Leroy Community Chapel Podcast

NOTE: Due to an issue with the recording, last week's sermon (Part One) is unavailable.

Passage: Hebrews 9:15-28

The Old Covenant was good, but the New Covenant is better! It’s better because it reflects a better sacrifice offered in a better temple by a better priest. Our covenant keeping God has gone to the greatest lengths to secure for all His children, past and future, an eternal inheritance. Run to him! Trust him! Worship him today!

* What would you say to a friend who asked you, “why did Jesus have to die?”

* Talking about death is one thing. Talking about someone dying for me is another. Why?

* What is the common understanding of forgiveness and love? How does the death of Jesus inform how Christians define forgiveness and love?

Passage: Hebrews 8

Jesus is the better priest in the better temple who mediates a better covenant. Jesus mediates the New Covenant that God promised through the prophets. Therefore, believers must approach God through Jesus’ New Covenant ministry and no longer try to approach God through the Old Covenant system.

* To whom are you looking in order to have peace with God?

* In what circumstance of your life are you tempted to relate to God in an old covenant way?

* How will you plan to approach God through Jesus this week?

NOTE: Due to an audio issue, there is no recording available for the Feb 9th sermon.

Passage: Hebrews 7:25; Exodus 2:23-25

The response of people being near to God are varied in scripture; fear, comfort, directed, saved, wounded, blinded, death. Yet it is a consistent human longing in the heart of men to be near to God. While there is a sense of drawing near to God for salvation, there is also a sense of walking consistently with God that has more to do with his proximity, his presence; God is near to his people. What would it feel like to be near God?

* What is the image or metaphor that you think of when you think of God? Is it Biblical? Is it true of Him? Why or why not?

* What emotion do you connect with being near to God? What emotion do you connect with being distant from God? Does your emotion have anything to do with the proximity of God?

* How can the nearness of God be used in conversation with an unbelieving friend?

Passage: Hebrews 7:4-22

This week we continue the conversation about Jesus our high priest. In chapter 7 we will feel a shift from Melchizedek, to Old Testament Priests, to Jesus. Ultimately his lawyer-like arguments are leading us to a greater faith in the One who is able to save to the uttermost! Is he argument compelling? Is Jesus an eternal high priest? Will you trust him today?

- Can you name several ways that Christ’s priesthood is greater that any other priesthood? Why does that matter?

- What does God sending Jesus to be a perfect Priest say about his character? How are you personally impacted by God sending Jesus to be your perfect Priest?

- How can you use the concept of Jesus as mediator in your conversations about the gospel with a non-Christian?

Passage: Hebrews 7:1-10

At the end of Chapter 5, the author was anxious to talk about Jesus’ connection to the high priest Melchizedek. But his train of thought has been interrupted by the immaturity of his audience. After a clear admonition in Chapter 6 to not fall away as others have done, he is back into his explanation of Jesus, a priest after the order of Melchizedek. Who is this king-priest? And how does he help build our faith in Jesus, the better priest?

- What do people like Abraham, Moses and David have in common with Melchizedek? How do they connect to the life of Christ and his fulfillment of the promises of God?

- How does the writer of Hebrews help us know how to interpret the OT? How does he use the OT passages about Melchizedek to give us confidence in God?

- Does this passage speak to the Christian’s heart and responsibility to give to the Lord? Why? Why not?

Passage: Hebrews 6:13-20

After a serious warning that is cause for pause in the heart of all who trust in Jesus, the writer to the Hebrews says to us “let me give you an example of one who did not fall away.” Today we look at Abraham’s patience and are encouraged to put our hope in God in like manner.

- Think about how kind it was for God to allow Abraham to fall into a deep sleep (Genesis 15) and make a better oath to His people, fully based on His own Word.

- Do you think Abraham fully intended to enter into covenant with God and walk through the pieces together with God? (Genesis 15). What about you and me, how do we act like that sometimes as the Church, almost as if we have forgotten how deeply we are in need?

- How can you tangibly anchor your soul in the hope of Jesus that lies behind the curtain in 2020? What will you do daily or weekly to direct your heart there? After a serious warning that is cause for pause in the heart of all who trust in Jesus, the writer to the Hebrews says to us “let me give you an example of one who did not fall away.” Today we look at Abraham’s patience and are encouraged to put our hope in God in like manner.

Passage: Hebrews 6:9-12

Vince Lombardi did say that “a good offense is the best defense”. A good leader knows when to be firm and press in and when to encourage. The writer to the Hebrews desires his readers to always be on the move; to bear fruit that accompanies faith in a better Savior. So, immediately after the warning to not fall away as others have done, the writer contrasts falling away with “better things” that accompany salvation. And these better things are the stuff of running a better race.

* Consider the contrast between the warning in 6:4-8 and the encouragement in 6:9-12. What is the basis of the writers confidence and encouragement?

* How does the “Root and Fruit” principle show up in this passage? What other bible passages can you remember that talk about the truth of this principle?

* How are you doing? In what ways are we doing well as a church? In what ways can you improve your walking in the fruit of your salvation?

Passage: Hebrews 6:4-8

The writer of Hebrews has already said that these Jewish believers were dull of hearing, ought to be teachers, build on the fundamentals and move on to maturity. In just a few sentences it feels like he lays them flat on their back. But there is good reason why. This pastor doesn’t want his dear ones to give up and walk away from their faith. The next few verses are not hyperbole or hypothetical. This is a sobering reason why the solid food of Hebrews was written. Friends, listen carefully to God’s word!

* How can believers be confident that their salvation is secure? List a few of the ways that you can explain that you have been born again and that your salvation is secure.

* Can you identify the four soils of Matthew 13? How is it helpful in your gospel conversations?

* Read ahead to next week’s text, Hebrews 6:9-12. Why is this text so important?

Passage: John 1:14-16

Passage: Luke 1:14-17, 32-33