bsf – Page 7 – The Notes are Good

BSF Acts: Week 12, Day 4: Hebrews 9:11–28

Summary:

For restitution and restoration with God, death was required, blood was required because life is in blood. But Jesus, by making himself a living sacrifice, pure and without blemish, paid the price once and for all. He did not walk into anything man-made to lay down this offering to the Father, He walked into the sanctuary of heaven and gave it freely, defeating death for all eternity.

Questions:

a. God gave man the gift of life to spend in glory with Him. Man rejected God through sin as a result we owe back the gift of life. God provided His own Son, Jesus, to pay that price, giving up His life to redeem us from sin.

b. We were reunited with God on a personal level. He could again look at us and see the joy of His Son. We became brothers with Christ adopted into God’s family. The curtain was torn. The old, inadequate methods of partial restitution were voided by the new – the price was paid in full.

c. I work to do His will. I come up short every day, but I pray for strength. I serve Him through the love and prayer I provide for others, through teaching, modeling, living a life that is different.

10. a. The original deal was made when God breathed life into man. When man violated his end, through disobedience of the one requirement in the garden, he owed back the original item received. Any avenue of return to the original relationship with God by man must include death since man cannot create life.

b. (Challenge) Lev 17:11 – For the life of a creature is in the blood… it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life.

11. Read Hebrews 10:1–10. The law and the sacrificial system are spoken of as shadows.

a. Like an X-Ray, a shadow or image provides a view so that we can understand the way things. The sacrifice of animals in the earthly tabernacle and the cleansing with the blood of animals was just an elementary image of what was ultimately required. However, a man was incapable of buying back his own life with his death. In dying, he only gave back what was given, nothing more.

b. God’s will. Jesus was God and gave this gift as a man because he held the love for man that only God could.

12. Once – done. The price is paid it is time for rejoicing not deal making.

Conclusions:

I will be amazed when I get to heaven to see if God has any hair or if He has pulled it all out because of me.

Think of it this way (not a perfect analogy, but it will make the point). You buy your child a new coat and give it to them as a present. It is beautiful and exactly what they need. The next day they come up to you and say, I’ll give you $2 if you let me wear that new coat. You explain, it is paid for, it is a gift, wear it, enjoy it. The next day they come in and say, I’ll make my bed all next week if I can wear the new coat. Again, you explain. Day after day, they attempt to make deal after deal.

But isn’t that what we try to do with God. Thanks for washing away all my sins and clothing me in the love of your son. I’ll promise to go to church and actually pay attention if you just let me be clean for the mess I made. We try to make deals and promises for something that we have already been given as a gift.

If I were God I would have pulled all my hair out long ago.

BSF Acts: Week 12, Day 3: Hebrews 8:1–9:10

Hebrews 8:1–9:10

Summary:

Jesus is the High Priest of the new covenant. The old covenant was made by man with God beginning with a promise of obedience. The new covenant is between God and God for the benefit of mankind. It is perfect and complete. Jesus serves in the tabernacle in heaven directly in the presence of the Almighty (which He is), not empty handed but with the ultimate blood sacrifice and offering, that of His own life on the cross paying the price for all eternity.

Questions:

6. Jesus is our high priest in heaven in the heavenly tabernacle in the presence of God. He talks with God daily about us and has made the ultimate offering and sacrifice for us to be cleansed of the stain of sin.
7. From verses 6–13 we read that the new covenant is superior to the old covenant. See Exodus 24:7–8.

a. An agreement or promise made between 2 parties

b. Old: Man promised obedience to God’s law, God promised forgiveness of sins through blood. The people did not remain faithful. New: God provided forgiveness of sins through the blood of His son, God promised all men will know Him and His law

c. (Personal) I do nothing to receive forgiveness, I only do works out of rejoicing. I live under the new God/God

8. There were regulations for worship and structure. There were also restrictions to entry and only timing as well as the preparation that needed to go into place in advance. The sacrifices were not sufficient, only ceremonial.

Conclusion:

This whole deal of “deal-making” is a very human condition. How often do people in trouble make promises to God, playing “let’s make a deal”? If you will get me out of this mess then I will… The problem with that is the same problem that existed under the old covenant. Everything belongs to God anyway. It would be like me saying to you – I want to make a deal with you, I’ll buy your car with the money you have in the bank – give me your checkbook and I’ll write you a check for it right now.

The old covenant helped people see that they needed forgiveness and that the path to forgiveness was through sacrifice. But they lacked anything sufficient to deal with. Not only that, but the one thing they had, obedience, they failed at even as the law was being delivered. God stepped in, through Christ, and paid the price that was sufficient – once and for all.

