Sound Teaching

In Exodus 13 we read of the institution of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Moses gave the instructions regarding the time and regulations of the feast, and also the reason, “It shall be as a sign to you on your hand as a memorial between your eyes, that the Lord’s law may be in your mouth; for with a strong hand the Lord has brought you out of Egypt” (9). God did not establish the feast to be merely a day off from work! It was a memorial! Unfortunately throughout Jewish history, during times of rebellion against God, the purpose of much of God’s instructions were lost to the minds of the people. Continue reading ““And you shall tell your son”” →

This well known text, contextually, emphasizes the point of uniqueness. Jesus was unique! He solved the problem of sin as it impacts the redemption of men. He did so by offering Himself on the cross a single time. This indicates His sufficiency as a sin sacrifice. God the Son shed His blood for you and me. Because of this, His Father’s justice was satisfied.

To illustrate this the Hebrew writer proclaims something that everyone knows. You only die once! We live our lives (good or bad) and then at some point in time our lives come to an end. Everyone knows this, there is no disputing it. Men have sought to lengthen lives, and have looked for the proverbial fountain of youth. It doesn’t change the fact that since the world began, generations have been born, and generations die! For those who believe God, we as readily accept that the judgment of God is inexorable. After death our destiny is inviolably set.

This same kind of inexorable certainty is true of Christ’s offering of Himself. It will not happen again. When Jesus comes again it will not be to sacrifice Himself, it will be to gather His people up to heaven! We know it! And we eagerly wait for that day!

The apostle Paul greatly loved his brethren! In his first letter to the Thessalonians he had this to say, “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For you are our glory and joy” (1Thessalonians 2:19-20).

I am especially enamored with the phrase “crown of rejoicing.” Paul was not repeating himself. He had already said they were his “joy.” The great zeal and character that the Thessalonians had shown made him very happy. He was eager to see their faces, because their fellowship as brethren was so pleasant to him. He said he “endeavored more eagerly to see your face with great desire” (17).

This phrase, however is perhaps a bit more appropriately translated, “crown of pride.” The word crown (stephanos) is indicates a crown of victory! Reserved for Olympic winners, or emperors who had won a war. The word translated rejoicing (kauchesis) is used to indicate boasting (in a good sense) or glorying. Paul was proud of these brethren because of their “work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father” (1:3). He said, “so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth” (1:7-8). Consider: would the great apostle be as proud of you and me?

A discussion of the purpose and practice of the Lord’s Supper in the Lord’s church.  Audio only (the video did not stream).

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Chapter 9 ends the argumentation contrasting the worship and priesthood under the Old Covenant with Jesus and His New Covenant. It is a stark contrast.

As high priest Jesus’ ministry is in heaven, not the tabernacle. “Heaven itself” is better than that sanctuary made by the hands of men. The atonement sacrifice of Jesus, as it is contrasted with the blood sacrifice of the high priest yearly, is also better. Jesus did not offer Himself often because His sacrifice on the cross finished the work of atonement. In effect, the sin problem that had plagued mankind from Adam and Eve was resolved. Now, through faith in Jesus, all men can received God’s grace and redemption. This happened because Jesus’ blood was shed as the final sacrifice for sin. The writer indicates this by noting if Jesus’ blood was not sufficient (like the blood of bulls and goats), His sacrifice would have had to be offered from the time of Adam until the present.

So, though Christ remains as High Priest. That aspect of priestly service is done. He offered the sin sacrifice of Himself. Because He did, such sacrifices are no longer needed!

The applications for the call to steadfastness are myriad. As we live our lives here on earth, we are challenged. There are tests of our faith that come through temptation, trial, even success. The devil is quite willing and capable to use anything in our existence to seek our spiritual demise. The loss of a loved one can cause despair. Difficulties with health or age can cause severe depression. The elation of financial or professional success can change our priorities to self rather than God. We could go on and on.

All of these can impact a Christian’s faith. The Lord calls upon each man to “deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it” (Luke 9:23-24). But each of us can supply personal anecdotes relating how Jesus’ call is often unheeded. Those personal anecdotes from time to time may be extremely personal – we ourselves may be the one’s who falter.

The Lord’s advice is to consider the value of steadfastness. When we recognize our preeminent purpose in life is to prepare ourselves for eternity, it makes our commitment seem worthy of any sacrifice. Paul put it this way: “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58).

One synonym of “covenant” is “testament.” The Hebrew writer uses that concept here. As we know, a testament (or will) goes into effect at the death of the one making the testament (or will). As it relates to Jesus’ testament, will, covenant – it was not until Jesus died that it came into being or “in force” (17).

This means that when Jesus died, the Old Testament was no longer in force. It was superseded by the New Testament of Christ. Christ’s testament is superior to the Old Testament, ratified by God’s servant Moses. Moses took the blood of calves and goats, sprinkling it on the covenant, tabernacle and the people to solemnize the agreement that the Jews had with God. “This is the blood of the covenant which God has commanded you” (20).

Blood is required for there to be remission of sins. Such remission is found under the New Covenant, rather than the Old Covenant. This shows that the blood of the bulls and goats that Moses used could not solve the problem of sin (cf 9:13-14; 10:4). Only in Christ’s blood, in the New Covenant, can remission be found! (cf. 10:10).

The lessons we learn from God’s judgment of Belshazzar, King of Babylon, in Daniel 5 are invaluable to us as we deal with our own sins in God’s presence.

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We are familiar with Peter’s use of God’s words in the book of Leviticus (11:44-45; 19:2; 20:7), “Be holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16). Here we see that our own holiness has a compelling reason. We are imitating God! This was Peter’s thesis in his text, “but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct” (1:15).

While we may have some concept of holiness, let’s consider God’s definition as found in the Greek language. The Greek word hagios denotes something that is sacred. It has reference to an object that has been separated from what is common, and is therefore worthy of veneration. In reference to a man, it is used to indicate moral goodness. Someone who is pure, sinless, upright. The Old Testament Hebrew word qados is used essentially in the same way. Continue reading “Be Holy” →

One of the things that stands out for me in Paul’s personal letter to Philemon, is the character of the one to which he is writing. He called Philemon his beloved friend. These words were not mere flattery. Rather they were true praise for a man of strong character.

We acknowledge Paul’s purpose in writing. He wanted Philemon to do as he asked. Philemon’s slave, a man called Onesimus, had run away. While on the run, he met Paul and was converted. Rather than receiving punishment, Paul not only wanted Philemon to forgive the slave, but all to relinquish him to Paul, so that he might assist Paul in his work. This was a big ask, but Paul had confidence and his carefully worded letter would be successful. He believed this because he knew Philemon well. Continue reading “An Example of Christian Character” →