Hebrews: Persevering Faith in the Superior Christ

Faithful Living

Wonder Lake Bible Church — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

Persevering faith is an obedient faith that progresses in righteous living. In part 16 of Hebrews: Persevering Faith in the Superior Christ, Pastor Dan Cox reads from Hebrews 13:1-25.

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Study Notes

Understanding the Text

1. Final Instructions (Hebrews 13:1-19)

Love with Christian love (Hebrews 13:1)
Practice hospitality (Hebrews 13:2)
Remember those in prison (Hebrews 13:3)
Honor marriage (Hebrews 13:4)
Be content with what you have (Hebrews 13:5-6)
Imitate the faithful (Hebrews 13:7-8)
Hold fast to sound teaching (Hebrews 13:9-14)
Continually offer sacrifices of praise and good works (Hebrews 13:15-16)
Submit to spiritual leadership (Hebrews 13:17)
Pray for others (Hebrews 13:18)

2. Final Prayer (Hebrews 13:20-21)

May God… through Christ…

Equip you for service
Transform your character

3. Final Greetings (Hebrews 13:22-25)

Persevere to maturity in the superior Christ

Applying the Text

Are you holding fast to faith in Christ?
Are you progressing in Christian maturity?

Stand Firm in Faith

Wonder Lake Bible Church — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

Genuine faith perseveres and progresses, but those who turn away from the call of God will be rejected forever. In part 15 of Hebrews: Persevering Faith in the Superior Christ, Pastor Dan Cox reads from Hebrews 12:12-29.

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Study Notes

Israel, the Church and the Book of Hebrews….

Three Summary Exhortations

Keep running your race (Hebrews 12:12-17)
Consider Sinai and Zion (Hebrews 12:18-24)
Heed the voice of God (Hebrews 12:25-29)

Understanding the Text

Keep running your race (Hebrews 12:12-17)
1. Strengthen and straighten (Hebrews 12:12-13a)
2. Encourage others (Hebrews 12:13b)
3. Live in peace (Hebrews 12:14a)
4. Pursue holiness (Hebrews 12:14b)
5. Watch out for others (Hebrews 12:15-17)
Consider Sinai and Zion (Hebrews 12:18-24)
1. Mt. Sinai (Hebrews 12:18-21)
2. Mt. Zion (Hebrews 12:22-24)
Heed the voice of God (Hebrews 12:25-29)
1. Do not turn away (Hebrews 12:25-27)
2. Be thankful (Hebrews 12:28a)
3. Worship God with reverence and awe (Hebrews 12:28b-29)

Applying the Text

Do you believe?
Are you standing firm in faith?
Are you pursuing spiritual growth?

The Encouragement of Discipline

Wonder Lake Bible Church — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

We can be encouraged through hardship and discipline because it proves God’s love for us as He works for our good. In part 14 of Hebrews: Persevering Faith in the Superior Christ, Pastor Dan Cox reads from Hebrews 12:4-11.

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Study Notes

Understanding the Text

Reminders (Hebrews 12:4-6)
Exhortation (Hebrews 12:7a)
Illustration (Hebrews 12:7b-11)

Discipline…

Demonstrates God’s love
Proves we are God’s children
Results in God’s good purposes

God’s good purposes…

Holiness
Harvest of righteousness and peace

Applying the Text

Are you grateful for God’s discipline?
Are you growing in holiness, righteousness and peace?

Run Your Race

Wonder Lake Bible Church — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

If we are to successfully complete the long distance race of the Christian life, we must set aside any hindrances or entangling sins and keep our eyes focused on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. In part 13 of Hebrews: Persevering Faith in the Superior Christ, Pastor Dan Cox reads from Hebrews 12:1-3.

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Study Notes

Understanding the Text

Exhortations (Hebrews 12:1)
1. Throw off everything that hinders
2. Throw off the sin that so easily entangles
3. Run your race with perseverance
Examples (Hebrews 12:1-2)
1. The cloud of witnesses
2. Jesus
Encouragement (Hebrews 12:3)
1. Consider Him…
2. The weary heart…

Applying the Text

What hinders your race?
What sin do you need to confess and forsake?
Where are your eyes focused?

The Journey of Faith

Wonder Lake Bible Church — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

The lives of faithful men and women teach us that faith is a journey filled with both joy and grief, security and danger, “success” and “failure,” long life and martyrdom. We will not receive the full measure of our faith’s reward until the end of the age. In part 12 of Hebrews: Persevering Faith in the Superior Christ, Pastor Dan Cox reads from Hebrews 11:4-40.

