Do you have a clean conscience? As much as this is an invitation to the original audience, it is also an invitation for us. The blood of Jesus is sufficient for so much more than just an idea of forgiveness. It actually washes our sin away.We tend to have a rough concept of this, mostly due to how we handle forgiveness in our culture. I remember this so much as a child. I would do something wrong,...

This may be something that has existed beneath the surface for the entire argument thus far, and it will continue to. But beneath the surface of the argumentation is an invitation for the audience to submit to this.While the original audience were likely already believers, there was the draw to run back to the new. It may have been the case, likely for many of us, that we have not really drawn the...

This passage takes some time explaining the tabernacle and how the priests would serve in those capacities. More than likely, the intended audience would have some knowledge concerning all of these elements and the priestly duties performed. Nevertheless, each of these elements are no doubt emphasized for a purpose. The purpose is to get the audience to think of each of these elements in light of ...

The writer to the Hebrews takes time breaking down some of the differences between the old and the new covenant and what pertains to those.The old covenant had an old tabernacle where ministry was taken place. He describes the different parts of it and explains that each one of those things bears significance, as indicated by the statement that they cannot speak in detail of it at that point. Afte...

Then indeed, even the first covenant had ordinances of divine service and the earthly sanctuary. 2 For a tabernacle was prepared: the first part, in which was the lampstand, the table, and the showbread, which is called the sanctuary; 3 and behind the second veil, the part of the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of All, 4 which had the golden censer and the ark of the covenant overlaid on al...

Take 10-15 minutes abiding in God's presence. Let Him bring to mind those things of the Old that need to be laid down. Trust Him to lead you into the New.......

I am not going to spend a lot of time describing an action point. I will take a lesson from this passage of Hebrews and let the word of God speak for itself. The action and application I want us to practice is simply abiding. “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may b...

Unlike the original audience, I did not grow up under the Old Covenant. All I know is the New Covenant. I grew up in the church and have known about Jesus from the time I could remember. I made him my Lord at 12 years old and have been following Him faithfully. So how can this apply to me? In a similar exercise to what we did last Friday, we can look at the things I am actually believing about my ...

I find that the lesson for the original audience is a clear one. The old is passing away. If the old is passing away, and you hold fast to the old, you pass away with it. It may read a little like a "get with the times" kind of passage, but it is true that when the old becomes obsolete, the new becomes essential.Due to how quickly our world and culture moves, we have all experienced multiple times...

"They don't make them like they used too!"Here is a phrase I have heard countless times. Newer definitely does not always mean better. In fact, we live in a society that rushes out so many new products that we have a habit of letting the new sit for a while to get all the kinks worked out. It is important to understand the difference of how this culture saw something new versus that which is old. ...

There is a very bold statement being made from the writer of Hebrews. Interestingly enough, he does not spend a lot of time arguing his point, instead he points at how Scripture already makes his point for him. He calls out the old covenant and highlights how it has its faults. It is flawed. Had it not been, there would have never been a need for a new one. Consider this with anything. If you have...

7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second. 8 Because finding fault with them, He says: “Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah—9 not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the...

Take 10-15 minutes this morning and ask the Lord to challenge your perspective on whatever He needs to. It may be a scary request, but understand that the Lord knows you better than you do. He knows what you can handle and He knows what is best for you. Lean on Him and trust Him. His way is better.......

As I meditate on the fact that Jesus offers a better covenant and better promises, I find that I want to challenge my perspective. What promises am I believing? Not just about the Lord, but about life in general? This is the point where we actually compare the things in our lives to see that Jesus is better. I have long held on to a belief that if everything is good, then I should be happy. If I a...

Has it ever amazed you how quickly you can forget about the struggles of the past and look through nostalgic goggles? It seems that as I get further away from some of life's most difficult events, I tend toward the thought that everything was not that bad. In fact, I end up missing some of what was there. We miss what is in the past. Many of us tend to think of them as betters days than today.I re...