Hearer or Doer

504.  " Hearer or Doer"                          April 24, 2012
Summary of Hebrews

Review:
Even though the author of Hebrews is unknown to us, he was known to his readers, since he did not identify himself. Most scholors consider Paul as the author. It was probably written in the first century. the readers are second generation Christians, so the date would be earlier than A.D. 70. That is when the Roman army destroyed the Temple. Timothy is still alive as the letter was written. It is interesting to recall that many quotes were from the Old Testament and were written in Greek, not Hebrew. (That was the language in which the OT was written.)

Topics covered by the author include: The superiority of:

• Jesus Christ's position: A better name, better than angels, Moses
• Jesus Christ's priesthood: a High Priest, fulfillment, like Melchizedek
• Jesus Christ's priestly ministry: a better covenant, sanctuary, sacrifice
• the believer's privileges: faith that saves, is false, genuine, heroes of faith, persevering faith
• Christian behavior in relation to: others, ourselves, God
• the postscript. 

[Resource: The MacArthur Bible Commentary]

LET IT GLOW

Actually, in thinking about any lesson, whether it is given in a classroom setting, a church setting, or a home setting, is designed to encourage the listener to a course of action, to get up and do it. Isn't that why we have the teachings of Jesus-He told His New Testament followers and modern Christians how to live. We have the teachings of Moses-the law which God gave to instruct the way of life and worship by His chosen people, the Israelites. We have the teachings of Paul-directed by the Lord as encouragement to increase our faith, and living by faith. We have the Holy Spirit to guide us in faith and obedience.

James 1:22 says, But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

I want to be a hearer and a doer, a sort of Mary and Martha in one. "I can't hear what you're saying for seeing your actions" is not what I want said of me. How about you?

The book of Hebrews is intensely practical in its application to everyday living. The writer himself even refers to his letter as a "word of exhortation." Exhortations were designed to stir the readers into action. Those exhortations were given in the form of six warnings against:

1. drifting from "the things we have heard" (2:1-4)
2. disbelieving the "voice" of God (3:7-14)
3. degenerating from "the elementary proinciples of Christ" (5:11-6:20)
4. despising "the knowledge of the truth" (10: 26-39)
5. devaluing "the greace of God" (12:15-17)
6. departing from Him "who speaks" (12:25-29).

{Resource: The MacArthur Bible Commentary]

LET IT GROW

I always like to review some scriptures that were special to me, those which I highlighted. Here they are:
God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also He made the worlds; Who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high. (1:1-3)

How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard Him.  (2:3)

What is man, that Thou art mindful of him? Or the Son of man, that Thou visitest Him? (2:6)

Thou hast put all things in subjection under His feet. (2:8a)

For it became Him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things... (2:10)

For every house is builded by some man; but He that built all things is God. (3:4)

Wherefore as the Holy Ghost saith, Today if ye will hear His voice, Harden not your hearts...
(3:7-8a)

But exhort one another daily... (3:13)

For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (4:12)

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. (4:15)

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (4:16)

...it was impossible for God to lie... (6:18)

Which hope (Jesus) we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil.  (6:19)

Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him (Jesus), seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them.  (7:25)

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment. (9:27)

By the which will  we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 
(10:10)

And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.  (10:17)

For we know him that hath said, Vengence belongeth unto Me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge His people.  (10:30)

It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.  (10:31)

Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. (10:38)

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.  (11:1)

But without faith it is impossible to please him. (11:6)

For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. (12:6)

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. (13:8)

By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.  (13:15)

LET IT GO


Be a hearer of the Word and a doer of the Word of God.