Hebrews – A Call to Commitment:
                     “The Danger of Unbelief”
                                Hebrews 3:7-19

•  The main Idea is found in verse 12 
• The preacher quotes Ps. 95: 7b-11 in Hebrews 3:7-11

      Two parts:  
       1) Call to worship; the first part: Ps. 95:1-7a 
        2) The Warning: Ps. 95:7b-11

•  In Num 14:1-4 we see the negative response of the people.
• Thus, God levels a charge against them:  Num. 14:20-23

      Four Keys to Trusting God:

1.            Encourage One Another: Daily

•   He is a roaring Lion (1 Pet 5:8-9)

2.         Begin with the end in Mind: Steven Covey

3.         Listen to His voice: The Word of God

•  The sheep hear the voice of the shepherd: John 10:2-5
• Trust the instruction: 1 Tim 3:16-17

4.         Obey the Message: 

• Faith without works is dead : James 2:15-17
•  Num 14:39-45; they repented—too late.
• Jesus said: John 3:36

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                        Hebrews – A Call to Commitment:
                                              “The G.O.A.T.”
                                              Hebrews 3:1-6

      He starts by defining our Status:

     1.                  Our Nature: Made Holy – Separate 1 Pet 1:15-16

     2.                  Our Relationship: Brothers & Sisters, Family 1 Pet 2:17

     3.                  Our Privilege: Heavenly calling

• Phil 3:14; Heaven is our goal!

      Two Things about Jesus:

      1.                  Our Apostle: Earthy Representative

      2.                  Our High Priest: Heavenly Mediato

•  Moses had a crisis of faith: Ex. 4:13

Jesus greater than Moses in three ways:

1.         Jesus is the builder of the house

2.         Jesus is God

•  He already has told us that Jesus is the creator:  Hebrews 1:2

3.         Jesus is the Master of the house

• The eternal house: 1 Sam 2:35
• We need to take root… Mk 4:16-17

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              Hebrews – A Call to Commitment:
                  “The Champion that Liberates”
                                   Hebrews  2:14-18

• Jesus is our Champion: Isaiah 42:13

           Jesus Liberates us from Three Immense Tyrants:

1.         The Power of the Devil

• Jesus destroyed the devils work: 1 John 3:8

2.         The Fear of Death

• Paul said that Jesus destroyed death in 2 Tim 1:10
• Christ became a little lower than the angels Heb 2:9

3.         The Barrier of Sin

• The Day of Atonement: The High Priest cleanses the  sin of the community; We are made holy: Hebrews 2:11
• But Sin still could stand in our way: 1 Pet 3:7

      What kind of High Priest is Jesus?

     1)     He is merciful; He is characterized by mercy

     2)     He is faithful; Faithful to both God and us

•  Faithful to us: 2 Tim 2:13

     3)     He is able to help in the midst of Temptation.

•  They needed to know that he was able see them through trials. 1 Cor. 10:13
• And even more than just seeing us through—we become more than conquerors: Rom 8:35-37

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                    Hebrews – A Call to Commitment:
                                      “Blazing the Trail”
                                        Hebrews 2:5-13

• In verse 10, Jesus is given a new title: “The Pioneer”
• He is setting the stage for Heb 12:2
• Angels were given responsibilities over the nations: Deut 32:8
• We are so insignificant yet God cares for us. Ps. 144:3
• God’s original intent: Gen. 1:26-27

      Three defining Aspects of the Pioneer:

1.        The Pioneer's Humanity

•  Jesus identified with us; for a short time: Phil. 2:6-8

2.          The Pioneer’s Mission

       Three facts about the Mission:

       1)     The Mission is ongoing.

      2)     The Mission demonstrates the Wisdom of God.

