Last night was lots of fun! I hope you came and I definitely hope you plan to come next week for our St. Patricks day "Green" party!
Hebrews 10
1 For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect.
2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins.
3 But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year.
4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.
Christ’s Death Fulfills God’s Will
5 Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: “ Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, But a body You have prepared for Me.
6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure.
7 Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come In the volume of the book it is written of Me To do Your will, O God.’”
8 Previously saying, “Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them ” (which are offered according to the law),
9 then He said, “Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.” He takes away the first that He may establish the second.
10 By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Christ’s Death Perfects the Sanctified
11 And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.
12 But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God,
13 from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool.
14 For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.
15 But the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us; for after He had said before,
16 “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the LORD: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them,”
17 then He adds, “Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.”
18 Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin.
once again, this is a very deep passage, but not one that we should ignore... This passage goes all the way back to the old testament and reminds us that the sacrifice of the animals in the old testament, DID NOT TAKE AWAY SIN!!! There is NO WAY that the blood of an animal can pay for mans sin.
It kind of reminds me how we try to do things to pay for our sins, catholic people try to work and pay their way into Heaven with different methods, Jehovas Witness try to work their way into heaven, even some people who could care less about any kind of religion try to "do good things", so that they can work their way to heaven.
The fact is that NOTHING we can do will help us work our way to Heaven! We cannot earn a pass to Heaven. THAT IS IMPOSSIBLE!!! The only way we can get there, is to place our complete faith and acceptance on Jesus Christ alone. He told us in His word: "I am the way the truth and the life, no man comes to the father, but by me!!" Wow! If you want to get to Heaven, then you must accept Christ!!
Have you accepted Christ as your savior?
WEDNESDAY, March 11th, 2009
Well, tonight is going to be a great night in church! Make sure you come because we are going to play some crazy games and also we will have a great time of fellowship!! Remember: Next week is our St. Patricks Day Party!! Make plans to come and join us for that great event!
Hebrews 9
16 For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.
17 For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives.
18 Therefore not even the first covenant was dedicated without blood.
19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people,
20 saying, “This is the blood of the covenant which God has commanded you.”
21 Then likewise he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry.
22 And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.
Greatness of Christ’s Sacrifice
23 Therefore it was necessary that the copies of the things in the heavens should be purified with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
24 For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us;
25 not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another—
26 He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.
27 And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,
28 so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.
Hebrews 9
16 For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.
17 For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives.
18 Therefore not even the first covenant was dedicated without blood.
19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people,
20 saying, “This is the blood of the covenant which God has commanded you.”
21 Then likewise he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry.
22 And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.
Greatness of Christ’s Sacrifice
23 Therefore it was necessary that the copies of the things in the heavens should be purified with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
24 For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us;
25 not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another—
26 He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.
27 And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,
28 so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.
TUESDAY, March 10th, 2009
Hey Guys! It was pretty cool to see 5 of you on here yesterday! Even a new face! Michael Saxton, good to see you on here man! Do you play sax? I think that would be pretty sweet, (hence the last name) ok, on to less cheesy stuff! (not your last name... my jokes are whats cheesey)
Hebrews 9 (by the way, I know some of this Hebrews stuff is pretty difficult, but it will be worth it! Trust me!)
1 Then indeed, even the first covenant had ordinances of divine service and the earthly sanctuary.
2 For a tabernacle was prepared: the first part, in which was the lampstand, the table, and the showbread, which is called the sanctuary;
3 and behind the second veil, the part of the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of All,
4 which had the golden censer and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which were the golden pot that had the manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant;
5 and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.
6 Now when these things had been thus prepared, the priests always went into the first part of the tabernacle, performing the services.
7 But into the second part the high priest went alone once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the people’s sins committed in ignorance;
8 the Holy Spirit indicating this, that the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing.
9 It was symbolic for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience
10 concerned only with foods and drinks, various washings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation.
11 But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation.
12 Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.
