My Daily Pause

Category: Fast Five

  • 10 “Better Things” Over The Old Law

    10 “Better Things” Over The Old Law

    The Old Testament was meant for the children of Israel. It was just a place holder that featured mere shadows of Christ, his life and the job he came to do. Now that he has come, died and risen, we are heirs to his covenant that improves on the one given to Israel.

    Ten ways we have it better

    Since the gospel was given to all, it can only follow that it was superior in every way to the old law. With Christ, we have a:

    • better revelation (Hebrews 1:4) – In 7 Reasons Christ is King we examined his credentials as the Christ, the one the law and the prophets were looking for. It is through those qualifications that the revelation he brings us is better, and in fact the ultimate authority of all things spiritual.
    • better expectation (Hebrews 6:9) – Those that know the gospel know how to please God and therefore are better people. Even the world expects more from us.

      Jesus brought us a better Covenant
      Jesus brought us a better Covenant
    • better priesthood (Hebrews 7:7-11, 20-28) – In 8 Reasons Christ was like Melchizedek we compared Christ to Melchizedek. Even he was of a better priesthood than the tribe of Levi. Melchizedek was without recorded beginning or end, his ancestry and descendants were not recorded, and even Abram paid tithes to him.
    • better hope (Hebrews 7:19) – The did not motivate and inspire people to righteous living. The Spirit was not there as the Comforter. The Gospel gives us that and more – now we may draw near to God, in fact he commands it (James 4:8)
    • better testament (or covenant ESV) and better promises (Hebrews 7:22, 8:6) – With all of the old laws and rituals being made on the shadows or types of things to come, under the new covenant we have them made on Christ and the spiritual.
    • better sacrifice (Hebrews 9:23, 26) – The sacrifices under the old law did not cleanse sins, the bloodshed had to be repeated on a regular basis. Christ’s sacrifice and bloodshed was once and for all.
    • better possessions (Hebrews 10:34 ASV) – We have the Holy Spirit. We have Christ confessing our name to the Father. We have redemption. We have a home in heaven.
    • better country (Hebrews 11:16) – The Promised Land of the new covenant is with the father (John 14:2)
    • better resurrection (Hebrews 11:35) – This could be talking about our spiritual resurrection being a vast improvement over any form of earthly prolonging of life. (Philippians 1:21)
    • better things (Hebrews 11:40, 12:24) – A summary of the arguments in Hebrews

    The Jews had to be reminded of these things as the book of Hebrews was written. The writer understood that  as Christianity progressed, we would be able to take these things for granted. So much so that collectively, we forget to talk about them and review them often enough.

    Daily Bible reading for August 2

    Song of Solomon 8:8-14
    Judges 12
    Jeremiah 27-28
    Hebrews 11:1-12:2

  • “Let Us” Do These 11 Things

    “Let Us” Do These 11 Things

    Hebrews spent a lot of time on selling Christ as superior to the old Law and as deserving of our full service. Here are the eleven items that support living a Christian life. While we don’t know who the writer of Hebrews is, we can see from other books in the Bible that an exhortation of “Let us” was usually given as a command with apostolic authority. Practicing these things not only makes us obedient but, will help make the lifestyle easy and a joy to participate in …

    …so let us:

