Author Archives: John Sanzone

Sep 3, 2023. Hebrews 5:12-14

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FROM MILK TO MEAT. Hebrews 5:12-14. 09/03/2023. #17.

12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

1. Obligation neglected

                a. The author is very disappointed that the readers had not grown to spiritual maturity

                                a1. God was disappointed in the immaturity of the Jews from the wilderness to the Exile

                                a2. That which does not grow, dies

                b. By this time they ought to be teachers (ophelo = owe a debt, place under obligation)

                                a1. We are obligated to grow in Christ

                                a2. Tt. 2:1-5 mature believers are obligated to teach immature believers in spirituality

                                a3. 1 Tm. 3 church leaders are obligated to teach those over who they have charge

                c. They had been believers long enough to be teaching others, but they were not doing so

                                a1. Having been believers for years, they still know very little Scripture, doctrine, or principles of the God

                                a2. Very little fervency for the things of God

                d. Obligation = we are held accountable to grow

                                a1. 1 Cor. 3:12-15 loss or gain will in part be determined by desire to know the Word

                                a2. God can use us only in proportion to how much of the Word of God is within us

                                a3. Not to be equipped is not to be useful

2. To be retaught

                a. Those who forget the truth must be retaught it

                b. The Word must constantly be reviewed

                                a1. We cannot learn something once and then we have mastered what we have learned

                                a2. Rev. 2:1-5 the Ephesian church was told to remember from where they had fallen and go back and do the first works

                c. They had the need to be fed spiritual milk (galaktos), when they should be eating adult food

                                a1. Believers should grow to know sound doctrine and principles (2 PT. 3:14-18)

                                a2. Believers who have been saved for 20 years should still not be seeking answers taught in a beginner’s discipleship class

                d. Without a good understanding of the Word, its references, its meaning, and how to apply it, we are unskilled in both witnessing to others and helping them grow in Christ

3. Choose to grow

                a. Solid food is for the mature

                                a1. Just as children begin to eat full meals, a mature believer learns greater truths

                                a2. In order to eat nourishing food it must be sought after, prepared, and consumed

                b. Just like body and mind fitness, our spirits must be exercised (our word for gymnasium)

                                 a1. Just as bodily exercise is a choice, exercising our spiritual minds is a choice

                                a2. Bible study, memorization, and meditating on Scripture must be consistently done

                c. Christians do not grow naturally over time

                                a1. Ps. 1 there must be engagement on our part

                                a2. To exercise senses is to become fully aware of spiritual training and call to spiritual action

                d. The acuteness of a spiritually driven believer discerns the battle of good and evil and his part in it

                                a1. Moves from dullness of mind to sharp focus

                                a2. Developing a keen curiosity and passion for God’s Word and His will

                e. Devotionally level Christianity can’t produce spiritual growth just as milk alone can’t maintain health

Key verse: 2 Peter 3:14-1814 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; 15 and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, 16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures. 17 You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; 18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.

Aug 27, 2023. Hebrews 5:5-11

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AFTER THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK. Hebrews 5:5-11. 8/27/2023. #16.

5 So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He who said to Him:

“You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.” 6 As He also says in another place: “You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek”; 7 who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, 8 though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. 9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, 10 called by God as High Priest “according to the order of Melchizedek,” 11 of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.

1. Appointed High Priest

                a. The author of Hebrews makes clear that Jesus was not seeking to honor Himself

                                a1. He did not appoint Himself High Priest

                                a2. He sought no glory for Himself

                b. God the Father appointed Jesus to fulfill His role

                                a1. God had begotten His Son

                                a2. God had appointed Him to sacrifice for sin

                                a3. Through the cross, Christ emerged as the High Priest

                                                b1. Not after Aaron, the Levite

                                                b2. Jesus was a High Priest after the order of Melchizedek, who was both priest and king

                                a4. Jesus’s priesthood is effective, eternal, and elevated (next to the throne of God)

                c. Gen. 14 Melchizedek was both the king of Salem (later, Jerusalem) and the priest of the Lord

2. The agony of the cross

                a. Luke 22:39-46 Jesus was in great agony before going to the cross

                                a1. The Father could save Him from the agony of the cross (spare His life)

