Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Hebrews 13

We made it,

I'll have to look back at when I started this study in Hebrews...but I'm sure it has been longer than expected.  I have learned a lot about myself during this study.  Much from the text, indeed, but also about my reliance on 'routine'.  I had things all worked out and fit in and arranged...until life started happening.  All my 'nice little life' needed was a little nudge in a couple areas and I was out of sync.  I will spare you all the details.  But let me just say that the message I (finally) heard from the Lord was "can you walk with Me in the midst of the disruptions?"  It changed my focus from praying the disruptions away, to walking with Him through them.  Duh.

I think my routine was honoring to Him; I was studying and growing and walking with Him.  But life will not always offer me a nice little routine on a cheese tray (I've lived in Wisconsin too long...).  I still have to walk with Him when there is no routine in sight.

So, that said, here is the study for Hebrews 13.  The thematic outlines have been funny the past few chapters (not 'ha ha' funny, but 'are you sure?' funny).  Chapter 11 had one section, then chapter 12 had three!  Well, it turns out that we're going to end the letter with three as well.  The outline is built on the 'R' of "SON IS MEDIATOR";
  • Right conduct in the body (1-7)
  • Render praise to God (8-16)
  • Respect your leaders (17-25)
The  memory passages for each section are:
  • Right conduct in the body
    Hebrews 13:1 (ESV)
    1Let brotherly love continue.

  • Render praise to God
    Hebrews 13:15 (ESV)
    15Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.

  • Respect your leaders
    Hebrews 13:17 (ESV)
    17Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.
Brief Commentary

The first thematic section, Right Conduct in the Body (1-7), reads more like a smattering of individual thoughts on five different areas of life.
  • Hospitality to travelers
  • Ministry to those in prison
  • Marital purity
  • Financial contentment
  • Treatment of leaders
Just looking at this list, I see a common thread is stated in verse 1; 'Let brotherly love continue'.  We are to have love for traveling strangers, those in prison, our spouse, the Giver of financial blessings (not the things themselves), and those set among us to lead. The writer is giving us examples of how to live out the command of Christ:
John 13:35 (ESV)
By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.
The second thematic section, Render Praise to God (8-16), seems to turn the focus to our vertical relationship to God.  The writer begins with this bold proclamation:
Hebrews 13:8 (ESV)
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
This eternality includes Christ's teaching, ministry, and worthiness.  We are to hold fast to the free gift of grace that He offers, not to be led astray by strange teachings.  We are to seek the 'city that is to come' (14) because Christ has gone ahead and made the way for us as our High Priest.  We are to continually offer Him the praise He is due by honoring His name and loving each other. 

The final section, Respect Your Leaders (17-25), contains the charge to obey and respect the leaders of the church along with the writer's benediction and personal greetings.  The readers are to obey and submit to their leaders because;
  1. the leaders are keeping watch over their souls
  2. the leaders have to give an account for their leadership
  3. the followers will be better led by empowered leaders
 Those words, obey and submit, are not very popular these days; nor is having to 'give an account' for that matter.  The first two reasons are true and critically important.  But in case someone needed one more bit of motivation, the writer appeals to common sense; 'if you treat your leaders well, they will be better leaders'.  Then the writer, seemingly including himself as a leader, humbly asks for prayer.  He assures the readers that they (their leaders) have a clear conscience and desire to act honorably.  And the writer longs to be restored to the people he is writing to.

The two-verse benediction reviews some of the main themes of Hebrews; the work of Christ on our behalf, His role as shepherd and High Priest, His mediation of the new covenant, and His enabling us with faith and strength to follow Him in a way that pleases Him. 

How does this affect my worship?
Hebrews 13:15 is on 'the list' of my all-time favorite worship verses.  It paints such a vivid picture of worship; 'the fruit of our lips'.  Our life in Christ will bear all kinds of fruit in His kingdom including our praise and worship of Him.  The thing about this translation is that I'm not thrilled with 'acknowledge' as a rendering.  Other translations render it 'confess His name', or 'give thanks to His name'.  Acknowledge (in its modern usage) sounds too casual...like waving at someone as you pass them in the car.  I want the fruit of my lips to honor Christ continually

How does this affect my discipleship?
Once again I, as a disciple-maker, am warned about the dangers of false teaching.  New or young believers can easily be influenced by strange teachings and false doctrines.  As a discipler, I must keep my eyes open for such infiltrations (through the disciple's language and questions).  It is one more way in which the leaders will be held accountable, and must be taken seriously.

Following Him,

Ethan

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Hebrews 12

Hello again!

For the record (if anyone is keeping track), I am finding more 'freedom' in my study by not rushing to get a whole chapter completed in one week.  That goal was very good for me in the beginning of this study (to give me motivation and get this whole thing jump-started) but I have found myself camping on certain verses and passages more.  I know full well that the next time I do this study through the Bible I will be drawn to much different things.  So I trust Holy Spirit to lead me to the things He wants me to dig into this time, and leave the things He might have for me next time.  It's great to have the Author as a person Guide and Tutor :)

Up through Hebrews 11, I gave each chapter two main outline sections.  Chapter 11 had just one.  Chapter 12 has three.  But I checked with the administrator of this study, and he said that was ok....

The outline theme for Hebrews 12 is built on the 'O' of 'SON IS MEDIATOR':
  • Our Founder of faith (1-2)  
  • Our Father who disciplines (3-17)  
  • Our future kingdom (18-29)  
The memory passages are;
  • Our Founder of faith
    Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV) 
    1Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

  • Our Father who disciplines
    Hebrews 12:7 (ESV)

    7It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?

  • Our future kingdom 
    Hebrews 12:28-29 (ESV)
     
    28Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, 29for our God is a consuming fire.

Occasionally in this study I come upon a passage that just begs to be memorized.  I tried a few ways of sticking vv1-2 with the larger section on discipline, but it just didn't work.  So I made it its own section; Our Founder of faith.  The writer refers to the previous list of faith heroes and encourages us to put aside the things that weigh us down, deal with sin, and run hard.  Our goal?  Jesus, Who founded and perfected our faith by His work.  But He did not go about His mission grudgingly or reluctantly; He endured the cross and the shame because He knew that the end was worth it.  He looked to the joy before Him (of being exalted and united again with His Father) as we are to look to Him (being united with Him in eternity) as our hope (1 John 3:2-3).

A much larger section (vv 3-17) deals with Our Father who disciplines.  But it appears that vv3-4 are somewhat of a continuation of 1-2.  The writer again points to Christ to say that His suffering under sinners and struggle against sin (though He did not sin) should be an encouragement and an exhortation to us.  We can be encouraged of heart that Christ, our Example, endured to the end of His mission on earth.  But we are also exhorted to not lose heart, even if we struggle against sin to the point of shedding blood (as Christ did in the garden (Luke 22:44) and on the cross (Col 1:20)). 

The word 'discipline appears 9 times in this passage.  While I still have a lot to learn about studying God's Word, I'm pretty sure that when a word shows up that many times that I should pay attention.  I also find it very interesting that the writer doesn't start off with our need for discipline but our standing as sons (which appears 6 times).  "Don't forget, you are children of God!  If He disciplines you, it is out of His love for you and for your own good.  It's better to be loved and disciplined by a loving Father, even if it isn't fun for the moment; the alternative is being spiritually Fatherless."  Verse 11 sums up the fruit of discipline from God:

Hebrews 12:11 (ESV)
For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Right after describing the work of God in our discipline and training, the writer lists several things we are responsible for in the process.
  • Lift our drooping heads
  • Strengthen our weak knees
  • Make straight paths for our feet
  • Strive for peace
  • Strive for holiness
Walking with God is a shared endeavor; what He does (and can only do) in combination with what He wants us to do.  Again, the metaphor of a father and his children applies.  What dad is not thrilled with the first steps of his tottering child?  And yet, that same dad does not want his 16 year-old still learing to walk.  I see it so plainly with my own children.  I can show my 5 year-old exactly how to do something but until she decides to work with me in the process, we don't get anywhere.  I could do it for her (and do it well), but then she would never learn herself.  God knows what (and how) we need to learn in order for us to produce the good fruit He intends for us. 

The writer then exhorts believers to obtain the grace of God so that no 'root of bitterness' springs up and causes trouble.  The examples he gives of these roots are sexual immorality and unholy selfishness (like Esau).  Walking in the grace of God, in holiness and humility, helps believers avoid the sinful seeds of bitterness and unholines.

