Wisdom-Trek ©

Putnam Church Message – 09/03/2023

We continue our extended series through the book of Hebrews in the New Testament. Last, we explored the right response: we should not neglect this opportunity to draw near to God…and come clean.

This week, we will study the “Application of Faith” by Common People with Uncommon Faith.

Let’s read Hebrews 11:1-7.

A Christian life of faith is an enigma in our modern world that is dependent on the senses, dominated by the sensual, and dissected by the sciences. In his book The Root of the Righteous, A. W. Tozer notes that a faithful Christian “feels supreme love for One whom he has never seen, talks familiarly every day to Someone he cannot see…sees the invisible, hears the inaudible and knows that which passeth knowledge.” The more skeptical and materialistic our world becomes, the more outlandish the person of faith will appear. How strange it will seem to take God at His word, believe in the unseen, and invest in eternity!

In light of this, it’s easy to think that perseverance in a life of faith is an honor reserved for an elite league of heroic saints with seemingly supernatural abilities to discern the invisible, believe the incredible, and stand against the inevitable. Church history is marked by memorials of the remarkable “saints” whose names don churches, hospitals, universities, and even cities—Peter, Augustine, Aquinas, Luther, Calvin, Wesley, Moody, Scofield. With this lineup of legends, it’s easy to overlook the unsung believers who modeled the life of faith outside the limelight and whose stories never made it into the history books.

Functioning somewhat like a Reader’s Digest, condensed version of the Old Testament, Hebrews 11 recounts biblical history through the well-known and the lesser-known heroes of God’s epic story of redemption. Here, we find common men and women who exhibited uncommon faith—faith that perplexed the people around them but pleased the God above them.

Before he documents the journey of the faithful throughout biblical history, the writer of Hebrews provides a simple but rich definition of faith (11:1–2). Faith isn’t a blind shot in the dark, positive thinking, arrogant presumption, or gullible naïveté. Faith is confidence in God, a firm conviction that what He says is true and that what He promises He will do. (Bulletin Insert)

In 11:1, in his definition of faith, the author places two lines in parallel:

The CONFIDENCE

The REALTY

In What We Hope For… (NIV)

Of What We Hope For… (NLT)

The ASSURANCE

The EVIDENCE

About What We Do Not See (NIV)

Of Things We Cannot See (NLT)

Confidence or Reality refers to the essence or substance of something that stands under something as its foundation or support. This word is partnered with these words: assurance and evidence.  These things constitute the grounds for holding as true the invisible reality of spiritual things and the trustworthiness of God’s future promises: “Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see,” (11:1). When building a structure the basic rule is, the taller the structure, the deeper the foundation must be. The foundation must go into the bedrock for tall buildings to stand firm. So it is with our life of faith, to have strong faith, it must be embedded in the bedrock of God’s Word. This dense definition, therefore, points to the state of faith—believing—and the activity of faith—being faithful.

Such faith isn’t simply limited to the things present but invisible, or the things future and unknowable (11:1). Faith is also necessary to take God at His word regarding things past and unobservable. Take, for example, God’s creation of all things out of nothing. Only by faith in God’s record of creation can we understand that God Himself is responsible for creating our incomprehensible universe (11:3). We can make philosophical arguments for the existence of a First Cause or point to scientific evidence for an Intelligent Designer, but ultimately, without faith in the Almighty Creator of Genesis 1:1, we’ll never grasp this foundational truth.

To complete our examination of the author’s definition of faith, allow me to do something I rarely do in my exposition of a passage: jump ahead a few verses to Hebrews 11:6. While describing the first three examples of faithfulness, the author inserts a line that further defines the life of faith by explaining how this faith works. A life of faith presupposes an attitude of humble dependence, which works itself out in three ways.

First, by faith, we come to God (11:6). This suggests an acknowledgment that He is the great Source of everything there is … and of everything we need. We come to Him, as it were, with open hands and an open heart. He isn’t dodging us or hiding himself from us. He’s always there. We simply go to Him through faith.

Second, by faith, we believe that He is (11:6). This suggests that we set aside the need to see with human eyes or touch with human hands. We replace the “show me” and “prove it” attitudes of skepticism with the Christian attitudes of openness and trust.

Third, by faith, we trust Him to keep His word (11:6). He has promised to reward those who seek Him by believing in Him and coming to Him in faith. By faith, we know that, because of the nature of God (all-powerful and all-knowing) and His character (faithful and true), He is, therefore, trustworthy. We can depend on Him completely.

The person of faith, then, believes what God says without questioning and, therefore, does what God says without quarreling. In his journal, Dag Hammarskjöld, the second secretary-general of the UN, described a believer who exhibited that kind of living faith:

That’s the type of faith that gains approval from God (11:2). From a natural perspective, such a life of faith may seem risky … even reckless. But in reality, the risk is nil because of the trustworthy character of God. Because of who He is, we can step out in faith, knowing He will embrace us like an attentive, loving mother reaching out to catch a toddler taking their first haphazard steps.

1.                 Faith builds assurance and conviction (11:1). It drives out doubts about the past, insecurity in the present, and fear of the future.

2.                 Faith faces the future with confidence (11:1). It solidifies hope and stands firm amid the gale-force winds of trials.

3.                 Faith focuses on an invisible reality (11:1, 3). It perceives “things we cannot see,” which unbelievers will never accept.

4.                 Faith fulfills its purpose in pleasing God (11:2, 6). It can’t be substituted by good works, good feelings, or good intentions.

5.                 Faith fixes our lives fully on God (11:6). It takes seriously God’s promise of reward for faithfulness.

With the definition of faith framing the canvas of Hebrews 11, the author begins to add brilliant colors to illustrate the life of faith. He launches his lineup of what we’ll call the “Procession of Faith,” not with Father Abraham or Moses the Deliverer, nor with King David or Elijah the Prophet. To illustrate his profound definition of faith with practical lives of faithfulness, the author of Hebrews begins with a shepherd, a preacher, and a builder—three common people with uncommon faith.

In 11:4, he introduces a shepherd named Abel. With the mention of this name, we enter into the midst of the most primitive era with the very first family on earth. Genesis 4 tells us Abel was a shepherd while his brother Cain was a farmer (Gen. 4:2). Though it’s not mentioned in the text, it’s implied that God had made known His requirement for the offering expected in authentic worship—an offering of blood (Gen. 4:3–7). Abel “did well” (Gen. 4:7) and obeyed by offering an animal sacrifice as God demanded. But Cain chose to do things his way by offering the fruit of his labors. You probably know the end result: God approved of Abel’s sacrifice offered in faith, but disapproved of Cain’s (Gen. 4:3–5). In a fit of jealousy, Cain killed his brother for doing what was right in the eyes of God. This first example demonstrates that faith—taking God at His word—involves trusting God and responding rightly to that belief. It also illustrates the painful truth that faithful obedience sometimes results in persecution—sometimes death.

It reflects our fallen human nature to try to come to God on our terms, offering Him things He didn’t ask for—good works, artificial rituals, sincere intentions. But God asks for simple trust and obedience—doing what He says even when we don’t understand why. It is possible that the author was drawing a subtle parallel between Cain’s self-willed offering and the obsolete animal sacrifices of the Mosaic Law on the one hand, and Abel’s faithful offering and the once-for-all shed blood of Jesus Christ on the other (Heb. 9:11–14).

The second example of a life of faith is Enoch (11:5). Because of his faith, exhibited in a life that was “pleasing to God,” this mysterious figure of the pre-Flood era was “taken up” by God without experiencing death. In the rest of the Bible, the biography of Enoch is, at best, only a sketch. The original account of his miraculous rapture to heaven is found in four verses in Genesis. We’re told twice that he “walked with God” and that he fathered children, and then we’re told that “God had taken him away” (Gen. 5:21–24). Besides this, Jude 1:14–15 tells us that Enoch was a prophet who foresaw the future judgment of God.

Another thing we do know is that Enoch lived in the closing generations before Noah’s Flood. He lived with righteousness and raised his children during an increasingly perverse and severely wicked world that would have scorned his life of faith. Enoch’s faith, which kept him in step with God and out of step with his generation, pleased God so much that he was taken from the earth before the judgment of the Flood.

Next, the writer of Hebrews turns the spotlight on a much better-known hero of the faith, Noah (Heb. 11:7). However, even though the book of Genesis spends six chapters on Noah (Gen. 5–10), Hebrews 11 distills the account of this giant of the faith to just one verse that focuses on his faithfulness amid a condemned world. When God warned Noah of the impending Flood—“things not yet seen” (Heb. 11:7)—he reverently built the ark in obedience to the Lord’s command.

