The Golden Rule may be old, but it hasn’t been used enough to show much signs of wear

Some people may still have their first dollar, but the person who still has his first friend is truly rich

There has never been an over-production of kind words

Persistent praying properly provides praise


Protect the birds: the dove brings peace, the stork brings tax exemptions.

Hebrews 12:1
1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

The witnesses from Hebrews 11, were rich in faith. The Hebrews had the danger of becoming unfaithful, and some had already done so – Hebrews 10:25,26

25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

The key to faithful living is to keep one’s spiritual eye of Jesus – Hebrews 12:2


2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

We see in Jesus our perfect example – I Peter 2:21-25

21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.




We see in Jesus the tempted, yet sinless One – Hebrews 4:15

15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.


We see in Jesus, the Way, The Truth, and the Life – John 14:6

6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.


We see in Jesus, The Great High Priest at the right hand of God interceding on behalf of the faithful - Acts 2:33

33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.




Hebrews 4:14-16
14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

This chapter has often been called, “Faith’s Hall of Fame”
Hebrews 11:1-3
1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

2 For by it the elders obtained a good report

3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

Many speak of faith as being blind. Faith is not blind. It is based on evidence. God’s creation speaks to man and tells him that God created the heavens and the earth and all things therein

Psalm 19:1-7

1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork.
2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge.
3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.
4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,
5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.
6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.


Romans 1:20

20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:


Then the writer talks about a number of great people, first of the patriarchs and then people under the Law of Moses. Let us look at just a few of these in Faith’s Hall of Fame.


a. Abel

Hebrews 11:4

4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.

This clearly proves that God had instructed them what to offer. “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” - Romans 10: 17. God had instructed them. Abel offered an animal sacrifice as God had required. Cane offered a sacrifice of his own will. He offered up a sacrifice of the fruits of the field. Which sacrifice was pleasing to God? God rejected Cane’s and accepted Abel's, and “he being dead yet speaketh.” He tells us that we are to worship in the way God has appointed, and that when we do this God will be pleased with our worship – John 4:24


b. Enoch


Hebrews 11:5

5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

Two people in the Old Testament did not see death, Enoch and Elijah, and remember Elijah was taken up by a whirlwind into heaven - II Kings 2:9-12. “But before he was translated he had witness born to him, that he was well pleasing to God.”


Hebrews 11:6

6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Saving faith includes that one acknowledge that God is and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him.


c. Noah


Hebrews 11:7

7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.



Noah being warned of things not seen as yet. The book of Genesis indicates that it never had rained, much less a world wide flood. Genesis 2:6 reads, “but there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground.” There is no mention of rain before the flood, but Noah prepared the ark according to God's instruction, and he by faith, accomplished some very important things:

1. He moved with godly fear, before the event of the flood
2. Prepared an ark to the saving of his house
3. By that he condemned the world
4. By his obedience he became the heir of righteousness




d. Abraham

Hebrews 11:8-10

8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.


“By faith Abraham, when he was called obeyed to go out unto a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing whether he went.” God called him when he was in the Ur of the Chaldees - Genesis 12:1-3, 11:28; Acts 7:2-5, and he did not know where God was going to take him; but he obeyed to go out unto a place, which he was to receive for an inheritance. Look on a map and see how far it was from the Ur of the Chaldees to Haran, and then after his father died he went into the land of Canaan -Genesis 11:31.32, 12:4; Acts 7:2-5. “And he went out not knowing wither he went.” What faith that took! And then he became a sojourner in the land of Canaan, and was dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise. Why? Verse ten, “For he looked for the city which hath the foundations, whose builder and maker is God.”

1 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.
2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.
3 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year.
4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.

The writer of Hebrews says it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sin. Under the Law of Moses that was the medium for their temporary forgiveness, but God never intended that animal blood would be sufficient to take away sin. Animal blood did not measure the standard of God’s justice for atonement from sin.
Isaiah 53: 7-10

7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.
9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.
10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.

Romans 3:24-26

24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

It took the perfect sacrifice, the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior to make that atonement.

John 1:29
29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

Hebrews 10:5-7
5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:
6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.
7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God

Quoted from Psalm 40:6.7


Hebrews 10:8-11
8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law;
9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.

10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:

When the book of Hebrews was written, the temple was still standing, and the priests were offering sacrifices daily for the people, but those sacrifices then did not give them any temporary forgiveness for the law had been completely fulfilled. Jesus fulfilled the law (Matthew 5:17, 18) took it out of the way nailing it to the cross (Colossians 2:14)

Hebrews 10:12,14
12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.