The last section of Hebrews 12, Our Future Kingdom, contrasts two mountains representing two kingdoms.  Verses 18-21 remind the readers about the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai.  This mountain was inapproachable because of the fire, darkness, gloom and tempest.  In fact, God commanded that if even an animal touched the mountain it must be stoned.  Moses, God's friend, even trembled with fear.  The Law that was given was also inapproachable in that it could not be fulfilled by the people.  It's purpose was to keep their sin before them (and remind them of their need for a Savior). 

The new kingdom, represented by Mount Zion, is different.  Because of the work of Jesus as our Mediator, we are now invited to draw near to 'the city of the living God'.  The old kingdom will be shaken and pass away, but we can be grateful for receiving a kingdom that will not be shaken.  For this (among other things) we should worship God with reverence and awe.  The writer then describes God as a 'consuming fire', which seems to reference Deut 4:24:

Deuteronomy 4:23-24 (ESV)
23Take care, lest you forget the covenant of the Lord your God, which he made with you, and make a carved image, the form of anything that the Lord your God has forbidden you. 24For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.
 This passage from a larger section warning against idolatry.  Indeed, anyone who worships anything of this world is giving their devotion to things that will be shaken.  We are exhorted to worship God, the Judge of all (23) who is the One who will do the shaking.  He alone is worthy of our worship.


How does this affect my worship?
We must not forget awe.  There are many approaches to worshiping God including praise, adoration, supplication, complaint, exaltation, etc.  It's true that we can approach the Father boldly because of the work of Christ (4:16), and that Jesus Himself calls us 'friends' (John 15:15).  But He is still God; who created heaven and earth, God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob, who Authored and Perfected our salvation, and who will one day shake the earth and take to Himself all who are  His.  He is the Originator of the universe and Creator of my smallest cells.  He alone is worthy of worship.

How does this affect my discipleship?
I suppose there is an element of the 'shared enterprise' in discipleship, too.  There are the thing that the discipler does (teach, guide, counsel) and things the disciple must do (study, seek, ask questions, practice disciplines).  The disciple-maker has an important role, but cannot 'make' the disciple.  For both the disciple-maker and the one being discipled there is the on-going walk with God that included the things only God can do and the things He wants us to do.  This idea is best transferred by example.  Discipleship is following God in front of each other.

Grateful for our future kingdom,

Ethan

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Hebrews 11

Greetings once again,

Given the state of life these days, I have adjusted my approach to the Chapter Memory Study.  For a while I was motivated to (and able to) get through 1 chapter per week.  That has not been the case over the past several months.  One of the main reasons for the change is that I was just basically 'getting through' the chapter without taking time to really meditate on it.  So, while this takes me completely away from my nice, structured schedule, I am finding the daily study time to be much more rewarding.  My note sheet (the document that I work on throughout the week, of which this entry is a product) is much longer and more involved.

So, that said, here is the Thematic Outline for Hebrews 11 (built on the 'T' of SON IS MEDIATOR):
  • The hall of faith (1-40)
(that's right, it's an outline with one point.  This chapter is renown and unique; I couldn't figure out where to separate it)

The Memory Passage for Hebrews 11 is:
  • The hall of faith
    Hebrews 11:1-2

    1Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2For by it the people of old received their commendation.

Brief Commentary
First of all, I love how these last few memory verses are 'perfect' for this study.  They contain the essential key words and effectively set up the theme of the chapter.  The topic of this chapter is faith.  Faith in God is defined by the author as being sure of things you have been promised (by God) and convinced of things you can't see (of God).  At the heart of faith if trust, but the core must not be who is trusting but the One who is trustworthy.

I share this illustration in regards to faith.  In Minnesota during the winter the lakes freeze over.  In college this was a novel thing to explore.  But before you stepped on the ice you had to make a choice;"do I trust the ice?"  My heart could be filled with 100% certainty that the ice is thick enough and will hold my weight; but if the ice is only fractions of an inch thick I will get a cold bath.  Faith ultimately depends more upon in what (or Whom) you put your faith and not how much faith you have.  How else could faith the size of a tiny mustard seed be so powerful in the kingdom of God? (Luke 17:6).  Our faith has power because we have faith in God. Our first application of faith, naturally, begins with God; we believe that He created the world by His word; turning what was not into what is.  This is an 'assent'; one step beyond knowing the fact about something.  It is an action of the will in addition to an act of understanding. 

The writer then describes (in varying detail) the faith of individuals throughout Jewish history.  And a very good place to start is always.......page 2?  Notice the conspicuous absence of Adam and Eve in this list.  We begin with their son, Abel.  Abel was the 'good' son who obediently offered his sacrifice to God while his brother Cain did not.  And the rest, as they say, is the rest.  Abel's faith and obedience is a testimony to us still today.

Enoch walked with God and his life pleased God.  God chose to 'take him up' so that he would not taste death.

Verse 6 is the first little break-out teaching point that the writer makes.
Hebrews 11:6 (ESV)
6And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
It is pressed  between Enoch and Noah, but also applies to the entire list.  God is pleased with our faith in Him, and our relationship with Him must stand on our faith that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.

Noah displayed striking faith in God in that he built a boat in the middle of the land on which it had never rained.  He believed and trusted God against all available science and evidence.  I love that the writer describes Noah's faith as 'reverent fear' (7).  This is the way to the 'righteousness that comes by faith'.

Abraham gets a nice chunk of the chapter.  By faith Abraham obeyed God and lived the life of a nomad.  He had no foundation on which to dwell, but trusted God for the future foundation He had promised.  Sarah is listed as living by faith in God's promise of a son.  This is interesting because she obviously got impatient with God and tried to settle matters herself.  In spite of that, she is on the list.  Her ultimate faith in God to fulfill His promise (even at her old age) must have been exemplary.  From this 'man as good as dead' (12) came the promised descendants who all 'died in faith' not having received the ultimate reward of the promise; an eternal homeland.

This seems to be the writer's next break-out teaching point (verses 14-16).  Being that the promise of a homeland will not come while we live on this earth, we must keep our eyes on the 'better country, that is a heavenly one', that God has prepared for us in which to dwell.  Those who keep their minds on the 'old country' have little to hope for in eternity.

Abraham is not done yet, and here we are reminded of one of the most striking acts of faith in the Bible.  God made it clear to Abraham that His promise would be fulfilled through Isaac, but then tests Abraham's faith by asking Abraham to offer Isaac to Him as a sacrifice.  (if you haven't read this story in a while, go back to Genesis 22 and read it again).  Abraham feared and obeyed God, even to the point of believing that He could raise Isaac from the dead in order to fulfill His promise.  Faith.  Fear.  Worship.  A picture of the cross.

Isaac's blessings of Jacob and Esau (listed in that order), while it seems to us like a big decptive mess, are listed as acts of faith by Isaac.

Jacob finished well and blessed the sons of Joseph in his late years.

Joseph had the faith to request that his own bones be carried out of Egypt when the Israelites would finally exit. 

Moses' parents are commended with faith because they hid Moses from the Egyptians.

Moses himself, by rejecting the posh life of the Egyptian royalty and embracing his true heritage, considered the future reward greater than the immediate gratification.  The writer actually says that Moses 'considered the reproach of Christ greater' than the opportunity for royal living.  Many people speculate about what this means.  Did Moses have some revelation of Christ?  Is the writer associating the suffering and mission of Moses as similar to those of Jesus?  Whatever the writer (or Moses) knew, the message to us is to look to the future reward and the blessing of heaven instead of just what the world has to offer.
Moses' most famous story (the freeing of Israel from Egypt) is only referenced to in passing; the writer says that Moses left Egypt (probably after he murdered the Egyptian) and that he obeyed the instructions for the first Passover (toward the end of his interaction with Pharaoh).  As a side note, it is interesting what the writer includes and omits.  Here, we have nothing about the burning bush, the plagues, water from the rock.

Israel as a group are said to have had faith when they walked across the dry bed of the Red Sea (which would take faith by each and every one, I'm sure).  Then we skip all the way to the 'battle' of Jericho.  Israel's behavior leading up to and including their banishment from the promised land is conspicuously absent.  But when we do get to Jericho, there is no doubt that they were victorious because of God and the peoples' faith and obedience in Him.