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Study Notes

Understanding the Text

The Highlight Reel…

The Rest of the Story…

The End of the Beginning…

Principles from the Text

Faith pleases God
Faith believes God regardless of appearances
Faith is critically tested
Faith leaves a legacy
Faith chooses hardship over sinful pleasures
Faith is rewarded in both the mundane and the miraculous
Faith perseveres through human sin and weakness
Faith may bring great earthly comfort or great earthly hardship
Faith will bring infinitely great heavenly reward

Applying the Text

The Journey of Faith…

The Nature of Faith

Wonder Lake Bible Church — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

Faith—settled confidence in what God has declared and promised—greatly pleases God, and He delights to reward those who earnestly seek Him. In part 11 of Hebrews: Persevering Faith in the Superior Christ, Pastor Dan Cox reads from Hebrews 11:1-6.

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Study Notes

Understanding the Text

Essence of Faith (Hebrews 11:1)

Sure of what we hope for… certain of what we do not see…
Faith: Settled confidence that God will do what He said He will do

Examples of Faith (Hebrews 11:2-5)
Importance of Faith (Hebrews 11:6)

Principles from the Text

Faith is settled confidence in God’s character and promises
God is pleased with faith
God rewards persistent faith

Applying the Text

Do you trust God’s character and believe His promises?
Do you think your faith pleases God?
Are you earnestly seeking God?

Let Us Continue in Faith

Wonder Lake Bible Church — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

Since we have full access to Heaven through our great High Priest, let us continue strong in faith. In part 10 of Hebrews: Persevering Faith in the Superior Christ, Pastor Dan Cox reads from Hebrews 10:19-39.

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Study Notes

The Most Holy Place… Opened Forever… To All Who Believe

Exhortation (Hebrews 10:19-25)

Let Us…

Draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith
Hold unswervingly to the hope we profess
Consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds
Not give up meeting together

Warning (Hebrews 10:26-39)

Jesus is the ONLY Way
God will judge those who continue to rebel against Him
God will reward those who persevere in faith

John MacArthur: Examine Yourself (2 Corinthians 13:5)

The holiness of Psalm 15
The justice, kindness and humility of Micah 6:8
The Beatitudes of Matthew 5:3-12
The love of 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
The fruit of Galatians 5:22-23
The thinking of Philippians 4:8
The basics of 1 Thessalonians 5:14-22
The qualities of 2 Peter 1:5-9
The features of truth, obedience and love in 1 John
The pattern of Revelation 1:3

James MacDonald: “Eternal Assurance: Five Marks of an Authentic Christian”

An authentic Christian increasingly:

Loves deeply. As a true follower of Jesus Christ, you love God and others more as time goes on.
Obeys faithfully. You used to do your own thing but since you’ve come to Christ, you’re now more concerned with what God wants you to do.
Lives authentically. I just want to be real. A true follower of Christ says, No more games. I want an honest, transparent testimony of God at work in my life.
Knows completely. A true follower of Christ isn’t content with surface knowledge of the Lord. The more you know Him, the more you want to know Him.
Believes confidently. Confidence replaces anxiety and trust is swapped for fear in the life of the true follower of Christ.

Applying the Text

Does your life give evidence of genuine faith?
Do you pray earnestly for others?

The Better Covenant of Our Superior High Priest

Wonder Lake Bible Church — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

Through His once-for-all-time sacrifice, Jesus has initiated a new covenant that has made us clean, holy and free of all guilt for sin forever. In part 9 of Hebrews: Persevering Faith in the Superior Christ, Pastor Dan Cox reads from Hebrews 7:1 – 10:18.

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Study Notes

Mysterious Melchizedek…

Melchizedek as a “type” of Christ…

The Author’s Flow of Thought…

Jesus, the Superior High Priest

– His priesthood is permanent

– He saves completely

– He lives to intercede for us

– He is holy and blameless, exalted above the heavens

– His sacrifice is once for all

– He is the mediator of a new, better covenant

– His is a superior cleansing

– His is an eternal inheritance

– His sacrifice makes perfect

God’s Gift of Eternal Blessing

Applying the Text

Have you received the Gift?
Are you walking with the Gift Giver?

Hope: The Anchor of Our Souls

Wonder Lake Bible Church — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

God has covenanted with Himself to give us eternal salvation – the hope and anchor of our souls through good times and bad. In part 8 of Hebrews: Persevering Faith in the Superior Christ, Pastor Dan Cox reads from Hebrews 6:13-20.

