Hebrews 4:14-16
Todd Chapman-  November 22, 2015 

The Problem: Some who have embraced Christ will drift away, and a portion of those who drift will be unaware that they have drifted, that they will miss God’s eternal rest.  

The Solution: We must all be diligent about entering God’s rest.  That means we must be devoted to using the primary tool given us by God to assess the genuineness of our faith.  God’s tool is His Word.  

The Solution Continued:  Those of us devoted to using God’s tool, His Word, to assess our faith, understanding God cuts us to our core and reveals what’s actually inside (authentic or inauthentic faith), we wholeheartedly commit to the only reasonable actions.

We hold as tightly as we possibly can to Jesus.

• Recognizing Jesus as our “great high priest”  - (our confession) 
  • God Almighty
  • A human being
  • One who tasted death so we would not have to
  • Founder of our salvation  
  • Made our perfect High Priest through suffering
  • Destroyer of the power of the devil
  • Deliverer of those who were afraid of death
  • Maker of propitiation for us
  • Our help in all circumstances
• Recognizing He is sympathetic.
  • He cares about our hurts. 
  • He understands, has experienced and endured all our challenges.  
    

We go boldly, fearlessly, unflinchingly, unhesitatingly, into the presence of Jesus, into the immediate presence of God for help.

• Because of Jesus – we the non-high priests – go before the very throne of God.
• Because of Jesus – we go boldly, not fearfully (the Word has cut us open, and there is faith!).
• Because of Jesus – when we go to the throne, we receive grace and mercy and help.

Where would you like to most experience Jesus’ mercy and grace?

Todd Chapman-  November 8, 2015 

Hebrews 4:1-11

1 Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it. 2 For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened. 3 For we who have believed enter that rest, as he has said, “As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter my rest,’” although his works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For he has somewhere spoken of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works.” 5 And again in this passage he said, “They shall not enter my rest.” 6 Since therefore it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news failed to enter because of disobedience, 7 again he appoints a certain day, “Today,” saying through David so long afterward, in the words already quoted, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” 8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken of another day later on. 9 So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, 10 for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. 11 Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. 

• Sabbath
• Promised Land
• Present Experience of Genuine Faith
• Future, eternal rest, being in the immediate presence of God. No pain or sadness, joy, happiness delight in being with Jesus. 

Because we understand what’s at stake:

• We examine ourselves.
• We commit to exhorting one another. “Self-deception is almost impossible to self-diagnose”
  --Keith Gove.  
• We use God’s standard as our criteria.  

• Entering God’s rest has always been an option. 
• We should choose to enter TODAY

• Examine my thinking about Jesus. 
• Examine my feelings about Jesus.
• Examine my commitment to “exhort” others.
• Examine my commitment to being “exhorted”.

1. How would you summarize Hebrews chapter 3?
2. What does the author tell us we should be afraid of?
3. Why didn’t the good news benefit some of the folks (4:2)?
4. How does someone enter God’s rest?
5. Who was it that missed God’s rest (4:3)?
6. Why does the author tell us God rested on the seventh day?
7. Joshua didn’t provide the kind of rest the author of Hebrews is talking about, what is the day referred to as “another”?
8. What kind of rest is the author talking about?
9. Why should we “strive” to enter God’s rest?   How do we “strive” to enter God’s rest?   What does that striving look like?
10. What are the benefits of entering God’s rest?
11. How would you summarize 4:1-11?

1. How long have you treasured Jesus?  How did you first come to place your confidence in him?
2. Have there been times when your confidence and boasting in Jesus has waned?  Would you mind explaining?
3. Who do you have in your life that helps keep you focused on Jesus (exhort)?   What do they do?
4. Do you have folks that you intentionally encourage to keep focused on Jesus (exhort)?  What do you do?
5. What has encouraged your confidence in Jesus in the past?
6. What would encourage you to have even more confidence in Jesus?  To boast even more about him?

