"If you're in Christ there's no offering needed, if you're not in Christ there's no offering effective."

Brett leads us through the second half of Hebrews Chapter 9 into Chapter 10, addressing the supremacy of Christ's work as the final sacrifice. In conclusion, Brett points us forward to the confidence found in the ascension, reign, and return of Christ. Christ will return with no thought of sin for those who are in Him. 

Brett explained these passages of Scripture through these main points:

1. Real vs. Shadow (v. 23-24)

2. Finished vs. Perpetual (v. 25-26)

3. Coincidence vs. Consummation (v. 26)

4. Last Chance vs. Second Chance (v. 27-28)

5. Removal vs. Reminder (10:1-4)

6. Sacrifice vs. Obedience (v. 5-8)

7. Old vs. New (v. 9)

8. Sinner vs. Sanctified (v. 10)

9. Standing vs. Sitting (v. 11-12)

10. Remembered vs. Forgotten (v. 17)

11. Forgiveness vs. Offerings (v.18)

"Trust in the reality ahead, and let go of the shadow that's behind."

Brett continued with our series through the book of Hebrews yesterday, focusing on Chapter 8. The first part of the chapter summarizes what was written in the previous seven chapters, while the last part describes the New Covenant. Brett also discussed some of the differences between the Old and New Covenants, which are:

1. The New Covenant is with the house of Israel and the house of Judah (verse 8)

2. The Old Covenant was conditional (If they kept the law they were blessed, and if they broke the law they were cursed)

3. The New Covenant is written on our hearts (verse 10)

"Where is your trust placed for your life?"

This week, Sean discussed Psalm 16 and explained the seven acts of trusting God that David demonstrates in this passage of Scripture. These seven acts are:

1. Runs to the protection of God (verse 1)

2. Submits to the power of God (verse 2)

      -"When deciding whether to obey God or not, make the decision that you'll be most thankful for 10,000 years from now."

3. Delights in the people of God (verses 3 and 4)

4. Cherishes the presence of God (verses 5 and 6)

5. Follows the plan of God (verses 7 and 8)

      -"Trust in Christ is the best way to enjoy life and the only way to enjoy eternity."

6. Rejoices in the promise of God (verses 9 and 10)

      -"The resurrection is God's 'Amen' to Jesus' 'It is finished'."

7. Hopes in the pleasures of God (verse 11)

"The only place that brings you rock solid truth is the Scriptures."

Brett continued with our series through Hebrews this week, focusing on Chapter 7. He explained typology, the way Melchizedek represents Jesus, and how the Levitical priesthood was embedded in Israel. Some traits of the Levitical priesthood were:

1. The priesthood and law went hand in hand

2. Priests served from ages 25 to 50

3. Priests had to be of the tribe of Levi

4. They were chose by lineage, not character

5. Could not be a king and a priest

We then discussed how Jesus could not have been a Levitical priest, as He was from the tribe of Judah. Instead, He was chosen by God because of His moral character. Jesus fulfilled the Ten Commandments completely and is the final king and priest.

We referenced Genesis 14 and Psalm 110 to help us better understand this section of Scripture.

"When God's people live as exiles, how do they remain faithful to God?"

We paused our series in the book of Hebrews this week while Jerell preached on Jeremiah 29 and the Letter to the Exiles. This section of Scripture discusses the Babylonian exile, and Jerell explained that, "God wanted Israel to be a distinct nation that would receive God's blessing so that they could be that unique blessing to the nations that surrounded them."

In response to the above question, we discussed three ways to react when exiled:

1. Retreat

2. Fight

3. Conform

Jerell then explained the ways to respond to these reactions:

1. Take root rather than retreat

2. Seek the welfare of the city rather than fight (seek the Shalom)

3. Rather than conforming, we pray (prayer transforms us and the city)

"We have a high calling. We are called to follow the Lord Jesus Christ and be obedient to Him,  but in so doing we are called to be an example to others around us."

Brett continued in our series through Hebrews, covering Hebrews 6:9-20. This section of Hebrews discusses God's promise with Abraham, and how God swore by Himself "since he had no one greater by whom to swear" (verse 13), knowing that Abraham would not uphold his promise. These passages in Hebrews describe how we are unable to save ourselves and that those who have salvation have "ultimate security." Brett explained, "If our eternal security; if our perseverance as a saint depends on me or depends upon you; utter disaster. It wouldn't work. It depends upon the One who is faithful, who could swear by no other. The One who gave an oath to Himself. The One who cannot lie. The One who will bring us home to Him. That's perseverance of the saints."

"Enjoy being in Christ and the safety that that gives you."

Brett continued with our series through the book of Hebrews, and focused on Hebrews 6:4-8. He discussed principles of interpretation when you come to an unclear passage as well as how to know you're saved. In regard to knowing that you're saved, we discussed the following:

1. Do you understand the Gospel? (in its simplicity, severity, and sovereignty)

2.  When you understand the Gospel, you repent

3. God saves us completely (it is not our own doing)

4. You will see fruit (changes in your life)

5. You hold fast

6. You persevere until the end

"It's not just knowing things, it's walking in obedience in the things that you know."

Brett continued in our series through the book of Hebrews, and focused on Hebrews 5:11 - 6:3. These passages are calling us to be teachers of the Gospel and is expressing a frustration with the early church not grasping "the basics." Verse 12 reads, "For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food." Two questions posed during the sermon were:

1. If you're supposed to be a teacher, are you able?

2. Are we a church full of people that are different from the culture?

"We have access to God only because of Jesus and always because of Jesus."

Brett continued with our series through the book of Hebrews, and discussed Hebrews 5:1-10 and the requirements of a High Priest, which include:

1. Being gifted the role of High Priest

2. The High Priest is a God ordained man

3. They serve man on behalf of God

4. They are self-aware, sympathetic, and gentle in regard to sin

5. They are obligated to offer sacrifices on behalf of others and himself 

"We have a sympathetic High Priest who represents a sympathetic Father."

Brett continued our series through Hebrews, focusing on Hebrews 4:14-16 and explained the three reasons why Jesus is the perfect High Priest. Jesus is:

1. Perfect

2. Permanent

3. Peculiar (fully God and fully man)