Understanding the old testament in the light of Jesus Christ (Hebrews)

I believe the author of Hebrews was with Jesus after the Resurrection. Was included in the group described in Luke at the resurrection, he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures concerning himself. (Luke 24:44-46,32). Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction (Job 33:16). Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law (Psalm 119:18).
"And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true--in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life." - 1 John 5:20

A) Today, Jesus makes salvation and eternal life possible
Jesus is God's Son prophesied and confirmed at his ascension to the Father (Hebrews 1)
Hear God's promise, don't neglect salvation in Jesus (Heb 2)
Today Jesus gives eternal hope, while sin deceives hardening hearts (Heb 3)
God promises today you can have faith to enter heavenly rest (Heb 4:1-13)

B) Jesus is alive, interceding for you
Jesus our eternal high priest, order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 4:14-5:10)
Maturity occurs when we listen and obey God's word (Heb 5:11-6:3)
Trust God to grow as we water and sow (Hebrews 6:4-12, 1 Cor 3:5-9))
 - Parable of the Barren Fig Tree
Solid Hope: God's promise, perfection in Jesus intercession (Heb 6:13-7:28)

C) God's wonderful plan for your life
God's promise for our redemption makes salvation possible (Heb 8-10)
 - Jesus in heaven mediates for people, making salvation and sanctification possible (Heb 8-10:18)
Jesus blood covenant is completely trustworthy (Heb 10:19-39)
By Faith we receive all that God has for us (Hebrews 11)

God's love expressed as discipline (Heb 12)
Trusting in God brings courage and freedom (Proverbs 29:25, Heb 13:5-6)

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By Faith we receive all that God has for us (Hebrews 11)

And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. - Hebrews 11:6

Hebrews 11-13
A) Faith enables a righteous living that pleases God
11:1-3) Faith shows reality of hope, evidence of unseen. Through faith earn good reputation. By faith understand entire universe formed by God's command, what we now see didn't come from anything that can be seen
4) By faith Abel's offering gave evidence he was righteous, God approved
5-6) By faith Enoch taken to heaven without dying, known as a person who pleased God. Without faith, God can't be pleased.
7) By faith Noah built a boat to save his family, He obeyed God who warned of things that never happened before - he condemned the world, received the righteousness that comes by faith
8-10) By faith Abraham obeyed God, left home he went not knowing where he was going - lived in tents, foreigner looking forward to an eternal city built by God
11-12) By faith Sarah believed God would keep his promise, an uncountable nation from one man who was good as dead.
13-16) Died still believing God's promise, saw from a distance and welcomed it, agreed on being foreigners, nomads, looking forward to the heavenly homeland - God is not ashamed to be called their God

B) Faith enables sacrifices and perseverance in the midst of impossible circumstances
17-19) By faith Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice to God, God was able to bring him back to life and Abraham did receive his son back
20-22) By faith Isaac promised blessing for his Jacob and Esau and blessed each of Joseph's sons and Joseph confidently said Israel would leave Egypt and take his bones.
23) By faith Moses parents hid him, not afraid to disobey king's command
24-27) By faith Moses refused luxury, chose to share the oppression of God's people instead of enjoying fleeting pleasures of sin. Better to suffer for Christ, looking ahead to his great reward, by faith moved forward kept eyes on the one who is invisible. 
28) By faith Moses commanded people to keep the Passover, sprinkle blood on doorpost so angle of death wouldn't kill firstborn
29) By faith people went through Red Sea on dry ground but Egyptians all drowned
30) Faith, people of Israel marched around Jericho seven days and the wall crashed down
31) Faith, Rahab prostitute not destroyed in her city who refused to obey God, gave friendly welcome to spys.
32-38) Everyone in the Bible is an example of faith that overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, receiving God's promises, super natural help - their weakness turned to strength - tortured refusing to turn from God seeing the resurrection
29-40) earned good reputation becuase of their faith, yet none received all God promised, wanting to reach perfection with us

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Trusting in God brings courage and freedom (Proverbs 29:25, Heb 13:5-6)

Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.

Proverbs 29:25 NIV

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”  So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”

Hebrews 13:5‭-‬6 NIV

How do we trust God more? Corporate worship, brings to memory God's greatness and superiority. 

