I John 2:12-13 - I am writing to you, little children, since your sins have been forgiven on account of his name. 13 I am writing to you, fathers, because you have come to know the one who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have conquered the evil one.[1]
Physical Rest – Redeemed of Israel
         1) First Generation (Those 20 years and older in Numbers 14:26-30)
         2) Second Generation (Those under 20 years of age)

1. Redemption Rest – Rest from physical bondage in Egypt
    - The first and most basic of the three levels of rest.
            1) Entered – Exodus 6:6-8 - “Therefore tell the Israelites: I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from the forced labor of the Egyptians and rescue you from slavery to them. I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and great acts of judgment. 7 I will take you as my people, and I will be your God. You will know that I am the Lord your God, who brought you out from the forced labor of the Egyptians. 8 I will bring you to the land that I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and I will give it to you as a possession. I am the Lord.”[2]
            2) Entered – Exodus 6:6-8
   
   
2. Canaan Rest – Rest that came with trusting God to overcome the enemy.
   - Not a rest that is achieved when they die and go to heaven.
            1) Failed to enter – Numbers 14:26-30 - Then the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron: 27 “How long must I endure this evil community that keeps complaining about me? I have heard the Israelites’ complaints that they make against me. 28 Tell them: As I live—this is the Lord’s declaration—I will do to you exactly as I heard you say. 29 Your corpses will fall in this wilderness—all of you who were registered in the census, the entire number of you twenty years old or more—because you have complained about me. 30 I swear that none of you will enter the land I promised to settle you in, except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun.[3]

         2) Entered – Joshua 21:43-45 - So the Lord gave Israel all the land he had sworn to give their ancestors, and they took possession of it and settled there. 44 The Lord gave them rest on every side according to all he had sworn to their ancestors. None of their enemies were able to stand against them, for the Lord handed over all their enemies to them. 45 None of the good promises the Lord had made to the house of Israel failed. Everything was fulfilled.[4]

1. Sabbath Rest – Comes with true spiritual maturity; the abundant life associated with knowing the Creator intimately.
            1) Failed to enter – Hebrews 3:16–19 - For who heard and rebelled? Wasn’t it all who came out of Egypt under Moses? 17 With whom was God angry for forty years? Wasn’t it with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? 18 And to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest, if not to those who disobeyed? 19 So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief. [5]

         2) Failed to enter – Hebrews 4:8 - For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day.[6]
Spiritual Rest – Hebrew Christians & Redeemed of all time.
         1) Believers in Hebrews
         2) All believers of all time

1.  Redemption Rest – Rest from spiritual bondage to sin
            1) Entered – Hebrews 3:1 - Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession.[7]
   
   
2. Canaan Rest – Rest that comes with trusting God to overcome the enemy.
            1) Had begun to enter but had failed to fully enter – Hebrews 10:32-35 - Remember the earlier days when, after you had been enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings. 33 Sometimes you were publicly exposed to taunts and afflictions, and at other times you were companions of those who were treated that way. 34 For you sympathized with the prisoners and accepted with joy the confiscation of your possessions, because you know that you yourselves have a better and enduring possession., 35 So don’t throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.[8]
   
   
3. Sabbath Rest – Comes with true spiritual maturity; the abundant life associated with knowing the Creator intimately.
            1) Encouraged to enter – Hebrews 4:9-11 - Therefore, a Sabbath rest remains for God’s people. 10 For the person who has entered his rest has rested from his own works, just as God did from his. 11 Let us, then, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall into the same pattern of disobedience.[9]

Spiritual Rest – Hebrew Christians & Redeemed of all time.
         1) Believers in Hebrews
         2) All believers of all time

1.  Redemption Rest – Rest from spiritual bondage to sin
            2) Entered – Hebrews 11:6 - Now without faith it is impossible to please God, since the one who draws near to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.[10]
   
   
2. Canaan Rest – Rest that comes with trusting God to overcome the enemy.
            2) Encouraged to enter – 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 - For although we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh, 4 since the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds. We demolish arguments 5 and every proud thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ.[11]
   
