HEBREWS STUDY part 1

Today I started reading the book of Hebrews.  I have decided to read from the Life Application Study Bible which holds the NLT.  In the LASB, it says the purpose of Hebrews is "To present the sufficiency and superiority of Christ."  

In Chapter 1, I came across my theme verse for now, and I have chosen to memorize this verse, write it on my heart, and live it out as best I can.  

Heb. 1:3  "The son radiates God's own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command.  When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in Heaven."

Here are some points the that LASB brought out in regards to this.

 * Jesus is the exact representation of God.  Actually, Jesus is God himself.

 * Jesus is the full revelation of God

 * Jesus is the complete expression of God in a human body.

- This links God's saving and creative power together.  The power that brought the universe into being is the same power that cleanses our sins.

- To think that God couldn't forgive our sins doesn't make sense then.  NO sin is too big for the Ruler of the earth to forgive.

- "... he sat down in the place of honor..." - that means the work was done, and that Christ's sacrifice was final.

In the second part of chapter 1, the author talks about how Christ is above the angels, and that we are to worship Christ; not angels.

Here are the two passages that really stuck out to me.

Heb. 1:10-12  "He also says to the Son, 'In the beginning Lord, you laid the foundation of the earth and made the heavens with your hands.  They will perish, but you remain forever.  They will wear out like old clothing.  You will fold them up like a cloak and discard them like old clothing.  But you are always the same; you will live forever.'"

* Christ is our ONLY security in a changing world.

* We stand on the firmest foundation in the universe - Jesus Christ

* The LASB points out that this can remind us of the hymn "The Solid Rock" - "On Christ the solid rock I stand.  All other ground is sinking sand."

* Christ is changeless.

Finally...

Hebrews 1:14 - "Therefore, angels are only servants - spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation."

The LASB lists the functions given to angels, and who they really are.

FUNCTIONS

1.  Serving believers

2.  Protecting the helpless

3.  Proclaiming God's messages

4.  Executing God's judgment

WHO ARE THEY?

1.  God's messengers

2.  Spiritual beings created by God and under his authority

Prayer

Jesus, thank you for teaching me so much from the book of Hebrews today.  Thank you for cleansing our sins and forgiving us when we make mistakes and sin.  Thank you for never changing and for being as solid as you are, so that when we stand on you, we are standing on the firmest foundation.  You ARE the same, and you WILL live forever. Thank you for sending your angels to help us in times of need.  But may we continue to worship you alone.  Thank you again for teaching me so much about you today.  

In Your Name we pray,

let it be so