                                a2. Christ had to submit if sins were to be paid for

                b. Christ had a legitimate choice to make

                                a1. In His flesh, He was in great agony

                                a2. God did not force Him to submit

                                a3. Christ could have chosen not to go through the agony of trial and crucifixion

                c. The idea that Christ as God had to die is not correct

                                a1. God left the choice of action up to His son

                                a2. Through suffering Christ learned to obey and trust His Father

                                                b1. His emptying (kenosis) of the powers and privileges of His Godhood were so complete that He faced death as a man with all its terrors

                                                b2. Christ felt the gut-wrenching terror of facing pain, humiliation, suffering, bearing the sins of the world, and the agony of the soul with all the weakness of His humanity

                d. Christ had to learn obedience just like any man

                                a1. He triumphed over His fears as a man, for it was His humanity that was subject to death and His divinity that gave His sacrifice the worth to defeat Satan and sin

                                a2. His godly reverence in His humanity made Him choose suffering over sparing Himself

                e. Christ became perfected (complete) in His suffering

                                a1. By choosing to endure the cross, the ministry of Christ finished the work of atonement

                                a2. Eternal salvation (used only here in NT) was accomplished by His obedience (ever saved)

3. The order of Melchizedek

                a. Psalm 110:4 only after Christ obeyed His Father did He become priest and king after the pattern of Melchizedek

                b. Genesis 14 much can be said of Melchizedek, but the readers were dull of hearing (not well studied in doctrine)

                                a1. Symbolism of Abraham giving tithes to Melchizedek and Melchizedek offering bread and wine to Abraham

                                a2. Understanding the symbols strengthens faith

                c. Christ fulfilled all that was prophesied about Him

Key Verse: Luke 22:39-46

39 Coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him. 40 When He came to the place, He said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.”

41 And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.”43 Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. 44 And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. 45 When He rose up from prayer, and had come to His disciples, He found them sleeping from sorrow. 46 Then He said to them, “Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation.”

Aug 20, 2023. Hebrews 1:1-5

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PRIEST ABOVE ALL PRIESTS. Hebrews 5:1-5. 8/20/2023. #15.

1 For every high priest taken from among men is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 He can have compassion on those who are ignorant and going astray, since he himself is also subject to weakness. 3 Because of this he is required as for the people, so also for himself, to offer sacrifices for sins. 4 And no man takes this honor to himself, but he who is called by God, just as Aaron was. 5 So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He who said to Him: “You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.”

1. The High Priest

                a. Comparison of Christ with position of High Priest

                b. Old Testament system of priests, offerings, and laws

                                a1. God precisely prescribed how to serve Him

                                a2. System of offerings spelled out in detail

                c. 3 areas of the ceremonial laws delineated

                                a1. The instruments to be used in service

                                a2. The people who would serve

                                a3. The time and manner of service

                d. The High Priest was chosen (appointed) by God

                                a1. Aaron was chosen to be the 1st High Priest

                                                b1. Aaron was not perfect nor pious

                                                b2. Aaron’s descendants were serve after Aaron

                                a2. No one could serve who God didn’t select

2. The ministry of the High Priest

                a. Aaron was a mediator between God and man

                b. The HIGH PRIEST’s job was to offer gifts and offerings

                                a1. To seek forgiveness of sins

                                a2. Gifts – to offer sacrifices when sinned

                                a3. Offerings – specifically ordered sacrifices, such as the Day of Atonement offering

                c. The HIGH PRIEST could have compassion on the people because he also is a sinner needing forgiveness

                                a1. Compassion (metriopathein – lit., between passions) refers to a medium ground between anger and apathy (to loathe the sin committed, but to gently deal with sinner)

                                a2. The HIGH PRIEST can identify with the sinners he serves, but he is subject to same flaws

                d. Two kinds of sin

                                a1. Sins of ignorance (unaware of law) – inadvertent sin due to lack of attention or understanding of what is required

                                a2. Going astray = wandering off the right path either by inattention or willful rebellion

                e. Before the HIGH PRIEST could offer for the sins of the people, he had to offer for his own sins (Lv. 16:3)

