Sound Teaching

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!

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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!

Near his death, David instructed Solomon to build the temple of the Lord, which he did.  David’s words, recorded in 1 Chronicles 28, serve as a text giving us needed instruction regarding our duties toward God and the promise of blessings to the obedient.

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A discussion of our collective responsibilities to be a faithful congregation of God. To defend truth, to Love God and Neighbor, to strive for unity.

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Just a few years before the exile of Judah into Babylonian captivity, the prophet Jeremiah warned the Jews of their judgment and the years of desolation that would follow. He wrote, “And this whole land shall be a desolation and an astonishment, and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years. ‘Then it will come to pass, when seventy years are completed, that I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation, the land of the Chaldeans, for their iniquity,’ says the LORD; and I will make it a perpetual desolation” (Jeremiah 25:11-12).

It is this prophecy of Jeremiah to which Daniel referred in Daniel chapter 9. As a young man, he was taken by Nebuchadnezzar in the first wave of captives (cf. Daniel 1:7). Chronologically, this chapter takes place in the first year of Darius the Mede, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans. In effect, the prophecy of Jeremiah was coming true. Continue reading “Understanding by the Books” →

There is a wonderful passage of scripture in 2 Samuel 22 where David thanks and praises God for his deliverance. David had been through so many trials in his time after being anointed by Samuel to be king. He had to hide from the murderous intent of Saul. He had suffered the great indignity of his son Absalom committing treason, very nearly taking his kingdom away from him. He had battled enemies of Israel throughout his reign. In verse one we are told, “Then David spoke to the Lord the words of this song, on the day when the Lord had delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul.” Continue reading “I Will Call Upon the Lord” →