Faithful to Jesus (Part 3) - Hebrews 2

Faithful to Jesus (Part 3)
Jesus was human just like us.
Hebrews 2
Jeff Garrett

Hebrews 2:1 We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. 2 For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, 3 how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. 4 God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.

In view of the superiority of Jesus (chapter 1) we must pay more careful attention. If we don’t pay attention we’ll drift way from Jesus and we will be punished. In v.2 he makes an argument from the lesser to the greater by comparing the old message with the new. Divine revelation is progressive. It does not move from false to true but from good to great. If people were punished for disobeying the message given by angels [the Law] how much more will we be punished if we disobey the message of salvation in Jesus.

We know the message of salvation is true (v.3-4). It was announced by the Lord – he delivered it in person. It was confirmed by those who heard him. The author and the original audience were second generation Christians who, like us, are confident in the message because we have eye witness testimony. God validated the message with signs, wonders and miracles. So, the message is true and we must pay more careful attention so that we do not drift away.

I’ve always had attention problems e.g., I struggled in school, drifted away in class, had difficulty reading, and went to college on academic probation. Two things improved my attention. First, I found something I love – Bible and psychology. Second, I learned new skills. I still struggle with attention problems but I’ve found ways to manage it.

I’ve also had attention problems in my spiritual life. There have been periods were I drifted away from Jesus because I wasn’t paying attention to him. “Drift away” literally means “to flow by” or “to flow past”, like a boat that is adrift. When I float on my inner tube in the Ohio River I tie a rope from my inner tube to the dock. If don’t anchor my inner tube I will drift away down the river. That’s what happens when you ignore the great salvation Jesus offers. The current will carry you away from him and you will be in deep trouble. But if you pay attention all you have to do is grab hold of your life line that’s anchored to his cross and he will pull you in.

I have seen people come to the Lord and drift away. They start well but gradually, almost imperceptibly they drift away. I go see them and try to encourage them to come back to Jesus. But the current has carried them so far down stream and they refuse to come back for various reasons. I don’t want that to happen to anybody else.

Now at this point, in v.5, he returns to the main idea – the superiority of Jesus to angels and who is going to be in charge of the world to come [not angels].

2:5 It is not to angels that he has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking. 6 But there is a place where someone has testified: "What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? 7 You made him a little lower than the angels; you crowned him with glory and honor 8 and put everything under his feet? In putting everything under him, God left nothing that is not subject to him. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him.

Verse 5 says that God has done something for you that he did not do for angels. God did not put angels in charge of the world [pic of the earth]. In Genesis 1:26 God said “Let us make man in our image and let him rule over the birds of the air, the fish in the sea and all the living creatures that move along the ground.” God made man [not angels] to rule the earth and subdue it. That is an awesome privilege and responsibility.

One starry night, hundreds of years later a young shepherd wrote a song about it (Psalm 8). David wrote “O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth … when I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set it place, what is man that you are mindful of him, or the son of man that you should care for him?”

When you look up at the stars [pic of the moon and stars] and think about the size of the universe you feel so small and insignificant. If you didn’t believe in God you would feel so lost – like a tiny cog in a gigantic wheel that doesn’t even know you exist. But you remember that God loves you more than anything he has created. God made you just a little lower than the angels. He put everything under your feet by given you dominion over all the earth.

v.8b In putting everything under him, God left nothing that is not subject to him. That’s terrible English grammar (because of the double negative "nothing-not") but perfect Greek because double negatives are used for emphasis. God put everything under man’s feet and he left nothing out.

Now, here’s the apparent problem with that. It sounds like it’s already happened. It’s sounds as if God has already put everything under our control. Is it really under our control now or does this universal dominance lie in future? The original readers probably thought, “If everything in this world is under our control then why are we still persecuted? Why was our house confiscated? Why can’t we provide for our families? Why are we hiding in caves and catacombs as we assemble? Why are we being fed to wild beast?” You may ask “If everything is under our feet, why do I have cancer or all these other problems that make my life so difficult?

When sin entered the world suffering and death was passed to all men. That’s why v.8c says Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him. 9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

Notice v.9 But we see Jesus …, who is higher than all the angels, was made, for a little while, lower than the angels, so he could die for us. And NOW, we see Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death. Jesus is the fulfillment of Psalm 8. We sinned and lost dominion so Jesus became human and accomplished what we failed to do. And by the grace of God he tasted the bitterness of death for everyone so that could bring many sons to glory.

10 In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering.
Jesus was made perfect through suffering. Not in personal perfection. To make perfect here means to bring something to a desired end, to perfect Jesus for a specific role i.e., the role of being the Salvation Pioneer who brings many sons to glory. In order to bring many sons to glory Jesus had to become a part of the human family. He had to be able to call us brothers.
11 Both the one who makes men holy [that’s Jesus] and those who are made holy [that’s us] are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers.

Now follow the thought in v.12-13. He used three Old Testament passages [one from Psalms and two from Isaiah] and he has Jesus saying something so wonderful.

