Jun 25, 2023. Hebrews 2:14-18

Please click here for the audio and click here for the video links to this message. Please click here to view the bulletin.

THE WAY OF BLOOD. Hebrews 2:14-18. 6/25/2023. #8.

14 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 16 For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham. 17 Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.

1. The only way

                a. Man sinned in his flesh

                                a1. Even though Eve decided first to disobey God and then Adam did so, they sinned by actively eating the forbidden fruit

                                a2. Gen. 2:16-17 God’s prohibition was in the actual eating of the fruit, not in thinking of it

                b. Since man sinned in the flesh, only an acceptable sacrifice of the flesh could pay for sin

                c. At the fall, Satan gained the power of death

                                a1. Power = not dynamis (great strength) or exousia (authority), but kratos (might or strength to take by force; to overpower)

                                a2. Christ had to overcome death to overcome Satan (Rev. 20)

                d. Christ had to defeat death to defeat Satan and free His people

                e. Through His sacrifice and resurrection, Christ freed believers from the slavery of sin and death

2. Uniquely applied grace

                a. Christ did not seek to redeem angels

                                a1. Fallen angels knew God and stood before the Lord directly

                                a2. Rebellion against God was willful

                b. Christ became a man to rescue the “seed of Abraham”, God’s covenant people

                c. Christ had to become like man to save man

                                a1. He calls the Jews “His brethren” even though He created them and they rebelled against him

                                a2. Christ chose to identify with the Jews as “His people” and “His brethren”

3. From redeemer to priest

                a. Christ’s role as redeemer was by mercy and love

                                a1. Christ chose to love the rebellious Jews

                                a2. Hebrews is directed to the Jewish believers, so he does not use “the world” (Jn. 3:16)

                                a3. To the Jew first, then the Gentile

                b. He then became High Priest to make intercession for the sins of the people

                                a1. He made propitiation before God the Father for sins

                                a2. Propitiation = to completely satisfy a debt

                                a3. Nothing but the blood of Christ could pay in full the debt owed by sin (RM. 6:15-23)

                c. He had to be made (ophelo –placed himself under obligation; translated “wages” in Rm. 6:23) like His brethren

                                a1. He did not owe a debt to pay

                                a2. He chose to take the debt owed by others on himself in order to pay for man’s sins

                d. Jesus removed the fear of death, which could not be removed any other way

                e. In order to pay for sin, Christ had to become a man and suffer and be tempted

                                a1. Christ had to go through all that man goes through, but without sin, to pay for sin

                                a2. Christ endured the suffering and conquered all temptation for those who fall into sin

                f. The only way that Christ could aid His brethren was to become like them, to suffer for them, to resist all temptation, and then to sacrifice Himself in their place

                g. Christ’s sacrifice was beyond heroism; it is divine!

Key verse: Romans 6:15-23

15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! 16 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? 17 But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. 18 And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. 19 I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness. 20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22 But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Jun 18, 2023. Father’s Day 2023

Please click here for the audio and click here for the video portions of this message.. Please click here to view today’s bulletin.

REHOBOAM – FOLLY ON HIGH. FATHER’S DAY 2023. 6/18/2023.

I Kings 12:2-20

2 So it happened, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat heard it (he was still in Egypt, for he had fled from the presence of King Solomon and had been dwelling in Egypt), 3 that they sent and called him. Then Jeroboam and the whole assembly of Israel came and spoke to Rehoboam, saying, 4 “Your father made our yoke [a]heavy; now therefore, lighten the burdensome service of your father, and his heavy yoke which he put on us, and we will serve you.” 5 So he said to them, “Depart for three days, then come back to me.” And the people departed. 6 Then King Rehoboam consulted the elders who stood before his father Solomon while he still lived, and he said, “How do you advise me to answer these people?” 7 And they spoke to him, saying, “If you will be a servant to these people today, and serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever.” 8 But he rejected the advice which the elders had given him, and consulted the young men who had grown up with him, who stood before him. 9 And he said to them, “What advice do you give? How should we answer this people who have spoken to me, saying, ‘Lighten the yoke which your father put on us’?” 10 Then the young men who had grown up with him spoke to him, saying, “Thus you should speak to this people who have spoken to you, saying, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, but you make it lighter on us’—thus you shall say to them: ‘My little finger shall be thicker than my father’s waist! 11 And now, whereas my father put a heavy yoke on you, I will add to your yoke; my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scourges!’ ” 12 So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day, as the king had directed, saying, “Come back to me the third day.” 13 Then the king answered the people [c]roughly, and rejected the advice which the elders had given him; 14 and he spoke to them according to the advice of the young men, saying, “My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke; my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with [d]scourges!” 15 So the king did not listen to the people; for the turn of events was from the LORD, that He might fulfill His word, which the LORD had spoken by Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat. 16 Now when all Israel saw that the king did not listen to them, the people answered the king, saying: “What share have we in David? We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse. To your tents, O Israel! Now, see to your own house, O David!” So Israel departed to their tents. 17 But Rehoboam reigned over the children of Israel who dwelt in the cities of Judah. 18 Then King Rehoboam sent Adoram, who was in charge of the revenue; but all Israel stoned him with stones, and he died. Therefore King Rehoboam mounted his chariot in haste to flee to Jerusalem. 19 So Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David to this day. 20 Now it came to pass when all Israel heard that Jeroboam had come back, they sent for him and called him to the congregation, and made him king over all Israel. There was none who followed the house of David, but the tribe of Judah only.