Rahab, a prostitute in the soon-to-be-ruins of Jericho, was saved because she had faith (and fear) in the God whose people were advancing on her city.  She welcomed and hid the spies, and her testimony of faith earned her salvation from the siege.

Then the writer does what many people (at least I) tend to do when listing examples; move from specific to general.  After going into varying details about the previous individuals, the writer simply lists Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David and Samuel.  He lumps together 'the prophets' and then describes exploits of faith in general.  Some try to pin these acts of faith on specific individuals in history.  That is fine, but what we are given are examples of how people lived out their faith in God.

To close the chapter, the writer mentions the 'other side' of faith.  Not heroic exploits of national or military nature, but the trials and persecutions of those who suffered for their faith.  In sincere reverence, the writer recounts some of these stories and commends those who suffered thus; 'of whom the world was not worthy'.  But even the greatest of these people of faith still have not fully received what was promised.  And they will not until all those who have faith in God are joined under Him when He returns. 


How does this affect  my worship?
The two main themes of worship throughout the Bible are who God is and what God has done.  Look here at what God has done through those who have faith in Him.  Am I living faithfully to God so that He can use me how He wants to.  Not for me, but to Your name be the glory; for Your name's sake and your renown.

How does this affect my discipleship?
Living a life the models faith in front of any disciple is very important.  Faith can be contagious.  If my language and behavior exemplifies faith (even a young faith, or a challenged faith) in God, it will be noticed.  Faith, humility, and hope stand out in this world.

by faith,

Ethan

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Hebrews 10

Greetings and grace to you!

Hebrews 10 is much more than the foyer to the Hall of Faith in chapter 11.  In chapter 10 we find compelling descriptions of the differences between the old covenant and the new one.

The outline theme of Hebrews 10 (based on the 'a' of SON IS MEDIATOR) is:
  • A shadow of the good things to come (1-18)
  • Assurance of faith (19-39)
 The memory verses are:
  • A shadow of the good things to come
    Hebrews 10:1

    " For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near."

  • Assurance of faith
    Hebrews 10:22

    "let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water."

Brief Commentary
The writer sets up this first main section of Hebrews 10 with the phrase 'A shadow of the good things to come' (conveniently, that's the thematic outline, too).  He then goes on to discuss several things relating to the law that are the 'shadow' and contrasts them with the good things that are to come; the substance (Col 2:17). 

The first, and most lengthy contrast is found in vv1-10.  The sacrifices made under the law are offered continually every year, they use the blood of bulls and goats, and serve as a reminder of sins every year.  The writer points out that if these sacrifices could indeed perfect the worshiper, why must they need to be offered continually?  If these sacrifices worked, the worshipers should be cleansed of a conscience of sin.  But it is clear that they are not.  In fact, that goes against the very nature and purpose of the Law.  But when Christ came, He 'does away with the first in order do establish the second' (9).  Christ's sacrifice was once for all, used His own precious blood, and is able to provide for the sanctification of those who follow Him. 

The second contrast is found in vv11-14.  The priest of the law was required to stand daily at his service to perform his duties; offering the same sacrifices over and over.  As stated above, these sacrifices cannot purify the worshiper nor take away their sins.  But Christ, our High Priest, offered Himself as a sacrifice once for all and 'sat down at the right hand of God'.  This one single offering is able to take away the sins of the worshiper.  But the significant difference in the ministry of the priests of the law and Christ the High Priest is that Jesus sat down.  Standing is a symbol of continued work; their work was never done!  But because Christ's sacrifice was once for all, His work had been fully completed and He sat down.  This is not because He was tired (similar to God 'resting' on the 7th day) but because the debt for sin had been paid and the way of redemption had been opened to all who believe, receive, and follow Him.

The writer's last contrast in this section has to do with a quick review of the New Covenant. The writer quotes Jeremiah 31 while reminding the readers that this new covenant will be written on the hearts and minds of the people (as opposed to the tablets and scrolls of the Old Covenant).  The efficacy of the New Covenant is that God will 'remember their sins and lawless deeds no more' (17, as opposed to being reminded year after year) and that His forgiveness takes away the need for any further offering for sin (18, as opposed to sacrifices being offered year after year). 

The second thematic section of Hebrews 10 begins at verse 19 and is titled 'Assurance of Faith'.  The key verse in this section (and the memory verse) is verse 22.  But before we get to the drawing near and the true and clean hearts and the washed bodies, the writer reminds us what had to come first.  We can only enter the presence of God by the blood of Jesus (19) through the curtain (His flesh)(20) and because of His position (High Priest)(21).  Notice the description of the heart here; we draw near with a true heart that is sprinkled clean.  Under the New Covenant we no longer have an evil heart!
Ezekiel 36:26-27 (ESV)
And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.
Having been redeemed by the blood of Christ, He then gives us a new heart and a new spirit.  He has taken away the old heart that was deceitful and sinful (Jer 17:9) and given us a good heart in which His Spirit dwells (Eph 3:16-17).  This does not mean, of course, that we stop sinning.  Even with a good and clean heart we still must live from our good hearts by walking in the Spirit and subduing the flesh  (Gal 5:16-17).  We still must battle constantly against our enemies; the flesh, the world, and the devil (Eph 2:1-3).  But we now can do this by the power of Holy Spirit living in and working through our redeemed hearts. 

This power is multiplied when followers of Christ join together as the body of Christ.  Here we find two occurences of the phrase 'one another' (found throughout the NT).  Believers are to stir one another toward love and good works and encourage one another as Christ's return approaches.  The battle against the flesh, the world, and the devil is a life-long fight.  God does not want us to fight it without Him, and He does not want us to fight it with out each other.

The meaning of vv26-27 seems to have been lost in translation.  The obvious difficulty one might find here is that even afer being redeemed and given a new heart, the believer still sins.  So, we either have to dissect what 'sinning deliberately' means (which some people would say is ALL sin) or look to the greater context of Hebrews. Several commentators I have read will give this feel; 'If we hear the truth but reject it and do not repent, there is no other sacrifice for sins available; this is it.  And at the end of rejection of the Gospel is the judgment of God'.  This thought pattern seems to continue into the next example.  The writer reminds the readers that under the law, anyone who rejects the law could be put to death by the testimony of two or three witnesses.  Therefore, how much greater a punishment should be expected for someone who rejects the Gospel by spurning Christ, profaning the blood of the covenant and outraging the Spirit (three witnesses again)?  This seems to indicate rejection of the truth and lack of true faith as opposed to an embracing of the Gospel followed by apostasy.  The writer then wraps up the argument with a reminder that God is soveriegn and will judge people justly.

In one more attempt to encourage the readers, the writer reminds them of their previous sufferings for the Gospel and the hope they held through those times; hope for an eternal possession.  I would summarize this as the writer saying 'hang in there!  He is coming soon.  Live by faith and persevere.  It will be worth it!'


How does this affect my worship?
The daily/monthly/yearly offerings that were done away with by the once-for-all sacrifice of Christ were sin offerings, not offerings of praise.  My praise will continue every moment I take breath.  Later in Hebrews we read that we are to 'continually offer a sacrifice of praise; the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name' (13:15).  As is the theme in the Psalms, we are to praise Him continually for who He is and what He has done.  Of that material we can never run out.

How does this affect my discipleship?
There is no accounting for time in the discipleship process.  It seems like much of the significant and lasting life-change comes at the cost of time.  But if we hold firm to our confession of faith and our obedience of service, disciple-making brings change.  And it's worth it.  To see, and be a part of, the changed life of a Christ-follower is a truly joyful experience.  Hang in there!  The road is long, but it's worth it.

live by faith,
Ethan

    Thursday, September 04, 2008

    Hebrews 9

    We pick up our Chapter Memory Study in Hebrews 9 this week. To review, the goal of this study is to systematically go through the Bible, chapter by chapter, in order to study, outline and memorize the key concepts of each chapter. I use the English Standard Version (ESV) most of the time, and tend to follow the pericope divisions (sub-titles within each chapter) as marked by the ESV. Hebrews seems to be dividing nicely into about 2 sections per chapter. The outline of Hebrews is based on the acronym "SON IS MEDIATOR"; of which I assign each chapter to the corresponding letter in the outline theme. We are on chapter 9, so that brings us to the "I" of MEDIATOR this week.

    The outline for Hebrews 9 is:
    • Impermanent place of holiness (1-10)
    • Irrevocable blood of Christ (11-28)
    The memory passages are chosen from each section and, if at all possible, contain key words and themes from that section.
    • Impermanent place of holiness
      Hebrews 9:1 (ESV)
      1Now even the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly place of holiness.

