith (Hebrews 11: 6)

Q: What are “the things which accompany salvation? ” (Heb 6: 9) Answer: work and love (Heb 6: 9 -12, 10: 32 -34) Be diligent to the end.

Hebrews 6: 13 -20 God’s Assurance God says, “I swear you will make it. ” Two unchangeable things: God’s Word Himself

Great Assurance God says, “I swear you will make it if you hang on to the end. ” Jesus, your anchor, is behind the veil with the Father

Great Assurance Two unchangeable things: God’s Word Himself God says, “I swear you will make it if you hang on to the end. ” (Genesis 22: 1618, Ps 110: 4) Jesus, your anchor, is behind the veil with the Father

The Priesthood of Jesus is greater than the Levitical/Aaronic Priesthood. Background: Genesis 14: 18 -20 Psalm 110: 4 1. Establish that Jesus is of the order of Melchizedek and therefore is of a superior priesthood to that of Aaron. 2. Establish the type/antitype relationship between Jesus and Melchizedek to illustrate his greatness.

Melchizedek Superior to Levi 1. Heb 7: 5 -6 Abraham gave a tithe to Melchizedek. “Just think how great he was. ” 2. Heb 7: 7 Melchizedek blessed Abraham. “Without a doubt the lesser is blessed by the greater. ” 3. Levi, who collects a tenth, figuratively gave a tenth to Melchizedek through Abraham.

Type/Antitype Relationship Melchizedek Name means king of righteousness King of a city with the name peace Without (known) genealogy Without (known) end of days, therefore a priest forever Physical king of physical Jerusalem A greater priest than Levi A priest for Gentiles, not Jews A priest due to character, not descent Gave Abraham bread and wine Jesus Is a righteous king The king of peace Has no genealogy A priest forever Spiritual king of spiritual Jerusalem Greater that Abraham and therefore Levi A priest for Gentiles and Jews A priest due to character, not descent Remembered by taking bread and wine

The Argument of the Hebrew Writer Heb 7: 12 A new priesthood requires a new covenant. Heb 7: 18 The former covenant was weak and useless. Why? Heb 7: 11 Perfection could not be obtained. Heb 7: 23 -25 Levitical priests have a habit of dying. Heb 7: 26 -28 Levitical priests sin. Levitical priests know the things of humans, but not of God.

Conclusion: • Hebrews 7: 28 The law appoints as high priests men who are weak, but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever. • Hebrews 7: 22 Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.

Hebrews 8: 1 The Main Point is this…. We have such a high priest…. Seated at the right hand of the throne!

Hebrews 8: A Better Covenant Hebrews 8: 5 A copy (hupodeigma sketch-plan, diorama) A shadow (skia shadow, reflection silhouette) 8: 5 Follow the exact pattern. Ezekiel 43: 10 -

What is a Covenant? Suntheke The common word for a covenant, which is a mutual contractual agreement between equal parties. Diatheke A specialized word for a covenant, which is a contractual agreement between a superior and a lesser party authored solely by the superior. A will. Conclusion: The Gospel is all of God and none of us.

A Better Covenant Hebrews 8: 6 The ministry Jesus has received (as high priest) is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is the mediator is superior to the old one, since the new covenant is established on better promises. What promises? We will see….

A Better Covenant Jeremiah 31: 31 -33 8: 6 Better promises 8: 9 Based on Jesus’ righteousness, not our own. 8: 10 We serve because we want to, not out of obligation. 8: 10 -11 It is a personal, intimate relationship. 8: 12 Real, lasting forgiveness.

Type and Antitype in the First and Second Covenants Prefigure in the Law of Moses Realization in the Law of Christ Obedience to physically defined rules required. Physical blessings promised. Ceremonial uncleanness. Obedience to spiritual principles required. Spiritual blessings promised. Sin and separation from God. Sacrifice bridges the chasm between law and effort. Sealed with the blood of bulls and goats. Mediated by a High Priest. Laws, rules and regulations for behavior. Tithing. Sabbath. Death. Sacrifice bridges the chasm between law and effort. Sealed with the blood of Jesus Christ. Mediated by THE High Priest, Jesus Christ. Behavior based on spiritual principle and love. Sacrifice and giving from the heart. Come…. I will give you rest. Relying on Jesus. Life.

