Sabbath School Class Week 21
We are finishing up the book of Hebrews today.
What you you say has been your biggest take away from this book?
Maybe that question should be saved to the end of this lesson. So let's get started.
Read Hebrews 13:9-19
9 Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by eating ceremonial foods, which is of no benefit to those who do so.10 We have an altar from which those who minister at the tabernacle have no right to eat.
11 The high priest carries the blood of animals into the Most Holy Place as a sin offering, but the bodies are burned outside the camp. 12 And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood. 13 Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore.14 For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.
15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. 16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
17 Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.
18 Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscienceand desire to live honorably in every way. 19 I particularly urge you to pray so that I may be restored to you soon.
Verse 9 tells us to NOT____________________________________________
and it is good ________________________________________________________
NOT by _____________________________________________________________
Specifically is there any warning here for us as SDA Christians?
What does verse 10 mean?
Lets read it in the message.
The altar from which God gives us the gift of himself is not for exploitation by insiders who grab and loot.
Lets continue reading in verse 11-15
In the old system, the animals are killed and the bodies disposed of outside the camp. The blood is then brought inside to the altar as a sacrifice for sin. It’s the same with Jesus. He was crucified outside the city gates—that is where he poured out the sacrificial blood that was brought to God’s altar to cleanse his people.
13-15 So let’s go outside, where Jesus is, where the action is—not trying to be privileged insiders, but taking our share in the abuse of Jesus. This “insider world” is not our home. We have our eyes peeled for the City about to come. Let’s take our place outside with Jesus, no longer pouring out the sacrificial blood of animals but pouring out sacrificial praises from our lips to God in Jesus’ name. (Message)
What a beautiful way to talk about evangelism. Being outside, making sure we are out not just where the people are but where Jesus is. "This insider world is not our home." What a powerful statement. How insider focused do we have a tendency to become.
I remember when Chris felt lead to leave church work and work at a bank. I was terrified. I was raised in a pastors home, my grandparents were missionaries and church workers, my mother worked for the Adventist school system as a teacher, I had always gone to SDA schools, we had as a couple always worked for the church or an Adventist group of some kind. I had never worked outside the church, ever. The thought terrified me. I wasn't sure I would know how to talk. I wouldn't know how to extend hospitality, I wouldn't know how to be part of this new world. HOW SAD!!!!!
We are NOT supposed to stay in our "insider world" because it is not our home!!!! We are to be out where Jesus is. Are we up for that challenge?
Let's look at verse 15 again with verse 16, in the New International Version.
15Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. 16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
What is a sacrifice of praise? (hint the rest of this passage answers the question)
READ:
17 Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.
18 Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way. 19 I particularly urge you to pray so that I may be restored to you soon.
and it is good ________________________________________________________
NOT by _____________________________________________________________
Specifically is there any warning here for us as SDA Christians?
What does verse 10 mean?
Lets read it in the message.
The altar from which God gives us the gift of himself is not for exploitation by insiders who grab and loot.
Lets continue reading in verse 11-15
In the old system, the animals are killed and the bodies disposed of outside the camp. The blood is then brought inside to the altar as a sacrifice for sin. It’s the same with Jesus. He was crucified outside the city gates—that is where he poured out the sacrificial blood that was brought to God’s altar to cleanse his people.
13-15 So let’s go outside, where Jesus is, where the action is—not trying to be privileged insiders, but taking our share in the abuse of Jesus. This “insider world” is not our home. We have our eyes peeled for the City about to come. Let’s take our place outside with Jesus, no longer pouring out the sacrificial blood of animals but pouring out sacrificial praises from our lips to God in Jesus’ name. (Message)
What a beautiful way to talk about evangelism. Being outside, making sure we are out not just where the people are but where Jesus is. "This insider world is not our home." What a powerful statement. How insider focused do we have a tendency to become.
