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!!
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!!
SATURDAY, March 7th, 2009
Hey Guys! I had fun last night! Hope you made it!
Hebrews 7
1 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,
2 to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all, first being translated “king of righteousness,” and then also king of Salem, meaning “king of peace,”
3 without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually.
4 Now consider how great this man was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils.
5 And indeed those who are of the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have a commandment to receive tithes from the people according to the law, that is, from their brethren, though they have come from the loins of Abraham;
6 but he whose genealogy is not derived from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises.
7 Now beyond all contradiction the lesser is blessed by the better.
8 Here mortal men receive tithes, but there he receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives.
9 Even Levi, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, so to speak,
10 for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him.
Hebrews 7
1 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,
2 to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all, first being translated “king of righteousness,” and then also king of Salem, meaning “king of peace,”
3 without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually.
4 Now consider how great this man was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils.
5 And indeed those who are of the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have a commandment to receive tithes from the people according to the law, that is, from their brethren, though they have come from the loins of Abraham;
6 but he whose genealogy is not derived from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises.
7 Now beyond all contradiction the lesser is blessed by the better.
8 Here mortal men receive tithes, but there he receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives.
9 Even Levi, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, so to speak,
10 for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him.
FRIDAY, March 6th, 2009
Hey Everyone, I'm not really Pastor Lee today, I'm Michael Stratton, and doing the devos on his name. Yes he already knows and yes I hope you have a good day and come to the church at 6:30 which is like right now. Come. Now.
Hebrews 6
13 For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,
14 Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.
15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.
16 For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.
17 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:
18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:
19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;
20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
This passage has a promise that is a promise we must always remember: GOD DOESN'T LIE!! Most of us know that already, but need to keep this in mind. God's advasary, Satan, tries to pose as God, and tell you to do something and won't get caught, you do it and get caught. Then Satan lies to you again saying that God has done this to you. You get mad at God for "lying to you" and never speak to Him again; and Satan is happy. I just said something you should have seen, "you won't get caught" God doesn't say this things because He is holy and that is how you can tell if this voice in your head is God or not, by the most minute things he, Satan, says.
There are other promises God says, but if you can't find them, then you can just use the same one I did.
I am glad you are on the devos, and remember, GOD DOESN'T LIE!!!
Hebrews 6
13 For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,
14 Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.
15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.
16 For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.
17 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:
18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:
19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;
20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
This passage has a promise that is a promise we must always remember: GOD DOESN'T LIE!! Most of us know that already, but need to keep this in mind. God's advasary, Satan, tries to pose as God, and tell you to do something and won't get caught, you do it and get caught. Then Satan lies to you again saying that God has done this to you. You get mad at God for "lying to you" and never speak to Him again; and Satan is happy. I just said something you should have seen, "you won't get caught" God doesn't say this things because He is holy and that is how you can tell if this voice in your head is God or not, by the most minute things he, Satan, says.
There are other promises God says, but if you can't find them, then you can just use the same one I did.
I am glad you are on the devos, and remember, GOD DOESN'T LIE!!!
THURSDAY, March 5th, 2009
Well hello everyone! I hope you were in church last night! Because those of you that were there, made it LOTS OF FUN!!!!!!! I really enjoyed last nights service! Thanks for making it exciting!
Hebrews 6
1 So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God.
2 You don’t need further instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.
3 And so, God willing, we will move forward to further understanding.
4 For it is impossible to bring back to repentance those who were once enlightened—those who have experienced the good things of heaven and shared in the Holy Spirit,
5 who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the power of the age to come—
6 and who then turn away from God. It is impossible to bring such people back to repentance; by rejecting the Son of God, they themselves are nailing him to the cross once again and holding him up to public shame.
7 When the ground soaks up the falling rain and bears a good crop for the farmer, it has God’s blessing.
8 But if a field bears thorns and thistles, it is useless. The farmer will soon condemn that field and burn it.
9 Dear friends, even though we are talking this way, we really don’t believe it applies to you. We are confident that you are meant for better things, things that come with salvation.
10 For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do.
11 Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true.
12 Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance.
