(Exodus 19:18-19)

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Rely On:

1. _______________________________________!

Hebrews 12: ²⁵See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? NIV

(Matthew 24:35; 2Peter 3:7-12; 1Peter 1:23-25; Psalm 1:1-6)

2. ________________________________________________!

Hebrews 12: ²⁶At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” NIV

(Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8; Ephesians 1:4-5)

3. ________________________________________________!

Hebrews 12: ²⁷The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain. NIV

(Matthew 16:18)

4. ________________________________________________!

Hebrews 12: ²⁸Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, ²⁹for our “God is a consuming fire.” NIV

(Isaiah 24:19-20; Psalm 18:1-3, 30-32)

Chapter 12

1    Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us – The word entangles is euperistaton, and could be translated “ambushes or encircles”. Race is the Greek word agōn (agony) a favorite word of Paul the apostle  (Philippians 1:30, Colossians 2:1, 1 Thessalonians 2:2, 1 Timothy 6:12, 2 Timothy 4:7).

2    Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God – The word “fix” (aphoraō) means to stare attentively. The word scorning (kataphroneō) could be translated despising.

5    And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,   and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, ⁶ because the Lord disciplines those he loves,  and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.” – Cf. Proverbs 3:11-12.

11   No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it – The word “trained” is gumnazō  (gymnasium). It literally means naked.

15   See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many – See to it translates a single Greek word (episkopeō), which is closely related to episkopos (an overseer, or bishop, or elder). For “bitter root” see Deuteronomy 29:18-19.

16   See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son – Cf. Genesis 25:29-34; 26:34-35; 27:30-40; 28:4-9.

21   The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.” – Cf. Exodus 19: 16-24; 20:18-19.

25   See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks – Cf. Hebrews 1:1-2.

26   At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” ²⁷The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain – Cf. Haggai 2:6-7.

Chapter 13

1    Keep on loving each other as brothers – “loving” is the Greek word philadelphia.

2    Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it - Abraham (Genesis 18:1-22) and Lot (Genesis 19:1-3) are examples of those who entertained angels unknowingly.

4    Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral – Paul warns that in the last days apostate teachers will “forbid marriage” (1 Tim. 4:3).

5    Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have – Cf. Ecclesiastes 5:10.

8    Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever – Immutable (Not subject or susceptible to change).

15   ¹⁵Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name – “We should be always wearing the garment of praise, not just waving a palm branch now and then.”—Andrew Bonar

17   Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. – “A teacher should teach us to submit to God, not to himself.” —Chuck Smith

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1. Faithful _________________________ Legacy!

Hebrews 11: ⁴By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead. NIV

(Genesis 4:6-7)

2. Faithful _________________________ Legacy!

Hebrews 11: ⁵By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. NIV

(Genesis 5:21-24; Romans 6:23; John 11:21-27; Hebrews 11:6)

3. Faithful __________________________________ Legacy!

Hebrews 11: ⁷By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. NIV

(Genesis 6:5-14; Matthew 24:37; Genesis 6:22; James 2:14-17; Colossians 3:23-24)

4. Faithful __________________________________ Legacy!

Hebrews 11: ⁸By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. NIV

(Joshua 24:2; Romans 2:2; Hebrews 11:24-25)

5. Faithful __________________________________ Legacy!

Hebrews 11: ³¹By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient. NIV

(Joshua 2:17-19; James 2:25-26)

Chapter 11

1      Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see – “being sure” – hupostasis; “the under substance.”  Cf. Hebrews 1:3. “certain” can be translated proof, conviction:—evidence.

3      By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible – Cf. Psalm 33:6,9. God’s is the Greek word rhema – “ the spoken word.” See:  “God said…” (10 times: (Gen 1:3,6,9,11,14,20,24,26,28,29).

4      By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead – Cf. Gen 4:2-5; Heb. 9:22.

5      By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God – Cf. Gen 5:24.

6      And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him – Cf. Heb 6:18; 10:4.

7      ⁷By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith – Cf. Gen 6:5, 9.

8      By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going – By comparing Genesis 12:1-5 with Acts 7:2-4, we find that Abraham really only went up river to Haran for a time, then over to the Promised Land.

