Christ At the Center of It All

Passage: Hebrews 4:12-13

Main Idea: Jesus and the apostles used a new hermeneutical approach that saw the Old Testament Scriptures as authoritative, but relevant to their own lives and experiences. Therefore, they reimagined the Scriptures and centered it around Jesus Christ by revelation of the Father and Holy Spirit.

Message Goal: Reimagine your world through the lens of Scripture which speaks about Jesus Christ and His kingdom.

Introduction

Recently, I asked to Greek professors about the importance of maintaining an hermeneutical approach that warrants an understanding of absolute truth. My question intended to discover how they, as biblical scholars, reach an absolute conclusion or interpretation for the passages they are studying. To my surprise, one Greek scholar argued he does seek to come to an absolute conclusion. Rather, every interpreter is simply giving their best shot at interpreting Scripture. This response startled me. However, this is the response nearly every Bible interpreter might give to the question I posed to these gentlemen.

Every generation of scholars are trying to answer the question what does Jesus mean to us [this generation]?

This is the right question. However, it is often asked in the wrong order. The question of “what does Jesus mean to us?” should be answered. However, it should only be answered after the question of “what did Jesus mean to them?” is answered. The challenge of biblical interpretation demonstrates many people have forgotten to answer the question of what Jesus meant to the original Christians.

Sermon Points

Hebrews 4:12 offers a warning to the New Testament Church, because of the risk associated with disobeying God. He calls to record the old covenant nation of Israel. Essentially he argues that the word of God that was spoken long ago is still relevant and active now. He describes the word in five ways:

Quick- This word means alive or living. It is presented in the emphatic nature. To be alive means it is relevant today, though spoken long ago.

Powerful- The root word is the word energy. It means to be “in work.” The term means it is producing or capable of producing the intended goal; effective and active.

sharp- Seen as a judgment tool

piercing- penetrating

discerning- evaluating and judging

All of these terms are intending to communicate that the word of God is just as relevant and active today as it was in previous times.

Verse 12-13 creates a problem for the believers. For, they cannot run or avoid their sins. Rather, they must confront what God reveals and turn away out obedience to the Father.