Paul's Epistles – Hebrews Part 1: Introduction

Paul's Epistles – Hebrews - Part 1: 
Introduction

Pastor Bruce A. Shields

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SERMON INTRODUCTION

The “official” writer of this epistle is unknown. However, I obviously believe it is Paul since I have included it in the “Paul’s Epistles” Sermon Series.

Eusebius of Caesarea, who is known as the “Father of Church History”, tells us that Pantænus of Alexandria in the Second Century assigned the authorship of Hebrews to Paul.

Tertullian of Carthage in North Africa in the Third Century declared Barnabas as the writer.

Martin Luther thought that Apollus had written it.

Dr. Campbell Morgan, a British evangelist and leading Bible Scholar in the 40’s, thinks it bears traces of Paul’s thinking and Luke’s writing.

Dr. Schofield believes that we have a preserved epistle of some of Paul’s synagogue addresses.

Hebrews must have been written about 64 A.D. because the Temple is referred to as still standing.

In 64 A.D. the Jews in Judea began a rebellion against Rome which in turn the Romans destroyed the Temple in 70 A.D.

I believe there is enough evidence from early scholars to agree this was more than likely Paul’s work.

TODAY’S SERMON

“Introduction to Hebrews”

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE

Hebrews 1:1-4

In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways,² but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. ³ The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. ⁴ So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.

The overall message of this epistle to the church is;

“The Cure for Lacking Boldness or Courage in your Christian Faith and Backsliding is a Right beginning for the Glory and Work of Christ”

I. THE PURPOSE OF HEBREWS

a. The Object of the Epistle

                                                                 i. Under bitter persecution the Jewish Christians were beginning to think they had lost everything

1. (Alters, priests, etc.)

                                                              ii. They begun to undervalue Christian Privileges

                                                           iii. They were getting self-absorbed with their sufferings

                                                            iv. They were generally in a backsliding condition

                                                               v. Paul sent this letter to correct these errors

b. The Author of the Epistle

                                                                 i. One of the reasons I believe Paul to be the author of this epistle is because of the writer’s skill in dealing with these pessimistic and depressed Christians.

1. First Paul fills their minds with the glory of the Person and grandeur of the works of the Lord Jesus.

a. He shows that instead of losing all, they had gained all

b. And Christianity was superior to Judaism

2. He then shows them that they had not suffered as much as others.

                                                              ii. The Roman Epistle proves the necessity of the Christian Faith, the object of Hebrews was to prove the superiority of the Christian Faith.

                                                           iii. Paul does this, NOT by slighting the old, but by showing the new as the fulfillment of the old.

                                                            iv. They had “good things” in the old system, but they now have everything “better”.

1. Hebrews has been called the fifth gospel, the other four speak of Jesus’ work on earth, and Hebrews speaks of that and also His work in Heaven.

c. The Study of the Epistle

                                                                 i. The Book of Hebrews really is a topical study

                                                              ii. Topics of Christ such as “Perfection”, “Heavenly”, “Eternal”, “Better”, etc.

II.      THE ANALYSIS OF THE BOOK

a. The Epistle in Two Major Divisions

                                                                 i. The Argument – The glory of the Person and work of Christ

                                                              ii. The Application – The life we should live because of His life and work

b. The Argument

                                                                 i. The Lord Jesus is Greater than the Prophets

1. The prophets were great, but the Son is greater

2. While God spoke “by” the Prophets, He speaks “in” His Son.

3. Jesus is God’s last word

                                                              ii. The Lord Jesus is Greater than Angels

1. Angels were great beings, but the Lord Jesus is greater

2. He is Son of God

3. Begotten of God

4. God never said to them what He says to the Lord Jesus

                                                           iii. The Lord Jesus is Greater than Moses

1. Moses was a faithful servant, but Jesus is a loyal Son over His own house

                                                            iv. The Lord Jesus is Greater than Joshua

1. Joshua was a great leader, yet he failed

2. Jesus is greater because He alone can give and lead to real rest

3. Jesus, the Word of God, who is alive, and powerful, and all-wise, and all-knowing One

                                                               v. The Lord Jesus is Greater than Aaron

1. Aaron and his successors were great, however Jesus is greater

2. He is sinless, while they were sinful

3. He was Priest after a higher order than Aaron

4. He is our Forerunner

5. Abraham acknowledged Melchisidec greater

a. The order of Melchisidec is an everlasting one

6. Aaron served the shadows, Jesus the realities (Hebrews 8:1-5)

7. He is the medium of a better covenant

8. He ministers in a better sanctuary

9. And ministers as offering a better sacrifice

c. The Application

                                                                 i. The life we should be living because of His life and work

                                                              ii. Like a wise writer, Paul did not leave the application until the very end.

1. Seminary students, remember I told you the application was to be the third proof of every point.

                                                           iii. Paul repeatedly drove home the lesson.

                                                            iv. However, he gives the proper full application beginning in the second part of Hebrews, Chapter 10:19, until the end of the Epistle.

                                                               v. Paul, using the phrase “let us” repeatedly for the following applications;

1. Draw near

2. Hold fast

3. Consider one another

4. Persevere

5. Lay aside every weight and sin

6. Run with patience

7. Endure

8. Allow brotherly love to continue

9. Let your conversation be without yearning for others possessions

10. Go forth

11. Offer the sacrifice of praise

III.   TODAY’S INTRODUCTION VERSES

a. In the Days Past

                                                                 i. In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways,

b. In These Present Days

                                                                 i. but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. ³ The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.

c. In the Days Future

                                                                 i. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. 

