Monthly Archives: August 2020

Anchor of Our Soul

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For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. Hebrews 6:13-15

 

When God called out Abraham and made him a promise that his descendants would be more numerous the stars or the sand on the shore, it seemed impossible since Abraham was almost 100 years old and childless. However as we need to understand , God does not lie, Gods does not go back on his promises. What God says is going to happen we can guarantee it will happen

 

Now we might not know how its going to happen or have all the details. But remember God is sovereign and in complete control of the world. As Abrham kept being led through barren land, he must of thought “Where am I going”? “What in the world is God doing”? However by faith Abraham obeyed God

 

For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife. Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: Hebrews 6:16-17

 

God made a covenant with Abraham, just as Christ made a covenant with us! What is a covenant? Its like a contract, its a promise, its a guarantee that God has made. The only difference is God doesnt break his promises! 

 

That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; Hebrews 6:18-19

 

How can we be assured that we are saved, because its impossible for God to lie. Those who are saved with Christ, have an anchor for their soul. God is not dangling a carrot in front of you, leading you along

 

If you are Born Again through Christ, you are saved! We have blessed assurance in the blood of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen!

 

Eternally Saved

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Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit. Hebrews 6:1-3

The following scriptures we are reading today are about becoming mature Christians. When we first become saved, we become very zealous and almost a legalist with the Word of God. We are trying to learn everything in a short time, and when other Christians dont agree or follow our interpretation of scripture we start causing division. This is why Christianity today has over 40,000 different denominations today.

But as we mature as a Christian, we understand that we need to stay focused on the essential doctrines of Christianity and not get divided over interpretations of others. The Apostles Creed is a great place to start, if you can affirm the Apostles Creed then you are an Orthodox Christians. The Deity of Christ, The Virgin Birth, The Death and Resurrection of our Sins, The Church, The Second Coming of Christ. These are all essential doctrines of Christianity. Whether somebody believes in a Pre Trib, Mid Trib, or Post Trib Rapture, shouldnt divide the Church. Keep it simple , preach the Gospel of Christ

For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, Hebrews 6:4-5

The following scriptures are some of the most controversial in the entire Bible. Some will argue that this is teaching that we can lose our salvation after becoming Born Again. I disagree , as this would contradict alot of the BIble. Also Jesus promised us eternal life, are we calling Jesus a liar by taking this away?

I think to understand this scripture we need to look at the context, who is the audience? This epistle was written specifically for Hebrew Christians. What issue did alot of Hebrew Christians have coming to Christ? Many still wanted to remain under The Law even after they were saved, read Acts 15

I think this scripture is in reference to those who proclaimed to be Christians but yet kept themselves under the Law. As we know you cant be under the law and under grace at the same time. Your either one or the other, secondly if you were truly Born Again, we would understand the power of the blood of Christ and his grace

If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. Hebrews 6:6

Becoming Born Again (John 3:3) is a one time spiritual rebirth, those who claim to have “fallen away” I would have to wonder if they were ever truly saved? This has become a major issue in todays Church as well, many false conversions. Today we tell people, say the “Sinners Prayer” and your saved, Jesus never preached that, Paul never preached that, Peter never preached that

Jesus said “Repent or Perish” In order for somebody to come to Christ, they need to understand their own depravity. Why do they need a Savior? A golden ticket to Heaven? No , they need to become Born Again because of our wickedness. The Law of God is a mirror for us to see our need for Christ! Amen!

Meat and Milk

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Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. Hebrews 5:11-12

 

The Word of God is referred to as Milk and Meat, what does the author mean by this? Anyone who has been studying the Bible long enough, knows there are some easy doctrines to understand  and then there are some difficult ones. As that famous line in the movie “A few good men” it was said “You cant handle the truth”, often until we are mature Christians, some of the doctrines of the Bible are difficult to understand

 

When someone is born, they are an infant, a baby, you dont just start feeding a baby a steak! A baby starts off on milk and eventually as their digestive system develops they move to solid food. This should be the same with our Christian walk. When we first become Born Again, we are babies in Christ. Theres alot of things to learn, theres alot of things to experience, theres alot things to comprehend and digest during our walk. 

 

Therefor you dont start off giving a new Christian meat, you feed them milk and let them develop there way by the Holy Spirit get to a point of maturity. I think one of the biggest mistakes by “Street Preachers” is they are trying to feed meat to unbelievers. When talking to a non believer or new believer, keep it simple! Keep it about the gospel of Jesus Christ!

 

For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Hebrews 5:13-14

 

Now there also comes a time, when a Christian needs to mature and move on from milk and start eating meat! If you wonder why your not growing spiritual as a Christian, it could be that your still just drinking milk and not eating  spiritual meat! We should always be seeking to know God deeper and to understand his revelation further!

