Nothing < Greater
A Walk through Hebrews
Faith in Action
December 6, 2020 • Chan Mitchell
Faith is not just something we have, it’s something we do. Faith must be expressed through action. It’s not even possible to please God without faith. Without faith, we can only go so far. Throughout the letter to the Hebrews, the author seeks to passionately persuade his readers of the superiority of Christ. As he brings the letter to a close, he turns from his carefully reasoned "sermon" to a series of practical applications for our faith. The book closes with a reminder that true faith requires confidence in a God that we cannot always see; in promises that are not always immediate; and in a hope that we can’t always express. But one thing about faith – it never does nothing. It acts. It moves. It battles. It overcomes. It conquers. Faith declares, “Nothing is greater than Christ!”
Unshakeable Kingdom
November 29, 2020 • Chan Mitchell
Many scholars agree that the book of Hebrews reads more like a sermon rather than a letter. If that’s true, then chapter 12 would be the crescendo or the conclusion of that sermon. The author of Hebrews says, in a sense, we are all searching for a “city of peace”. We all have a need for some kind of safety and security in our life. We all need a place of fulfillment and comfort. That’s why we work so hard to earn a degree, or to secure a job, or to gain an opportunity. It’s also the reason why we save our money so we can buy a ring, get married, have a family, and live our dream life. We are all looking for that “city of peace” – that place of security and comfort. However, if we build our life on any foundation other than Jesus, we are only building on sinking sand. For there is coming a day when the Lord will shake all of heaven and earth, and anything that is not built on the foundation of Jesus Christ, will crumble away.
Running The Race
November 22, 2020 • Mark Hartman
Many people have a difficult time understanding how to reconcile the idea of an all powerful, loving God who allows suffering to go on in the world. Christians and Non-Christians alike, have struggled with this problem. Some have concluded that the fact that suffering exists is evidence that the kind of God the Bible describes simply doesn’t exists. However, in Hebrews chapter 12 we see that God has good reasons for allowing suffering to continue. He is using suffering to draw sinners to himself and also refine his children. We also learn that God is not indifferent to our pain. He is actually so committed to making sure that none of our suffering is wasted, even the suffering we bring upon ourselves because of our foolishness, that he was willing to also suffer. Jesus endured the cross so that we could be redeemed and brought into the family of God. Because fo the cross, we no longer relate to God as criminals to a judge, but rather as children to their father. As Christians we can know that every ounce of suffering we experience in this life has a purpose, and even if we never get to see what that purpose was in this life, we can trust the ultimate purpose is for our good and God’s glory.
Impossible Without Faith
November 15, 2020 • Chan Mitchell
Just as there is a Hall of Fame for outstanding athletes who distinguished themselves in various sports, the Bible contains what we might call a "hall of faith." In Hebrews 11, there is a fascinating record of names and events in which each individual modeled unshakeable faith. Each of these biblical heroes serve as a wonderful example for us today of what it means to live with steadfast and godly faith. Faith is something so intangible that it is sometimes very difficult for us to understand. Faith is not just believing in God. Faith is knowing that God will be faithful to every single promise He made in His Word. Biblical faith requires assurance in God’s promises and conviction in His Word. Faith is not stagnated; it requires action. Faith also requires a confidence in a God that we cannot always see and a hope that we cannot always express.
What is Faith?
November 8, 2020 • Dylan Ray
Have you ever stopped and thought—really thought—about the word faith? In the simplest terms, faith means trusting in something. It means trusting in something or someone to be true and dependable. Everyone has faith in something, and probably in many things. For example, when we flip on a light switch, we’re demonstrating faith that electricity will flow to the light fixtures in the room allowing us to see what’s there. There are endless examples of faith in everyday life. But what does God say about faith? Let's talk about faith as it is defined, described, and exemplified in the written Word of God. Christianity is built on a foundation of faith. Christians believe by faith that God exists. They believe by faith to be saved and that they will receive an eternal home in heaven (Ephesians 2:8). When you read the Bible, you quickly learn that the most important need of every single person is to be found righteous before God, and the Gospel is how God makes us right in His http://sight...and this is received by faith.
Old vs. New
November 1, 2020 • Chan Mitchell
We have all experienced guilt and shame on some level. Maybe we did something that wasn’t exactly honest, and later regretted it. Maybe we said some words to someone out of anger or frustration and wished we could take those words back. Perhaps we’ve not been the best parent, spouse or friend, and so we carry the burden of guilt with us. Sometimes we can resolve our guilt by apologizing or making amends with those we’ve wronged. However, in some cases the damage is so permanent or the hurt so deep that we end up carrying the guilt for a very long time. When guilt is not resolved, it grows into shame. And shame drives down deep into the kind of person we believe we are. In Hebrews 9:1-14, the author explains that the blood of Jesus actually did something with our guilt and shame that the Old Covenant could never accomplish. The blood of Jesus replaced our guilt and shame with purity, loving service and abundant life.
