passion

Synopsis and Homework Week 9

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I grew up and lived the majority of my adult life in the cold war era. We had an enemy. The enemy was well defined. Its name was communism. I feared communism. I would strive to live a life free of communism. The thought of including anything in my life that reflected communism was repugnant.

I don’t say this to start a debate about democracy verses communism. That’s not the point. Please don’t go down a political trail. Just understand, in my culture, in my upbringing, and in my heart communism was feared…deeply.

I say this to introduce you to how I see the author of Hebrews introducing the idea that we as Christians have one thing to fear…unbelief. Unbelief is the root cause of everyone who falls away from God. Unbelief is the root cause of everyone who fails to enter God’s rest. It should be feared. (Hebrews 4:1)

Therefore, in this paradox we call the Christian life, we live without fear in this world by fearing unbelief. We rest in God by striving to live in God’s design for the Christian. (Hebrews 4:11) We fight to win a race we know we can’t lose.

There is only one way to live a fearless life resting in God and that is striving to destroy unbelief.  To strive means to devote serious effort or energy. The reason we devote serious effort toward destroying unbelief is clear. Whoever fails to strive, as did OT Israel, will fall on the way, fail to enter God’s rest, and be yet another example of disobedience.

HOMEWORK:

Read Philippians 2:12-18

Paul is instructing the church in Philippi to work out their salvation with fear and trembling. (Verse 12) How does this idea of Paul’s line up with the idea of striving to enter God’s rest? (Hebrews 4:11)

Paul presents an example of working out your salvation as (verse 16) holding fast to the Word of life. How does this idea of Paul’s line up with the idea of exhort one another as long as it is called today? (Hebrews 3:13)

Paul urged the Philippians to stand true, to have the mind of Christ, and to work out their salvation in obedience. Above all, they were called to be like Christ. And in verse 17 and 18 what was the end result of this striving? Hint: Rejoicing!…Joy in Responsibility!

Synopsis and Homework Week 8

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One doesn’t hear the word exhort much any more. Simply put, when the Bible requires us to “exhort one another” we are to talk to each other. (Hebrews 3:13)  Not just trivial conversation, but life changing, life molding, conversation. Such conversation can only happen when we exhort one another with the Word of God.

Patriarch Project places a heavy emphasis on mentoring through Bible study. When the author of Hebrews tells us to exhort one another every day the picture that it paints is Christians hungry for the truth gathering often with mentors and peers growing in Christ.

The result is living a life of solid Christ-like decisions and holding firm our hope to the very end. God has a design for living out the Christian life. Part of that design is life together, in the Word, growing and holding fast.

Homework:

King Solomon was wiser and more impactful in the world in which he reigned than any other king in history. Most of us are familiar with the account of God asking Solomon what he desired. Solomon responded that he desired to lead the nation with wisdom. God gave him wisdom unparalleled by any before or since. Wisdom enabled his life to overflow with accomplishments. God was so pleased with Solomon’s response that He gave Solomon much more. (Read 2 Chronicles 1:7-13)

Now, how did Solomon come to ask so wisely for wisdom? Did he just happen to ask God for the right thing at the right time? The answer is clear: Solomon had a father, King David, who years before spent time with his son in exhortation. That’s right, Solomon had a mentor. It was his father who told him what to seek. It was his father who passed on the wisdom of the Word of God to his son. If King David had not prepared the way for his son, Solomon would not have known what to ask for and how to build all those wonderful projects. (Read 1 Chronicles 22:11-16)

List all the ways Solomon stood on the shoulders of his father…

Teaching Outline Week 7

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The Joy in Responsibility

(An In-Depth Study of Hebrews) 

Commentary

Don’t Be Like Those Guys

Hebrews 3:7-19

Outline

Reminder from verses 1-6: 
Jesus is greater than Moses
               Jesus made Moses
               Jesus is God           
               Jesus is the Son and Heir 
Verse 6… 
We are His household IF,
               We hold fast in Hope. 
Therefore, (picking up in verse 7) 
               Don’t be like those who didn’t enter the Promise land. 
Psalm 95:8-11 (Used as a call to worship in the days of worship at the Temple)
               Verse 7 – 11:
                               These people:
a.       Heard the voice of God
b.      Was motivated to follow
c.       Saw God’s mighty works
d.      Had unbelieving hearts
e.       Didn’t make it in the end 
LIFE APPLICATION: 
Living daily in Christ is all important. 
Without the Bible we drift away from God. 
Do not treat the Grace of God with contempt. 
Do not try to fix your behavior, just fall in love with Jesus!