12 He says, "I will declare your name to my brothers; in the presence of the congregation I will sing your praises." 13 And again, "I will put my trust in him." And again he says, "Here am I, and the children God has given me."

Do you know when he says that? The first time he says it is when he is on his way down to the earth and he waves to his Father and he says ‘Father, I am going to declare your name to my brothers. And the second passage is what he said to us while he was on earth, he tells us; I’m putting my trust in him, that’s what you do. And the third one, at the end of his work, with the battle already fought and won and he says ‘Here am I and the children you have given me, my brothers are here—I claim them, they’re family now. Father, the children are here.

14 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.

Satan had the power of death but Jesus took it away at the cross. When Jesus died on the cross Satan thought he had won. But three days later, on the morning of the resurrection, Jesus burst forth from the tomb and he wheeled around and looked Satan straight in the eye and he said ‘WHERE IS YOUR STING? GRAVE WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY?’ Jesus destroyed Satan by his death and resurrection and he says to us “I am the first, I am the last, I am the living one. I was dead but I am alive forevermore. And now I hold the keys of death. The power of death is in my hands.”

16 For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham's descendants. Jesus didn’t come to save angels. You say, “Angels didn’t fall. Angels don’t need any help because they did not sin.” Yes they did. When Satan fell (Isaiah 14:12-14) a third of the angels fell with him (Revelation 12:3-4). But Jesus didn’t die for angels. He died for us. He is going to crown us with glory and honor and one day we will judge angels (1 Corinthians 6:3). Jesus did not come to help angels. He came to help us.

17 For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way. Jesus was human just like us. Max Lucado wrote “Angels watched as Mary changed God's diaper. The universe watched with wonder as The Almighty learned to walk. Children played in the street with him. …

Jesus may have had pimples. He may have been tone-deaf. Perhaps a girl down the street had a crush on him or vice-versa. It could be that his knees were bony. One thing's for sure: He was, while completely divine, completely human.

For thirty-three years he would feel everything you and I have ever felt. He felt weak. He grew weary. He was sus­ceptible to wooing women. He got colds, burped, and had body odor. His feelings got hurt. His feet got tired. And his head ached.
To think of Jesus in such a light is-well, it seems almost irreverent, doesn't it? It's not something we like to do; it's uncomfortable. It is much easier to keep the humanity out of the incarnation. Clean the manure from around the manger. Wipe the sweat out of his eyes. Pre­tend he never snored or blew his nose or hit his thumb with a hammer.”

You need to understand that while he was God he was human just like you.

17 For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. 18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

He understands your suffering. He’s walked in your shoes.

This week I visited CO and he shed tears because his wife Norma is so ill. CO gets down on his knees by her bed and prays to Lord and he knows that Jesus understands.

Did you read the story about the three children that died in the terrible fire at Emmon’s Apartments? To loose one child to death is devastating. But to loose three children at the same time is indescribable. The Lucas family suffered a terrible loss. Ben (19), Angel (17), and Quentin (14) and they all died together. There mother was talking to angel on the phone. When they found Angel’s body she had a phone in one hand and Bible in the other. Their sister said that they were leaning on their faith in God – “I can’t imagine how you could get through this without faith. If I didn’t know that I’ll see them in heaven, I’d have no reason to live. Ben wrote on his website “I’ve devoted my life to Jesus Christ and in him shall I rely upon until the day I die.” And that’s exactly what he did.

Jesus knows how to help you because he understands you. He knows about your problems. He understands death. Jesus is a merciful and faithful high priest. He made atonement for your sins. Why don’t you come to him and pray for help right now.

Prayer Time.

Faithful to Jesus (Part 2) - Hebrews 1

Faithful to Jesus (Part 2)
Jesus and His Angels
Hebrews 1
Jeff Garrett

The title of my lesson is Jesus and His Angels. What comes to your mind when you hear the word “angel”? Perhaps you think of [pic of baby angels] these chubby little creatures that look like babies with wings.

Today people are fascinated by angels. I did a search on amazon.com and found some fascinating books on angels. I found one called Angels 101 – An introduction to connecting, working and healing with the angels. I found another one called In the Arms of Angels – True Stories of Heavenly Guardians. I even found a Dictionary on Angels – including Fallen Angels.

There are also a lot of movies about angels. How many of you have seen Danny Glover’s movie Angels in the Outfield. I’ll bet many of you recently watched one of my favorites - It’s a Wonderful Life - the Christmas Classic staring Jimmy Stewart. There are even television shows about angels. How many of you have seen the TV show Touched by an Angel? How many of you have seen Charlies’ Angels?

Angels are popular today. People are fascinated with angels. How should we respond to this cultural trend? Maybe it would be good for us to respond like the author of Hebrews which was written to a cultural that was also fascinated by angels.