                                a1. There was an identification with the people in their sinful state

                                a2. Aaron’s ministry was from weakness

3. The new High Priest

                a. The Old Testament HIGH PRIEST could not remove sin

                b. The new HIGH PRIEST, Jesus Christ, had the same ministry of the Old Testament HIGH PRIEST, except He could overcome sin

                c. Jesus had the same qualities of the Old Testament HIGH PRIEST, but without any of the weaknesses

                                a1. Aaron set the pattern, but Jesus completed the task after the original pattern

                                a2. As with Aaron, Jesus was appointed HIGH PRIEST

                                a3. Unlike Aaron, the Levite, Jesus was from the tribe of Judah (both priest and king)

                                a4. Hebrews 4:16-17 Jesus could identify with the sinners he mediated for, not because He was a sinner, but because He was tempted in all ways as we are, but without sin (Hebrews 10:1-10)

                d. Jesus identified with our weaknesses through experiencing temptation first hand

                                a1. His conquest of sin was not only a proof of His worthiness as a sacrifice, but it was for us as well as both an advocate and redeemer

                                a2. Jesus did what no HIGH PRIEST could have done

                e. John 1:14 Jesus is eternally begotten of the Father, as His eternal Son, whom He gave as a sin offering

Hebrews 10:1-10

1 For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect. 2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins. 3 But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. 4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins. 5 Therefore, when He came into the world, He said:

“Sacrifice and offering You did not desire,

But a body You have prepared for Me.

6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin

You had no pleasure.

7 Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come—

In the volume of the book it is written of Me—

To do Your will, O God.’ ”8 Previously saying, “Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them” (which are offered according to the law), 9 then He said, “Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.” He takes away the first that He may establish the second. 10 By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Aug 13, 2023. Hebrews 4:11-13

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THE LIVING WORD. Hebrews 4:11-13. 8/13/2023. #14.

11 Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. 12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

1. Eager to submit to God

                a. After Hebrews exhorts readers to abandon the rebellion of their ancestors exiting Egypt

                                a1. As they held onto idols, the professing Jews were holding onto the Law

                                a2. Christ fulfilled the Law, so we are free from it

                b. Be diligent (eager, hasten, fervent enthusiasm) to enter into to the Lord’s rest

                                a1. Be exited to embrace Jesus to cease struggles

                                a2. The rest of God is found in His Son

                c. The example of those who failed in the desert should warn the readers not to fail in the same way

                d. The odd aspect of coming to Christ is the struggle to be freed from sin

                                a1. Many hold tightly to their old way of life, even though it causes much heartache and grief

                                a2. Most do not struggle against the evidence of the Gospel, but the lure of sin and temptation

                                a3. It should be exciting and joyful to leave our sins behind to fully enter into God’s rest in Jesus

2. Through the Word, by the Word, in the Word

                a. God has infused His Word with power

                                a1. It is alive (zoa, the English word zoo) – not the words or letters, but the concepts expressed

                                a2. God has given His Word the power to change lives as we receive it (Romans 10:17)

                                a3. It is powerful (Energeia, energized, effective; the English word: energy)

                b. The Word of God is sharper than any two-edged sword

                                a1. The received Word is able to cut through all pretense to find sin, discover motives, and uncover hidden evil cravings

                                a2. The Word can apply both reproof and correction (II Timothy 3:16-4:5)

                b. The Word pierces to dividing soul and spirit; joints and marrow

                                a1. The Word penetrates everything

                                a2. To divide soul (pseuches, Eng. words psychology and psychic) and spirit (pneumatos, English words pneumatic, pneumonia, referring to wind or spirit) means that the Word can impact both our lives and eternal souls (i.e., how we think as temporal beings and the destiny of our souls)

                                a3. Every part of our being is impacted by the Word (for this reason, those who reject the Word react very strongly against it due to conviction of sin)

                c. Discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart

                                a1. The Word uncovers our secret motivations that may be hidden from others

                                a2. Once the Word convicts of both sins and wrongful motivations the person can rebel or forsake the sin and receive Christ and forgiveness

                                a3. The Word can even reveal sinful motivations that was hidden to the person who had them