    • Irrevocable blood of Christ
      Hebrews 9:14-15 (ESV)
      14how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. 15Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.

    (note: the colors correspond to the marking system I have in my Bible; blue for theme, green for memory/key passage. Red is then used for repeating words/phrases/concepts, and black is used for general emphasis. I use one of those handy-dandy 4-color bic pens and it works wonderfully. I'll maybe do a post about that sometime)

    In the first section (vv1-10; Impermanent place of holiness) the writer describes the tabernacle (1-5) and then the ministry in the tabernacle (6-10). The tabernacle itself was the 'earthly place of holiness' that contained the key symbols of worship and the ark of the covenant. Of further details and contents, the writer could not (and needed not) comment further.

    Continuing a review of worship practices and regulations, the writer then describes what happened in the tabernacle. The priests would perform their duties in the first section (the Holy Place), but only the high priest would enter the section (the Most Holy Place). The high priest would take an offering of blood for his own sins and also the sins of the people. The writer adds that this is a symbol of the distance between us and God; the first section separates the people from God. Only the high priest, the mediator, can go through the holy place into the most holy place (setting up the comparison to Jesus and His ministry). While the offering of blood was required under these regulations, it was only effective in dealing with issues of food, drink, washings, and regulations for the body (externals); it was not able to perfect the conscience.

    The second main section (Irrevocable blood of Christ, vv10-28) contains 11 occurrences of the word 'blood'. (note: if at all possible, I try to include any major repetitions in the theme title. The overall theme is the blood of Christ, but I will remember that 'blood' is a repeated word/theme). The writer sets up the contrast immediately; 'but when Christ appeared as a high priest' (11). Christ's ministry was not in a temporary earthly tent, but in the 'greater and more perfect tent'; the heavenly presence of God. Christ's sacrifice of blood did not need to be repeated year after year; it was given once for all (12, 16, 7:27, 10:10) and secured eternal redemption.

    In verses 13-15, the writer summarizes the whole argument; if the old sacrifice of animals' blood was effective to purify the flesh, how much more can the blood of Christ do? He offered Himself, the perfect Lamb of God, to God for the purity of our conscience. He is the eternal Mediator of this new covenant and the Guarantor of the eternal inheritance for those who are called. While both covenants required the shedding of blood, only the shed blood of Christ is effective to purify our conscience and ensure eternal redemption.

    Here again we come across the title 'Mediator'. For definition, I'll defer to bigger brains:
    The word “mediator” is the translation of mesites which refers to one who intervenes between two, to make or restore peace and friendship, to form a compact, or to ratify a covenant. Here the Messiah acts as a go-between or mediator between a holy God and sinful man. By His death on the cross, He removes the obstacle (sin) which caused an estrangement between man and God. When the sinner accepts the merits of Messiah’s sacrifice, the guilt and penalty of his sin is his no more, the power of sin in his life is broken, he becomes the recipient of the divine nature, and the estrangement between himself and God, both legal and personal, disappears. (Kenneth S. Wuest, Hebrews in the Greek New Testament, p. 162, 163)
    The writer then briefly discusses the metaphor of a will. The will is only put into effect when the one who made the will dies. Christ's death puts into force the inheritance of the beneficiaries (those who believe) so that they might receive the benefits of the covenant (will). Even the first covenant was inaugurated with blood (with which Moses purified the book and the people) because the shedding of blood was necessary for forgiveness. In the Old Testament, the 'copies of the heavenly things' were purified with blood; through Christ, the heavenly things themselves are purified with His blood.

    Christ's ministry was not in the earthly, hand-made tabernacle (the copies), but in heaven before God the Father Himself (24). His sacrifice did not need to be offered repeatedly, but once for all ages (25-26). Christ will appear again, having died and rose again, to save to Himself those who are eagerly waiting for Him (27-28).

    How does this affect my worship?
    I have no context or concept of tabernacle worship. I have seen the demonstrations and even a life-size model; but I have no idea what it must have been like. I only know worship within the omnipresence of God; He is ever-present and always within me. Sometimes my personality leans toward a more legal, outlined interaction with God. "This is what you need to do, this is how you meet with God, these are the rules you need to follow." Jesus made it clear in John 4 that worship is not limited to location. God is Spirit, and we worship Him in spirit and truth; wherever, whenever, with everything. And yet my heart longs to meet with God. To sit before Him. To honor Him. He is drawing near to us (indeed, drawing us near), and we are to draw near to Him (because we can also go the other direction). But worship in spirit, truth, word and deed must be approached as an encounter. Meet with Him. Walk with him. Worship Him. Hear from Him. Follow Him.

    How does this affect my discipleship?
    As quickly as I tend to impose rules on myself, I am certain that tendency bleeds into my disciple-making. "In order to 'look like' a mature believer, these are the steps you need to take and this is the language you need to speak". First of all, I don't know how to discern growth and maturity in anyone outside the context of a relationship. When you walk with someone for a year, two years, or more, you see their life and growth right in front of you. They may not look like you or talk like you (thankfully) but they should start reflecting more of Jesus. Again and always; disciple-makers must not focus on making disciples of themselves but disciples of Christ.

    under His blood, and by His grace,

    Ethan

    Thursday, August 21, 2008

    Hebrews 8

    God's grace and peace to you,

    Here we are in the center of Hebrews (chapter 8) with a succinct but powerful outline of the new covenant.  The outline for Hebrews 8 is based on the 'D' of 'Son is Mediator':
    • Dominant Mediator (1-6)
    • Declared New Covenant (7-13)
    The memory verses from each section are
    • Dominant Mediator
      Hebrews 8:6




      6But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.

    • Declared New Covenant
      Hebrews 8:8




      8For he finds fault with them when he says: “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah,
       
    (editor's note:  I needed to remind myself this morning that this project is a work in progress.  I have trimmed down the memory passages over the last few studies, but I'm wondering if there is a place for the 'other' verses that augment the main theme?  I could select one verse from each section as the memory verse, but then use the other verses as additional meditation material during that week.  These verses might not be reviewed in the same way as the assigned memory verse, but would provide an additional 'hook' for the chapter.  Of course, this makes me want to go back and look at all of the other studies and do the same for them.  We'll see.)

     In the first section (Dominant Mediator; 1-6), the writer continues the theme of Jesus as High Priest with a slightly different angle.  He is the High Priest who is seated at the right hand of God, but He doesn't serve in the way the priests of the Law served.  They served in an earthly tent by offering gifts and sacrifices according to the Law (a mere copy and shadow of Christ's ministry in the heavens).  But Jesus' ministry is more excellent than the old because the covenant is better and the promises are better.

    It is a better covenant because it is founded on better promises. The covenant of law promised blessing for obedience but threatened death for disobedience. It required righteousness but did not give the ability to produce it.
    The New Covenant is an unconditional covenant of grace. It imputes righteousness where there is none. It teaches men to live righteously, empowers them to do so, and rewards them when they do. [1]


    [1]MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. (1997, c1995). Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments (Heb 8:6). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

    The second section of Hebrews 8 (Declared new covenant; 7-12) details this superior covenant of which Christ is the Mediator.  The writer makes a stinging argument in verse 7 that if the first covenant worked to accomplish holiness (which, while the Law was holy, one could not become truly holy by following it) then why did the prophets point to a second covenant?  The writer uses Jeremiah for reference (from Jer 31:31-34).  Through Jeremiah the Lord promises a new covenant distinct from the one He gave Israel through Moses.  The truth is that Israel did not continue in the covenant, but turned away from God.  This new covenant contains 3 main themes:
    1. We will know God's laws in our hearts and minds (v10)
    2. We will know God personally and intimately (v11)
    3. We will know God has forgiven our sins (v12)
    With the inauguration of this new covenant by the blood of Christ (1 Cor 11:25), the old covenant has become obsolete.  Christ, being the perfect sacrifice, once for all, for our sins, has fulfilled the law and instituted a covenant based on the promised grace of God.  This grace is a gift and cannot be earned (Eph 2:8-9).

    How does this affect my worship?
    I am thankful that God made a second covenant.  Without it, where would I be?  Who would I be?  I am thankful that Jesus is the Mediator of this promise.  Without Him, where would I be?  Who would I be?  I'm thankful that I can know God, know His law, and know that He has forgiven me.
    Who would I be if You didn't love me?  Who would I be without You?  I don't even really want to know.  I just thank You, with my life, that You are my God, and I am Your child. 