Some people, living in the first century, in Colossi exalted too high, to a place of worship. Colossians 2:18 Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions. We don’t know that this was true of the Hebrews we are studying but we do know that the writer of Hebrews used their interest in angels to speak to their need for a higher view of Jesus. You can use the topic of angels to start conversations about Jesus. In order to do that we need to do two things.

First, we need to build on a biblical understanding of angels. Most of the contemporary literature about angels has strong new age overtones and is not based on the Bible. John warns us to test the spirits to see if they are from God (1 John 4:1). Paul also reminds us even Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light (2 Cor. 11:14). I want you to notice that when the author of Hebrews talks about angels he quotes the Bible. That’s what we need to do.

Second, we can use a biblically based discussion of angels as a launching point from which to speak about the supremacy of the Son of God. The author of Hebrews uses his audience's respect for angels as a reference point from which to zero in on the greater authority of Christ.

The most important thing in life is your relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. My hearts desire and prayer is for you to know Jesus and be faithful to him. That’s the ultimate goal of this new series called Faithful to Jesus – a study of the book of Hebrews.

Last week we introduced the book by talking about the superiority of Jesus Christ. These Jewish believers, huddled in the caves and catacombs of Rome because of persecution, had profound respect for the Old Testament prophets. The writer of Hebrews used this respect as a foundation to help them understand the identity of Jesus Christ. 1:1 In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son. Jesus Christ is God’s final word and we must listen to him.

There are seven things in v.2-3 that affirm his superiority.
Jesus is the heir of all things …
Jesus is the creator of the universe.
Jesus is the radiance of God's glory
Jesus is the exact representation of his being,
Jesus is the sustainer of all things
Jesus is the one who provided purification for sins,
Jesus is the one who sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.

4 So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs. The New Living Translation renders verse !:4 This shows that the Son is far greater than the angels, just as the name God gave him is greater than their names.
What name did God give him? How does this name demonstrate his superiority? God gave Jesus a name that is greater than any name he gave angels.

What is “the name” God gave Jesus?

God calls him Son.

5 For to which of the angels did God ever say, "You are my Son; today I have become your Father” Or again, "I will be his Father, and he will be my Son"? 6 And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, "Let all God's angels worship him."

God never said to any angel “You are my Son. I am your Father.” But that’s exactly what he said to Jesus. He not only said this in the Old Testament (Psalm 2:7; 2 Samuel 7:14) – When Jesus was baptized the Father said “This is my Son, whom I love, with him I am well please (Matthew 3:17). When Jesus was transfigured on the mountain as he talked with Moses and Elijah, in response to Peter’s suggestion to build three tabernacles, God said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!" (Matthew 17:5). Jesus was declared to be God’s Son by the resurrection (Acts 13:33)..

Although angels and humans are referred to as “sons of God”, Jesus is God’s one and only Son. Jesus is unique! In fact, v.6 says when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, "Let all God's angels worship him."

The word firstborn does not refer to his birth order. When we hear the word “firstborn” we immediately thing of the oldest child. But the Son was not created. When the Bible says that Jesus is God’s first born it means that he is preeminent i.e., that his has the rights and privileges of a firstborn. He is the heir of all things. That fact is made clear by what God said at his incarnation “Let all the angels worship him.” The angels worshiped Jesus because he is the Son. He’s not a created being. He’s not an exalted angel. Jesus is God’s Son – the glorious name that defines his deity. This is made so clear by the second point.

God calls Jesus God.

1:7 In speaking of the angels he says, "He makes his angels winds, his servants flames of fire." 8 But about the Son he says, "Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom. 9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy."

When God speaks of his angels he refers to them as “servants” (v.7) but when he speaks to his Son he calls him “God”. But about the Son he says, "Your throne, O God …” (v.8). He says it again in v.9 . You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy."

God never said that to an angel but that’s exactly what he said to Jesus. When God the Father speaks to his Son he says “Your throne, O God, will last forever.” God the Son sits on the eternal throne and he rules his kingdom with a righteous scepter. He has been anointed King of Kings and Lord of Lords and he sits far above every angel. Romans 9:5 5Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of Christ, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen.

God calls him Lord

10 He also says, "In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. 11 They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. 12 You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end." 13 To which of the angels did God ever say, "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet"?

That last quotation is from Psalm 110, which is quoted 25 times in the New Testament. Over and over it is applied to the Lord Jesus Christ. The Psalm was written by David. David said “The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet?(Psalm 110:1). Jesus referred to this Psalm when he asked the religious leaders “How can David’s son be David’s Lord?” and they were so baffled by that it silenced them. David said “The Lord said to my Lord.” Who is David’s Lord? David’s son. Who is David’s son? Jesus Christ! Who sits on his throne and is waiting for God the Father to make his enemies a footstool for his feet.” (Hebrew 10:12-13).

Notice verse 10 supports the claim that Jesus is the creator made in v.3. In the beginning the Lord Jesus laid the foundations of the earth. The heavens are the work of his hands. Colossians 1:16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. [PIC OF AN ATOM] [PIC OF SOLAR SYSTEM.]