3. Naked before the creator

                a. Nothing is ever hidden from God

                b. Numbers 32:23 God knows and will reveal all sin

                                a1. Matthew 5 even the sins of thoughts will be revealed

                                a2. No unconfessed sin will go unjudged

                c. 3 categories of sin:

                                a1. COMMISSION – evil acts

                                a2. OMMISSION – good that is left undone

                                a3. CONTEMPLATION – sins of thought, attitude, and motivation

                d. 3 avenues of judgment

                                a1. EARTHLY JUDGMENT – sowing and reaping

                                a2. ETERNAL JUDGMENT – Revelation 20 lost condemned

                                a3. LOSS OF REWARD – believers useless endeavors

                e. I John 1:9 important to confess and forsake sin

                f. It is the job of the Word of God empowered by the Spirit of God to be used to cleanse our souls (Psalm 119)

                g. II Timothy 2:15 study of the Word is paramount to holy living

                h. To increase holiness, increase time in the Word

Key verse: 2 Timothy 3:16-4:5

16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.4:1 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

Aug 6, 2023. Hebrews 4:1-10

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COMPLETE DELIVERANCE. Hebrews 4:1-10. 8/06/23. #13.

1 Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. 2 For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. 3 For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said: “So I swore in My wrath, ‘They shall not enter My rest,’ ” although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For He has spoken in a certain place of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all His works”; 5 and again in this place: “They shall not enter My rest.” 6 Since therefore it remains that some must enter it, and those to whom it was first preached did not enter because of disobedience, 7 again He designates a certain day, saying in David, “Today,” after such a long time, as it has been said: “Today, if you will hear His voice,

Do not harden your hearts.” 8 For if Joshua had given them rest, then He would not afterward have spoken of another day. 9 There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. 10 For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.

1. To start is not to finish

                a. The journey to becoming a Christian is compared here to Israel’s journey from Egypt to Canaan

                                a1. Just as learning about Jesus is a prelude to receiving Jesus, walking through the Sinai Desert was a transition to arriving into the Promised Land

                                a2. Leaving Egypt didn’t guarantee entering into Canaan

                b. In order for Israel to safely arrive at their destination, they had to obey God

                                a1. They heard God’s words, but did not heed

                                a2. A contrast is made between preaching and hearing (receiving and obeying)

                                a3. Not those who left Egypt would enter into God’s rest, but those who obeyed him

2. Joshua could not save them

                a. Joshua was chosen to be the leader after Moses

                                a1. Joshua led and instructed, but could not force compliance on the part of the people

                                a2. Jesus offers salvation, but doesn’t force it on anyone

                b. Only “preaching mixed with faith” produces salvation, for an unheeded message is ineffectual

                c. Joshua 24 Joshua tells the people that he could answer only for his own salvation

                                a1. The Jews still carried idols with them that they had brought out of Egypt

                                a2. Ezekiel 20 9 centuries later, God tells Judah that they had never left their idols from Egypt

                d. If the Jews would not obey Joshua who led to physical deliverance, they also did not listen to Jesus, who offered spiritual deliverance

                e. When preaching falls on deaf ears, no chance occurs in the hearer

                                a1. Ephesians 2:1-10 it is grace mixed with faith that produces salvation

                                a2. As with Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Paul, the warning given must be heeded to be saved

                f. Joshua spoke of a different day

                                a1. Joshua 22:4-5, Joshua offered a blessing of rest, but only on those who obeyed God

                                a2. Joshua knew that God’s permanent rest was still future

3. God’s completed work

                a. God had completed His work of creation and rested

                                a1. Rested = ceased from labor (everything was finished and very God – Genesis 1:31)

                                a2. Man was given a perfect body, soul, and environment

                b. When man fell, he left God’s perfect rest

                c. Through Jesus Christ, God offers to return believers to His perfect rest that He completed

                                a1. The perfect creation is a type of God’s eternal perfection that cannot be marred

                                a2. Believers enter into an eternal rest which is free of burdens, labor, trials, and strife

                d. Joshua only could offer rest from warfare, but Jesus offers eternal rest for the weary embattled soul

                e. Psalm 95:7-8 David repeated the same warning

                f. All that separates us from His rest is resisting Him

Key verse: Ephesians 2:1-101 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.