This is a pretty hard passage to understand, and although I never use any other translations of the Bible, because I believe that the KJV is the most accurate translation, today I chose to share a different translation with you... Did you notice? This is only a one time thing, so do not fear!!
But let's look at this passage together: Baiscally the message that is clear in this passage is this: We need to GROW UP!!!!!! Why are we still struggling with sin so much, and why are we only talking about the basic truths of the Bible... God has so much for us but we have to grow strong in the basic truth and then we can move on to the deaper truths that God has for us!! There is a lot of powerful stuff in the word, but because we are so consumed by our flesh and the wiles of the devil,,, we are growing VERY SLOWLY!!!!
Think about this... we are kind of like Dwarf Christians. (have you ever seen that show on TLC about the Dwarf family, "the Rollofs", well because they are smaller the show proves how many normal daily tasks that we find easy, become very difficult for them because they have not grown to a normal size.
We as Christians do the same thing every day! We do not grow up like we should and then we wonder why it is so hard to walk with Christ, and to avoid sin, and to fight temptation!!
Stuff that we should be doing easily is very hard, because we HAVE NOT GROWN IN THE LORD LIKE WE SHOULD!!!!!!!!!
LETS GROW UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (spiritually)
Hebrews 6
1 So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God.
2 You don’t need further instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.
3 And so, God willing, we will move forward to further understanding.
4 For it is impossible to bring back to repentance those who were once enlightened—those who have experienced the good things of heaven and shared in the Holy Spirit,
5 who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the power of the age to come—
6 and who then turn away from God. It is impossible to bring such people back to repentance; by rejecting the Son of God, they themselves are nailing him to the cross once again and holding him up to public shame.
7 When the ground soaks up the falling rain and bears a good crop for the farmer, it has God’s blessing.
8 But if a field bears thorns and thistles, it is useless. The farmer will soon condemn that field and burn it.
9 Dear friends, even though we are talking this way, we really don’t believe it applies to you. We are confident that you are meant for better things, things that come with salvation.
10 For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do.
11 Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true.
12 Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance.
This is a pretty hard passage to understand, and although I never use any other translations of the Bible, because I believe that the KJV is the most accurate translation, today I chose to share a different translation with you... Did you notice? This is only a one time thing, so do not fear!!
But let's look at this passage together: Baiscally the message that is clear in this passage is this: We need to GROW UP!!!!!! Why are we still struggling with sin so much, and why are we only talking about the basic truths of the Bible... God has so much for us but we have to grow strong in the basic truth and then we can move on to the deaper truths that God has for us!! There is a lot of powerful stuff in the word, but because we are so consumed by our flesh and the wiles of the devil,,, we are growing VERY SLOWLY!!!!
Think about this... we are kind of like Dwarf Christians. (have you ever seen that show on TLC about the Dwarf family, "the Rollofs", well because they are smaller the show proves how many normal daily tasks that we find easy, become very difficult for them because they have not grown to a normal size.
We as Christians do the same thing every day! We do not grow up like we should and then we wonder why it is so hard to walk with Christ, and to avoid sin, and to fight temptation!!
Stuff that we should be doing easily is very hard, because we HAVE NOT GROWN IN THE LORD LIKE WE SHOULD!!!!!!!!!
LETS GROW UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (spiritually)
WEDNESDAY, March 4th, 2009
Hey guys! Great thoughts yesterday! I wish more of us were on here! But I am thankful for the faithful!!
A Few Thoughts From Yesterday:
Michael: I love that question: Is it possible to live without sinning? Here is how I answer it: Is it possible to go one second without sinning? Yes? What about 2 second? Yes? What about 10 seconds? 30 Seconds? 1 minute? 10 minutes? 1 hour? 24 hours? I believe the answer is yes to all of them, God would not call us to do something that is not possible! God has called us to live holy (seperate from sin) and that is what we should strive for every day!
Victoria: Glad you are on here! Are you coming to church tonight? (you better if you know what is good for you :)
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:
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.
3 And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.
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.
7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;
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;
10 Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.
11 Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.
