Hebrews "Praise and give when it hurts"

Hebrews 13:15-16

Hebrews Intro

The Reformation Study Bible: English Standard Version (2015 Edition) Outline of Hebrews

OUTLINE OF HEBREWS

I. CHRIST IS SUPERIOR TO THE ANGELS (CHS. 1; 2)

A. Prologue: God’s Last and Best Word Is Spoken in His Son (1:1–4)

B. Scripture Testifies to the Son’s Greater Honor (1:5–14)

C. Exhortation Not to Neglect the Salvation Revealed through the Son (2:1–4)

D. The Son Became Like His Brothers as Our High Priest (2:5–18)

II. CHRIST IS SUPERIOR TO MOSES (3:1–4:13)

A. The Son Has Greater Honor Than Moses the Servant (3:1–6)

B. Exhortation Not to Imitate Those Who Disbelieved in the Wilderness (3:7–19)

C. Exhortation to Persevere and to Receive the Promise of End-Time Sabbath Rest (4:1–13)

III. CHRIST IS A SUPERIOR PRIEST TO ALL OTHER PRIESTS (4:14–7:28)

A. Christ the Incomparable Priest Who Instills Confidence in Believers to Approach God’s Throne for Help to Persevere in Their Belief (4:14–16)

B. Christ the Superlative High Priest according to the Order of Melchizedek (5:1–10)

C. Exhortation to Perseverance and Spiritual Maturity, and a Warning about Apostasy (5:11–6:12)

D. A Melchizedekian Priest Forever by Divine Oath (6:13–20)

E. A Priest Forever After the Order of Melchizedek (ch. 7)

IV. THE SUPERIOR PRIESTLY MINISTRY OF CHRIST (8:1–10:18)

A. A Superior Priestly Ministry in a Superior Heavenly Temple (8:1–5)

B. A Superior New Covenant (8:6–13)

C. A Superior Tabernacle (9:1–10)

D. A Superior Sacrifice That Cleanses the Conscience (9:11–28)

E. Christ’s Sacrifice Once for All (10:1–18)

V. CALL TO PERSEVERE IN FAITH (10:19–12:29)

A. A Superior Covenant Implies Greater Responsibility (10:19–39)

B. Examples of the Life of Faith (ch. 11)

C. Persevering by Focusing Faith on Jesus (12:1, 2)

D. True Children of God Persevere in Faith and Accept Discipline (12:3–17)

D. Coming to the Heavenly Jerusalem and Accepting the Voice of God Who Speaks There (12:18–29)

VI. CONCLUSION (CH. 13)

A. Final Exhortations to the Readers (13:1–19)

B. Benediction and Greetings (13:20–25)

The Reformation Study Bible: English Standard Version (2015 Edition) Characteristics and Primary Themes

CHARACTERISTICS AND PRIMARY THEMES

Hebrews’ high literary style and special focus on Christ’s high priesthood set it apart from other NT books. It is aptly described as a “word of exhortation,” for exhortation or encouragement is the heart of the book’s purpose (3:13; 6:18; 10:25; 12:5). The author repeatedly calls his readers to an active and courageous response (4:11, 14, 16; 6:1; 10:19–25).

A WORD OF EXHORTATION

Hebrews 3:13 ESV

13 But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

Hebrews 6:18 ESV

18 so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.

Hebrews 10:25 ESV

25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Hebrews 12:5 ESV

5 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him.

Calls readers to courage in their response

Hebrews 4:11 ESV

11 Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.

Hebrews 4:14 ESV

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.

Hebrews 4:16 ESV

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.

Hebrews 6:1 ESV

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,

Hebrews 10:19–25 ESV

19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 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. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

He calls them not to turn away from their faith (Hebrews 10:38-39 and fall into unbelief, but to persevere in their pilgrimage toward God’s rest and God’s city:

Hebrews 4:1 ESV

1 Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it.

Hebrews 4:2 ESV

2 For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened.

Hebrews 4:11 ESV

11 Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.

Hebrews 11:10 ESV

10 For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.

Hebrews 11:14–16 ESV

14 For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. 15 If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.

Hebrews 13:14 ESV

14 For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.

5 Warning Passages of Hebrews

1. Hebrews 2:1-4

"1We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. 2For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, 3how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. 4God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will."

2. Hebrews 4:12-13

"12For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account."

3. Hebrews 6:4-8

"4It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, 6if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace. 7Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. 8But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned."

4. Hebrews 10:26-31

"26If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, 27but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. 28Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? 30For we know him who said, "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," and again, "The Lord will judge his people." 31It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."

5. Hebrews 12:25-29

"25See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? 26At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, "Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens." 27The words "once more" indicate the removing of what can be shaken--that is, created things--so that what cannot be shaken may remain."

Hebrews 13 What do we do?

Words of Exhortation

God will give you power and strength to do this:

Hebrews 13:20–21 ESV

20 Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, 21 equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.