52-Hebrews 5 – 2 Peter 3
Dec. 19, 2009
We will begin our study this week in the Book of Hebrews in Chapter 5. Last week we finished up the letters of the Apostle Paul that have been preserved as Scripture in our Bible. This week we will finish up Hebrews and look at Peter’s words to the church. In Chapter 5 the writer compares Jesus to the character Melchizedek from the Old Testament Book of Genesis. He was the priest/king of Salem that Abraham gave a tithe of the spoils of his victory over the kings after his nephew Lot was taken captive. Abraham recognized the importance of this man and gave him the proper respect he was due. Jesus, like Melchizedek is also a high priest and king. The text says that we do not know all that Jesus has taught us because we have become dull of hearing and are not willing to accept the solid food of the Word, but are satisfied with milk, like children. The dangers of falling away from the faith are discussed in Chapter 6. The future is dark for those who knew the goodness and teaching of the Lord but have rejected them. It will be hard for them to come to repentance. The writer is assured that these things are not going to happen to us, the readers of this book. God has a plan for each of us that we will not stray from. We have been promised like Abraham that we will be blessed by God. This promise and hope keeps us following the Lord. The text records in verse 19-20 “This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil, where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.” Melchizedek is brought up again in Chapter 7. The similarities between Melchizedek and Jesus are listed in the text. Jesus is not a temporary priest, but an eternal one. We are given the truth in verse 25 “Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.” In Chapter 8 we are shown that the ministry of Jesus is much better than the Law. God has made a new covenant with man that is described from the Old Testament in verse 10-12 “FOR THIS IS THE COVENANT THAT I WILL MAKE WITH THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL AFTER THOSE DAYS, SAYS THE LORD:I WILL PUT MY LAWS INTO THEIR MINDS, AND I WILL WRITE THEM ON THEIR HEARTS. AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE. “AND THEY SHALL NOT TEACH EVERYONE HIS FELLOW CITIZEN, AND EVERYONE HIS BROTHER, SAYING, ‘KNOW THE LORD,’ FOR ALL WILL KNOW ME, FROM THE LEAST TO THE GREATEST OF THEM. “FOR I WILL BE MERCIFUL TO THEIR INIQUITIES, AND I WILL REMEMBER THEIR SINS NO MORE.”
In Chapter 9 the text describes the tabernacle of Moses and also its furniture. Only once a year could the high priest approach God in the Holy of Holies with a basin of blood to atone for the sins of the people. Jesus changed all this by His sacrificial death on the cross and the shedding of his blood to cover our sin. This blood could do what the blood of sheep and goats could not do. The blood of Jesus forever forgives us of sin as long as we have called out his name, and walk in his ways. His one time death was sufficient to reconcile us to God. The text says in verse 27-28 “And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him.”
Chapter 10 adds to the fact that the death of Christ was sufficient to take away the sin of the world. The text reveals in verse 4 “For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.” We have been given a better way. We are able to go within the veil into the Holy place through the blood of Jesus and be near to our God. We have all been washed clean of our sin and as the text says in verse 22-25 “let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” But if we do not accept Jesus and the free gift of salvation from the Father and continue in sin, Jesus will come and judge us for our actions. Chapter 11 is known as the hall of faith. Here are listed the giants of faith recorded in God’s Word. The beginning of the chapter covers those who were blessed with good lives and prosperity for their faith, but the end of the chapter also reveals that faith can be made evident in the suffering of God’s people. Many showed their faith through hardships, even to death. We are to do the work of God; our time on earth is only temporary. In Chapter 12 the writer told us that because we have been surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses we have no excuse but to live out our salvation correctly. We are to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus who is described in verse 2 as “the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” We are told to not grow weary and lose heart. As revealed in the Old Testament passage in verse 5-6 “MY SON, DO NOT REGARD LIGHTLY THE DISCIPLINE OF THE LORD, NOR FAINT WHEN YOU ARE REPROVED BY HIM; FOR THOSE WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES, AND HE SCOURGES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES.” God will discipline us if we stray. He does this to help us as a father would his child he loves. We are told to preserve peace and not to let bitterness overtake us. We are under the new covenant that is expressed in Zion, the heavenly Jerusalem, and not Sinai the place of the Law. The kingdom of God is strong and not able to be shaken as revealed in verse 28-29 “Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire.”
Chapter 13 reminds us to stay true to the teachings of Jesus and continue to walk worthy of Him. Jesus in unchanging as recorded in verse 8 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” We all should offer up a sacrifice of praise to the Lord and give thanks to His name. This ends the Book of Hebrews. We will now begin the Book of James.
