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Hebrews Chapter Ten

(Outline continues from yesterday)

3. In the Levitical priesthood, only the high priest could approach God’s presence, but our high priest (Christ) takes each of us into the heavenly holy place (Heb. 10:19-22).
   1. In chapter four, holding fast to our confession means maintaining a confident prayer life before the throne of grace (Heb. 4:14-16).
   2. In chapter ten, holding fast to our confession means mutual-reciprocal encouraging and stimulating one another with our eyes firmly fixed on the Episunagōgē (Heb. 10:23-25; 2nd Thess. 2:2).
4. The priestly functions of encouragement and works stimulation are vital for believers to help avoid willful sinning and defilement of the priesthood (Heb. 10:26-31).
   1. The judgment of willful sin under the Levitical priesthood was a serious matter (v.28; Num. 15:30-31).
   2. How much more severe is the judgment of willful sin under the priesthood of Christ! (v.29)
5. The author of Hebrews reminds his readers to think back to the first love of their first deeds, and remain steadfast to the Lord (Heb. 10:32-39 cf. Rev. 2:5).

Hebrews Chapter Eleven

1. Hebrews 11 is the Hall of Fame of faith.
2. Faith is the means by which physical, temporal creatures function in the spiritual, eternal realm (Heb. 11:1).
3. Many other things may have changed between the old dispensation and the new, but faith is the same in every age (Heb. 11:2).
4. The heroes of faith in the Old Testament are then detailed (Heb. 11:4-38).
5. Old Testament faith looked ahead to New Testament faith (Heb. 11:39-40).

Hebrews Chapter Twelve

1. The Hall of Fame of faith pales in the glory of the leader and completer of faith—Jesus Christ (Heb. 12:1-2).  Occupation with Christ empowers believers to endure any earthly affliction (Heb. 12:3; 3:1).
2. Focusing on the obedience of Christ to God the Father empowers believers to submit to our Father’s Divine discipline (Heb. 12:4-11).
3. With the Father’s discipline in mind, believers can serve one another in peace & grace (Heb. 12:12-17).
4. Israel approached an earthly mountain of fear, but the Church approaches the heavenly mountain of God (Heb. 12:18-24).  The message of the first mountain was crucial to obey, but how much more the message of the second mountain! (Heb. 12:25-29).

Hebrews Chapter Thirteen

1. Chapter 13 is the practical application for the priesthood of the Church to function in peace and grace with one another.
2. The priesthood of the Church is characterized (Heb. 13:1-5) by:
   1. φιλαδελφία philadelphia love (v.1).
   2. φιλοξενία philoxenia hospitality (v.2).
   3. Bodily unity (v.3).
   4. Sexual fidelity (v.4).
   5. Financial generosity (v.5).
3. The priesthood of the Church imitates faithful teachers and rejects false teachers (Heb. 13:7-9).
4. The priesthood of the Church ministers spiritual sacrifices that are far beyond the shadow ministry of the Old Testament (Heb. 13:10).
   1. Our priesthood offers up continual sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving (Heb. 13:15).
   2. Our priesthood offers up continual sacrifices of doing good and sharing (Heb. 13:16).
5. The priesthood of the Church imitates Christ, bearing His reproach outside the camp, and seeking the city which is to come (Heb. 13:12-14).
6. The priesthood of the Church functions in obedience to their leaders (Heb. 13:17).
7. The priesthood of the Church engages in prayer for their leaders’ ministry and freedom (Heb. 13:18-19).
8. The priesthood of the Church is perfectly equipped for every good work according to His will (Heb. 13:20-21).
9. The author of Hebrews concludes with an appeal to heed his brief word of exhortation, a call to anticipate his arrival with Timothy, and a grace greetings from believers in Italy (Heb. 13:22-25).