927. The Word of God Is Alive (His Name Is Jesus)

The problem with taking lengthy passages of scripture and chopping them into individual Bible verses is the frequent attempt to interpret the meaning of each verse. Context gets missed, which can have a domino effect on other interpretations regarding the writings. We give an example from Hebrews 4:12, which states the word of God is living and powerful. Many of us were taught this is a reference to "the Bible." Keep in mind, these people who were receiving this message would have had no idea what a Bible was ... and most of their knowledge about the law and the prophets came from hearing it in the synagogues or other sources not associated with their bookshelf.

We take a closer look at not "what" the writer was referencing ... but "who" they were highlighting in this passage and throughout the letter.



   
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900. False Assumptions: "If We Sin Willfully" (Hebrews 10:26)

After taking a few minutes to recognize the milestone of our 900th weekly podcast, we pay a visit to another false assumption that the ministry of fear loves to pour on top of people. And yes, once again it involves plucking a Bible verse completely out of context from the book of Hebrews that will be advertised in a way that suggests a person may lose their salvation if they sin deliberately. They will imply the sacrifice of Jesus will not be able to save them for "willful" sins. We will point out who the writer is communicating to and some things they said over several chapters leading up to this "verse" which we hope will bring some peace of mind—because the gospel is supposed to be good news—not a message of discomfort.

The writer is explaining to Jewish people about the contrasts between the New Covenant of Christ and the former Old Covenant of law and animal sacrifices ... and how the old way was annulled. If they were to reject the sacrifice of Jesus which brought eternal forgiveness and took away sin once for all, there would be no sacrifice left for sins. So this is not referring to people who sin (as we all do), but it is aimed at those who reject the only sacrifice God provided to take away their sin.



   
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870. Stranded on a Deserted Island? Pick One Book From the Bible

It’s no secret that some of our favorite information in the Bible is found in the book of Hebrews. We recently had a listener ask us what one book we felt is a “must-read” (aside from the book of Hebrews). Of course, there is plenty to benefit us throughout the pages and context is everything, but if we had a Gilligan’s Island scenario where we were stranded on a deserted island while taking a 3-hour boat tour … and the only thing we brought was a wardrobe of clothing, a radio, a suitcase full of money, an entire collection of jewelry, razor blades, hair product, toothpaste, brushes, and a Bible with only one book in it — which one book might be near the top of our list? We talk about it on this week’s program … along with some chit chat about our favorite metal rock artist — Pat Boone.



   
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851. The Blood of the New Covenant

Blood was a big deal in the Old Covenant which came by way of Moses. The entire law and everything that came with it was dedicated with blood. It turns out it was just symbolic for something far superior that would come later—the blood of Jesus. The writer of Hebrews points out the contrasts in how the first covenant was incapable of bringing what the people needed. The New Covenant established with the blood of Jesus would remedy everything necessary that the first covenant could not. And it would be available for the entire world.

   
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843. The One and Only True Promise Keeper

There are thousands of works-based religions which will put an emphasis on people making promises to God and trying hard to keep them. This turns the gospel inside-out, because the good news is not based upon our good actions or our sorrows for sins. The New Covenant is based upon God’s promise to us. A promise that will never be broken by God … and a covenant that can never be broken by us.

   
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832. Things Seldom Heard in Church: The 10 Commandments Not Written on Our Hearts

In the 8th chapter of Hebrews, the writer was looking back at a prophetic statement from the book of Jeremiah. He was explaining how the previous covenant containing the law was not the same as the New Covenant which was established by Jesus, our new High Priest. God declared to Jeremiah the New would not be like the Old when it was given to Israel at the time they were delivered from Egypt!

When God spoke about His laws being put in our minds and written upon our hearts in this better covenant, the assumption by many church folks is that this is a reference to the Ten Commandments. But why would God want to write something on the hearts of His people which brought condemnation, resulted in sin increasing, and wasn’t based upon faith? In the previous chapter, the writer had just declared that old ministry as one that became nullified or cancelled because it was weak and unprofitable, unable to bring a required spiritual perfection. Our hearts now contain and reflect something new and better than a law of sin and death—it’s “the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus.” It’s based upon the ministry of God’s Spirit in us, the gift of righteousness, faith, love and liberty.

   
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808. The 800 Club: Looking Back - The Book of Hebrews - New Covenant Explained

One of the books in the New Testament that is often misunderstood is the letter to the Hebrews. A while back, we spent many weeks doing an entire series sifting through the chapters and addressing some misinterpreted “verses” that are sometimes used to scare people, leaving them in a place of fear which God never intends for His children. The letter to the Hebrews was written to address the Jewish community as they were trying to sort out the massive change of going from a covenant of stone tablets and animal sacrifices to something completely different regarding the ministry of the Spirit and the one sacrifice of Christ that brought that old way to an end. It is easy for us to underestimate the change of mind that they were transitioning into.

Some will say the book of Hebrews was meant only for Israel, but the revelation brought forth will be profitable for Gentiles of today because it shows the bigger picture of the Bible itself, and how we got to where we are in the New Covenant today and the perfect forgiveness brought by the blood of Jesus. After reaching over 800 programs, we’re looking back at past conversations and this week, it’s the book of Hebrews. 

On the podcast we mention a previous series we did on the entire book of Hebrews. You will find the first episode of that 21-part series here, and then click on Newer Post at the end of each post to listen to the entire series.

   
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758. Hebrews 12-13: Grace: The Author and Perfecter of Faith

In our final program of our Hebrews series, the writer takes the last couple chapters to exhort and encourage believers to live in grace and allow it to be our motivation and teacher.

He finishes with the good news of: “Grace be with you all.” A big change from what would’ve been said if they were still under the previous covenant of law and commandments.



   
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757. Hebrews 11: Past Giants of Faith Didn’t Receive What Was Promised

Hebrews 11 is often referred to as the faith chapter, or the hall of faith. The writer lists a bunch of people from the Old Testament who had performed great acts of faith—many who had never been under the law of Moses. We see a diverse group with everyone from Abel to Rahab the harlot. But the writer is making a bigger point… as he has through the letter written to his Jewish audience.

After describing the faith of these people, at the end of the chapter he explains that none of them were able to receive what was originally promised. They were not able to be made perfect through their actions. But we have received the promise through something better—the New Covenant of Jesus Christ. He is our faith, our assurance and our guarantee. It surpasses the faith of those who could perform righteous acts without ever attaining righteousness, which could only come through the person of Jesus.



   
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756. Sins Forgiven and Taken Away (Unless You Sin?) Hebrews 10:26 - Part 2

There’s just something about those numbered Bible verses that seems to cause people to hone in on them and miss the surrounding context. One of these that we get asked about frequently is Hebrews 10:26-27. Christians who have been gifted with the righteousness of God suddenly become very fearful when looking at such a verse without taking into account all that was said leading up to it.

Chapters 7-10 in the book of Hebrews contain some of the most powerful information within the pages of Scripture as it relates to the finished work of Christ and the once for all forgiveness that came through His blood. He became the guarantee of a better covenant. We can add nothing to it because it’s based upon what He did … not what we do or don’t do. Faith places trust that what He did, and it was more than enough for those who don’t reject the one sacrifice for sins that God provided through His Son.



   
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