The writer emphasizes again the fact that sins are completely forgiven under the law of Christ, and that He will be at the right hand of God till his enemies be made the footstool of his feet. – Hebrews 10:13. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. This includes every person who has applied the blood of Christ (Ephesians 1:7; Romans 5:8 and those who continue to apply it (I John 1:7-9).

16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.

Jesus had to offer Himself just once to make complete forgiveness possible, for the obedient – Hebrews 9:27,28
27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

Hebrews 10:19,20
19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;


When Jesus died on the cross, the veil of the temple was rent, signifying the opening of the new and living way to God – Luke 23:45

45 And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.


Hebrews 10:21,22
21 And having an high priest over the house of God;

22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.


The Bible plan to enter into Christ and His church, thus being saved:

Hear the Word of God – Romans 10:17
17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Believe – Hebrews 11:6
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Repent of sins – Acts 17:30,31
30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

Confess the Christ – Matthew 10:32,33
32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.


Be baptized into Him – Galatians 3:27
27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.


Be faithful - Revelation 2:10
… be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

Hebrews 10:23
23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

The writer goes back to the days of the tabernacle, and shows the meaning of the two divisions of the tabernacle. The tabernacle had two divisions. The regular priests could go into the first compartment to accomplish the tasks that they needed to do there. The first compartment was a type of the church and the second was a type of heaven. All faithful Christians are priest - I Peter 2:9, and Christ is our great High Priest. Only the high priest could go into the most holy place and he could go in only on the day of annual atonement.

Hebrews 9:1-5
1 Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary.
2 For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the showbread; which is called the sanctuary.
3 And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all;
4 Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;
5 And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly.
6 Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God.
7 But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:



Notice verse eight,
8 The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:

The veil that separated between the holy place and the most holy place represented the veil of Christ's flesh (Hebrews 10:19,20) and when Christ died on the cross of Calvary the veil of the temple was miraculous rent Please read Matthew 27:50-54; Mark 15:37-39; Luke 23:44-46 concerning this. One surely needs to read with the understanding that the veil was miraculously rent when Christ was crucified, signifying that the way into heaven had been made manifest. Christ entered into heaven itself having made complete atonement for sin.

Hebrews 9:11-15
11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;
12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:
14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

Back then when the people died in covenant relationship with God, by the offering up of animal blood, when Christ died, His blood reached back and made complete atonement for them. It took the death of Christ for the New Testament law to be invoked - Matthew 26:28

28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.


Hebrews 9:16
16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.



For a person to be saved today, he must be saved by the law of Christ, and His law requires baptism for salvation

Mark 16:16
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Acts 2:38
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

I Peter 3:21
21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

The Old Testament law was dedicated with animal blood and animal blood made temporary forgiveness for sin. Hebrews 9:22 - And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

Hebrews 9:17

17 For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.

When Christ died upon the cross, His will became enforced. Man is under the specifics of the New Testament today, the perfect law of liberty – James 1:25
25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.


Since Christ is the heir of all things (Hebrews 1:2), people may inherit, therefore, only if Christ died; but He did die, He rose from the dead – I Corinthians 15:1-4
1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

One must obey the Lord’s commands in the New Testament to become a child of God and to become a joint-heir

Galatians 3:23-29
23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Romans 8:17
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together

In the first part of chapter eight the writer points out that Christ is a minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle Hebrews 8:2
2 A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.


Exodus twenty-five and the following chapters reveals how God gave Moses, when he was up on the mountain, a pattern for the building of the tabernacle, and the holy vessels, and the priestly garments, and all those things that pertain to that system of worship. That tabernacle had two compartments, the first compartment representing the church, and the second compartment representing heaven. So Christ is a minister of the sanctuary, and that sanctuary, is the church, the true tabernacle. When God gave Moses the pattern, He told him to be careful, to do everything according to the pattern, and this passage shows why. Hebrews 8:4
4 For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law:


God is a pattern giving God, and He warned Moses, you make everything according to the pattern. This pattern was important; it represented that which was to come. The Jews back there under the leadership of Moses made everything according to the pattern. God has given man a pattern in regard to Christian worship. He has given a pattern for the organization of the church. God has never asked men to worship Him, and left them to guess as to how that worship is to be done
Him. He has always given detailed instruction as to the how, and we today are to do in worship only that which he has instructed us to do.
John 4:24
24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.