Fear of man traps us, holds us back from being authentic and true. 

What does a snare look like? Dominating others, speaking to only people who believe as you do. Staying quiet at the expense of others who would benefit from your viewpoint. 

Trusting God is going to high ground. Speaking truth in love and humility. Jesus is our example. 

Matthew 10:28, don't fear man who kill the body, God's authority and power is unlimited. 

Acts 5:29, courage to obey even when your scared. Deuteronomy 31:6, God is with you. Joshua 1:9, Heb 13:5,6, the Lord is my helper.

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Jesus blood covenant is completely trustworthy (Heb 10:19-39)

A) Because of Jesus we enter God's presence, trusting him, cleansed of guilt
19-20) As a family we can enter heaven's Most Holy Place because of Jesus blood/death life-giving way
21-22) Jesus rules God's house, let us go into the presence of God with sincere hearts trusting him, guilty conscience by Christ blood is clean, bodies washed with pure water
Illustration of cheap grace: like we go to the shower and turn on the faucet every day. This was how I thought about it then I read further and realized how I was insulting God with this (Heb 10:28-29)
Biblical illustration: Abiding (John 15), like a tree planted by a river (Psalm 1), trust following (Psalm 23)

B) Our hope in God inspires our love as we wait for Jesus to return
23-25) Hold tightly, unwavering in hope we affirm, God is trustworthy, think of ways to motivate the family to acts of love and good works, meeting, encouraging, especially as his return draws near

C) Reverent obedience, respecting God enables us to continue to do God's will
26-27) Deliberate sinning after receiving the knowledge of truth brings the terrible expectation of God's judgment
28-29) Refuse to obey Son of God, treat the blood of the covenant as common/unholy, insulted/disdained Holy Spirit who brings God's mercy
30) God will take revenge, payback, judge his own people (Deut 32:35,36)
31) It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God
Application:
 - 32-34) think of when first learned of Christ, remained faithful though it meant suffering, public ridicule, beatings, helping others
 - 35-36) don't throw away this confident trust in the Lord, remember the great reward it brings you. Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God's will, receiving all he promised
37-39) Jesus will come without delay, Righteous ones will live by faith, no pleasure in anyone who turns away (Hab 2:3-4), we don't turn away, faithful ones whose souls will be saved

"When I thought I lost me, you knew where I left me, you re-introduced me to your love. You picked up all my pieces and put me back together. You are the defender of my heart. Alleluia, you have saved me. So much better this Way. Alleluia great defender so much better your Way." - Defender - UPPERROOM

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Jesus in heaven mediates for people, making salvation and sanctification possible (Heb 8-10:18)

Focus Verses:

 Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins. That is why he is the one who mediates a new covenant between God and people, so that all who are called can receive the eternal inheritance God has promised them. For Christ died to set them free from the penalty of the sins they had committed under that first covenant. Heb 9:14-15

For by that one offering he forever made perfect those who are being made holy.

And the Holy Spirit also testifies that this is so. For he says,

1“This is the new covenant I will make

    with my people on that day, says the Lord:

I will put my laws in their hearts,

    and I will write them on their minds.” - Heb 10:14-16, Jer 31:33

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Solid Hope: God's promise, perfection in Jesus intercession (Heb 6:13-7:28)

Focus Verses:

• This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. Heb 6:19
• For the law never made anything perfect. But now we have confidence in a better hope, through which we draw near to God. Heb 7:19
• But because Jesus lives forever, his priesthood lasts forever. Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf. Heb 7:24-25
• He is the kind of high priest we need because he is holy and blameless, unstained by sin. He has been set apart from sinners and has been given the highest place of honor in heaven. Heb 7:26

AIM: We can believe God's trustworthy promise and draw near to him through Christ

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God's promise for our redemption makes salvation possible (Heb 8-10)

Covenant - a promise of God to a group or individual, conditional or unconditional. The purpose is for humanity's redemption. The eternal covenant between Father, Son, and Holy Spirit makes salvation possible.
 - Main truth from Heb 1-7, Jesus has authority and power because Jesus resurrected and sits with God in heaven.
 - Main truth from Heb 8-10, the new covenant was promised in the old, fulfilled in Jesus Christ