BSF Acts: Week 12, Day 2: Hebrews 7 and Genesis 14:18–20

Hebrews 7 and Genesis 14:18–20

Summary:

Jesus is an eternal high priest in heaven in the order of Melchizedek. This is presented as a contrast to the Levitical priestly lineage of Aaron. Jesus is a return to the original, not a new release of the inferior and inadequate copy.

Questions:

3. a. 1. priest of God Most High

2.king of righteousness

3.king of peace

4.Without father or mother,

5.without genealogy,

6.without beginning of days or end of life

7. he remains a priest forever

Difference: Melchizedek was like the Son of God – Jesus was the Son of God

b. Melchizedek was superior to Abraham because he blessed Abraham (greater blesses the lesser) and Abraham gave offering to him (honor).

4. On the day the law was to be presented to the Isrealites they were consumed by idolatry including Aaron. The Levites clung to Moses and with sword executed the punishment on their brothers. This set them aside and placed them as administrators of the law of Moses.

5. a. v20: You are a priest forever. v24 because Jesus lives forever He has a permanent priesthood, v 25 He always lives, v28 The son has been made perfect forever.

b. The knowledge that one such as me, a man in every way, sits at God’s right hand providing a path for God’s love to flow to me. God sees the pureness of His son, not the filth of my sins.

Conclusion:

I cannot imagine the job of being an old testament priest. Every day killing animals, a business of blood and burnt flesh, butchering and sin. Feeling and seeing and asking God for forgiveness of the sins of your kin, your brothers. Only to wake up the next morning and do it all over again. Day after day, year after year. It had to be a bloody, dirty, weary job. But Jesus wasn’t a new version of this same old drudgery. God gave us a peak at the plan he had for Jesus in Melchizedek back in Genesis. Melchizedek wasn’t a butcher, he was a blesser. Melchizedek wasn’t the sword who killed, he was the king who praised and was worthy of a tithe of father Abraham. Jesus does not offer new sacrifices day after day after day, covered in blood. He sits victorious, whiter than snow, permanently bridging through love and grace our pathway to God for all eternity.

BSF Acts: Week 11, Day 5: Hebrews 6:4–20

Hebrews 6:4–20

Summary:

The author speaks now to the mature believer. Fruit is expected of the mature believer. The time we spend as a believer on this earth will be judged. Our salvation and eternal life are not at risk or in question, those are secured by the sacrifice our eternal high priest made for us. His offer of bread and wine is everlasting for eternal communion with him.

Questions:

13. a. to be enlightened, to taste the heavenly gift, to share in the Holy Spirit, to taste the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, to be brought back to repentance

b. Apostasy: renunciation of faith

c. (Challenge) 2Cor 5:17, Anyone in Christ is a new creation the old is gone; 1 John 2:19 If they were in Christ they could not have gone out from Christ. John 10:28 no one will snatch them from Christ’s hand

14. Mature faith leads to the production of fruit (the salvation and aid of others). However, it is not the result or even the work to produce the result that is greatest importance, it is the spirit in which the work is done. That done purely to benefit the kingdom is recognized and rewarded. That done out of or for treasure is not. I am encouraged because it is a noble pursuit, I am concerned because of the risk of being self serving and prideful.

15. a. Eternal life in and as a part of His house. God is the eternal God.

b. My eternal life is not in question or at risk, how I begin my eternal life while still on this earth is put in part in my hands and I will be held accountable for my actions.

Conclusions:

The ends justify the means does not fly in God’s house. God expects results from His chosen people. He expects teaching, he expects sharing the word. How can we who are saved, grasping the condemnation of those who are not, idly stand by. If someone is about to step onto a tack, would you not warn them? Why would God expect less of us when it comes to eternal life. This isn’t easy. When all around us Christianity is watered down to non-committal traditions without meaning.

What these verses remind us is that God has made his promise, He stands by His word and we will spend eternity in His house. But we are given the gift of time on this earth and we need to choose what we do with that time. Even more importantly to God is not what we accomplish or even what we do, but the attitude with which we do it. That done is a pure spirit for the glory of God is pleasing, that done for personal pride and gain is not.

BSF Acts: Week 11, Day 4: Hebrews 5:11–6:3

Hebrews 5:11–6:3

Summary:

Believers are encouraged to move forward (mature) in their faith, progressing from the basic tenants of faith to depth of knowledge and understanding.

Questions:

9. a. Resistance to let go of old ways and old understanding (paradigms). The first 4 chapters of Hebrews have addressed these issues of carry forward from old teachings, but there is a time to let go and grasp the new reality.

b. (Personal) Many of my areas of spiritual immaturity stem from misunderstandings of what the scriptures really say. So much of the bible that we learn, even from regular church attendance, only skim the waves. BSF provides an avenue of maturing through studying verse by verse word by word.