God the Father is the source of creation and the Lord Jesus Christ was his agent of creation. He made all things, and without him, nothing was made that has been made. He’s not only the creator, he’s the one who holds all things together by his powerful word. But the material things he created will wear out like like an old pair of fade jeans. One day he will roll them up like a garment but he remains the same and his years will never end.

So Jesus is sitting at the right hand of his father waiting for his enemies to be made his footstool. The enemies of Christ include Satan and his demons and the people who were persecuting these Jewish believers. Think of what this meant to them. They felt helpless. They may have felt hopeless – like the tyrants who were mistreating them were not going to have to answer. But Jesus said, When you persecute believers you persecute me. Vengeance is mine. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God because our God is a consuming fire.

When I think the horrible destiny of the enemies of God it makes my heart so heavy because the enemies of God not only include Satan and those who persecute the church. Any one who rejects the Lord Jesus Christ is an enemy of God.

That’s why he says 2: 1 We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. 2 For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, 3 how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation?

At one time we were enemies of God but we were reconciled by the death of Jesus and now he calls us friends (Romans 5:10ff) and he gives us eternal life and all the help we need to cope with hardships. He even sends his angels to help us.

14 Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?

There are bound to be times when Jesus looks out over his angels as they are worshiping him and says “Enough of that for now. Michael, Mary Dunford needs you.” Gabriel, Michael wall needs you.” And these angels come in swift flight, just like they did for Daniel. I’ve never seen one but I know they are with us.

12:18 You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; 19 to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, 20 because they could not bear what was commanded: "If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned." 21 The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, "I am trembling with fear." 22 But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly,

SONG - Angels Among Us

SONG - We’re Standing on Holy Ground

Prayer Time

Faithful to Jesus (Part 1) - Introduction to Hebrews

Faithful to Jesus (Part 1)
The Superiority of Jesus Christ
Introduction to the Book of Hebrews
Jeff Garrett

I am beginning a series of sermons through the book of Hebrews around the theme Faithful to Jesus. The title of today’s lesson is call The Superiority of Jesus Christ.

The Setting

To set the stage for our study I want you to imagine that you live in a time when Christians are persecuted. Imagine that all of this was taken away. We no longer have our building with this auditorium, classrooms, offices, kitchen, fellowship room, and the new youth facility. We no longer have two big screens for multimedia presentations – it’s all gone. Christian assemblies are banned.

Step into the time machine with me. We’re going all the way back to the first century. You are now a living in Rome in the mid-60s A.D. Three decades have past since the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. And you are a persecuted Jewish believer.

Angry mobs gather in the streets, cursing the name of Jesus. Soldiers go door to door questioning citizens about their religious affiliation. Those who confess the name of Christ are dragged out of their own homes into their own front yards and beaten while neighbors stand by and watch. Your property is confiscated. They take your house and all your possessions – they take everything you own. You loose your job and have no income. Your children cry and ask “Why is this happening?” You explain, “Because we follow Jesus.”

We can no longer meet in public. In order to meet safely we have to hide. So we meet in small groups of ten. Some of us meet in houses, others in remote parts of the woods or in the caves and catacombs around Rome. Most of our meetings take place at night, under the cover of darkness. Imagine walking in the dark through the woods and walking into a cave. You are surrounded by a damp, dark wall of rock and you grope your way through that dark tunnel. Just ahead you see the light of candles flickering. At a very low volume you hear the echo of people singing about Jesus. Your heart drops and your eyes are filled with tears because you see your best friends all beaten and bruised. They greet you with a holy kiss and you sit down together and pray for help. As the bread and wine are passed you focus on the suffering of Jesus and it helps you to know that he understands.

Some people don’t come to your meetings anymore. Their going back to the old religion. - to Judaism – for various reasons. Some have doubts. Some are being led astray by false teaching. But a lot of people are just scared because they know that the persecution is going to get worse. So many Jewish believers seek shelter in Judaism.

Then suddenly someone says, “We received a letter this week that is being circulated by the churches. It looks like a sermon manuscript and it encourages us to be faithful to Jesus. Listen as I read it.

Hebrews 1:1 In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. 3 The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. 4 So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.

Can you imagine hearing this letter read in a cave for the first time? Can you imagine living during a time of persecution? That’s the setting. We don’t know who wrote it. And we the original readers are not identified. From the content of the letter we assume that they were Jewish believers. They appear to be living between two periods of persecution. In chapter 10 he reminds them of how brave and faithful they were during an earlier time when they were persecuted.

10:32 Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering. 33 Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. 34 You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. 35 So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.

He said, “You did it before so do it again. Don’t be afraid. Don’t shrink back. Be faithful to Jesus even if the persecution continues.” And it did. In AD 64, a terrible fire broke out in Rome and destroyed 6 of the 14 districts of the city. Nero blamed on the Christians. He said, “these Christians talk about Jesus coming back in fire and they have torched the city hoping for Jesus to appear.” So wide-spread persecution began.

