3/7/14

From Gary... The color of a heart


 




 All the same picture, starting with the top left, first, I darkened it (top right) and then lightened it (bottom). Why? To show that even the same expression, when seen from a different perspective gives a slightly different message. Our understanding of what it is trying to communicate changes ever-so-slightly with each minute alteration. Apply this concept to our perception of the Almighty and then consider this Bible passage...

1 Corinthians, Chapter 2
  7 But we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the wisdom that has been hidden, which God foreordained before the worlds for our glory,  8 which none of the rulers of this world has known. For had they known it, they wouldn’t have crucified the Lord of glory.  9 But as it is written, 
“Things which an eye didn’t see, and an ear didn’t hear,
which didn’t enter into the heart of man,
these God has prepared for those who love him.”
 
  10  But to us, God revealed them through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.  11 For who among men knows the things of a man, except the spirit of the man, which is in him? Even so, no one knows the things of God, except God’s Spirit.  12 But we received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is from God, that we might know the things that were freely given to us by God.

If a picture be understood differently by the mere alteration of a little light, imagine what a little sin can do to our understanding of God?  Paul gives an illustration of this from personal experience...

Acts, Chapter 26
12  “Whereupon as I traveled to Damascus with the authority and commission from the chief priests,  13 at noon, O king, I saw on the way a light from the sky, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who traveled with me.  14 When we had all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ 

  15  “I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ 

“He said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.   16  But arise, and stand on your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose: to appoint you a servant and a witness both of the things which you have seen, and of the things which I will reveal to you;   17 delivering you from the people, and from the Gentiles, to whom I send you,   18  to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive remission of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

The original picture just shows a smile and we may wonder what she is thinking, but in actuality, that knowledge is between her and God. However, it seems clear to me that WHAT she is thinking is a reflection what her life is like. Is it encumbered and darkened by sin or freed and illuminated by the light of life? If that is true of her, it follows that it also applies to us as well. Just think about it, OK? - I will...

3/6/14

From Jim McGuiggan... Individualism devouring community


Individualism devouring community

The OT was well aware of the existence of the individual and religion was as personal in the OT as it is in the NT. The "individual" was "discovered" several times in European history and it really came home to the Christian religion at the Reformation; but it was in Post-Reformation days that "individualism" began to grow into the destructive virus it now is. The OT kept individualism in check by its focus and constant stress on the community, the nation of Israel, and even tribal independence in its extreme forms (seen in the book of Judges) is exposed as detrimental to everyone's welfare.

Oppression and injustice feeds the cause of "individualism," whether in or outside religion and an over-stress on "personal" religion undermines the sense of oneness and interdependence within the Church.

The ceaseless stream of "personal religion" and devotional books by authors and publishers feed this unhealthy hunger, this greed for "what's in it for me and mine?" material. "What's in it for our congregation?" Even the books that call for personal holiness (and how can you criticise what is absolutely essential—Hebrews 12:14?) tend to fragment us into individuals in pursuit of holiness; as if we weren't "a holy nation" and "a people" called out of darkness to proclaim his marvellous light! No wonder there's so much "church-shopping" going on; no wonder congregations have become branches of a supermarket chain and no wonder commitment to the Congregational expression of Jesus Christ is at such a low ebb. 

The OT in general and the prophetic voices in particular constantly called the people to remember their national history and not their history as individuals. Israelites were individuals within a redeemed nation and not a collection of individuals pursuing their own individual moral improvement. They each had a personal and individual relationship with Yahweh but they didn't have it independent of the nation! Christians each have a personal and individual relationship with God in Jesus Christ but they don't have it independent of the body of Christ!
We cannot despise or dispense with "the body of Christ" and please the Lord Jesus Christ!