   

Sabbath Rest – Comes with true spiritual maturity; the abundant life associated with knowing the Creator intimately.
         2) – Encouraged to enter – Psalm 95:7-11 - For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, the sheep under his care. Today, if you hear his voice: 8 Do not harden your hearts as at Meribah, as on that day at Massah in the wilderness 9 where your ancestors tested me; they tried me, though they had seen what I did. 10 For forty years I was disgusted with that generation; I said, “They are a people whose hearts go astray; they do not know my ways.” 11 So I swore in my anger, “They will not enter my rest.[12]
 
I John 2:12-13 - I am writing to you, little children,
since your sins have been forgiven on account of his name. 13 I am writing to you, fathers, because you have come to know the one who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have conquered the evil one.[13]

[1] Christian Standard Bible (1 Jn 2:12–13). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[2] Christian Standard Bible (Ex 6:6–8). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] Christian Standard Bible (Nu 14:26–30). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[4] Christian Standard Bible (Jos 21:43–45). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[5] Christian Standard Bible (Heb 3:16–19). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[6] Christian Standard Bible (Heb 4:8). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[7] Christian Standard Bible (Heb 3:1). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[8] Christian Standard Bible (Heb 10:32–35). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[9] Christian Standard Bible (Heb 4:9–11). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[10] Christian Standard Bible (Heb 11:6). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[11] Christian Standard Bible (2 Co 10:3–5). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[12] Christian Standard Bible (Ps 95:7–11). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[13] Christian Standard Bible (1 Jn 2:12–13). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.

The author spends almost 2 chapters trying to convince the Christian believers outside of Jerusalem that Jesus is better than the angels.

• The author uses their shared common experience of the Old Testament to prove that Jesus is the one prophesied about.
• He is reflecting back on what they bought into to prove his point about the New Covenant.

 
Colts Fans:

• What year did we win the Super Bowl?
• Who was the MVP?
• Who did we beat?
• What was the score?
• Who were the 2 coaches?
• Who scored first?
• Where was it?
• What was the weather?

 

• The Jews believed that Moses received the Law through angels.
• Some Jews carried it further and worshipped angels.
• They thought angels completely controlled the universe.
• The writer of Hebrews knows the readers of this letter need more proof than these first 4 verses so He finishes this chapter and into the next convincing them of Jesus’ superiority.

 
THE SON SUPERIOR TO ANGELS
HEBREWS 1
5 For to which of the angels did he ever say,
You are my Son;
today I have become your Father, (Psalm 2:7)
or again,
I will be his Father,
and he will be my Son? (2 Sam 7:14)

• Scripture never refers to angels as God’s offspring, because God has never “begotten” and angel.
• Angels are created beings.
• Colossians 1:16 says Jesus created all things. So if he created the Angels He has to be greater than them.

6 Again, when he brings his firstborn into the world, he says,
And let all God’s angels worship him. (Psalm 97:7)

• “again” has to refer to His second coming.
• “firstborn” is not about time but position.
• “world” refers to inhabited earth not universe.
• Don’t the angels already worship Jesus?
• Not according to Paul & Peter… they are learning about the finished work of Jesus by watching the Church… us.

7 And about the angels he says:
He makes his angels winds,
and his servants a fiery flame, (Psalm 104:4)

• It is obvious the angels are under Jesus’ authority.

8 but to the Son:
Your throne, God,
is forever and ever,
and the scepter of your kingdom
is a scepter of justice. (Psalm 45:6-7)

• The only place in Scripture where Jesus is referred to as God.
• His throne is forever.

9 You have loved righteousness
and hated lawlessness;
this is why God, your God,
has anointed you
with the oil of joy
beyond your companions.

• Angels were never anointed.
• Lucifer was anointed in Ezekiel, but he was a cherub.
• Angels were the lowest of three.
• Cherubim, seraphim and angels are still created beings.
• If we love righteousness and hate sin, the fruit of the Spirit will be manifested in our lives and the anointing on us will be clear to others.

