Hebrews Recap: Enduring Faith Is Its Own Reward

Here we are closing the book, so to speak, on Hebrews. Our longest book to date and certainly the most theologically packed. I'm certain of one thing as I look back over the past 5 months...there is just too much in this book to try to encapsulate it with one thought. But I am reminded of a quote by philosopher Alan Watts...

"To have faith is to trust yourself to the water. When you swim you don't grab hold of the water, because if you do you will sink and drown. Instead you relax and float" 

If Hebrews is about anything, it is about Faith. It is reminder of in Whom we have faith. It is a re-framing of exactly what our faith means to us. It is unadulterated conviction as to why we should press on in our faith. It is a retelling of great faith warriors. It is an encouragement to endure in faith. 

The Jews of the day, were trying to grab hold of Old Covenant law and ritual, but the New Covenant changed all of that. The author tells them that the harder they grasp at those old customs the more they find themselves sinking in sin. Instead, they are encouraged to release themselves fully to the truth of the Gospel and that doing so is the only path to lasting salvation and doorway to God's eternal rest. 

I hope you've had the opportunity to join along with us as we've worked through this book. We've learned a lot and grown even more. We each consider our fellowship a blessing from God and our prayer is that what we do inspires you to give more time and heart to Bible study. I promise it will change your life unlike any other endeavor under the sun. 

God Bless You All...

Hebrews 13: Remain in Christ, and He will remain in you.

Here we are at the end of an amazing road. The final chapter of Hebrews.

We began this journey over 4 months ago and I can speak for all three of us when I say: Thank you Lord. Our spiritual life has been stretched and grown over these 16 weeks as we've examined this book written to the Jewish followers of Christ.

We don't know who penned the words, but we know Who breathed them to life. There may be speculation about who the author of these 13 chapters is, but we've learned with certainty Who is the author and pioneer of our faith. Jesus.

This final chapter is one last exhortation to follow after him and to stay in His teachings. Live as the new creations that we are in Him. Live as we have been taught by Jesus. Join us as we close the book on Hebrews now with deeper understanding and greater fondness of this amazing epistle.






Show Notes

Hebrews 12: I Can See for Miles and Miles...

Have you ever stood on top of a mountain? Not a hill, but a mountain. 

I've had the privilege on two occasions. I've been to 10,000 feet twice in my life. The first time was a volcano in the middle of the ocean, the second a mountain range in Utah. The most amazing part (for me at least) is just soaking in all that you can see. The planet seems way bigger and you feel so much smaller in that setting. It's the true definition of "awesome". 

This weeks as I read through Hebrews 12, I couldn't help but feel like I was standing on a spiritual mountain. The author is culminating all the previous chapters, and a whole lot of Judeo-Christian theology in these final passages....and man, it is awesome. Working through Hebrews over the past 4 months has been a climb and now at the peak I feel like I can see God's work from a higher perspective and it just seems so much bigger, and I feel so much smaller (in a John 3:30 way). 

On top of "Mt. Hebrews" (as I'll refer to this chapter), we are called to persevere to the summit enduring hardships along the way. Each trial a loving rebuke from the Father. The journey will be hard, but that's what makes it worth the while. In fact, the summit is so glorious, the author says we should do all we can to help others reach it as well. 

And finally, the author himself talks about two mountains; Mt. Sinai and Mt. Zion. Contrasting the two in a spiritual context so as to highlight the New Covenant we have in the blood of Jesus Christ. Now we truly have a way to God our Father. 

One day in the future, those mountains I stood on and everything I could see will all pass away and all that will remain is His Heavenly Kingdom. And because of Jesus, I'll get to join God on the other side of eternity. What an amazing and humbling thought. I hope you enjoy our discussion of Hebrews 12 this week as we share to what spiritual mountain tops the Holy Spirit led us. 