New Covenant comes with the power to obey. The promise is a personal relationship with God.
 - Expressed by listening, worship/prayer/thanksgiving, accepting truth by faith and obeying it.
 - God forgives, forgiveness you can see and feel

Old Covenant features

• Everlasting covenant promised- Isaiah 24:5; 55:3; 61:8; Jeremiah 32:40; 50:5; Ezekiel 16:60; 37:26; John 3:16-17; Ephesians 1:4; Hebrews 13:20
• Undivided, new heart and spirit - Ezekiel 11:19; 18:31; 36:26
• Peace - Isaiah 54:10; Ezekiel 34:25; 37:26
• for people - Isaiah 42:6; 49:8; Hosea 2:18

Old Covenant put in effect by Jesus

• Blood: Enacted by death on the cross. Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-23; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
• Resurrection, ascension and sending the Holy Spirit - 1 Cor 15
• Commission and ministry -  Matthew 28:18-20; 2 Corinthians 3:6

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Trust God to grow as we water and sow (Hebrews 6:4-12, 1 Cor 3:5-9))

It’s not the one who plants or the one who waters who is at the center of this process but God, who makes things grow. Planting and watering are menial servant jobs at minimum wages. What makes them worth doing is the God we are serving. You happen to be God’s field in which we are working. Or, to put it another way, you are God’s house. Using the gift God gave me as a good architect, I designed blueprints; Apollos is putting up the walls. Let each carpenter who comes on the job take care to build on the foundation! Remember, there is only one foundation, the one already laid: Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:9-15 The Message (MSG)

AIM: Salvation is certain for all you put their trust in Jesus Christ Heb 6:4-12
A) Five Tests of true faith
B) Evidence of True faith
C) Confidence of True faith

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Maturity occurs when we listen and obey God's word (Heb 5:11-6:3)

Focus verses
There is much more we would like to say about this, but it is difficult to explain, especially since you are spiritually dull and don’t seem to listen. Heb 5:11
As iron sharpens iron so one man sharpens another Proverbs 27:17

A) Maturity occurs when we listen and obey God's word - Heb 5:11-6:3
11) much to say, difficult explaining to spiritually dull (lifeless, depressed, dry, shallow), non-listener (Heb 4:12)
 - 12) long-time believers should teach, instead need basics of God's word like babies
 - 13) don't know how to do what is right, 14) maturity through training/skill/recognize right and wrong
6:1-3) Stop repeating basics of Christ, God's will mature in understanding: repenting from evil deeds, faith in God (Luke 8:25), baptisms, laying hands, resurrection, eternal judgment
 - Seed that produced good fruit, a heart that understands is a listener who clings to God's word, evidenced by obedience- Luke 8:8,15,18,21
Application: how has my understanding grown through obedience? Have I obeyed the basic teachings outlined in this passage? What evil deeds have I still not turned away from? Where is my faith in God dull (lifeless, depressed, dry, shallow)? Have I been baptized, the first step in obedience? 

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Jesus our eternal high priest, order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 4:14-5:10)

AIM: Obedience is learned in testing, suffering
Focus Verses:

Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, Genesis 14:18

The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” Psalm 110:4

During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek. Heb 5:7-10

Awesome, "there's a table you prepared for me, in the presence of my enemy. It's your body and blood you poured for me. This is how I fight my battles" - Surrounded ( Fight My Battles ) - UPPERROOM
John wrote so you would believe in Jesus, Son of God
Hebrews 4:14-5:10
A) Tested in Weakness: Jesus Son of God, superior High Priest
4:14) Jesus entered heaven as High Priest, Son of God, we firm in the belief
15) he understands our weaknesses, same testing yet didn't sin
16) Application: let us come boldly to throne of gracious God, mercy and grace when we need it most

B) Gentle with Others: All High Priests are men to represent people to God
5:1) Every high priest chosen to represent others in dealing with God, present gifts, sacrifices for sins
2) He's able to deal gently with ignorant and wayward people because he is subject to same weaknesses
3) That's why he must offer sacrifices for personal sins and those of others
4) Not of his own, but called by God as Aaron was