10 And:
In the beginning, Lord,
you established the earth,
and the heavens are the works of your hands;
11 they will perish, but you remain.
They will all wear out like clothing; (Psalm 102:25-27)
12 you will roll them up like a cloak,
and they will be changed like clothing.
But you are the same,
and your years will never end.

• Jesus never changes… even when things seem out of control.

13 Now to which of the angels has he ever said:
Sit at my right hand
until I make your enemies your footstool? (Psalm 110:1)
14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve those who are going to inherit salvation?

• Jesus is sitting down next to God and the angels are running about ministering to believers.
• The writer is not demeaning angels or even their calling.
• It is that Jesus is to be worshipped and not the angels.

 
WARNING AGAINST NEGLECT
HEBREWS 2
1 For this reason, we must pay attention all the more to what we have heard, so that we will not drift away.

• They have heard the New Covenant and encouraged not to go back to the Old Covenant.
• This is not about them losing their salvation.

2 For if the message spoken through angels was legally binding and every transgression and disobedience received a just punishment, 3 how will we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?

• The Law (Moses) is doing its thing. If it is ignored, judgment comes (natural consequences).
• Romans 5:20 - The law came along to multiply the trespass.[1]
• 70 AD was coming… salvation is their only choice.
• Emperor worship was big under Nero
• Gentiles grew in number
• Nero burned Rome and blamed Christians.
• Jews took control of Jerusalem. (64-6 AD)
• “neglect” – set your gift on a shelf.

This salvation had its beginning when it was spoken of by the Lord, and it was confirmed to us by those who heard him.

• Spoken by Jesus but heard through others confirms that author was not original 11 or Paul.

4 At the same time, God also testified by signs and wonders, various miracles, and distributions of gifts from the Holy Spirit according to his will.

• This is the Church today.

 
JESUS AND HUMANITY
5 For he has not subjected to angels the world to come that we are talking about. 6 But someone somewhere has testified:
What is man that you remember him,
or the son of man that you care for him?
7 You made him lower than the angels
for a short time;

• Angels can approach the throne of God where man cannot at this point.

you crowned him with glory and honor
8 and subjected everything under his feet.
For in subjecting everything to him, he left nothing that is not subject to him. As it is, we do not yet see everything subjected to him.

• God put Adam & Eve over everything, and they gave that up.
• Some day we will be subject over all things again… including angels.

9 But we do see Jesus--made lower than the angels for a short time so that by God’s grace he might taste death for everyone--crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death.

• Jesus became God man… and died for us… He experienced suffering to the greatest degree.
• He didn’t put us through anything that He didn’t go through Himself.

10 For in bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was entirely appropriate that God—for whom and through whom all things exist—should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

• The supreme sacrifice was appropriate.
• Christ will present all things to the Father.
• We have already been brought to glory through Jesus’ life.
• Bob Warren – Glory Video

11 For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters,

• We have been sanctified… past tense.
• Our behavior is being sanctified.

12 saying:
I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters; (Psalm 22:22)
I will sing hymns to you in the congregation.,
13 Again, I will trust in him. And again, Here I am with the children God gave me. (Isaiah 8:17-18)
14 Now since the children have flesh and blood in common, Jesus also shared in these, so that through his death he might destroy the one holding the power of death—that is, the devil--15 and free those who were held in slavery all their lives by the fear of death.

• Satan uses the fear of death as a terrible weapon to gain control over the lives of people.[2]
• Revelation 1:17-18 - When I saw him, I fell at his feet like a dead man. He laid his right hand on me and said, “Don’t be afraid. I am the First and the Last, 18 and the Living One. I was dead, but look—I am alive forever and ever, and I hold the keys of death and Hades.[3]

16 For it is clear that he does not reach out to help angels, but to help Abraham’s offspring.

• Jesus did not die for angels.
• Once angels fall, they cannot be redeemed.
• Jesus came to redeem man. Jesus is greater than the redeemed.
• Angels could not be redeemed. Jesus is greater than the angels.
• Jesus had to be an offspring of Abraham. He came to redeem the Jews.
• Leviticus 25:25 - If your brother becomes destitute and sells part of his property, his nearest relative may come and redeem what his brother has sold.[4]
• Jesus is to be worshipped because of the New Covenant being great than the Old Covenant.