Anyone Can Drift
Hebrews 3:7-19
Keith Gove -  November 1st, 2015 

• Saw God respond to their cry, to their prayers, as they were slaves in Egypt 
• Saw God perform signs and wonders through Moses before Pharaoh and all his servants, and before all the people of Egypt  
• Saw God lead them out of the hands of the most powerful ruler in the world.  
• The walked through the divided the Red Sea on dry land.
• They saw Pharaoh's army cast into the depths like a stone into mighty waters.  
• They were led through the desert by a pillar of cloud by day, and by a pillar of fire in the night to light their way.  
• They saw God come down on Mount Sinai and they feared for their lives.  God spoke with them from heaven, gave them true laws and good commands.  
• God provided for them a miraculous provision of bread from heaven for their hunger
• God brought water out of a rock for their thirst (Moses named the place “Testing and Quarreling/Rebellion”).  
• For forty years God sustained them in the desert, they lacked nothing  
• Their clothes did not wear out, their feet did not swell  
• And yet, they refused to trust Him, they rebelled against Him, and appointed a leader to lead them back to Egypt!

They quarreled with God, they tested Him, and they rebelled against Him, refusing to trust Him…all the while… They thought they were being good Jews

The author of Hebrews reminds us again that no one is immune from drifting away from their confidence and boasting in Christ, and gives us strategies for growing our faith. 

If the Exodus generation could drift, anyone can drift!

    ...Assess Our Hearts

    ...We Press Each Other Toward Our Greatest Good

• We need each other
• Not just to “encourage” – exhort, appeal, press them
• Today = Regularly, ongoing, consistently
• Toward our greatest good
• Because we love them (as we love ourselves)

Cocktail Party vs. Dinner Party

Life Groups

    ...We Use The Measure The Author Gives Us—Confidence in Christ

We are not drifting, we are not neglecting our great salvation, “we are his house” IF…

…we hold fast our confidence and our boasting (v.6)
…we hold our original confidence firm… (v.14)
            TO THE END

Why use confidence?

• Why not obedience?
• Why not worship?
• Why not prayer?
• Why not tithing?

Confidence is Key

• Trust Jesus
• Trust who He is
• Trust what He has done
• Trust what He continues to do

• Recognize we’re all vulnerable
• Examine your heart – pray Psalm 139
• It’s a Dinner Party, not a Cocktail Party – Let people in
• Re-read Hebrews 1-3
• Think Long Term – Today, Everyday, To The End! 

• Heir of all things
• Creator
• The Radiance of God’s glory
• The exact imprint of God
• Upholds the universe
• Made purification for sins
• His throne is forever
• Laid the foundation of the earth
• Laid the foundation of the heavens
• Will remain forever
• Changeless

• Eternal
• God Almighty
• A human being
• Tasted death so we would not have to
• The Founder of our salvation
• Our perfect High Priest
• Destroyer of the power of the devil
• Deliverer of those who were afraid of death
• Maker of propitiation for us
• Our help in all circumstances

1. How would you summarize the big idea of 3:1-6?
2. Verse 7 begins with “Therefore”, what does that tell us?
3. Why does the author of Hebrews attribute this quote from Psalm 95 to the “Holy Spirit” instead of the human author?
4. How would you summarize the quote from Psalm 95 (vs. 7-11)? 
5. Why was the unbelief of the Exodus generation so shocking?
6. What two things does the author tell the readers to do in light of vs. 7-11?
7. What was the “original confidence” these Hebrew believers had?
8. What consequence is given for failing to believe God/trust God in v. 18-19?

1. Given what you’ve seen and experienced of God, is drifting away from your original confidence a possibility for you?
2. How do you guard against that drifting?
3. What is the role of the church/other believers in helping you guard against drifting away?
4. What is your role with other believers in helping them not drift away?  What does that look like? 
5. Are there any fears associated with helping other believers not drift away from their original confidence in Jesus?

Hebrews 3:1-6
1 Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, 2 who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God's house. 3 For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses—as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself. 4 (For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.) 5 Now Moses was faithful in all God's house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, 6 but Christ is faithful over God's house as a son. And we are his house if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope.

In our text the author compares and contrasts Jesus and Moses in order to heighten our appreciation of, confidence in , and boasting of Jesus.  

Jesus is worthy of way more glory than Moses.  

• The house builder deserves more glory than the house.
• Every house is built by someone. 
• God is the builder of everything in the cosmos.  

Jesus is worthy of way more glory than Moses.  

• Moses was a servant in God’s house. 
• Jesus is a son over God’s house. 

• …hold fast our confidence in our hope – our confession – Jesus.
• …boasting in our hope - our confession – Jesus.  

