Hebrews Conclusion
Notes
Transcript
Summary
Summary
We dont know exactly when the book was written.
The book would have had to be in circulation before the year 95 as it is directly referenced clement of Romes letter.
The two most likely time periods are either durning Nero’s persecution of the church in the year 68AD
or emperor Domitian in 82AD
The book seems to be written to a group of Jewish Christians who live within the roman empire.
The book is likely written to a group of christians who live in Rome. these Christians are tempted to turn back to Judaism as it was a legally recognized religion that wouldn't be subject to persecution
Persecution
Persecution
This church was under heavy persecution regardless of time frame
nothing comparable to anything experienced in North America
This was done as christians did not participate in imperial cult worship
We seen as the reason for problems, blamed for a fire the wrecked parts of Rome
Christians literally used as candles, burned to death, be headed and thrown to beasts for spectacle
Temptation
Temptation
the Jews protected (not loved)
Christians were tempted to apostate to be protected
Persuasion
Persuasion
The book of hebrews is a sermon. It is written to be read in one sitting.
The thesis I have been trying to get you all to see is that following Jesus is better than anything else
Jesus better than, Angles (1:4), Moses (3), Priest (4)
By stating this Jesus is better then all of the law prophets, sacrifices, priestly systems.
Jesus is the GOAT
with this Christians were encouraged to remain in the faith and not apostate
The church was called to not build anything new
1 Therefore 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 and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.
This encouraged this group to remember who they were and where they came from
Yet there was a very strong warning against turning from God.
With the chapters 8-11 showing how Jesus further fulfilled promises laid in the Old testament and was providing means of atonement for those who have remained faithfully
15 Therefore 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.
Those who are in christ have entered into a covenant with him as he has fulfilled everything that he set out to do and all the promises laid out before hand
We are again encouraged by the testimony of the believers who have come before us in the scripture with what is called the fall of fame
1 Therefore, 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, 2 looking 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.
Life in this Covenant
Life in this Covenant
With all of this in the in mind what are the believers now to do.
Todays text Hebrews 12:18–29 provides a picture of how we have transferred from one Covenant to another
These covenants are marked two different mountains in our text.
Siani 18-21
Siani 18-21
Who can tell me what Sinai was.
Horeb sini Sinai
Sinai is the mountain that the Moses met to lord on. this mountain became the centre point of the Jewish faith.
God gave the 10 commandments to Moses on t
5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; 6 and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.”
The people of Israel got their nation identity from Sinai, this was not only the mountain but all the land surrounding
all Jewish life was governed by Gods encounter at sinai this is what
18 Then I lay prostrate before the Lord as before, forty days and forty nights. I neither ate bread nor drank water, because of all the sin that you had committed, in doing what was evil in the sight of the Lord to provoke him to anger. 19 For I was afraid of the anger and hot displeasure that the Lord bore against you, so that he was ready to destroy you. But the Lord listened to me that time also.
This Covenant had the people in fear. as the author quotes in 12:21
This is the full display of the law of sin and death.
This law had so many commands that were all impossible to keep
ritual laws
cleanliness laws
cerimonial
moral
absolute
There were 613 commands that the people had to follow. they did so with varying success
Sinai was scary
16 On the morning of the third day there were thunders and lightnings and a thick cloud on the mountain and a very loud trumpet blast, so that all the people in the camp trembled. 17 Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they took their stand at the foot of the mountain. 18 Now Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke because the Lord had descended on it in fire. The smoke of it went up like the smoke of a kiln, and the whole mountain trembled greatly.
Sini represented something that is touchable and tangible. it something of this earth where the people saw God however there was a great fear in approaching this space.
Zion:22-24
Zion:22-24
The capital city of biblical Israel, and later of the southern kingdom of Judah. The central location for Israel’s self-understanding of life under God.
This was the city of God. the place where God dwells with man
This mountains is governed not by the law of sin and death
1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
This is what governs Zion
the people receiving the letter who had suffered and endured in the faith are now called to live in Zion
Zion will not pass away it will endure for forever. It is where Jesus currently rules and reign and will not pass away.
Contrast
Contrast
22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering,
the people are able to approach this space
through Jesus the high priest the people are able to come near to where God lived. Sini people were struck down from this but now the people through our great high priest are now able to come near to God.
this is the fulfilment of the priestly nation in
6 and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.”
The people have what some scholars have called a “priestly privilege” that comes through Jesus where they no longer are bound by the law but can approach God himself with out a mediator
24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
blood covenant
Abel:law of sin and death
Jesus Blood is way better and stronger
Abel blood cried for vengeance
10 And the Lord said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to me from the ground. 11 And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand.
yet Jesus blood called us into atonement and forgiveness
This blood enables the covenant to be inaugurated. better covenant: better promises, forgiveness of sins, transformation of hearts minds and lives, and direct access to God.
What Now?
What Now?
25 See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven.
The author of text true to form offers one final warning. This one is has the grace implications as Jesus warns from heaven.
Do not reject him or refuse his teaching.
the escape is referencing a judgment that comes to those who do refuse him. there is a call to follow, a call to accept, a call repent
one thing there is not is an indication of it being to late to turn back for those who are trending in the wrong direction
There is an explanation of this warning
26 At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” 27 This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain.
Gods voice shook the earth at Sinai. once again it will shake it in the final judgment.
there will come a final judgment when christ returns and all of heaven and earth will be shaken
for those who are in christ this is our hope, this is our peace.
The text indicate the removal of things that can be shaken Sinai was shaken and will be again
laws of this earth will be shaken, institutions will be shaken and removed.
8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
The holy City Zion will not be removed it will not be shaken
which one would be like to go with?
Are we the ones the apostle says reject christ and re crucify by creating new ways, remaining in the Law and the things of the world
4 For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt.
meaning those who have seen what God can do, see his Goodness, see his faithfulness yet fully reject his power wisdom and authority?
some hearts become too hard to consider repenting because they refuse to acknowledge christ the only means of repentance by willing-fully choosing the kind of belief that nailed Jesus to the cross they accept responsibility again for killing him - Craig keener
Or do we dwell in Zion and hold fast to Jesus regardless of the circumstance.
these are the ones who
14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For 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. 16 Let 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.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Putting our faith in Jesus means we are putting our hope in something that cannot be shaken everything on this earth will pass away yet Jesus remains.
We under the new covenant are citizens of Heaven.
13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
So what do we do with this?
28 Therefore 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, 29 for our God is a consuming fire.
We come to him as people who recognize Jesus Greatness, we come seeing his beauty and majesty
we see that we belong to heaven. and that our status with God will not be shaken even as the earth is.
We approach God reverently, with thanks giving and gracious hearts
24 For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.
The God of Israel is still jealous for his people. he still longs for his people. his love is live a consuming fire. who longs for us, desires us, and has done everything to have us
lets Give thanks to our amazing God.