17 Therefore, he had to be like his brothers and sisters in every way, so that he could become a merciful and faithful high priest in matters pertaining to God, to make atonement, for the sins of the people.

• Jesus had to become a male Jew – only male Jews could become priests.
• Jesus wasn’t always a priest, he became a priest at the time of the cross.
• “propitiation” – to appease, satisfy or to pardon.
• Jesus’ blood & death paid the price for man’s redemption.

18 For since he himself has suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.[5]

• Jesus was tempted as we are tempted.
• Jesus had to deal with the whole thought issue as we do.
• He knew what it was to be despised and rejected, to be lied about and falsely accused.[6]

My Savior, my God understands my suffering better than anyone.

[1] Christian Standard Bible (Ro 5:20). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[2] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Heb 2:5). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[3] Christian Standard Bible (Re 1:17–18). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[4] Christian Standard Bible (Le 25:25). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[5] Christian Standard Bible (Heb 1:5–2:18). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[6] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Heb 2:5). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

Hebrews is a book about Jesus:

• Who He is and what He has done, and is presently doing, for those who have accepted Him as Savior.
• The book of Hebrews is about Jesus the Son who became our High Priest and then became king when he sat upon the throne of God in fulfillment of Ps 110:1, 4.[1]
• Hebrews confirms the supremacy of Christ to all created things, be they angels, Moses or even the Levitical priesthood.
• Hebrews will help explain the purpose of the Old Covenant sacrificial system, as well as the regulations associated with worship in both the tabernacle and the temple.
• The word better is used thirteen times in this book as the writer shows the superiority of Jesus Christ and His salvation over the Hebrew system of religion.
• Another word that is repeated in this book is perfect; in the original Greek it is used fourteen times.
• It means a perfect standing before God.
• This perfection could never be accomplished by the levitical priesthood (Heb. 7:11) or by the Law (Heb. 7:19), nor could the blood of animal sacrifices achieve it (Heb. 10:1).
• Jesus Christ gave Himself as one offering for sin, and by this He has “perfected forever them that are sanctified” (Heb. 10:14).[2]

 
Who wrote Hebrews?

• We do not know.
• It is the only truly anonymous letter in the New Testament.[3]
• We do know the author had a great knowledge of the Law and the Levitical priesthood that he was most likely of Jewish decent.
• According to 2:3 - It was first spoken by the Lord and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him. The author heard the Gospel from those who had walked with Christ.
• Therefore he probably lived outside of Jerusalem since he himself did not hear this from Jesus.

 
Who was Hebrews written to?

• Hebrew Christians of Judea living outside of Jerusalem
• They were being persecuted by the non-Christian Jews (Hebrews 12:3-4 - For consider him who endured such hostility from sinners against himself, so that you won’t grow weary and give up. 4 In struggling against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.[4])
• No one outside of Jerusalem had died yet because of their practices/beliefs. But Steven (62 AD) & James had already been killed in Jerusalem to persecution.
• The author also says they helped the needy. The church in Jerusalem was too poor to help.

 
When was Hebrews written?

• Hebrews 13:23 - Be aware that our brother Timothy has been released.[5]
• Timothy became a believer around 50 AD.
• Hebrews makes reference to the existing sacrificial system at the Temple which was destroyed in 70 AD.
• Pompey, a Roman General, seized Jerusalem in 63 AD.
• Revolt of the Jews began in 64 AD and full out war with the Romans developed in 66 AD.
• The non-Christian Jews were successful in their initial revolts and regulated what took place in and around Jerusalem.
• The Pharisees were insisting that Temple practices of sacrifices were to continue, and each was to live according to the Law.
• If no one lost their life for the cause, then most likely they scattered between these two dates.
• Hebrews 3 refers to the Jews’ 40 years in the wilderness and how this was very similar in time.
• They are approaching 40 years after the church was established in Acts 2. (70 AD)
• These Christian Jews were facing a dilemma of either disassociating themselves from temple sacrifices and accepting persecution from non-Christian Jews or…
•  Place themselves under the sacrificial system in Jerusalem… Denounce Christ and then later reunite after the persecution ended.
• This decision would ultimately mean a physical death.
• NOTE: They couldn’t have lost their salvation, but they would be judged with the destruction.
• Destruction came in 70 AD at the hands of Titus who picked up where his father, Vespasian, left off in 69 AD.
• Historian Josephus records that 97,000 prisoners were taken during the war.
• 1.1 million, mostly non-Christian Jews died.
• Over 100,000 Christian Jews escaped beyond the Jordan River and remained there until after the war ceased.