The Book of James was written by the Lord’s oldest half-brother, James most likely about 44 AD to the Jewish Christians who were dispersed due to persecution from Herod Agrippa 1 the king of Judea and the surrounding provinces. The Book of James can be looked at as a series of tests to determine true genuine faith. In Chapter 1 we are told to be joyful as we go through trials and persecution for the Lord. This does not include joy in the trouble we bring upon ourselves by our own foolish decisions or wrongdoing, but only what was caused by lifting up the name of Jesus. These trials and tests are to build character and mature our faith and are required so that we will experience growth. We are told in verse 22 “But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.” One who only hears the Word and refuses to act on what he has heard soon forgets and goes back to his old ways. Another important truth is in verse 26 “If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless.” The tongue can cause great damage and will be further addressed in Chapter 3. In the end of the chapter James wrote that true religion includes benevolence. In Chapter 2 James wrote that we must not hold ourselves more highly than others. Our attitude towards others must be the same whether they are rich or poor, smart or dumb, beautiful or ugly, or any other individual trait. We must strive to follow the whole Law because if we miss the mark on one point, we are guilty of all. Grace is not an allowance for sin. James also wrote in verse 17 “Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.” Mature growing faith is made manifest in good works of the Holy Spirit in a believer. Without good works our faith is useless to God. James returned to the discussion on the tongue in Chapter 3. He equates the tongue to a horses bit, and a ships rudder. Like these two small things that can control large things, the tongue, even though small can control a great many things. It is like a small fire that can set an entire forest ablaze. It is the tongue that defiles the body and no one is able to tame it. We need to pray that we can gain control over our tongues and what comes out of our mouths. As verse 11-12 reveals “Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water? Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh.” At the end of the chapter James instructs that wisdom comes from above and is the perfect expression of God. James wrote to us what to guard in Chapter 4. We do so many incorrect things and are confused why we do not receive what we ask for. The problem is that we ask for our own foolish desires and disregard the will of God for our lives. God is not a vending machine, prayer in, request out, but a loving father that will only give us what is best for His purpose. The text records in verse 7-10 “Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom.Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.” We are also not to judge our brothers. We are to live our lives as is put in verse 14-17 “Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.” But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil.Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.” In Chapter 5 James wrote on the misuse of wealth. Misery can only come to a man who spends his money on pleasures and luxurious living. This will be his only reward. Riches should be used wisely to further the kingdom of God and those in true need. James then told us to be patient and wait on the Lord’s return to the earth. We are to pray and sing praises to God. Elders of the church should pray over the sick, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. We are also as written in verse 16 “Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.” This ends the Book of James. We will now turn to the Book of 1 Peter. The Book of 1 Peter is the first of two letters of the Apostle Peter that have been preserved as Scripture. These two books and also the Gospel of Mark are the apostle’s words to the church he had helped to found after Jesus’ resurrection. It is believed that Peter dictated his letter to Silas around 64 AD to encourage believers that were experiencing persecution from Rome. Nero, the Roman emperor, had set Rome on fire in his lust to build. He had to destroy the city to be able to build new buildings. Nero blamed the fire on the Christians, and the devastated inhabitants of the city took out their anger on the Christian church. In Chapter 1 Peter wrote of the hope a Christian has because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Through Jesus we have obtained an undefiled, imperishable inheritance in heaven. This suffering on earth is only for a little while so we should rejoice in the trials that refine us and make us more precious than perishable gold. Because of this gift we must, as revealed in verse 13-16 “Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, “YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.” We have been redeemed by the precious blood of Christ. Peter then wrote in Chapter 2 that we who believe should desire the pure milk of the Word by which we will grow in our salvation. We are all living stones that are building up the house of God where Jesus is the chief cornerstone. We are also as written in verse 9-10 “But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.” We are then told to submit ourselves to every human authority and government which is the will of God for His people. We are to act as freemen and not use our freedom as a covering for evil. Jesus is our example. He submitted to the shame and death on the cross to redeem us to the Father. The text records in verse 25 “For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.” Peter then wrote on God’s order in Chapter 3. Women need to be submissive to their husbands. They must conduct their lives in obedience to the Word of God. They should possess a quiet and gentle spirit and dress appropriately. Husbands also in the same way must treat their wives with understanding and with the knowledge that they are the weaker vessel. We should all conduct ourselves in harmony and peace. The text records in verse 18 “For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit.” In Chapter 4 we are to keep ourselves from our old nature and the sins the lost commit. The text reveals in verse 7-8 “The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.” We are also told not to be surprised at the trials we encounter. We as believers are going to share in the sufferings of Christ. The truth is in verse 19 “Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.” In Chapter 5 we are told to be a willing servant of God. To those who do this Jesus will give an unfading crown of glory when they get to heaven. We are to be humble and cast our cares on Jesus. We also must be aware as written in verse 8 “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” Our suffering will only be for a little while because Christ will come. We are to remain steadfast in the grace of God. This ends the Book of 1 Peter. We will now move on to the Book of 2 Peter. The Book of 2 Peter is the second letter of Peter to the church. This letter is believed to have been written from a Roman prison shortly before the apostle’s execution in 67 AD. The letter was written to warn the church of false teachers that had started to appear that had the potential to corrupt body of Christ. In Chapter 1 Peter encouraged the reader into spiritual growth. He reminded us of what we received along with conversion and the promises of God and the power we had been granted. We have been chosen and called by God and it is our duty to exhibit the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. Chapter 2 reveals there are false prophets that have risen up among the people who will induce heresies into the faith. Many will be deceived by their words. Peter then gave an example of the fallen angels, the world before Noah, and Sodom and Gomorrah to show God’s judgement over sinful acts. This was to show the reality of God’s penalty on His sin cursed unrepentant creation. The false teachers and their followers will turn to every kind of evil and wicked way imaginable to sinful man. Chapter 3 is on the coming day of the Lord. During the last days people will mock the faith and turn away from the truth. The earth was created by water and flooded in the past by water. It is now reserved for judgement through fire. The only thing that has delayed this judgement is revealed in verse 8-9 “But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” In the end the heavens and the earth will pass away with a roar. Even the elements will not escape the destruction. We though have been promised a new heaven and a new earth where righteousness will live. Peter in the end of his letter told us to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
This ends the Book of 2 Peter and our study for this week. Next week we will look at the letters of John and Jude then begin the Book of Revelation.