Jesus Is Lord
Hebrews 13.8 || Our study of Hebrews has demonstrated that God didn’t change from the Old Testament to the New Testament. On the contrary, He is “the same yesterday, today and forever.” What has changed: His Kingdom has come!
Dig Deeper: Matthew 4:12-17, Mark 1:14-15, Luke 4:16-21, John 1:1-18
Receive His Gifts
Hebrews 13.9 || We are strengthened by Grace! Grace is—by definition—receiving what we do not deserve. “Ceremonial foods” is shorthand for any myriad of religious practices. These are of no value, because they come from “all kinds of strange teachings.” ANY teaching that says, “do this” and THEN God will ______ (fill in the blank) is a false teaching.
Jesus loves us for WHO WE ARE, not WHAT WE DO! We are His children, we belong to Him! We are the ones for whom He came and for whom He gave everything. Never seek Him on your terms (which will always devolve into “do more, get better, try harder”) but instead receive His gifts on His terms: hear His promises and believe them!
Dig Deeper: John 6:27-29, 30-35
Confess His Name
Hebrews 13.15 || Every word of this sentence is precious and powerful. “Through Jesus” is a phrase which occurs more than 30 times in its various forms in the New Testament. We are RIGHTEOUS through Jesus. We are HOLY through Jesus. We are ALIVE (forever!) through Jesus. What is our response to this reality? The Sacrifice of Praise! PRAISE is that event which happens when YOU (the you you, the you that is truly you) respond to what God has done through Jesus. The fruit (result!) of lips that confess (speak together) His name (not just the word “Jesus” but all that His name means)! PRAISE IS WHEN YOU ARE BEING YOU THROUGH JESUS!
Imagine these things flowing out of you through Jesus: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Jesus saves us, sets us free, and in response, we bring the sacrifice of praise: The Holy Spirit producing His fruit in us and through us!