Sound Teaching

A discussion of the purpose and practice of the Lord’s Supper in the Lord’s church.  Audio only (the video did not stream).

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Chapter 9 ends the argumentation contrasting the worship and priesthood under the Old Covenant with Jesus and His New Covenant. It is a stark contrast.

As high priest Jesus’ ministry is in heaven, not the tabernacle. “Heaven itself” is better than that sanctuary made by the hands of men. The atonement sacrifice of Jesus, as it is contrasted with the blood sacrifice of the high priest yearly, is also better. Jesus did not offer Himself often because His sacrifice on the cross finished the work of atonement. In effect, the sin problem that had plagued mankind from Adam and Eve was resolved. Now, through faith in Jesus, all men can received God’s grace and redemption. This happened because Jesus’ blood was shed as the final sacrifice for sin. The writer indicates this by noting if Jesus’ blood was not sufficient (like the blood of bulls and goats), His sacrifice would have had to be offered from the time of Adam until the present.

So, though Christ remains as High Priest. That aspect of priestly service is done. He offered the sin sacrifice of Himself. Because He did, such sacrifices are no longer needed!

The applications for the call to steadfastness are myriad. As we live our lives here on earth, we are challenged. There are tests of our faith that come through temptation, trial, even success. The devil is quite willing and capable to use anything in our existence to seek our spiritual demise. The loss of a loved one can cause despair. Difficulties with health or age can cause severe depression. The elation of financial or professional success can change our priorities to self rather than God. We could go on and on.

All of these can impact a Christian’s faith. The Lord calls upon each man to “deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it” (Luke 9:23-24). But each of us can supply personal anecdotes relating how Jesus’ call is often unheeded. Those personal anecdotes from time to time may be extremely personal – we ourselves may be the one’s who falter.

The Lord’s advice is to consider the value of steadfastness. When we recognize our preeminent purpose in life is to prepare ourselves for eternity, it makes our commitment seem worthy of any sacrifice. Paul put it this way: “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58).

One synonym of “covenant” is “testament.” The Hebrew writer uses that concept here. As we know, a testament (or will) goes into effect at the death of the one making the testament (or will). As it relates to Jesus’ testament, will, covenant – it was not until Jesus died that it came into being or “in force” (17).

This means that when Jesus died, the Old Testament was no longer in force. It was superseded by the New Testament of Christ. Christ’s testament is superior to the Old Testament, ratified by God’s servant Moses. Moses took the blood of calves and goats, sprinkling it on the covenant, tabernacle and the people to solemnize the agreement that the Jews had with God. “This is the blood of the covenant which God has commanded you” (20).

Blood is required for there to be remission of sins. Such remission is found under the New Covenant, rather than the Old Covenant. This shows that the blood of the bulls and goats that Moses used could not solve the problem of sin (cf 9:13-14; 10:4). Only in Christ’s blood, in the New Covenant, can remission be found! (cf. 10:10).

The lessons we learn from God’s judgment of Belshazzar, King of Babylon, in Daniel 5 are invaluable to us as we deal with our own sins in God’s presence.

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We are familiar with Peter’s use of God’s words in the book of Leviticus (11:44-45; 19:2; 20:7), “Be holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16). Here we see that our own holiness has a compelling reason. We are imitating God! This was Peter’s thesis in his text, “but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct” (1:15).

While we may have some concept of holiness, let’s consider God’s definition as found in the Greek language. The Greek word hagios denotes something that is sacred. It has reference to an object that has been separated from what is common, and is therefore worthy of veneration. In reference to a man, it is used to indicate moral goodness. Someone who is pure, sinless, upright. The Old Testament Hebrew word qados is used essentially in the same way. Continue reading “Be Holy” →

One of the things that stands out for me in Paul’s personal letter to Philemon, is the character of the one to which he is writing. He called Philemon his beloved friend. These words were not mere flattery. Rather they were true praise for a man of strong character.

We acknowledge Paul’s purpose in writing. He wanted Philemon to do as he asked. Philemon’s slave, a man called Onesimus, had run away. While on the run, he met Paul and was converted. Rather than receiving punishment, Paul not only wanted Philemon to forgive the slave, but all to relinquish him to Paul, so that he might assist Paul in his work. This was a big ask, but Paul had confidence and his carefully worded letter would be successful. He believed this because he knew Philemon well. Continue reading “An Example of Christian Character” →

Christ as a High Priest is here compared to the service rendered in the tabernacle under the old covenant. Christ serves in the “more perfect tabernacle not made with hands” (11). This is a reference to the throne room of God in heaven itself.

Christ’s work as High Priest was to offer His own blood for our redemption. This was an act that was done only once. Jesus’ blood (unlike the blood of “goats and calves”) could truly redeem man. His blood (the blood of God’s son in the flesh – an unblemished and sinless sacrifice – was sufficient to purchase us from sin’s bondage.

There is a contrast here between the physical sacrifices offered under the Old Covenant. It is said they only sanctify “for the purifying of the flesh” (13). This indicates a physical and symbolic work, that fell short of full and complete redemption from sin. In contrast, the blood of Christ, offered to God in heaven itself, has the power to “cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God” (14). We are truly cleansed spiritually. Because of this we “may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance” (15).

Q: What has an outside that you cook and eat, and an inside that you throw away? A: An ear of corn! Maybe kind of lame, but just one of the riddles we read and tried to answer with our grandkids early this week. We had a lot of fun! There was laughter and ribbing, and a good time had by all. I asked my grandson what was his favorite riddle, and he said the one that his sister had challenged us with. Q: What has hair but is not human? A: MY GRANDSON!

I am often reminded of Proverbs 17:6, “Children’s children are the crown of old men, And the glory of children is their father.” Those of us who have grandchildren, whether one or a dozen, are truly blessed by our God. They bring us so much joy with their vitality, purity and loving nature.

We are also to consider their vulnerability, and the importance of being a godly influence to all who are young. The Psalmist wrote, “But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children’s children, to such as keep His covenant, and to those who remember His commandments to do them” (Psalms 103:17-18).

May all who read this be on guard for the spiritual welfare of our children and grandchildren! They are the next generation of soldiers in the army of the Lord!

In this lesson we examine Matthew 11:20-24.  All of us have received so many blessings in Christ.  Our great blessings bring great responsibilities. We must all repent and serve God!

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