13 For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for 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, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
15 And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.
Wow! If you read this once and did not get it, then read my comments and go back and read the passage again! This passage is incredible! It is absolutely astounding! Let me explain: Verses 1-5 of this passage tell us about the earthly temple... this is the temple that we saw in the Old Testament, the temple where the priest would go to pay atonement for the sins of the people. If you read verses 1 - 5 carefully you can visualize parts of the temple, like the holy of holies and the ark of the covenant, and so on...
Then we read verses 6-10, these verses explain to us what The priest did inside the temple... It explains the rituals and the sacrifices that the preist made for the sins of the people. Verse 9 is important as it reminds us that this whole process is SYMBOLIC... (in other words, killing a goat or a bull OF COURSE would never pay for mans sin... that does not make sense, but if you were willing to go through that process it is because you believed that the Messiah (Jesus Christ) would come one day to pay for the sins of the World!!
Finally, we see the last verses, verses 11 - 16. These verses make it clear that Christ CAME AS THE HIGH PRIEST~!!! Christ came to pay for our sins... I don't know about you, but there have definitely been days when I kind of stood around and wondered how it made sense that Christ had to die so that we could live...
This passage makes it clear: Christ came and paid the undeserving penalty of death on the cross... because of His sacrifice for us, wew do not have to face the penalty for our sin, eternity in Hell...
Christ paid our sin debt, a debt we could not pay!!
Hebrews 9 (by the way, I know some of this Hebrews stuff is pretty difficult, but it will be worth it! Trust me!)
1 Then indeed, even the first covenant had ordinances of divine service and the earthly sanctuary.
2 For a tabernacle was prepared: the first part, in which was the lampstand, the table, and the showbread, which is called the sanctuary;
3 and behind the second veil, the part of the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of All,
4 which had the golden censer and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which were the golden pot that had the manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant;
5 and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.
6 Now when these things had been thus prepared, the priests always went into the first part of the tabernacle, performing the services.
7 But into the second part the high priest went alone once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the people’s sins committed in ignorance;
8 the Holy Spirit indicating this, that the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing.
9 It was symbolic for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience
10 concerned only with foods and drinks, various washings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation.
11 But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation.
12 Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.
13 For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for 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, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
15 And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.
Wow! If you read this once and did not get it, then read my comments and go back and read the passage again! This passage is incredible! It is absolutely astounding! Let me explain: Verses 1-5 of this passage tell us about the earthly temple... this is the temple that we saw in the Old Testament, the temple where the priest would go to pay atonement for the sins of the people. If you read verses 1 - 5 carefully you can visualize parts of the temple, like the holy of holies and the ark of the covenant, and so on...
Then we read verses 6-10, these verses explain to us what The priest did inside the temple... It explains the rituals and the sacrifices that the preist made for the sins of the people. Verse 9 is important as it reminds us that this whole process is SYMBOLIC... (in other words, killing a goat or a bull OF COURSE would never pay for mans sin... that does not make sense, but if you were willing to go through that process it is because you believed that the Messiah (Jesus Christ) would come one day to pay for the sins of the World!!
Finally, we see the last verses, verses 11 - 16. These verses make it clear that Christ CAME AS THE HIGH PRIEST~!!! Christ came to pay for our sins... I don't know about you, but there have definitely been days when I kind of stood around and wondered how it made sense that Christ had to die so that we could live...
This passage makes it clear: Christ came and paid the undeserving penalty of death on the cross... because of His sacrifice for us, wew do not have to face the penalty for our sin, eternity in Hell...
Christ paid our sin debt, a debt we could not pay!!
MONDAY, March 10th, 2009
Hey Guys! Great Job on the Devos to those of you that are always so faithful!!!!
Hebrews 8
1 Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens,
2 a Minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord erected, and not man.
3 For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices. Therefore it is necessary that this One also have something to offer.
4 For if He were on earth, He would not be a priest, since there are priests who offer the gifts according to the law;
5 who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For He said, “See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.”
6 But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.
this is another passage that reminds us that Jesus is our High Priest now... Michael, yesterday you asked if Catholic's still confess to a priest, and the answer is: Yes! They still confess to a priest like we see in the old testament. Also: you are exactly right when you said it is way better to confess to Jesus instead of confessing to man! I know I would rather confess my sin to God, and not to man! The rest of this passage can be difficullt to understand but just read it slow and you will see that this passage explains the task that Christ accomplishes as the High Priest. Christ hears our prayers, and forgives our sin. The passage makes it clear that just like other priests who give gifts and sacrifices... Jesus, our High Priest also gives gifts (grace, mercy, love, life, blessings) and sacrifices (HE GAVE HIMSELF)...
