Sunday, May 25, 2014
Saturday, May 24, 2014
Lesson 13
Hebrews 12:28 "Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe ..." NIV
The same verse in NASB: "Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe ..."
Hebrews 13:13 " Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore." NIV
Hebrews 13:15 "By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name." KJV
We conclude this study with three scriptures to consider. The first one should lead us to ask whether we are worshiping God with reverence and awe. Are we showing gratitude?
Dictionary.com defines worship this way: "reverent honor and homage paid to God or a sacred personage, or to any object regarded as sacred." Not the best definition I've seen, and it reflects a religious, but not necessarily Biblical view. Some folks think in terms of an emphasis on an emotional experience. Others consider rituals as a central component. How does the Bible describe worship to God?
The second scripture is somewhat puzzling. What does it mean? Read the context to see what is being said to us here.
The third scripture takes us to sacrifice. What sort of sacrifice does God expect from us? How often and where are we to sacrifice? What are the rewards? Is there an unacceptable sacrifice? What are the consequences?
Since this is our last week together, it is time to look back on everything we have covered. Quite a lot of material, huh? What are at least three of the most significant thoughts that you have taken from this study? I would like for us to share those thoughts together.
God is good! His Word reveals His will and His love. We hunger and thirst for righteousness. And we are being filled and satisfied! Matt. 5:6.
Lesson 12
Consider Hebrews 12:1 "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us ..."
There is no denying it - it is human nature to choose the easy way rather than the hard way. We would rather have a simple solution than a complicated one. We would choose an easy job before a difficult job. And certainly we would wish for an unencumbered path through life over one filled with struggles and challenges.
But when it comes to our spiritual path, we are promised a way that will never make sense from a worldly perspective. On the one hand, Jesus tells us "my yoke is easy and my burden is light" (Matt 11:30). But in Luke 9:23, he says "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me."
This verse in Hebrews tells us we are to run a race with perseverance. Evidently it is not going to be easy!
What do you make of this?
In Christ,
Bill
There is no denying it - it is human nature to choose the easy way rather than the hard way. We would rather have a simple solution than a complicated one. We would choose an easy job before a difficult job. And certainly we would wish for an unencumbered path through life over one filled with struggles and challenges.
But when it comes to our spiritual path, we are promised a way that will never make sense from a worldly perspective. On the one hand, Jesus tells us "my yoke is easy and my burden is light" (Matt 11:30). But in Luke 9:23, he says "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me."
This verse in Hebrews tells us we are to run a race with perseverance. Evidently it is not going to be easy!
What do you make of this?
In Christ,
Bill
Sunday, May 11, 2014
Lesson 11
Talk to most parents, and they will be glad to tell you about how their children grew up. Many families even have a spot in the house with markers posted to show their childrens' height at different ages. We know that growth and (hopefully) inevitable maturity are a part of life. In fact, growth is expected. We seek medical help if growth does NOT happen as it should.
In our spiritual lives, God expects us to grow and mature. And He warns us that we MUST grow. Otherwise, we should seek help to grow and mature as we should!
This week we consider Hebrews 6:1 "Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God ..."
What danger is there in not growing? What are some signs of lack of growth? What practical steps can we take to be spiritually "healthy"? Do I ever finish "growing up"?
Remember those on our prayer list, study the scripture above in it's context. Come ready to share and learn!
P.S. Here is a link to just one article on spiritual growth to start you thinking.
In our spiritual lives, God expects us to grow and mature. And He warns us that we MUST grow. Otherwise, we should seek help to grow and mature as we should!
This week we consider Hebrews 6:1 "Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God ..."
What danger is there in not growing? What are some signs of lack of growth? What practical steps can we take to be spiritually "healthy"? Do I ever finish "growing up"?
Remember those on our prayer list, study the scripture above in it's context. Come ready to share and learn!
P.S. Here is a link to just one article on spiritual growth to start you thinking.
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
Monday, May 5, 2014
Lesson 10
This week we focus on two more passages from Hebrews:
"Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Hebrews 4:16
"Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water." Hebrews 10:22
Hebrews emphasizes that we can now come near to God with confidence! Our great high priest, Jesus, makes that possible. Don't overlook the description of us "approaching" and "drawing near" to God. How is that significant? What obstacles might there be to hinder us from being able to approach God's throne? What does it mean to have a "sincere" heart?
Continue your study and prayer this week. We have much to be thankful for. Tell God what He means to you today!
See you soon!
"Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Hebrews 4:16
"Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water." Hebrews 10:22
Hebrews emphasizes that we can now come near to God with confidence! Our great high priest, Jesus, makes that possible. Don't overlook the description of us "approaching" and "drawing near" to God. How is that significant? What obstacles might there be to hinder us from being able to approach God's throne? What does it mean to have a "sincere" heart?
Continue your study and prayer this week. We have much to be thankful for. Tell God what He means to you today!
See you soon!
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