Grace Community Church

The God of Peace

Hebrews 13:18-25 (ESV)

Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things.  [19] I urge you the more earnestly to do this in order that I may be restored to you the sooner.

[20] Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant,  [21] equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

[22] I appeal to you, brothers, bear with my word of exhortation, for I have written to you briefly.  [23] You should know that our brother Timothy has been released, with whom I shall see you if he comes soon.  [24] Greet all your leaders and all the saints. Those who come from Italy send you greetings.  [25] Grace be with all of you.

The writer of Hebrews has one last surprise for us.  As he’s done so many times in the epistle, he’s thrown in one more reason for us to love Christ.  His picture of Christ is one of multi-colors and multi-facets.  The glory of Christ, the writer pictures for us, is like a diamond with multi cuts that glimmer as it is examined.  As we look to Christ new dimensions are seen and as we study the Word we should step back in awe when a new truth is shown to us. Read the rest of this entry »

A True Worshipper

Hebrews 13:1-17 (ESV)

Let brotherly love continue.  [2] Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.  [3] Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body.  [4] Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.  [5] Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”  [6] So we can confidently say,

“The Lord is my helper;

I will not fear;

what can man do to me?”

[7] Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.  [8] Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.  [9] Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them.  [10] We have an altar from which those who serve the tent have no right to eat.  [11] For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy places by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp.  [12] So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood.  [13] Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured.  [14] For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.  [15] Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.  [16] Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

[17] Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

As the writer finishes the Book of Hebrews, he wants us to see the importance of a faith that functions for the good of others.  We must realize that walking by sight is sinful and it means living for yourself.  Walking by faith is glorious and serves others well.

How is it that you can best glorify Christ and serve your church well?

Truth Taught- A true worshiper serves his/her church well by actively loving Christ and loving others. Read the rest of this entry »

A Mountain of Judgment or a Mountain of Grace

Hebrews 12:18-24 (ESV)

For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest  [19] and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them.  [20] For they could not endure the order that was given, “If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.”  [21] Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I tremble with fear.”  [22] 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,  [23] 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,  [24] and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

The writer continues building our confidence in the New Covenant.  He sets up a classic comparison which he does so well in other parts of the Book of Hebrews.  It is the classic comparison contrast, not this but that.

He’s already told us that the New Covenant is far better than the Old Covenant.  The New Covenant is extremely important in the Book of Hebrews. Read the rest of this entry »

Getting Your Second Wind

Hebrews 12:12-17 (ESV)

Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees,  [13] and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.  [14] Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.  [15] See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;  [16] that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal.  [17] For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears.

Truth Taught- As believers running the race of the Christian life, we must seek holiness and peace with one another.

Our modern day world is so quick to equate suffering with bad or evil.  We think that the ultimate goal in life is prosperity, and comfort.  When we enter into suffering, no matter the form, there is a pill readily available to help take the edge off.  Often times, it could be that we find ourselves working against the Holy Spirit when we take pills for depression, for example.  If you suffer from depression, ask yourself why?  Also ask yourself what is the Lord telling me through these dreary days?  By medicating yourself, you may miss what God is doing, therefore prolonging the misery.

Last week, we learned that pain is not hatred from God but the love of God.  We know this from the text from last week.  We are not enemies with God but sons of God.  He isn’t punishing us but working for our good.

Hebrews 12:5-8 (ESV)

And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons?

“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,

nor be weary when reproved by him.

[6] For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,

and chastises every son whom he receives.”

[7] It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?  [8] If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.

This is an extremely important text of Scripture.  Last week we learned how to think about God’s discipline.  We saw that He only disciplines us because we are sons and daughters and He is our heavenly Father.

One point I want to make very clear this morning before we launch into this text, is that as believers, we should never think of God’s discipline as punishment.  God never punishes one of His children.  We are so used to thinking of God apart from grace that we think we will be punished for sin.  Jesus Christ was punished for our sin.  He alone paid for our sin debt.  God will not punish the same sin twice.  The entire wrath of God that His children have accumulated was spent on Christ.  Those sins we have committed and ones we will commit have been punished already. Read the rest of this entry »

God’s Work of Training Us

Hebrews 12:3-11 (ESV)

Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.  [4] In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.  [5] And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons?

“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,

nor be weary when reproved by him.

[6] For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,

and chastises every son whom he receives.”

[7] It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?  [8] If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.  [9] Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live?  [10] For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.  [11] For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Last week we were encouraged by the Apostle to Look to Christ as One who ran a perfect race of endurance.  We looked to the Old Testament saints and then to Christ for endurance.

This week we are exhorted to look to Christ in yet another way.

How many of you have ever been discouraged and tired as a Christian.  How many have ever felt beaten down by the world and even wondered if you had the stamina to continue?  The original readers of this letter to the Hebrews were weary and tired in their souls.  They were about ready to quit.

For them, the cause of their weariness came because of hostility from sinners.

Hebrews 10:32-34 (ESV)

But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings,  [33] sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated.  [34] For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one.

They seemingly did well at first as they underwent persecution.  These early believers suffered well for the glory of Christ.  As time went on, they grew weary and tired in their souls.

The apostle reminds these saints of one huge invaluable point.  This truth, understood correctly, would give them the spark they needed to endure.  This one truth would change everything.

