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Introduction to Hebrews
The Book of Hebrews is a profound and complex text, often less familiar to many believers. Written around 63-65 AD, likely to Hebrew believers dispersed through the Roman Empire, it reads more like a sermon than a letter. The author remains unknown, but the message is clear: God is speaking to us through His Son, Jesus Christ.
Special Communication
1. God is Speaking: From Genesis to Revelation, God has consistently communicated with humanity. Hebrews 1:1-2 emphasizes that God, who spoke through the prophets, now speaks to us through His Son, Jesus Christ. This divine communication is meant to draw us closer to Him.
2. Jesus' Finished Work: Jesus is described as the Son of God, the exact imprint of God's nature, and the radiance of God's glory. He is superior to angels and Moses, serving as our eternal high priest and perfect sacrifice. His work on the cross was once for all, and He now sits at the right hand of God, interceding for us.
3. The Holy Spirit's Role: The Holy Spirit reveals Jesus and warns us not to turn away from Him. He is involved in the inspiration of Scripture, the ministry of Christ, and the transformation of believers' lives.
Serious Cautions
1. Danger of Drifting Away (Hebrews 2:1-4): We must pay close attention to the gospel to avoid drifting away. Neglecting this message can lead to spiritual peril.
2. Danger of Unbelief (Hebrews 3:7-4:13): An unbelieving heart can lead us to fall away from the living God. We must guard against this by trusting in God's promises.
3. Danger of Falling Away (Hebrews 5:11-6:12): This passage warns of the impossibility of restoring those who have fallen away after having once been enlightened. It emphasizes the seriousness of apostasy.
4. Danger of Willful Sinning (Hebrews 10:26-31): Deliberate sinning after receiving the truth leads to a fearful expectation of judgment. We must resist the temptation to continue in sin.
5. Danger of Refusing God's Word (Hebrews 12:25-29): Ignoring God's voice, which now comes through Jesus, leads to dire consequences. We must heed His warnings.
Spiritual Challenges
1. Enduring in Faith: Amidst trials, we are called to remain steadfast in our faith, trusting that God's promises will be fulfilled.
2. Resisting Spiritual Drift: We must be vigilant to avoid taking our salvation for granted and drifting away from God.
3. Moving Towards Spiritual Maturity: We are encouraged to grow beyond basic teachings and strive for maturity through knowledge and obedience.
4. Avoiding Hardness of Heart: We must guard against hardening our hearts through unbelief or disobedience, using Israel's rebellion as a warning.
5. Holding Firm to Christ: We must resist the temptation to return to old religious practices or legalism, trusting that Christ's sacrifice is sufficient for salvation.
Application Questions
1. As we study Hebrews, what will you do to prepare your heart to listen to God?
2. Would you characterize your life as drifting or drawing near to God at this time?
3. How has God already been speaking to you, and how have you responded?
4. What steps can you take to move towards spiritual maturity and avoid spiritual drift?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for speaking to us through Your Word and through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Help us to listen attentively and respond obediently to Your voice. Guard our hearts against unbelief and drifting away. Strengthen our faith and lead us towards spiritual maturity. May we hold firmly to the hope we have in Christ, trusting in His finished work on the cross. Cleanse the eyes of our hearts so that we may see Jesus more clearly and persevere in our faith. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.