The Man of Mystery - Hebrews 7:1-10

My message from Hebrews 7:1-10; The Man of Mystery.

We should be as satisfied with the silence of Scripture as we are with the words therein.

Holy Hands – 1 Tim 2:8

I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting

This statement by Paul follows his exhortation that we pray for all sorts of people. My focus this evening – what is meant by “holy hands”? The primary definition of “holy” is very similar and related to “sacred.” Both primarily mean set apart from common use to God’s use.

G40 ἅγιος hagios (ha'-ǰiy-os) adj. holy (set apart by Yahweh God unto himself and apart from the world).

1 Tim 2:8 says men lifting up holy hands are to be without wrath/anger and doubting. This reinforces the definition of holy – being devoted to God pushes fleshly impulses aside.

Short message linked to this sentence.  

The Anchor Holds - Hebrews 6:13-20

Where your heart is, there is your anchor. This could be worldly wealth, health, your kids, your standard of living. None of these are bad, in and of themselves; but if they drag us away from Christ, they have taken over a position they cannot fulfill. We must never get satisfied with the gifts, but always direct our affections to the giver of all good things. He is the Rock our hope, our anchor, must be fixed upon.

The Temple of God

 The temple of God serves as book-ends for the 11th chapter of Revelation. Not the temporal temple made of stone, but the spiritual temple made of the children of God, who are spiritual stones being made into a house for God.

Sermon as this link: Sermon Audio

God's Fulfilled Promise

Types and shadows pointed to the promised Messiah. Because He came, we can trust Him to fulfill His promise to return and take us to be with Him forever!

Hebrews 5:11-6:12 Warnings and Encouragement

Exegesis must not be influenced by one's system of theology, but only by the Scripture, which interprets itself. When we come to a difficult passage in this book we cannot ignore the allusions to the Old Covenant. The description of people and land in this passage have been variously interpreted; I think the proper path is to understand these allusions and what they would mean to the original audience; then determine how they apply to us.

 

A Time of Transition

Sermon Audio Link

During His earthly ministry, Jesus was announcing the kingdom of God, showing it to be something different from the nation of Israel. Before the cross, He declared the kingdom was not discernable with the eye, but was in their midst as He stood with the Pharisees (Luke 17:20-21). A kingdom not of this world but present - in part - upon it. Scripture provides several clear statements about Jesus’ position regarding the Mosaic Covenant:

Matthew 12:6 Jesus is greater than the temple

Matthew 12:41-42 Jesus is greater than Jonah and Solomon

Matthew 12:2, 5, 7, 8 Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath

Hebrews 3:3 Jesus has greater glory than Moses

Hebrews 2:14.15; 5:5.10 Jesus is the greater High Priest