Nero tortured Christians in a variety of ways. He wrapped them in animal skins covered with blood and let wild beast rip them apart. He wrapped them in blankets painted with tar and burned them on stakes. They were human torches to provide light for his garden. He tied them in sacks filled with snakes and vipers. He killed them a thousand different ways. Now, if you were facing that would you be afraid?

These Jewish believers were afraid and some of them were turning away from Jesus. They were turning back to Judaism. Flip a few pages with me to look at five warnings.

2:1 We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.

3:12 See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.

6:6 if they fall away [see v. 4 “it is impossible”], to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.

10:35 So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.

13:9 Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings.

Do you see that? Don’t drift away, don’t turn away, don’t fall away, don’t throw away your confidence or be carried away by all kinds are strange teachings (whether is was Jewish Gnosticism or the teachings of Philo or the Essenes – we don’t know. But we do know that many of them were vulnerable to being carried away by strange teachings because they were immature. In Hebrews 5:12 he said, In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Then he encourages them to grow and mature.

Some of them were saying “The old way was better.” Think about how hard it would be to change if all you’ve ever known is Judaism. Your whole identity was wrap up in it. And now you’ve got to change. And we don’t like change. We are creatures of habit. When we come to church we come through the same door, talk to the same people, go to the same class, and sit in the same pew. And if somebody takes our seat we say “Excuse me, you’ve got my seat.” You change something at church and it throws my life off balance. And those are just little things. These Jewish believers were ask to make big changes while being persecuted.

They must have compared Judaism to what they had now. They may have thought “We had the law and the prophets, now we don’t have a book – we have to borrow theirs’. We had angels who helped us and we had all kinds of heroes like Moses, Joshua, Aaron, and we don’t know an Christian heroes. We had a high priest to make atonement for our sins, now we don’t have a high priest. We had a temple to worship in, now we don’t have a temple. All we have is a cave. We are worshiping in a catacomb, in an underground graveyard. And we just feel so separated from our roots and the old way was better!

But preacher says “No it’s not better (“better” is a key word in Hebrew). Jesus gave us a “better hope” (7:19)
“better covenant” (7:22)
“better promises” (8:6)
“better sacrifice” (9:23)
“better possessions” (10:34)
"better country” (11:16)
“better resurrection” (11:35)
Because God had planned something “better for us” (11:40).

The old way is not better. The old way has no meaning by itself. It only finds their meaning in Jesus Christ. You are not rejecting the old. You are accepting what they old pointed to you. You are not separated from your heroes. You are living just like all of them lived.

11:37 They …[were] … destitute, persecuted and mistreated— 38… They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. [Just like you.] 11:39 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. 40 God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

12:1-3 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. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

He just can’t say enough about Jesus. The whole sermon, from beginning to end, is focused on Jesus. And it reads like a sermon manuscript. There is no signature, no address, no typical thanksgiving statement. It looks like a well written sermon manuscript. Hebrews opens like a sermon – a carefully worded introduction that grabs your attention and summarizes everything he’s going to say.

1:1-2a In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son…

Think of all the ways God revealed himself. He visited Abraham, he wrestled with Jacob, he thundered from Mount Sinai, he whispered to Elijah on Mount Horeb. He spoke through nakedness of Isaiah and scandal of Hosea’s marriage to the prostitute named Gomer. God spoke at many times and in various ways. The Bible contains variety. He gave us a book with law, poetry, history, allegory, apocalyptic and wisdom literature, prophesy, sermons, letters of correspondence, and even romance literature. In the past God spoke at many times and in various ways. He revealed himself a little bit at a time.

This is what theologians call progressive revelation. The story of divine revelation is a story of progression up to Christ, but there is no progression beyond. God has been disclosing himself bit by bit until Jesus came and then God revealed himself completely. The most important thing God ever said was “Jesus.” Jesus is God’s final word. Michael Card captured this thought in a song - When the Father in his wisdom wanted to communicate his love. He spoke it in one final perfect word. He spoke the incarnation and then so was born a Son. His final word was Jesus he needed no other one. He spoke flesh and blood so he could bleed and make a way divine. And so was born a baby who would die to make it mine.

Men have heard God’s voice. God gave written revelation. God spoke through the prophets, but in these last days God speaks through his Son who is superior to all the prophets combined.

Remember Matthew 17? Jesus took Peter, James and John to a high mountain and Jesus was transfigured. Matthew 17:2 His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. 4 Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah." 5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!" 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them. "Get up," he said. "Don't be afraid." 8 When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.

In the past God gave us the law (Moses) and the prophets (Elijah). God spoke at many times and in various ways put today God speaks through his Son.

Prayer Time

How to Make the Holidays Special (Part 6).

How to Make the Holidays Special (Part 6).
Five Prayers for the New Year.
Jeff Garrett.

This is the final lesson in a series of sermons called How to Make the Holiday’s Special.
I would like you to sign up for a copy of these sermons so that you can put them in your library or share them with a friend. Sign up today and pick them up next week.

