Better: Session 3 (Hebrews)

 Jesus is better than Moses.  Then he always gives a warning. "Therefore" - a connecting word.

Verses 1-6: He's going to pick up on the themes that were introduced in Chapter 2 of holiness, brotherhood (the familiar language) and of a heavenly calling.

He's lifting their eyes to something bigger than their immediate surroundings.  "You share in a heavenly calling." "Consider Jesus" - |"fix your thoughts on" - NIV.

Do you know what your heavenly calling is? It's to fix our eyes on Jesus who is seated in the heavens at the Father's right hand.

Also means, continuous observation of the exact imprint of the nature of God.  We should understand Jesus Christ's profound significance.  It's not like our "consider" but much more broader.

Consider:

1. He is the High Priest - mediator

2. He is an apostle - authority to speak

3. Dual nature of Christ: fully man and fully God

We start with: this is how Jesus and Moses are the same = faithful to the one who appointed them.

Now, he will create the distance between Jesus and Moses in our thinking in verse 3.  To the original audience of this writing, Moses looms as great significance to them.

Moses is:

1. Their deliverer from captivity

2. Their law-giver and judge

3. He writes the Pentateuch

4. He sees the face of God

Jesus - more glory than Moses.  This audience would be dumbfounded.  So in this analogy, who is the builder of the house? Jesus.

Verse 4 says the builder of all things is God.  What is he saying? Jesus is God.

He will keep reminding them of this.

Verse 5 says Moses was a servant.  "To testify of the things to be spoken later" - what does that mean? Moses was shadowing what would be true of Christ.

Christ is over the house as a Son not a servant.  We see a couple of contrasts here:

1. Moses is not God Jesus is

2. Moses is not a Son Jesus is

3. Moses is a servant but Jesus is Lord over the house of God

"Hold fast our confidence" - a nautical term that will be repated.

Do you know what an indicator is that we are in the House of God?  It's holding fast to our confidence and perseverance.  He's admonishing them to persevere - hold fast to their hope!

Hope with expectation and confidence.  He's going to now take them to the concept of rest.

Verses 7-11: Another 'therefore".  Notice "therefore as the Holy Spirit says" - Psalm 95.  Pay attention!  What are we seeing there?  It's Divine inspiration written into the text for us.  The authorship is also attributed to the Holy Spirit itself.  What did the Spirit say through the Psalmist? (95)

The nation of Israel did rebel against God.  They did not believe the two spies and did not enter the promised land which meant rest.

What is rest? And what does it mean to the original audience? And to us?

Rest = security from disruption or enemy attack on land that has been given as an inheritance.  Rest yes! But also there still remains "run the race." Free from adversarial attack s that you can go about building the kingdom.  Complete and total rest from our enemies who are not flesh and blood but spiritual.  As long as we have the enemy of sin warring against us, we will not have the rest that is necessary for us to advance the work of God.

Warning #2 = 12-15.  Don't do what they did.  "Today" - the message is "don't wait to repent." It's actually a timely message for the believer.  "Repent and believe" we never outgrow.  It's for the believer and non-believer alike.

Verse 13: Apparently, the antidote to an unbelieving heart or way is that we exhort one another every day.

Exhortation is two categories:

1. Strongly urge so to try to influence someone

2. It's not only cheerleading but also "hey, stop it."  

The purpose of these warnings are for self-examination.

Verses 16-19: In verse 16, he develops his argument further.

What is the progression painted for us of Israelites who sinned in the desert?

1. They developed unbelief

2. Unbelief turned into disobedience

3. Disobedience was met with a consequence

We might think "why was God so hard on them?" But God was doing what God does: Jealous for His holiness.  Jealous for His name.  There is an unbelief that can creep into the life of the believer.

We need to day: "I believe but Lord help my unbelief." Call it out for what it is.  God hears and has compassion.

Who did not enter into the promised land because of unbelief? Moses!

Jesus is the true and better Moses because He leads us into full rest.

Next: Chapter 4 Session 4

Better: A study of Hebrews: Session 2

 This session was about Hebrews chapter 1 and chapter 2. 

The author is answering: who is Jesus Christ in verses 1-4 - Jesus is greater than the prophets. 

Verse 2: All things came to Him (heir of all) and all things came through Him (creation).  The Alpha and Omega.  He speaks with the full authority of God - "you have heard it was said, but I say to you." 

