Hebrews Front Matter-Updated
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HEBREWS THE SUPREMACY AND SUFFICIENCY OF CHRIST Outline Passage & Theme Discussion Date Hebrews 1:1-4 | God’s Final Word: His Son September 11 Hebrews 1:5-14: The Son Superior to Angels September 18 Hebrews 2:1-4 | Warning #1: Pay Attention September 25 Hebrews 2:5-13 | Jesus, Crowned with Glory October 2 Heb 2:14-18 | Jesus, Made Like Us For Our Good October 9 Hebrews 3:1-6 | Jesus Greater Than Moses October 16 Hebrews 3:1-19 | Warning #2: Do Not Harden Your October 23 Hearts Hebrews 4:1-11 | A Sabbath-Rest for the People of November 6 God Hebrews 4:12-16 | The Word of God: No Such Thing November 13 as Secrets Hebrews 4:14-5:10 | Jesus, the Great High Priest November 20 Hebrews 5:11-6:3 | Warning #3: Grow Up and Move December 4 On! Hebrews 6:4-12 | Further Warning Against Apostasy December 11 Study Tips 1. Read through the passage several times throughout the week. 2. Look up the definitions of words you are unfamiliar with. 3. Read the Old Testament scriptures referenced in the passage. Consider how they relate to the assigned passage in Hebrews. 4. Are there phrases or concepts you don't understand? Write them down in the "Notes" section under the passage. The Bible Project: Hebrews - https://thebibleproject.com Psallos (Hebrews Lyric Videos) - YouTube BlueLetterBible.com - online concordance Partial Bibliography Logos Bible Software The New American Commentary (Hebrews) Hebrews: An Anchor for the Soul R. Kent Hughes Hebrews by Charles H. Spurgeon Hebrews, Crossway Classic Commentaries, McGrath and Packer Hebrews NIV Application Commentary George H. Gutherie The Letter to the Hebrews by William Barclay Contact Information Phillip: 618/781-9020, [email protected] Matthew: 618/520-2084, [email protected] Teri: 618/535-2056, [email protected] The Themes and Structure of Hebrews1 The book of Hebrews compares and contrasts Jesus to key historical people and events from the Old Testament. Through these comparisons, we see His superiority. He is greater than angels, the Torah, Moses, the Promised Land, priests, Melchizedek, sacrifices, and the covenant. He is God's Word, the hope for a new creation, our eternal priest, and the perfect sacrifice. Throughout the book, we are also challenged to remain faithful to Jesus and follow great models of faith from the Old Testament despite hardships and persecution. These challenges will make us uncomfortable but instead of fearing them, remember that rejecting Jesus is foolish. Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God's love and mercy and is worthy of all our trust and devotion. Major Comparative/Thematic Elements 1) Angels Jesus is superior to angels who delivered the Torah, God's Word, to the Israelites, and all other messengers. We should pay attention to His message. 2) Moses Jesus leads His people like Moses led the Israelites. Do not rebel and lose out on God's gracious offer to enter into a new creation. 3) Melchizedek Morally flawless, Jesus is the ultimate priest and mediator between humans and God. Instead of rejecting Him, accept Him and be fully reconciled with God. 4) Sacrifices Jesus' death on the cross was a permanent sacrifice and fulfilled the covenant. He died once for all, so accept His gracious offer of forgiveness. 5) Jesus The book of Hebrews ends with a challenge to faithfully trust Jesus and follow great Old Testament models of faith despite life's hardships and persecution. 1 Taken from The Bible Project - https://thebibleproject.com/explore/hebrews/ Hebrews 1:1-4 | God’s Final Word: His Son 1 In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. 3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. 4 So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs. Considerations 1. Consider that God has spoken to us through His Son. Are you listening? Is He getting lost in the noise of life? _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ Hebrews 1:5-14: The Son Superior to Angels 5 For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father”1? Or again, “I will be his Father, and he will be my Son”?2 6 And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.”3 7 In speaking of the angels he says, “He makes his angels spirits, and his servants flames of fire.”4 8 But about the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom. 9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companion by anointing you with the oil of joy.”5 10 He also says, “In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. 11 They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. 12 You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. 1 Psalm 2:7 2 2 Samuel 7:14; 1 Chronicles 17:13 3 Deuteronomy 32:43 (see Dead Sea Scrolls and Septuagint) 4 Psalm 104:4 5 Psalm 45:6,7 But you remain the same, and your years will never end.”6 13 To which of the angels did God ever say, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”?7 14 Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation? Considerations 1. In this passage, the author has been encouraging his readers to choose a more excellent way, Jesus. In what ways do we pursue lesser things over the passionate pursuit of Jesus? _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ 6 Psalm 102:25-27 7 Psalm 110:1 Hebrews 2:1-4 | Warning #1: Pay Attention 1 We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. 2 For since the message spoken through angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment,8 3 how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him.9 4 God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will. 8 Hebrews 2:2 – “message spoken through angels was binding” The message “spoken through angels” is the old covenant. It was binding up until the new covenant was enacted. 9 Hebrews 2:3 – “so great a salvation” This salvation is the new covenant, announced by Jesus and confirmed by His miracles, primarily His resurrection. Considerations 1. Consider the warning against “drifting away.” Why is this warning so important for God’s church in America? How can “drifting away” lead to ignoring salvation mentioned in verse 3? _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________