10. To not distinguishing right from wrong

11. The word of God, but more specifically meditating on the word: being filled with it in mind and spirit through prayer and study and communion with others.

12. a. (Challenge)

Repentance from acts that lead to death: Rom 6:23 – The wages of sin is death

Faith in God: John 3:16 – Whoever believes in him shall not perish

Instruction about baptisms: Mar 16:16 – Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved

The laying on of hands: Luke 4:40 – people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them

The resurrection of the dead: John 11:25 – Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies” , 1 Cor 15:52 – For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.

Eternal judgment: Rev 20:15 – If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire

b. (Personal) I believe I am ready – I would like to spend time studying Revelation, but I feel I am prepared to teach others.

Conclusions:

I wonder how many school teachers have Hebrews 5:11 on their classroom wall? “We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn.”

But, joking aside, it is an important reminder that we are to progress not only in our knowledge but in our spirit and our faith. One of the things I love about the children’s program in BSF is the memory verse time. By the end of the year the children have 30 precious verses hidden in their heart. I am amazed at how many times I rely on these memory verses as I face the thoughts and challenges of life and faith.

BSF Acts: Week 11, Day 3: Hebrews 5:1–10

Hebrews 5:1–10

Summary:

Being a priest is not just a job, it is a calling by God. Jesus was called by God to be our eternal high priest and the source of our eternal salvation

Questions:

6. (1) Selected among men and appointed to represent them, (2) Able to deal gently with others, (3) must be called by God (not self appointed)

I think there would be amazing benefits if christian leaders held to these same standards, particularly the third. A lot of issues come from those who take on a leadership role for reasons other than being called to it by God.

7. v5, Son of God; v5, appointed by the Father; v6, named by God as a priest forever; v7, while Jesus did not sin, He did pray particularly regarding death; v7, reverent submission; v8, suffered; v9, perfect; v9, source of eternal salvation; v10, designated by God as high priest forever

8. a. eternal salvation

b. While disobedient in many ways, many of my ongoing temptations are health related. I don’t eat as I should, exercise as I should, etc. The obvious result of my disobedience (of following the calling of my stomach rather than being obedient) is that I am shortening my days on the earth. The blessing to others of greater obedience would be more days that I could be encouraging, loving and caring for them.

Conclusions:

Gen 14:18-20: Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying,

“Blessed be Abram by God Most High,
Creator of heaven and earth.
And praise be to God Most High,
who delivered your enemies into your hand.”

Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.

In the next several weeks of the study we will see Melchizedek’s name a few more times. Prior to Hebrews he is referenced only in this Genesis passage and then again in Psalm 110 in a Messianic prophecy (Psalm 110 is only 7 verses long). Here are a few interesting notes to keep in mind:

He was the only priest of God who was also a king noted in the bible
As the king of Salem he was literally the “king of peace”
His name is comprised of two word meaning “king of righteousness”
He predates the Levitical line by at least 5 generations
He gave Abram bread and wine and blessed him (there will be discussion to follow about how the greater provides a blessing to the lesser)

BSF Acts: Week 11, Day 2: Hebrews 4:14–16

Hebrews 4:14–16.

Summary:

The previous verses emphasize how the word of God is alive and active and sharper than a double edge sword. It convicts us of our sin, cutting down to the bone of our being. But the good news is in these verses. Not only do we have (like family, like a husband and wife) a high priest in heaven, but we have one who understands and sympathizes. So much so, that when we show up at the alter empty handed he already provided the sacrifice necessary to cleanse us of our sin.

Questions:

3. a. a great high priest

b. joined together with – According to Strong’s: those joined to any one by the bonds of natural blood or marriage or friendship or duty or law etc, of attendance or companionship

4. a. The temptation to not stay fully man. Jesus was fully man and fully God. At any point he could have pulled out his God card, but he didn’t – he suffered as a man

b. (Personal) Chocolate – OK, it ranks up there, but probably not my biggest temptation. As I think about it, mine is the opposite of Jesus. Jesus was tempted to rely on his divine nature, I am tempted to rely on my human nature and pride. All too often I act like a bossy child and fight God saying “me do it”, rather than thanking Him for His love and what He gives me. I think of my possessions as mine, my knowledge and wits as mine and my time as mine – when really it is all God’s to begin with.

c. It helps in 2 ways: (1) the one making atonement on my behalf understands and sympathizes – he isn’t ever going to give up on me (2) yet, while totally a man and not relying on his divinity, Jesus resisted all temptation – there is hope to do better, it is not an impossible struggle

5. a. The sacrificial offering for forgiveness of sin was made in the courtyard of the tabernacle, the dwelling place of God while with the Israelites. The grace is that we approach this need for washing away of our sins empty handed, yet, our high priest provides himself as the perfect offering

b. I think it is very important for each of us, every day, to recognize that we are in need of forgiveness and yet we have absolutely nothing to offer to earn that need. It is only by grace that we are saved through faith.