Verse 3: ideas given to us to understand exactly what Christ represents:

1) radiance of the glory of God. Not a reflection but a shining forth

2) exact imprint - a stampor an impression.  That would have been for them a perfect example for representation - a word picture. If you want to know what God looks like, look at Christ.

3) upholds the universe. The sustainer of all things.  Two doctrines here about what God is like.

God as creator is self-existent.

God as sustainer is self-sufficient.

What does the author want us to see from these? Jesus Christ is Lord.

Verse 3: Jesus Christ as priest - making purification for sin, then as King sitting down at the right hand of the majesty on high.  The right hand of God is meaning a position of power.

Verse 4: Jesus Christ is the inheritor of an excellent name: LORD.  I AM.  YAHWEH.

More interesting than angels. What? In the ancient world, angels and demons were a part of their belief system and ideology as it is for us today.  The author is saying there's something better and greater than angels = Jesus!  Angels are divine messengers.  He's going to make his point by giving us 7 OT passages.  Seven = completeness.

Verse 5: Quotes Psalm 2:7 and 2 Samuel 7:14.  Why? To make the distinction that angels are not sons.

Verse 6: Quotes Psalm 97:7.  Not only are angels not sons but they worship Jesus.  Jesus is worthy of the worship of angels and men.

Verses 7-9: Quotes Psalm 104:4 and Psalm 45:6-7.  What's the contrast he's making here? Angels are servants serving the Son who is enthroned forever and ever.

So, Christ is enthroned and angels are ministering servants.  He is elevated and better (Christ is).

Verses 10-12: Psalm 102.  What's the contrast here? Christ is superior.  He is uncreated.  Angels are created beings.

Verses 13-14: Quotes from Psalm 110:1.  Read this Psalm. The author is assuming the readers know the context of what these scriptures say.  The author is very familiar with scriptures.  He's pointing out that Christ is seated at the RIGHT hand, no an angel.  The image is a footstool: the King with his foot on the necks of the ones he has overthrown.  A common image of subjection.

Angels minister to Christ and to us.  He is correcting their misconception and raising their vision to the better thing namely Christ as supremely sovereign. 

CHAPTER 2

Continues with this pattern and follows it up with a warning.

Verses 1-4: "therefore" "drift away".  He's using nautical imagery.  We must moore our boats so we don't drift away from the harbor of sound teaching.

"Much closer attention."  He's saying "you have what you need but you've got to pay closer attention to it."

Good word for us too.  Does the modern church today understand the supremacy of Christ? We don't even understand the trinity.  Don't become cultural Christians.  "The message by angels proved to be reliable" - what? They mediated the Mosaic covenant.  What is the point he's making? God gave the law at Mt. Siani.  Obedient = blessings.  Disobedience = cursings.  It was true and reliable.  God does both and is faithful to both.  Why do you need both transgression and disobedience? Transgression is an active sinning against a boundary.  It's willfull.  Disobedience is a sin of omission. Co-mission and omission.

Verse 4: Jesus performs miracle and the apostles als.  What is the point of the warning here? He's saying "we've received a much better thing": a new covenant.  He's saying "what do you think will happen to us who have received a much better covenant but tread lightly with it?"  When we hear these warnings we can ask ourselves "does my life look any different than an intellectual ascent to God?"

Verses 5-8: Quotes Psalm 8:4-6.  He's saying angels have powers and continuous access to the throne of God, not subject to death.  Jesus, during His humanity, is limited so becomes a little lower than the angels.

Verses 8-9: Nothing is out of His control but it doesn't look like that right now.  The author is saying - much like our world today.  He's pointing them towards what is unseen.

Verses 10-11: How is the one who is already perfect made perfect through suffering? It's the idea of being made complete.  It means as He suffered and suffered well, He was proven to be, shown to be perfect.

Verses 12-13: No summary.

Verses 14-15: Think about the things we are in bondage to are linked to a fear of death.

Verse 16: We are the offspring of Abraham.

Verses 17-18: A sympathetic high priest.  His final point is that angels are not a part of the family of God like the children of Abraham are.  Christ our brother!

Next: session 3 Chapter 3

Hebrews: Session 1 "Better" - Jen Wilkin

 These are my notes from the Jen Wilkin Hebrews study "Better".  She first answers five questions about the book.