Genesis describes Noah as a righteous man—blameless in his generation—who, like Enoch, walked with God and found favor in His eyes (Gen. 6:8–9). This is all the more remarkable when we realize the depth of depravity and the height of wickedness that the world had reached in his day. All of his contemporaries were wicked, with every intent of the thoughts of their hearts continually evil (Gen. 6:5). Talk about being out of sync with the world! I’m sure everybody around them ridiculed Noah and his family until the waters of the Flood swept them all away. Nevertheless, Noah trusted and obeyed (Gen. 6:22; 7:5, 8–9, 16). He put his faith to work, believing God’s word over public opinion.

Each of these men—Abel, Enoch, and Noah—exemplified the very definition of faith with his life. They lived in light of the invisible reality, in love with the invisible God, and in anticipation of an invisible future. And each of them, like all people of faith, received the reward of those who please God—not by works, but by faith alone.

Abel, Enoch, and Noah are all common men with uncommon faith. By faith, Abel approached God the way God desired and paid for it with his life. Enoch proclaimed God’s word by faith, and God rescued him from this world. Noah fulfilled God’s will by faith and became the deliverer of his family and all human and animal life on earth. These three very different outcomes of faithfulness illustrate that a life of faith will look different for each of us, just as it was different for each of them.

How about your life? Like Abel, do you obey God even when others don’t…even if it doesn’t seem to make sense…even if your own way seems “good enough”?

Do you simply trust and obey, paying the world’s price for obedience to God? Abel paid the ultimate price for his obedience—his life. Indeed, we can worship and serve our Lord by faith amid our wicked world, even if it means discomfort, ridicule, or persecution.

Like Enoch, do we walk with God, raising our families in the right way even when the very definition of the family is going the wrong way? If faith were the topic of conversation in your neighborhood, would our family come up as an example of Christ-followers? If somebody looked at us or our family, would they see people who stand out from the crowd or go with the flow?

Like Noah, do you invest your time, energy, finances, and skills to focus on what God’s calling and work is for you? Is your life and work impacting the lives of others by taking God at His word that the investment into the lives of others affects them for eternity? Or do you focus on your ambitions, priorities, and pursuits in this world, which is passing away?

Whether you’re making an offering to God, speaking out on His behalf, or obeying His Word, God looks for one thing—faith. A faith that’s willing to step out in faithfulness, a faith that is “reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see,” (11:1).

Next, we will continue to study Common People of Uncommon Faith, and include additional examples of “Faithful Walks Worth Following,” Please read Hebrews 11:8-22 to prepare.

As we continue our journey through the pages of the Bible, remember that the wisdom it offers is our guiding light in navigating the complexities of life. Until next time, keep seeking God’s wisdom and make it a part of your daily trek.

If you found this podcast insightful, subscribe and leave us a review, then encourage your friends and family to join us and come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)

Love Unconditionally

Listen Intentionally

Learn Continuously

Lend to others Generously

Lead with Integrity

Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you next time for more wisdom from God’s Word!

Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2268 of our trek. The purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.

In today’s Wisdom Nugget, I will guide you through the vast landscapes of biblical wisdom. It’s a joy to have you join me on this journey. Today, our exploration takes us into the profound insights of Proverbs 18:17-24 from the New Living Translation.

As we delve into these verses, let’s seek the timeless wisdom that can guide us in seeking truth, the impact of our words, and the essence of true friendship.

Without further delay, let’s head out for our trek into the wisdom of Proverbs.

This verse draws attention to the importance of thorough examination and discernment when seeking truth.

How can we cultivate discernment and avoid hasty judgments?

Cultivate Discernment: Recognize the potential for deception in the initial presentation of information. Cultivate discernment by seeking truth through a thorough examination, weighing different perspectives, and avoiding hasty judgments.

Now, let’s explore verse 18.

This verse suggests a simple solution to disputes and arguments, highlighting the effectiveness of impartial decisions.

How can we approach conflicts with a spirit of fairness and impartiality?

Seek Fair and Impartial Solutions: Recognize the value of impartial decisions in settling disputes. Seek fair and impartial solutions to conflicts, embracing a spirit of justice and equity in your interactions.

Verse 19 speaks to the power of our words.

This verse highlights the challenges of restoring a friendship once it has been strained.

How can we choose our words wisely to avoid causing harm to our relationships?

Choose Words Wisely: Recognize the impact of words in relationships. Choose your words wisely to avoid causing offense and straining friendships. Approach conflicts with humility and a desire for reconciliation.

Now, let’s turn our attention to verse 20.

This verse draws a delightful analogy between wise words and the satisfaction derived from a good meal.

How can we use our words to bring satisfaction and nourishment to those around us?

Speak Words of Nourishment: Recognize the satisfaction and nourishment that wise words can bring. Speak words of encouragement, affirmation, and wisdom that nourish the hearts and minds of those around you.

Now, let’s explore verses 21 and 22.

These verses highlight the power of the tongue in bringing either death or life and the value of a godly marriage.

How can we use our words to bring life, and what significance does a godly marriage hold?

Speak Words of Life: Recognize the power of the tongue to bring either death or life. Choose to speak words that bring life, encouragement, and positivity. Regarding marriage, acknowledge the treasure and favor from the Lord in finding a godly spouse.

Now, let’s turn our attention to verse 23.

This verse contrasts the responses of the poor and the rich, highlighting the need for compassion.

How can we cultivate compassion and empathy in our interactions with others?

Cultivate Compassion: Recognize the disparity in responses between the poor and the rich. Cultivate compassion by responding to others with mercy, empathy, and a willingness to understand their perspective.

And finally, let’s explore verse 24.

This verse emphasizes the distinction between destructive friendships and the depth of a true, loyal friend.

How can we cultivate and appreciate the value of true friendship?

Cultivate True Friendship: Recognize the destructive nature of some friendships. Cultivate true friendship by being a loyal and trustworthy friend and by surrounding yourself with those who stick closer than a brother.

And there you have it, my friends, a profound exploration of Proverbs 18:17-24 from the New Living Translation. These verses offer us timeless wisdom for seeking truth, choosing our words wisely, appreciating the value of a godly marriage, cultivating compassion, and treasuring true friendship.

As we continue our journey through the pages of the Bible, remember that the wisdom it offers is our guiding light in navigating the complexities of life. Until next time, keep seeking God’s wisdom and make it a part of your daily trek.

If you found this podcast insightful, subscribe and leave us a review, then encourage your friends and family to join us and come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)

Love Unconditionally

Listen Intentionally

Learn Continuously

Lend to others Generously

Lead with Integrity

Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you next time for more wisdom from God’s Word!

Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2267 of our trek. The purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.

In today’s Wisdom Nugget, I will guide you through the vast landscapes of biblical wisdom. It’s a pleasure to have you join me on this journey. Today, our exploration takes us into the profound insights of Proverbs 18:9-16 from the New Living Translation.

As we delve into these verses, let’s seek the timeless wisdom that can guide us in our speech, our attitude toward learning, and our reliance on the Lord for strength.

Without further delay, let’s strap on our hiking boots and dive into the wisdom of Proverbs.

This verse draws a stark comparison between laziness and destructive behavior.

How can we overcome laziness and cultivate a diligent spirit?

Cultivate Diligence: Recognize the destructive nature of laziness. Cultivate diligence by setting goals, managing time effectively, and approaching tasks with a proactive mindset.

Now, let’s explore verse 10.

This verse emphasizes the strength and safety found in the name of the Lord.

How can we rely on the Lord as our strong fortress in times of trouble?

Rely on the Lord’s Strength: Recognize the strength and safety found in the name of the Lord. Rely on the Lord as your strong fortress by turning to Him in prayer, seeking His guidance, and finding refuge in His promises.

Verse 11 speaks to the power of wealth and its limitations.

This verse highlights the misconception of relying on wealth as the ultimate defense.

How can we maintain a balanced perspective on wealth and security?

Seek True Security in the Lord: Recognize the limitations of wealth as a defense. Seek true security in the Lord by acknowledging His sovereignty, trusting in His provision, and understanding that ultimate security comes from a relationship with Him.

Now, let’s explore verse 12.

This verse draws a clear contrast between haughtiness and humility, highlighting their respective outcomes.

How can we cultivate humility and avoid the destructive path of haughtiness?

