October 21, 2012
Morning Service

Review:

1.     Last Sunday morning we found out that the Hebrews are decedents of Shem, one of Noah’s three sons, down through Abraham.  The Bible teaches us that Abraham had two sons, Ishmael, the son of Sarah’s handmaid, Hagar, and Isaac, the son of promise. 

2.    Isaac, and Rebecca have twin boys, Esau, and Jacob.  We see that God chooses Jacob, who’s name is changed to Israel, as His chosen people.  Israel has twelve sons, of which one is Judah, and this is the family of which Jesus is from.

3.    Many of the Hebrews have left Judaism to become Christians.  Upon doing this there has been great persecution from family members.  The writer of Hebrews is encouraging them to hold on to their faith in Jesus, for the blessings will far out weigh the trials, and persecutions that they will face.

4.    In chapter one:

·       The writer tells them things they know, such as, how that God in past times spoke to the people through prophets, and that now He chooses to speak through Jesus Christ.

·       The writer speaks of Jesus’ being much greater than the prophets, and explains His divinity.

·       Uses many Scriptures to prove his arguments.

 

We are now ready for chapter two, and the first warning:  The danger of neglect.

 

Heb 2:1-18 KJVR  Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. 

• Can we really grasp the importance of this statement? 
• And not only this, but trying, and testing what we have heard with the Word of God.
• The promise is, “whosoever will call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved.”
• Not only saved from the lake of fire, but giving more earnest heed to the things that we have been taught will deliver us from many heartaches and sorrows in this life. 
• SO WE NEED TO GIVE MORE EARNEST HEED TO THE THINGS WE HAVE LEARNED, AND DON’T LET THEM SLIP AWAY FROM US.

(2)  For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; 

• And how did they know this?    These events are recorded in the Bible.

(3)  How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; 

• The answer is, we won’t escape, if we neglect this great plan of salvation God has provided for us, through Jesus of Nazareth.
• First told by Jesus, and then CONFIRMED by them that heard Him.  The Apostles, and other disciples.   HOW WAS IT CONFIRMED?

(4)  God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will? 

• And how do we know this?  It’s in the Bible.

(5)  For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak.  (6)  But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him?  (7)  Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honor, and didst set him over the works of thy hands:  (8)  Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him. 

• Paul elaborates on this in I Cor. 15, the resurrection chapter.  1Co 15:24-26 KJVR  Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.  (25)  For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.  (26)  The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

 

(9)  But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.  (10)  For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 

• The greatest story ever told.  We see it perfectly clear in our Bible. 
• These people had writings of Moses, and the prophets, and the testimonies of those that had been with Jesus.  This is what the writer is hoping they will see.  A reminder.

(11)  For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one:

• The word “sanctify” is a general term, meaning to make holy or pure; to consecrate, set apart, devote to God; to regard as holy, or to hallow. 
• All these apply to us when we are in Jesus.  We are pleasing to God when we are in Jesus.  As long as we are in our old flesh, we can’t be these things to God, we should certainly try to do our best, but we will find that we fall far short of a Holy, and Righteous God.  WE NEED JESUS.

for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,  (12)  Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.  (13)  And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me. 

• What a beautiful description of our relationship with the Lord. 
• Many times I sit amazed at how wonderful it would have been to have looked on His face.

(14)  Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same;

• 1Ti 3:16 KJVR  And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 

• This is why Jesus’ resurrection is so important to the Christian faith. 

(15)  And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 

• I know some people that are like this, held in fear, and bondage of dying.  Christian, build your faith, death is just another step in life for us.  Some of these Hebrews might have heard Peter say this in his first sermon.
• Act 2:31-32 KJVR  He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.  (32)  This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.

(16)  For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.  (17)  Wherefore in all things it behooved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.  (18)  For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted.

• Jesus showed us by the life He lived in the flesh that one could live a life pleasing to the Father.
• I’m afraid we live in a time that it is easier to yield to the temptation, and ask for forgiveness, rather than spend the time on our knees for the victory.

Let us not forget what Jesus said;  Rev 3:5 KJVR  He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

 

These Hebrews are being encouraged to stay faithful to their calling.  We should also take this as a warning to stand fast, to watch, and pray, for Jesus will be back soon for His church.