    How does this affect my discipleship?
    This whole chapter just reminds me of God's sovereignty.  I don't understand how or why things happened the way they did.  But somehow it all works together.  My faith has been strengthened today.  I'm also encouraged that this type of study and interaction with God's Word has taken many years to reach.  It reminds me to have patience with those I disciple.

    May you walk in the promised assurance of the new covenant today,

    Ethan

    Thursday, August 14, 2008

    Hebrews 7

    Grace and peace in the Lord,

    Well, we've made it half way through Hebrews and it has been every bit as challenging and enriching as promised.  Hebrews 7 is the longest chapter in the letter so far. It contains more detailed exposition of the differences between the priesthood established by the Law following the line of Aaron and the priesthood established by God's promise following the line of Melchizedek.

    The outline theme (remember, I changed the acronym from 'SON IS SUPERIOR' to 'SON IS MEDIATOR') is based on the 'E' of Mediator:
    • Example of Melchizedek (1-10)
    • Excellence of Jesus (11-28)
    The Memory passages from each section are
    • Example of Melchizedek
      Hebrews 7:1



      1For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,

    • Excellence of Jesus
      Hebrews 7:22,25



      22This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant.
      25Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

    In discussing the Example of Melchizedek in verses 1-10, the writer tackles two main issues; who is Melchizedek (1-3) and why is he important (4-10).  But even though the writer spends a few verses describing Melchizedek, his identity has still been much debated.  We know that his name means 'king of righteousness, that he was a king of Salem (or Jerusalem; means 'king of peace') and that he was a priest appointed by God.  We know that he went out to meet Abraham in order to bless him, and Abraham tithed the bounty they received to Melchizedek.

    But verse 3 casts some mystery over his nature.  What did the writer intend by describing Melchizedek as 'without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest forever'?  On first read one might be tempted to think that Melchizedek was something besides a human being; perhaps an angel or even Christ in a preincarnate state. 

    Many intelligent, godly people have scrutinized this passage and have come to varying conclusions.  Here is my humble attempt (grated, highly informed by all of those intelligent, godly people).  Since the writer has already established that Jesus is a fully qualified high priest after the order of Melchizedek (5:6, 10, 6:20), we can naturally view Melchizedek and his king/priesthood as a 'type', or example of the ultimate king/priesthood of Christ.  Because we don't have a record of Melchizedek's birth, death or end of reign, he in many ways does resemble Christ who is eternal (though he became incarnate) and who reigns forever.  Also keep in mind that the writer is contrasting the priesthood of Melchizedek against the priesthood of Aaron (of the Levitical line)....which is a perfect segue to the second part of section 1.

    Verse 4 titles the 'why is Melchizedek important' theme perfectly; 'see how great this man was'.  The writer then proves this by showing that he was even greater than Abraham in that 1) it was Abraham who gave a tithe to Melchizedek (an action of a lesser to a greater) and 2) that Melchizedek blessed Abraham (an action of a greater to a lesser).  3) Tithes under the Mosaic Law were received by mortal men, but this tithe was received by 'on who...lives'; whose priesthood has no end.   And 4) even Levi, the father of the priestly line under the law 'gave tithes' to Melchizedek because Levi was still 'in the loins' of Abraham at this time (Abraham being Levi's great-grandfather).

    To summarize vv1-10, Melchizedek's priesthood is an example of Christ's and is superior to Aaron's. 

    The second thematic section begins in verse 11 and is titles Excellence of Christ.  After proving that Melchizedek's priesthood is superior to Aaron's, the writer now illustrates that Christ's priesthood is greatest of all.

    The writer reminds us that perfection was not attainable through the Law that was attended to by the Levite priests in the line of Aaron.  If it was attainable, why was there a need for another priest from another line?  Jesus was descended from Judah, not Levi, and became high priest not by 'bodily descent' but by the direct appointing of God by 'the power of an indestructible life'.  The writer quotes again Ps 110:4 with a specific emphasis; 'You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek' (17). 


    (by the way, I'm getting really good at typing Melchizedek, but I had to add it to my dictionary because I was tired of seeing the squiggly red line under it)

    Then the writer pulls the old 'I've got some bad news and some good news' line in vv18-19.  'The bad news is that the Law is useless and weak and can make nothing perfect.  But the good news is that we now have a better hope in which we can actually draw near to God!'

    Some more good news is that this hope is based on an oath from God (who fulfills His promises); Christ is a Priest forever and the Guarantor of this better covenant.  The priests of the Law could not continue their duties forever because they died, but Christ's priesthood is permanent because He lives forever.  Verse 25 then speaks for itself:

    25Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
    Then verses 26-28 review the qualifications of Christ's priesthood.  He is holy, innocent, unstained by sin, separate from sinners, exalted above the heavens, and does not need to offer sacrifices for His own sin (because He had none).  He, Christ the Lamb of God, offered Himself as the once for all sacrifice for the atonement of the sins of all who believe in Him, and by the promise of God He will remain our High Priest forever.

    How does this impact my worship?
    How is it that I can forget the privilege I have to draw near to God?  I can draw near to God.  He wants me to.  I can.  And it is all because Christ has 'saved me to the uttermost'.  But how do I balance familiarity and closeness against flippancy and irreverence?  If I walk humbly with God (Micah 6:8, 1 Pet 5:6) with the attitude of a beloved son....I think that honors him.  It's amazing that I even have to remind myself to walk humbly with Him.  But it just goes to show the state of my 'human-ness';  if unchecked, there is no limit to my pride and arrogance.

    How does this impact my discipleship?
    This chapter was a tremendous lesson in logical progression.  The writer lays out the objective and then hammers away with argument after argument.  I really enjoy reading the flow of thought in Hebrews.  It reminds me that thoroughness and summary are helpful tools when dealing with difficult issues.

    Lord, Jesus, my High Priest, Advocate, and Intercessor, please help me discern my own heart's approach to You.  Please don't let me stray so far to reverence that I forget you are my brother and friend, but also not so far to familiarity that I forget you are God.  Thank You for leading me.  I choose today to deny myself, take up my cross, and follow You.  

    epj

    Friday, August 01, 2008

    Hebrews 6

    Greetings in Christ!

    Don't let anyone tell you differently; Hebrews 6 is a challenging chapter. The writer is both brutally honest in his exhortation and tenderly nurturing in his encouragement.

    On an administrative note, I am finding the benefit of having an outline theme that is made up of more than one word. At first I tried hard to find a 13 letter word that somehow fit the theme of Hebrews (one letter for each chapter). Then I finally settled on 'SON IS SUPERIOR' as my theme because the letters added up to 13 and I could better capture the theme. And while I did a 'pre-study' over the entire book of Hebrews (for a brief description of the pre-study, find the entry for "2 John" in May of 2008 in the archive) I did not go through and determine outline titles for each chapter to see if SON IS SUPERIOR would work. So, now that I am on Hebrews 6 (what would be the 's' of superior) I feel led to change the last word. (I checked with the powers-that-be and determined that this is ok to do :) What I realized I should have done is work harder to find a combination of words whose letters add up to 13 but without duplicating any letters. With the existing outline I would have had 3 's', 2 'o', and 2 'r'. I just happened upon a book that attributed the main theme of Hebrews to be Christ as the Mediator. So here we are. I'm changing (at least for now :) the outline theme from SON IS SUPERIOR to SON IS MEDIATOR. I still have 2 Ss and Os, but I learned my lesson.

    So, the 'M' of Mediator is up for Hebrews 6. The outline themes for the two main sections are:
    1. Maturity and apostasy (1)
    2. Made a promise to Abraham (13)
    The memory passages are (and look how short they are!)
    1. Maturity and apostasy
      Hebrews 6:1

      1Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,
    2. Made a promise to Abraham
      Hebrews 6:13

      13For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself,

    First of all, let me say that I think I wrote more on my study sheet for Hebrews 6 this week than I have for any other study. My 'study sheet' is the document I use to make initial study notes about the chapter. I paste the text into the Word doc and then mark it up from there. I have found the 'find' function (cntrl F) and the highlighting feature of Word to be tremendously helpful. If I notice a word that keeps showing up, I 'cntrl F' and type in that word. It finds all of the occurrences of that word in the document, and then I simply chose which color to highlight it. It makes for a very multi-chromatic Bible study.