He will not have it

From Mark Copeland... Marks Of Spiritual Immaturity (Hebrews 5:11-14) 


                      "THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS"

                Marks Of Spiritual Immaturity (5:11-14)

INTRODUCTION

1. Just because one has been a Christian for many years, does not mean
   they are "mature"
   a. They may be like the person who had been teacher for twenty-five
      years...
      1) When she heard about a job that would mean a promotion, she
         applied for the position.  However, someone who had been 
         teaching for only one year was hired instead.
      2) She went to the principal and asked why.  The principal 
         responded, "I'm sorry, but you haven't had 25 years of 
         experience as you claim; you've had only one year's experience
         25 times."
      -- During that whole time the teacher had not improved!
   b. So it may be with many Christians; they have not grown, but 
      simply repeated their first year of spiritual life many times!

2. The lack of spiritual growth (i.e., spiritual immaturity) is a
   dangerous thing...
   a. For there may be blessings to be enjoyed in Christ that only the
      mature Christian can truly understand and appropriate
   b. If one remains spiritually immature, they do not come to fully
      appreciate their standing and blessings that they have in Christ!
   -- Deprived of a greater understanding, they are more susceptible to
      the wiles of the devil

3. The author of the book of Hebrews found himself faced with this
   problem...
   a. He had much to say about Christ as our High Priest
   b. But the spiritual immaturity of his readers made it difficult
   -- And so he thought it necessary to temporarily digress - He 5:
      11-14

4. How about you?
   a. Are you growing as a Christian?
   b. Or are you repeating your first year over and over again,
      remaining spiritual immature?
   -- Do you know how to determine whether you are spiritually mature?

[In our text we find some of the identifying "Marks Of Spiritual 
Immaturity", indicators that reveal when one is in need of "growing up"
spiritually.  For example, one mark of spiritual immaturity is...]

I. DULLNESS OF HEARING (11)

   A. THE HEBREWS HAD BECOME "DULL OF HEARING"...
      1. This prevented the writer from continuing with his argument at
         the moment
      2. While the material he had to share was "hard to explain"...
         a. It wasn't so much the difficulty of the material itself
         b. As it was their own inability to receive it!
      3. That they had "become" dull of hearing may imply a 
         regression...
         a. At one time they were not "dull of hearing"
         b. They may have been like the Bereans at one time, "who 
            received the word with all readiness" - Ac 17:11
         c. Indeed, most converts are truly "sharp" in their listening
            at the first
            1) They are excited about what they are learning
            2) They listen with great "readiness", and spiritual growth
               occurs
         d. But it is not uncommon for apathy to set in, making one 
            "dull of hearing"
         -- When one becomes "dull of hearing", they begin to regress 
            to a state of spiritual immaturity

   B.  ARE YOU "DULL OF HEARING"?
      1. Ask yourself these questions:
         a. Is the Bible dull?
         b. Are the Bible classes dull?
         c. Are the sermons dull?
         d. Is anything that is spiritual in nature (like singing, 
            praying) dull?
      2. If so, then you have become "dull of hearing"!
         a. If you listen at all, it will be to those who are willing 
            to "tickle your ears"
         b. And you will be susceptible to being mislead - 2Ti 4:3-4

[When one is "dull of hearing", it is only natural that the next "mark
of spiritual immaturity" will be evident...]

II. THE INABILITY TO TEACH OTHERS (12a)

   A. THE HEBREWS SHOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO TEACH OTHERS...
      1. They had been Christians for some time ("by this time you 
         ought to be teachers")
         a. They had time to learn, to grow
         b. A natural response to growth is to bear fruit
         c. One way we bear fruit is by teaching others
      2. In one way or another, they should have been able to teach 
         others
         a. Perhaps not in a formal sense, for not all are gifted in 
            that way - cf. 1Co 12:29; Ep 4:11; Jm 3:1
         b. But all can share the good news and hope they have with 
            others - cf. Ac 8:4; 1Pe 3:15; Tit 2:3-5
      -- Their need for someone to teach them again "the first
         principles" demonstrated their spiritual immaturity

   B. ARE YOU ABLE TO TEACH OTHERS?
      1. Assuming that sufficient time has passed, are you teaching 
         others?
         a. Either formally as a teacher instructing others in the 
            faith?
         b. Or informally by sharing your faith with others?
      2. Do you find yourself saying "I don't know what to say?"
         a. Then it sounds like you have forgotten "the first 
            principles"
         b. And you need to have someone teach you again!

