Posted on 12/01/2023 12:46:28 AM PST by metmom
"God . . . has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high" (Heb. 1:1-3).
Christ is superior to everyone and everything.
The book of Hebrews was addressed to an audience composed of Jewish Christians, Jewish non-Christians who were intellectually convinced about Jesus but hadn't yet committed themselves to Him, and Jewish non-Christians who didn't believe the gospel at all.
The author's goal was to demonstrate Christ's superiority over everyone and everything that had preceded Him, whether Old Testament persons, institutions, rituals, or sacrifices. He specifically contrasted Christ with angels, Moses, Joshua, Aaron and his priesthood, the Old Covenant, and the sacrificial system.
The Jewish believers needed this focus on Christ's superiority because most of them were suffering some form of persecution because of their Christian testimony. Some were in danger of confusing the gospel with Jewish ceremonies and legalism, and drifting back into their former practices.
Those who were intellectually convinced but spiritually uncommitted needed to be warned not to stop at that point, but to go all the way to saving faith. They were in danger of committing the greatest sin any person can commit: rejecting Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
Those who didn't believe in Christ at all needed to see that Jesus was in fact who He claimed to be. To such people the author explains the unique priesthood of Christ, and the urgency of turning to Him in faith.
Within your circle of friends and associates, you probably have Christians who are weak of faith and need your encouragement and instruction. Be available to minister to them whenever possible.
Undoubtedly you also know people who are intellectually convinced that Jesus is who He claimed to be, but aren't willing to embrace Him as their Lord. Don't be shy about urging them to move on to salvation.
To those who reject Christ outright, boldly proclaim the gospel and trust the Holy Spirit to convict their hearts.
Suggestion for Prayer
Praise Christ for His preeminence and surpassing grace.
For Further Study
Read Hebrews 1-2. To whom does the writer compare Christ? Be specific.
From Drawing Near by John MacArthur Copyright © 1993. Used by permission of Crossway Books, a division of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, IL 60187, www.crossway.com.
Studying God’s Word ping
Thank You. I need to buy another John Macarthur Bible. I will do so ASAP. I lost my study Bible.
I am no one to judge or throw a stone at anyone,I am a sinner and I have been ignorant in the past . But I also know that without the love and grace from God and his son Jesus Christ I would be wallowing in the selfishness and evil that many allow themselves to because they are deceived . It is a fact that every day satan in one way or another will try to break you away from righteousness and take you down the wrong path so that he can laugh and thrive off of the misery one can heap upon themselves by not following Gods word and direction. I stumble like anyone else but because of the love and grace of God and the sacrifice Jesus made on OUR behalf I am able to see the beauty of all he provides while only wanting our faith ...that is pure love , that is the love Jesus the son of God who is at the right hand of our Father. I weep and am amazed that God loves a wretch like me. My only fear is that I would no longer be in Gods grace and I try to alleviate this fear by constantly seeing Gods love in everything from a cool glass of fresh water to my cat purring in my lap. I hope this doesn’t sound silly to anyone it is just how I see things. All glory to the one loving God. As alway’s Thank you metmom for great posts!
You Lost It?
Ouch !
Mine Doesn’t leave the house
as I have Other’s I let outside.
Bad break buddy.
He whom The Father sets Free
Is FREE Indeed!
.
Glory to God the Father and His Son
Whom Redeemed Mankind!
.
Satan is out of the Job and can
Chew on Brimstone for Eternity!
I too have lost a cherished Bible. I’m hoping it’ll turn up somewhere but it’s not looking good. Near as I can tell it got misplaced in some moving I did some years ago. I have some other Bibles of course but they aren’t the same.
Within your circle of friends and associates, you probably have Christians who are weak of faith and need your encouragement and instruction. Be available to minister to them whenever possible.
Undoubtedly you also know people who are intellectually convinced that Jesus is who He claimed to be, but aren’t willing to embrace Him as their Lord. Don’t be shy about urging them to move on to salvation.
To those who reject Christ outright, boldly proclaim the gospel and trust the Holy Spirit to convict their hearts.
....................................
GREAT advice!! Thanks so much. Also on the list are family members, especially grown children who are still lost by choice.
Sounds like something I went through a few years back. Satan attempts to place DOUBT and FEAR in our minds. The antidote was to press closer to God by focusing on Jesus, who banishes all doubt and fear. For me that meant increasing time spent hearing the Word, which is the same as spending time with Christ. And praying. Lots of speaking with God.
I need to become more aware of Christ’s presence in my life as well.
Yes, I lost it. A friend I knew well from Vietnam was a 65 West Point Graduate. He was most outstanding.
Yes and Amen !
God is building an Army Commaded by our
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ !
Satan can chew Brimstone
He will have eternity to Digest It !
Yup! By his own arrogance.
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