    The first section, Maturity and apostasy, covers verses 1 through 12 and deals with two main topics; the maturity level of the readers and a warning about apostasy. The writer challenges the readers to move on from the basic teaching and understanding of their walk with God. For some reason it seems that these believers were falling back into the 'dead works' of their previous life in Judaism. And while the resurrection from the dead and the end times are important doctrines, perhaps some placed an unnecessarily high or errant focus on them.

    Then comes one of the most difficult passages I have ever had to wrestle with; Hebrews 6:4-6. I will spare you the meandering process I went through in my notes and give my summary. I believe that true faith endures. I also believe (and have seen) that believers can 'back-slide'; an interesting word, though not my favorite, used to describe the sinful decisions and patterns of a born-again Christ-follower. But this passage doesn't seem to focus on the ever-present sinful acts of committed Christ-followers (for no human can become sinless, even if they sin less). There is a more serious issue in mind. For those who participate in the life of the church and have the experience and knowledge of Christ but then fall away, there are grave consequences. This 'falling away' is not the 'losing of eternal life'. One of God's children cannot simply lose the fulfillment of God's promise to them. This view can paralyze people in fear and paranoia; 'if I mess up, I might not get into heaven'. This falling away seems to be a defection from the faith and a rejection of the Gospel. For those who have been enlightened by the Gospel, who have tasted the heavenly gift, shared in the experience of the Holy Spirit, and tasted the goodness and power of God but reject Him, the writer makes it clear that it is impossible to restore them. They become as the ones who rejected and crucified Christ in their own contempt.

    The other side of this is that our Father earnestly desires all to 'reach repentance' (2 Pet 3:9) and there is no way for me to know who is beyond restoration. So, not knowing (in certainty) who has been born-again and who has not, we still must obey the Lord and attempt to bring them to repentance and restoration (Matt 18:15-20, Gal 6:1, James 5:19-20).

    The writer follows this up with a metaphor and then encouragement. Seemingly having John 15 and Luke 8 in mind, the writer draws an agricultural connection; 'look at the fruit'! And then, as if to head off any unnecessary paranoia amongst the readers, the writer assures them that he sees in them the 'better things of salvation' (9).

    This little passage (10-12) offers what could be another little sub-theme in Heb 6. In fact, I wonder if I need to reconfigure the outline to include the idea of true hope. In essence, it seems the writer is saying 'be careful what you think about God! He is not looking for any reason to throw you out! He has given you a promise, and on that promise you can place the fullness of your hope.' This theme serves as a perfect segue into the second section.

    If at all possible, I try to include the exact wording of a verse in the thematic outline (which makes the memorizing easier). So, needing an 'm' for the title, I call this section 'Made a promise to Abraham'. The writer recounts God's covenant to Abraham and assures us of its validity. Since God could not swear on anyone higher than Himself (as was the custom when making a covenant between individuals), He swore by Himself. This promise is one-sided and not made between equal parties. God 'desired to show more convincingly...the unchangeable character of His purpose', and so made the covenant by Himself. Since, according to His own character, it is impossible for Him to lie and He is unchanging, we can have 'strong encouragement' and hold tightly to His promise; we have true hope!

    This hope is as sure as an anchor that is set securely in the presence of God (beyond the curtain). Jesus is then pictured as a forerunner on our behalf. In ancient times, the forerunner was a boat that carried the anchor of a larger ship into the harbor and dropped it. If the sea was too dangerous for the ship to enter the harbor, placing its anchor inside the safe harbor provided hope and assurance of staying put. Jesus, as our perfectly qualified High Priest, is able to mediate the promise of God by anchoring our eternity with Him in heaven.


    How does this affect my worship?
    I praise the Lord that while there is still mystery about some of His Word and working, we can put our absolute hope and trust in Him because of His unchanging and just character. Praise God that I can know that I have eternal life. Praise Him that I am anchored within His presence. Praise Jesus that He continues to intercede for me in the presence of the Father. And thank You for restoring my soul and guiding me to walk with others You are restoring.

    How does this affect my discipleship?
    The walk of the Christ-follower is long and layered. In following the guildlines in Gal 6:1, we have a command to watch out for each other and to help restore each other after being found in transgression. The difference between someone caught in transgression and someone wrought with apostasy may not be immediately obvious. So, we must continue in our walk with God and His training of our 'powers of discernment'. If we are submitted to His process in our own lives, and if we are committed to His command to disciple other lives, He will shine through us with great mercy and grace as we live and work within the body of Christ.

    May you walk in steadfast hope with the Father,

    Ethan

    Saturday, July 26, 2008

    Hebrews 5

    Grace and peace in the Lord!

    This week we continue with the Chapter Memory Study through Hebrews with chapter 5.  This chapter is an interesting transition between chapter 4 and chapter 6.  The first part of Hebrews 5 picks up where ch4 leaves off.  Then the second theme of ch5 continues into ch6.  But for the purposes of this study (the Chapter Memory Study) I will stay with the established chapter demarcations. 

    So, the thematic section of Hebrews 5 (built on the 'S' of Son i(S) Superior) are:
    • Source of eternal salvation (1-10)
    • Solid Food (11-14)
    The memory passaged from each section are;
    • Source of eternal salvation
      Hebrews 5:8-10
      8Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. 9And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, 10being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.
       
    • Solid Food
      Hebrews 5:14
      14But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

    Within the first thematic passage of this chapter (vv1-10), the writer continues the ongoing description of Jesus as High Priest.  But now, the discussion centers around Jesus being the One and Only Source of eternal salvation. His Priesthood was not appointed by men (5) nor descended from men (implied in vv 6,10) but was appointed by God as a special Son-King-Priest.  Only Christ is qualified to hold such a position.  The writer goes out of his way again to say that Jesus, while He was in the flesh, became our perfect High Priest through obedience, suffering, submission to the Father's will, and reverence.  He is the Son of God by nature (1:3), the King of all by position (1:3), and Priest of God for all men by His complete identification with men (4:15). 

    The 'perfection' talked about here and elsewhere concerning Christ is more about the completion or fulfillment of His mission than a perfecting of His person (He was and always has been holy). 
    To say that Jesus was perfect does not suggest that he was imperfect before he suffered. During his human life Jesus’ perfection endured severe testing. None of this testing blackened a single feature of his perfection. Jesus’ perfection was the completion of someone who had faced trials, endured them, and learned to trust God through them. Jesus’ perfection developed in an atmosphere in which he had his obedience tested and strengthened by the trials he faced.
    Lea, T. D. (1999). Vol. 10: Hebrews, James. Holman New Testament Commentary; Holman Reference (94). Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
    The writer will continue to expound on the issue of 'the order of Melchizedek' in contrast to the order of Aaron later in the book, but since he mentions it here, I will include a brief introduction.

    Several features of this order differed from the order of Aaron. First, the order of Melchizedek had no hereditary succession. This feature stood in contrast to the Aaronic order, which saw wave after wave of priests succeeding one another.
    Second, it was a unique order because only Christ belonged to it. It was an order which was fit for Christ because it placed him in an entirely different order from that of Aaron.
    Lea, T. D. (1999). Vol. 10: Hebrews, James. Holman New Testament Commentary; Holman Reference (94). Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

    The second main theme of Hebrews 5 addresses the issue of maturity among the readers.  The writer chastises and then exhorts the readers using the metaphor of food.  So we call this section Solid food (remember, the thematic titles do two things; 1) starts with the corresponding letter from the chapter outline, and 2) serves to remind us of what the thematic content is in the section). 

    The writer wishes to say more on this issue, but criticizes the readers for being 'dull of hearing' and in need of remedial training.  By this time, these believers should have been teaching these principles, but for some reason they still needed the 'milk' of basic training instead of the 'solid food' of mature teaching.  He actually calls them unskilled and children.  Their goal should be to mature in Christ so that they can process the 'solid food' of His truth.  A sign of this growth is the maturing of their powers of discernment; distinguishing between good and evil.  There will be more on this issue as the writer continues in Chapter 6. 


    How does this affect my worship?
    Verse 7 is difficult for me.  Jesus offered prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears to God, and He was heard 'because of His reverence'.  He fully submitted Himself to God in His prayer.  He approached His Father with reverence.  In my casual, conversational relationship with God (which I think He encourages), I sometimes find myself stepping out of reverence.  We can confidently draw near to the throne of God because of the work of Christ, but He's still God and I'm still not.  You can swing too far either direction.  Christ's example here reminds me to approach God, while confident, in humility. 