12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
This is deep! If you are like me, you probably read quite a bit of this and did not understand it... I can explain part of it, but I want us to place our main focus on the last 3 verses... At the beginnind of this chapter it is explaining the position of the High Priest, the High Priest is the man in the old testament who went to God on behald of the people... The high priest went in to make the sacrifices for everyone elses sins, but the ironic part of that (what is also mentioned in verse 2) is that it says: "he himself also is compassed with infirmity". In other words, HOW CAN HE PAY FOR OUR SINS, IF HE IS COVERED IN SIN HIMSELF!!!!!
That is an absolute logical question, how can someone pay to get me out of debt, if they are in just as much debt as I am?? THEY CANNOT!!! In the same way, A Priest is a sinner just like me! Therefore He cannot pay for my sin! No, only a perfect high priest can pay for our sins, only a sinless sacrifice can cover our sins... Aren't you so thankful for Jesus!! He is the perfect High Priest! He could/ and did pay for our sins, when no one else could!!
That is cool, but lets jump to the end of this chapter! Look at verses 12 - 14
It makes it clear that there ar etwo kinds of truth, truth that is easy to digest (like milk) and truth that is much deeper (like meat)... The idea here is an illustration: You do not give a newborn baby a new york strip steak!! That would be crazy, and irresponsible! He might choke on it! His body cannot handle it! In the same way, you must start out as a young believer, or a new believer on the milk of the word...
It can be tempting to run straight to revelation, or some other prophetic book whenever you first get saved, but this passage makes it clear that we need to take our learning process in order! I was just talking with someone last night about the rapture and I thought to myself, if someone was not a believer, they would think that I am a nut for telling them that one day All Christians are going to vanish into thin air... We must take Gods truth in time, and in a process!
What stage in the process are you at? Time to start growing?
A Few Thoughts From Yesterday:
Michael: I love that question: Is it possible to live without sinning? Here is how I answer it: Is it possible to go one second without sinning? Yes? What about 2 second? Yes? What about 10 seconds? 30 Seconds? 1 minute? 10 minutes? 1 hour? 24 hours? I believe the answer is yes to all of them, God would not call us to do something that is not possible! God has called us to live holy (seperate from sin) and that is what we should strive for every day!
Victoria: Glad you are on here! Are you coming to church tonight? (you better if you know what is good for you :)
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:
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.
3 And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.
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.
7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;
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;
10 Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.
11 Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.
12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
This is deep! If you are like me, you probably read quite a bit of this and did not understand it... I can explain part of it, but I want us to place our main focus on the last 3 verses... At the beginnind of this chapter it is explaining the position of the High Priest, the High Priest is the man in the old testament who went to God on behald of the people... The high priest went in to make the sacrifices for everyone elses sins, but the ironic part of that (what is also mentioned in verse 2) is that it says: "he himself also is compassed with infirmity". In other words, HOW CAN HE PAY FOR OUR SINS, IF HE IS COVERED IN SIN HIMSELF!!!!!
That is an absolute logical question, how can someone pay to get me out of debt, if they are in just as much debt as I am?? THEY CANNOT!!! In the same way, A Priest is a sinner just like me! Therefore He cannot pay for my sin! No, only a perfect high priest can pay for our sins, only a sinless sacrifice can cover our sins... Aren't you so thankful for Jesus!! He is the perfect High Priest! He could/ and did pay for our sins, when no one else could!!
That is cool, but lets jump to the end of this chapter! Look at verses 12 - 14
It makes it clear that there ar etwo kinds of truth, truth that is easy to digest (like milk) and truth that is much deeper (like meat)... The idea here is an illustration: You do not give a newborn baby a new york strip steak!! That would be crazy, and irresponsible! He might choke on it! His body cannot handle it! In the same way, you must start out as a young believer, or a new believer on the milk of the word...
It can be tempting to run straight to revelation, or some other prophetic book whenever you first get saved, but this passage makes it clear that we need to take our learning process in order! I was just talking with someone last night about the rapture and I thought to myself, if someone was not a believer, they would think that I am a nut for telling them that one day All Christians are going to vanish into thin air... We must take Gods truth in time, and in a process!
What stage in the process are you at? Time to start growing?
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