Our Prayer

Our Prayer

Heavenly Father, I know that I have sinned against You and that my sins separate me from You. I am truly sorry. I now want to turn away from my sinful past and turn to You for forgiveness. Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again. I believe that Your Son, Jesus Christ, died for my sins, that He was raised from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer. I invite Jesus to become my Savior and the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Please send Your Holy Spirit to help me obey You and to convict me when I sin. I pledge to grow in grace and knowledge of You. My greatest purpose in life is to follow Your example and do Your will for the rest of my life. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Wednesday, November 20, 2024

Class Lesson November 24, 2024

 Jesus is Better - Hebrews Week 15


This is our last week studying the book of Hebrews; we have seen above all else that King Jesus is better. He has ushered in a new covenant, mediated through His blood, and by faith in His name; we have a great inheritance that lies before us.

 

What is one takeaway from our study in 

the book of Hebrews?

 

Now, for this week's study...


The Point: 

We must live seeking the eternal city.

  

Hebrews 13:1-25

Let brotherly love continue. 2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. 3 Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body. 4 Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. 5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 6 So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”

7 Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. 9 Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them. 10 We have an altar from which those who serve the tent have no right to eat. 11 For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy places by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp. 12 So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. 13 Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured. 14 For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. 15 Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. 16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

18 Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things. 19 I urge you the more earnestly to do this in order that I may be restored to you the sooner.

20 Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, 21 equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

22 I appeal to you, brothers, bear with my word of exhortation, for I have written to you briefly. 23 You should know that our brother Timothy has been released, with whom I shall see you if he comes soon. 24 Greet all your leaders and all the saints. Those who come from Italy send you greetings. 25 Grace be with all of you.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Heb 13:1-25.

Study Notes

WEEK 15 NOTES: Hebrews 13:1-25

Similar to the book of Romans, Hebrews is a book that’s largely theological, with reference after reference to the Old Testament. Yet, the book of Hebrews is also similar to the book of Romans in that it was written to a specific group of believers at a specific time in a specific location.

Thus, it’s in Hebrews 13, where the author switches from a pastoral exhortation to practical application. In Hebrews 12:28, the author says, “Therefore, let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.” Because we have an inheritance above, a coming kingdom where we reign with Christ in glory for all time, we must live in this world with endurance, holding fast to the confession of our hope.

And it’s because of that great inheritance, the author says, we not only are empowered to endure, but we should be motivated for proper worship and service to God. The author doesn’t leave us hanging on what he means by “acceptable worship.” In fact, he gives us ten principles for seeking the heavenly city and offering up to God obedient worship through the Lord Jesus.

1) Love Each Other (v.1)

2) Show Hospitality (v.2)

3) Remember the Mistreated (v.3)

4) Let Marriage Be Held in Honor (v.4)

5) Be Content in Christ (v.5)

6) Trust Your Leaders (v. 7, 17)

7) Hold on to the Truth (v. 8-9)

8) Suffer Well (v. 10-15)

9) Show Compassion (v. 16)

10) Pray for Each Other (v. 18)

While much could be said on applying each of these principles to the life of the Christian, it must also be noted there is an incredibly straight-forward application to each. These aren’t simply suggestions, but commands for the believer. Furthermore, it’s not as if these principles appease or please God in and of themselves. The author has already stated, “...without faith it is impossible to please him.” Rather, these principles are to be offered up to God by faith in the Lord Jesus as “...as sacrifice of praise to God.”

The author summarizes this, as well as his message from the rest of the letter, in his benedictory prayer in v. 20-21. Thus, we no longer offer to God the sacrifices of bulls or rams as in the old covenant because God has provided a better sacrifice, who mediated a better covenant through his own blood. By faith in his name, we now offer to God the sacrifice of our lives, walking in worship-filled awe of who God is, awaiting the heavenly kingdom. How we worship, how we walk in anticipating the coming of that kingdom, is how we live out these principles given forth by the author.

 

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

According to the author of Hebrews, what is our motivation for worship?

What does it look like to live a life of worship according to Hebrews 13?

Which of the ten principles stand out to you?

Of the ten principles for seeking the heavenly city, which is the most difficult for you? Which comes most naturally to you?

How do you think the world around you would view Christ-followers if we walked according to these ten principles?

 

We live our life in this world seeking the heavenly kingdom above, where Christ our King is seated on his throne. Because we have a great inheritance before us, we live in the now with hearts of gratitude, desiring above all else to glorify God and advance his gospel into the world.

END

Teacher Notes:


One of my devotions this week...



Click Play to Watch


In John 14:9 Jesus said, “… Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father…” 


Jesus showed us that He is like God in taking on flesh and blood, and so, in His generosity, in His compassion – that’s what God’s like. In His telling of the truth – that’s what God’s like. In His love, and forgiveness, and sacrifice – that’s what God’s like. That’s who God is. 


God is sheer being itself – Spirit. Those who worship Him do it out of their very being, their spirits, their true selves, in adoration. – John 4:24 (MSG)


Sometimes you can feel God, like you do the rhythm of a song, and it moves you. One could say that this song is playing all around us all the time, the song is playing everywhere, it’s written on our hearts, and everybody is playing the song. So, the question isn’t whether you’re playing a song, the question is, Are You In Tune?


Maybe the way we live every day determines

how in tune with God we are.




























We no longer offer to God the sacrifices of bulls or rams as in the old covenant because God has provided a better sacrifice - Jesus, who mediated a better covenant through His own blood.

By faith in His name, we now offer to God the sacrifice of our lives, walking in worship-filled awe of who God is, awaiting the heavenly kingdom



My devotion closed with this:

Maybe you haven't felt in tune or connected or in relationship with God because of all these things, these ideas you have about what that means, all these things that you’ve been told about what it is or what it isn’t.

To be honest - an infinite, massive, kind of invisible God, can be hard to get our minds around, but truth, love, grace, mercy, justice, compassion the way that Jesus lived – I can see that, I can understand that - I can relate to that, and I can feel that song, and that rhythm.


Jesus said, “I came so that everyone would have life, and have it in its fullest.” – John 10:10 (CEV)

 

So, in closing:


May you come to see and feel that the song IS written on your heart.

And as you live in tune with the song, in tune with the way Jesus lived – may you realize that you ARE connected and in relationship with the living God.


Let me close as I opened: 

with two anteaters sharing marital wisdom.