11   By faith Abraham, even though he was past age—and Sarah herself was barren—was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise -  See NKJV below for different rendering:

¹¹By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. NKJV

18 “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” – Isaac was the son of promise so God only recognized him, not Ishmael (Genesis 22:1-14).

19   Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death – Since the “promise” was made concerning Isaac, if Abrham sacrificed him, he reasoned that God would raise him from the dead.

20   By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future - (Genesis 27:33, 38-40).

21     By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff – (Gen 48:1-22).

22     By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions about his bones – Cf. Gen 50:24-25.

23     By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict – “no ordinary child” really means beautiful. (“Beautiful” is the Gr. asteion, which occurs in the NT only here and in Acts 7:20, which also refers to Moses.)

31     ³¹By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient – He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath (Joshua 2:11).

32     And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets – Gideon destroyed idols, and was mightily used of God to defeat a much larger army of Midianites (Judges 6-8). Barak led the people of Israel in a dramatic victory over the Canaanites (Judges 4). Samson was used mightily by the Lord to defeat the Philistines yet had a tragic end (Judges 13-16). Jephthah was used of God to defeat the Ammonites (Judges 11:1-33). Yet Jephthah made a foolish vow and stubbornly kept it (Judges 11). David was a remarkable man of faith. Yet he also failed with Bathsheba and with his own children.

33     who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions – Daniel was saved from the mouths of lions (Daniel 6). This could also refer to Samson (Judges 14:6) or to David (1 Samuel 17:34-35).

35     Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection – The Widow of Zarephath, whose son was raised by Elijah (1 Kgs17:17-24).The Shunammite woman, whose son was raised by Elisha (2 Kgs 4:32-35).The Widow of Nain, whose son was raised by Jesus (Lk 7:15) Lazarus, the brother of Martha and Mary, who was also raised by Jesus (Jn 11:43,44).

36     Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison – faced jeers—like Elisha (2 Kings 2:23-25), Nehemiah (Nehemiah 2:19; 4:1), and Jeremiah (Jeremiah 18:12); flogged—like Jeremiah (Jeremiah 37:15); chained in prison—like Joseph (Genesis 40:15), Samson (Judges 16:21), Micaiah (1 Kings 22:26-27), Hanani (2 Chronicles 16:10), and Jeremiah (Jeremiah 37:16; 38:6).

37     They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword – They were stoned—like Zechariah (2 Chronicles 24:20-21); according to Jerome, Jeremiah was stoned at the hands of Jewish Egyptians because he denounced their idolatry. They were sawed in two—like Isaiah, presumably. Although we do not know for sure, tradition (from the apocryphal book, The Ascension of Isaiah, chapters 1-5) says that the prophet Isaiah was sawed in half at the command of King Manasseh because Isaiah had predicted the destruction of the temple. Isaiah had at first escaped and hid in the trunk of a tree while in the hill country. Manasseh supposedly had the tree sawed in half with Isaiah in it. They were put to death by the sword— (see 1 Kings 19:10).

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Through The Church:

1. Draw___________________________________!

Hebrews 10: ²²let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. NIV

(Hebrews 4:16; Hebrews 10:19-21; Mark 15:37-38; 1Corinthians 12:27)

2. The Hope_______________________________________!

Hebrews 10: ²³Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. NIV

1. Practice: __________________________________
2. Memorize: _________________________________
3. Give God: __________________________________

3. Spur____________________________________________!

Hebrews 10: ²⁴And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. NIV

4. It’s A Good______________________________________!

Hebrews 10: ²⁵Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing. NIV

5. It_______________________________________________!

Hebrews 10: ²⁵…but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. NIV

(1Coritnians 14:12; Ephesians 4:16)

Chapter 8

1    The point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven – The tabernacle and the temple of the Old Covenant had but no place for the priests to sit down, because their work was never finished. The work of Jesus is finished – He is seated in heaven!

5    “See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.” – Cf. Exodus 25:8-9

11   No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest – Cf. Jer. 31:31-34

Chapter 9

2 A tabernacle was set up. In its first room were the lampstand, the table and the consecrated bread; this was called the Holy Place –

The whole space measured 150’ long and 75’ wide. The tabernacle was 45’ long and 15’ wide and 15’ high. Divided into two rooms, the Holy Place (a 15’ x 30’). And then a smaller room called The Most Holy Place (15’x15’x15’ cubed). On the right side was the table of showbread with 12 loaves of bread. Made of acacia wood covered with gold, 3’ long, 1½’  wide, and about 2’ high (Exodus 25:23-30). On the left was the lampstand with six branches and a stem in the middle and this was the light in the Holy Place (Exodus 25:31-40). Right up against the veil, was the golden altar of incense made of acacia wood covered with gold, 1½ feet square, and 3 feet high (Exodus 30:1-8). A veil (a thick curtain) separated the first part from the “Most Holy Place” (Exodus 26:31-33).