 

• Context, context, context.

 
THE NATURE OF THE SON
HEBREWS 1
1 Long ago God spoke to our ancestors by the prophets at different times and in different ways.

• The audience believed that God was a speaking God.
• Moses – Genesis – Deuteronomy
• David – Psalms – testified of a Savior to come
• Isaiah – Malachi
• The author is confirming the OT is absolute truth and God’s Word.
• New Covenant believers spend a lot of time doing that.
• In the OT, God spoke through prophetic speech (Hos 12:10), visions (Gen 46:2; Deut 13:1; Ezek 1:1), human mediated speech (Exod 33:11; Num 7:89; 12:8; Deut 34:10), appearance of God experiences (Exod 19:17–25), and a still small voice (1 Kgs 19:11–12).

 
2 In these last days, he has spoken to us by his Son. God has appointed him heir of all things and made the universe through him.

• That phrase ‘in these last days’ is shorthand for the whole era of grace in which we live, between the first and second comings.
• Everything the Jews knew about God in the OT was now being changed through His Son.
• Everything the prophets had foretold was now being made known through the life of Jesus.
• God went from multiple messengers to one, His Son.
• The Truth from Jesus was to prevail that of the OT prophets. He is superior to previous agents.
• Therefore, the New Covenant, established by Jesus, supersedes the Old Covenant, established by Moses.
• God is saying everything is Jesus’ and some day He will rule over all that He already owns.
• John 12:31 - now the ruler of this world will be cast out (Satan)
• “Made the universe through Him” – John 1:1 – Since Jesus is the Word of God and God spoke all things into existence, then Jesus created all things.

 
3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact expression of his nature, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.

• Jesus is the exact representation of His Father’s nature.
• John 14:9 – Phillip hung out with Jesus for 3 years and asked to see the Father.
• Jesus’ reply was if you have seen me then you have seen the Father.
• We don’t do anything apart.
• We think alike.
• He works through Me.
• GLORY!!! The same Glory!!!!

 

• Jesus sat down… Why shouldn’t He sit down if His sacrifice was made perfect… finished.
• Romans 8:34 - Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is the one who died, but even more, has been raised; he also is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us.[6] 
• Jesus, who came to earth and suffered as a physical man, tempted as we are tempted, sits now at the right hand of God and intercedes for us.

 
4 So he became superior to the angels, just as the name he inherited is more excellent than theirs.[7]

• The Jews believed that Moses received the Law through angels. (Acts 7)
• Some Jews carried it further and worshipped angels.
• They thought angels completely controlled the universe.
• Our society has the concept of angels.
• God established and ordained the Church to carry the Gospel to the world.
• Many worship the Church instead of Christ who established the Church.
• Some even worship the messenger of the Church more than they do Jesus.
• Lord, let the name of Jesus be spoken more than the name of Rusty.
• Jesus is ranked higher than angels.
• Even the name of Jesus is more superior.
• The writer of Hebrews knows the readers of this letter need more proof than these first 4 verses so He finishes this chapter and into the next convincing them of Jesus’ superiority.
• I rest from trying to convince you… go read!!!