[If one has not progressed to the point where they are somehow teaching
others about Christ, then they are still spiritually immature!  One 
reason why this may be true is also another indicator of spiritual 
immaturity...]

III. A DIET OF "MILK" (12b,13)

   A. NOW, A DIET OF "MILK" IS OFTEN NECESSARY...
      1. Certainly it is needed for those who are "babes in Christ" 
         - e.g., 1Co 3:1-2
      2. Also for those who have regressed (as with the Hebrews) - cf.
         He 5:12b
      3. Such a diet includes what is described as "the first
         principles of the oracles of God" (later called "the 
         elementary principles of Christ" in He 6:1-3)

   B. BUT OUR DIET MUST ONE DAY INCLUDE "SOLID FOOD"...
      1. Just as a physical baby must graduate to solid foods in order
         to grow to maturity
      2. So a "babe in Christ" cannot mature unless the diet goes 
         beyond the "first principles"
      3. Wiersbe offers an interesting explanation as to what may be 
         the difference...
         a. "milk" refers to what Jesus did on earth:  His birth, life,
            teaching, death, burial and resurrection
         b. "solid food" refers to what Jesus is now doing in heaven:
             e.g., His priesthood
      4. If our diet remains "milk only"...
         a. Then we will be "unskilled" (lit., without experience) in
            the word of God
         b. We will remain "babes" in Christ - cf. He 5:13

   C. WHAT HAS YOUR "DIET" BEEN LATELY?
      1. Has it been limited to "milk"? 
         a. Has it even included "milk"?
         b. Some Christians may not even be getting the "milk" of the
            Word!
      2. Are you getting any "meat"?
         a. Studying portions of God's Word that challenges your 
            understanding?
         b. Stay with us in this study in Hebrews, and you will be sure
            to get some!

[A "milk only" diet leaves one immature, and by default one who is 
"unskilled in the word of righteousness".  This will in turn produce 
another trait of spiritual immaturity...]

IV. THE INABILITY TO DISCERN (14)

   A. NORMAL SPIRITUAL GROWTH EXERCISES THE SENSES...
      1. Even the "milk" of the word is designed to train one's 
         faculties
         a. By exposing us to the difference between right and wrong
         b. In this way our spiritual sense is "exercised"
      2. Then "by reason of use" we learn to "discern both good and 
         evil"
         a. With clear examples set before us in the Scriptures, we 
            learn right from wrong
         b. We thereby develop the ability to "distinguish" between 
            good and evil
         c. We become able to apply general principles to specific
            situations
            1) Specific condemnation of a practice is not always 
               necessary
            2) We can discern when something is more like the good, or
               more like the bad

   B. SPIRITUAL IMMATURITY LACKS THIS ABILITY TO DISCERN...
      1. A babe in Christ often has difficulty discerning the 
         difference between:
         a. Good teaching (truth) and bad teaching (error)
         b. Good conduct (righteousness) and bad conduct (wickedness)
      2. Inability to discern leaves them open to being...
         a. "tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of 
            doctrine" - cf. Ep 4:14
         b. Like "a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind...a 
            double-minded man, unstable in all his ways" - Jm 1:6-8

   C. DO YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO DISCERN?
      1. Can you apply general principles to a specific situation, or 
         do you require a clear "Thou shalt not" to determine if 
         something is wrong?
      2. Are you able to recognize when a doctrine is true to God's 
         word?
      3. Or are you dependent upon someone else...
         a. To "spoon feed" you?
         b. To "take you by the hand and lead" you?
         -- I.e., to tell you what is right and wrong, what is truth 
            and what is error

CONCLUSION

1. There are certainly other indicators of spiritual immaturity...
   a. E.g., behaving in a carnal way
   b. E.g., possessing strife, envy, and jealousy - cf. 1Co 3:1-4