    How does this affect my discipleship?
    The whole milk vs solid food thing speaks to me about my own disciple-becoming and my disciple-making.  While I think grace and patience are absolutely critical in the discipleship process, there does seem to come a time for some exhortation toward maturity.  I don't know how I could know this unless I actually have a relationship with the person I'm discipling.  If they are being diligent in their study and I see the transformation in their walk with God I have a pretty good idea that they are on the right track.  But when you see them 'stuck' in certain elementary patterns or thoughts for a long time without a real zeal for growth, I could feel the need to 'nudge' them a bit.  I want them to grow.  Just like I want my kids to grow.  I don't want those who walk with me in discipleship to continue to need (or desire) the 'milk'.  Although, as a caveat, there has been tremendous value and growth in my life during times when I 'review' a basic truth that the Lord reminds me of.  I guess, nothing goes better with steak than a big glass of milk. 

    Thank You, gracious Heavenly Father, for being my Bread of Life.  Thank You for growing me up on milk, and letting me begin to chew on steak.  Grow me and train me in discernment so that I can feast on Your solid food; for Your glory and for Your kingdom.  

    Ethan

    Wednesday, July 16, 2008

    Hebrews 4

    Greetings in Christ!

    We continue our Chapter Memory Study today in Hebrews 4. In many ways this chapter is a continuation of the thought pattern of chapter 3 (as we will see in the discussion of 'rest'). The outline is based on the 'I' of 'Son is Mediator'.
    • Into His rest (1-13)
    • Into His throne-room (14-16)
    The memory passage is:
    • Into His rest

      • Hebrews 4:11-12
      • 11Let us therefore strive [be diligent] to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. 12For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
    • Into His throne-room

      • Hebrews 4:15-16
      • 15For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.16Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need

    While this first section has been titled 'Into His Rest', this issue of God's rest first appears back in 3:11,18 amidst the discussion of the punishment of unbelief and rebellion. The people of Israel were prevented from entering 'rest' (the promised land) because of their rebellion against God in the desert following the exodus. While 3:12 planted the idea in our minds that this idea of rest has not been put to rest (so to speak), the first verse of chapter 4 lays it out lucidly; the promise of rest still stands. You can still receive it, and you can still miss it. For the good news (not necessarily only the Gospel, but including the general good news of from God in the OT) came to them as it comes to us. The key to gaining the benefit of the good news depends upon whether or not we believe ('united by faith' 4:2).

    The word 'rest' appears 8 different times in this first section (vv1-13). So, what is meant by 'rest'? In the context of the historical reference to Israel, 'rest' seems to mean the fulfillment of God's promise. They still had to fight for the land and work the land, so 'rest' does not mean vacation or retirement. Verses 4-10 bring in two different approaches to 'rest'.
    1. God's 'rest' on the 7th day of creation is meant as a model for us to follow. But in the same way that God did not cease to do any work from then on, we are not to merely fall idle and lazy. God's rest signifies completion, not exhaustion.
    2. If this promised 'rest' was ONLY the promised land, then Joshua would have delivered that to the people after the conquering of the promised land. But David, many years later, warns us not to harden our hearts lest we are not allowed into His rest. So there must remain a Sabbath rest for God's people (9).
    In addition to these, verse 11 says we are to strive (I prefer 'be diligent') to enter that rest. The ideas of working hard and resting would appear to be contradictory. But our diligence in seeking the completion and fulfillment of God's promise to us keeps us from falling 'by the same sort of disobedience' as Israel did.

    So what is our Guide in this striving? God's Word. It is living, active, discerning, and illuminating. He only can divide to the deepest parts of our being. He only can know our hearts and motives. Nothing is hidden from Him, and all will be judged by Him. He is our Guide. He can lead us, by His Word, into His rest.

    To conclude, there seems to be 4 different 'rests' discussed in 3:11-4:13:
    1. Canaan rest; the rest Israel was promised but forsook by the sin of disbelief.
    2. Sabbath rest; the rest God exemplified on day 7 of creation and directs us to observe
    3. Present rest; in Christ's strength we can have a rest from weariness and heavy yokes (Matt 11:28-30)
    4. Eternal rest; the rest believers taste now, but will fully experience in the presence of Christ for eternity.

    The second section of this chapter, 'Into His Throne-room', is short but potent. The writer brings back the description of Christ as our High Priest. Having proven His worthiness as our High Priest (3:17), the writer now reminds us that Christ is the only one who is able to give us access to the rest of God. Our great High Priest passed through the heavens (after dying and resurrecting) after a life on earth that consisted of every temptation and trial that we have or ever will experience; yet He did not once give in or sin. He alone can advocate for us because He lived the full human life and beat it. For this reason only can we draw near to the throne of God, with confidence in Christ alone, to find the mercy and grace we need to follow Him faithfully to the end. This boldness and confidence is not, cannot, be prideful or flippant. It is not any of our own doing, but that of Christ.



    How does this affect my worship?
    How often do we sing 'draw near to God' or 'God, please draw near to me'? How can that even happen? It goes back again to what I am finding is a critical verse about worship; Romans 11:36. "For from Him, and through Him, and to Him are all things". True worship of God is only possible by His work through us. We are saved by the free gift of grace that we cannot earn. Only then can we offer our lives as a living sacrifice. But we only have access to God (His throne of grace) because Jesus has made the way. So our worship is from Him (because of His work) and through Him (sustained by His work) and to Him (in honor of His work). There are many ways to express ourselves to God; praise, adoration, submission, exaltation, thanksgiving..... But let us never forget to draw near, with confidence yet utter humility, to the throne of God for not just what we get, but Who we meet.

    How does this affect my discipleship?
    My 5 main foundations of discipleship are that it is:
    1. Biblical
    2. Relational
    3. Intentional
    4. Sustainable
    5. Reproducible
    (some day, I'll get the rights words together so that it spells something, or so they all start with the same letter :)
    There's a reason Biblical is first. The Word of God is the key to our growth. We must let it 'dwell in us richly' (Col 3:16). We must hear it (Rom 10:17), hide it (Ps 119:11), and heed it (Jam 1:22). I must be the foundation upon which followers of Christ follow Christ. It is living and active; alive and well.

    May you draw near to Him, and He to you,

    Ethan

    Wednesday, July 09, 2008

    Hebrews 3

    Grace and Greetings,

    What a gift! I am continually amazed at God's Word. Today, I am thankful for Hebrews 3. What a gift. The Chapter outline begins with the 'N' of SoN is Mediator:
    • Not Moses but Jesus (1-6)
    • Not hardened but hear Him (7-19)
    The memory passage taken from these main sections are:
    • Not Moses but Jesus
      Hebrews 3:3
      3For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses—as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself.
    • Not hardened but hear Him
      Hebrews 3:13-15

      13But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. 14For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end. 15As it is said, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”

    The first section, 'Not Moses but Jesus', focuses on the priority of Jesus over Moses. Jesus is the Apostle and High Priest; The Father's Apostle to us and our High Priest to the Father. The writer certainly does not disrespect Moses (which might raise undo angst from his target audience) and gives him the honor he is due in light of his service to the Lord. But it must be made clear that while Moses was faithful as a servant, Christ is faithful as a Son. Jesus is worthy of more glory than Moses, just as the builder of the house has more glory than the house itself (3). This house is further defined as us, the church; those who 'hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope' (6). The only confidence we have is Christ, and our only hope is found in the Gospel He proclaimed and embodied.

    The second section, 'Not hardened, but hear Him', draws its title and theme from a quote from Psalm 95. The phrase 'Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion' is written twice in this section (7,15). The writer skillfully draws on the history and commensurate warning to the nation of Israel (Ex 17:1-7, Num 14:20-38, Ps 95:7-11) and transposes the lesson to the body of Christ. "Remember how your fathers put God to the test and provoked His wrath! They were not allowed to enter His rest. So you, guard your heart that it not become evil and unbelieving. Exhort each other so that you do not grow hard with sin and fall away from God. I repeat, if you hear God, don't harden your heart!'