CONCLUSION – So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.

The epistle of Hebrews will guide and lead us to an understanding that the Lord, His life and His Work has opened the door to the New Covenant, which is the completion of the Old, and better than any other.

For those who struggle with boldness or courage with your Christian faith as the Hebrews, or for those who have backslidden, this epistle is the CURE!

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Paul's Epistles - 2 Corinthians Part 5 – GREATER GLORY

INTRODUCTION

Paul's second letter to the church in Corinth began with letting the church know that Paul was happy to hear that the church had received and responded correctly to his first letter.

Remembering James 5:19, 20 " My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, ²⁰ remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins."  

Paul explained why he didn't visit them and that he was pleased they had responded well to his first letter, even though not all had repented.

Last week we looked at Paul encouraging the church to allow the offender of incest return to the congregation, because he had truly repented and turned away from his sin, therefore he had been forgiven. Paul said that his punishment by the church forcing him to leave the congregation was enough, and that since he had repented and was forgiven, they must allow him back.

Paul reminded them that it was not that long ago, they too were not living as God wanted them, and they repented, and were forgiven by Paul.

Paul reminds the church in Corinth, and us as well, that forgiveness to those who have repented is essential, not only because we are commanded to do so by Christ, but because when we forgive, we keep Satan from having a way to outwit us.

Satan will use our unforgiveness as a weapon against us in his schemes.

As long as we have unforgiveness against someone who has repented, we are being disobedient to the Lord, which in turn allows a foothold for Satan to work against us.

Satan is always looking for an area of our lives where we are being disobedient, which allows him room to work his schemes against us.

This week Paul explains how our presence as servants of Christ is a pleasing aroma to God, and a double edge sword to those who are perishing...bringing death and life...

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE II Corinthians 3:7-18

Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, transitory though it was, ⁸ will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? ⁹ If the ministry that brought condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness! ¹⁰ For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. ¹¹ And if what was transitory came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts!

¹² Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. ¹³ We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to prevent the Israelites from seeing the end of what was passing away. ¹⁴ But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. ¹⁵ Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. ¹⁶ But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. ¹⁷ Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. ¹⁸ And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

    I.      THE GLORY OF THE LAW OF MOSES

a.      The Old Testament

                                                                          i.      Old Covenant

                                                                       ii.      Law of Moses

                                                                     iii.      Ten Commands (commandments)

b.      Ministration of death (vs 7)

                                                                          i.      The Old Covenant does not save, but condemns

                                                                       ii.      It is the unobtainable measure of God's standard

                                                                     iii.      Showing all who wish to come to the Lord, they are not worthy of Him and His glory

                                                                      iv.      The Law of Moses showed man they needed a savior

c.      God's Glory

                                                                          i.      His ways are above ours

                                                                       ii.      God cannot be reached through the Law

                                                                     iii.      The Law only brings death and condemnation

                                                                      iv.      The covenant that condemn must come before the covenant that saves

II.      THE GREATER GLORY OF THE NEW COVENANT

a.      The New Testament

                                                                          i.      New covenant

                                                                       ii.      The ministration of the Spirit

                                                                     iii.      Not a covenant of law, but of Spirit

b.      Ministration of the Spirit

                                                                          i.      Because of what Christ did at the cross, it is possible for the Holy Spirit to do great things in us and our lives.

                                                                       ii.      Providing we keep our faith

                                                                     iii.      Evidently. some false teachers had come from Jerusalem, attempting to extol the so-called "virtues" of the law.

                                                                      iv.      They were trying to mix Law with Grace, which cannot be done

c.      God's greater Glory

                                                                          i.      If God's Glory is present in the ministration of death, how much greater is His Glory in the Ministration of life through the Spirit?

                                                                       ii.      The Glory of the Law of Moses cannot begin to compare with the Glory of the New Covenant.

                                                                     iii.      One brings death and condemnation, the other life and forgiveness

III.      THE TRANSFORMATION INTO HIS IMAGE

a.      The returning veil of the Old Covenant

                                                                          i.      We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to prevent the Israelites from seeing the end of what was passing away.

                                                                       ii.      But their minds were blinded, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read.

1.       The glory on Moses face faded

2.      It was meant to show that the Law would fade as well

3.      Which it did with Christ, who fulfilled it all

                                                                     iii.      They did not understand the Law was meant to be phased out

                                                                      iv.      Israel was still trying to live by the Lawand some were trying to force it into the New Covenant

b.      Christ removes the veil

                                                                          i.      VS 15-16 Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. ¹⁶ But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 

1.       Anyone who does not know the Lord is still blind

c.      [S 15-16 s still trying to live by the Lawand some were trying to force it into the New Covenant

c.      stration of life through the SpAnd the Spirit of the Lord transforms us

                                                                          i.      Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. ¹⁸ And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

CONCLUSION

The Law only condemns, it brings death. This first covenant of Law had to come before the covenant to save.

With the New Covenant, obtained through Christ's payment of our debt through the crucifixion, any who come to the ministration of the Spirit, are saved through God's Grace, and there is no place for the Law of condemnation within the Gospel of Christ, other than to show our guilt and inability to measure up to God's Glory.

Through the Spirit of God, who is at work in all who are part of the New Covenant, we are being transformed into the Image of Christ.

The more we submit to the Lord's authority in our lives, the more we will experience change, both in our lives as well as in our minds.

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