Conclusion:

I love the way the author of Hebrews is so clearly answering the questions that the early Jewish converts must have had. How does Jesus fit in with God and angels and man? What was He doing on earth? Why did he need to be here? What about the law and Moses? And in today’s lesson, what about the high priest and sacrifices? While it answered their questions it give assurance and comfort to us. We are not cut by the word of God so that we may feel pain and bleed, but so that we recognize the grace with which the Son of God took on all the pain and bleeding ever required to atone for our sins.

BSF Acts: Week 11, Day 1

The Notes:

What is the greatest sin? What is the chief sin someone can commit? Not that sin is ever “great”, but if we were to think about sin on a scale, like we do breaking human law, we think of some as misdemeanors and some as felonies. Like the difference between saying a curse word in anger or murdering someone.

So it opened my eyes in the notes when it said, “refusal to believe God is the chief sin.” At first I thought, really? Doubting the bible compared to abusing a child – no comparison, right? But then I realized the second only happens after the first. God is evident in all of creation. At least where we live there is no one who has not had some exposure to God. Granted, it may have been a very inaccurate representation by someone who may have been CINO (Christian in name only). But, even then, I doubt there is anyone who thinks the bible condones any of the horrific crimes that are committed. So, to commit any other crime, frankly any other sin, is to first refuse to believe God.

God’s word is alive, it is active. When you read the scriptures and God’s absolute intolerance for disobedience and sin, it cuts, sharply, to the bone. When you understand that there is absolutely nothing hidden from God, no action, to intention, no thought – the only way you fall into sin is to not believe God.

Maybe He wasn’t really serious about that stuff? Maybe He doesn’t care if I sin a little – everybody does, right? Maybe He won’t notice. Maybe He expects me to faultier. What a bunch of _____. (It probably wouldn’t be good in this rant to fill in that word, eh?)

This was a difficult couple of chapters for me. But, I so appreciate the message that flows throughout these challenging verses. God’ promise of rest. God’s welcoming invitation to fellowship with Him. God’s gift to come down, suffer, to die. What am I, just a man. What is a man? And here is where it gets interesting. By becoming a brother to Jesus through His grace of coming down to be lower than the angels with us, we become part of His family and, as such, holy.

What better day is there than today to stop disbelieving and start being holy? (struggling with that last line? I understand, but I don’t see any other way to read Hebrews 2:11)

Bible Lesson 11: Hebrews 2:5-4:13 Lecture

Hebrews 2:5-4:13

Aim: Jesus became man to rescue mankind

Introduction: Picture a family run campground, run by a Father and Son team. Now the son, who helped build the campground would have every right to sit in His office and send out memos to the counselors and campers. But He knows that to really train the counselors, it would be best if He didn’t just tell them, but showed them. Jesus did exactly that, and so much more. Last week we learned about how Jesus was above all, higher than the angels, King, creator, sustainer of all things, an exact representation of God. And this week we learn how He became fully man, not only to teach us – but to save us.

Division 1: Hebrews 2:5-18: Jesus became lower than angels to sit down as king

Principle a: Jesus suffered death to give us life

Illustration: Several years ago I went camping with my son and we slept in the old canvas army tents. Besides the fact that they smelled bad and had spiders, it rained that first night. Now, I know you aren’t supposed to touch a canvas tent in the rain, but, it was just too tempting. Sometimes it was just accidental, brushing against it trying to get out of the way of the times before when I touched it to see what would happen, but soon we had water pouring in.

While we may live in a stinky old tent that we got from our parents who got it from their parents (i.e., our sinful bodies), Jesus offers us a gift of a brand new tent to live with Him.

Application: what are you doing that you know you shouldn’t? Are you holding onto your stinky old ways or do you accept the gift? Are the rains falling in your life now (if not, they will) – what shape is your tent in?

Principle b: God didn’t lower the bar, Jesus lifted us up on His shoulders

Illustration: I’m not perfect. No one is perfect. Have you ever said that? I have. But it is wrong – Jesus was perfect while fully a man. The only way to stand in the presence of God is to be completely without sin – otherwise you would be undone by the conviction of your sin. We don’t get into God’s presence by being better than others, we get there by being perfect – God didn’t lower that requirement – he didn’t lower the bar – but he did raise the floor by allowing us to stand on the one who was without sin and step over the bar without any work of our own.