He is a pattern giving God, and he is not pleased unless we go according to His pattern. Please notice the warning in Revelation 22:18,19
18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

Chapter seven is devoted to a discussion of Christ being a High Priest after the order of Melchizedek. Melchizedek may be found in Genesis chapter 14. The kings of the land had been at war and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah were defeated and their people were carried into captivity, Abraham’s nephew, Lot, and his family was also carried into captivity. When Abraham heard about Lot and his family he took the three hundred and eighteen soldiers that were born in his house and aligned with, Mamre the Amorite and Aner and Eshcol, he then waged war against those enemy kings, and delivered the people of Sodom and Gomorrah. When Abraham came back from that war, Melchizedek king of Salem and priest of God Most High went out to meet him and blessed Abraham. Abraham recognized Melchizedek as being his superior and gave him a tenth, as stated here, of the chief spoils.

Notice how Melchizedek is described in Hebrews 7:3 - Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.
He is represented in Genesis 14:18 as king of Salem, and priest of God Most High. God saw to it that no record was kept of his birth or his death and that made him then, as the Jews counted it, without genealogy. In other words, God concealed from man, who Melchizedek’s parents were, and who, if any wife or children he had, and concealed his death. This made Melchizedek a type of Christ as the Christians great High Priest. Abraham gave him a tenth of the chief spoils, recognizing that he was priest of God Most High and his superior. Melchizedek had brought bread and wine and blessed Abraham.
Notice Hebrews 7:7 - And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.

Melchizedek was greater than Abraham because he had that ability to bless him, and when Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek the writer says it was like the tribe of Levi paying tithes. And of course, under the law, the Levites were to receive the tithes of the people.

Hebrews 7:11
11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?


The need for another priest good would not have existed, had perfection been possible under the Levitical system. But perfection did not come by that priesthood, and so the priesthood of Christ was necessary.
Hebrews 7:12
12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.


When the priesthood was changed, from the Levitical to that of Christ, thery was also a need to change the law From the Law of Moses to the Law of Christ – Galatians 3:24-29

24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.



James 1:25
25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.



Hebrews 7:13
13 For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.


All the priests and assistants to the priest came from the tribe of Levi, and the priests came from the descendants of the family of Aaron. Hebrews 7:14
14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.


It was necessary for the priesthood to be changed. According to the law Jesus could not have served as a priest, or as an assistant to the priest, for he was from the tribe of Judah, which was the ruling tribe -- Genesis 49:10

More to follow ….

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In chapter six, the writer exhorts the Hebrews to leave the doctrine of the first principles and press on unto perfection. Now, this does not mean that those first principles are not necessary. Those are foundation principles, we are to learn them and then we are to go on unto perfection. – Hebrews 6:1,2
1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

List of the foundation principles of the Christian religion:
Repentance from dead works –Luke 13:3; Acts 8:9-24
Faith toward God – Hebrews 11:6
The teaching of baptisms – Acts 2:38; I Peter 3:21
The laying on of hands – Acts 8:18; I Corinthians chapter 12 and 13 The resurrection of the dead – John 5:28.29
The eternal judgment- Hebrews 9:27; Matthew 25:31-46

Lord willing, we will post a lesson on these six fundamentals, the first week in September, and one will be able link to it from this post.

Hebrews 6:3-6

3 And this will we do, if God permit.
4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.


Then he speaks of those who had reached that point of being mature in Christ and then had turned away. In verse six, he says, “it is impossible to renew them again unto repentance.” Please you see how wrong is the kind of preaching that many are doing that regardless of what the child of God does he continues in a saved condition. They say, “Once saved always saved.” The Bible teaches that men can fall away in such a way that they cannot find a place of repentance. When they rebel time and time again, their hearts are sometimes hardened against God, and they reach a point that God will send them a working of error as stated in II Thessalonians 2:10-12, that they might believe a lie and be damned. Now this passage is not talking about a child of God who is very weak, but gets up, repents, and tries again, but it refers to those who had reached a point of maturity in Christ, and then turned away; and he says, “it is impossible to renew them again unto repentance.” That means that they will be eternally lost if they could not be renewed to repentance.
Jesus said – Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life – Revelation 2:10

It takes courage to cross some bridges, and wisdom to know which ones to burn

People cannot change the truth, but the truth can change people

A true friend knows when to listen and when to talk

Those who "cook up" stories often find themselves in "hot water".

A gift is not worth much if you must tell the recipient exactly how much it cost



A lot of happiness is overlooked because it doesn’t cost anything

Blunt people can get to the point quickly

Knowledge is power only if it is turned on

To err means you’re trying


Living without faith is like living in a fog




The Bible never suffers from neglect; it is only those who neglect It who suffer

Duty makes us do things well; love makes us do them beautifully

Kind actions begin with kind thoughts.