• God knew his way was the right way: Isaiah 55:8-9

     3)     The Mission is about complete Identification

3.            The Pioneer’s Achievement

•  Three Old Testament quotes proclaim his solidarity: Psalm 22:22. 
• He trusted His Father, even during the dark times: Ps 22:1 
•  Isaiah 8:18 – Isaiah 8:17-18; The Parousia

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                      Hebrews – A Call to Commitment:
                                “The Danger of Drifting”
                                           Hebrews 2:1-4

• When we hear we put it into practice: Matt 7:24-27
• The message of Salvation began in the book of  Genesis: Gen 3:15
• All Scripture is God Breathed…2 Tim 3:16-17
• Look at Duet 33:1-2
• Stephen confirms that Angels delivered the Law: Acts 7:38; 7:51-53
• Paul also confirms it: Gal. 3:19

       Three reasons why it is so dangerous to drift away from the gospel:

    1)         Its Origin: It came from the Son of God

    2)         Its Confirmation: Eye witnesses

•  The Author can’t be Paul; Gal. 1:11-12
• Tertulian credited Barnabas!
• Martin Luther: Apollos  Acts 18:24-28

   3)         Its Effectiveness: God endorses the message

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                           Hebrews – A Call to Commitment:
                                        “Superior to the Angels”
                                                 Hebrews 1:4-14

• They believed that Angels delivered the law to Moses. (Heb. 2:2)

    Jesus is Superior to the Angels in Three Specific Ways:

1.         His Name is superior

• The first Ps. 2:7 found in Acts 13:33
• Second: 2 Sam 7:12 found in John 7:42

2.         His Dignity is superior – He is to be worshiped!

•  Ps. 97:7 “This refers to YHWH.
• Jesus must be honored:  John 5:19-23
• Thomas Worshiped:  John 20:27-29

3.         His Status is Superior 

•  The Son chose to be a servant: Phil 2:5-8

         His status is superior in Four ways:

        1) The Son is the King

        2) The Son is consistently Righteous, which he  demonstrated in his incarnation:  1 Pet                        2:22

• Who are these companions?  Heb 2:11
• These “companions” of the King are the descendants of Abraham Heb 2:16; they share his gladness, for He did not take on the nature of angels, but he took on the nature of humanity. 
• The anointing is the joy of completion: Heb 12:2

       3) The Son is the Creator not the creature:  Heb 1:2

       4) The Son is Unchangeable!

•  Creation will not last, but he remains the same (13:8)
• Right hand signifies his rule or Reign: Phil 2:9-11
• Jesus predicted his destiny: Mark 14:61-62

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                  Hebrews – A Call to Commitment:
                                “  The Majestic Christ”

                                           Hebrews 1:1-3

•  He opens with the variety and validity of the OT message: 2 Tim 3:16-17

Seven facts Illustrate the Majesty of Christ:

    1.      Jesus Is the Son of God

• Jesus is God; the only way to God. Jn. 14:6

   
    2.     Jesus Is the Heir of all things

•   He is thinking of Ps. 2:7-8
•  Paul says we are also heirs: Rom. 8:17

   
   3.     Jesus is the Creator of the universe:  Jn. 1:1-3

   4.      Jesus is Radiance of God’s Glory

•  The glory now shines from the Son: John 1:14

  5.     Jesus is the Exact Image of God’s Nature

•  He is like a minted coin or wax seal: Col. 1:15

  6.     Jesus is the Cosmic Sustainer

•  Jesus holds everything together:  Col. 1:17
• God did not create and then let things be: Isa 40:28-31

 7.      Jesus Completed the Work of Salvation

•  He was both the priest presiding over the sacrifice and the sacrifice: Lev 16:30
• Jesus was the final sacrifice: John 19:30
• He sits at the place of authority: Eph. 1:20-22

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                   Hebrews – A Call to Commitment:
                                        The Overview     

I.          Why is the letter of Hebrews Neglected?

      1)      Its form seems unusual. 

• Hebrews is grouped with the NT letters but it does not resemble a letter: 1 Cor 1:1-3
• Instead the document begins with a majestic sentence celebrating the dignity of the Son of God through whom God has spoken his final word: Heb 1:1-3

     2)      Its setting in life seems uncertain.

          a.       Who is the Author?
          b.      Who are the recipients? 
          c.       What was the situation?

    3)      Its Argument seems unfamiliar.

        a.       It talks about Jesus in contrast to angels
        b.      It focus on the sacrificial law – The Torah (OT).
        c.       It mentions Melchizedek
        d.      It seems way too long—13 chapters.

