ASSASSIN
06-27-2008, 03:21 PM
Sunday School Lesson For June 26, 2008
ETERNAL CHRIST -
Hebrews 13:1-16
BACKGROUND:
All during the month of June, we have studied the Hebrews epistle, and followed along as the author neatly painted a picture of Jesus’ place in the religious arena. Last week we saw Jesus revealed as a trustworthy leader. Why? Because He had (and has) all the necessary credentials. Additionally, Jesus does not age, and He never fails...
But why is all this information necessary? Put simply, it’s because it is the foundation for a call to action. Man needs not to just READ about Jesus; he should alsso respond positively to Jesus’ life. Because of Him, everything is better; the future is secure, and the present is filled with hope...
Chapter 13 – the final chapter in this book – urges the Christian believer to go about his assigned duties without fear or trembling. Additionally, the writer points out that the motivation for this noble activity is a result of a better source of hope – not the temple and its altars, but Jesus Christ and His blood. It is relevant today: His blood can make us all whole...
UNCHANGING ACTIONS (Hebrews 13:1-6)
True brotherly love is not an every day occurrence. In its purest form, it is rare indeed. In truth, the kind of love here described (a combination of Godly [agape] love and brotherly [ Philadelphia ] love), exists almost exclusively in true religious circles. It is because of this that the statement “Let brotherly love continue” takes on added significance. The uniqueness of this relationship caused the Christians of that day to stand out in a special way. The writer urges this activity to continue. Also, there is within its meaning possibly the thought that Christians should be careful to avoid permitting this relationship to get “old” and “common”, thereby degrading itself into something lesser in value...
“Be not forgetful to entertain strangers…”. What does this mean? Remember what Jesus said when He sent out the seventy? His instructions (Luke 10:1-7) were commonplace in that day, and it worked because of people’s hospitality. Then there is the “surprise” element: you never know whom you are entertaining (Remember Abraham and Lot in Genesis 18 and 19?)...
Compassion is an emotion that causes people to act. It is one thing to pay a visit to someone in prison; it is another altogether to visit with compassion. When you look at that person in trouble, can you imagine yourself in that condition? If so, it will be reflected in your actions...
Marriage is mentioned here because in many societies of that day, it was completely acceptable for a man to visit prostitutes. It was therefore important that the writer here make it a point that God is not in favor of such activity. And unless one truly confesses to God and is forgiven of Him, that sin will meet him at Judgment...
A thief is a thief because he covets (wants/desires) something that does not belong to him. Even if you are not a thief, if you inwardly covet something that belongs to someone else, you have taken the first major step in that direction. Remember, God provides to the faithful the things they need...
UNCHANGING BELLIEFS (Hebrews 13:7-14)
Another translation of verse seven would admonish us to remember the instructions of our former leaders – those who during their lifetimes taught us well. This is important because these truths never change. What was “right” then continues to be “right” now...
There were also other considerations: it was necessary to call for a final break between Judaism and Christianity. Judaism was practiced by many priests at the temple in Jerusalem , and through the use of animal sacrifice. Christianity had only one Lamb, and He was killed outside the city (camp). What is interesting is that the Jews, on the day of Atonement, would do something very special: they would slay the animal in question, but unlike other sacrifice days, would permit no one to eat the meat. Rather, it (the leftover meat) was taken outside the city and burned...
UNCHANGING WORSHIP (Hebrews 13:15, 16)
The altar is no longer necessary – at least the sacrificial altar. One Offering covered everything. Bu there IS an offering that we need to give today: ..the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to his name…”. No more killing of innocent animals. No more blood on the altar. Just our lips praising God (cf. Psalm 150). Let us not get caught up in the ever-changing “modes” of worship in today’s churches. It is imperative that we worship from our hearts, and through our lips. It is personal testimony and praise to God that we leave at the altar in lieu of blood....
A
ETERNAL CHRIST -
Hebrews 13:1-16
BACKGROUND:
All during the month of June, we have studied the Hebrews epistle, and followed along as the author neatly painted a picture of Jesus’ place in the religious arena. Last week we saw Jesus revealed as a trustworthy leader. Why? Because He had (and has) all the necessary credentials. Additionally, Jesus does not age, and He never fails...
But why is all this information necessary? Put simply, it’s because it is the foundation for a call to action. Man needs not to just READ about Jesus; he should alsso respond positively to Jesus’ life. Because of Him, everything is better; the future is secure, and the present is filled with hope...
Chapter 13 – the final chapter in this book – urges the Christian believer to go about his assigned duties without fear or trembling. Additionally, the writer points out that the motivation for this noble activity is a result of a better source of hope – not the temple and its altars, but Jesus Christ and His blood. It is relevant today: His blood can make us all whole...
UNCHANGING ACTIONS (Hebrews 13:1-6)
True brotherly love is not an every day occurrence. In its purest form, it is rare indeed. In truth, the kind of love here described (a combination of Godly [agape] love and brotherly [ Philadelphia ] love), exists almost exclusively in true religious circles. It is because of this that the statement “Let brotherly love continue” takes on added significance. The uniqueness of this relationship caused the Christians of that day to stand out in a special way. The writer urges this activity to continue. Also, there is within its meaning possibly the thought that Christians should be careful to avoid permitting this relationship to get “old” and “common”, thereby degrading itself into something lesser in value...
“Be not forgetful to entertain strangers…”. What does this mean? Remember what Jesus said when He sent out the seventy? His instructions (Luke 10:1-7) were commonplace in that day, and it worked because of people’s hospitality. Then there is the “surprise” element: you never know whom you are entertaining (Remember Abraham and Lot in Genesis 18 and 19?)...
Compassion is an emotion that causes people to act. It is one thing to pay a visit to someone in prison; it is another altogether to visit with compassion. When you look at that person in trouble, can you imagine yourself in that condition? If so, it will be reflected in your actions...
Marriage is mentioned here because in many societies of that day, it was completely acceptable for a man to visit prostitutes. It was therefore important that the writer here make it a point that God is not in favor of such activity. And unless one truly confesses to God and is forgiven of Him, that sin will meet him at Judgment...
A thief is a thief because he covets (wants/desires) something that does not belong to him. Even if you are not a thief, if you inwardly covet something that belongs to someone else, you have taken the first major step in that direction. Remember, God provides to the faithful the things they need...
UNCHANGING BELLIEFS (Hebrews 13:7-14)
Another translation of verse seven would admonish us to remember the instructions of our former leaders – those who during their lifetimes taught us well. This is important because these truths never change. What was “right” then continues to be “right” now...
There were also other considerations: it was necessary to call for a final break between Judaism and Christianity. Judaism was practiced by many priests at the temple in Jerusalem , and through the use of animal sacrifice. Christianity had only one Lamb, and He was killed outside the city (camp). What is interesting is that the Jews, on the day of Atonement, would do something very special: they would slay the animal in question, but unlike other sacrifice days, would permit no one to eat the meat. Rather, it (the leftover meat) was taken outside the city and burned...
UNCHANGING WORSHIP (Hebrews 13:15, 16)
The altar is no longer necessary – at least the sacrificial altar. One Offering covered everything. Bu there IS an offering that we need to give today: ..the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to his name…”. No more killing of innocent animals. No more blood on the altar. Just our lips praising God (cf. Psalm 150). Let us not get caught up in the ever-changing “modes” of worship in today’s churches. It is imperative that we worship from our hearts, and through our lips. It is personal testimony and praise to God that we leave at the altar in lieu of blood....
A