C) Qualified Obedience: Called by God as Priest forever in the order of Melchizedek
5-6) Christ made no assumption but was chosen when God said to him
"You are my Son, Today I have become your Father", "You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek"
7) on earth Jesus offered prayers and pleadings, crying, tears God heard his prayers because of his deep reverence for God
8) Even though Jesus was God's Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered
9) In this way, God qualified him perfect High Priest - became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey him.
Jesus teaches love precedes obedience and the indwelling Holy Spirit
Suffering in Christ, with Holy Spirit brings unfathomable hope (Romans 8:17-30)
10) God designated him to be a High Priest in the order of Melchizedek

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God promises today you can have faith to enter heavenly rest (Heb 4:1-13)

A) Why some people don't go to heaven (Heb 4:1-7)
Heb 4:1)Therefore, the promise of God's rest still stands, don' t be found having fallen short of it
 - falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause (Heb 12:15)
 - 2) good news proclaimed had no value because they had no faith
 - 3-5) with faith enter rest, without faith never enter rest - finished since the creation, sabbath rest
 - They treated God with contempt (state of disgrace) (Num 14:23), grumbled against God (Num 14:29)
 6-7) same promise/good news for us TODAY but their disobedience prevented entrance
 - today if you hear his voice, don't harden your hearts (Psalm 95:7,8; Heb 3:7,8,15)
 - Application: God simply wants us to believe/trust Him with the same faith we have in direct deposit, the value of a dollar, the safety of a seat belt. Even more than that he wants us to stay near him like a toddler stays close to mom and dad. Will we let him show us? Will we walk in faith into his promises?
God empowers you to change the world

B) Why some people do go to heaven (Heb 4:8-13)
8-11) Joshua didn't bring rest, because they didn't keep commandments (Joshua 22:1-4,5), same apply to us: Love the Lord your God, walk in obedience to him, to keep his commands, hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.
 - in Faith, we rest from our work, when we die in the Lord (Lev 23:3, Rev 14:13)
 - 11) Let us make EVERY EFFORT to enter that rest, so no one will perish following examples of disobedience
Application: Grace and mercy are the two sides of the same coin. Living in grace and blessing is better than mercy and second chance. Will you decide to obey and follow through with obedience?  If you are not experiencing God's blessing, will you consider obeying God?
12) Word of God, alive, active, sword, penetrates soul and spirit, judges thoughts and attitudes of the heart
13) NOTHING is hidden from God's sight, EVERYTHING is uncovered and laid bare before his eyes, to him we must give account.
 - I saw a great illustration of the body, soul (mind/will) and spirit (life source) as three circles with spirit in the middle. As the Bible talks about the heart it shows the spirit is in the heart, but the heart is also intersecting with the soul. The idea is our heart influences our soul (mind and will), but also our body influences our soul. This is described in detail in Gal 5, flesh/body control rather than Spirit control.
Great words mistranslated to mean sentimentalism and reverence to ignorance

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Today Jesus gives eternal hope, while sin deceives hardening hearts (Heb 3)

A) Jesus gives unshakable hope for our mind and soul
3:1) holy family, share heavenly calling, fix thoughts on Jesus, acknowledge apostle, high priest
 - 1 Tim 6:12) take hold of eternal life to which you were called
 - Heb 4:14) Jesus great high priest, Son of God
 - Heb 10:23) hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, God who promised is faithful
 - 2 Cor 9:13) because by our service others will praise God
2-5) Jesus faithful like Moses, servant in God's house - but Christ is faithful as the Son over God's house
6) we are his house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory
 - Heb 3:14) we have come to share in Christ, if we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end
 - Rom 11:22) consider the kindness and sternness of God
Gracious, Diligent, Unchangeable, Firm/Secure, Better, Confident  HOPE: Ro 5:2 (gained access by faith into this grace); Heb 6:11, 18, 19; 7:19; 11:1

B) Sin deceitfulness hardens hearts, but God's voice comes through and we encourage each other
7-11) Today, if you hear his voice do not harden your hearts (rebellion, family history, hearts always going astray, didn't know God's ways, never resting in Him)
12-15) God's family see to it: no sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God (Psalm 95:7,8), but encourage one another daily so we aren't hardened by sins deceitfulness
Application:
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another... Hebrews 10:24, 25