The best vitamin for a Christian is B1

Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.





When you lose a loved one and at those times that you do not hurt; you feel like you do not love them enough


Humility is that low sweet root from which all the heavenly virtues shoot!
-Thomas Moore



Don’t use a gallon of words to express a spoonful of thought

Worry is like a rocking chair; no matter how much you rock, you get nowhere.




It's been observed that many people use mighty thin thread when mending their ways.


The world is full of people who are making a good living but living poor lives.

The empty tomb proves Christianity; the empty pew denies it.

No matter how long you nurse a grudge it won't get better.

What you are is far more valuable then what you have

If you are not closer to heaven today than you were yesterday, check your road map...you may have taken a wrong turn.



The know it alls have the most to learn

Truth has bounds; error has none

Prejudice is a loose idea; firmly held

Life is fragile; handle it with prayer

A man with clenched fists; can't shake hands

If you must use a hammer; build something






We all love a good loser – as long as the loser is not usI


f you wish to dwell in the house of many mansions; you must make your reservations in advance

John 14:1-6

1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Be as kind as you can today, for there may be no tomorrow

James 4:14
Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appeared for a little time, and then vanishes away.


Treasures in heaven are laid up only as treasures in heaven are laid down

Matthew 6:19-21
19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.


Don’t laugh at the fallen; there may be slippery places in your own path

I Corinthians 10:12,13
12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.






The wages of sin never go unpaid

Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.



There are no degrees of honesty


Revelation 21:8
But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.


Choice, not chance, determines destiny

Mark 16:15,16

16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

Revelation 2:10

… be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

Revelation 14:13

And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.


If you fear someone will know it, don’t do it.

I Thessalonians 5:2

Abstain from all appearance of evil

The one thing certain about this life here is that we must leave it

Hebrews 9:27

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:


Speak kind words and you will hear kind echoes

In this chapter there is additional emphasis on the priesthood of Christ, and the writer continues to stress the priesthood of Christ. The Priesthood of Christ is discussed in great detail in chapter seven, and he refers to it again in chapter ten. Hebrews 5:1 - For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins

The priests under the law of Moses were, of course, just men, and they were compassed with infirmities – Hebrews 5:2 Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity.

Jesus, our Great High Priest has endured all our our behalf, He has no sins -
Hebrews 5:8,9 -
8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

Hebrews 4:15 - For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

Under the law of Moses the high priests, on the day of annual atonement (Leviticus 16:1-34) first went with blood into the holy of holies to make atonement for himself and his family and then a second time for the sins of the people.

Jesus has been called of God to the eternal High Priesthood – Hebrews 5:4-6 –
4 And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.
5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.
6 As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec

Became of His perfect nature, he is able to save those who will obey Him.
Please notice Hebrews 5:9 - And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.

The notion of a person being saved on the basis of just an intellectual faith, by just believing on Christ, that He is the Christ, the one that God sent to be the savior of the world, will not save a person! Christ is the author of eternal salvation “unto all them that obey him,” If a man is not willing to obey Jesus, then there is no salvation for him. Please consider II Thessalonians 1:7-9 -

7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

Many will state that one does not have to do anything but believe the Jesus is the Son of God in order to be saved. But, what does the Word of God command?

God’s Plan of Salvation:

Hear - Romans 10:17
Believe – Hebrews 11:6
Repent of sins – Acts 17:30,31
Confess the Christ – Matthew 10:32,33
Be baptized for the remission of sins – Acts 2:38
Be faithful the rest of your life – Revelation 2:10

Hebrews 4:1,2

1 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.
2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.


“Let us therefore fear.” Here is another exhortation to keep them from falling. “Let us therefore fear (an exhortation to all true Christians) Lest, a promise being left of entering into his rest, any one of you should seem to come short of it.”

How can anyone believe the false doctrine of “once saved, always saved.”? Remember what Jesus said in Revelation 2:10? “Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life”

Hebrews 4:2a “For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them” – there was a gospel of good news for those under the old law, they were to faithfully obey the Lord and thus be blessed. The Good News or Gospel today is of Christ – Romans 1:16 - For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. It must be obeyed – Mark 16;15,16 = And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.- and then continued in, if one wants to got to heaven - :I Corinthian 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.


Hebrews 4:2b But the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. Those who did not mix faithful obedience with the good news did not profit. The child of God can become unfaithful, if he also does not mix the Word of God with faith. Notice what James says = James 2:17-26

17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works.
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
22 eest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.


