THE HEBREWS SERIES

BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST–HEBREWS 3:7– 4:16

Art Davison THE HEBREWS SERIES 0 Comment
BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

Acts 16:30-31, “And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31-And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”

Hebrews 3:7– 4:16
Introduction:

This is a lesson in Hebrew history. God uses what happened to Israel in the days when Moses led them out of the land of Egypt to teach us a lesson today.

Consider what happened to Israel when they did not believe the man of God when he spoke the message of God to them.

I. THE CATASTROPHE OF UNBELIEF

A. Israel saw the works of God first hand, Hebrews 3:9, “When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years.”

1. They saw what God did to the Egyptians, Exodus 19:4, “When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years.”

2. They had seen God open the Red Sea so that they could pass on dry land, Exodus 14:14-16, “The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. 15-And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward: 16-But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.”

3. They saw that God talked with Moses from Heaven, Exodus 20:22, “And the LORD said unto Moses, Thus thou shalt say unto the children of Israel, Ye have seen that I have talked with you from heaven.”

4. They had seen all of God’s great acts, Deuteronomy 11:7, “But your eyes have seen all the great acts of the LORD which he did.”

B. Israel hardened her heart against the Lord, Hebrews 3:7-8, “Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, 8-Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:”

C. The CATASTROPHE of unbelief struck, Hebrews 3:19, “So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.”

1. Because of their unbelief that whole generation of men died in the wilderness, Numbers 14:22-23, “Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice; 23-Surely they shall not see the land which I sware unto their fathers, neither shall any of them that provoked me see it:”

2. Because of unbelief they never knew God’s ways, Hebrews 3:10, “Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways.”
II. THE CONSEQUENCES OF UNBELIEF

A. The Word preached did not profit them, Hebrews 4:1-2, “Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. 2-For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.”

1. The Gospel was preached to them.

2. But it was not mixed with faith, Hebrews 3:18, “And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?

B. There was no rest for those who refused to believe, Hebrews 4:3, “For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.”

III. THE CURE FOR UNBELIEF

A. The Word of God, Hebrews 4:12, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

1. They should have listened to the man of God, Hebrews 13:7, “Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.”

2. God knew their need, but they refused to trust Him.

B. Jesus is our Great High Priest, Hebrews 4:14, “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.”

C. Jesus can be trusted to keep His Word, Psalms 4:5, “Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.”

CONCLUSION:

Psalms 18:8 says, “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.” Israel trusted 10 spies and lost their lives.

THE BRIGHTNESS OF HIS GLORY–HEBREWS 1:1-14

Art Davison THE HEBREWS SERIES 0 Comment
THE BRIGHTNESS OF HIS GLORY

(THE HEBREWS SERIES)

HEBREWS 1:1-14

Introduction:

There are things about the Lord that we have not experienced as of yet. One of those things is His Glory. If we know the Lord we have seen His Glory only with the eye of faith. That is only a clue of His greatness.

The word “glory” appears 402 times in the Scriptures. The phrase “glory of God” appears 17 times in the Scriptures. Paul says in Romans 5:1-2, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2-By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”

I. JESUS IS THE GLORY OF THE FATHER.

A. He is “the only begotten of the Father,” John 1:14, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”

1. The God of Heaven in flesh, John 14:8-9, “Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. 9-Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?”

2. The only Man to be “full of grace and truth,” Colossians 1:19, “For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;”

B. He is equal with the Father, John 14:10, “Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? The words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.” John 10:30, “I and my Father are one.”

C. Jesus “is the image of God,” 2 Corinthians 4:4, “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” Colossians 1:15,” Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:”

II. JESUS IS THE GLORY OF EVERY BELIEVER.

A. Jesus is “the light of the knowledge of the glory of God.” 2 Corinthians 4:6, “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”

1. God “commanded the light to shine out of darkness”, 2 Timothy 4:2, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”

2. That preaching was “to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God.” Proverbs 2:5, “Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.”

B. The Apostles were Eyewitnesses of His Majesty, 2 Peter 1:16, “For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.”

1. Peter and the other Apostles were there to see it first hand, 2 Peter 1:16, “For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.”

2. John declares that he and the others heard and saw the Lord, 1 John 1:1-3, “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; 2-(For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) 3-That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.”

