August 10, 2021 — A Study on the Book of Hebrews

“Pursue peace with everyone, and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springs up and causes trouble, and through it many become defiled. See to it that no one becomes like Esau, an immoral and godless person, who sold his birthright for a single meal. You know that later, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, even though he sought the blessing with tears. You have not come to something that can be touched, a blazing fire, and darkness, and gloom, and a tempest, and the sound of a trumpet, and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that not another word be spoken to them. (For they could not endure the order that was given, “If even an animal touches the mountain, it shall be stoned to death.”Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I tremble with fear.”) But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.” Hebrews 12:14-24

“See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God.” Of course! Without grace, none of us can live peacefully together, and none of us can be holy. Without grace, we can’t be a peaceful, holy influence on others either. That made me feel better. Living in peace and holiness are important and necessary—and what a comfort it is to know that God’s grace empowers us to live that way for him. And when we fail, that same grace will forgive, accept, and encourage us to “make every effort” again. It always comes down to grace.” (todaydevotional.com, Dale Vander Veen, “Peace and Holiness and Grace”)

“But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering…” The author of Hebrews is drawing a distinction between earthly kingdoms and the kingdom of G-d. While earthly kingdoms have a beginning and end, the kingdom of G-d is completely different. The reign of the Lord is eternal. It cannot be taken over by outside powers. At every moment G-d remains in full control over it. Whatever we see around us is not going to last forever. G-d’s heavenly kingdom is forever.

In Jesus Christ we become the citizens of this most powerful kingdom ever. Regardless of our external circumstances, the Lord always reigns, and his loving reign extends to ­every corner of the visible world and every part of our lives. His kingdom reflects G-d’s eternal nature and unlimited power.

That is why we are called to worship him “with ­reverence and awe” and to “Pursue peace with everyone, and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.”

Pastor Dave

August 9, 2021 — A Study on the Book of Hebrews

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:1-3

“Warren Wiersbe comments that the men and women of Hebrews 11 “are the “cloud” that witnesses to us, “God can be trusted! Put your faith in His Word and keep running the race!” When you read the Old Testament, your faith should grow, for the account shows what God did in and through people who dared to trust His promises. (Wiersbe, W: With the Word: Chapter by Chapter Bible Handbook. Nelson)

For we are surrounded by such a great crowd of witnesses. This is what keeps me going often – knowing that people who have experienced greater problems and troubles than I will ever encounter, have been sustained in their faith, and have continued to believe. We need to constantly remember that our foremothers and forefathers fought the good fight of faith. But their strength, their ways and their accomplishments are not ones to freeze us to only maintain the ways of the past. Instead we are to honor them, and then to continue into the future. Nothing remains the same. Everyone and everything changes. We no longer sacrifice animals to assuage our sins – instead we are saved by faith, through Grace. We put our trust and faith into the words and the actions of Christ – not in the practices of those who died a century ago. They are watching us and shouting – “keep going; we did it; we found our way; so can you.”

It is upon us as believers to find our way in Christ and to establish our worship and ministry and witness that fits our community today.

Pastor Dave