1.  Who wrote the book? We do not know but someone who understands the Jewish culture.  He had first hand knowledge of this group.  Excellent writer.  Highly organized.

2.  When was it written? Not sure.  A.D. 70 destruction of the temple in Rome. The author describes the temple, so before 70 A.D. ? 65 A.D.?  Apostolic missionaries spread the gospel to them.  Maturity would be a rare commodity.

3.  To whom was it written? Don't know but a congregation of Hebrew believers enduring persecution in early stages.  These Christians are caught between two tensions: Rome who is against this sect and traditional Jews as well.  But they now have something better.  They are not yet mature.  Hebrew Christians familiar with the OT that the author writes.

4.  What style is it written in? A letter.  Draws heavily around the OT.  Five warnings also: chapters 2, 3, 5, 10 and 12.  Epistle: gives a snapshot not a landscape.

5.  What are the major themes?  Pre-eminence of Christ.  Build confidence in our faith.  Faith is more than belief; it is trust, assurance and firm conviction.  It's to help us with steadfastness.  We must get into their skin.  The author wants us to understand Jesus is better.

Session 2: Hebrews Chapters 1 and 2

I Peter Jen Wilkin Session 5: For the Shepherds and Sheep

 In this chapter, a theme throughout is living in the light of heaven.  Also, Peter is equipping believers to stand in the midst of suffering.

Verse 1: Introducing ideas.  Peter is recognizing the elders role in the congregation.  Elders came about mainly because of Jewish culture (Exodus).  Elder speaks of a person with maturity and wisdom.  Here, it's not about any specific age but about maturity and wisdom.  Peter is an elder.  This is what qualified him to speak.  His card to lay down is that he is a witness and a partaker. i.e. experiences.

Verses 2-3: Pointed instructions for pastors and leaders.

1. Shepherd the flock of God:  Feed. Lead. Protect.

Not meaning that the pastor is everything in the body of Christ - remember what Paul said about gifts.

2. Serving as overseer - Greek culture.  Bishop - watches over.  Sheep are entrusted to shepherds - no dictatorship.  No domination.  No heavy-hand.  "By example".

Verse 4: "Chief Shepherd" - Jesus.  Peter thinking of heaven again.  Receives a "crown of glory" a reward.  Great reward in heaven.

Verse 5: Changes thought here to the younger.  Humility in our life.  Resists the proud.  Look at: James 4:6 and Proverbs 3:34.  Grace t the humble.  Do we really want God to resist you?  Be humble.  Grace to us is because God is so great and wonderful.  Humility is being "others" centered and not "self" centered.

Verse 6: God knows how to exalt us at the proper time ("kyros" time).

Verse 7: True humility is shown when we have the ability to cast our cares upon God.  God has promised to take care of us when we cast our cares upon Him instead of trying to do it ourselves.  Cares will evaporate.  "Casting" here is a very energetic word.  It's a throwing.  Why do this? Because "he cares for you."  This idea was not comprehensible to the pagan religions.  They could never believe in a god who was good from their own religions.

Verses 8-9: Not a word about worry or humility but watchfulness.  Peter reminds us to remain clear-headed.  Why? Because we have an adversary - Satan.  We're in a battle.  He may roar but he's been de-clawed and de-fanged at the cross.  But the sound of his roar, his deceptive lies, are still powerful and have the ability to devour souls and to rob us of our effectiveness.  He instills fear and defeat within his prey.  Psalm 91:3 - like a fowler.  2 Corinthians 11:14 - an angel of light and like a roaring lion - loud, fierce and intimidating.  What is he trying to do?  Devour.  What do we do? Resist him steadfast in our faith.

The secret of spiritual warfare is simply: steadfast resistance. What does it mean to resist? This ancient Greek word comes from two other root words - to stand and against.  Also, we are never along in our spiritual battles.

Verses 10-11: Peter gives a prayer.  He asks God to do His work of restoring, confirming and strengthening and establishing.  These things are God's work.

"After you have suffered awhile" - God uses his plan of suffering to do the above mentioned.  The God who can do that is worthy of all praise.

Verses 12-14: "Silvanus" - Silas, the transcriber.  Why did he write? That "this is the true grace of God in which you stand." We need to know what true grace is and also our standing in grace.  God's grace is given because of who He is not and who we are.  It's not performance based.

"She" - the church.  "Babylon" - an idea?  Was it a place?

