Bible Reading: Hebrews 13
Hebrews 13:9 Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.
How do you guard against divers (different) and strange doctrines? Because the Lord Jesus does not change!
Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
If we know Jesus and follow him, His Spirit will be our teacher. He does not change. His Word does not change and if we continue in his Word, we will be his disciples indeed.
John 8:31-32 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Strange doctrines are those that are not a part of His Word. They are not a part of the apostolic teaching that we are to continue steadfastly in (Acts 2:42).
It is a good thing that the heart be established with grace. You need to feed on the Word of God. You need to know the Word so well, that false teaching will be easy to see.
The book of Ephesians tells us the work of the four fold ministry of the church is to help with this:
Ephesians 4:11-14 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.
The contrast is with those who focus on the kind of food they eat. Those who are occupied with that are not profited. But when you focus on the Word and Jesus himself, you will profit!
In Christ,
Rody
Monday, October 10, 2011
Friday, October 7, 2011
The Mediator of the new covenant
Bible Reading: Hebrews 12
Hebrews 12:24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
A mediator is someone who stands between two persons who are at variance to reconcile them. Before we knew Jesus, we were at variance with God. As a matter of fact, the Bible says we were the enemies of God.
Romans 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
We are invited in the book of Hebrews to come to Jesus. In chapter 12 the Bible enumerates just what it means to come to Jesus. One of the many things it means is that Jesus has made atonement for us by sprinkling his own blood on the mercy seat in heaven. What does this blood signify?
Aaron as the high priest mediated between the people and God. He would sprinkle the blood on the mercy seat once a year. This signified that God would look over the sins of the people for one more year.
Our high priest has shed his own blood. There is now no more need of sacrifice. God's mercy is sure - in Christ! The blood of Abel cried out to God about the guilt of Cain. The blood of Christ speaks better things! His blood cries out about the mercy and grace of God.
Come to the mediator of the new covenant. Come to Jesus. He sits upon a throne of grace and we may have his grace if we will just come to him.
In Christ,
Rody
Hebrews 12:24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
A mediator is someone who stands between two persons who are at variance to reconcile them. Before we knew Jesus, we were at variance with God. As a matter of fact, the Bible says we were the enemies of God.
Romans 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
We are invited in the book of Hebrews to come to Jesus. In chapter 12 the Bible enumerates just what it means to come to Jesus. One of the many things it means is that Jesus has made atonement for us by sprinkling his own blood on the mercy seat in heaven. What does this blood signify?
Aaron as the high priest mediated between the people and God. He would sprinkle the blood on the mercy seat once a year. This signified that God would look over the sins of the people for one more year.
Our high priest has shed his own blood. There is now no more need of sacrifice. God's mercy is sure - in Christ! The blood of Abel cried out to God about the guilt of Cain. The blood of Christ speaks better things! His blood cries out about the mercy and grace of God.
Come to the mediator of the new covenant. Come to Jesus. He sits upon a throne of grace and we may have his grace if we will just come to him.
In Christ,
Rody
Thursday, October 6, 2011
The evidence of things not seen
Bible Reading: Hebrews 11
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
The word used here to help us understand faith is 'substance'. The Greek word means a 'setting under' or an 'assurance'. It is like saying faith is the foundation. It means to stand up under something like a pillar supports a bridge.
Faith is the assurance that things hoped for will come to pass. It is confidence that what you hope for is founded upon something that is sure and steady.
It is also the 'evidence' of things not seen. A hunter is convinced that what he is stalking is at hand, not because he has seen the animal, but because he has seen the evidence (tracks, sign, etc.) As believers, we have not seen Jesus, but we believe and faith is the evidence of things not seen.
John 20:29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
1 Peter 1:8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
Faith is to believe the Word of God. It is solid and sure and you can be convinced that what you have not seen is real because of the evidence you do see. Heaven and hell are real even though you have not seen them. Jesus is alive and at the right hand of the Majesty on high. How do we know? Because he promised in his Word. His Word never fails. He cannot lie. Believe Jesus!
In Christ,
Rody
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
The word used here to help us understand faith is 'substance'. The Greek word means a 'setting under' or an 'assurance'. It is like saying faith is the foundation. It means to stand up under something like a pillar supports a bridge.
Faith is the assurance that things hoped for will come to pass. It is confidence that what you hope for is founded upon something that is sure and steady.
It is also the 'evidence' of things not seen. A hunter is convinced that what he is stalking is at hand, not because he has seen the animal, but because he has seen the evidence (tracks, sign, etc.) As believers, we have not seen Jesus, but we believe and faith is the evidence of things not seen.
John 20:29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
1 Peter 1:8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
Faith is to believe the Word of God. It is solid and sure and you can be convinced that what you have not seen is real because of the evidence you do see. Heaven and hell are real even though you have not seen them. Jesus is alive and at the right hand of the Majesty on high. How do we know? Because he promised in his Word. His Word never fails. He cannot lie. Believe Jesus!
In Christ,
Rody
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