The Grace Message with Dr. Andrew Farley

Ever been in the grocery store and one of the representatives offers you a taste-tester? You slide the toothpick in your mouth to taste the sample. Next thing you know, there’s that awkward moment – they’re looking right at you to see if you’ll smile and then open the freezer to invest in the product. You face a decision – invest in the meal or continue on to the next aisle looking for something better.
 
This is exactly what we see in Hebrews 6. The author is warning his readers that if they’ve tasted the Gospel but then decide to look elsewhere (namely, to the dead works of the Temple!), there is no place for repentance anywhere else. Conversely, if they do decide to invest in the Gospel, they will experience a sure and everlasting benefit that can only come from “two unchangeable things.”
 
Find out more about this dire warning and this amazing benefit in this message on one of the most controversial passages of all!

Discussion Questions:

1. What are the elementary or foundational teachings the Hebrews needed to graduate from?
2. Hebrews 6:4-6 is a challenging passage. How do the words enlightened, shared, and tasted help us better understand the author’s true intent?
3. How does the “ground that drinks the rain” (versus ground that doesn’t) analogy support that better understanding?
4. In what way does verse 9 offer hope to true believers in the midst of this warning chapter?
5. What are the two unchangeable things? How is this an anchor of hope for the soul?
6. What significance does the “order of Melchizedek” hold here?

What is the meaning of "grace upon grace" in John 1:16? If an unbeliever is a slave to sin, how can he ever come to Christ? My friend thinks we believers can sin enough to harden our heart and walk away from Jesus. How do I respond to this?

How were Old Testament believers saved? How can "all Scripture be inspired" (2 Timothy 3:16) if we are not under the Law? My granddaughters have been abused, and some say this can open people to Satan and spiritual warfare. I'm wondering about a believer's susceptibility to the enemy.

How is Jesus the Prince of Peace if he came with a sword (Matthew 10)? What is Romans 9 talking about if we are not individually predestined to believe? Is Hebrews 6 warning Christians about loss of salvation? If not, what does it really mean?

I work for the government and have to file paperwork that I disagree with. How can I do my job well and with joy if I feel this way? Should I look for another job? What is a "word of knowledge"? Why does James 4 talk about drawing near to God if we are already close to Him?

Will we have free will in Heaven? Could the fall of humanity start all over again? What does it mean to live under grace? What are your thoughts on Halloween?

Does Hebrews 3 say that we need to hang on tightly or we might lose our salvation? What does it mean to make every effort to enter God’s rest? Is there such a thing as a temporary believer? What does it mean to delight in the Lord? What does the Parable of the Ten Virgins really mean? Do you have to deny yourself to be saved or after salvation? My church teachers I will have to give an account for every sin. Is this true?

Jesus is a high priest like no other. God appointed His own Son as our eternal priest. Jesus learned obedience through suffering, and He totally gets us.

But the Hebrews weren’t sure what to think of Him. They hadn’t made up their minds. They’d heard so much great teaching that they ought to be teachers themselves. Instead, many of them were still spiritual infants, while others had yet to be saved at all.

In Hebrews 5, the author is telling them to get with the program, to eat meat (not just milk!), and to enjoy all the benefits of the new and better covenant.

I hope this message encourages you to dive deeper into God’s grace and enjoy “the word of righteousness.”

Discussion Questions:

1. What are some similarities between the Old Testament high priests and Jesus? What are some differences?

2. What does it mean in verse 8 that Jesus “learned obedience”?

3. How can “those who obey Him” in verse 9 be misunderstood to support a conditional salvation? How does the better translation “attend to” or “listen to” help us understand the author's intent?

4. Why does Melchizedek appear in this chapter?

5. What is the “milk” referred to here? What is the “word of righteousness”?

What is the new covenant? How is it different from the old? Why does Paul mention the angels in 1 Corinthians 11? Why would they care about hair length or head coverings? Was Abraham’s righteousness credited? What about us today?

Why did you say “God is blue and so are you”? How should I respond to the Jehovah’s Witness claim that Jesus is not God? Did Jesus really go to Hell for three days to preach? What’s the difference between the Kingdom of God and the church?