We too should strive today to give ourselves back to Him. He deserves our life!
Hebrews 8
1 Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens,
2 a Minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord erected, and not man.
3 For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices. Therefore it is necessary that this One also have something to offer.
4 For if He were on earth, He would not be a priest, since there are priests who offer the gifts according to the law;
5 who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For He said, “See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.”
6 But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.
this is another passage that reminds us that Jesus is our High Priest now... Michael, yesterday you asked if Catholic's still confess to a priest, and the answer is: Yes! They still confess to a priest like we see in the old testament. Also: you are exactly right when you said it is way better to confess to Jesus instead of confessing to man! I know I would rather confess my sin to God, and not to man! The rest of this passage can be difficullt to understand but just read it slow and you will see that this passage explains the task that Christ accomplishes as the High Priest. Christ hears our prayers, and forgives our sin. The passage makes it clear that just like other priests who give gifts and sacrifices... Jesus, our High Priest also gives gifts (grace, mercy, love, life, blessings) and sacrifices (HE GAVE HIMSELF)...
We too should strive today to give ourselves back to Him. He deserves our life!
SUNDAY, March 8th, 2009
Hey guys! Sunday school was fun this morning, we came up with several exciting themes and some exciting activity ideas so make sure you get involved!!
Hebrews 7
11 Therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron?
12 For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law.
13 For He of whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no man has officiated at the altar.
14 For it is evident that our Lord arose from Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood.
15 And it is yet far more evident if, in the likeness of Melchizedek, there arises another priest
16 who has come, not according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an endless life.
17 For He testifies: “ You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek.”
18 For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness,
19 for the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is thebringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.
Greatness of the New Priest
20 And inasmuch as He was not made priest without an oath
21 (for they have become priests without an oath, but He with an oath by Him who said to Him: “ The LORD has sworn And will not relent, ‘ You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek’”),
22 by so much more Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant.
23 Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing.
24 But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood.
25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.
26 For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens;
27 who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people’s, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.
28 For the law appoints as high priests men who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son who has been perfected forever.
Jesus has brought us a better covenant! We no longer have to kill animals, and we do not have to trust in a priest to save us from our sins, wee only have to trust in the TRUE PRIEST!! The one who is pure, holy, seperate from sin! He can pay for our sins, and He alone!! I am so thankful that Jesus was willing to come and change the way that we trust Him... I would kill animals and trust in a priest to prove my faith if I had to, but I must admit! I like worshiping Him the way we did this morning MUCH MORE!!! :)
See you in church tonight!!
Hebrews 7
11 Therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron?
12 For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law.
13 For He of whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no man has officiated at the altar.
14 For it is evident that our Lord arose from Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood.
15 And it is yet far more evident if, in the likeness of Melchizedek, there arises another priest
16 who has come, not according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an endless life.
17 For He testifies: “ You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek.”
18 For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness,
19 for the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is thebringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.
Greatness of the New Priest
20 And inasmuch as He was not made priest without an oath
21 (for they have become priests without an oath, but He with an oath by Him who said to Him: “ The LORD has sworn And will not relent, ‘ You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek’”),
22 by so much more Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant.
23 Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing.
24 But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood.
25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.
26 For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens;
27 who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people’s, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.
28 For the law appoints as high priests men who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son who has been perfected forever.
Jesus has brought us a better covenant! We no longer have to kill animals, and we do not have to trust in a priest to save us from our sins, wee only have to trust in the TRUE PRIEST!! The one who is pure, holy, seperate from sin! He can pay for our sins, and He alone!! I am so thankful that Jesus was willing to come and change the way that we trust Him... I would kill animals and trust in a priest to prove my faith if I had to, but I must admit! I like worshiping Him the way we did this morning MUCH MORE!!! :)
See you in church tonight!!
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