II.        How can we get a handle on it?

   1)      Hebrews is not a letter; it is a sermon!

         a.       Heb 13:22 “Word of exhortation.”

• Technical term for sermon: Acts 13:15 

        b.      He wants his audience to listen to the voice of God in the present (tense):  Heb 12:25;
        c.       The Author identifies himself with the Audience: Heb 2:1

   2)      The context is about the Cost of Discipleship

        a.       Their world is falling apart 10:32-34
        b.      In Rome in AD 49, the Jews were expelled from Rome, under Claudius: Acts 18:1-2

  3)      Hebrews addressed human frailty.

• The location may be Rome: Heb 13:24
• Fear of death is real: Heb 2:14-15 

 4)      Hebrews Expresses the Concern of a Friend.

• He recalled the requirement for discipleship: Mk 8:34-38
• So, he reminds them that they are not alone!
• Peter also remind his readers: 1 Pet 5:9
• When confronted by opposition look to Christ: Heb. 12:2ff  

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• Standing firm in the faith:  Col 1:22-23

Six Essential Keys to being Rock Solid:

1.         Submit to Pastoral Leadership

•   He calls everyone in the church to put aside self-promoting pride and to willingly place themselves under their shepherd’s: Heb 13:17

2.         Clothe Yourselves in Humility

• Humility implies putting on a servant’s apron:  Jn 13:4
• Humility is necessary in order to live the Christian life: Phil 2:3-4
• Thus they are to see God at work behind their suffering and submit, allowing themselves to be brought low, for his purpose is that he may exalt you in due time:  Mt 23:11-12

3.          Cast All Anxiety upon God

• Since God is in control, leave your cares with him: Phil 4:6-7
• This is an OT concept: Psalm 55:22

4.         Be Alert & Sober Minded to Evil

•  If you are a soldier you keep watch: 1 Thes 5:6
•  Stay awake.  We are in a spiritual battle: Eph. 6:12
• Six times the Psalmist pictures his foes as lions, lying in ambush and waiting to pounce, or roaring in their pride: Ps. 17:12

5.         Resist the Devil

•   Like good soldiers the Christians are not to fear or flee the   enemy, but resist him:  Jam. 4:7
• Jesus saw Satan as defeated: Lk 10:17-18
• Peter does not promise escape from suffering in this world; he sees it as the norm:  1 Pet 4:12-13
• Persecution is the norm:2 Tim 3:12

6.          Hope in God’s Amazing Grace

        The power of God’s grace will do Four things:

1.            Restore: Repairing a broken bone

2.            Strengthen: Make strong

3.            Firm up in Faith.

4.            Ground us: Place on a foundation: Mt. 7:24-25

• We will be Rock Solid: Psalm 40:1-3

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                           Strangers in a Strange Land:
                                 “Leadership Vacuum”
                                            1 Pet 5:1-4

• The people of the world are lost: Isaiah 53:6
• If sheep stray into unfamiliar territory, they become disoriented and become lost: Luke 15:3-7
• Sheep cannot clean themselves; thus Jesus likened the crowds to disoriented, confused, unclean and spiritually lost flocks of sheep without shepherds: Mt. 9:36
• The Apostle Peter needs guidance as well: Gal 2:11-13
• The sheep belong to God: John 21:16
• This is a serious matter: Acts 20:28-29

Four Facts about the Call to Shepherd:

1.            Shepherding is a Calling not a Career

• Leadership is difficult at best, but it should be desired: 1 Tim 3:1
• Hey, sheep give your leaders a break:Heb 13:17

2.            Shepherding is a Calling not an Enterprise

• Money can be a trap: 1 Tim 6:9-10
• Here is the secret to successful ministry: Phil 4:12-13
•  There is a place for proper compensation: 1Tim 5:17-18

3.             Shepherding is a Calling not a Power-trip

•  The Lord’s shepherds are to be servants, not bosses; ministers, not executives: Mt. 20:25-28
• The shepherd did not drive the sheep but walk in front of them, calling on them to follow:  1 Cor. 11:1

4.            Shepherding is a Calling that results in Eternal Reward

•  Peter promises no earthly reward but directs the elders to look beyond this present world: 1 Cor 9:25

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