CCRS Podcast

The letter of Hebrews, written to first-century Jewish followers of Christ, can be a bit confusing for modern readers. But today, Pastor Phil dives into the book and unpacks some of the Old Testament contexts in order to help us better understand what the author is trying to communicate. Today Pastor Phil shows us how, while the Old Covenant was good, the New Covenant of Christ is so much better! This is because Christ is the only one suited to offer Himself as the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of the world.

Pastor Phil reminds us today that God is trustworthy! Unlike humans, who often say one thing and do another, God always keeps His promises! And this is good news, considering God has promised to save anyone who would turn from their own ways and follow Jesus. And Jesus has already paid the penalty for our sins! Pastor Phil reveals to us how, as explained by the writer of Hebrews, understanding God’s promise and knowing God’s character leads to being anchored in the assurance of faith.

The Bible tells us that God has saved us by His grace – no tradition or ritual or good work can save, but only faith in Christ. Yet it’s so easy for us to doubt that truth. Today, Pastor Phil assures us of Christ’s love and sacrifice for us, and reminds us that our faith can be steadfast if we hold to the truth of who God is. He reminds us that the Bible says Abraham was considered righteous by God because he took Him at His word; Pastor Phil encourages us to be anchored in faith like Abraham was.

If you've been a Christian for any amount of time, you know that the life of a believer is a process. It's a journey of faith that God walks us through, and we grow in maturity and closeness because of Jesus and the help of the Holy Spirit. Pastor Phil will be sharing some misconceptions that people have regarding salvation, whether one can “lose it” and the evidence that one “has it”. He will also warn us from turning to works-based salvation, which will fall terribly short of the work of Jesus.

Is it possible for some to receive salvation but IMPOSSIBLE for others? Pastor Phil will be looking at the warning in the Book of Hebrews, to the Jewish people regarding those who have turned away from Jesus. It's a warning that is repeated in the new testament, that good works, sacrifices, and righteous deeds will never be enough to save us from our fallen state. What Jesus did in his death, burial and resurrection is our only hope for salvation, and He gives salvation to those humble enough to accept it.

It's a pretty graphic scene to imagine, a sacrifice to deal with the sin of man. We sometimes forget the weight and cost of sin, and sometimes even trivialize it as a way to sort of protecting ourselves from its egregiousness. Pastor Phil will remind us that this is exactly why we need to rely entirely on Jesus, and his equally graphic sacrifice made on our behalf. Our connection with that is only the starting point, once we've been bought with that price, there is a life to live that demonstrates that exchanged life.

I don't know about you, but I love to eat all sorts of different foods, and I am always looking to try something new. I can't imagine going back to the same milk or formula diet that I would have had as a baby, can you? Pastor Phil will show us from today's passage, that maturity in Christ, is very much like growing up physically. The things that were acceptable for sustenance and growth when we were younger, are now less than adequate if we want to maintain good spiritual health.

Jesus knew the pain, rejection, humiliation, and torture He would experience when He went to the cross. But, as Pastor Phil teaches today, the hardest part of Jesus’ death would be the separation from God His Father that He’d experienced as the weight of the world’s sin was upon Him on the cross. He was willing to die as payment for man’s sin, but He dreaded that moment when God would have to turn away. And the grief of knowing some still wouldn’t believe in Him caused Him great sadness.

Israel was God’s chosen, special people who were to bring the light of God to the world. And they were to look to the High Priest to guide them in Holy living. And, as Pastor Phil teaches today, you as a believer in Christ are a special, chosen people as well. You now have a better High Priest. Jesus. He understands what you’ll experience, has great compassion for you, and is the only one qualified and able. He will guide you to true Holy living so you can now be God’s light for unbelievers.

Before Jesus, believers in God couldn’t enter into God’s presence. But, because Jesus came, and sacrificed Himself on the cross, you can now approach God with boldness and courage. Today, Pastor Phil explains that God looks at you with love and mercy and rejoices that you desire a relationship with Him. You’re welcome to come and you belong there with Him anytime you need it. When you come, God will give you all the strength, wisdom, and ability to do what He’s calling you to do in this life.