Our Confession... Jesus is:

• God Almighty
• A human being
• One who tasted death so we would not have to 
• Founder of our salvation 
• Made our perfect High Priest through suffering 
• Destroyer of the power of the devil 
• Deliverer of those who were afraid of death
• Maker of propitiation for us
• Our help in all circumstances

…hold fast our confidence in our hope – our confession – Jesus.  
…boasting in our hope - our confession – Jesus.  

• Ask why? 
• Contemplate God’s Great Salvation
• Hang with confident, boasting brothers and sisters

• Thank God
• Recognize we are all vulnerable to drifting and neglecting
• Hang with confident, boasting brothers and sisters
• Look for those struggling with confidence and boasting, love them 
• Look for those with no confidence or boasting in Jesus, love them  

1. How would you summarize the big idea of 2:14-18?
2. In what sense does the author want we readers to “consider Jesus”?
3. What is “our confession”?
4. In what ways are Jesus and Moses similar according to the author?
5. In what ways are Jesus and Moses different?
6. Why do you think the author compares and contrasts Moses and Jesus?
7. Specifically what is the author trying to convey by telling us that Moses was faithful “in all God’s house” and “Christ is faithful over God’s house”?
8. What’s the difference between Moses being a “servant” and Jesus a “son”?
9. The author tells us that we are a part of God’s house “if we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope”.  What does it mean to “hold fast our confidence”?  What does that look and feel like?   What does it mean to “boast in our hope”?  What does that look and feel like?
10. How would you paraphrase the big idea of 3:1-6?

1. How would you summarize your understanding of Moses’ role in God’s plan of salvation?  How do you feel about Moses?
2. Are you tempted at all to give Moses more glory than Jesus?  Why?
3. Are there circumstances that sometimes challenge your holding with confidence to Jesus?  Explain.
4. If you are challenged sometimes to hold fast to Jesus, what do you do?
5. How do you boast in your hope in Jesus?  What does your boasting look like?
6. Is there anything that would help you hold more tightly to Jesus and cause you to boast in Him a little more?  What would that be?

How we tend to picture Jesus

In order to enhance our understanding and experience of Jesus’ loving sacrifice, and to increase our confidence as we confront death, the author develops themes to which he alluded earlier…  

How we should think of Jesus, blending in with the crowd.

1. Since we are human, Jesus became one of us. 
2. Jesus became one of us in order to become our “high priest”.
3. As our “high priest” Jesus…
   • ...disarmed the devil.
   • …took God’s wrath for our sin.
   • …freed us from the fear of death.
   • ...helps us now. 

1. How would you summarize 2:10-13?
2. What does it mean that “he himself likewise partook of the same things”?  Who partook of what?
3. What are the specific benefits of Jesus becoming a human being and dying that the author lists in 2:14-15?
4. Why do you think the author mentions (2:17) this is not for the angels but for the “children of Abraham”?  Who are the children of Abraham to whom the author is referring?
5. Why does the author say Jesus “had to be made like his brothers in every respect”?
6. What does it mean that Jesus became a “merciful and faithful high priest”?
7. What does it mean that Jesus made “propitiation” for our sins?  What is propitiation?   (You may want to look this up, a theology book or Google)
8. What does the author want us to take from 2:18?
9. How would you paraphrase the big idea of 2:15-18?
10. How does 2:15-18 relate to 2:10-13?

1. What about Jesus, God Himself, becoming a human being, means the most to you?
2. When you think about the incarnation, God Himself, the 2nd person of the Trinity becoming a human being, what causes you the most intellectual tension as you ponder this integration of divinity and humanity?
3. Have you thought, or do you think about death much?  Why or why not?
4. When you have, or when you do think abut death, how do you feel?
5. How do you think the author wants those of us who treasure Jesus to think and feel about death?
6. Is there anything that you believe might help you enjoy increased confidence as you move towards physical death?  If so, what would it be?

A quick review of Hebrews Chapter 1, and 2:1-9

• Chapter 1: Listen to Jesus (Jesus is God)
• Chapter 2:1-4: Pay much closer attention to Jesus (Listen to Jesus) 
  • Lest we drift away
  • Neglect our great salvation 
• Chapter 2:5-9: Listen to Jesus (Jesus is a man)
  • God will subject the world to come to us.
  • We have always had a special value to God.
  • What God will give us is not obvious now.  We wait. 
  • BUT now, we do see Jesus who was made one of us (2:9)
  • God crowned Jesus with glory and honor while simultaneously pouring out on him His righteous wrath.   
  • Jesus died so that we would not have to (Grace). 