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Study Notes

Biblical Hope

The Christian’s Hope

Understanding the Text

The Certainty of Our Hope (Hebrews 6:13-18)
1. God’s promise
2. God’s oath
3. Unchangeable things
The Security of Our Hope (Hebrews 6:19-20)
1. An anchor for the soul
2. Heavenly anchorage
3. Our superior high priest

Applying the Text

Where have you dropped anchor?

The Sure Hope of Perseverance

Wonder Lake Bible Church — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

Perseverance gives the genuine believer sure hope, but no such assurance can be given to those who do not continue in the faith. In part 7 of Hebrews: Persevering Faith in the Superior Christ, Pastor Dan Cox reads from Hebrews 6:4-12.

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Study Notes

Perseverance: To stand firm in faith, to remain vitally connected to Christ.

Three Interpretations

These are genuine believers who turn away from their faith and lose their salvation
This is a hypothetical situation designed to warn immature Christians of the need to grow in faith or else face severe divine discipline
These are “professing Christians” only- they are not genuine believers- and their falling away proves their insincerity

Understanding the Text

Warning against falling away (Hebrews 6:4-8)
Confidence and sure hope (Hebrews 6:9-12)

The Debate: Is the believer secure?

Some thoughts on the issue…

While acknowledging the difficulty of the issue and the strong emotions that often come with this debate, I believe both sides are biblically defensible
While very important, the matter is not an essential of the faith
Profession of faith, intellectual assent, affiliation with a church, involvement in church ministries or even powerful emotional religious experiences do not necessarily make for a genuine conversion
Scripture embraces various paradoxical tensions such as the Trinity and divine sovereignty/human responsibility. I believe one such tension is the security of the believer and the simultaneous charge/ warning to continue holding firm in faith
I believe that genuine believers in Christ will be held securely in Christ until the end, and therefore will persevere until the end. But, I also acknowledge the reality of doubt, besetting sins and even seasons of struggle and disobedience
All believers will appear at the judgment seat of Christ to be rewarded, or, suffer loss of rewards

Applying the Text

Is your hope sure?

The Call to Spiritual Maturity

Wonder Lake Bible Church — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

All followers of Jesus have been called to progress on to spiritual maturity. In part 6 of Hebrews: Persevering Faith in the Superior Christ, Pastor Dan Cox reads from Hebrews 5:11 – 6:3.

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Study Notes

Understanding the Text

1. Rebuke for Spiritual Immaturity (Hebrews 5:11-14)

The spiritually immature are:

slow to learn
underachievers
spiritual milk drinkers only
lazy
undiscerning

2. Exhortation to Spiritual Maturity (Hebrews 6:1-3)

The spiritually mature move beyond the basics of:

repentance
faith
elementary doctrine

The spiritually mature are progressing in:

Doctrine
Wisdom
Obedience
Righteousness
Service
Love

Some keys to spiritual growth include:

Faithful study of God’s Word
Regular communion with God in prayer
Obedience
Fellowship with other believers
Service
Moving beyond “comfort zones”
Trials & discipline

Applying the Text

Got milk? or Got meat?

Jesus Our High Priest

Wonder Lake Bible Church — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

Because Jesus our High Priest was tempted in every way as we are, He can help us in our weakness as we boldly approach the throne of grace. In part 5 of Hebrews: Persevering Faith in the Superior Christ, Pastor Dan Cox reads from Hebrews 4:14 – 5:10.

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Study Notes

The Description of Jesus Our High Priest (Hebrews 4:14)

He is great
He has gone through the heavens
He is the Son of God

Only those who believe will enter God’s rest…

We will all give account to God…

We have a Superior High Priest…

THEREFORE….. Hold firm to the faith you profess!

The Ministry of Jesus Our High Priest (Hebrews 4:15-16)

He sympathizes with our weaknesses
He has been tempted in every way, just as we are
He was without sin
He gives mercy and grace to help in our time of need

The Order of Jesus Our High Priest (Hebrews 5:1-10)

Aaronic high priests represented the people to God
Aaronic high priests could be gentle with people because of their own weaknesses
Aaronic high priests offered sacrifices for their own sins
Every high priest must be called and appointed by God
Jesus was appointed a high priest forever in the order of Melchizedek
Jesus our perfect high priest is the source of eternal salvation

Principles from the Text

Jesus really does understand our weaknesses
Jesus our sinless sympathizer offers mercy and grace to those who are struggling
Jesus our perfect Savior offers eternal salvation to all who believe

Applying the Text

Are you holding fast to the faith you profess?
Do you run confidently to the throne of grace for help?