Cultivate Humility: Recognize the destructive nature of haughtiness. Cultivate humility by acknowledging your strengths and weaknesses, valuing others, and embracing a teachable spirit.

Now, let’s turn our attention to verse 13.

This verse highlights the folly of speaking without first understanding the facts.

How can we practice wise communication by listening before speaking?

Practice Wise Communication: Recognize the folly of speaking without understanding the facts. Practice wise communication by actively listening, seeking to understand different perspectives, and refraining from hasty judgments.

And finally, let’s explore verses 14-16.

These verses touch on the resilience of the human spirit, the importance of a teachable attitude, and the impact of giving.

How can we cultivate resilience, a love for learning, and the practice of giving?

Cultivate Resilience, Love for Learning, and Generosity: Recognize the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of a teachable attitude. Cultivate resilience by maintaining a positive outlook in challenging times. Foster a love for learning by staying curious and open-minded. Practice generosity by giving with a cheerful heart, knowing that it can open doors and provide access to meaningful relationships.

And there you have it, my friends, a profound exploration of Proverbs 18:9-16 from the New Living Translation. These verses offer us timeless wisdom for cultivating diligence, relying on the Lord’s strength, seeking true security, embracing humility, practicing wise communication, and fostering resilience, a love for learning, and generosity.

As we continue our journey through the pages of the Bible, remember that the wisdom it offers is our guiding light in navigating the complexities of life. Until next time, keep seeking God’s wisdom and make it a part of your daily trek.

If you found this podcast insightful, subscribe and leave us a review, then encourage your friends and family to join us and come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)

Love Unconditionally

Listen Intentionally

Learn Continuously

Lend to others Generously

Lead with Integrity

Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you next time for more wisdom from God’s Word!

Putnam Church Message – 08/27/2023

As we continued our extended series through the book of Hebrews in the New Testament two weeks ago, we explored the Great Benefits for Believers because of Christ’s One-for-All, Once-for-All, Free-for-All sacrifice.

This week, we see the right response: we should not neglect this opportunity to draw near to God … and come clean.

Let’s read Hebrews 10:19-39.

If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge his people.” It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

he who is coming will come

and will not delay.”

And I take no pleasure

in the one who shrinks back.”

Over and over again, from various angles, the author of Hebrews presents evidence that Jesus is superior as our High Priest. No other priest could fling open the door to heaven for sinners. No other person could qualify as the Mediator between a holy God and an unholy humanity. No pious person could live up to the precise demands of the Law. No sacrifice could completely pay the price for sin and cancel the debt of sinners. Only Jesus. This point has been stated and restated in Hebrews.

Now, the emphasis shifts again from Christ’s superiority to our responsibility. In strong and somber terms, the writer looks into his readers’ eyes and says, “No matter how you look at it, the person and work of Christ is superior to everything. Now, here’s what you need to do about it.” At this point, the proof of Christ’s primacy and the reality of our responsibility are so overwhelming that the implications are clear: If we don’t trust and obey Him entirely, we’re in big trouble.

This leads to the fourth of five warning passages in the book of Hebrews. You may still recall the first in Hebrews 2:1–4: The second warning passage (3:7–4:13) then urged the audience, The third encompassed the hard teaching of falling away: (5:11–6:20). Now, in this fourth warning passage (10:19–39), the author shouts out,

At the end of this passage, we’ll know two things very clearly: (1) God requires that His children trust and obey Him; and (2) if we don’t, serious consequences are in store. We’ll walk away from this passage with a choice: (10:39) NLT.

Under the arrangement of the old covenant and its priesthood, the holy of holies—situated in the back of the tabernacle—was the most sacred place on earth. Only the high priest, after a precise process of ritual cleansing, could enter once a year on the Day of Atonement. For everyone else—even other priests—it was off-limits. When the temple replaced the tent of the tabernacle in Jerusalem, a giant veil still separated the holy of holies from the rest of the temple. When Jesus died, that massive curtain was torn asunder from top to bottom (Matt. 27:51), signaling a dramatic change from the old system to the new.

No longer did God say to the unclean sinners, “KEEP OUT!” Now, since the blood of Christ cleansed believers from the stain of sin, we are free to enter the holy of holies with “confidence” (Heb. 10:19). Now God bids us, “COME IN!” He invites all people—Jews and Gentiles, men and women, adults and children, rich and poor—to enter the sacred place, representing a personal, intimate, permanent relationship with the living God.

For those of us who may hesitate to enter out of fear or shuffle our feet out of shame, the author of Hebrews strengthens our steps with confidence in two essential facts that summarize what he has been asserting in the previous chapters. First, Jesus’ blood—His perfect sacrifice for sin—has opened the way for us to enter into a personal relationship with God (10:19–20). Brown comments on the author’s imagery in 10:20:

Second, Jesus remains our Great High Priest over the house of God (10:21). The image “house of God” appears in several places in the New Testament. The book of Hebrews itself refers directly to the Old Testament people of God (3:1–2) and indirectly to all creation “built” by God (3:4), of which Christ is the heir as Son of God (3:6). However, even tucked within this discussion of “house” in Hebrews 3, we catch a glimpse of two other related aspects: the New Testament community, the church, suggested by 3:6—“whose house we are”/ and also individuals who hold firmly in their confidence to the end (Heb. 3:6).

In the context of Hebrews 10, the image of “house” is drawing on the background of the tabernacle or temple—that holy place expressly set apart for the worship of God. When we look at how the New Testament applies the image of the temple in a spiritual sense, our understanding of the image in Hebrews 10 is narrowed to two ideas: the church as the temple of God (1 Cor. 3:16; Eph. 2:21) and the bodies of individual believers as God’s temple (1 Cor. 6:19). Both of these ideas are ultimately in view in this passage—indeed, the Bible never separates the individual from the community, nor the community from its individuals. However, the personal nature of the commands and warnings in the remainder of Hebrews 10 suggests that the concept of “house” has specific implications for the individual. The author doesn’t deny that Christ is our Great High Priest, but in Hebrews 10, he wants us to remember that Christ is my High Priest.

Based on the two facts underscored in Hebrews 10:19–21, and because each of us is accountable to our High Priest on a personal, individual level, the writer sets forth three commands to obey, each introduced by the exhortation “Let us …”

First, let us draw near to God (10:22). We’ve already seen that the saving work of Christ has cleansed our consciences from sin and guilt (9:14). This internal cleansing of the heart (10:22)—the internal, invisible dimension of our being—should be marked by the washing of our bodies—the external, visible aspects of our lives. Though the phrase “our bodies washed with pure water” could be taken as a reference to water baptism, the author’s emphasis is on what baptism signifies: the dedication of a person’s life to following Christ with a changed lifestyle. Thus, the exhortation to “draw near” invites believers who have been eternally forgiven by faith and committed to a life of obedience to go deeper in their relationship with Him.

Second, let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess (10:23). The term “profess or affirm” (NLT), homologia, refers to an “expression of allegiance as an action,” or “professing,” but it can also refer to a “statement of allegiance.” Because the emphasis in this passage is internal and external—the conformity of the whole person to Christ in faith and obedience—the author probably has in mind a confession with both words and actions. Notice that this confession centers on the hope rooted in God’s promises (10:23). With a strong confidence in the superior priesthood of Christ, we can continue to confess Him with our mouths/ and continue to emulate Him with our lives—serving as His representatives in a world that desperately needs to see Christ in us.

Third, let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds (10:24–25). Here, the author shifts the emphasis from the individual to the community. But this shift isn’t like switching from low to high gear; it’s shifting weight from one leg to another. Remember, individual believers are part of a community of faith, and the commitment of individual believers strengthens the community of faith. As members of the body of Christ, the church, we are responsible for living lives of faith and obedience to positively stir others toward spiritual growth. As external expressions of drawing nearer to Christ, we should encourage the internal motivation of others—love; in turn, this internal motivation should manifest itself in external actions—good deeds (10:24). To do this, we can’t simply retreat into a corner and cradle our personal relationship with Jesus Christ, cutting ourselves off from the rest of the body, (10:25).

This passage (10:24–25) has important implications for attending church gatherings for worship, instruction, fellowship, and expressions of faith, hope, and love (Acts 2:42–47). We can’t fulfill the command to spur one another on if we’re living like islands isolated from each other. Scripture's various “one another” is only possible in the gathered community. But neither is it helpful for uncommitted, rebellious, unloving, and disobedient believers in Christ to gather in community with each other. The notion that individual Christians have something positive to contribute to the community presupposes that those individuals have been striving to “come clean” as they “draw near.”