    Then, so as to make sure there was no misunderstanding, the writer reviews the facts.
    1. Who rebelled? Israel rebelled after God rescued them from Egypt.
    2. Whom did God punish for 40 years? Those who rebelled.
    3. Who did not enter His rest? Those who disobeyed.
    Verse 19 lucidly concludes the thought: '...they were unable to enter because of unbelief'.

    How does this affect my worship?

    How quickly I forget God's faithfulness. Days, if not moments, after He comes through for me or my family in a miraculous way I find myself groping the air for some sign of His love. He doesn't need to remind me of His faithfulness, I must remember. We laugh at Israel; 'how could they doubt God!? He just unleashed an unprecedented display of heavenly warfare on Egypt (see the plagues), guided them through the desert with a cloud by day and fire by night, split the stinkin' Red Sea in half so they could walk on through (and holding it just long enough to finish off the Egyptian army), and now they're whining about food and water! Don't they remember what just happened?!?!' And yet I do the same thing. Not only that, I get envious when I see Him bless others the way I want to be blessed. That's no way to worship Him. Even in praise, I must come humbly to His throne in awe and wonder of His faithfulness.

    How does this affect my discipleship?
    This building metaphor pops up all over the Bible. There are different applications, and we must beware of mixing them too much. Here, 'the house', seems to take on two different meanings. For Moses, the house was God's people; Israel. He was faithful as a servant with the tasks He was given. For Jesus, the house is us; His Body. And our belonging in His house has to do with our trust in Him and our hope in His Word. This serves as one of the many goals of disciple-making; grow in our own confidence in Christ as we lead others to grow with us. Have hope and give hope. Obedience without hope does not seem to be the full life Jesus offers.

    Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me,

    Thursday, July 03, 2008

    Hebrews 2

    Greetings,

    While at first I wasn't sure about tackling Hebrews, I have found it to be a tremendous blessing. After only 2 chapters, the richness of this letter is plainly evident. Hebrews 2 has two main sections which are outlined with the 'O' of Son is Mediator (the first O, obviously).

    • Observe Salvation (1-4)
    • Originator of Salvation (5-18)

    The memory passages from each section are:

    • Observe Salvation
      Hebrews 2:1
      1
      Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.
    • Originator of Salvation
      Hebrews 2:10,17-18
      10
      For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering.
      17
      Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

    The first section, while short, packs a heavy warning punch for us to Observe Salvation: we must pay closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it (1). The Old Testament message was affective in its designed purpose. The warning for us now is to not neglect the great salvation which was declared by Christ, attested to by the apostles, and born witness to by signs, wonders and gifts of Holy Spirit. To me, the phrase 'we must pay closer attention to it' doesn't necessarily refer to a one-time adjustment. I read this to mean that I must pay closer, and closer, and closer attention to it as I continue to walk with God. One readjustment of the rudder cannot permanently prevent drifting; one must continually pay closer attention to keep the ship righted as wind, current, and weather changes.

    The second, and much longer section, focuses on the Originator of Salvation. The writer has not forgotten this issue about the angels (as covered in ch 1). He spends considerable time at the beginning of this section (5-9) again separating the role and priority of Christ from that of the angels. Quoting Psalm 8, the writer re-asserts that man, not angels, were given dominion on the earth and created a little lower than the angels. Jesus, who for a time was made (not created) to be lower than the angels (in the form of man) suffered and died on behalf of everyone and now is crowned with glory and honor.

    We can see how this sets the stage for the argument to follow. While angels have a ministry and purpose, man was made lower than the angels and given dominion on the earth. Jesus did not have to become like an angel in order to save human-kine; He had to become a man and suffer willingly unto death to pay the debt for our sin.

    Verse 10 (one of the memory verses) picks up on this; It was fitting for God (who made everything), in order to bring salvation to humanity, to make the blameless sacrifice (Christ) perfect through suffering. This is not to say that Christ wasn't already perfect (which He was in every way), but that his role as High Priest (more to follow) was made complete by His 'completion' of the human life and His victory over it in resurrection.

    Look at the beauty of verse 11; because Christ and those He sanctified are of the same source (family; like in human-hood), He is not ashamed to call us brothers. Wow. And then we get 3 OT references to back it up (Ps 22:22, Isa 8:17,18). Verse 14 continues the explanation: we share with Christ in flesh and blood, and because He partook of all the sufferings of humanness even unto death, we can be free from slavery to fear! He beat the human life through His suffering, death, and resurrection so that we (not the angels) could be free. Hallelujah!!!

    At 17-18 we get the clincher. He had to be made like us in order to 1) fully be qualified as our high priest, 2) take care of our sin debt, and 3) help those who suffer under temptation. Because of His incarnation, His life, His suffering, and His death, He proved to be the one and only worthy Lamb who could completely pave the way for the redemption of mankind. This would all be impossible if Christ were anything but fully man and fully God.

    How does this affect my worship?
    The joy and impact of the incarnation should not be limited to the yuletide season. The implications of Christ's work in birth, life, death, resurrection and ascension stretch to the very core of our salvation. He had to become a man to save mankind. So 'Go, Tell it on the Mountain' that Jesus Christ was born!

    How does this affect my discipleship?
    Look at the last couple verses in light of the relationship God wants with us. Christ becoming like us was not just some isolated event to technically and legally deal with sin, it allows Him to be our merciful and faithful Advocate and to help us when we are tempted. He went through what He had to in order that we may have life and so He could help us through life. He gave His life for our sin and now He offers us His life (eternal life) now and forever. His work was not finished at our redemption and regeneration; He continues His work through our relationship with Him.


    May we all pay closer, and closer attention to what we have heard,


    Ethan

    Thursday, June 12, 2008

    Hebrews 1

    Greetings,

    After many months of whipping through smaller books, I decided to tackle a big chunk. It was between Hebrews and 2 Corinthians. I'd love to say there was some incredible deduction that led me to Hebrews, but I feel like I just landed there. This is a life study; I intend to keep on going as long as it takes (now I'm suddenly curious how many chapters there are in the Bible...). And by then it will be time to start over.

    So, here we are in Hebrews. I actually did a search online for a list of 13-letter words to use as the framework for the outline (Hebrews has 13 chapters), but didn't pursue that. I settled on a phrase that counts out to 13 letters; 'Son is Mediator'. From my pre-study, I determined this would be an adequate foundation to begin the outline. (frankly, I wanted to start with an 's' because I had an idea what the first chapter would be).

    The outline theme for Chapter 1 is Supremacy over all things, Supremacy over angels.

    The memory passage is
    Hebrews 1:1-3, 4

    1Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

    The very first words of this chapter set the stage for the entire opening argument. The author of Hebrews (who is not named and not certainly known; I will probably just say 'the author' from now on....or TAH :) Begins with a reach into the past. God spoke to our fathers (this is written to a Jewish audience) through the prophets. But now, in this age, He has spoken through His Son; the Heir of all things, the Creator of the world, the radiance of the glory of God, the exact imprint of His nature, and the sustainer of the universe. He is the Savior and Redeemer of man and is now seated in authority at the right hand of God.

    Wow.

    The author makes one thing certain; Jesus is the eternal Christ and Messiah.

    Then in verse 4, as if responding to some specific issue among the readers, the author contrasts the Son with the angels. The author quotes 7 different OT passages to prove the superiority of the Son over the angels. (this is my summary)

    He is superior in name
    He is superior in Sonship
    He is superior in worth (due worship)
    He is superior in role (angels are the wind and fire; Christ rules the elements)
    He is superior in rule
    He is superior in origin (eternal)
    He is superior in authority (seated at the right hand of God, commands the ministering spirits)

    The author uses very descriptive language and a wealth of OT input to clearly elevate the position of the Son Christ over the angels (and everyone else). He is lifted high in nature, role, and authority.

    How does this affect my worship?
    One could write unending songs of praise, worship, and adoration using only the first three verses of Hebrews 1. He is worthy of all glory, honor and praise. He is highly exalted in name and role. He is Son, Savior, and Sovereign. He is worthy.

    How does this affect my discipleship?
    It's interesting how the author just digs right in to this issue about the angels. Before anything else, he corrects a false belief and establishes the truth of Christ. While my disciple-making should be Biblical, Intentional, Relational, Sustainable, and Reproducible, I also must make room to pause and correct whatever false teaching may creep in. It has happened a few times (with a book or a movie, etc) in which we needed to step away from 'the study' and reset the foundation of or faith and belief. This was a good reminder.

    May you walk in the light of the Son,

    Ethan



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