C) Hard heart ends in unbelief and the greatest loss
16-19) who heard and rebelled? They were led out of Egypt but were not able to God's rest because of their unbelief
 -  for they did not believe in God or trust in his deliverance.Psalm 78:22
 - Then they despised the pleasant land; they did not believe his promise. Psalm 106:24
 - Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for...John 3:36

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Hear God's promise, don't neglect salvation in Jesus (Heb 2)

First hearing of Heb 2 themes that come to mind

• We who hear God, must not neglect salvation
• Jesus died for us not angels
• We are brothers and sisters adopted by God in Christ
• Jesus is our kinsman redeemer, fully human

A) God's promises carry consequences
2:1) pay careful attention to scriptures, don't drift away
2-3) God's message is binding, violation = just punishment, don't neglect salvation announced by Jesus
3-4) the message confirmed by miracles, gifts of Holy Spirit, according to his will/pleasure
Application: renew in my heart the joy of your salvation. Psalm 51

B) God's promise was fully believed by Jesus as he lived on earth
5-8) God word is for you and me, not angels:
 - mankind, God esteems and gives attention, Job 7:17
 - human beings God cares for them, thinks of them Psalm 144:3
8-9) God made everything under people and subject to people,yet Jesus was made lower than angels a little while, now crowned with glory having suffered death so that by God's grace he might taste death for everyone
 - Nature of servant, human now exalted (Phil 2:7-8,9), humans are lower than angels (Heb 2:7)
10-13) God so it fitting that Jesus would suffer for us - so the one who makes holy and those made holy are in the same family - Jesus is not ashamed to call us brothers and sisters (Psalm 22:22, 68:26)
 - Jesus trusted God in this (Isaiah 8:17), we are given to Jesus (Isaiah 8:18, John 10:29)
14-15) Jesus had flesh like us, shared in humanity, to break the power of the devil (death), free us from fear of death
16-17) Jesus was made like us to become merciful, faithful high priest in service to God, atoning for our sins
18) he suffered when tempted, he's able to help those being tempted.
Application: Great lessons in living the Christian life. Following Jesus means we live as he lived in service to God.

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Jesus is God's Son prophesied and confirmed at his ascension to the Father (Hebrews 1)

Hebrews 1
I wonder if "Father God" is recognized for Jews and Muslims. I'll have to ask my friends about this.

A) Supremacy and attributes of Jesus (Heb 1:1-4)
1) God spoke through prophets, now by his Son
1-2) God's son, heir, through him the universe was made
3) Son radiance of God's glory, the exact representation of God, sustaining all by his powerful word,
 - provided purification for sins
 - st down at right hand of Majesty in heaven
4) He and his name inherited is superior to angels
 - Eph 1:21, Philippians 2:9,10, Heb 8:6
Application: encourage - he had an inheritance waiting for him; comfort - I can look to Jesus to see God; challenge - words are powerful and give life or death

B) Jesus superior to angels (Heb 1:5-14)
5-6) Son/Father (Psalm 2:7, 2 Samuel 7:14; 1 Chron. 17:13), firstborn (John 3:16, Col 1:18) let all angels worship him (Deut 32:43),
7-9) Maker of angels spirits, servants flames (Psalm 104:4) but Son throne lasts forever (Luke 1:33), justice, righteousness, exalted (Phil 2:9), anointed with joy (Psalm 45:6,7)
10-12) In beginning made mankind rulers (Psalm 8:6, Zech 12:1), but created things wear out but God remains (Isaiah 34:4, 51:6, Heb 12:27)
13-14) Jesus the only one God said, sit at my right hand (Heb 1:3, Mark 16:19), your enemies are footstools (Josh 10:24, Heb 10:13, Psalm 110:1, Matt 22:44), Angels minister (Psalm 91:11, 103:20, Dan 7:10) sent to serve those who inherit (Matt 25:34, Mark 10:17, Acts 20:32), salvation (Romans 11:14, Heb 2:3, 5:9, 9:28)

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