“Going Deeper”
August 14, 2011
We are beginning a five week journey through six of the non-Pauline letters. Our purpose will be to look a little deeper into what it means to be a Christian. We will look into 1 & 2 Peter; 1, 2 & 3 John; and Hebrews.
“Going On To Perfection”
Hebrews 4:12-13 The Living Word
Hebrews 5:11 – 6:3 Go on Toward Perfection
The Letter – Warnings – Maturity
* The Letters:
Tradition à Author: Paul Date: AD 68
Current à Author: Unknown Date: AD 60-95
Purpose: The “Ifs” à Jewish Christians
If the (a) _________ of Levi (Heb. 7:11)
If the (b) ________ had been faultless (Heb. 8:7)
If the (c) ________ had worked (Heb. 10:2)
**Warnings:
Must pay attention à (d) ________ à not drift away
If we (e) ________ so great a salvation (Hebrews 2:1-4)
A new (old) metaphor for Salvation: The Day of God’s (f) _______
(See Genesis 2:1-3; Numbers 13-14; Psalm 95:7-11; Hebrews 3:7-18)
Day 7 (Genesis 2:3); Year 40 (Numbers 14:33); Today (Hebrews 3:13)
The Gate is Still Open: 1 day ≈ 1,000 years & 1,000 years ≈ 1 day
Gates Closed: (Pearly Gate Story: Preacher & Taxi Driver)
(g) _________, (h) __________, & (i) _______
(Hebrews 3:15 3:18 3:19)
Drink Milk or Eat Solid Food
Infants need milk à
Unskilled in the word of (j) __________ (Hebrews 4:13)
Solid food for Mature Christians à
Can distinguish (k) _______ from (l) _____(Hebrews 4:14)
***Maturity: Perfection
“Therefore let us go on toward perfection…”
(Hebrews 6:1a)
Perfection does not mean: (JW Sermon 40)
“…an exemption either from ignorance or mistake or infirmities or temptations…”
Perfection does mean: (JW Sermon 76)
“…sum of Christian perfection: it is all comprised in that one word, love…”
Memory Verse: “Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)
Closing:
Note: All scripture quotes are from the NRSV unless otherwise noted.
(a) priesthood, (b) covenant, (c) sacrifices, (d) heard, (e) neglect,
(f) Rest, (g) Rebellion, (h) disobedience, (i) unbelief
(j) righteousness, (k) good, (l) evil