What will happen if we, as believers, neglect these commands in 10:22–25 and fail to draw near, profess, and spur on? In 10:26–31, the author presents a strong warning for those who may do the opposite: shrink back from intimate fellowship with God, hide the light of our confession, or forsake the community of faith. In the broader argument of Hebrews 10, these verses present the negative side of two contrasting categories of people, summed up in 10:39—“But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed,” are addressed in this first passage, and “but to those who have faith and are saved” are addressed in the next section (10:32–39).

The first question we must answer regarding 10:26 is: Who does the “we” refer to when the author writes, “If we deliberately keep on sinning?” Some say it’s the unsaved—people with an ungenuine profession of faith, as evidenced by failing to cease from sin. Others say it refers to those who were once genuinely saved but who lose their salvation due to their apostasy (unbelief): “true believers denying their faith.” Because the language, imagery, and even structure of this warning passage is very similar to that of Hebrews 6, Bible scholars usually treat the recipients of these two warning passages as belonging to the same category: either those who were not truly saved, those who lose their salvation, /or those who are saved /but face severe judgment. My view falls into the third category. The warning in Hebrews 10 addresses those who have genuinely received eternal salvation by grace through faith, but who, through backsliding, can enter a state of sin from which there is no possibility of return. As such, they face temporal judgment and loss of heavenly reward, (service in the Global Eden) but not the loss of eternal life.

As Guthrie rightly notes, the first-person plural, “we,” indicates that the writer of Hebrews “identifies himself with those who receive the warning.” Moreover, Allen says, “Such language strongly indicates the warning is addressed to believers.” Therefore, we shouldn’t understand this as a warning to unbelievers who have experienced a mere brush with the gospel or false believers who appear godly but have never experienced true salvation. The people in view in Hebrews 10:26–31 have fully received “the knowledge of the truth” (10:26). This strong Greek word for “knowledge,” epignōsis, is used in passages that imply a full, genuine, saving knowledge of God, not just a faint awareness. This is confirmed by the fact that knowledge of the truth was received, /not simply heard. Also, the fact that the author alludes to God judging “His people” (10:30) further indicates that “we” refers to genuine believers—the people of God.

So, the author addresses a potential category of people who are genuine believers but whose lives are so contrary to a life of faith and obedience to Christ that they are visibly indistinguishable from unbelievers. They are believers who backed away from Him rather than drew nearer to Him. They have withdrawn from the community of spiritual growth and encouragement and have become isolated from accountability. As such, they have betrayed their confession of faith in the person and work of Christ—the only one whose work can pay for their sins. They have been born again, but they sin—willingly, knowingly, and continually (10:26). This isn’t just a stumble, a season of rebellion, or a constant struggle against temptation and sin. We all experience these. This is outright opposition against the gracious, loving, merciful Father.

Again employing an argument from the lesser to the greater, the author of Hebrews notes that under the old covenant, those who rebelled against the Law received harsh judgment (10:28). How much more should those be judged who blatantly rebel against the grace of God under the superior covenant established by Christ’s death and resurrection (10:29)! They have opposed Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in their high-handed revolt against their Master (10:29–30). Such hardened, unrepentant sinners can expect terrifying raging fire (10:27) and vengeance from God (10:27, 30–31). In short, God disciplines His children severely when they cross the line and reach that point of no return—when they continue in willful defiance of Him. He may justly deprive them of their physical lives (Acts 5:1–10; Ananias & Sapphira 1 Cor. 11:27–30; 1 Jn. 5:16); in any case, they will lose heavenly reward before the judgment seat of Christ (1 Cor. 3:15; 2 Cor. 5:10). (Global Eden)

As we saw in our discussion of the warning passage in Hebrews 6, the author views this scenario as a rarity—but it is still a reality. It hasn’t happened to his readers yet, but if some of them continue down the path away from the grace of Christ and the new covenant, it could happen even to them.

From the frightening projection of the ultimate consequences for hardened rebellion (10:26–31)—for “those who shrink back to destruction” (10:39)—the author turns to the appealing vision of the faithful followers of Christ (10:32–38)—“those who have faith and are saved” (10:39). He fully believes his readers are in the second category, as already evinced by the quality of their faith and obedience, demonstrated earlier in their Christian lives (see 6:9–12).

He reminds his readers that in their former days—after their initial enlightenment by the saving knowledge of Christ (cf. 6:4)—they had endured great suffering, public reproaches, tribulations, and persecutions (10:32–33). Even amid these trials, they had remained steadfast in their Christian witness—they didn’t shy away from suffering for Christ (10:33), they showed genuine love and concern for others in need (10:34), and they demonstrated a priority on heavenly reward over earthly treasures (10:34).

In 10:26–31, the writer of Hebrews afflicted the comfortable with strong warnings; now he comforts the afflicted with great promises. The need of the former group of potential drifters was repentance. The need of the latter group is endurance. And because they have already demonstrated their ability to endure through hardship, nothing should stand in their way of moving forward in confident commitment to their faith and obedience to Christ.

It’s normal for weak and weary believers to want to rest when things get tough, to retreat when the obstacles seem insurmountable. The original audience of the letter was facing such mountainous opposition. The incline seemed so steep and rocky that they were tempted to turn around and head back the way they had come. The writer mixes encouragement with a warning in 10:37–38, paraphrasing and weaving together two passages of the Old Testament—a passage of encouragement to hold on until trials have passed (Isa. 26:20) and a passage that warns of swift judgment for those who fall away from a life of faith (Hab. 2:3–4).

His message is clear: Hang in...

Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2265 of our trek. The purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.

In today’s Wisdom Nugget, I will guide you through the vast landscapes of biblical wisdom. It’s a pleasure to have you join me on this journey. Today, our exploration takes us into the profound insights of Proverbs 18:1-8 from the New Living Translation.

As we delve into these verses, let’s seek the timeless wisdom that can guide us in our relationships, using our words, and pursuing proper understanding.

Without further delay, let’s head to the trails as we dive into the wisdom of Proverbs.

This verse paints a vivid picture of the unfriendly, those who care only about themselves, and their resistance to common sense.

How can we navigate relationships with unfriendly individuals and foster a spirit of understanding?

Foster Understanding in Relationships: Recognize the challenges posed by unfriendly individuals. Foster a spirit of understanding by approaching interactions with patience, empathy, and a commitment to finding common ground.

Now, let’s explore verse 2.

This verse highlights the folly of those lacking interest in understanding and prioritizing their opinions.

How can we avoid the pitfalls of foolishness and cultivate a heart that values understanding?

Cultivate a Heart for Understanding: Recognize the folly of disregarding understanding. Cultivate a heart that values understanding by actively listening, seeking different perspectives, and being open to new insights.

Verse 3 speaks to the impact of words on our lives.

This verse underscores the consequences of wrongdoing and scandalous behavior.

How can we guard our words and actions to avoid disgrace and contempt?

Guard Your Words and Actions: Recognize the consequences of wrongdoing and scandalous behavior. Guard your words and actions, ensuring they align with principles of righteousness and avoiding behavior that leads to disgrace and contempt.

Now, let’s explore verse 4.

This verse draws a beautiful analogy between wise words and deep waters, highlighting the flowing wisdom from the wise.

How can we cultivate and share wisdom through our words?

Cultivate and Share Wisdom: Recognize the depth and impact of wise words. Cultivate wisdom in your life and share it through your words, becoming a source of insight and inspiration, much like a bubbling brook that nourishes those around it.

Now, let’s turn our attention to verse 5.

This verse emphasizes the importance of upholding justice and not acquitting the guilty or denying justice to the innocent.

How can we advocate for justice and righteousness in our communities?

Advocate for Justice and Righteousness: Recognize the importance of upholding justice and righteousness. Advocate for these principles in your communities, standing against actions that acquit the guilty or deny justice to the innocent.

And finally, let’s explore verses 6-8.

These verses paint a picture of the destructive nature of fools’ words and the consequences they bring.

How can we avoid the pitfalls of foolish speech and navigate the power of our words wisely?

Choose Words Wisely: Recognize the destructive nature of foolish words. Choose your words wisely, avoiding speech that leads to constant quarrels and ruin. Be mindful of the impact of your words, understanding that they can either build up or tear down.

