Church Blog (Page 6)

In Hebrews 4, verse 11 forms the “backdrop” for verse 12’s description of God’s word (“living and powerful, sharper…a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart”). When we recognize the point the Holy Spirit is making in verse 11, then we can appreciate the actual lesson in verse 12: Christians are supposed to “be diligent” (NKJ) about entering the “rest” God has prepared for us! To the Jewish Christians who first read this letter, the word “rest” corresponded…

Among the many titles and descriptions we find for Jesus throughout the scriptures, perhaps none were so vivid to the mind of first-century Jewish Christians as those found in Hebrews 3:1 – the Apostle and High Priest of our confession. The Holy Spirit urges these Christians to contemplate, gaze upon Jesus in these roles. He wants them to focus their attention carefully and seriously, taking in all the significance for them of Jesus, compared to Moses (as persecuted Jewish Christians…

Hebrews 2 presents what is perhaps the most concise explanation and the most vivid illustration of God’s justice and mercy. After reminding us that history (the events mentioned in chapter 1) should motivate us to “pay special attention,” the Holy Spirit defines what justice actually means; “…every transgression and disobedience [receives] a just reward…”. The Greek word for just means “according to what is right” – a “just” reward (for sin) is exactly what is deserved by the sinner. Ezekiel…

As we noted last week, the letter to the Hebrews is unusual because it reads almost like the transcript of a sermon instead of a letter, and the “title” of the sermon would be something like “Remember Why Christianity is Better Than Judaism.” The very first words set the stage for this comparison by noting that the authority of Jesus’ words supersedes that of the old testament’s prophets. The implied contrast between Jesus and the prophets is based on exactly…

The letter to the “Hebrews” is the anonymous book of the new testament – no human writer’s name is referenced anywhere in it. Many bible scholars suppose that the apostle Paul was the inspired penman because of the style of writing and the content of the letter, and this is a reasonable assumption. Others, however, have offered arguments in favor of Christians such as Apollos, Barnabas, Luke, or even James as being the inspired writers of this treatise. One fairly…

Paul could have commanded Philemon to accept Onesimus back into his household, verse 8; he explains why he did not do so in verse 9 – “…for love’s sake.” He had already commended Philemon’s love for the Lord and for his fellow-Christians (vs. 5), and we could suppose Paul is here appealing to that reputation. More likely, however, is that Paul is concentrating Philemon’s attention on the principle of love, in effect saying that “Christian love should motivate you in…

Titus 2:2-7 explains the “how” of verse one’s instruction for Christians to “beautify” or complement sound doctrine. We conform to the beneficial teaching of God’s word when we acknowledge the differences our Creator established between the two genders He created (cf. Genesis 1:27; 2:7 & 18-24). There is some noticeable overlap between the qualities laid out for men and women in Titus 2:2-7 as well as for the aged compared to those who are younger. Sobriety, reverence, and self-control should…

Paul’s very brief, pointed letter to Philemon deals with the relationship between a Christian slaveowner and a runaway slave. This letter is NOT what many modern readers think Paul “should” have written. In the modern passion for social justice, many readers are greatly offended that Paul does not issue a full-throated and explicit condemnation of chattel slavery – and thus miss the fact that the Holy Spirit leads Paul to “dig deeper” than the surface issue of these two men’s…

Opposition is a reality of the Christian’s life, according to Titus 1:10. In the context of this letter, Paul is describing those among the early Christians who were trying to require Gentile converts to be circumcised and observe Jewish dietary restrictions as part of their conversion to Christ (see vs. 14). In the larger principle, he is acknowledging that – people being people – Christians will always encounter someone who responds to the scriptures will be “yes, but…” (even within…

Titus was a Gentile Christian. He had accompanied Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem (almost certainly during the events of Acts 15), where he was accepted as a brother by “those of reputation” (the other apostles, and elders of the Jerusalem congregation) despite the fact that he had not been circumcised. Whether he is also the “Titus Justus” of Acts 18:7 is not clear. It IS obvious that he was a close and trusted companion of Paul in some of his…

Paul’s instruction for Timothy to continue in the things he had learned (2 Timothy 3:14) is actually a parallel to Jesus’ own statement to the disciples in John 8:31 – “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.” In effect, Paul is telling Timothy that the way to stay completely prepared/equipped for serving God in this world is to “stay where God put the equipment for your task” (vv. 15-17). Christians sometimes make the mistake of trying…

For many Christian, 2 Timothy 2:15 may be the most familiar verse in the entire letter. Paul’s instruction that we “study” (lit. make an effort, try, exert ourselves) is actually a counterpoint to the “efforts” of those who “strive about words to no profit” in verse 14. It also sets the stage for his command in verses 16-18, to “shun” (avoid, keep away from) the behaviors – unholy, empty “chattering” – of those like Hymenaeus and Philetus, whose actions and…