Notice Rahab’s faithful obedience was her simply mixing faithfulness with the Word of God! One is not saved by works of merit – Ephesians 2:8-10, but one must faithfully obey the commandments of God, to have a saving faith – Read again James 2:26.

These Hebrew Christians were reasoning that the law was given by Moses, and he was a great man and a great law giver, and surely he was a great man; but the law was God’s given through Moses. Deuteronomy chapter 34 speaks of what a great man Moses was. He surely was a great man, but Christ is greater. Moses was great as a servant over God's house, but Christ built the house. Hebrews 3:3 - For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house.

Christ built the house, the church (I Timothy 3:14,15; I Corinthians 3:16), and therefore He is greater than Moses. “For every house is built by some one; but he that built all things is God – Hebrews 3:5, Moses indeed was faithful in all of his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were afterwards to be spoken, but Christ as a Son over His house; whose house we are, if we hold fast our boldness and the glorying of our hope firm unto the end. - Hebrews 3:6

The two main things that the writer does to try to prevent this great falling away is, first, to show one detail after another how that Christ and the New Testament religion is a far superior religion to the Old Testament religion, and two, to give exhortations for them to have greater faith. also notice the emphasis that Christ as a Son over His house and that house, of course, is the church, (I Timothy 3:14,15).
“Whose house are we"- Referring to those Hebrew Christians.
On what condition? "If we hold fast our boldness and the glorying of our hope firm unto the end?”

Why Christ came into the world

Some observations from Hebrews chapter two concerning why Christ came into the world

Hebrews 2:9-18


9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
11 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,
12 Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.
13 And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.
14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.
17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

Please notice verse 14 - Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.

One reason Jesus came in the flesh was to destroy him that had the power of death that is the devil! When Jesus entered the grave, He entered the strong man's house, but He came forth victorious by His resurrection from the dead. – I Corinthians 15:1-4


Christ said in John 12:31, “Now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the world, will draw all men unto myself.” Christ was talking about His being lifted up on the cross, and by that He had cast out the devil, the prince of this world.

I John 3:8

8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

Another reason Christ came in the flesh was to become a a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.
17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

The Word became flesh and dwelt among us – John 1:14

Jesus suffered in the Garden of Agony in preparation for the cross – Luke 22:40-46

40 And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.
41 And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,
42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.
44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
45 And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow,
46 And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.



Jesus was tempted in all points like as we, yet never sinned – Hebrews 4:15

God’s love provided His Son, that man should not perish - John 3:16


more to come ...

Hebrews 1;1-4

1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
4 eing made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

Keep before you the new covenant is based upon better promises, better sacrifice, better priesthood, just to name a few. The Hebrews (who were Jewish converts to Christianity) were in danger of becoming unfaithful and losing their soul’s salvation – Hebrews 10:38, 39

38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
39 ut we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

Please notice again, Hebrews 1:3 - Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

Jesus is now reigning on the right hand of the Father. Notice Acts 1:9-11

9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

Consider also I Corinthians 15:20-28

20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.
28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.

.It does not leave any room for an earthly reign. The last enemy that He is going to conquer is death, and then He will deliver up the kingdom to God the Father. Christ is now reigning on David's throne, and will reign until this is fulfilled, “until I make thine enemies thy footstool of thy feet.”

Also, read what Jesus said about the kingdom./church in Mark 9:1 - And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power. Now, Jeussu and Judas tasked death before the kingdom or church came with power. Judas committed suicide and the Lord was crucified. Concerning if the kingdom is yet future, where are the folk who are over 2000 years old,( those who were living when Jesus made this statement) wafting to see the kingdom of God come with power?

The kingdom did come with power, and the apostles were among those who saw it do so = Acts 2:1-4

1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

"Oh my God!"
How often in a day’s time do you hear that?

There is a radio commercial running that has two teenage girls in a grocery store and they are using this damnable phrase repeatedly.
Many say that this is just the culture, that this is just a "catch phrase", it is must more it is taking God’s Name in vain!

Exidus 20:7 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

Using the name of God lightly and carelessly is using His Name in vain. Words have meaning and please do not take God’s Name in vain!


What would our language sound like if everyone took to heart respect for God's Name in their speech?
Number one, His Name would not be used in vain, in cursing or in exclaiming excitement.

Secondly, God’s Name would be properly used, to praise Him to give Him thanks for His bountiful mercy and blessings

Philippians 1:11
Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

Ephesians 1”3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

Psalm 7:17
I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high.






Matthew 12:37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.


Look for lesson two in this series next week ...