And there you have it, my friends, a profound exploration of Proverbs 18:1-8 from the New Living Translation. These verses offer us timeless wisdom for navigating relationships, cultivating understanding, and using our words with care.

As we continue our journey through the pages of the Bible, remember that the wisdom it offers is our guiding light in navigating the complexities of life. Until next time, keep seeking God’s wisdom and make it a part of your daily trek.

If you found this podcast insightful, subscribe and leave us a review, then encourage your friends and family to join us and come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)

Love Unconditionally

Listen Intentionally

Learn Continuously

Lend to others Generously

Lead with Integrity

Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you next time for more wisdom from God’s Word!

Putnam Church Message – 08/13/2023

As we continued our extended series through the book of Hebrews in the New Testament last week, we learned that to have hope of a future reward /and peace and joy in the present world, /we must embrace and embody the truth that we can escape tomorrow's judgment because today’s sin is forgivable.

This week, we will explore the Great Benefits for Believers because of Christ’s One-for-All, Once-for-All, and Free-for-All sacrifice.

Let’s read Hebrews 10:1-18 on page 1872 of your Pew Bible.

but a body you prepared for me;/

6 with burnt offerings and sin offerings

you were not pleased.

7 Then I said, ‘Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll—

I have come to do your will, my God.’”[a]

after that time, says the Lord.

I will put my laws in their hearts,

and I will write them on their minds.”[b]

I will remember no more.”[c]

I’ve never had anybody tell me that when they get starving, they grab an illustrated cookbook (show cookbooks) from the shelf and thumb through recipes. If anything, ogling those masterfully prepared dishes presented in glossy, colorful prints will make somebody even hungrier. And when a person is famished, even reading step-by-step, “how-to” instructions with words like “roast,” “braise,” “sauté,” and “bake” can make the mouth water. Nobody would finish flipping through a cookbook, place it on the shelf, and say, “Well, I’m full. Pass me the dessert recipes.”

 

Trying to be physically nourished by the recipes in a cookbook is just as foolish as trying to be spiritually satisfied by the rituals of the Law. And, like the pictures in this illustrated cookbook, the Law anticipates and points to something far superior—the reality of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice for sin. The Law made people hungry for something of real substance, something that would last, that would finally and ultimately take away the gut-wrenching guilt of sin and soothe the conscience with mercy and grace. The old system under the law of Moses was only a shadow, a dim preview of the good things to come, not the good things themselves.  NLT (10:1).

In this section on Hebrews 10:1–18, we will examine the limitations and purpose of the Law—what it can’t do and what it continually does (10:1–4). We’ll explore the contrast between the old covenant Law and the superior priesthood of Christ—how His offering of his own body was one for all, once for all, and free for all (10:5–14). Then, we’ll see the benefits of Christ’s person and work for us today (10:15–18).

The author’s thesis statement is summed up succinctly in 10:1: The Law was merely “a shadow of the good things that are coming.” As such, it served a valid purpose in God’s unfolding history of redemption but was limited in what it could accomplish. Just like a cookbook cannot satisfy hunger, the Law couldn’t “make perfect those who draw near” because of the animal sacrifices made repeatedly, year after year. In the following few verses, the writer proves his claim by pointing out the obvious inferiority of the Law in cleansing the believer’s conscience.

 

Let me share another illustration. Imagine if a married couple had to run back to the altar and get remarried every time they got into an argument. Or if they had to buy a marriage license, find a judge or preacher, and exchange vows every time they had a break in their relationship. Thankfully, marriage doesn’t work that way. It takes just one trip to the altar for a bride and groom to be married. No matter how frequent or loud the fights or how excellent the personal connection is, there’s never a legal need to go through a second ceremony … a third … or a fourth. Only if a couple was legally divorced would a second marriage be required. Continual marriage ceremonies would imply a repeated state of being unmarried. In such a scenario, there would be no security. It would hardly be a marriage at all.

 

This is what it was like with the sacrificial system in the Law. If the Law had been able to perfectly and completely deal with the relationship-breaking power of sin and guilt, there wouldn’t have been a need for a continual return to the altar (10:2). All the guilt would have been gone—banished when the blood was spilled,/ forgotten when the sacrificial lamb went up in smoke.

 

However, the author is careful not to disparage the Law. The sacrifices were not foolish, meaningless, or sinful. They were, after all, decreed by God and served a purpose. But what was the purpose of the Law? He says in 10:3, But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins. Commentator David Gooding says, "At no point did they feel that the price of sin had finally been paid completely. If they had, they would not have offered another sacrifice ever. After all, you don’t keep paying monthly installments when the mortgage on your house has been completely paid off.”

(Bulletin)

If the author of Hebrews could have used bold font, 10:4 probably would have been emphasized. It represents the clear, concise explanation for the assertion in 10:1, that the sacrifices can never make worshipers perfect: “It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.” (10:4). Underscore the word impossible. Not improbable, not difficult, not unlikely, not rare. IMPOSSIBLE!

Notice that it wasn’t simply rendered impossible because of the death of Christ. The context refers to the sacrifices' limitations under the Old Testament Law. The blood of animal sacrifices has always been impossible to take away sins.

If the sacrifices did anything permanently, it reminded the people of Israel of their sinfulness. Just as a speed limit sign reminds us of the law, and a speeding ticket reminds us of our guilt, the Law and the sacrifices constantly remind us of sin (Rom. 3:20–23). 20 For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are.

Under the old system, Israel’s national sins accumulated daily over the course of the year; then, the sacrifices of the Day of Atonement temporarily covered them. They accumulated again the next year; the Day of Atonement covered them again. The old covenant kept kicking the can down the road. But that system of endless blood got old.

 

Paraphrasing Psalm 40:6–8, in verses (5-7), the author of Hebrews contrasts the once-for-all coming of Christ with the over-and-over-again sacrificial system. He sets up the quote with the word “therefore”— because the blood of animals could never take away sins, the Son of God came into the world. He did what nothing and no one else could do. Ultimately, God doesn’t desire “sacrifice and offering” as a means of complete cleansing and total forgiveness (Heb. 10:5)—a thought that is paralleled in 10:6. For eternal salvation, God took no pleasure in the endless line of smoke ascending from the altar as the priests carried out the prescribed sacrifices.

This passage presents compelling contrasts between the two sacrificial systems. Under the old system, the shed blood or burnt carcass of a brute beast brought no lasting satisfaction to God. The death of an animal on a physical altar for sins committed under an earthly covenant had no effect for the spiritual guilt of sin before a holy God. When it came to animal sacrifices, the beasts were offered against their will. At best, the animal would stand in ignorance and submit to the knife. In fact, under this system, even the worshipers bringing the animals, or the priests presenting the sacrifices, could do so without understanding, emotion, or will. Monotonous routines can reduce a meaningful rite to a mindless ritual. Here, the contrast with Christ stands out. With God’s Son, a real will was involved—a truly human choice that submitted obediently to the will of the Father (Matt. 26:42). Then Jesus left them a second time and prayed, “My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away[a] unless I drink it, your will be done.”

 

Of course, for there to be a truly human person with mind, emotion, and will who would voluntarily submit to God, the divine Son had to take on true humanity. Thus, in 10:5, the author paraphrased a line from Psalm 40:6—“My ears you have opened”—expanding the whole for the part: “A body you have prepared for me” (Heb. 10:5). The author isn’t playing fast and loose with the text, changing it at will. He follows a reading of the Greek translation of the Hebrew psalm, which replaced “ears” /with “body,” the whole /in place of the part. He did so with good reason: For the Son of God to have real ears to be opened to receive God’s word of command, He had to have a body! Allen notes, “Only through the full incarnation can Jesus accomplish the will of God to do away with sin.”

Having taken on full humanity in the incarnation—body, soul, spirit, heart, mind, emotion, will—the Son of God came to do God’s will in fulfillment of everything written about Him in the Old Testament (10:7). In doing this, He essentially set aside the old, inferior system of the Law and its sacrifices to accomplish on behalf of humanity what no other human could have achieved—complete obedience to the Father (10:8–9). What was impossible for frail, fallible, fallen humans was possible only for the powerful, perfect, pure God-man, Jesus. And Jesus accomplished the permanent cleansing that could never have occurred through animal sacrifices: “For God’s will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time.” (10:10). NLT.