3 Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place, ⁴which had the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant – The golden altar of incense was not in the Most Holy Place but in the Holy Place. Cf. Lev 16:12-13

“In any case our author does not actually commit himself to the view that the altar of incense is situated in the sanctuary: he merely says that it belonged to the sanctuary” Montefiore quoted by Leon Morris.

4    This ark contained the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant. ⁵Above the ark were the cherubim of the Glory, overshadowing the atonement cover. But we cannot discuss these things in detail now. – the Ark of the Covenant was a chest made of acacia wood covered with gold, about 4 feet long, 2 feet wide, and 2 feet high, with rings for polls along its side so they could carry it (Exodus 25:10-22). The mercy seat was the “lid” for the ark of the covenant, made with cherubim on it; And on the Day of Atonement, the High Priest would sprinkle blood on it (Exodus 25:17-22). Inside the Ark box, was the golden jar that had the manna (Exodus 16:33), Aaron’s rod that budded (Numbers 17:6-11), and the tablets of the covenant (Exodus 25:16).

7    But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance – He sprinkled blood “seven times” Cf. Lev 16:2, 14-16.

The Seven Times

1^st Garden of Gethsemane – Sweat drops of blood (Luke 22:43-44)

2^nd Pulling of His Beard  – (Isaiah 50:6; Luke 22:63-64))

3^rd Flogging – (Mark 15:15; 1 Peter 2:24)

4^th Crown of Thorns – (John 19:2-3; Isaiah 52:14)

5^th Nails in Hands -  (Psalm 22:16; Luke 23:33)

6^th Nail in Feet – (Psalm 22:16; Luke 24:40)

7^th Sword Piercing His Side – (Isaiah 53:5; John 19:31-37)

27   Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment – Not an absolute principle. Exceptions: Enoch (Genesis 5:24) and Elijah (2 Kings 2:11) never died once. Several people in the Bible were raised from the dead (1 Kings 17:22, 2 Kings 13:20-21, Matthew 9:25, John 11:43-44, Acts 20:9-11), so they died twice. Those taken in the rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:17) will never die once.

Chapter 10

1 The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves – Cf. Col 2:16-17.

5    “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; ⁶with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased. ⁷ Then I said, ‘Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll—I have come to do your will, O God.’” – Cf. Psalm 40:6-8.

38   But my righteous one will live by faith – Cf. Rom 1:17, Gal 3:11, Heb 10:38

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1. Jesus  Is:_______________________________!

Hebrews 6: ¹⁹We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, ²⁰where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek. NIV

(Hebrews 10:4; Luke 1:5)

2. Jesus Is: _______________________________________!

Hebrews 7: ¹This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, ²and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, his name means “king of righteousness”; then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.” NIV

(Genesis 14:18-20; Hebrews 4:14-15; Proverbs 10:6-32; Isaiah 32:17; 2Corinthians 5:21)

3. Jesus Is: _______________________________________!

Hebrews 6: ³Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God he remains a priest forever. NIV

(Hebrews 7:16-25; Genesis 31:30; John 3:35-36; John 6:47)

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1. Promises Depend:________________________!

Hebrews 6:¹³When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, ¹⁴saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.” NIV

(Genesis 22:15-17; Romans 8:1, 28, 38-39)

2. God’s Promises: _________________________________!

Hebrews 6: ¹⁵And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised. NIV

(Genesis 12:1-4; Genesis 15:2-6; Genesis 16:1-3; Genesis 17:1-2, 17, 24-26; Genesis 18:10-14; Genesis 21:1-3)

3. God’s Promises: _________________________________!

Hebrews 6: ¹⁷Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. NIV

(Luke 1:11-12, 18-20, 57-64; Romans 5:2-4; Hebrews 6:19)

Chapter 6

1    Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, ²instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. ³And God permitting, we will do so – These are not Christian doctrines, they are Jewish doctrines. Even the word “baptisms” is not regularly used in the New Testament to describe Christian baptism but to Jewish ceremonial washings (Hebrews 9:10 and Mark 7:4). The laying on of hands is speaking of when they would lay hands on the animal sacrifice.

