Sunday Praise & Worship 10:00
Christian Education - 10:00 - Casual Dress - Loving Childcare
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The book of (or the letter to) the Hebrews stands in a category by itself in the New Testament. Scholars note the literary style and Greek vocabulary are among the best in the New Testament, including Luke and Acts. Though the book has been traditionally attributed to Paul, its style breaks with that of Paul's letters in many ways, and authorship has been attributed to Barnabas (Tertullian), Timothy (the KJV translators), Apollos (Luther), and Silas and Priscilla. Among all the New Testament books, Hebrews offers the most powerful exposition of the connection between Jesus Christ and the Temple. Like James, its message is stern and unequivocal, if also encouraging. Hebrews warns that those who receive salvation and then fall away from God cannot be brought to repentance again (6:4-6). Stern stuff indeed. Stern and weird, too. Hebrews is filled with talk of the Temple and its sacrifices. Of the 22 New Testament references to Psalm 110, Hebrews references the Psalm five times (as many as all of the letters of Paul combined). And where the other references are mainly concerned with Christ's preeminence over King David and his enemies (Matthew 22:41-45 and 1 Corinthians 15:25) or with Christ's intercessory role (Romans 8:34), Hebrews alone expands an obscure reference to a King of Salem and Priest of God mentioned only in Genesis 14:18 and Psalm 110:4. Hebrews 7 expounds in great detail a theological understanding of Christ as a new and perfect high priest "according to the order of Melchizadek", whose sacrifice for humanity is perfect, sufficient, and offered once, for all time. Yet for all its strangeness, Hebrews rewards readers with an assurance of a powerful continuity between God's revelation in the Hebrew scriptures (our Old Testament) and in Jesus Christ. While this theological foundation might seem boring or trivial to some, the foundation of Hebrews gives shape to our hopes for salvation and helps us define the nature of the community of Christ followers gathered into the church, the kingdom of God on earth. Fred Craddock, in his New Interpreter's Bible commentary on Hebrews, identifies a symmetry in the outline of Hebrews. In 5:11-6:20, the author exhorts the readers to faithful living. In 7:1-10:18, the author presents a detailed exposition or explanation of the promises of God in Jesus. And again in 10:19-39, the author offers and exhortation that follows the same pattern as the earlier exhortation. Craddock identifies that pattern in the earlier exhortation as: (1) admonition, in 5:11-6:3; (2) stern warning, in 6:4-8; and (3) encouragement, in 6:9-20. In the latter passage, the admonition - warning - encouragement pattern is repeated in 10:19-25 (our passage today); 10:26-31, and 10:32-39, respectively. In the first admonition (5:11-6:3), Hebrews calls the saints of the church to nourish themselves with the basics of God's promises and then to train for maturity by practicing discernment of good and evil - as God permits us to grow. Hebrews calls the church in this second admonition (10:19-25) to three specific practices: (1) approach God with sincerity and trust; (2) cling to our confession that gives us hope; and (3) let us gather and spur each other on to express our faith with our lives. Craddock simplifies these admonitions to faith, hope, and love. The beginning of this passage is as important as the ending. The reason we can do anything is because Christ, our great high priest, is our King. Christ has opened the way with his life and blood, so we can enter into the presence of God together with Holy boldness. This boldness gives us hope and trust in God's promises and love. This holy boldness gives us strength to hold onto the hope of our confession of faith in Christ. And by God, this holy boldness gives us the power to come together and encourage each other into outbursts of love and goodness. That's why we worship together on Sundays and other days, in large and small gatherings. Questions for Reflection 1. How do you relate the two admonitions above (maturing in the faith and holy boldness in approaching God and encouraging others)? How would you describe yourself in terms of faith maturity and boldness? How does Hebrews 10:19-25 speak to you in your journey? 2. The three admonitions, according to Fred Craddock, break down to faith, hope, and love. Why do you think they are presented in that order? What does that order tell you about your ability to love other people and what God invites you to do in order to love others more completely? 3. The last admonition involves two things: We must consider how to rouse one another to love and good works, and We must not stay away from our assembly, but must encourage one another. Think about the order in which these statements are presented in Hebrews 10:24-25. What does that tell you about how God invites you to prepare for worship at Skyline, and what to do once you get here? 4. How has the Holy Spirit communicated with you in worship today? How have you been encouraged by others? In what way have you (or will you) encourage someone else? For Next Week: We finish our series on the spiritual practice of community by reflecting on Relational Reaching. Please read Mark 1:40-45 (key verse is 41). The teaching statement is: "Other people's pain becomes our own in prayer and so moves us to listen and respond with compassion." Who is God moving you to reach today? |
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Key
Verse: Hebrews 10:25 "And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some
people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return
is drawing near."