2. But in our present text we have focused our attention on the four 
   presented here...
   a. Dullness of hearing
   b. The inability to teach others
   c. A diet of "milk"
   d. The inability to discern
   -- All of these should serve as "warning signs" that something is 
      amiss in our lives as Christians, for they are truly "Marks Of
      Spiritual Immaturity"

In our next lesson ("The Peril Of Not Progressing"), we shall see why
it is so important to grow spiritually.  As Peter warned, growth is the
"antidote" to falling away:
 
   "You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware
   lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away 
   with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge
   of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now
   and forever. Amen." - 2 Pet 3:18

Are you growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord?

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

From Gary... Time and the ever present "NOW"



Today, the rain and the dreary cold has me feeling lethargic!!!  After a couple of hours, I said to myself: Now, Gary- now is the time to sit down and write!!!  And then I remembered this graphic and the quote.  These things are true, beyond any doubt, but something seemed to be missing.  Then, I remembered the following passage...


2 Corinthians, Chapter 6


Behold, now is the acceptable time. Behold, now is the day of salvation.


We can't change yesterday; for, what is done is completed and over with. Tomorrow is a possibility, but not a guarantee. We exist in the ubiquitous NOW and NOW is the time to get right and stay right with God!!!  When our NOW becomes the future and our future becomes our eternity, we will rejoice-- IF GOD SAVES US FROM THE PUNISHMENT WE SO RICHLY DESERVE FOR OUR SINS.  Whether or not our actions seems terrible to us, God hates sin, so getting rid of it and staying free of it should be of the utmost importance to us!!!  NOW, now is the time to begin to be more holy, more pleasing to God!!!!  OK, where do we go from here?  Well, seek truth- I mean REALLY SEEK IT!!!  When you are serious about this, turn to the book of Acts, Chapter two and read all about the first Gospel sermon (2:14ff..)  After his message, the Jews in attendance said...

 37  Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

Then Peter answers...
 
 38  Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  39 For the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all who are far off, even as many as the Lord our God will call to himself.”  40 With many other words he testified, and exhorted them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation!”

Want to know... just ask; I will be glad to help you be glad!!! I will make it a priority- for NOW IS THE TIME!!!!


3/5/14

From Jim McGuiggan... Interpretation and Unity


Interpretation and Unity

The Bible generates tens of thousands of questions it never answers with explicit and exhaustive instructions or explanation. The people of God are left to interpret the biblical witness and move in peace in the direction of the central drift of the faith to the glory of God while they’re working with texts.

God tells Israel not to harvest the “edges” of their fields, leave them for the poor, but he doesn’t say what constitutes an “edge” or who exactly is to be seen as “poor”. He forbids work on the Sabbath but doesn’t bother to say what “work” is; he insists parents are to be honoured but says nothing about what “honoured” means under all circumstances (does it mean to believe everything they say or do all they tell us to do?). He forbids covetousness but doesn’t trouble himself to exhaustively define it. He calls for respect for the aged but who exactly are the “aged”? Peter speaks of modest dress but what constitutes “modesty”? Paul says we’re to obey the government—in everything? He says we’re to forfeit our rights in the presence of the weak—all our rights, and who are the “weak”?

At the Supper Jesus prayed over the bread and prayed again over the wine—must we have two prayers at the Supper because he did? He apparently passed one container and they all drank from it—must we do that? When and under what circumstances are examples permanently binding on us? We wrestle with such questions precisely because the Bible doesn’t answer them for us and if God’s Bible doesn’t settle the issue beyond dispute maybe we should be modest and confess that we can’t settle them beyond dispute either.

Maybe it’s okay to hold different views on a host of things since God via the Bible refuses to settle a host of things! Maybe our differences on these matters aren’t worth the time and energy we spend interminably debating them.

Yes, but surely we should try to discover the truth on such matters. Indeed, I’m certain we’re supposed to be “people of the Book” as we seek God’s face; but maybe there’s no definitive “truth” about many things. Maybe God allows us—even encourages us—to “work it out” among ourselves in a spirit that honours him and promotes peace and a united witness to his work of reconciliation in Jesus. Maybe some congregations will do “it” this way and others will do “it” another way.