During this series we have had some special services. We gave away thanksgiving meals to needy families. We gave Christmas gifts to children. We hosted the 1971 Young Thundering Herd. We had a wonderful Christmas Service last week and a record number of people were in attendance.

This holiday season has been special because the Lord has blessed us. As I reflect back over the year 2006 I am so grateful for all the Lord has done for us. I am so happy to be one of your ministers. I love the Lord and I love our church family.

This is the time of year when people make New Year’s resolutions which usually focus on the things they want to change or improve. The typical list includes things like dieting, exercising, stopping bad habits, spending more time with family and less time at work, fixing up the house, and getting out of debt. Christians add to that list with things like increased time spent in Bible reading, prayer and service. We make our list with the best intentions but what usually happens? We get tired, loose our motivation and give up in March. But when December rolls around we do the same thing again.

The title of my lesson is Five Prayers for the New Year. The objective of this lesson is to encourage you to pray about five important areas of you life as you look forward to the New Year. I tried it last year and it work well for me so I want to share it with you. Last year, rather than write out a list of New Year’s Resolutions, I prayed five prayers for the New Year. I’m not opposed to making New Year’s Resolutions. I just believe that whatever we resolve to do ought to be bathed in prayer for three reasons.

1. Our will is weak.

The first reason we should pray is that our will is weak. I can make out my list of good things I’m going to do in the New Year but I don’t have the power inside me to carry it out. I say to myself “I’m not going to do this, I’m going to do that.” But then I don’t do it. I can will it, but I can’t do it. No one can. Listen to the apostle Paul.

Romans 7:15-25 What I don't understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then I act another, doing things I absolutely despise. So if I can't be trusted to figure out what is best for myself and then do it, it becomes obvious that God's command is necessary.
But I need something more! For if I know the law but still can't keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! I realize that I don't have what it takes. I can will it, but I can't do it. I decide to do good, but I don't really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don't result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time.
It happens so regularly that it's predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. …I've tried everything and nothing helps. I'm at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn't that the real question? The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does.

Our will is weak. But Jesus Christ is strong. That’s the first reason we need to pray about anything we plan to change or improve in our life.

2. We can do nothing by ourselves (We need God’s direction and power).

John 5: 17 Jesus said to them, "My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working. … 19 "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does.

I want you to notice three things. First, the Father is working to this very day. Second, Jesus said that he could do nothing by himself, he could do only what he sees the Father doing. If that’s true for Jesus I know that’s got to be true for us. Third, the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does.

Have you ever heard someone say “Don’t just stand there do something!” I like to turn that statement around – “Don’t just do something, stand there.” Stand there long enough to figure out where God is working and join him. Don’t arbitrarily set your own goals. Stop making decisions and moving in directions without consulting God. We’ve got it backwards. We initiate something and asked God to bless it rather than waiting on the Lord and sensing where he is moving and stepping into the flow of his power. Don’t just do something, stand there. Stand their long enough to see where God is working and then join him. Do what God is already blessing. We can do nothing by ourselves. We need God’s direction and power. That’s why we need to pray for the knowledge of God’s will and the power to carry it out.

3. Our future is in God’s hands.

James 4:13 Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." 16 As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil.

They had short term goals for today or tomorrow and they had long term goals for the entire year. That sounds like a pretty good plan. So what was the problem? The problem was not that they planned ahead. The problem was that they planned without God. You don’t know what is going to happen tomorrow. You should say two things. First, if it is the Lord’s will we will live. Second, if it is the Lord’s will we will do this or that.

As we make plans for the New Year we need to remember that our will is weak, we need God’s direction and power, and our future is in God’s hands.

Our ultimate goal is to develop the character of Jesus Christ. So ask yourself this question - How did Jesus develop? Luke 2:52 says that Jesus grew in four ways “Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and favor with man.” I have underlined those four major areas of life. If I want to become like Jesus, I must grow the four ways Jesus grew.

Jesus grew in wisdom – that's intellectual development.
Jesus grew in stature – that's physical development.
Jesus grew in favor with God – that's spiritual development.
Jesus grew in favor with man – that's social development.

If you want to be like Jesus you need to ask God to help you grow in each of these areas of life. In your bulletin I have listed five major areas of life (spiritual, mental, social, physical, and [I added one] financial. This afternoon take the time to write five prayers for the New Year, one for each area. It is very simple. I’ll show you how I did it last year.