1. Background

                a. Solomon angered God by marrying alien wives

                                a1. His wives worshiped idols

                                a2. Solomon set up idols for his wives to worship and he burned incense to them

                b. Because Solomon’s heart was not totally with God, God  promised to give Jeroboam 10 tribes to rule

                                a1. Jeroboam rose up against Solomon, but had to flee to Egypt before Solomon

                                a2. Jeroboam returns after Solomon died

2. A king’s choice

                a. Israel gathered at the coronation of Rehoboam

                                a1. They elect Jeroboam as their spokesman

                                a2. Israel was not unconditionally going to submit to the new king

                b. Israel had suffered a heavy load of taxes and service under Solomon to support his high lifestyle

                c Israel asks for Rehoboam to lighten the load on them and then they will serve the king

                                a1. Their burden was real and request rational

                                a2. Leaders should take care of those they lead

3. Three days of destiny

                a. Rehoboam asks for 3 days to make a decision

                b. Rehoboam grew up under his father’s avarice

                c. Rehoboam asks the advisors of Solomon what to do

                                a1. The elders had seen Sol.’s greed, the alien wives who turned his heart, and the burden placed upon the people

                                a2. Having asked for wisdom to rule Israel, Solomon indulged himself instead

                                a3. The advisors tell Reh. to lighten the load on Israel and serve the people

                                a4. Reh. immediately rejects the advice

                d. Rehoboam wanted a kingdom as glorious as his father’s

                                a1. To him, the people were subject to do his bidding without complaint

                                a2. To show kindness is to show weakness

                e. Rehoboam asks his young friends what to do

                                a1. They advised to make the burden heavier

                                a2. Rehoboam’s little finger will be thicker than Solomon’s waste and he will us scourges on them

                f. This is the rule by fear and not respect approach

                g. This response was of the Lord to split the kingdom, but Reh. also made the choices he wanted to make

4. Servant leadership

                a. The key to being a leader of one’s home, at work, at church, or in a position is to serve those you lead

                                a1. Matthew 20:20-28 servant leadership is the pattern that the Lord set out for us

                                a2. We are stewards of the Lord assigned to help those God places in our care

                b. Reh. is an example of selfish uncaring leadership

                                a1. He did not care how difficult his demands were on his subjects

                                a2. He earned the resentment of his subjects

                c. To expect compliance without caring and respect without reciprocity is naïve, cruel, and foolish

                d. A father and leader must have the wisdom to know how to be both gentle and firm

                                a1. To uphold what is right in spirit of love

                                a2. Caring seeks to do what is best

                                a3. A partnership between leader and follower

                e. Ephesians 6:5 all must stand before Lord to give account

Key verse: Matthew 20:20-28

20 Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Him with her sons, kneeling down and asking something from Him. 21 And He said to her, “What do you wish?” She said to Him, “Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom.” 22 But Jesus answered and said, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, [a]and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” They said to Him, “We are able.” 23 So He said to them, “You will indeed drink My cup, [b]and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father.” 24 And when the ten heard it, they were greatly displeased with the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. 26 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. 27 And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

Jun 11, 2023. Hebrews 2:10-13

Please click here for the audio and click here for the video portions of this message.. Please click here to view the bulletin.