[You understand I’m not talking here about jugular issues—truths that are manifestly central to the Christian’s faith and response. Even here there’ll be debate about what is jugular but shelving discussion on that matter for now, the mass of us are sure some teachings are soul-destroying and others are not. We take that view on some teachings because we have explicit scripture or scripture so nearly explicit as doesn't make any difference.]

It’s clear God’s people can’t stand still while we debate every point of difference until it's settled unanimously. We might not be able to agree on everything but there are some things we’re all agreed on and those we are to honour—now! Together!

Differences of viewpoint on non-jugular matters must not be allowed to obliterate or even undermine what we all agree are essentials. Where strictly non-essential questions are generating unrest and tension there's a really critical need for an assembly to affirm its unity in Jesus and draw close together, for the acid test of what they hold are essentials is whether they can and will by their promotion and protection of peace and unity bear witness to the reconciling power and purpose of Christ.

It's important for us to accept (after good-spirited and ample time for discussion over perhaps months) that there are some things we can't settle information-wise and so we must settle them at another level. It would help if a time limit were put on debate after which the leadership with the congregation’s full involvement decides the direction the church will go.

We debate some issues ceaselessly because we think they're sufficiently important and because we tend to think that the Bible gives an exhaustive answer to all our questions about how we should carry out this or that. We think if we just keep debating and searching for verses we'll come up with the definitive answer. This is part of our problem! There should come a time when the congregation as a congregation settles on a way to act on a given question even in the absence of a “here's how it must be done” text or argument; some proposal that the assembly can agree is at least acceptable. In doing this the assembly shows that it knows there are some things higher on God's agenda than congregational agreement on a non-jugular issue (one of those things being peace in brother/sister-hood). That way we’re free to move on with other matters we are all agreed on and are of critical importance to our witness to the community for Jesus Christ.

In such a scenario the major issue (peace and a united witness on the fundamentals of truth and response to truth) is given its rightful place—that’s what Jesus died to gain (Ephesians 2:11-end and John 17). A congregation that works like that has risen to a lovely spiritual and Christlike level.

To visitors, members of an assembly like that might say when a specific matter is raised: “Well, we couldn’t agree on the details because we couldn’t find scripture that settled the matter. But we’re all agreed on the essentials and don’t have the time or inclination to debate all the time. So we just worked something out that we all know is acceptable. It’s more peaceful that way, don’t you know, and we’re left free to get on with other vital and enriching matters.”

There might be something you judge useful here: 

Click 

http://www.jimmcguiggan.com/reflections3.asp?status=The+Torah&id=731

From Mark Copeland... Christ's Qualifications As High Priest (Hebrews 5:1-10) 

                      "THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS"

            Christ's Qualifications As High Priest (5:1-10)

INTRODUCTION

1. A recurring theme in this epistle is that of Jesus as our High 
   Priest; He has been described as:
   a. A "merciful and faithful High Priest" - He 2:17
   b. The "High Priest of our confession" - He 3:1
   c. A "great High Priest who has passed through the heavens" - He 4:
      14
   d. A High Priest who can "sympathize with our weaknesses" - He 4:15

2. This is in keeping with the overall purpose of the epistle...
   a. Which is to show the superiority of Jesus and His new covenant
   b. We have considered Jesus' superiority to...
      1) Prophets - He 1:1-3
      2) Angels - He 1:4-2:18
      3) Moses - He 3:1-6
      ...it is only natural that a comparison to Aaron and his 
         priesthood be made

3. The actual comparison with Aaron will follow later, but first there
   is a need to...
   a. Review the qualities required in high priests
   b. Establish that Jesus does indeed qualify as a High Priest
   -- Which is what we find in the text for our study today - He 5:1-10

[For non-Jewish readers who may be unfamiliar with the role of high 
priests, this section of Scripture can be enlightening and increase our
appreciation of Jesus as our High Priest.

