Search for the Church in Scripture

Christian Rest Part 1- Hebrews chapter 3:7-19

What person would reject an opportunity to rest? What Christian would reject a rest that God has for them? The Hebrew writer continues to demonstrate to the Hebrew Christians who are wavering in their faith that Jesus is superior! Not comes close. Greater than angles. Greater than the prophets who used to speak for God because He now speaks through Jesus. Jesus is greater than Moses. He now pauses to insert a warning! DON’T REPEAT the same mistake that the Hebrews who were led by Moses when they failed to enter the promise and enjoy the rest God had for them. We who follow Jesus also need to learn not to fail to enter the rest God is promising us. The writer reminds them of this historical example of God’s chosen people who failed to enter His rest. This applies to Christians today.  This is part one of the Christian rest.

Spiritual Unity in Diversity

Unity in Diversity is a powerful "buzz" word that you are hard pressed to go against. Being united with diversity is powerful. Our nation was built through a united nation with diverse cultures. It was not easy at times. As a nation diversity enables us to bring together unique talents and qualities to accomplish great things. However, there must be a line drawn when it comes to uniting diverse teachings about the bible concerning salvation. Christian churches are divided for a reason. They don’t believe the other churches are correct. Every church believes they are teaching the truth about how to be please God. So, it’s ironic when people want to unite all the diverse churches to accomplish good things in God’s name. This concept is also called ecumenicism.

”I hear voices”

Everyone Hears Voices. A person hearing voices are considered crazy. Mental psychosis such as schizophrenia hear voices, called auditory hallucinations. All most all schizophrenic patient’s voices are demeaning toward the patient and even tell them to do harmful things. Recent research has shown that many normal functioning people have auditory hallucinations. Normal people hear voices about things they have learned from parents, grandparents, teachers and mentors.  They speak every day to us without consciously knowing. You can’t stop them.

Be Confident - Hebrews Chapter 3:1-6

The writer has established the greatness of Jesus and the warning not to drift. Now, he deals with a more sensitive issue of showing how Jesus is greater than Moses. He does this by demonstrating three things. 1. He is greater in his office; he is an apostle and high priest. 2. He is superior in his work; he is the builder of God's house. 3. He is superior in his person because he is the son, not a servant like Moses. 

Warning: Don’t Drift

The Hebrew writer now moves to the first warning- Pay closer attention so you don't drift away. After showing the greatness of Jesus because He is the one who God speaks through and if the messages from God through the angels, when ignored suffered retribution how much greater will you if you neglect your salvation. This section of the letter is so well-crafted, weaving in it the previous thoughts into this warning.

Bringing Down Walls God’s Way

The story of walls of Jericho falling is one of the most favorite in children bible classes. But as adult Christians it seems to be lost in the Children section of our mind. We don't do it on purpose. Because of the influences of modern theologians and atheist have tried to reduce the Old Testament stories like the walls of Jericho, Jonah and the fish, destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah to allegories. That there were not real historical events. The way God destroyed Jericho is a real historical event. Nothing in the original languages indicate the writer was writing the story of Jericho allegorically. It was a very import first step for the Hebrews in conquering Cannan. There are many lessons they learn, but the greatest was that God will bring down any wall in your way. You may not believe in the strategy, but trust in the results. this is an important lesson for us today. We have many walls that keep us from serving God. Some even after God destroys the walls gather back up the bricks and rebuild the wall. You may not understand or agree with God's strategy to bring down the walls you face, trust in the results.

Lessons from the Book of Hebrews Chapter 1

this lesson we will start chapter one. last week we did an overview of the book. We begin the superiority of Jesus. Why is that important to us today? Why should we care if we believe Jesus is the Christ?

Introduction to Hebrews

We are now studying the amazing book of Hebrews. This episode covers an introduction/overview of the book.

Quick Fix

We live a lot of our lives by using quick fixes. Quick fixes are just that. they fix something quickly, but not permanently. They burry the problem for another day when we will apply another quick fix. The we have to look beyond the temporary soothing feeling the provide.  In the Bible one bother sold his birthright just for a bowl of soup! What are you doing with your spiritual birthright God has given to you?

Searching for the Church- Paul at Mars Hill

Continuing with the Paul’s 2nd missionary journey we start when he’s arrived in Athens waiting for Timothy and Silas. While waiting for them he does what Paul does best, goes to the local Synagogue to bring the good news about the fulfillment of the prophecies concerning the coming messiah.  The local Athenians hear what he is teaching and want to hear more about this Jesus and the resurrection. So, they take him to the place where they hold group discussions which is Mars hill. Fantastic opportunity for us to learn how Paul approaches people and the logic he uses.