How Christianity Shapes Relationships
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Hebrews 13:1-25
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How to Run Your Race Well
Hebrews 12 compares the Christian life to a race. To complete our race successfully, we must look in faith to Jesus, who finished the race before us and gives us the hope and strength to keep at it ourselves till we cross the finish line.
The Biographies of Imperfect People
Hebrews 11 is known as the "faith chapter." Here faith is explained by what it does, and it is exemplified in the lives of great men and women of faith in the Bible. Their lives still speak to us and encourage us in our faith.
Warnings for the Assembly and the Apostate
Christ's sacrifice and high priesthood are foundational to a faithful Christian life. The author of Hebrews makes it clear how these truths should affect how we think, pray, encourage one another, and remain loyal to Christ.
When Jesus Finished the Job
The first half of Hebrews 10 drives home the truth that, in contrast to repeated sacrifices (or any other good works) that have no power to make us right with God, Jesus' one sacrifice of Himself has done the job forever. He offers the only permanent forgiveness and cleansing.
Replacing an Earthly Temple with Eternal Glory
Hebrews 9 reminds us that everything under the old covenant God made with Israel dealt with copies of heavenly realities. Actual cleansing from sin comes not from rites associated with the copies, but only through the blood of Christ, offered once for all time.
Out with the Old Covenant
Hebrews 8 teaches us that Jesus is not only our Great High Priest who ministers for us in God's very presence, but He has also brought us into a new covenant relationship with Him that has the power to transform our lives.
The Order of Melchizedek
Hebrews 7 explains why Jesus, even though not descended from Aaron, is a better priest than any of Aaron's descendants. Jesus established and guarantees a better covenant, and He offers an eternal and complete salvation.
Another Case of Eternal Security
Every Christian is called to grow to maturity in Christ. But the fact is, not every Christian is maturing. Today's passage urges us to go beyond the basics of the Christian faith with assurance of salvation and the certainty of God’s promises.
The One and Only
As our Great High Priest, Jesus stands before God the Father on our behalf and invites us into His presence in prayer. As man, he understands us and sympathizes with us. As God He is fully capable of meeting our every need.
Entering the Place of Rest
We need to keep in mind that God knows us fully and perfectly inside and out. Nothing is hidden from Him. That is an incentive for obedience, but it is also an encouragement because His Word, which reveals our hearts, also shows us how we can be more faithful to Him.