Draw Near and Hold Fast

Hebrews 10:19-23: Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful;

God Desires You to be Holy and Complete

Philippians 2:12-13: So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

The Folly of Presumption: Learning to Commit Our Plans to God

James 4:13-17: Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.” Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.” But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil. Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.

Perfected and Forgiven by our Enthroned High Priest

Hebrews 10:11-18: This week because we will be completing the extensive doctrinal section in Hebrews, we will do a more extensive review of what we have covered so far.

Then we will expound Hebrews 10:11-18 which complete the author’s argument
for the superiority of Jesus’ priesthood and sacrifice in the New Covenant.

Again he cites key Old Testament texts which pointed ahead to Christ’s once
and for all offering of Himself for our sins.

The gospel is crystal clear in this precious text.

The Finality and Efficacy of Christ’s Sacrifice

Hebrews 10:1-10: We are coming to the end of the extensive doctrinal section of Hebrews. Our author contrasts the repeated animal sacrifices of the Old Covenant which were ineffectual with the one final sacrifice of Christ which brings full forgiveness, making us fit for God’s presence.

Satisfaction for the Thirsty

Spurgeon called Isaiah 55 a chapter of gospel invitation. He preached from this passage at least eighteen times.

Isaiah 55 pleads with the lost to abandon their worthless idols. The Lord offers abundant pardon and rich kingdom blessings to those who turn to Him.

Isaiah 55 also speaks to believers who sometimes waste their time and money seeking to find joy and satisfaction in worldly things instead of finding their fulfillment in Christ.

Isaiah 55 also points to Christ who offers Himself as our spiritual food and drink.

Liberty and Love

Are you strong?

Last week Paul began his discussion of the issues over which Christians differ by encouraging all of us to accept one another without judging in these difficult matters.

In this week’s text Paul focuses upon those who consider themselves strong - because they believe they have liberty to do things in which the weak cannot participate without violating his conscience.
Rather than looking down on the weak, the strong should forego the use of his freedom for the sake of those who don’t enjoy the same sense of freedom.
In so doing he is living out the gospel by imitating Christ who gave up His rights for us.