 

Teaching Outline Week 6

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The Joy in Responsibility

(An In-Depth Study of Hebrews) 

Commentary

Consider Jesus

(Christmas Edition)

Hebrews 3:1-6

Outline

Verse 1:

Consider Jesus, the faithful Apostle and High Priest

Let’s take a look at a favorite Christmas hymn: O, Come All Ye Faithful!

O come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant, 
        O come ye, O come ye, to Bethlehem. 
        Come and behold him, born the King of angels; 
Refrain:
        O come let us adore him, O come let us adore him, 
        O come let us adore him, Christ the Lord. 
O come all ye faithful: Hebrews 2:16-17 Jesus was first faithful and makes a way for us to join the faithful! 
Joyful and triumphant: Hebrews 2:14-15 No longer slaves to death and sin. 
O come ye: Hebrews 3:1 Consider this Jesus! 
Behold him, born the King of angels: Hebrews 1:13 Jesus, reigning victorious King  
And now the refrain: O come let us adore him 
ADORE: 
               Shepherds (Luke Chapter 2:20) 
                               Smell like manure, not incense 
               Magi (Matthew Chapter 2:10-11)
                               More like wicked wizards than kindly kings 
ACKNOWLEDGE: 
               Roman King (Matthew Chapter 2:3)
                               Wanted Jesus dead. 
               Jewish Religious Elite (Matthew Chapter 2:4)
                               Really wanted Jesus dead! 
LIFE APPLICATION: 
This Christmas, do you adore Jesus or simply acknowledge him? (Hebrews 2:1)

 

Work…the place of Worship, Service, and Purpose

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If work is just the place you earn your living, you’ve lost your way. If you think differently about time spent at work than time spent at church, you’ve lost your way.

Work is Worship!

Most likely, work is the place where the Lord grants you the most opportunity to influence others. On average, people have the widest network of relationships and invest more time with co-workers than neighbors and extended family.

Would you believe work is all about God and relationships and your pay-check is simply an “add-on”?

I think Jesus had this very idea in mind when he taught us not to be anxious about anything…

Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. (Luke 12:31) 

Please watch the following video produced by Chick-fil-A and think about your relationships at work:

 

 

 

Synopsis and Homework Week 5

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The author of the book of Hebrews is speaking to the church when admonishing with the words…consider Jesus. It is a catalyst for self examination. Our hope must rest in this Jesus who is greater than Moses. It allows the option of listening to the heavenly calling and sharing in all that it has to offer. We have Jesus, Apostle and High Priest, bringing God to us and us to God.

Confidence comes not from making life choices that seam to work well, but making choices that come from time spent with the Lord. Confidence comes when we know this Jesus as… in history past as the once-for-all perfect sacrifice; in times present as the Ambassador of God the Father; and in the future as one who keeps all of the promises made to the church.

Consider Jesus is not just an evangelistic term used to present the Gospel to unbelievers, but a life long requirement for every believer.

HOMEWORK:

Read 1 Corinthians 3:1-23 and answer the following questions:

In Paul’s example to the Corinthian church who is the building (those who plant) and who is the builder (the one who gives growth)?

What will be the difference between building on the foundation with wood, hay and straw or gold, silver and precious stones?

What is the main idea in regards to receiving the offered rewards?

 

Got Confidence?

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A key to having Joy in Responsibility is confidence. If you see the future as hopeful it is much more common to experience joy in that which you are responsible.

Therefore, if you lack confidence, the joy of which we speak will be missing from your life. The problem may be as simple as misdirected hope. Placing your hope in the next big business deal, our nation’s economy, or your own intelligence and abilities, could be the source of your lack of confidence; and rightly so. None of those things are perfect.

Along with the author of Hebrews, I am asking you to CONSIDER JESUS. Can’t find joy in this season of joy? Consider Jesus! Lack confidence in your future? Consider Jesus!

Redirect your hope. Consider Jesus. That’s why we study the Word of God together.

Join us each Wednesday at 11:45am or 6:00pm. Or visit our blog site and watch the recorded study sessions. www.patriarchproject.com

We will continue our in-depth study of the book of Hebrews and seek to find the Joy in Responsibility!

Synopsis and Homework Week 4

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The Bible goes to great lengths picturing Israel under the rule of its kings. 1 & 2 Samuel, Kings and Chronicles detail the victories and ultimate failures of each monarch. Most of the kings were so wicked that it’s difficult to see any good in their reign. 

To think that Israel began with only God as it’s King, and because they desired to be like other nations, they rebelled against the Lord’s Kingship and adopted earthly sin-filled kings. Each king led the people from bad to worse with short periods of revival toward God few and far between. 