CAPTAIN OF OUR SALVATION. Hebrews 2:10-13. 6/11/2023. #7

10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11 For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, 12 saying: “I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You.” 13 And again: “I will put My trust in Him.” And again: “Here am I and the children whom God has given Me.”

1. Perfection personified

                a. Hebrews states that it was fitting for Christ to suffer

                                a1. Fitting does not mean that Christ deserved to suffer, for He did not suffer for His sins

                                a2. Fitting = proper (Greek word prepon as in Eng. words proper, appropriate, prepared)

                                                b1. Under God’s plan Jesus was the only one worthy to fulfill the payment for man’s sins (proper payment)

                                                b2. Jesus fit perfectly in God’s plan

                b. God’s plan to save man predates creation and so the price for that payment also predates creation

                                a1. Man was created by and for God

                                a2. God’s plan redeems man for God’s glory

                c. Many come to faith via Christ’s proper sacrifice

                d. Jesus became the captain or originator of our faith

                                a1. Greek word arche, as in monarchy, archeology, archetype, or architect

                                a2. Without Christ there would be no salvation

                e. Christ was made perfect through suffering

                                a1. Perfect is a misleading word (in Eng., it implies flawless, which Jesus already was)

                                a2. Greek word telos, meaning completion, to finish as in Eng. telephone, television, telescope, or telegraph

                                a3. Jesus’s suffering completed his task of securing our salvation (a necessary step)

                f. Are things have been given to the Son, so by Him all things are completed both in redemption and in judgment until the work of this age is done

2. Set apart for glory

                a. Once Jesus sanctified (set apart) believers via His work on the cross, believers became holy through the application of His payment for them

                b. Once believers became holy through Him, He made them His brothers

                                a1. Though He is Lord of all, he elevated us to being both sons of God and brothers and sisters of Christ

                                a2. The holy work of salvation on the cross created a new relationship for us

                c. Christ is not ashamed to call us His brethren

                                a1. Before His Father and the angels

                                a2. To this end did He go to the cross

3. Testifier

                a. Not only did Jesus redeem and sanctify us, but He also testified of the Father to us

                                a1. We only know of God because the Lord has revealed him to us

                                a2. The Spirit inspired holy men to write the Scriptures, which in turn reveals to us both the nature and will of God by which we are illuminated to understand what God has revealed

                b. Jesus then leads the saints in worship (praise)

                c. Jesus accomplished 3 things by redeeming us:

                                a1. He opened the door for us to truly worship God as children of God

                                a2. As the Incarnate Christ, He demonstrated His trust in the Father by going to the cross (we can trust Him as well)

                                a3. He made those who were enemies of God to become children of God (His brothers)

                d. Hebrews 12:1-4 since Jesus thought it fitting to enter the world as a man in order to pay for our sins so that we will be redeemed, how should we respond?

Key verse:  Hebrews 12:1-41 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. 4 You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.

Jun 4, 2023. Hebrews 2:5-9.

Please click here for the audio and click here for the video links to this message.. Please click here to view today’s bulletin.

CONTRITION OF CHRIST. Hebrews 2:5-9. 6/4/2023. #6.

5 For He has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels. 6 But one testified in a certain place, saying: “What is man that You are mindful of him, Or the son of man that You take care of him? 7 You have made him a little lower than the angels; You have crowned him with glory and honor,

And set him over the works of Your hands. 8 You have put all things in subjection under his feet.” For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But now we do not yet see all things put under him. 9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.

1. The position of man

                a. The creation of man was wondrous

                                a1. Man in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-28) – unique in all creation

                                a2. Man was given dominion over all God’s creation on earth

                                a3. God interacted with Adam and Eve directly before the Fall

                b. After the Fall, man was still made in the image of God, but now the image was marred by sin

                                a1. God still worked with man to bring about his redemption

                                a2. John 3:16 God still loves man even though he is in rebellion against God

2. The humiliation of Christ

                a. Matthew 1 the Incarnation of Christ is an astounding act of humiliation whereby the Mighty God became a man, one of his creatures

                b. Hebrews quotes Psalm 8, where David marvels at how God regards man and made him just a little lower than the angels

                c. Jesus was still God, but now also man

                d. Jesus was not “made” (poeo) a little lower than the angels, but he “became” (ginomai) a little lower…

                                a1. Jesus was always God (He was not “made” God or became God)

                                a2. Jesus was not made a new creature, but he became man without leaving off being God

                e. Philippians 2:3-11 Jesus emptied himself out of the power and glory of His deity in order to walk among men