C. We as Believers have seen the Glory of God with the eye of Faith, Romans 10:17, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

1. We have tasted of the Glory of God, 1 Peter 2:2-3, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: 3-If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.”

2. By Faith will be “eyewitnesses of his majesty” just as the Apostles were, at the Second Coming of the Lord, 2 Peter 1:16, “For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.”

CONCLUSION

While we can’t see with the eye, the Glory of God as of yet. We wait patiently for His Coming at which time we, too, will share in that great spectacle.

THE BETTER THINGS–HEBREWS 7:11-28

Art Davison THE HEBREWS SERIES 0 Comment
THE BETTER THINGS
HEBREWS 7:11-28

Introduction:

The Apostle speaks of better things that Jesus offers as a priest after the order of Melchisedec. We see the necessity of something better. The evident need of change by the facts stated. The result was a more excellent ministry, a better covenant.

I. THE NECESSITY, vs. 11-13.

A. The Levitical Priesthood was not perfect.

1. The priests were sinners just like everyone else.

2. The High Priest had to offer a sacrifice for his own sin before he could offer sacrifice for the sins of the congregation, Hebrews 7:27, “Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.”

B. Therefore, the old order was only a shadow of future things, Hebrews 10:1, “For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.”

II. THE EVIDENT: THE NEED FOR CHANGE, vs. 14-17.

A. Jesus was not a Levite, but from the tribe of Judah, v. 14, “For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.”

1. Moses had said nothing about the tribe of Judah in regard to the priesthood.

2. Nothing heretofore was mentioned in the Law outside of the tribe of Levi, Exodus 40:13-15, “And thou shalt put upon Aaron the holy garments, and anoint him, and sanctify him; that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office. 14-And thou shalt bring his sons, and clothe them with coats: 15-And thou shalt anoint them, as thou didst anoint their father, that they may minister unto me in the priest’s office: for their anointing shall surely be an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations.”

B. There arises another priest, Hebrews 7:15-16, “And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, 16-Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.”

1. “Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment.”

2. “But after the power of an endless life.”

III. THE FACTS, vs. 18-21.

A. The Law made nothing perfect, Romans 8:3, “For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:”

B. Something better was needed, a better HOPE, v. 19, “For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.”

IV. THE RESULTS, vs. 22-28.

A. Jesus has given us a more excellent ministry, Hebrews 8:6, “But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.”

1. “He is the mediator of a better covenant.”

2. This covenant “was established upon better promises.”

B. Jesus is the SURITY of a BETTER Testament, vs. 22-23.

1. Jesus has an unchanging priesthood, vs. 24-25.

2. Jesus is a better Priest, vs. 26-28.

(1) His Character, v. 26, “For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;”

a. He is holy.

b. He is harmless.

c. He is undefiled.

d. He is separate from sinners.

e. He is made higher than the heavens.

(2) His offering was a “once for all” offering, Hebrew 10:10, “By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”

C. God’s Word has made the Son of God a Consecrate High Priest, v. 28, “For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.”

1. Consecrated means PERFECTED.

2. His was a perfectly accomplished priesthood.

CONCLUSION

The Lord Jesus Christ, our great High Priest has no infirmities to hinder His work. He had no sin of His own and therefore, is our PERFECT HIGH PRIEST. He is consecrated to fulfill His Word and therefore, our perfect Savior for evermore.

OUR GREAT HIGH PRIEST–HEBREWS 5:1-10

Art Davison THE HEBREWS SERIES 0 Comment
OUR GREAT HIGH PRIEST
HEBREWS 5:1-10
Introduction:

The Old Testament priesthood, the Levitical priesthood, was no perfect and served as a type of something far better in the future. Those priests offered animal sacrifices that had to be repeated over and over.

The New Testament written in the blood of Jesus Christ brought a far superior priesthood, that of the believer in Jesus Christ. Their High Priest is the man, Christ Jesus. He is called and qualified by God and superior to the Old Testament system.

I. HIS CALL.

A. Aaron was called of God to do service in the Tabernacle, Hebrews 5:4, “And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.”

1. He had the call of God to do the Lord’s service.

2. Others have tried to usurp that authority and call, but were withstood, 2 Chronicles 26:18, “And they withstood Uzziah the king, and said unto him, It appertaineth not unto thee, Uzziah, to burn incense unto the LORD, but to the priests the sons of Aaron, that are consecrated to burn incense: go out of the sanctuary; for thou hast trespassed; neither shall it be for thine honour from the LORD God.”