    • Fear ( Hebrews 4:1) – The gospel message doesn’t benefit us if we do not have faith or continue to grow our faith
    • Labor (Hebrews 4:11) – We must be careful to remain obedient and strive to stay on the narrow path. Failure means we fall from grace. (Philippians 2:12, Revelation 20:12)
    • Hold fast our confession (Hebrews 4:14) – Our name is mentioned to the Father when we confess Christ! (Matthew 10:32-33) Although not very popular today, it is our responsibility to acknowledge Jesus on an ongoing basis.
    • Confidently draw near to the throne (Hebrews 4:16) – Christ, who has our nature and know our trials, is sitting there at God’s right hand. He looks forward to our approach (Matthew 25:23)
    • Go on to perfection (Hebrews 6:1 KJV) or leave the elementary doctrine (Hebrews 6:1 ESV) – We are to grow beyond the basics and really get to know the word of God. After we understand the basics that qualify us for salvation, we are to go on to try for perfection like God is perfect (Matthew 5:48)ob
    • Draw near (Hebrews 10:22) – We never really get close to God until we have obeyed him, purified our hearts and have a live and growing faith. (James 2:24)
    • Hold fast our confession of hope (Hebrews 10:23) – See the Hebrews 4:14 above. Our hope is based on God’s promise of eternal life for those that love and obey him.
    • Consider one another (Hebrews 10:24) – Discussed previously in 3 “One Anothers” that Make a Strong Church
    • Lay aside every weight and run with patience (Hebrews 12:1) – There are things that will pull us away from our service to God. When we encumber ourselves in such a way, we make it difficult to serve him properly. A job, our friends, a hobby or any number of other things we give priority over God apply here.
    • Have Grace (Hebrews 12:28 KJV) or be grateful (Hebrews 12:28 ESV) – Christians have membership in a kingdom that will not fall. (Matthew 16:18) The opportunity to serve is a credit only to God’s plan.
    • Go forth (Hebrews 13:13) – Christians have a number of responsibilities, they begin with the word Go (Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 16:15-16)
    • Offer the sacrifice of praise (Hebrews 13:15) – The Hebrews knew the sacrifice of praise as an occasional ritual but ours is now a continuous one. Our prayer, our confession of Christ’s love and mercy and any other oral testimony should be on our lips often and always. (cf. Hebrews 3:13)
  • 3 “One Anothers” that Make a Strong Church

    3 “One Anothers” that Make a Strong Church

    The whole point of Hebrews is to change the mind of the Christians backsliding to Judaism – or just outright falling away. While leadership in the church is important, it is not the only thing required to keep a group together and motivated. It takes the involvement and example of each and every member of the body. As such, relying on one another is a recurring commandment in the New Testament, as I listed in 10 Christian “One Anothers”

    Three One Anothers for a Strong Church

    In the Hebrew writer’s exhortations to examine how Christ improved the old covenant, he mentions three times that we are to help one another out along the way:

    Christianity is a One Another proposition
    Christianity is a One Another proposition
    • We are to exhort one another (Hebrews 3:13) – Christians are to rely on each other to get through our weaknesses and temptations. So many of our sins are hidden from our own eyes through their own deceitfulness.
    • We are to provoke or stir up one another to love and good work (Hebrews 10:24) – It is very difficult to attend a worship assembly of a close knit church and come away with no refreshment. The desire to know each other more and to work together grows at every meeting.
    • We are to encourage one another through our attendance (Hebrews 10:25) – It is impossible to be an influence to fellow Christians if we are not there to influence them! We should take advantage of every opportunity to meet with the saints, whether it is a scheduled formal worship or less formal opportunities to study and work together.

    All three of these come from words of motivation – a positive action we are to take to help edify (build up) a fellow Christian.

    The Christians that …

    • do not roll up their sleeves and get to the work
    • have spotty attendance
    • fail to participate in the fellowship

    …are depriving the rest of us of what we crave: the faith and confidence that grows from being among one another.

  • 5 Comparisons of the Tabernacle to the Kingdom

    5 Comparisons of the Tabernacle to the Kingdom

    As the Hebrews writer details the superiority of Christ and the new covenant, he shows the audience how the old was actually a shadow of the new – pointing to more excellent things to come. Everything they did represented the events to come and Christ’s kingdom.

    The writer reminds us in Hebrews 8:5 that God’s pattern was to be followed exactly. When we understand just how tight the comparison is between the Old and New Covenants, we see why God has always been concerned with attention to detail.

    Shadows of things to come
    The Old Testament comparison to the Kingdom shows us the shadows reach back to the beginning.