 

Just as with a baby, unless they starting eating meat , they will not grow and develop. The same with your Christian life, if you dont study your Bible, if you dont read books, if you dont have Bible studies/discussions with other Christians, your not going to grow spiritually. The Holy Spirit will be your teacher and advocate, its a process of sanctification to help you grow stronger in The Lord, Amen!

Jesus The High Priest Part 2

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For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins:Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity. Hebrews 5:1-2

 

One of Jesus many titles is the High Priest, as we talked about in my first post about the importance of the High Priest, a mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5) However the issue with the Old Covenant, is the High Priest were mortal men, sinful men just like you and me. While God ordained men to take on this role, this could never fully satisfy Gods requirements

 

One of the roles of the High Priest is to offer sacrifice for sins, however as we look at Christ , we see he offered himself as the perfect sacrifice  because He is the sinless Lamb of God. Nobody else could fulfill this requirement, nobody else could take our place except Jesus Christ

 

And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins. And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.

Hebrews 5:3-4

 

The mortal High Priest not only made sacrifices for other people sins, but made an atonement for his own sin as well. While Christ, the sinless Lamb of God, made the atonement for everyones sins. Nobody else can take this honor, nobody else could take the place of Christ. 

 

Aaron was called by God , just like many of us are, however he was a sinful mortal man , just like us all. Aaron worshipped the golden calf at Mt Sinai and needed to repent. Obviously he fallen short just as all of us have, but Christ is the perfect Son of God to redeem us all

 

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. As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. Hebrews 5:5-6

 

Jesus didn’t become the High Priest, the Christ, the Lamb of God, the King for his own glory. Jesus did this because he loves us and he loves the Father and he was obedient , even until the point of death.  Jesus is the High Priest eternally , there will never be another, Amen!

 

Word of God

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For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged 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. Hebrews 4:12

 

There are many people today, even some “Christians” who don’t believe The Bible is the inspired Word of God. Why do so many people like to quickly dismiss the Bible? Why do Atheists, who claim they dont believe God exist, spend countless hours of their lives trying to disprove what the Bible says?

 

Because the Word of God, is alive , its active and its convicting people to their soul. Its The Bible was just another book, nobody would care about it. But because we know the Bible is the inspired Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16) Notice it states the Bible is like a sword, it cuts right to the soul, why? Because God is talking directly to us by his revelation. The Apostle Paul stated that “All scripture is given by inspiration of God” (2 Timothy 3:16) The entire Bible is inspired by God, not just parts of it, all of it. 

 

Jesus is the Living Word (John 1) , how do we know we can trust that the Bible is the Word of God? Because Jesus confirmed it, (Luke 24) everything that is written was written about or from Christ. If you reject the authority of The Bible, you reject God himself. 

 

Start reading the Bible in public and see what happens, people have strong reactions to Gods Word, why? Because its alive, its powerful, its convicting us of who we are! You will start to become transformed while the Holy Spirit opens your eyes and ears, its a double edged Sword

 

So next time you read or hear the Bible, understand this is Gods Word. These words have power to change and transform you. These words reveal who Jesus truly is, Amen!

Gods Rest

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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. 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. Hebrews 4:1-2

 

One of the great debates of Christianity is the Sabbath. The first thing we need to understand is what is the sabbath? The word sabbath in Hebrew means Rest, its to enter into Gods rest. 

 

As the author is quoting Psalm 95:11 , the Israelites would not be able to enter into God’s rest or sabbath, because of their disobedience to him. They hardened their hearts and rejected the gospel message.

 

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. For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works. Hebrews 4:3-4

 

Notice those which believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ, do enter into Gods Rest. How is this possible when God didnt allow the Israelites to enter into his rest? Because the blood of Christ, paid the atonement for your sin. You will never be at Rest with God until your sins are forgiven.  The only way your sins can be forgiven is through faith in Jesus Christ

 

And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest. Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, Today, after so long a time; as it is said, Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. Hebrews 4:5-7

 

God promised “Today, if you answer the voice of the Shepherd and follow Him, he will bring you into his Rest. Only if you dont harden your hearts as the Israelites did in the Wilderness. Those who believe they can be saved without Christ, will never fully enter into Gods Rest

 

For if Joshua had given them rest, then He would not afterward have spoken of another day. There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. Hebrews 4:8-9

 

The name Yeshua can be translated as either Jesus or Joshua, in this context the scripture is referring to Joshua who led the Israelites to the Promise Land. However Jesus will lead us to a greater Sabbath, a day of eternal Rest 

 

Gods Kingdom , where there will be no more death, no more suffering, no more disease, no more sin, it will be the ultimate Sabbath of all Sabbaths, Amen!