Peter's last words  here - love.

"Kiss" - a greeting.

Peace and love are necessary now.

Session 4: 1 Peter Chapter 4 - Suffering and Serving

 The general theme is: Heaven our Hope.

Verses 1-2: Equip ourselves in the battle against sin and for holiness.  We need to have a commitment - like Jesus to God - to endure in these last days.

The ESV says "arm yourselves with the same way of thinking" - saying "I'm willing to sacrifice for the sake of Jesus Christ.

The same mind that Jesus had that sent Him to the cross to sacrifice.

Note: When we have suffered physically for Christ, we are finished with sin.  It changes something in you when you battle persecution.  You realize what's really important.  We will do verse 2.

Verse 3: It's enough! List of sins that mark the past life of a believer.  Our culture is still doing this today!

Verse 4: It's strange to this world but not in the ancient world.  It was blatant.  Endure the slander.

Verse 5: They will give an account.

Verse 6: Who are these dead? Two options:

1. The faithful ones who died before the cross

2. Christian community those who died as martyrs

Verse 7: Jesus Christ is coming again.  So...be disciplined and earnest in prayer.

Verses 8-11: Should also result in these things.  Does it also make us a person of love and not only prayer.  Covers sins flaws.  Doesn't mean enabling.  Sin sometimes needs to be exposed.

Verse 9: Hospitality.  Don't grumble about it.

Verse 10: Use your gifts. Use them to serve others.  Church less spectators and more participants.  Notice he connects gifts to being a steward of the manifold grace of God.

Steward = manager

Manifold = many facets

God has given us His grace so that we would be a steward of it (1 Corinthians 15:10).

Verse 11: God supplies.

Verse 12: Back to addressing suffering Christians.  Fiery trials - don't think it strange or be surprised by it.  We can have the conception that because we belong to Jesus, life will be happy and easy - not so!

Verse 13: But rejoice.  Partake in Christ's suffering.  Were the sufferings of Jesus full of meaning?  Full of significance? Yes! Same for us.  We should never deny suffering building godliness in our life.

Verse 14-16: Big difference in suffering as a believer and an evil doer.  Praise God for the privilege of suffering for His name.  Don't be ashamed.

Verses 17-19: God doesn't punish us with suffering but purifies us through it.  Entrust ourselves to God.

Summary: Be stewards of God's grace.

1. Be self-controlled

2. Sober-minded

3. Keep loving earnestly

4. Show hospitality

5. Use gifts given to serve

6. Suffer well

Next: Session 5 - Chapter 5 For Shepherds and Sheep

Session 3: Chapter 3 Submission and Suffering

 This is chapter 3 of 1 Peter as taught by Jen Wilkin.  These are my summary notes.

Verses 1-2: "likewise" equals "in the same way". 

1. Submission is an order of authority.  It's not inferiority.

2.In every sphere of human authority and submission, God never commands absolute submission.

First century married woman is who Peter is writing to.  It would make sense to her if she just came to Christ and her husband didn't.  In this culture, it would be unthinkable for a wife to adopt a different religion.

"Own husband" - there is no general submission to men.  Church and home.  One benefit of submission to the husband: it can affect the husband to God.  A powerful expression of her trust in God.

Verses 3-4: Peter is not forbidding outward adornment but looking for inward adornment: gentle and quiet spirit.  Real beauty comes from the hidden person of the heart, something you are.

Verses 5-6: Examples of submission.  What did these ancient women do? They trusted in God.  Sarah calling her husband "Lord" equals respect and honor.

Verse 7: This is radical.  In ancient times, all obligations were on the wife and not the husband.  All the rights were on the side of the husband.  What is his obligation?

1. A Godly husband lives with his wife in unity and oneness.

2. Do it with understanding.  Understand the wife.

3. Give honor.

This was such a radical thing.

The phrase "a weaker vessel" means weaker physically.  The phrase "heirs together" means inheritance together.  The result: prayers not hindered.

Verses 8-22: Talks about Godliness in suffering

Verse 8: "Finally" - the first conclusion.  "Be of one mind".  Take this into marriage also.  Unity in Christ.  Warm love among each other.

Verse 9: Blessing when we are wronged.  Challenged to love even in disputes.  Result? A blessing.

Verses 10-12: Demonstrates the blessing from Psalm 34.