 

The author reminds his readers that priests must offer sacrifices continually—those sacrifices that can never take away sins. As such, the priest “stands daily” to carry out the laborious, bloody sacrifices over and over again (10:11). In contrast to the priests’ “standing” ministry, when Jesus finished His ministry, he “sat down at the right hand of God” because His “one sacrifice” accomplished for all time what could never have been achieved by the daily sacrifices: complete payment for sins (10:12). Right before Christ died on the cross he shouted “ It Is Finished! Or, as the writer of Hebrews puts it, “For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.” (10:14). Now, Christ sits enthroned at the right hand of the Father, awaiting the time of His second coming, when His enemies will be ultimately defeated in judgment, and the kingdom of God will be manifested in its fullness as he establishes His Kingdom in the new Global Eden (10:13).

Finally, the author points out the benefits of Christ’s superior priesthood. He returns to the language of the new covenant and reminds his readers of what Christ has accomplished through His once-for-all sacrifice for sin. The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. (10:15)—that is, to believers—that the new arrangement will put the law in our hearts and minds (10:16), signifying an internal transformation with eternal effects: Our sins will be forgiven and remembered no more (10:17).

 

This new arrangement, made possible through Christ, brings all the necessary resources and places them within us. As the apostle Peter put it:  By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. (2 Pet. 1:3). The sin issue that had destroyed our relationship with God and hindered righteousness and spiritual growth has been dealt with. And more than that, we have a new ability to follow in Christ’s footsteps—to offer our bodies as a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. (Rom. 12:1).

 

The Hebrew believers who had been slipping backward into their old fascination with the Law and its sacrifices needed to be reminded of its limitations. They had to hear in no uncertain terms that the blood of animal sacrifices couldn't take away sins (Heb. 10:4). Essentially, they needed to listen to the good news that the perfect sacrifice of Christ was one for all, once for all, and free for all.

(Bulletin Insert) Because of Christ's one-for-all, once-for-all, free-for-all sacrifice, we can serve God out of gratitude for His work of grace. We do not need to grudgingly drag our feet when He says “Go” or cringe when He says “Come.” The superior priesthood of Christ has ushered us into a life of righteousness motivated by grace, not guilt. We don’t live by a Levitical checklist of rules, regulations, and rituals, but by the law of love brought to us by the righteousness of Christ in us. Christ bought us with His blood so He could free us from sin and the constraining shackles (chains) of the Law that could only remind us of our sinfulness.

 

The primary difference between the new and old covenant is that we now have the Law in our hearts instead of an external standard of stone (Jer. 31:31–33). The power of God’s Spirit residing within us is sufficient for us to live life fully, fruitfully, and freely, unfettered from the shackles of sin and from slavery to legalism. Let’s look at each of these benefits of Christ’s perfect sacrifice.

(1st Benefit)

In Christ, we can now live life fully....

Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2263 of our trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.

In today’s Wisdom Nugget, I will guide you through the vast landscapes of biblical wisdom. It’s a pleasure to have you join me on this journey. Today, our exploration takes us into the profound insights of Proverbs 17:22-28 from the New Living Translation.

As we delve into these verses, let’s seek the timeless wisdom that can guide us in maintaining a joyful heart, using our words wisely, and understanding the impact of a discerning spirit.

Without further delay, grab your hiking staff as we delve into the wisdom of Proverbs.

This verse highlights the rejuvenating power of a cheerful heart and the debilitating impact of a broken spirit.

How can we cultivate and maintain a joyful heart in the midst of life’s challenges?

Cultivate a Joyful Heart: Recognize the healing power of a cheerful heart. Cultivate joy by focusing on gratitude, finding humor in life’s moments, and maintaining a positive perspective, even in the face of challenges.

Now, let’s explore verse 23.

This verse exposes the corrupt practice of taking secret bribes to pervert the course of justice.

How can we guard against the influence of corruption and uphold justice?

Uphold Justice and Integrity: Recognize the destructive nature of secret bribes in perverting justice. Uphold justice and integrity by refusing to participate in or support corrupt practices, ensuring that righteousness prevails.

Verse 24 speaks to the discerning nature of the wise.

This verse contrasts sensible people’s focused attention on wisdom with a fool’s wandering gaze.

How can we develop a discerning spirit and stay focused on wisdom?

Cultivate a Discerning Spirit: Recognize the importance of keeping your eyes glued on wisdom. Cultivate a discerning spirit by staying focused on the principles of wisdom, and avoiding distractions that lead to foolishness.

Now, let’s explore verse 25.

This verse emphasizes the impact of foolishness in children on their parents.

How can we navigate the challenges of parenting and guide our children toward wisdom?

Guide Children toward Wisdom: Recognize the potential impact of foolishness in children on their parents. Guide and teach your children toward wisdom, instilling in them the values and principles that lead to a fulfilling and purposeful life.

Now, let’s turn our attention to verse 26.

This verse highlights the injustice of punishing the godly and flogging leaders for their honesty.

How can we advocate for justice and fairness in our communities?

Advocate for Justice and Fairness: Recognize the injustice of punishing the godly and honest leaders. Advocate for justice and fairness in your communities, promoting a society where righteousness is rewarded and honesty is upheld.

And finally, let’s explore verses 27 and 28.

These verses emphasize the wisdom of using few words and maintaining an even-tempered demeanor.

How can we harness the power of our words and cultivate wisdom in our communication?

Harness the Power of Words: Recognize the wisdom of using few words and maintaining an even-tempered demeanor. Harness the power of your words by speaking thoughtfully, listening actively, and choosing words that reflect wisdom and understanding.

And there you have it, my friends, a profound exploration of Proverbs 17:22-28 from the New Living Translation. These verses offer us timeless wisdom for maintaining a joyful heart, using our words wisely, and understanding the impact of a discerning spirit.

As we continue our journey through the pages of the Bible, remember that the wisdom it offers is our guiding light in navigating the complexities of life. Until next time, keep seeking God’s wisdom and make it a part of your daily trek.

If you found this podcast insightful, subscribe and leave us a review, then encourage your friends and family to join us and come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)

Love Unconditionally

Listen Intentionally

Learn Continuously

Lend to others Generously

Lead with Integrity

Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you next time for more wisdom from God’s Word!

Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2262 of our trek. The purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.

In today’s Wisdom Nugget, I will guide you through the vast landscapes of biblical wisdom. It’s a joy to have you join me on this journey. Today, our exploration takes us into the profound insights of Proverbs 17:15-21 from the New Living Translation.

As we delve into these verses, let’s seek the timeless wisdom that can guide us in discerning justice, managing our emotions, and choosing our words wisely.

Without further delay, it’s time to lace up those hiking boots, and let’s explore the wisdom of Proverbs.

This verse highlights the moral detestation of acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent.

How can we ensure justice and righteousness in our actions and decisions?

Uphold Justice and Righteousness: Recognize the moral detestation of acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent. Uphold justice and righteousness in your actions and decisions, seeking to align with the principles of the Lord.

Now, let’s explore verse 16.

This verse highlights the futility of investing in the education of a fool who lacks a heart for learning.

How can we discern where to invest our time and resources?

Discern Where to Invest: Recognize the futility of investing in those who lack a heart for learning. Discern where to invest your time and resources, focusing on individuals who value wisdom and understanding.

Verse 17 speaks to the value of wisdom and understanding.

This verse celebrates the qualities of loyalty in friendship and the support of a brother in times of need.

How can we cultivate loyalty in our friendships and provide support to those in need?

Cultivate Loyalty and Support: Recognize the importance of loyalty in friendships and the support that brothers provide in times of need. Cultivate loyalty in your relationships and be a source of support to those around you.

Now, let’s turn our attention to verse 18.

This verse advises against guaranteeing another person’s debt or putting up security for a friend due to the potential consequences of poor judgment.

How can we exercise wisdom in financial matters and avoid the pitfalls of poor judgment?

Exercise Wisdom in Financial Matters: Recognize the potential consequences of poor judgment in guaranteeing debts or providing security for others. Exercise wisdom in financial matters, ensuring that your decisions align with sound principles.

Now, let’s explore verse 19.

This verse draws a connection between a love for quarreling and sin, as well as the potential disaster that comes with trusting in high walls.

How can we avoid the pitfalls of a quarrelsome spirit and misplaced trust?

Avoid a Quarrelsome Spirit and Misplaced Trust: Recognize the connection between a quarrelsome spirit and sin, as well as the potential disaster of misplaced trust. Avoid a quarrelsome spirit and place your trust in the Lord, seeking His guidance and protection.

Now, let’s turn our attention to verse 20.

This verse emphasizes the consequences of a crooked heart and a lying tongue.