10  For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. 11 For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, 12 saying, “I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.” 13 And again, “I will put my trust in him.” And again, “Behold, I and the children God has given me.” 

Jesus’ Crucifixion = Our path to glory
But Crucifixion = cruelty, cursed, loathed, despicable, failure, loss, ineptitude, scum 

"Make perfect" does NOT mean:
Develop Jesus’ moral character
Develop Jesus’ goodness, righteousness

It DOES mean: God’s preparing Jesus to be fully equipped for his job, his role, his vocation, his function, as a priest who intercedes on our behalf, as our Savior

Jesus’ sufferings that prepared him to be the founder of our salvation: 

• Becoming a human.
• Sharing in challenges of human maturing process. 
• Facing temptations we face. 
• Being rejected and abused. 
• Being falsely accused.  
• Being unfairly killed. 

1. How would you summarize 1:1-14?
2. How would you summarize 2:1-4?
3. How would you summarize 2:5-9?
4. What was “fitting” for God to do?
5. What does it mean that the founder of our faith was “made perfect through suffering”? In what sense was Jesus made “perfect” through His suffering?
6. What does the author mean by “in bringing many sons to glory”?
7. Who is “he who sanctifies”?  Who are “those who are sanctified”?  What does the author mean by their having “one source”?
8. Why is Jesus not ashamed to call us “brothers”?
9. What is the author trying to convey in each of his 3 Old Testament quotes?
10. How would you paraphrase the big idea of 2:10-13?

1. When were you first introduced to the idea of Jesus’ incarnation, as God becoming a human being?
2. How has your understanding of Jesus’ incarnation changed since first being introduced to this miraculous truth?
3. How do you feel when you ponder the reality that Jesus is really a human being?  How does this reality affect your faith?
4. When you consider your relationship with God, does the feeling of shame ever creep in?   Why do you think?   Do you believe God wants you to live with shame?  Why or why not?

David Bartosik 

Hebrews 2:5-9: 5 For it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking. 6 It has been testified somewhere, “What is man,  that you are mindful of him, or the son of man, that you care for him? 7 You made him for a little while lower than the angels; you have crowned him with glory and honor, 8 putting everything in subjection under his feet.” Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. 9 But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. 

We have a special place in God’s economy, and Jesus became one of us. 

We will eventually reign with Christ. 

We are obviously not reigning now. 

But we see Jesus…

• ...who became one of us.
• ...who was crowned at death.
• ...who tasted death for everyone. 

1. How would you summarize chapter 1?  Be concise.
2. How would you paraphrase the big idea of 2:1-4?
3. If it wasn’t to the angels that God subjected the world, who was it?
4. What is the “world to come”?
5. What is the big idea of 2:6-8a, the author’s quote of part of Psalm 8?
6. Who is the “him” in 8b to whom everything has been put into subjection?
7. Why do you think that the author adds, “At present, we do not see everything in subjection to him”?
8. How was Jesus “made lower than the angels”?  What does that mean?
9. When was Jesus “crowned with glory and honor”?
10. In what sense did Jesus “taste death for everyone”?
11. What’s the big idea of 2:5-9?

1. Is it easier for you to more fully understand Jesus’ divinity or His humanity?  Explain.
2. After thoroughly describing Jesus’ divinity in chapter 1, why do you think he develops Jesus' humanity in 2:5 and following?  What is he trying to get us to think?  What is he tying to get us to feel?
3. When you contemplate Jesus’ death, are you filled with a sense of His “glory and honor”?  Why or why not do you think?
4. Why is it important to you that Jesus was not only God, but also a human being?
5. As you have walked with Jesus, and thought about His death, does it become more meaningful or less?  Why do you think?

Differences between Protestant church and Roman Catholic church.

In Chapter 1 of Hebrews, the big idea is to LISTEN TO JESUS:

• He is God’s Son.

• He is God. 

  • Heir of all things

  • Creator 

  • Radiance of God’s glory

  • The exact imprint of God 

  • Upholds the universe

  • Made purification for sins

  • His throne is forever

  • Filled with uprightness

  • Loves righteousness

  • Anointed with oil of gladness

  • Laid the foundation of the earth

  • Laid the foundation of the heavens

  • Will remain forever

  • Changeless

  • Eternal

• He sits at God’s right hand.