Hebrews 8: 13 Old and fading AD 30 Will soon disappear AD 70

Hebrews 9: 1 -11 A Better Tabernacle Holy Place, Most Holy Place, altar, laver, bread, menorah, incense altar, curtain, ark, mercy seat, cherubim, etc… Gentiles could only enter the court of Gentiles Female Jews could only enter the court of Women Male Jews could only come to the gate of the tabernacle/temple Levites could only enter the courtyard Priests could only enter the Holy Place The High Priest could only enter the Most Holy Place once a year. Separation!

Model of The Jewish Tabernacle

Hebrews 9: 1 -11 Hebrews 9: 7 Only sins committed in ignorance were covered. Hebrews 9: 9 -10 A mere illustration parabole Hebrews 9: 10 Only ceremonial cleanness resulted. “a matter of food and drink and various ceremonial washings—external regulations. Heb 9: 11 but…. I love those buts

Type/Antitype Relationships in the Tabernacle ITEM IN TABERNACLE OR TEMPLE ANTITYPE IN THE NEW COVENANT SCRIPTURE REFERENCE The tabernacle itself God dwelling with his people John 14: 1 -3, John 1: 14 J. Rev 1: 13 The bronze altar of sacrifice The sacrifice of Jesus for sins Hebrews 9: 14 The basin/laver Baptism Titus 3: 5 The bread of life, Jesus Christ The lampstand The Holy Spirit Zechariah 4: 1 -6 The altar of incense The prayers of the saints Revelation 5: 8 The blue, purple and scarlet yarn The heavens, the kingship of God, the blood of Jesus The curtain Separation from God Matthew 27: 51 The ark of the covenant The presence of God Psalm 132: 7, 8 The Mercy Seat The grace of God The angels in heaven Ezekiel 10: 15 -22 The show bread John 6: 48 -51 The Cherubim

Heb 9: 11 -10: 18 Greater Sacrifices Heb 9: 11 -14 The blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a red heifer only made the Jews outwardly clean. They were shadows, prefigures Bulls and Goats: yom kippur Ashes of a heifer: Red Heifer sacrifice (Numbers 19)

Yom Kippur: The Day of Atonement 1. Wash hands and feet in the laver 2. Change into perfectly white linen clothes 3. Lay hands on a bull paid for by the High Priest and sacrifice it 4. Sprinkle the blood in the Holy Place for sin of the High Priest 5. Fill a censer with incense and fill the MHP with the smoke. 6. Select two goats, kill one, as well as a bull for the sin of the people (the other goat is the scape goat) 7. Enter the Most Holy Place, first with the blood of the goat, then the blood of the bull, to sprinkle it on the Mercy Seat.

The Day of Atonement Yom Kippur Sacrificial goat and scape goat (Azazel). Sins laid on sacrificial goat, killed outside the camp. Incense fills the Holy of Holies Priest enters the Holy of Holies and puts blood on the Mercy Seat

The Red Heifer Sacrifice Aspects of the Red Heifer Sacrifices A very rare red heifer Sacrificed outside the camp Purifies both Jew and Gentile Antitype in the sacrifice of Jesus A unique son Sacrificed outside Jerusalem Atones for the sin of both Jew and Gentile A sacrifice without blemish A sacrifice without sin Had never been yoked Offered himself voluntarily Scarlet wool and wood included Blood was shed on a wooden cross Hyssop included (for Purifies us from the effects of sin purification from the effects of death) Water included for purification We are baptized into Christ forgiveness

Sacrificial Type and Antitype Sweet Savor Offerings (gifts) New Testament fulfillment Old Testament Sacrifice The Burnt Offering Jesus’ and our devotion to God Scriptures Ephesians 5: 1, 2 Romans 12: 1, 2 The Grain Offering Giving back a contribution to God Matthew 6: 19 -21 Romans 8, 9 The Drink Offering Pouring out our life for God Luke 22: 20 Philippians 2: 16 Blood Sacrifices The Fellowship Offering Celebrating our blessings from God John 10: 10 1 Thess 5: 16 The Sin Offering Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins Maintaining a relationship with one another 1 Peter 1: 18, 19 2 Corinthians 5: 21 The Guilt Offering Matthew 5: 23, 24

Jesus: A Better Sacrifice Heb 9: 12 -14 • 1. Eternal redemption. v. 12. • 2. A clean conscience v. 14. • 3. We can now serve (worship) God. v. 14.