    Here are five of the items used in Hebrews 9 to compare the earthly holy place to the spiritual one:

    • The Golden Candlestick – As the only source of light in the tabernacle it compares to the only true light in the church – the word of God. We can see this foreshadowed in Zechariah 4:1-6 in a talk between him and an angel. Much like the candlestick needed constant care to remain lit, the Bible requires our frequent attention to stay fresh and growing within us.
    • The Table of the Showbread – Two rows of fresh bread, twelve loaves in all, were kept on the table. This suggests a number of things: 12 tribes of Israel, the provision of their needs, two Israels (physical and spiritual.) Luke referenced it as Christ’s kingdom (Luke 22:29,30)
    • The Golden Alter – This is a symbol of the prayers of God’s people. (Revelation 5:8) The fact that it was located in the holy place, in front of the veil, instead of out in the court area, (Exodus 40:22,24,26) shows that prayer was intended for those in his Kingdom and not generally for just anyone.
    • The Veil of the Temple – Its three colors suggest the Trinity. It was discussed in Scripture to represent the mysteries of the Old Testament (2 Corinthians 3:14-16), Christ’s death and triumph over it (Isaiah 25:7-8), the flesh of Christ (Hebrews 10:19-22), A symbol of the separation of God and man (Hebrews 10:20)
    • The Ark of the Covenant – The container of the most holy things laid before God. It had the tablets of the Ten Commandments, Aaron’s rod that budded, and an urn of manna. It is interesting that the Hebrews writer chose not to detail those things.

    Great arguments like those made in Hebrews are the reason we can be confident in the Bible. It took 1600 years and 40 men to pen the book conceived and written by single Author. The cohesion and unity of all the elements make it clear that it was inspired by God.

    The Arch of Titus includes an honor to the siege of Jerusalem, showing the spoils from the temple.
    The Arch of Titus includes an honor to the siege of Jerusalem, showing the spoils from the temple.
  • 10 Christian “One Anothers”

    10 Christian “One Anothers”

    Christianity involves one another more than self
    Christianity involves one another more than self

    Love one another:
    A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another ; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another (John 13:34-35).

    Prefer one another in honor:
    Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another (Romans 12:10).

    Admonish one another:
    And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another (Romans 15:14).

    Speak the truth in love one to another:
    But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ (Ephesians 4:15).

    With gentleness one to another:
    And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth (2 Timothy 2:24-25).

    Forbear one another:
    With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love (Ephesians 4:2).

    Forgive one another:
    And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you (Ephesians 4:32).

    Comfort one another:
    Wherefore comfort one another with these words (1 Thessalonians 4:18).

    Edify one another:
    Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do (1 Thessalonians 5:11).

    Exhort one another:
    But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin (Hebrews 3:13).

  • 6 Ways Christ Was Better Than The Law

    6 Ways Christ Was Better Than The Law

    An ongoing theme in Hebrews is that Christ was better. Christians enjoy a better agreement with God than the Jews had under the old law -all because Christ came and died for us.

    Christ Was Better

    • Christ is better than angels (Hebrews 1:4-14) – The Angels worship him (Hebrews 1:6), He is God (Hebrews 1:8)

      Meeting of Abraham and Melchizedek — by Dieric Bouts the Elder, 1464–67
      Meeting of Abraham and Melchizedek — by Dieric Bouts the Elder, 1464–67
    • Christ is greater than Moses (Hebrews 3:1-6) – Christ was everything Moses was (prophet, mediator, king) and more (prophet, mediator, king, high priest)
    • Greater priest than the Levites (Hebrews 4:14-5:10) – He was both high priest and king. (Hebrews 5:5, Psalm 110) More Details ->
    • A priest like Melchizedek (Hebrews 7) – Christ’s priesthood is permanent (Hebrews 7:24), No need for daily sacrifices (Hebrews 7:27)
    • Sealed a superior covenant (Hebrews 7:22, Hebrews 8) – Sins are no longer remembered once forgiven, made the first old(Hebrews 8:10), Does not apply only to the Jews (Galatians 3:29)
    • A better sacrifice (Hebrews 9:1 – 10:39) – Used his own blood as a sacrifice once and for all (Hebrews 9:11-13)

    And Three Things We Need to do to be Better

    In return he expects better service. (Hebrews 12-13)

    • We treat Christianity like a race, running with endurance and setting aside anything that would slow us down or encumber us. (Hebrews 12:1)
    • We are to accept the discipline of a loving father that cares enough for us to make sure we are going the right way. (Hebrews 12:7-11)
    • We are to pick ourselves up and go on when we notice we are down (Hebrews 12:12-13)