I remember when Chris felt lead to leave church work and work at a bank. I was terrified. I was raised in a pastors home, my grandparents were missionaries and church workers, my mother worked for the Adventist school system as a teacher, I had always gone to SDA schools, we had as a couple always worked for the church or an Adventist group of some kind. I had never worked outside the church, ever. The thought terrified me. I wasn't sure I would know how to talk. I wouldn't know how to extend hospitality, I wouldn't know how to be part of this new world. HOW SAD!!!!!
We are NOT supposed to stay in our "insider world" because it is not our home!!!! We are to be out where Jesus is. Are we up for that challenge?
Let's look at verse 15 again with verse 16, in the New International Version.
15Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. 16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
What is a sacrifice of praise? (hint the rest of this passage answers the question)
READ:
17 Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.
18 Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way. 19 I particularly urge you to pray so that I may be restored to you soon.
Here it is again, asking us to listen to our leaders. In the message it reads...
17 Be
responsive to your pastoral leaders. Listen to their counsel. They are
alert to the condition of your lives and work under the strict
supervision of God. Contribute to the joy of their leadership, not its
drudgery. Why would you want to make things harder for them?
18-21 Pray for us. We have no doubts about what we’re doing or why, but it’s hard going and we need your prayers. All we care about is living well before God. Pray that we may be together soon.
This is a terrifying concept for so many of us. We understand the humanity of our pastors. We hear stories of pastors and priests who abuse children, steal from churches and have sexual affairs with their constituents. With such sinful leaders how can we do what these verses are asking and how can we trust that even the good ones are not just pulling the wool over our eyes.
In our country, perhaps world, we consider ourselves the weak one if someone betrays us. We say, "fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me." The implication is that we should know better than to trust. If we trust and it is found to be misplaced then in someway we should have known better. We should have been smarter. We should have done something different. Is this the right way to live?
18-21 Pray for us. We have no doubts about what we’re doing or why, but it’s hard going and we need your prayers. All we care about is living well before God. Pray that we may be together soon.
This is a terrifying concept for so many of us. We understand the humanity of our pastors. We hear stories of pastors and priests who abuse children, steal from churches and have sexual affairs with their constituents. With such sinful leaders how can we do what these verses are asking and how can we trust that even the good ones are not just pulling the wool over our eyes.
In our country, perhaps world, we consider ourselves the weak one if someone betrays us. We say, "fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me." The implication is that we should know better than to trust. If we trust and it is found to be misplaced then in someway we should have known better. We should have been smarter. We should have done something different. Is this the right way to live?
If I spend my life trying to make sure I am alert and looking any evidence of betrayal from my husband, am I free to love and support him? If he has an affair, am I to blame? NO. If he has an affair the only one to blame is HIM! I wasn't stupid or weak for not knowing his character. I was brave for being willing to love and trust him.
God has called us to love and support our leaders. To contribute to the joy of their leadership and if they end up falling into the devils trap, it is then our job to find ways to minister to the fallen. Also this trust we are putting into God not man. God has asked us to support and pray for our leaders, so we trust God knows what he is asking us to do.
READ:
Benediction and Final Greetings
20 Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, 21 equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
22 Brothers and sisters, I urge you to bear with my word of exhortation, for in fact I have written to you quite briefly.
23 I want you to know that our brother Timothy has been released. If he arrives soon, I will come with him to see you.24 Greet all your leaders and all the Lord’s people. Those from Italy send you their greetings.
25 Grace be with you all.
I pray this study of Hebrews has been a strength builder. I hope that hearing the arguments for who Jesus is has strengthened your resolve to put your trust and allegiance with Him. Jesus is Lord and turning our lives over to Him will be a choice we won't regret. Jesus wants for us to have a Mount Zion experience with Him. He longs to be in relationship with you. Will you choose Him?
Now, what was your take away from the book of Hebrews?
This week I challenge you to find your favorite passage or verse from Hebrews and memorize it. Hide it away in your heart. It will change your life!
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