My Blog Post from December 31, 2005 – My new year’s resolutions for 2006 are stated in prayers which cover five areas of life: spiritual, mental, social, physical, and financial. I know that it is impossible for me to do these things by willpower and self-determination. I need God. So here they are: Spiritually – Father, help me walk with my Lord, Jesus Christ. Protect me from the evil one. Keep me from sin. Keep me sober! Fill me with your Holy Spirit so that I am faithful to you in everything. Make me hungry to know and do your will. Mentally – Father, help me to grow, stretch, and learn. Give me insight. Help me to understand. Reveal your will to me. Open my eyes, give me knowledge and wisdom. Help me to improve as a minister, counselor, and professor so that others can see my progress and I will give you the credit. Open doors of opportunity so that I can use the gifts you’ve given me. Socially – Father, strengthen my relationship with Kim and my daughters. Make me a good husband and faithful father. Deepen my relationships with my family and friends. Fill our hearts and homes with your joy.Physically – Father, help me to exercise regularly and stay active. Please keep my family and me healthy. Financially – Father, help me to prosper and be a good steward of everything you give me. It all belongs to you. Help me to use it wisely. In Jesus name, Amen!

I like this approach because it expresses what I know is true i.e., I can’t improve my life without God. I can’t make progress by depending on my own will power and self-determination. My motivation and drive is not strong enough to sustain me and my future is in God’s hands. I like it because it helps me to depend on Jesus Christ rather than myself.

Although I didn’t receive everything I prayed for I did receive many things. I still need God to help me in all these areas but the point I want to make is that this approach seems to work better for me and it may work for you also. If you decide to do this I suggest that you write your prayers out and keep them so that you can read them later. This will allow you to give God thanks when he answers your prayers.

Prayer Time

How to Make the Holidays Special (Part 5) - Christmas Service 2006

This service was lead by Matt Hayes. My part in the service consisted of three short devotionals which appear in the service outline below.

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Norway Avenue Christmas Eve Special Assembly
Theme: Joy In Christ
Sermon: The Reason We Are Joyful
December 24, 2006

Prelude music: Guitars 3-5 minutes.
Stage area lit dimly. Light on manger scene.
Joseph and Mary tending to Jesus miming conversation and actions.
Sheep moving around the stable.

Guitar intro: “Little Drummer Boy”; Light on Susie.

Susie: It all happened in a moment, a most remarkable moment. In a moment like no other, God became human. The Holy One made Himself breakable. The Creator of the universe became an infant. He who sustains the world with a word chose to be dependent upon the nourishment of a young woman. Holiness sleeping in a manger. The Creator incarnate. Emmanuel. God had come near. He came, not as a flash of light or as an unapproachable conqueror, but as one whose first cries were heard by a peasant girl and a sleepy carpenter. The hands that first held Him were calloused and dirty. Were it not for the shepherds, there would have been no reception. And were it not for a group of stargazers, there would have been no gifts.

Add percussion; lights on right for stargazers & Trevor

Song: “Little Drummer Boy”
Stargazers, Mary, Joseph, Jesus and sheep act out lyrics.
Stargazers exit following song. Same lighting.

Brief narration w/guitar (Mary & Joseph w/Jesus)
Susie: All of heaven watched as Mary and Joseph cared for the Divine One. It all happened in a moment. In one moment…a most remarkable moment...new parents contemplated the arrival of the Messiah. The Word made flesh.

Lighting on manger (Mary cradles the baby Jesus; sheep go to sleep)

Song: “What Child Is This?”

Sheep wake up and crawl off stage.
Chorus members enter as song “Here I Am To Worship” begins.
3 Wise men (Rick, Dave, Paul) enter with gifts once choir is in place and present their gifts one at a time.



Song: “Here I Am To Worship”

3 Wise men exit; musicians and chorus stay in place

Sermon Part I: (Mt.2:2, Lk.2:11) . . .

Is Jesus God or is he man? The answer to that question is “yes.” He is the God-man. God in human flesh. Isaiah said “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). When Isaiah said “A child is born” he was speaking of his humanity. When he said “He will be called Mighty God” he was speaking of his divinity. He is the God-Man.

As a child, he was born in Bethlehem. As God, he has ruled from eternity. He did not have his beginning in Bethlehem, that’s just where he was born when he came to earth. He was fully human and fully God. That’s why the wise men came to worshiped him (Matthew 2:1-2). That’s why we worship Jesus.

That’s why we sing “King of all days so highly exalted. Glorious in heaven above. Humbly you came to the world you created. All for our sakes became poor. Here I am to worship. Here I am to bow down. Here I am to say that you’re my God. Your altogether holy. Altogether worthy. Altogether wonderful to me. Light of the world you stepped down into darkness. Open my eyes let me see.”

When we worship Jesus it brings us closer to him and each other.

I heard Ravi Zacherias tell a beautiful story a that occurred many years ago. During the cold war, one of the team members of the Billy Graham Crusade was in Romania. It was a cold, blistery snowy day and he was bundled up, trying to keep warm as he was walking down the street. But one Romanian walked by with his hands in his pockets and he was whistling a tune. He wondered how that fellow could whistle in the cold. Then he paused and listened. He was whistling an old hymn “The great physician now is here, the sympathizing Jesus.”He said, “I ran after him and I asked ‘Do you know Christ?’” The fellow shrugged his shoulders because he did not speak English. He didn’t know what to do. Then he decided to whistle the hymn. And the fellow’s eyes lit up. His face just beamed. He whistled the melody with him. They hugged one another. Pointed towards heaven and walked away together whistling. Two worlds were bridged by the mystery of worship. That’s what Jesus does for us. Worshiping Jesus creates unity. Just the tune of a hymn about Jesus can cause you to wrap your arms around a total stranger because you know that they are in the family of God. When we worship Jesus Christ it brings us closer to him and closer to each other.

