This is the fourth of five studies from the letter to the Hebrews.-The writer observes that the first -Mosaic- covenant has been made obsolete by the new. Unlike the old covenant's most holy sacrifices performed annually on the Day of Atonement, Christ's once-for-all sacrifice did something perpetual and powerfully effective regarding removal of our sin - guilt, cleansing our conscience, and opening up service in the heavenly sanctuary ..read more

This is the third of five studies from the letter to the Hebrews.-Whilst fearing unbelief itself, we live holding fast to our confidence, boldly approaching the throne of Grace with a clear conscience because we have a High Priest.-They -we- are not left with a threat of judgement- all that they need to endure and enter God's rest is found in our great high priest. They aren't to focus inwards -trying harder- to work up faith, they are to focus on Jesus Christ. These passages in Hebrews do exactly that- they draw their attention to Jesus Christ, their great high priest - their confident hope ..read more

This is the second of five studies from the letter to the Hebrews.-The writer reminds the readers that the Holy Spirit's exhortation written by David in Psalm 95 is current. The creational rest that began in Eden can be entered by an enduring faith in Christ. This rest remains by the grace of God, despite unbelief - disobedience at the fall, and despite unbelief in the desert that prevented entry to rest in the promised land. -Unbelief and disobedience are shown to be synonymous, deadly and a constant danger to fear. The Christian community, God's house, are instructed to exhort each other dai ..read more

This is the first of five studies from the letter to the Hebrews.-The writer exhorts the readers to hold fast to their faith in Jesus Christ and not drift back to the Old Covenant. This drift was happening because of cultural and physical opposition to the Gospel as well as lazy inattention. It is addressed by contrasting the finality and superiority of the New Covenant to what has come before as well as strong exhortations against going back leading to apostasy.-In these five studies we'll be focussing on passages that pick up five such contrasts- Superior Revelation, Priesthood, Sacrifice, C ..read more

Holiness or in theological language, sanctification, is a difficult topic to discuss. Part of the reason is that we have held on to a secular understanding of the term rather than what is given in the Word of God. This understanding of holiness pertains mainly to personal righteousness and purity. So, we strive to be holy. We make every effort to be holy. This is not totally wrong. However, this cannot be our starting point. We need to dispel this approach. The idea of the holy as given to us in the scriptures is quite different. This is also complicated by several centuries of theological for ..read more

Holiness or in theological language, sanctification, is a difficult topic to discuss. Part of the reason is that we have held on to a secular understanding of the term rather than what is given in the Word of God. This understanding of holiness pertains mainly to personal righteousness and purity. So, we strive to be holy. We make every effort to be holy. This is not totally wrong. However, this cannot be our starting point. We need to dispel this approach. The idea of the holy as given to us in the scriptures is quite different. This is also complicated by several centuries of theological for ..read more

The coming together of the church -Acts 2-42- to worship the Triune God, in Spirit and in truth -John 4-23-, to hear the apostolic teaching concerning Jesus' death and resurrection, and to participate in the fellowship as members one of another, to break bread and to pray together, bears witness to the new humanity regenerated in Christ -Ephesians 3-15-. True worship reshapes the devotional life, the worship and service of God's people, to give priority to loving the Lord our God, with all of our heart, mind, soul and strength.--We might say this is where the rubber hits the road. This is an a ..read more

Holiness or in theological language, sanctification, is a difficult topic to discuss. Part of the reason is that we have held on to a secular understanding of the term rather than what is given in the Word of God. This understanding of holiness pertains mainly to personal righteousness and purity. So, we strive to be holy. We make every effort to be holy. This is not totally wrong. However, this cannot be our starting point. We need to dispel this approach. The idea of the holy as given to us in the scriptures is quite different. This is also complicated by several centuries of theological for ..read more

Holiness or in theological language, sanctification, is a difficult topic to discuss. Part of the reason is that we have held on to a secular understanding of the term rather than what is given in the Word of God. This understanding of holiness pertains mainly to personal righteousness and purity. So, we strive to be holy. We make every effort to be holy. This is not totally wrong. However, this cannot be our starting point. We need to dispel this approach. The idea of the holy as given to us in the scriptures is quite different. This is also complicated by several centuries of theological for ..read more

As Christians experience 'push-back' and opposition to their proclamation, they are sharing in Christ's su-erings -1Peter 4-13-. The -su-erings endured by the apostles as they went about their public -ministries has provided encouragement to the church universal -1Peter 5-9- Hebrews 13-3- to learn to face su-ering, imprisonment and persecution as Christ's people -Matthew 5-11-12- Acts 16- John 21-18-19-. Paul wrote fruitful letters from prison, bore witness to Christ in prison, and saw some amazing things happen in prison, while he -preached this new 'freedom' for humanity and for creation -Ac ..read more