[1] Allen, D. L. (2010). Hebrews (p. 11). B & H Publishing Group.
[2] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 276). Victor Books.
[3] Allen, D. L. (2010). Hebrews (pp. 23–24). B & H Publishing Group.
[4] Christian Standard Bible (Heb 12:3–4). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[5] Christian Standard Bible (Heb 13:23). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[6] Christian Standard Bible (Ro 8:34). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[7] Christian Standard Bible (Heb 1:1–4). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.

Jesus toyed with Pharisees about death & life
 
John 8:51-59
51 Truly I tell you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.”
52 Then the Jews said, “Now we know you have a demon. Abraham died and so did the prophets. You say, ‘If anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death.’ 53 Are you greater than our father Abraham who died? And the prophets died. Who do you claim to be?”
54 “If I glorify myself,” Jesus answered, “my glory is nothing. My Father—about whom you say, ‘He is our God’—he is the one who glorifies me. 55 You do not know him, but I know him. If I were to say I don’t know him, I would be a liar like you. But I do know him, and I keep his word. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day; he saw it and was glad.”
57 The Jews replied, “You aren’t fifty years old yet, and you’ve seen Abraham?”
58 Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, before Abraham was, I am.”
59 So they picked up stones to throw at him. But Jesus was hidden and went out of the temple. [1]

• We have always been fascinated with death & the afterlife.
• Death Education Class in China
• “Heaven is For Real”
• In all created things God has created this incredible symphony.

 
1 Corinthians 15:35–58 (NLT)
The Resurrection Body
35 But someone may ask, “How will the dead be raised? What kind of bodies will they have?” 36 What a foolish question! When you put a seed into the ground, it doesn’t grow into a plant unless it dies first. 37 And what you put in the ground is not the plant that will grow, but only a bare seed of wheat or whatever you are planting. 38 Then God gives it the new body he wants it to have. A different plant grows from each kind of seed. 39 Similarly there are different kinds of flesh—one kind for humans, another for animals, another for birds, and another for fish.
40 There are also bodies in the heavens and bodies on the earth. The glory of the heavenly bodies is different from the glory of the earthly bodies. 41 The sun has one kind of glory, while the moon and stars each have another kind. And even the stars differ from each other in their glory.
42 It is the same way with the resurrection of the dead. Our earthly bodies are planted in the ground when we die, but they will be raised to live forever. 43 Our bodies are buried in brokenness, but they will be raised in glory. They are buried in weakness, but they will be raised in strength. 44 They are buried as natural human bodies, but they will be raised as spiritual bodies. For just as there are natural bodies, there are also spiritual bodies.
45 The Scriptures tell us, “The first man, Adam, became a living person.” But the last Adam—that is, Christ—is a life-giving Spirit. 46 What comes first is the natural body, then the spiritual body comes later. 47 Adam, the first man, was made from the dust of the earth, while Christ, the second man, came from heaven. 48 Earthly people are like the earthly man, and heavenly people are like the heavenly man. 49 Just as we are now like the earthly man, we will someday be like the heavenly man.
50 What I am saying, dear brothers and sisters, is that our physical bodies cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. These dying bodies cannot inherit what will last forever.
51 But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! 52 It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. 53 For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies.
54 Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled:
“Death is swallowed up in victory.
55 O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”
56 For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. 57 But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.[2]

• It’s important to remember that resurrection after death was not a new idea:
• In the Fall, leaves drop from the trees and the plants die. They turn brown, wither, and lose their life.
• They remain that way for the winter – dormant, dead and lifeless.
• And then Spring comes, and they burst into life again. Growing, sprouting, producing new leaves and buds.
• For there to be Spring, there has to be Fall and Winter. For nature to spring to life it first must die.
• Death then resurrection.
• It’s true across our environment with ecosystems, food chains and seasons.

"The death of one living thing for the life of another." (Circle of Life)
What are some examples of death leading to life?

• Genesis – Produce from the trees – Died.
• (Death entered the world.
• Adam & Eve’s spirits died.
• Animal was the first sacrifice.
• Skin cells die and flake off daily and after 30 days we have a new skin.
• Firemen at 9-11
• Now these oranges were originally alive; they were connected to the tree which has its roots in the soil.
• They grew from the earth.
• They were once all receiving nutrients from the earth, but then they were harvested, thrown on a truck, brought to the farmer’s market, and eventually ended up in our kitchen.
• When they were harvested, they were severed from the tree, they were pulled from the soil, they were disconnected from their life source, and they were brought to us so that we could eat them.