B. Jesus was called to his ministry from Heaven, John 3:27, “John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.”

1. Only Jesus Christ has the authority to fill the priesthood in the life of a man.

2. Only Jesus has the power and authority to forgive sin, Luke 5:20-21, “And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee. 21-And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?”

II. HIS QUALIFICATIONS.

A. Jesus had no sin of His own, Hebrews 4:15, “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”

1. He experienced our life, Hebrews 2:17, “Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.”

2. Yet Jesus never committed sin, Hebrews 7:26, “For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;” 1 Peter 2:22, “Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

B. He was perfectly qualified because He was perfect, Hebrews 5:7, “And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;”

III. HIS SUPERIORITY TO MAN.

A. He is the Son of God, Hebrews 5:5, So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.”

1. To which of the angels called He “my Son”? Hebrews 1:5, “For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?”

2. John the Baptist heard God’s testimony about Jesus, Matthew 3:16-17, “And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: 17-And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

B. Though He was the Son of God, He learned obedience, Hebrews 5:8, “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;”

1. God prepared Him a body, Hebrews 5:9, “Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:”

2. He learned obedience as a human being by what He suffered here on earth, Isaiah 50:5-6, “The Lord GOD hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back. 6I gave my back to the smiters and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.”

3. Jesus was obedient to His Father, Philippians 2:8, “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”

C. Jesus is a priest after the order of Melchisedec, v. 6, “As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.”

1. Who was Melchisedec? Genesis 14:18, “And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.”

a. King of Salem (Jerusalem), Hebrews 7:1, “For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;”

b. Priest of the most high God, Hebrews 7:2, “To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;”

1) As the Priest of God Abraham paid him tithes.

2) As the Priest of God Abraham received his blessing.

c. Abraham recognized Melchisedec’s office, and position, the King of peace.

D. Melchisedec is a type of Christ in the Old Testament, Hebrews 7:3, “Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.”

1. No father or mother mentioned.

2. No beginning or ending of life.

3. No end of his priesthood, a priest continually.

CONCLUSION

Jesus Christ is our Great High Priest. He was Called; He was Qualified for the office; He is Superior to all others. He is THE SINNLESS SAVIOR AND HIGH PRIEST.

NOT KNOWING–HEBREWS 11:8

Art Davison THE HEBREWS SERIES 0 Comment
NOT KNOWING
HEBREWS 11:8, “By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.”
Introduction:

“Not knowing” can bring trying times. There are times that we act or say without knowing what we are doing or without understanding the problem. However, in the life of faith God asks us to go, not knowing what will happen, but trusting in Him to guide and direct us. We have His promises and in the life of faith, that is what we rely on, that is, His Word.

After all, Hebrews 11 is the “Faith Chapter” that shows how countless men and women over the centuries have trusted the God of Heaven with their very lives. These people KNEW their Saviour and that knowledge grew as they learned to trust Him more each day during their lives.

I. ABRAHAM WENT OUT “NOT KNOWING” WHERE HE WENT.

A. “Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the One who is leading.” Genesis 22:18, “And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.”

B. “The life of faith is not only a life of mounting up with wings, but a life of walking and not fainting.” Isaiah 40:31, “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”

C. Abraham is not a type of sanctification, but a type of the life of faith, a tried faith built on a real God. Genesis 15:6, “And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.”

1. He was not weak in faith, Romans 4:19-21, “And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara’s womb:”

2. He did not stagger at the promise of God, Romans 4:20, “He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;”

3. He was fully persuaded, Romans 4:21, “And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.”

II. THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS A LIFE OF NOT “KNOWING WHERE,” BUT OF KNOWING “WHO” LEADS US TO ‘GO.’

A. Moses kept the Passover believing in the Word of the Giver of life, Hebrews 11:28, “Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.”

B. Moses led Israel through the Red Sea “not knowing,” but trusting that God would see them through, Hebrews 11:29, “By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.”

C. Rahab the harlot trusted not in what she knew, but in the Word of God, that she and her family would be spared in Jericho, Hebrews 11:31, “By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.”

CONCLUSION

The root of our faith is the knowledge of the Person of Jesus Christ, the God of Heaven. Not know what the future holds for us, we trust in His promises and lean on His understanding.