We begin by noticing...]   

I. THE QUALITIES REQUIRED IN HIGH PRIESTS (1-4)

   A. DIVINE APPOINTMENT (1,4)
      1. The work of the high priest involves "things pertaining to 
         God" - cf. He 2:17
      2. He must "offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins" - cf. He 8:3
      -- Thus only God can rightfully select a high priest, even as God
         called Aaron - e.g., Exo 28,29; Lev 8,9; Num 16-18

   B. HUMAN SYMPATHY (1-3)
      1. A high priest is selected "from among men"
      2. This helps to ensure a spirit of "compassion"...
         a. Toward "those who are ignorant and going astray"
            1) Note that the high priest was to make a distinction 
               between sins of ignorance and sins of presumption 
               (rebellion) - Num 15:22-31
            2) Sacrifices were to be offered in behalf of the former, 
               but not the latter
         b. For "he himself is often beset by weakness"
            1) A high priest who knew his own weakness would be more 
               likely to be understanding of his brethren
            2) It also explains why the high priest in the OT offered 
               sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of
               the people - cf. Lev 16:11
      -- Thus a high priest would need to be well acquainted with the 
         "human condition" (i.e., the struggle against temptation)

[The parallel between high priests in the OT and Jesus as our High 
Priest does not hold true in every minute detail (e.g., He 7:26-27).  

But certainly in the most fundamental ways Jesus has the qualities to 
be our High Priest, as we now consider...]

II. CHRIST'S QUALIFICATIONS AS HIGH PRIEST (5-8)

   A. DIVINELY APPOINTED (5,6)
      1. Christ was Divinely called to serve as High Priest, just as 
         Aaron was
      2. As evidence of His calling, two Messianic prophecies are 
         offered...
         a. His position as God's Son - cf. Ps 2:7
         b. His appointment as a priest after the order of Melchizedek 
            - cf. Ps 110:4
         -- As God's Son, sitting and ruling at the right hand of God
            (cf. Ps 110:1-3), His calling as a priest is only natural

   B. SYMPATHETIC BECAUSE OF HIS OWN SUFFERINGS (7,8)
      1. While "in the days of His flesh", Christ...
         a. "offered prayers and supplications with vehement cries and
            tears"
         b. He prayed "to Him who was able to save Him from death"
         c. He was heard "because of His godly fear"
      2. That Jesus would have "godly fear" and offer such prayers 
         provides insight into the extent of His temptations and 
         sufferings in the flesh - cf. also He 2:18; 4:15
      3. Even though He was God's Son, by the things which He suffered
         "He learned obedience" - what does this mean?
         a. Certainly He knew obedience as the Son of God
         b. Perhaps it means He came to know what obedience involved as
            one "in the flesh" (i.e., the challenge of obedience in the
            midst of suffering, temptations, etc.)
      -- Through His suffering, Jesus certainly understands the "human 
         condition" which qualifies Him to serve as High Priest

[Qualified by virtue of His calling and His compassion to be a High 
Priest, what kind of High Priest is Jesus? The next two verses 
introduce two themes that will be developed much further later on...]

