Mission Presbyterian Church

What is faith- Our author takes us beyond simple definition to summarize the characteristics of faith- assurance and conviction, and the character of faith, the kind behavior lived out by the faithful who trust in God.

While those who go on deliberately sinning put themselves in danger of fiery punishment, those who believe in Jesus are not those who shrink back, but those whose faith confidently endures.

What are you afraid of- Who are you afraid of- Who SHOULD you be afraid of- -It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.- Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Faith in Jesus is the end of wisdom.

Christianity is not a lone ranger religion. Here in Hebrews we are called, together, to faith that draws near to God, hope that doesn't waver, and love and good works as we meet with each other and encourage one another.

Jesus' once-for-all sacrifice means once-for-all forgiveness. Christianity is not- -you might be forgiven...- or -you will be forgiven...- Christianity is the declaration, by grace through faith in Christ- -You are forgiven.- It's done, sins and lawless deeds remembered no more-

As society abandons God and religion its guilt only increases, and the hope of being found blameless becomes a pipe dream. Not so for Christians- by grace through faith in Jesus our guilt is removed, we are blameless before God, and our consciences are clear.

Jesus Christ's sacrificial death secured an eternal inheritance for those called by God, those who eagerly wait for Jesus's Second Coming. Answer the call, hope eagerly-

The blood of bulls and goats, the ashes of a heifer, cannot cleanse us or allow us entry into God's presence. The blood of Christ is our entry, with Him, to God and guarantee of the good blessings of the New Covenant.

The Holy Place and Most Holy Place, or Holy of Holies were the two sections of the tabernacle and later Temple. A curtain divided them. Priests served in the Holy Place daily, but the high priest went behind the curtain just once a year, on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. In Hebrews 9 the author tells us that this structure and practice, as long as they remained, restricted access to God, and could not cleanse our conscience nor deal with sin. The good news is Jesus' death and resurrection tears the curtain in two and gives us free access to God, by grace through faith.

What is defective must be replaced. God promised a new, better covenant and God delivered it in Jesus, and better promises with it- His law in our hearts- He is our God - we are His people- we know or love God- He forgets our sins.