Hebrews 9: 16 -22 A New Covenant

A Better Sacrifice Hebrews 9: 23 better sacrifices than these The lesser sacrifice (goats, bulls, red heifer) Outward (appearance) Temporary (repeated again and again) Ceremonial Not voluntary Mechanical Unaware Did not remove guilt The greater sacrifice (Jesus) Inward (spiritual) Eternal (only done once) Real Voluntary Spontaneous (by choice) Rational, aware Removes guilt eternally

Hebrews 10: 1 -4 From Shadow to Reality 10: 1 Shadow vs. Reality eikon a perfect representation. The reality has great power—It makes us perfect They still felt guilty (because they were) How about you? v. 3 But the Law of Moses did do something. They reminded us how sinful we are. Rom 7: 13 It “made sin utterly sinful. ”

Heb 10: 5 -10 What Does God Want From Us? Psalm 40: 6 -8 An obedient heart. Heb 10: 7 Here I am… I have come to do your will. 1 Sam 15: 22, Psalm 51: 16 -17, Hosea 6: 6, Micah 6: 6 -8

Hebrews 10: 19 -38 Exhortation #4 Exhortation #1 Pay attention Heb 2: 1 -18 Exhortation #2 Don’t rest. Make every effort Heb 3: 6 -4: 13 Exhortation #3 Grow up. Become mature Heb 5: 11 -6: 20 Exhortation #4 Hebrews 10: 19 -12: 29 Draw near to God. The peril of rebellion.

Heb 10: 19 -21 Draw Near to God 10: 19 Confidence to enter the Most Holy Place. We have access!!!! v. 20 a new and living way Through the curtain, that is his body. Q: How do you feel about this?

Salad time! 10: 22 Let us draw near [to God] 10: 23 Let us hold to our confession of hope without wavering 10: 24 Let us be concerned about one another and encourage one another toward love and good deeds 10: 25 Let us not stop meeting together. 10: 25 Let us encourage one another.

Hebrews 10: 26 -31 The Horror of Sin hekousis deliberate, habitual, willful Deuteronomy 17: 2 -7 How much more we…. Deuteronomy 32: 35 Vengeance of God is love and God is also justice

Stay in the Race

Hebrews 11 Heroes of the Faith The key to perseverence is faith Heb 11: 1 Faith is being certain of what we do not see. It requires that we deny our senses. Heb 11: 3 What is seen was not made from the visible Heb 11: 6 Faith… must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Why were these men and women commended by God? • They refused what the world calls greatness and staked everything on God. • They chose what is unseen rather than what is seen. Lesson: In many ways, our worst enemy is success and prosperity. What the world seeks is what will destroy everything that is important. Example: Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego Daniel Ch. 3 What could they see? ? ?

Daniel Chapter Three • The fires of persecution. • “I will bow my head, but not my heart. ” • What would you have done? • The God we serve is able…. But even if he does not…

By Faith…. • By faith Abel gave a better sacrifice. • By faith Enoch pleased God. • By faith Noah built the ark, condemned the world and saved his family

By Faith…. • By faith Abraham left everything behind…. • By faith Abraham became the father of many nations. • By faith Abraham offered up his one and only son.

Chrysostom on Abraham “The things of God seemed to fight against the things of God and faith fought with faith and the commandment fought with the promise” Yet…. Abraham obeyed the command. Heb 11: 19 He Reasoned

We Need to Follow Abraham… • Out of Ur • To Mt. Moriah

Those of whom the world was not worthy • Hebrews 11: 13 Still living by faith (not by sight) when they died. • xenoi foriegners, aliens, strangers, refugees in this world. • parepidemos sojourners, temporary residents, green card holders, people who do not put down roots. • Lived by faith despite never seeing the promise fulfilled.