III. CHRIST'S CALLING AS OUR HIGH PRIEST (9,10)

   A. "THE AUTHOR OF ETERNAL SALVATION" (9)
      1. "Perfected" by virtue of His sufferings "in the flesh", He has
         become the "author" of eternal salvation
         a. The word "author" comes from aitio, meaning literally, 
            "cause"
         b. Later, we will see how Christ is the "cause" of our 
            salvation - cf. He 7:24-27
      2. But for now, note that He is the cause of salvation for "all 
         those who obey Him"
         a. Is obedience necessary for salvation?  Consider these 
            verses:
            1) Jesus will bring vengeance on those who have not obeyed
               the gospel - 2Th 1:7-9; cf. 1Pe 4:17-18
            2) Paul sought to bring about the "obedience to the faith"
               among all the nations - Ro 1:5; 16:25-26
               a) But not all had obeyed the gospel - Ro 10:16
               b) Yet he was grateful for those who had - Ro 6:17,18
            3) Those who have obeyed the truth have purified their 
               souls - 1Pe 1:22
         b. If obedience is necessary for salvation, are we then saved
            by works?
            1) Not if by "works" you mean "meritorious works" (works by
               which we EARN salvation)
            2) But if you mean by "works" the "works of God" (works by
               which we RECEIVE God's unmerited gift of salvation) 
               which God has ordained, then yes!
               a) E.g., believing in Christ is a "work of God" - Jn 6:
                  28-29
               b) Since repentance and baptism are likewise enjoined by
                  God, they too would be "works of God" that we must 
                  obey in order to receive salvation - e.g., Ac 2:38;
                  10:48
         -- Thus salvation "by grace through faith" does not preclude 
            the necessity of obedience to Christ and His gospel!

   B. "ACCORDING TO THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK" (10)
      1. Here we begin to learn the distinct nature of Christ's 
         priesthood
      2. As prophesied in Ps 110:4, the Messiah would be "a priest
         forever according to the order of Melchizedek"
      3. Thus His priesthood would be different from the Aaronic or 
         Levitical priesthood
         a. Different, but would it be superior?
         b. Would the difference be enough to persuade them not to 
            forsake Christ?
         -- The difference between the two priesthoods and the 
            superiority of Christ's over Aaron's is taken up later in
            this epistle (cf. He 7:1-28)

CONCLUSION

1. The spiritual immaturity of the Hebrew readers will necessitate a 
   temporary digression (cf. He 5:11-6:20)

2. But for the moment, the author has established "Christ's 
   Qualifications As High Priest"...
   a. He was Divinely appointed
   b. He is sympathetic because of His own sufferings

3. This makes Jesus suitable as the "author of eternal salvation"
   a. But don't forget that He is the author of salvation "to all who
      obey Him"
   b. Have you rendered obedience to the gospel of Christ? - cf. Mk 16:
      15-16; Ac 2:36-39

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011


From Gary... In unison



I have never seen the likes of this before.  Playing this instrument must be very difficult to do, as each individuals movement would affect the stability of the whole.  Three people playing one instrument- interesting.  Everything (and everybody) would have to do everything "just right" in order for this to work!!!  Read on, to see where I am going to take this...

Romans, Chapter 8
 16  The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God;  17 and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ; if indeed we suffer with him, that we may also be glorified with him.  18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which will be revealed toward us. 19 For the creation waits with eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to vanity, not of its own will, but because of him who subjected it, in hope  21 that the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of decay into the liberty of the glory of the children of God.  22 For we know that the whole creation groans and travails in pain together until now.  23 Not only so, but ourselves also, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for adoption, the redemption of our body.  24 For we were saved in hope, but hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for that which he sees?  25 But if we hope for that which we don’t see, we wait for it with patience.  26 In the same way, the Spirit also helps our weaknesses, for we don’t know how to pray as we ought. But the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which can’t be uttered.  27 He who searches the hearts knows what is on the Spirit’s mind, because he makes intercession for the saints according to God. 

  28  We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.  29 For whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.  30 Whom he predestined, those he also called. Whom he called, those he also justified. Whom he justified, those he also glorified. 

  31  What then shall we say about these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 

God make everything, and it was "very good" (Gen. 1:31). Sin enters the world and mucks up God's creation. God makes things all right again by creating a new heaven, Earth and man.  It may not look like it now, but it WILL happen!!! Exactly how this will happen is beyond my human comprehension, but since verse 28 (above) is in my Bible, I know that it WILL!!!  If a three-player violin seems complicated, just imagine the complexities of replacing a fouled up world with a new creation.  If you were to put THAT TO MUSIC- imagine the harmonies, the intricacies, the tempo and the overwhelming wonder of it all!!!  And, Oh, yes, HE is going to do all this - BECAUSE HE LOVES US AND WANTS TO RESTORE FELLOWSHIP WITH US FOR ETERNITY!!! 


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