 

• And if we don’t eat, we don’t live.
• This food …this dead food …gives us life,
• The more recently food has been living the more life it gives us. Fresh food is better for us.

John 12:24 - Truly I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains by itself. But if it dies, it produces much fruit.[3]

• Jesus teaches us how to die so that we can really live.
• Jesus invites parts of us to die to our flesh.
• This is what holds us back from living – like the part of us that constantly tries to make ourselves look good, or the part of us that always has to be right, or the part of us that always has to be better than others, or the part of us that always tries to look like we have it together.

 
What Jesus is teaching with the use of the metaphor is that we must undergo a process of transformation ...a change from death to life.

Admittedly, we resist the process. It is hard to give up our agendas, our objectives, our aspirations, our interests—our ego. Yet this is what we have been called to: the new life of Christ in us. That is a marvelous exchange!

• In our dying, Christ is alive within us.
• In our brokenness Christ is seen clearly. The way to fullness is brokenness; the way to life is by death.

Two points seem unmistakably clear to me here: the first is that this is hard; the second is that this is glorious.

• We don’t need to miss either of these. If we only see the hard part, we will miss the power and the freedom.
• If we only see the glorious part, we will minimize the sacrifice.
• The seed must die. ―Unless a seed falls to the ground and dies, it cannot bear any fruit.

 
Jesus refers here to his own impending death and resurrection. Jesus makes a promise.

• His death will result in life, not only for his crucified body, but for all humankind.
• I hope we all understand the truth Jesus is sharing: our hope for life is in his death, burial, and resurrection.
• To receive God’s free gift of eternal life, we must die to our own efforts to earn or control our destiny and put ourselves totally in Jesus’ hands.

 
In Luke 9:23 Jesus says, ― “If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me.”[4]

• Denying ourselves is dying to self.
• What we allow to die in our lives
• We’re invited to trust Jesus because we’ve been told we can never do it alone.
• But some people refuse to die.
• They relentlessly cling to their egos and false selves and keep propping up that version of themselves that they think is desirable, and trust in their own efforts to accomplish this somehow, someday.

 
Is this you holding on to your life so tightly that you are actually losing it? And you can’t really experience it?
 
“All men die… Not all men really live.” – William Wallace
 
Trying to kill the flesh through our flesh always fails!

• Truly dying to self means saying no to the flesh and its attempts to decide what's good for us apart from God. 
• It means coming under the authority of God's Word and submitting to the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. 
• The Holy Spirit is the one who leads us down the path of death to self-rule. 
• As we entrust ourselves to Jesus, the Spirit enables us more and more to die to self and live to Christ. – (Jeff Pokone)

 
In a supreme act of faith, a farmer opens his hands and drops his seed into the earth.

• It lies there dead and buried, and he waits throughout the long winter for some sign that there will be a crop in the spring.
• Scientists cannot explain this mystery.
• A dead seed lies buried in the soil for weeks.
• And then, defying all logic, it comes alive.

We want to control everything.

• The problem with this picture is that it is not about living …it may be about existing, but it is hardly the abundant life that Jesus said he had come to bring.
• May we remember that if we die to self …if we die with Christ …we will also be raised to new life in Christ …that death leads to life.

 
Our Lord's cross is the gateway into His life.

• The tomb was the beginning... Not the end.
  
  

1 Corinthians 15:26 - 26 The last enemy to be abolished is death.[5]
 
Oswald Chambers - The Cross was the place where God and sinful man merged with a tremendous collision and where the way to life was opened. But all the cost and pain of the collision was absorbed by the heart of God.

[1] Christian Standard Bible (Jn 8:51–59). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (1 Co 15:35–58). Tyndale House Publishers
[3] Christian Standard Bible (Jn 12:24). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[4] Christian Standard Bible (Lk 9:23). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[5] Christian Standard Bible (1 Co 15:26). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.