Diognetus (2 nd Century Apologist) • The Christians dwell in cities of Greeks and barbarians as the lot of each is cast, and follow the native customs in dress and food and other arrangements of life, yet the constitution of their own citizenship, which they set forth, contradicts expectation. They dwell in their own countries, but only as sojourners. They bear their share in all things as citizens and endure hardships as strangers. To them, every country is a fatherland, and to them, every fatherland a foreign country. They live on earth, but their home is in heaven. They love all men and are persecuted by all. Their strangeness is not strange clothes or lack of technology. It is their embrace of an ethic the world considers nonsense.

By Faith… • By faith Moses gave up worldly success and fortune. • By faith Moses saved Israel. • By faith the walls of Jericho fell. • By faith ordinary people did great things for God.

More Men and Women of Faith • Shut the mouths of lions: Daniel. • Quenched the fury of the flames: Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego • Escaped the edge of the sword: Elijah • Women received back their dead: Elijah (1 Kings 17: 17) and Elisha (2 Kings 4: 8 • Stoned: Zechariah (2 Chron 24: 20 -22) • Sawn in two: Isaiah (Jewish legend) • Put to death by the sword: (1 and 2 Maccabees) • None of them received what was promised in their lifetimes. None!!!

Heb 12 Jesus: The Pioneer and Perfecter Pioneer: archegos trail blazer Perfecter: teleios completer achieved the victory already

Heb 12 Jesus: The Pioneer and Perfecter Heb 12: 1 -2 If they could do it, so can we. Advice for perseverance in our faith: 1. Throw off what hinders 2. Run with perseverance 3. Keep your eyes on the goal of your faith 4. Look at Jesus 5. Despise (consider of little importance) the shame 6. Accept hardship as loving discipline 7. Live at peace with everyone.

Heb 12 Jesus: The Pioneer and Perfecter Heb 12: 1 -2 If they could do it, so can we. Advice for perseverance in our faith: 1. Throw off what hinders 2. Run with perseverance 3. Keep your eyes on the goal of your faith 4. Look at Jesus 5. Consider the joy….

5. Despise (consider of little importance) the shame 6. Accept hardship as loving discipline 7. Live at peace with everyone.

Attitudes Toward Discipline are Important • Accept it with resignation. • Accept it and get it over with as soon as possible. • Accept it with a “woe is me” attitude. • Accept it but think of it as punishment. • Accept it as it is; discipline given by a loving Father who cares about you.

Hebrews 12: 14 -17 Esau Genesis 25: 27 -33. Esau sold his birthright (as first son) for a bowl of lentil stew. What will you sell your birthright for? Is it worth it? Later, Esau could not repent, even though he wanted to.

Heb 12: 18 -24 The Mountain of the Lord Blazing fire, darkness, gloom, blast of a trumpet. Exodus 19: 12 -16 Heb 12: 22 -24 For them: Fear of God. For us: Access to God. A kingdom which cannot be shaken (12: 25 -27)

Heb 12: 18 -24 The Mountain of the Lord Blazing fire, darkness, gloom, blast of a trumpet. Exodus 19: 12 -16 Hebrews 12: 22 -24 A wonderful passage. For them it was about fear of God. For us it is about access to God. Mt. Zion. The heavenly Jerusalem. The assembly of the first-born. We have come to a kingdom which cannot be shaken (12: 25 -27)

Heb 12: 28 Summary of the summary. • Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.

Hebrews 13: Final Exhortations 1. Brotherly love Heb 13: 1 2. Hospitality Heb 13: 2 3. Sympathy for those in trouble. Heb 13: 3 4. Sexual purity Heb 13: 4 5. Christian contentment. Heb 13: 5 -6 6. Respect for spiritual leaders and the mature. Heb 13: 7 -8, 17 -Golden Rule Membership Judges 5: 1