After reading these accounts I found myself wondering, “God why did you do it this way? After all, You were King! Why allow mortal man to take over the rule of your people?” 

It wasn’t until I heard one of my favorite teachers speak on the matter that I understood. It’s so simple that often times Bible students miss the main reason why the Bible goes to such lengths to tell us the accounts of the kings. It’s easy to get lost in the details of these remarkable stories. 

After reading through 1 & 2 Samuel, Kings and Chronicles one should walk away with one main point in view; NO EARTHLY KING WILL DO. That’s it. It’s that simple. The reign of the kings of Israel was a litmus test. Its result; REJECTED! Proof that sinful man cannot be the Messiah. 

Hebrews 2:17 says,  Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 

As we studied yesterday, we see Jesus in His humanity being tested through suffering just like us. This was His litmus test. Its result; ACCEPTED! Proof that the God-Man Jesus Christ is the Messiah. 

He is not ashamed to call us brothers! What a great salvation! We are loved and accepted in a family made perfect by our Victorious Older Brother, namely Jesus. What a great salvation! 

HOMEWORK: 

Read John 13:12-20 and answer the following questions: 

How did Jesus identify himself to the disciples? 

How did Jesus’ act of washing the disciple’s feet reflect his mercy and faithfulness toward them? 

Would Jesus do, and does Jesus do the same for you?

 

Teaching Outline Week 4

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The Joy in Responsibility

(An In-Depth Study of Hebrews) 

Commentary

Perfect!

Hebrews 2:10-18

Outline

Verse 10:

Complex sentence – A/For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist,/ B/in bringing many sons to glory,/ C/ should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering./[1]

A[God the Father said “it’s fitting”]

B[God the Father’s children are being lead to glory]

C[He makes Jesus, the founder of the children’s salvation, perfect through suffering]

How was it fitting?

What kind of leader is Jesus?

How can the perfect be made perfect?

  1. How was it fitting – 

Christ fully shared human nature, as v. 11a stated, vv. 11b–13 confirmed, and vv. 16–17 will reaffirm.

The purpose of Christ’s incarnation and death was to benefit (glorify, v. 10; sanctify, v. 11; liberate, v. 15; purify from sins, v. 17) his people.

  1. What kind of leader is Jesus – 

Servant-Leader:

Sympathetic High Priest – Verse 17

Victorious Older Brother – Verses 14, 18

  1. How can the perfect be made perfect – 

Means of perfecting:

Tested and proven

Already perfect (4:15; 7:26; 9:14)

Learning Obedience (5:8-9)

Result of perfecting:

Unity and Family (Connection between verse 10 and 11)

LIFE APPLICATIONS:

We are understood.

We rest in a perfect finished work.

We are loved and accepted in a perfect family.

[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), Heb 2:10.

The Profound State of Being Understood

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Being understood is profound. For example, in a marriage when your spouse understands you, despite all your shortcomings, the relationship thrives in many areas. And, being understood, the rough areas of the relationship prove to be a launch pad for improvement. My wife and I have been married for over 33 years. That’s a long time to study each other.

In recent years I have noticed how my wife makes adjustments in our relationship based on my many shortcomings. She can make these adjustments and avoid consequences because she understands the areas of life in which I don’t do well. Seeing her do this alerts me to the troubled area and allows me to consider making a change for the better. (sometimes I do better than others)

Most people have a fear of the unknown. We don’t know where change will lead, so we struggle to stay where we’re most comfortable.

However, being understood, and knowing we are understood, releases us from fear. Think about it; what if my wife asked me to make a major change in life. Knowing that she understands me empowers me with a confidence to move toward change. I believe it is as powerful as knowing she loves me and wants what is best for me.

Now, take this idea of being understood and apply it to your relationship with Jesus. As we continue our study of the book of Hebrews we are introduced to this same concept in our relationship with the Savior.

Hebrews 2:10 reads,  “For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering.” (ESV) 

We are going to see, as our study continues, that God the Father saw it fitting that Jesus suffer just as we do. In this verse it states that Jesus is leading us to glory. He is not leading us as one who doesn’t understand the way we suffer with sin and fear and doubt. However, He does lead us as one who was perfectly victorious over the things in which we fail daily. Jesus understands us! He is sympathetic to our plight and at the same time victoriously leading us through it.

I find great Joy in the Responsibility that is mine when my Benevolent King, my Sympathetic High Priest, my Victorious Older Brother, namely Jesus, leads me to glory with an understanding heart.

I look forward to our time together next Wednesday December 4th. Have a Happy and Wonderful Thanksgiving!