How can we cultivate integrity and avoid the pitfalls of deceit?

Cultivate Integrity and Truthfulness: Recognize the consequences of a crooked heart and a lying tongue. Cultivate integrity in your heart and practice truthfulness in your words, avoiding the pitfalls of deceit.

And finally, let’s explore verse 21.

This verse expresses the pain of parenting a fool and the lack of joy for the father of a rebel.

How can we navigate the challenges of parenting and foster wisdom in our children?

Foster Wisdom in Parenting: Recognize the challenges of parenting and the pain associated with foolishness and rebellion. Foster wisdom in your children by modeling and teaching the principles of the Lord, guiding them on the path of righteousness.

And there you have it, my friends, a profound exploration of Proverbs 17:15-21 from the New Living Translation. These verses offer us timeless wisdom for discerning justice, managing our emotions, and choosing our words wisely.

As we continue our journey through the pages of the Bible, remember that the wisdom it offers is our guiding light in navigating the complexities of life. Until next time, keep seeking God’s wisdom and make it a part of your daily trek.

If you found this podcast insightful, subscribe and leave us a review, then encourage your friends and family to join us and come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)

Love Unconditionally

Listen Intentionally

Learn Continuously

Lend to others Generously

Lead with Integrity

Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you next time for more wisdom from God’s Word!

Putnam Church Message – 08/06/2023

As we continued our extended series through the book of Hebrews in the New Testament last week, we explored the Reformation of Conscience. Only through the New Covenant and the heavenly Tabernacle can our body and soul be allowed access to God through our perfect High Priest, Jesus Christ.

This week, we will learn that to have hope of a future reward and peace and joy in the present world, we must embrace and embody the truth that we can escape tomorrow's judgment because today’s sin is forgivable.

Let’s read Hebrews 9:15-28.

Let me paint this picture. All humanity has fallen into a deep, dark crevice from which it is impossible to climb. This fissure marked by sin and death has brought us nothing but guilt and despair from Adam onward. Though many have tried to clamber back to the light through useless human means such as man-made religions, personal piety, and moral philosophies, none of these have succeeded. Others have tried to cope with their fallen condition by igniting their dismal light amid the darkness. They may do so believing the crevice isn’t so dark or deep, or that humanity is rising from the depths by a natural progression and will one day emerge into the light, or that all this talk of sin, death, and fallenness is mere fantasy. But the crevice remains. All people know intuitively that their current condition isn’t what it should be. We know deep down inside that we were meant for something better, that something’s missing or something was lost. As the Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 2:9, “That is what the Scriptures mean when they say,

and no mind has imagined

what God has prepared

for those who love him.’”

Amid this fallen condition came the Law—signed, sealed, and delivered by Moses and confirmed by a long line of Old Testament prophets. God gave it to Moses and the people of Israel, and it clearly points out our sinful, guilty condition. It describes the high elevation from which we have plummeted. It creates a sense of helplessness and a desperate need for someone or something to lift us from our condition. The Law doesn’t provide a permanent solution for escaping the pit. No set of rules or regulations can ever accomplish this. The very best the Law can do is to remind us of our condition, point us to greater hope, and offer a temporary solution in the cramped confines of the darkness.

Hebrews 9 tells us what’s needed to save us from the pit of sin and guilt—the blood of Christ. With the coming of the long-awaited Messiah, the means of eternal salvation was revealed. He did what the Law could never do. He descended into the darkness not to condemn us in our unholy condition, but to rescue us from it. He took on our entire human nature—but without sin—so He could shed His blood and die in our place as a once-for-all sacrifice for us. This ushered in a new arrangement or “covenant” between God and humanity. This new covenant is far superior to the old, with its rituals, regulations, sacrifices, and commands of the Law that could not lift us from our fallen condition and raise us into the light of salvation. This new covenant, mediated by Jesus Christ, was signed, sealed, and delivered…in blood. And not just any blood, but the blood of the spotless Lamb of God, who alone is able to take away the sin of the world (John 1:29).

In the remainder of Hebrews 9, the author focuses on the theme of blood, using it to contrast the old and new covenants, demonstrating once again that Christ is our superior High Priest. In 9:15–22, the author describes the critical function of sacrifice under the old covenant, which was a shadow and type of the new. Then, in 9:23–28, he emphasizes the vital role of Christ’s sacrifice in fulfilling the old covenant type.

Last week, in 9:11–14, the author of Hebrews introduced a strong contrast between the old covenant and the new. As in the old covenant, blood plays a central role in the new covenant, as a vivid symbol of sacrificial death—not the bloody sacrifices of goats and bulls, but the blood of Christ who “offered himself unblemished to God” to cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death” (9:14). What kind of “acts that lead to death”? Indeed, the works that characterize those who are spiritually dead, apart from the energizing work of the Spirit (Eph. 2:1–2); but also, works of self-righteousness that can never bring about healthy spiritual life—rituals, regulations, and rules that were never meant to bring eternal life.

In Hebrews 9:15, the author establishes the overarching theme of the rest of chapter 9—Christ is the Mediator of a new covenant. His death paid for the sins that could not be paid by the old covenant arrangement, thus enabling those who partake of the new covenant to inherit eternal life (9:15).

Utilizing a form of argument common among Jewish interpreters at the time, the author develops his argument based on two different meanings of the Greek word for “covenant”: its biblical sense (we looked at this two weeks ago), and its legal sense—a “last will and testament.” As it is today with a person’s last will, so it was in the first century. As long as the person who had executed the will was still alive, the stipulations of the will would not be in effect, and the heirs would not receive their inheritance. The same illustration applies to the first covenant, though in a way that demonstrates its inferiority. The author notes that even the first arrangement “was not put into effect without blood” (9:18). However, this was not the blood of the God-man, who was Himself the Creator, Redeemer, and Heir of all things. Instead, the old covenant was instituted by the death of calves and goats. Their blood was then sprinkled on the physical copy of the covenant and the people as a sign of their obligation to keep the Law, under penalty of death (9:19–20; see Exod. 24).

Not only were the people sprinkled with the blood of the old covenant, but so were the tabernacle and implements of worship (Heb. 9:21). Though there is no biblical record of Moses literally sprinkling the tabernacle and implements with blood, the first-century Jewish historian Josephus relays a similar idea from tradition. He writes:

The author of Hebrews may have had this same oral tradition in mind. Or he may have used the term “sprinkle” in a less direct sense, referring instead to the fact that the vestments, implements of worship, and the tabernacle would have been inevitably splattered with the blood of the sacrifices during worship.

Any reader of the Old Testament would readily agree with the author’s conclusion, “According to the law of Moses, nearly everything was purified with blood. For without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness” (9:22, NLT).

Blood was essential for ritual cleansing and for setting something apart for worship. The principle of the necessity of blood for atonement is summed up in Leviticus 17:11, which likely undergirds the author’s theology of Old Testament sacrifices: “for the life of the body is in its blood. I have given you the blood on the altar to purify you, making you right with the Lord. It is the blood, given in exchange for a life that makes purification possible.”

Two critical points of theology rest on Hebrews 9:22. First, sin is shown to be a terrible offense. It’s not simply a misstep, an indiscretion, or a lapse of judgment. Sin is a heinous transgression against a holy God who deserves our absolute obedience. Second, atonement for sin is costly. God doesn’t wink at sin. To do so would be to compromise His perfect, holy character. When we commit an offense, He doesn’t simply shake his head and say, “Oh well, to err is human.” Because sin is a horrible offense against a holy God, atonement for sin is costly. The costliest thing in God’s creation is life. An animal’s life is in the blood (Lev. 17:11). Therefore, it necessarily follows that “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” (Heb. 9:22).

The old covenant sacrificial system, with its seemingly endless train of animal sacrifices and constantly flowing rivers of blood, couldn’t be the good news of perfect redemption God’s people had longed for. The value of the earthly sacrifices lay in their portrayal of heavenly truth (9:23). They pointed beyond themselves to something more perfect and permanent.

The author of Hebrews presents three strong contrasts in 9:24–26. First, Christ didn’t enter a holy place made with hands, but rather heaven itself (9:24). This underscores the fact that the earthly tabernacle was an old covenant copy and an anticipation of the new covenant reality and fulfillment.