Verses 13-17: Don't be afraid of threats.  God will help to give a defense.  Suffer for doing good than evil.  That's tough.

Verse 18: The power of suffering for doing good.  The greatest example is Jesus.  On the cross, Jesus suffered all the judgment.

Verse 19: By the Spirit.  After death before resurrection. Hades.

Verses 20-22: From the cross, to proclaiming to the disobedient in Hades (prison) and now to the work done through our life in baptism.  He's making a picture linking Noah to it all.  The water of the flood washed away sin and wickedness bringing a new world with a fresh start.  The water of baptism does the same.  Passing from old to new.  It's not baptism that saves us but the spiritual reality behind it.  What saves us is the answer of a good conscience before God.  His completed work.  It's also a burial and resurrection = baptism.  Jesus is exalted.  The ultimate victory.  Jesus triumphed.  We will too.

Summary: So we are:

1. Called to submission

2. Called to unity and love

3. Called to return evil done to us with good

4. Called to endure suffering as Jesus did

5. We will inherit a blessing

Next: session 4 chapter 4 "Suffering and Serving"

I Peter Session 2: A Living Hope

 Jen Wilkin's summary notes for Session 2 of I Peter.

Verse 1: "Therefore" (look at what came before).  It's about the attitude of the heart. Put off malice.  Put on good will. Put off deceit.  Put on all truth.  Put off hypocristy.  Put on all genuiness. Put off envy. Put on generosity. Put off slander.  Put on all praise.

Verse 2: Tells us how to receive it: long for it.  Desire it like panting after water.  A strong word here (Psalm 42:1) What attitude? Like a newborn baby desires milk.  A natural state of a newborn Christian: they want the word of God.  What's the result? Growth which equals the word and works (doers and hearers).  i.e. nutrition plus exercise.  He says you have experienced it, now live it.

Verse 3: If you've experienced that the Lord is gracious, now live it out.

Verses 4-5: The building work God wants to do.  Metaphor switched to something being built now.  Chiefstone is Jesus.  Living stones are us.  Building a spiritual house.  In ancient times, these stones had to be shaped to put into place.  Do we feel God's shaping?  What should the result be of this shaping? To offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Verses 6-8: Peter now thinks of passages that connect to the OT.  Psalm 118:22 (Jesus is the chief cornerstone).  Jesus is also the stumbling stone (Isaiah 8:14-15). Jesus is the foundation stone (Isaiah 28).  Jesus is the supernatural stone (Daniel 2) Jesus is the Rock in the wilderness.  He is precious to us who believe.  Those who refuse to build on Him, stumble over Him and He will become a rock of offense.  Jews and Gentiles are joined together.

Verse 9:  Titles that belong to Jews and Gentiles who we are before God: Royal Priests brought together in Jesus, no longer separate.  We are a possession of God. 

Verse 10: Now we are God's.  What a revelation for the Gentiles.  Why did He do it? That we would proclaim the praises of God.

Note: Now the second part - Our Duties

Verses 11-12: You've received the inheritance, so now how should you live? Wage war against our flesh because this wars against the soul. What's the result of keeping our conduct honorable? They will see our good deeds and God will be glorified.  Live in holiness.  Live as set-apart people.

Question: What was the Roman Empire like during this time? A lot of taxes, subjugation, elite vs the poor.  Augustus honored as a "god". Julius Caesar a military leader.  Herold installed as King.  There was impoverishment, hunger, debt, agrarian society, disintegration of villages and communities and violence of the Zealots.

Verse 13-17: Another duty is to show proper submission to the government.  Live as a good citizen in your community.  Remember that Peter wrote this in the days of the Roman Empire (see above).  Why obey? For the Lord's sake.

Note: Whenever the Bible speaks of submission, it's not on a human level, but to God.  By doing this (doing good), what is the result? Put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.  Live it right!

Verses 18-20: Slaves and Masters.  The duties.

Verses 21-25: Suffering for doing what's right.  Take courage from the example of Jesus.  We are identified with the death of Jesus on the cross.  The provision for our physical healing was made by Jesus on the cross and also our spiritual healing.  He is now our Shepherd and Overseer of our soul.

Shepherd: Pastor.

Overseer: Bishop.

Remember that before God tells us what to do, He first tells us all He's given to us in Jesus Christ.  When we receive what He's given us, He then gives us the ability to do it.

Next: Session 3: Submission and Suffering