4    It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, ⁵who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, ⁶if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace – The word impossible (adunatos) is the same word used: It is impossible for God to lie (Hebrews 6:18). It is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats can take away sin (Hebrews 10:4). Without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6).

• Enlightened: This Greek word has the same meaning as the English word. These people have experienced the light of God shining upon them.
• Tasted: This word speaks of a full, real experience (as in how Jesus tasted death in Hebrews 2:9). The heavenly gift could be salvation (Romans 6:23 and Ephesians 2:8).
• Shared in the Holy Spirit is an unique term, having to do with receiving the Holy Spirit and having fellowship with the Holy Spirit. Could mean gifts.
• Tasted the goodness of the word of God - they have seen God’s Word work in their lives.
• The powers of the coming age - God’s supernatural power.

A few different interpretations of this passage include:

1. Losing Salvation – One interpretation states that this passage means Christians can lose their salvation. However, this is contradicted by other portions of Scripture (for example, see John 10:27-29; Romans 8:38-39).

2. Hypothetical - Some interpret this passage as hypothetical: “if it were possible.” This argument runs like this: “Let’s suppose that you do not go on to maturity. Does this mean that you will go back to condemnation, that you will lose your salvation? Impossible! If you could lose your salvation, it would be impossible to get it back again; and this would disgrace Jesus Christ. He would have to be crucified again for you, and this could never happen.”

3. While You Are In A Fallen State – The words “crucify” and “subjecting” in Hebrews 6:6 are, in the Greek, present participles: “while they are crucifying . . . and while they are subjecting Him to public disgrace.” The writer did not say that these people could never be brought to repentance. He said that they could not be brought to repentance while they were treating Jesus Christ in such a shameful way. Once they stop disgracing Jesus Christ in this way, they can be brought to repentance and renew their fellowship with God.

4. Rewards – Another view holds that this passage is speaking of genuine Christians and rewards, not salvation. The Judgment seat of Christ. The Greek grammar does seem to imply genuine Christians.

5. Not Authentic Christians – Another view is that the writer may have intended to illustrate someone who seemed to be a Christian but really never was a true follower of Christ. For example: Judas Iscariot saw the Holy Spirit work, tasted the “goodness of the word of God,” and saw the “powers of the coming age.” Yet Judas was not a true disciple of Christ. Many good scholars hold to this view: Matthew Henry, F. W. Grant, and J. N. Darby, C. I. Scofield

6. Apostates – Another view links this portion of Scripture with 10:25-31 (another severe warning). The writer of Hebrews was warning against a specific kind of apostasy: forsaking Jesus as the perfect sacrifice for sins and returning to animal sacrifices as a means of atoning for sins. Therefore, they were returning to legalism and also were not ever saved.

(Cf. Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 18:18-27)

15   And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised – From the time God had promised him a son (Genesis 17:16) to Isaac’s birth (Genesis 21:1-3) was 25 years.

Chapter 7

2 First, his name means “king of righteousness”; then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.” ³Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God he remains a priest forever – Christophany? Cf. John 8:39, 56.

17   For it is declared: “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” – Cf. Psalm 110:4

22   Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant – “Guarantee” is Greek: Egguos  – - surety or bondsman.

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1. God’s Word Is:___________&______________!

Hebrews 4:¹²For the word of God is living(zon)  and active(energēs). NIV

(Romans 10:17; Psalm 119:50; Psalm 119:93; Psalm 33:6)

2. God’s Word: ____________________________________!

Hebrews 4:¹²…Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul(psuchē) and spirit(pneuma), joints and marrow…NIV

(Hebrews 5:12-14; Isaiah 55:10-11)

3. God’s Word: ____________________________________!

Hebrews 4: ¹²… it judges(kritikos) the thoughts and attitudes of the heart(kardia). NIV

(Matthew 15:19; Jeremiah 17:9; Psalm 139:1-6; Hebrews 4:13; Luke 19:44; Matthew 12:36-37; Hebrews 41-2)