Application: Are you trying to be good to be better than others or to obey God? What are you trying to earn that has been given as a gift? Do you recognize the perfect son of man?

Division 2: Hebrews 3:1 – 4:11 Jesus/Moses – faithful servants, but Jesus is supreme

Principle: Faith and obedience have always been the requirements to enjoy God’s promised rest

Illustration: One of the things to watch for when camping is where you pitch your tent. It is tempting to pitch it down next to a river. Water and food are handy, its comfortable, sure there are the mosquitoes and bugs, but such is life, right?. But when rains come it is important to be on higher ground. God brought his people out of the slavery of Egypt, but they refused to move their tents – they fought him, they ignored him, they disobeyed. His desire for them was that they would heed his warning , they were creating their own storm of disobedience and they were not safe – but they refused. As a result, they died, drowning forever in their own stubbornness. We are warned to listen and not be deceived by sin, to put our obedience in God and do not follow the example the Jews did with Moses.

Application: The storms of life and temptation are coming – are you listening to the warnings or fighting them? Do you learn from the stories in the bible or relive them? What part of your life do you need to submit to obedience to God?

Division 3: Hebrews: 4:12-13 The word of God is alive and active, cutting, judging and saving

(These 2 verses are the memory verses for the kids this week and one we would all be wise to commit to memory!)

The word of God is alive (not history, not dead, not just words – it has life)

The word of God is active – not passive, not waiting, not absent – active

The word of God cuts ( I sure felt this one throughout this week’s study – meditating on the living word, encouraging others every day, honoring the sabbath day of rest, living like someone given new life, obeying)

He is the judge – there will be an account taken for the time I am given on this earth

There is nothing hidden, period. If that doesn’t strike fear into you, then you are truly in denial – imagine every action, thought, glance, deception, lie you every made, exposed for all to see.

And, most amazing of all – through all of those facts – Jesus became like me to die for me to pay the price to save me from the very judgment that I deserve. When you think about it, it makes no logical sense – why would the creator of everything, knowing everything do this for me? There are only two things to say:

1. John 3:16 answers that question in one of the only places in the bible that it gives us a “why” in regard to God’s behavior – “for God so loved the world” – it was love

2. The only thing that could possibly make less logical sense than what God did would be to reject the gift that He has provided – to reject His love rather than sharing it back to Him and to others.

Luke 8:18 says “Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken from him.” When we think about our response to God’s love we can see how this becomes not only understandable, but the only thing fair and true. Fill your hearts with God’s love and share it, protect it, cherish it, encourage others, grow in closeness with Him and He will pour out more and more love to you. But if you take the love of God only for your own gain, complaining, disobeying, continuing to sin, trying to use God and His church only to better your own life, then that life that you think you have will not last – nothing is hidden, not even our hearts.

Conclusion:

I find it interesting that the Apostle Paul was a tent maker.

The storms are coming – how about a new tent? If anyone’s in Christ, he is a new creation. While you are at it, why don’t you just go ahead and pitch your tent right inside God’s house?

Division 1: Hebrews 2: 10-18: Jesus became man to raise us up to be his brothers

BSF Acts: Week 10, Day 5: Hebrews 4:1–13

Hebrews 4:1–13

Summary:

A clarification on rest. If rest had meant simply the rest that the Isrealites had received when they finally entered the promised land with Joshua, then God would not have spoken about it after then as something to come. But He did and the rest that He spoke of is much grander than just rest from being weary, it is a promise of spending the rest of eternity in love with Him.

Questions:

14. To spend the Rest of eternity in Heaven with God, also Resting in the assurance of being in Christ’s family

15. a. 4:2 Hear the message combine it with faith. 4: 11, remain obedient

b. (Personal) Yes, I have accepted Jesus as my personal savior so I have begun my eternal life with Him, however, I lose opportunities for rest in this world through my disobedience.

Conclusion:

One of the men in our circle made a comment about the Sabbath rest that hit home to me. His comment was how he suffers when he decides that He knows better than God and decides to work on Sunday. The perspective was that since God is in control if He didn’t enable something to be completed up through Saturday night, then how arrogant and disobedient it is to decide that he must know better than God and work on it on Sunday. Maybe it isn’t supposed to be done until Monday. Maybe God has other plans. But through disobedience and a lack of trust we put ourselves above the the sovereign.

The word is alive and active and I have definitely felt the cut of the sword this week cutting into the areas that need to be pruned from my life.