Sound Teaching

Here is another point of contrast between Jesus as High Priest, and the priests under the old covenant. If Jesus were on earth, he would not be a priest. The earthly priesthood (Jewish or Levitical) had already been tasked with offering up gifts according to that law.

This included (as seen in our text) all that which was revealed by Moses. It is important to note that those fleshly things, like the sacrifices, and the tabernacle itself were a “copy and shadow of the heavenly things.” This is that type/antitype comparison. The old law, Levitical priesthood, the animal sacrifices, and the temple/tabernacle were types.

The antitype, Jesus, has “obtained a more excellent ministry.” The new law is “better” than the the old law. The new priesthood is better than the old priesthood. The new sacrifice (Christ Himself) is better than the old animal sacrifices. Heaven itself, where Christ serves as High Priest, is far better than the physical tabernacle or temple!

Finally, the promises are better as well. Eternal life in the presence of God is infinitely better than the physical blessings given to the Jews.

In Peter’s second letter he refers to his purpose in writing both epistles, “in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder” (2 Peter 3:1).

Two things in this phrase are worth mentioning. Peter first considered the minds of his readers as “pure.” This is from the Greek word eilikrin?s. This word is a compound word taken from one which means judge, and another which means sun-ray. I love the imagery, judged by the sun! In effect, something that is unsullied, it is seen to be pure when it is seen by the light of day. God’s examination of Peter’s readers show them to be among the faithful, true servants of the Almighty.

And yet there was danger. They needed what we all need, for our minds to be stirred up! This means we need active minds, those which are stimulated or aroused, in this context by reminding them of things they already knew. In his first epistle it was a call to holy living and an adherence to God’s will (cf. 1 Peter 1:13-17, 22-25; 2:9-24; 3:8-22; 4:3-7, 12-19; 5:4, 8-11). In this second epistle, the entire second chapter consists of the warning to avoid false teachers and their error!

It’s good whenever we are reminded of the things of God. It is important to review, to be stirred up and be mindful of God’s word!

The inspiration for this short article comes from my son’s fine sermon (6/14/21) titled Spiritual Sobriety. Early in the lesson he spoke of the reasons why people today drink alcohol. One of the main reasons is that alcohol lowers inhibitions. Alcohol is a depressant to the body. It slows you down (your reflexes and brain). It also clouds judgment and lowers self-control. It slows down the pre-frontal cortex which acts as the command center for executive function, impulse control, and long-term consequence planning. It also alters neurotransmitters further relaxing the brain and reducing restraint, making rational decision-making much more difficult.

Sounds bad, doesn’t it. And yet people love to drink! Why? These effects feel good! People fell less stressed, often have more (though misplaced) confidence, and because they feel “loose” laugh and interact more easily. Later on, they may regret what they say or how they interact, but in the moment they feel good. Continue reading “Heightened Inhibitions” →

Preacher: Josh Cox.

A lesson taken from 1 Peter 5:8-9 showing the importance of a sober life as Christian in order to protect ourselves against the Devil.

Audio
PPTX (Right Click to SAVE)
YouTube Video of Sermon

<<———><><———>>

I came across a phrase with which I was not familiar the other day, “hedonic adaptation.” Looking up the meaning of the phrase I read, “Hedonic adaptation is the psychological tendency to quickly return to a relatively stable level of happiness after major positive or negative life events. Also known as the ‘hedonic treadmill,’ it explains why the initial thrill of a new purchase or a major life milestone eventually fades, bringing our emotions back to a baseline set point.” Simply put, it is getting used to pleasure!

The conversation which used this phrase used it in the context of social commentary on our culture. The man quoted from Warren Buffett, a philanthropist who as of this year is the ninth wealthiest man in the world (146 Billion dollars). Buffett was talking about an earlier rich man, John D. Rockefeller who lived from 1839- 1937. Rockefeller was the richest man in the United States, and the world at that time. Adjusted for inflation, his net worth is estimated to have been between 400 and 600 Billion dollars. Continue reading “Hedonic Adaptation” →

The Hebrew writer’s discussion of Melchizedek was given to prove an important point. As Christians, we have a uniquely effective high priest. All of the attributes of Melchizedek. – without end, both Priest and King, show him to be a type of Jesus Christ. These point to a High Priest, “who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens” (1).

As such, Jesus is a Minister of something far greater than the physical tabernacle or temple. Solomon built a temple to God. The true place of God is heaven itself where Jesus Christ reigns at the right hand of His Father. This is the tabernacle where He serves as High Priest.

Not only does Jesus serve as High Priest, He is also the once for all sin offering for mankind. The blood of bulls and goats, offered by the Levitical priests, could not take away sin (10:4). In contrast the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross was sufficient to appease the justice of God.

Since it is the duty of a high priest to offer “both gifts and sacrifices” (3), Jesus fulfills His purpose in offering Himself to God for man.