That’s what we are doing this morning. We are worshipping Jesus. When God sent His Son into the world He said, “Let all the angels worship Him.” (Heb 1:6) The worship of Jesus brings joy to our hearts b/c He is the Savior of the world.

All sing acappella:
Song: “Joy To The World” (2 verses)
Song: “Hark The Herald Angels Sing” (2 verses)

Mary & Joseph exit with Jesus. Light upward on the cross.

Sermon Part II: (Lk.15:7, Jn.1:4) . . .

I heard Adrian Rogers talk about the stars and scars of Christmas. The wise men were drawn to Jesus because they were looking at the stars. As we prepare for communion I want us to think about his scars. At Christmas time we see Jesus as a precious little baby in a manger and we must remember that Jesus was born to die for our sins.

Can you imagine a God with scars? You see the baby in the manger. You see his little hands and feet. Those little hands and feet were pierced by nails when he is crucified on the cross. When Thomas saw his scars he said “My Lord and my God!” Think of it, a God with scars. When Jesus ascended he carried those scars with him to heaven.

Did you know that the only man-made thing in heaven are the scars of Jesus Christ? Jesus came from heaven and lived on earth. And when he went back to heaven he took some souvenirs with him. Those souvenirs are the scars on his body. He still bears the scars. They are a testimony to his humanity. When John saw him, Revelation 5:6 said that Jesus looked like a lamb that had been slain because he still bears the scars.

Jesus came to earth so that we might go to heaven. Jesus was born of a virgin so that we might be born again. Jesus became the Son of man so that we could become the sons and daughters of God. Jesus died so that we could live. His scares tell us that as a man Jesus suffered, he sympathizes, and he saves.

Jeff: prayer for bread and cup

Communion: Pass both during song.

Song: “In Christ Alone”

Offering: Jeff - Prayer à pass collection plates during song.

Song: “O Come Let Us Adore Him”

Sermon Part III: (Psalm 27: 1-5) Everyone on stage for this song.

I love the prophesies in Isaiah. Isaiah takes us from the cradle to the cross.

Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
Isaiah 53:3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4 Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.
We are healed by his wounds.

Jesus had scars and if you follow Jesus you will to. God had only one Son without sin but he didn’t have any children without suffering. Paul said “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his suffering.” You will not get out of this world without some scars. Paul said “I bear in my body the scars of Jesus.” Now Paul could say that literally because he had been beaten for his faith in Jesus. We can say that in a figurative way. Many of you have scars that make Christmas a difficult time.

But your scars may be the very thing God uses to influence others to believe in Jesus. Why did Thomas believe? He said, “I will not believe until I have seen his scars.” So Jesus showed him his scars and he believed. Did you know that when people see your scars they are going to believe in Jesus? You can tell them how difficult it was and you can show them that Jesus has healed your wounds. All that’s left is a scar.

Do you know what a scar is? A scar is a wound that has healed. Are you hurting today? Is there a wound? Listen to me, bring your wounds to Jesus. He understands. He has scars too.

I want you to imagine our risen Savior. I want you to see him on the throne of his glory. And I want you to see the those nail scared hands reaching for you. He’s coming back. When he comes again he will come in a different way.

The very first time Jesus came, He came as a baby. But He is coming back as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. When He came the first time there was no room for Him in the inn. When He comes back, all of the earth will be filled with His glory and it won't contain Him. When He came the first time, wise men brought gifts to the baby Jesus. When He comes back, He is going to be bringing gifts for those who are wise enough to follow Him. When He came the first time, there was a star that marked His appearance. When He comes back this next time, the whole sky is going to light up. When He came the first time, only a few people got to see Him – the shepherds, those at the manger. But one day, when He comes back, the world is going see him.

The Bible says, every eye shall see Him. The Bible says, every knee shall bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Every knee shall bow. That means all of your neighbors will bow and say, “Jesus is Lord”. It means the President of the United States and every king and queen will bow and say, “Jesus is Lord”. It means that every rock star from Jimmy Page to Eddy Van Halen will all bow and say, “Jesus is Lord”. You will say, “Jesus is Lord” eventually. Either now in love – “Jesus is my Lord” or one day in judgment you will say “Jesus is the Lord” to the glory of God the Father.

I want to end with a passage that affirms our faith in God and our confidence that we will live with him forever in heaven. It talks the beauty of the Lord.
Psalm 27: 1 The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? 4 One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. 5 For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock.
Song: “Beautiful One”

Benediction/Dismissal

Song: “Beautiful One” (Chorus 2X)