The Call to Enter God’s Rest

Wonder Lake Bible Church — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

God has promised His rest- spiritual blessing and eternal salvation- to those who combine hearing with faith. In part 4 of Hebrews: Persevering Faith in the Superior Christ, Pastor Dan Cox reads from Hebrews 4:1-13.

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Study Notes

God’s Rest

The Meaning: Unfathomable Spiritual Blessing
The Availability: Now
The Requirement: Faith
The Time to Believe: Today!
The Judge: The Word of God

Principles from the Text

God offers His rest- unfathomable spiritual blessing- to those who believe
Those who hear the good news- but do not believe- will not enter God’s rest
The time to believe is today!
The Word of God judges our hearts
All will give an account to God

Applying the Text

Have you heard and believed the good news?
Are you persevering in faith and obedience?
Are you living with eternity in mind?

The Believing Heart

Wonder Lake Bible Church — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

We must fix our eyes on Jesus, who is superior to Moses. The believing heart will hold firmly to Christ till the end. In part 3 of Hebrews: Persevering Faith in the Superior Christ, Pastor Dan Cox reads from Hebrews 3:1-19.

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Study Notes

Review- The Superior Christ:

Supremely reveals God’s truth, glory and majesty
Demands careful attention
Reigns over all
Has triumphed over Satan, sin and death
Is our holy brother and helpful high priest

The Superior Christ:

Is worthy of greater honor than Moses (Hebrews 3:1-6)
Is worthy of a faithful and believing heart (Hebrews 3:7-19)

Principles from the Text

The believer’s focus should be on Jesus
Genuine faith is a persevering faith
God punishes disobedience and unbelief

Applying the Text

Are you persevering in faith?
Is Jesus the focal point of your heart and mind?

Jesus Our Holy, Helpful Brother

Wonder Lake Bible Church — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

The Superior Christ, who demands our careful attention, was made human like us. By triumphing over Satan and death, He can help us who are tempted. In part 2 of Hebrews: Persevering Faith in the Superior Christ, Pastor Dan Cox reads from Hebrews 2:1-18.

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Study Notes

The Superior Christ:

Demands careful attention (Hebrews 2:1-4)
Reigns over all (Hebrews 2:5-8)
Tasted death for everyone (Hebrews 2:9)
Was made perfect through suffering (Hebrews 2:10)
Is our holy brother (Hebrews 2:11-13)
Has triumphed over Satan and death (Hebrews 2:14-15)
Is our helpful High Priest (Hebrews 2:16-18)

Principles from the Text

Those who have heard the gospel must not drift away
Jesus is Lord of all
Jesus has triumphed over sin and death
Jesus is our holy Brother who helps those who are tempted

Applying the Text

Are you standing firm in this great salvation?
Are you following the lead of your Savior?
Do you go to your Brother for help with temptation?

The Superior Revelation in Jesus Christ

Wonder Lake Bible Church — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

God has spoken supremely in His Son. Are you listening? In part 1 of Hebrews: Persevering Faith in the Superior Christ, Pastor Dan Cox reads from Hebrews 1:1-14.

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Study Notes

Introduction to Hebrews

How can I hold on to my faith in the midst of great trial and difficulty?
Is my Christian faith superior to other religions?
Can I lose my salvation in Christ?
What is faith?
What should my faith look like in action?

Author: Unknown

Date: Late 60’s AD

Recipients: Jewish Christians (“Hebrews”)

Purpose: To encourage persecuted Jewish Christians to stand firm in their faith, and warn them against falling back into Judaism

Themes

The absolute superiority of Jesus Christ
The necessity of persevering in faith

Perseverance: To stand firm in faith, to remain vitally connected to Christ.

Understanding the Text

The Superior Revelation in the Son (Hebrews 1:1-2a)
The Superior Nature of the Son (Hebrews 1:2b-3)
The Superiority of the Son over Angels (Hebrews 1:4-14)

Principles from the Text

God’s truth is found supremely in Jesus Christ
God’s glory and majesty are revealed supremely in Jesus Christ
Christ’s sacrifice purifies believers from their sins

Applying the Text

Have you heard God speak through His Son?
Are you continuing to listen to the Son?