Hebrews 1:1-13:25 Keep at it - Jesus is Worth it!
This past week, we had the privilege of hearing the entire book of Hebrews preached from memory by guest speaker, Ryan Ferguson, from North Hills Community Church.
The book of Hebrews was likely written to the church somewhere between 60AD-70AD. Although we don't know exactly who the Holy Spirit inspired to write the book, it was likely written by a close associate of the apostle Paul and it was recognized by the church very early on, as Spirit-inspired Holy Scripture. (It was actually first received and read as a letter of the apostle Paul).
Hebrews is perhaps the most beautifully-written, carefully constructed, theologically rich and powerfully persuasive book in the New Testament. It was likely written to be read aloud as a sermon or public exhortation to the church and then passed on to other churches.
Commentator Peter T. O'Brien summarized the book well when he said, "It challenges our understanding of reality and makes us 'ponder a world in which the unseen is more real, more powerful, and more attractive than that which can be see and touched and counted'. The letter that wonderfully portrays Jesus as Son of God and great high priest, who is both human and divine, the crucified and exalted one, also makes stringent demands on its readers in relation to Christian discipleship. It summons believers, just as it did the first listeners, to 'unqualified commitment, unflagging perseverance and a willingness to suffer' for one's faith."
As we heard the book on Sunday, God's Word came to life powerfully and God spoke to each of us specifically.
In seeking to apply God's Word to our lives this week, let's consider some of the following questions for application:
1. How did hearing the book of Hebrews spoken aloud as one message change the way you've approached or read the message of Hebrews in the past?
2. At what points in the message did God impress and specific portions of scripture to you?
3. How was Christ exalted and how did your view of Jesus become greater?
4. Were there any specific areas that you convicted by?
5. How would God have you practically respond to the conviction that He brought?
6. What are the different ways that Jesus is seen as greater than the law in the book of Hebrews?
7. Where do we see a tendency to "drift away" from what we have heard in our lives? (Hebrews 2:1)
8. What are some ways we can "exhort one another every day... that
none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin"... to ensure that
"we hold our original confidence firm to the end"? (Hebrews 3:12-14)
9. How does knowing that Jesus, "by a single offering he has perfected for all time those
who are being sanctified" encourage us to hold fast to our confidence? (Hebrews 10:12-14)
10. How can we apply the following verse to how we live our life?:
"Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that
cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with
reverence and awe," (Hebrews 12:28)