                                a1. Hebrews 1 He never stopped being God

                                a2. He laid aside His omniscience, omnipresence, powers, and glory (He did not know

                                       when he was coming back when he walked the earth, He did not shine, He grew in grace and knowledge…)

                                a3. He felt human limitations of fatigue, hunger, thirst, pain, and anxiety

                                a4. John 11 Jesus did all things through the will and power of the Father

                                a5. Jesus suffered death as a man, but his deity made his payment effectual for man

                f. It is the humiliation of Christ that made him worthy

                                a1. He suffered all temptation, humiliation, persecution, and death as a man, but without sin or deviation from the will of God

                                a2. He became our example as to how to resist temptation, testify of our faith, persevere through trials, remain faithful, and worship + serve God fully

3. Death for all

                a. Jesus tasted death so man would not have to do so

                                a1. Those who believe immediately transition from mortal life to eternal life

                                a2. Revelation 20 only those who reject Christ will taste the second death

                b. All that Christ did was by the grace of God

                                a1. God’s love for man was so great, that He gave His Son to become a man to die for man

                                a2. Jesus then took back His glory and honor

                c. By His death, Christ gained and even greater glory

Key verse: Philippians 2:3-11

3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

May 28, 2023. Hebrews 2:1-4

Please click here for the audio and click here for the video links for this message.. Please click here to view today’s bulletin.

FOCUS ON FAITH. Hebrews 2:1-4. 5/28/2023. #5.

1 Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, 4 God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?

1. Pay attention!

                a. Since Jesus is more important than angels and all other created things, both He and His message should be treated as paramount importance

                b. “Earnest heed” = lit., to have as first (priority)

                                a1. A chosen focus, allowing no distractions

                                a2. To make faith to top priority of life

                c. “That which we have heard” = to hear and accept the gospel message is to adopt a new life path

                                a1. II Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 4:22-24 to be a new creation is to adopt a new life in Christ

                                a2. Requires rejection of fleshly desires

                d. “Lest we drift away” = revert to old sinful life

                                a1. Not to lose salvation, but to live for self

                                a2. Must remember that sin is our default setting (not to live for Christ is natural)

                                a3. Jewish believers wanted to live like OT Jews under the Law

2. The higher word

                a. The words of angels came true

                                a1. The angel’s words to Lot about Sodom

                                a2. The angel’s words to Hagar

                                a3. Gabriel’s words to Daniel

                                a4. Gabriel’s words to Zechariah

                b. Christ’s words are far more important

                                a1. About salvation, judgment, future…

                                a2. Angels’ warnings had consequences

                                a3. Jesus’s warnings have greater consequences

                c. Can’t escape judgment if we ignore salvation

                                a1. Acts 4:11-12 only one way to be saved

                                a2. To neglect salvation is to lost forever

                d. For Christians to neglect salvation is to not to live as if one were saved (the Corinthians were prideful, lustful, envious, vindictive, stubborn…)

                                a1. To be more concerned about houses, things, entertainment, and image than about Christ is to neglect salvation

                                a2. To avoid gathering with God’s people in worship, serving, and prayer is to neglect one’s salvation and suffer loss (I Chronicles 3:12-15)

                e. Matthew 6:25-34 the world and concerns in our lives can be very distracting, pulling us away from our focus

3. Multiple witness to our faith

                a. Our faith is confirmed by many witnesses

                b. Verses 2:3 “confirmed to us by those who heard Him”

                                a1. Some teach that this eliminates Paul as the author of Hebrews since he heard Him

                                a2. All this could mean is that Paul was not one of the original disciples with Jesus on earth (an actual eye witness)

                c. God bore witness to his Son’s ministry

                                a1. Luke 3:22 God the Father declared that He was pleased with His Son at His baptism

                                a2. Matthew 17 God again bore witness of Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration

                                a3. John 12 the Father declared that he will glorify Jesus as He had done before

                d. After Jesus’s resurrection God gave signs through his disciples

                                a1. Acts 2 the miracle of diverse languages

                                a2. God healed the sick, lame, blind, and raised the dead through his disciples

                e. Through prophetic fulfillment, testimonies, and many signs, we have an abundance of evidence

                f. Coming to Christ and serving Him = top focus (anything less leads to loss of ministry, reward, and joy)

Key verse: Matthew 6:25-3425 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? 28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.