 



Show Notes

Hebrews 11: Faith's great cost and reward

In California there is a sidewalk emblazoned with over 2,600 terrazzo and brass stars. Each one honoring a celebrity for their contribution to the entertainment industry. Actors, musicians, directors, producers and many more. Each one memorialized in that five pointed star along the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

It's interesting what we today regard as worthy of recognition, fame and lasting remembrance. And in our 21st Century culture, it's even more interesting how much we value fame and the adoration of many. Reality TV, social media and viral videos never seem to lack for the next person willing to do whatever it takes to get their shot at being famous, and maybe having their name etched in a star on that Hollywood sidewalk.

This week we dive into Hebrews 11, often referred to as the Hall of Faith (not Fame). It is a list of all the great testimonies of the Old Testament and why their faith mattered. And how their faith was ultimately rewarded in Jesus Christ. This list, while not exhaustive of lasting personal testimonies of the Old Testament is filled with familiar names and stories. Abraham, Noah, Moses, just to name a few.

But different than the aspiring "stars" of today, these names are remembered thousands of years later not for earning the admiration of men, but instead forsaking that worldly pursuit in order to live and die in total faith often forsaking earthly reward and admiration for a humble life, and a heavenly reward.

It is a familiar passage to many, but my prayer is that you experience what I experienced this week. As I dove in with purpose, I found new truth I had missed before. Finishing my Scripture Outline I arrived at personal application I had not discovered previously. What had appeared to me to be a list of famous Biblical people and the reward of their faith, now has new and richer meaning for me...and will for you too with the right approach.

Please enjoy our breakdown of Hebrews 11




Show notes

Interview: Richard Blackaby

You are in for a real treat this week as author, speaker and pastor Richard Blackaby sits down at the Roundtable to discuss Bible Study, growing up in the Blackaby household and much more. What a blessing that Paky was able to catch up with Dr. Blackaby at the Word of Life Lodge in upstate New York earlier this year.

We've been saving this gem for just the right time and have alluded to it several times in the past few weeks. We hope you enjoy this candid conversation with a man that is know by many as the co-author of the Experiencing God family of Bible Studies. Personally, I can say that this study really pushed me deeper into my relationship with God and the Bible several years ago and was a turning point in my faith. I HIGHLY recommend it to anyone looking to know what God has for your life.

This behind the scenes conversation with a man revered by so many is, in some ways, a great snapshot of what we hope to accomplish with this podcast and blog. Our founding principle is that reading, understanding and applying the Word of God in your life does not have to be some academic pursuit left to theologians and pastors. It is for each and everyone of us. And God's riches for my life, and yours is to be found within the pages and verses of His Holy Bible.

Dr. Blackaby helps us see that he too is just a man seeking to know God more intimately, in faith that the end result will be hearing His call on our lives more clearly.

In a nod to next weeks's podcast of Hebrews 11: If we hear God, then we can more readily step into His will for our lives and then our testimony and witness can truly come alive.

Roundtable Rehash: Paky teaches us something about Habakkuk

This week on Rehash Richard & Paky give us more reason to ponder Habakkuk, a book that doesn't come up as often as maybe it should.

Are you Maturing as a Believer?: Hebrews 10:19-39

So we are finally reaching the culmination of the book of Hebrews as we enter this last half of Chapter 10 and, for me, it has been an incredible journey of exploring the meaning of Christ as well as His work on the cross. Honestly, it's hard to explain how all I've learned is information I already had, but I hold it so much more closely now. I don't necessarily have new knowledge, but my understanding of what I do have has been enriched and greatly magnified.

It's worth pointing out that this is what happens with intentional, spirit-led Bible study in fellowship with other believers. You grow. You mature. Which, perhaps not coincidentally is where the author of Hebrews is urging us...Maturity.

It is why we do what we do at Biblestudy Roundtable. We don't mean to illuminate the text or teach you something new about any particular passage...we simply invite you to ride along with our journey of taking the author of Hebrews seriously and pressing on to the end.

We know that God has something for you, whatever season or circumstance you are facing. And that His plan for you is better than your plan for you. But as believers we can miss His call if we are not in the Word. Each week we share our Applications, and those are personal, yours may be wildly different but how can you apply the Bible to your life if you aren't letting it speak to you?




Show Notes