Second, Christ didn’t offer sacrifices repeatedly, as did the high priests. He sacrificed himself once and for all (9:25). This atoning sacrifice of God’s Son was so powerful that it effectively paid for all sin—past, present, and future. The writer of Hebrews implies this when he notes that if Christ’s single death had not been sufficient, “Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world ” (9:26). However, because its power extends along every point in the timeline of human history from the beginning of creation to the end of time, He needed to suffer only once.

Third, Christ’s death was qualitatively different from the sacrifices of the old covenant, which had to be repeated because the stain of sin remained and required continual cleansing. While the old system might have covered over sin, Christ’s blood “do away with sin.” The Greek word for “do away away” is athetēsis, which in the legal realm means “a nullification.” Another essential word in this section is hapax, meaning “once,” used in 9:26, 28 concerning Christ’s atoning work. This word emphasizes the fact that Christ is not sacrificed over and over and over again: “But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself” (9:26); “Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many” (9:28).

Hebrews 9 concludes with a word of warning to those who shrug at the superiority of Christ’s person and work and its implications for the finality of the new covenant.  Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment (9:27). This implicit warning is leveled at those who might foolishly put off a decision to trust Christ as Savior or ignore the gospel to indulge in the pleasures of this world. The author ends this chapter with a word of encouragement and hope for those who believe in Christ. Our Savior “will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him” (9:28). In the same vein, Paul notes that we are looking forward to the coming of God’s Son from heaven—Jesus, whom God raised from the dead. He is the one who has rescued us from the terrors of the coming judgment” (1 Thes. 1:10).

A modern hedonistic philosophy could be summed up with the motto, “Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die” (see Eccl. 8:15; Isa. 22:13; 1Cor. 15:32). Translated into everyday vernacular, we might say, “YOLO—you only live once!” The ancient, Epicurean version of this philosophy, though, emphasized mental and emotional pleasure, especially freedom from the fear of death—not unlike a modern psychological approach to life that tries to secure serenity by human means.

The “philosophy” of Hebrews is just the opposite of that which stems from the vantage point of Hollywood, a glistening high-rise on New York’s Fifth Avenue or an ivory tower study overlooking Cambridge University. Whether our belief system is driven by physical indulgence, intellectual progress, or psychological health, the book of Hebrews confronts us with a stark reality and a stern warning: Stop, think, and be wary, for tomorrow we die!

The Bible looks at life—and the afterlife—from a different angle. As Solomon discovered, there’s more to life than food and drink (Eccl. 2). There’s more to death than the grave. Beyond the grave, there is God—our Creator and Judge. The real root of our human problems is not physical or psychological, but spiritual. The problem is sin, with its prospect of judgment. The problem of sin is not solved by economic prosperity, physical pleasure, intellectual progress, or inner peace. Hebrews teaches us that our sin problem can only be solved by forgiveness.

This leads me to a vital truth that addresses our desperate human situation. Understanding this truth, embracing it, and letting it transform our thinking and lives can lift us from despair/ and minister the spiritual serenity so desperately needed today. The truth is simple but insightful: Tomorrow’s judgment is escapable because today’s sin is forgivable.

The modern-day hedonists have part of the truth right: One day, we will die. But Hebrews reminds us that “after that to face judgment” (Heb. 9:27). Just as nobody can escape the reality of death, nobody can escape that day when we must face our God. However, we can escape the eternal judgment that comes as a just penalty for our sin against a holy God. The weight of our sin, which causes us to fall farther and farther from our heavenly Father, can be removed entirely by the blood of Christ.

Those who have never handed over their weight of sin to the Savior must face the judgment alone. Their tomorrow is bleak, and they have no sure foundation for a hope-filled life today. However, those of us freed from sin and guilt have reason to rejoice. We can look forward with eagerness to that great homecoming, when Christ Himself will bring salvation—not judgment—to those who have accepted Him as Savior/ and received forgiveness of sin (9:28). (Graphic)

The more earnestly we embrace and embody this truth—that tomorrow’s judgment is escapable because today’s sin is forgivable—the more we will be motivated to conform our lives to His holy character. And as we do, we will harvest not only fruits of righteousness/ and the hope of future reward/ but also peace and joy in the present world. It is all because the New Covenant was…signed, sealed, delivered…in blood.

Next we will continue our adventure through Hebrews as we focus on Great Benefits for Believers, in a message titled “One for All, Once for All, Free for All.” So please read Hebrews 10:1-18 in preparation.

As we continue our journey through the pages of the Bible, remember that the wisdom it offers is our guiding light in navigating the complexities of life. Until next time, keep seeking God’s wisdom and make it a part of your daily trek.

If you found this podcast insightful, subscribe and leave us a review, then encourage your friends and family to join us and come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)

Love Unconditionally

Listen Intentionally

Learn Continuously

Lend to others Generously

Lead with Integrity

Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you next time...

Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2260 of our trek. The purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.

In today’s Wisdom Nugget, I will guide you through the vast landscapes of biblical wisdom. It’s a pleasure to have you join me on this journey. Today, our exploration takes us into the profound insights of Proverbs 17:8-14 from the New Living Translation.

As we delve into these verses, let’s seek the timeless wisdom that can guide us in handling disputes, cultivating discernment, and maintaining peace in our relationships.

Without further delay, strap on your hiking boots, and let’s explore the wisdom of Proverbs.

This verse draws attention to the deceptive nature of bribes, likening them to lucky charms that may bring temporary prosperity.

So, what’s the solution to navigating the ethical challenges posed by bribery?

Reject the Deception of Bribes: Recognize the deceptive nature of bribes and their potential to compromise integrity. Choose to reject bribery, relying instead on honest and ethical means for prosperity.

Now, let’s explore verse 9.

This verse highlights the power of forgiveness in nurturing love and warns against dwelling on faults, which can lead to separation.

How can we cultivate a forgiving spirit and maintain strong relationships?

Cultivate Forgiveness in Relationships: Recognize the transformative power of forgiveness in nurturing love and maintaining strong relationships. Choose to forgive faults, avoiding the pitfalls of dwelling on them and fostering separation.

Verse 10 speaks to the profound impact of reproof on a wise individual.

This verse emphasizes the value of discretion over impulsivity, cautioning against foolishly charging ahead without thoughtful consideration.

How can we develop the wisdom of discretion and avoid impulsive decisions?

Embrace the Wisdom of Discretion: Recognize the value of discretion in decision-making. Avoid charging blindly ahead and instead embrace the wisdom of careful consideration before taking action.

Now, let’s turn our attention to verse 11.

This verse highlights the destructive nature of rebellion and the severe consequences it brings.

How can we avoid the pitfalls of rebellion and its associated consequences?

Reject the Path of Rebellion: Recognize the destructive nature of rebellion and its severe consequences. Choose to reject the path of rebellion, seeking instead to align your actions with wisdom and righteousness.

Now, let’s explore verse 12.

This verse vividly illustrates the danger of confronting a fool caught in foolishness, comparing it to meeting a bear robbed of her cubs.

How can we navigate interactions with individuals caught in foolishness?

Exercise Caution in Confronting Fools: Recognize the potential danger in confronting fools caught in foolishness. Exercise caution and discernment in your interactions, choosing paths that prioritize safety and wisdom.

Now, let’s explore verse 13.

This verse underscores the principle of reaping what you sow, warning against repaying good with evil.

How can we break the cycle of retribution and foster a culture of goodwill?

Cultivate a Culture of Goodwill: Recognize the principle of reaping what you sow and choose to break the cycle of retribution. Cultivate a culture of goodwill by repaying good with good, fostering positive interactions and relationships.

Finally, we will now analyze verse 14

This vivid imagery illustrates the explosive nature of starting a quarrel and the need to prevent disputes from escalating.

How can we navigate the potential floodgates of quarrels in our relationships?

Exercise Wisdom in Disputes: Recognize the explosive nature of starting a quarrel. Exercise wisdom by pausing before disputes break out, choosing understanding and empathy over unnecessary conflict.

And there you have it, my friends, a profound exploration of Proverbs 17:8-14 from the New Living Translation. These verses offer us timeless wisdom for navigating ethical challenges, fostering forgiveness in relationships, and exercising caution in our interactions.

As we continue our journey through the pages of the Bible, remember that the wisdom it offers is our guiding light in navigating the complexities of life. Until next time, keep seeking God’s wisdom and make it a part of your daily trek.

If you found this podcast insightful, subscribe and leave us a review, then encourage your friends and family to join us and come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)

Love Unconditionally

Listen Intentionally

Learn Continuously

Lend to others Generously

Lead with Integrity

Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you next time for more wisdom from God’s Word!