Hebrews 2:1-4: Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. 2 For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, 4 while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will. 

• All of us are potentially vulnerable.

• The risk could be that we think there is no risk.  

• The danger is that our drifting is imperceptible to us.

• Those who didn’t listen to the prophets were appropriately punished. 

• Those who don’t listen to Jesus have even less reason to think they will avoid their appropriate punishment.  

• “Drifting” is actually neglecting the “great salvation.”

  • God’s complete forgiveness. 

  • God’s adopting us as His children. 

  • God committing to use all circumstances for our good.

  • God committing to always be with us. 

  • God’s committing to so filling us with His love we genuinely love our enemies. 

  • God committing to welcoming us to heaven when we die.  

  • God committing to transforming the world when Jesus returns.

  • God committing to giving us imperishable bodies and enjoying His immediate presence forever. 

• Jesus preached this salvation. 

• Those closest to Jesus promoted this salvation.  

• God’s miracles through Jesus and apostles attest to this salvation.  

• Gifts of the Holy Spirit affirm this salvation.  

• Not concerned with drifting. 

• Consumed  by other things.

• Not that interested in listening to Jesus.  (Less interested in being a 1st hander.) 

• Minimal focus on Jesus.

• Not interested in introducing others to Jesus.   

• Not treasuring Jesus above all else. 

• Acknowledge we may be susceptible. 

• Look for warning signs of drifting.

• Hang with those who “pay close attention” to Jesus. 

• Read the Bible. (Hebrews)

Todd Chapman

Hebrews 1:1-4:  Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. (From The Holy Bible, English Standard Version copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles)

As we begin our study of the Book of Hebrews, we are reminded again of the importance of being a "First Hander" with the Word of God.

Our preaching – Showing people the kitchen…

1. Preach through a book of Bible 
2. Focus on the text
3. Weekly Life Group Discussion Questions
4. Review, broader logic and flow
5. Calibrated use of illustrations

• God desires to reveal Himself.
•  God chooses to work through people to reveal Himself. 
• God reveals Himself through different people in different times in different ways. 

God spoke through the prophets.  The prophets were good, but were limited...

1. They were human (temporal – died).  
2. They were sinful. 
3. They were limited, speaking for God. 
4. They didn’t completely understand God’s eternal plan. 
5. They were mere spokespersons who pointed to the Ultimate Spokesperson. 

Now God speaks through His Son.  Jesus is way better than the prophets.  Listen to Him.  

Jesus...

• …owns all that is. 
• …created the world. 
• …contains all of God’s glory.
• …is in His essence God.  
• …holds the universe together. 
• …purified our sin.  
• …ascended into heaven. 
• …is superior to the angels.   

Our takeaways from 1:1-4:

• God speaks to us. 
• Jesus is the best possible spokesperson for God.  Because He is God. 
• Listen to Jesus.  It’s God’s plan for birthing, growing, and sustaining genuine faith.  Don’t settle for being a 2nd hander.  
  - Read Hebrews on your own.  
  - Pray that God’s Spirit would open our minds and hearts to what He inspired the author of Hebrews to communicate.  
  - Happily, expectantly participate in a Life Group.  

1. Who is the author of Hebrews?
2. To whom is Hebrews written?  (Be as precise as you can)
3. How did God speak long ago?
4. What did God speak about long ago?
5. In what sense were these the “last days” in which the author wrote?
6. In these “last days” God has spoken through his Son, and then he goes on to describe him.  What does the author mean by…
   • “heir of all things”?
   • “he created the world”?
   • “the radiance of the glory of God”?
   • “the exact imprint of his nature”?
   • “he upholds the universe by his word”?
   • “making purifications for sin”?
   • “sat down at the right hand of Majesty”?
   • “having become superior to angels”?
7. How would you summarize what the author is trying to convey by this long list of descriptions of the Son?
8. The author seems to be comparing and contrasting the way God spoke through the prophets with his speaking though His Son.  How is God’s speaking though the prophets different form His speaking though His Son?
9. What is the author’s big idea in this paragraph?

1. Do you think the author wants us to read the Old Testament, the prophets?
2. How did you first “hear” Jesus speak?
3. When you first “heard” Jesus, what did He say?
4. How do you listen to Jesus now?
5. What has been Jesus been saying to you lately?
6. What would motivate you to listen to Jesus more often?
7. What might help you hear Jesus more clearly?