Have you read the description of the Cretans in Paul’s letter to Titus? “They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work” (Titus 1:16). His assessment agrees with a Cretan prophet who said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons” (1:12). Paul had also described these people as being idle talkers, deceivers, subverters of whole households, teaching things they ought not for the sake of dishonest gain (1:10-11)

Paul had left Titus in Crete (1:5) to appoint elders in every city, to help deal with these people. They were to be men of faithfulness regarding doctrine, that were “able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict” (1:9).

Titus himself had a responsibility in the midst of this conflict with evil men. Paul wrote to him, “Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth” (Titus 1:13-14). Continue reading “Cretans Are Always Liars” →

The period of the judges, revealed in the book by the same name was by and large a time of darkness in Israel. The land was only partially subjugated by the Jews, and there were uprisings and battles throughout the period. One of the primary purposes of any judge was to deliver Israel during times of conflict. A verse in chapter 17 indicates how ignorance and anarchy was often present, “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (17:6).

This verse occurs in the specific context of a man named Micah, who was practicing idolatry. “The man Micah had a shrine, and made an ephod and household idols; and he consecrated one of his sons, who became his priest” (5).

This shows that at that time, the laws of Israel were not being kept. No king was there to enforce the law. Further, as the law was the law of God, men were only doing their will, not God’s.

The same is often true today. Especially regarding obedience to God. Rather than following His will exclusively, too many are doing “what is right in [their] own eyes.”  This is not, nor ever has been acceptable. God has revealed His complete will for us, (James 1:25). That will is to submitted to and followed by every man. No exceptions!

Claims have been made that God is not fair throughout history.  Nehemiah had the proper perspective as a penitent and righteous man to destroy such thoughts in Nehemiah 9. God is certainly fair in His dealings with man!

Audio
PPTX (Right Click to SAVE)
YouTube Video of Sermon

<<———><><———>>

As we note the superiority of Jesus Christ as High Priest, the writer says that He was “fitting for us.” In this final dispensation, the achievement of God’s scheme of redemption for man is accomplished by the fitting character of Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son.

Jesus is holy. As Peter wrote, “who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth” (1 Peter 2:22). He has been exalted by God (cf. Philippians 2:9-11). Because of its efficacy, the sacrifice for sins (Himself) accomplished our redemption at a single stroke. The difference between Jesus and the High Priests of the Old Covenant (men as sinners who had to sacrifice for their own sins as well) is stark.

The Divine oath of God, promising Christ as “a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek” (21), shows the covenant under which Jesus serves to be better than the old law (Mosaic) which appointed men who had weaknesses (sins).

This truth, that Jesus ministers as a Priest under a new covenant, shows this covenant to be superior, a point which is found in chapter 8.

The title of the first book of the Bible, Genesis, is a greek word meaning “origin” or “beginning.” Similarly, the Hebrew title is taken from the first phrase, “In the beginning.”

The book of Genesis gives us a glimpse of the origin of humanity. It has fallen into disrepute in the last couple of centuries as men have developed other ideas regarding our beginning. Science has adopted the theory of evolution to describe how we came about. Due to the scientific method of inquiry, the theory has limitations. Though it has been accepted as correct by a large part of the world’s population.
In contrast, faith in an Omnipotent Creator as an explanation for our existence has lost adherents over the years.

Here are a few things I would like for you to consider:

• The scientific method relies upon the validation of hypotheses through repeated experimentation leading to consistent data. This is why the concept of evolution between kinds (a Biblical concept) has not been validated. It can’t be observed scientifically, as what is posited is to have taken place over millions of years.
• The data that exists regarding both stellar evolution and the evolution of life can be described in light of a supernatural omnipotent being. The fact that this is not demonstrable by the scientific method, or that its origin is ancient, does not mean its not true. For the Christian, the belief that “God made it that way” is unacceptable to much of modern society. There is a bias regarding our own time. Progress in technology and scientific discoveries have made men arrogant, thinking we are brighter than those who have gone on before.
• Scientific views of where, when and how life originated can’t be scientific. They are speculations based upon the theory of evolution itself. Science is limited in this way.

The Bible says, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1); and, “Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’ So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them” (Genesis 1:26-27).

There is a reason why this explanation has staying power, though some have rejected it. It is truth, and all you have to do is look at the universe to see the beautiful proof of design and that Designer! “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork.” (Psalms 19:1). Many choose science as their religion. We look at the evidence and know our God and Father to be from where we came!

In Psalm 32:5, King David wrote the following words, “I acknowledged my sin to You [God], and my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,’ and You forgave the iniquity of my sin.” What a blessing and joy to know that if we are willing to confess and repent of our sins, God is always just to forgive us!

The apostle John in his first letter stated the same sentiment with the same exact confidence, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

Toward the end of David’s psalm he wrote, “Many sorrows shall be to the wicked; but he who trusts in the LORD, mercy shall surround him. Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous; and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!” (10-11).

The way of wickedness leads to perdition and sorrow. Anecdotal examples are all around us. It is a lie to think that happiness and value can be seen in a live lived for self rather than God. Only eternal sorrow is the end of those who reject God.

But, as Christians, we have every reason to rejoice! You note that David instructs, “Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous.” O how wonderful is our God! How worthy of praise is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!