The hostility from sinners that the Apostle speaks of was really God working.  We often don’t think that God uses ungodly people to accomplish His purposes. Read the rest of this entry »

Looking To Jesus

Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV)

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,  [2] looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

We’ve been gone from the Book of Hebrews for about a month so I’d like to review one point before we launch into the rest of the book.  The saints of old were looking to not only a city whose architect and builder was God, but also to a person, the Messiah, Jesus Christ.  By faith they saw Christ.  It was this vision of Christ that motivated them to endure.  Moses left Egypt having seen Him who is invisible.

If we are to endure to the end, we too must be looking to the unseen Christ.

Hebrews 11:1 (ESV)

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

After coming through chapter 11 of this Book, where are we?  Has the testimony of the heroes of faith left us encouraged continuing our walk of faith?  This text today is the proper place that Chapter 11 should lead us to.

1.  Every Christian Must Run in the Race (Hebrews 12:1) Read the rest of this entry »

Faith is the Victory

Hebrews 11:30-40 (ESV)

By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days.  [31] By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.

[32] And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— [33] who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,  [34] quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.  [35] Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life.  [36] Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment.  [37] They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— [38] of whom the world was not worthy— wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

[39] And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised,  [40] since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

Sometimes if we’re not careful when going through a text like Hebrews 11 we can miss the forest for the trees.  In other words, we can get so caught up in minute details we miss the big picture.  As we wrap up Hebrews 11 today I think the Lord would have look to the big picture.  It seems the apostle who wrote Hebrews wrote this section with that intention as well.  Here the minute details are spared for an overarching big scope.  If we’re to understand the text in light of the author’s intent we should do the same. Read the rest of this entry »

Case Studies in Faith:

By Faith Moses was Not Afraid

Hebrews 11:23-29 (ESV)

By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.  [24] By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter,  [25] choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.  [26] He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.  [27] By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible.  [28] By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them.

[29]By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as if on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned.

Most people whether they like to admit it or not worry too much about other people.  We find ourselves thinking, not so much, about what is right but how we will be perceived by others.  The fear of man and of circumstances is a fear that plagues most us a lot. 

God has given us the emotion of fear and it is useful for His glory.  However, especially after the Fall, man has been fearing the wrong things. We’re called to fear God and the Bible teaches that this fear is healthy and will honor God.  Rather than our fear being directed there, we fear lesser things.  When we should be fearing God we waist our time worrying not about what God thinks but about what man thinks. Read the rest of this entry »

Case Studies in Faith:

The Faith that Overcomes Death

Hebrews 11:20-22 (ESV)

By faith Isaac invoked future blessings on Jacob and Esau.  [21] By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff.  [22] By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones.

These verses may seem a bit redundant or perhaps anticlimactic after the verses from last week concerning Abraham and Isaac.  The drama of last week’s event, as amazing as it was, is a rarity.  These verses today have one thing in common that I want us to see.  We travel from last week’s drama to this week’s inevitability.  These three men mentioned in our verses today each had drama in their lives but what is mentioned is the common denominator they shared.  They all died of old age believing in the promises of God so strongly that their feebleness of body did not detract from their rock solid faith.  Like Abel, Enoch, Noah, and Abraham they all died not having received the promises but looking for them in the future.  In their case, the covenant promises were passed on from one generation to the next, from father to son to grandson.

What made the difference in the lives of these mentioned today?  What was it that caused them to not fear death but to look it straight in the eyes and rejoice?  The difference was saving faith.  God had given each of these men the gift of faith and in the end that was what carried them from this world to the next. Read the rest of this entry »

Case Studies in Faith:

The Depth of Abraham’s Faith

Hebrews 11:17-19 (ESV)

By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son,  [18] of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.”  [19] He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.

So far through chapter 11 of Hebrews we’ve witnessed events of one time acts of faith namely, that of Abel.  We’ve witnessed long durations of faith in that of Enoch who walked with God and Noah who built a ship.  We saw the beginning of Abraham’s faith as God called him and gave him the gift of faith.  Now, we’re going to look at the depth of Abraham’s faith.  The phrase, O’ you of little faith doesn’t apply to Abraham here in this text.  Perhaps the phrase O’ you of amazing faith does apply.

Human need that these verses address is our need to exercise faith when the cost is high and our understanding is low.

Truth Taught- We learn obedience by the things which we suffer at the loving and providential hand of God.

Hebrews 5:7-8 (ESV)

In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence.  [8] Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.

This verse is also true of Abraham.

Genesis 22:1-14 (ESV)

After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here am I.” [2] He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” [3] So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. [4] On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar. [5] Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you.” [6] And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together. [7] And Isaac said to his father Abraham, “My father!” And he said, “Here am I, my son.” He said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” [8] Abraham said, “God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So they went both of them together.

[9] When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. [10] Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. [11] But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here am I.” [12] He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” [13] And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. [14] So Abraham called the name of that place, “The Lord will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”

In Genesis we are blessed to have the narrative account preserved for us.  In Hebrews we get a more in depth picture as to what was going on in Abraham’s mind during all this.

I want to zero in on verse two of the Genesis account and pick out a couple of things that will help us understand Hebrews. Read the rest of this entry »