“Going Deeper”
August 21, 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.
“On Faith”
Hebrews 11:1-3 The Meaning of Faith
Hebrews 12:1-3 The Example of Jesus
The Letter – The Blood – Faith
* 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 priesthood of Levi (Heb. 7:11)
If the covenant had been faultless (Heb. 8:7)
If the sacrifices had worked (Heb. 10:2)
**Blood: (Hebrews 9)
Hebrew understanding of “blood”
“For the life of every creature – its (a) ______ is its life;”
(Leviticus 17:14a)
Animal sacrifices: Purified (Cleansed) the (b) _______
Jesus’ sacrifice:
Purifies (Cleanses) the (c) ________ (conscience)
(See Hebrews 9:14)
A “Covenant”: A contract between two
Can be one-sided OR two-sided
A “Will”: Payable on the (d) _________ of one
***Faith
Meaning of Faith: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1)
Hall of Fame! Sports Fans
The Faith Hall of Fame – Abel, Enoch, Abram, Sarah, Abraham, Moses, the People, and more PLUS (e) _____
Going Deeper: àTherefore: (2:1; 2:14; 2:17; 3:1; 3:7; 4:1; 6:1; 10:19; 11:12; 12:1; 12:12)
Run the Race of perseverance: Contrast with Paul
Paul Writer of Hebrews
Durations Short (f) ___________
Focus Finish Line (g) ___________
Purpose Fruits of Victory (h) ___________
Rewards Crowns of Glory (i) ____________
Exercise: Discipline, Dedication, Durability
Why: Persevere through suffering à Running the Race
looking to Jesus Christ the (j) _______
and (k) _________ of our faith (Hebrews 12:1-2)
Memory Verse: “And without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever would approach him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)
Closing:
Note: All scripture quotes are from the NRSV unless otherwise noted.
(a) blood, (b) body, (c) soul, (d) death, (e) you, (f) long,
(g) the race, (h) the trip, (i) the exercise, (j) pioneer, & (k) perfecter