Such a High Priest / A Better Covenant
October 25, 2020 • Bill Rodgers
The Jewish Christians, at the time of the writing of the Letter to the Hebrews, were experiencing two critical things in their lives. First, because of the long “tradition” of the Old Covenant (almost 1,400 years) change to faith in Christ was met with a tremendous amount of resistance. As a result, there was significant persecution taking place against believers. It was a challenge to both the law and the temple that were cornerstones to the Jewish religion. Without much of a desire to listen to the new believers, and why their faith in Christ was so important, they stuck with their strong focus on the value of the law and the processes they followed in their worship. The second issue related to their level of spiritual maturity. For the new believers to grow in their new faith they must understand the Word of God and the teachings of Jesus Christ. We see several instances in the letter where the author is challenging them to grow in their understanding and maturity, not just go through the motions on a weekly basis.
Lukewarm Christianity
October 18, 2020 • James Locke
We live in a turbulent, challenging time. Our institutions are being attacked. Our financial security and even our physical health are at risk. Many Christians have been and are calling for "revival" in the church. But, at the same time, church engagement is dropping away. Divisions within the church and across denominations are evident now more than ever. The plague of lukewarm Christianity has never been more clear. Jesus came to restore our relationship with God that was shattered in the fall. It's that relationship, not rituals like baptism and communion, or even obedience to God's Word, that will sustain our souls and lead to true revival. There is nothing more precious or more important than our personal relationship with Jesus. That relationship alone is the antidote to lukewarm Christianity.
Jesus is Greater (Melchizedek)
October 11, 2020 • Chan Mitchell
History is full of good mysteries. One of the most mysterious people in the Bible is the King of Peace, Melchizedek. Genesis 14 tells us that he ruled as the King of Salem and served as the high priest of the Jewish temple. Melchizedek appeared one day in the life of Abraham, but then was never heard from again. However, what happened that day has been remembered throughout history, and eventually became a subject in the book of Hebrews chapters 5 & 7. The writer of Hebrews paints a picture of Jesus as the eternal Son and High Priest in the order of Melchizedek who rules in heaven, allowing believers to draw near to God under the new covenant. Although Melchizedek is a person of mystery in the Bible, it is not a mystery that Jesus is greater - greater than the law, greater than Moses and greater than Melchizedek. Jesus is our High Priest and King who paid the price for our sins and now reigns forever and ever on high!
The Believer's Rest
October 4, 2020 • Chan Mitchell
The book of Hebrews paints a clear picture that Jesus Christ exceeds all other people, pursuits, objects, and hopes. Hebrews exalts Jesus as greater than the angels, as bringing better lives to humanity through salvation, as offering a better hope than the Mosaic Law could promise, as a better sacrifice for our sins than a bull or a goat, and as providing a better inheritance in heaven for those who place their faith in Him. There is truly nothing greater than Jesus Christ.
The Deceitfulness of Sin
September 27, 2020 • Chan Mitchell
As Christians, we long for a deeper and more meaningful life with Christ. We sense that the answer is found in a deeper commitment to God and His Word. But that’s where we get stuck. Many times, we simply struggle with unbelief. Will God truly meet all of my needs? Will He keep me and my family safe? Can I fully trust Him with every area of my life? In the Old Testament, God’s people (the Nation of Israel) hardened their hearts toward God. As a result, an entire generation was prohibited from entering into the Promised Land. When we harden our hearts toward God, the only thing we miss out on is everything God has to offer. The fruit of faith is obedience to the Lord in all circumstances. When our hearts are soft and pliable to God’s truth, we are more likely to trust His promises and avoid the deceitfulness of sin.
King, Founder, Brother, Priest
September 20, 2020 • Chan Mitchell
The Letter of Hebrews was written to a group of Hebrew Christians who were struggling with their faith. The bottom line was they were having trouble with consistency. They knew there was something powerful about Jesus, but they struggled to stay devoted and steadfast to Him. Many of us today wish we were more consistent and steadfast in our own faith walk. In chapter 2 of Hebrews, the author offers four word pictures of Jesus Christ that remind us that He is greater than our doubts, our fears and our failures. If we see these four distinct pictures of Jesus correctly, it can make a big difference in the consistency and power of our spiritual walk with the Lord.
Christ is Better
September 13, 2020 • Chan Mitchell
A "knockoff" is a copy or an imitation of a particular product or merchandise. A knockoff might have the same physical appearance of the original with only the name or logo slightly altered, but although it looks like the original, it can be very different in value and quality. The book of Hebrews has a similar message. Whatever we are focusing on for the source of our happiness, significance or http://salvation...christ is better. Knockoffs like money, achievements, relationships, etc. are only imitations of the true source of life. Jesus is superior in every way, and there is nothing greater than His power, His authority, His grace and His presence in our life.
Reading Plan
Follow along with us as we move through Nothing < Greater, a journey through the book of Hebrews. Although we won't cover every verse throughout the series, this reading plans allows you to fill in the gaps week-to-week. Plus, at the conclusion of the series, you will have read through an entire book of the New Testament!