63 AD

• Some historians have estimated that half of the population of the Roman Empire was composed of slaves.
• Many of these people were educated and cultured, but legally they were not considered persons at all.
• The Gospel message of salvation and freedom in Christ appealed to the slaves, and many of them became believers.
• When slaves were able to get away from their household duties, they would fellowship in local assemblies where being a slave was not a handicap (Gal. 3:28).
• But there was a problem: Some slaves used their newfound freedom in Christ as an excuse to disobey, if not defy, their masters.
• They needed to learn that their spiritual freedom in Christ did not alter their social position, even though they were accepted graciously into the fellowship of the church.[1]

 
HONORING MASTERS
1 TIMOTHY 6
1 All who are under the yoke as slaves should regard their own masters as worthy of all respect, so that God’s name and his teaching will not be blasphemed.

• Paul is encouraging Christian slaves to be role models for the unbelieving masters.
• God’s kindness leads to repentance.

2 Let those who have believing masters not be disrespectful to them because they are brothers, but serve them even better, since those who benefit from their service are believers and dearly loved.

• Sometimes we believe because we are working for a Christian boss that we don’t have to work as hard.
• We have the same rights that they do because we are both believers.
• We should have the desire to serve believing masters even more than others.

 
FALSE DOCTRINE AND HUMAN GREED
Teach and encourage these things. 3 If anyone teaches false doctrine and does not agree with the sound teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ and with the teaching that promotes godliness,

• 1) They must teach the Bible.
• Isaiah 8:20 -  Go to God’s instruction and testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, there will be no dawn for them. [2]
• They are totally in the dark.
• Everything must filter through the 66 books.
• Don’t believe what I am saying.
• Filter my notes, interpretation, and opinions.

4 he is conceited and understands nothing but has an unhealthy interest in disputes and arguments over words.

• 2) There is an attitude that is conveyed.
• Proud vs humble
• Brain vs heart
• Argumentative vs listening and instructing.
• Conceited, ignorant and desired confrontation over the little things.
• This attitude destroys any sense of community.

From these come envy, quarreling, slander, evil suspicions, 5 and constant disagreement among people whose minds are depraved and deprived of the truth, who imagine that godliness is a way to material gain.

• The heretics viewed religion as a means of making a quick dollar.
• In character they were greedy and materialistic.
• Paul’s strong words described false teachers who exploited the church for their own ends without caring about the havoc they created[3]
• Do you not think Satan uses the same tactic today?
• One of the top reasons men don’t come to church.
• The church is always needing their next dollar.

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

• Financial guys in the room.
• They have much more to offer than growing your account.
• There is a spirit about them.
• Even Cory…
• Ecclesiastes 1:18 - 18 For with much wisdom is much sorrow; as knowledge increases, grief increases.[4]

7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out.

• Job, David & Solomon all said this.

8 If we have food and clothing, we will be content with these.

• What is our level of contentment?
• “What do you want for Christmas?” “I’m good”
• Too many of us know the “price of everything and the value of nothing.”
• We are so glutted with luxuries that we have forgotten how to enjoy our necessities.[5]
• We have moved into a throw away society.
• If it’s broke… get a new one… even cars.

9 But those who want to be rich fall into temptation, a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

• Money is not evil… it is the love of money that is evil.
• It is a dangerous thing to use religion as a cover-up for acquiring wealth.
• God’s laborer is certainly worthy of his hire (1 Tim. 5:17–18), but his motive for laboring must not be money.[6]
• “A” root… my trees have multiple roots.
• Where does that craving come from?...

 
FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT
11 But you (Timothy - utter contrast), man of God (identity), flee from these things,

1. The word “flee” that Paul used here did not refer to literal running, but to Timothy’s separating himself from the sins of the false teachers.[7]

and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness.

1. Separation without positive growth becomes isolation.[8]

• Character and conduct
• Gentleness… it is through kindness…

12 Fight the good fight of the faith.

• Present tense… continuous struggle.
• Who is this fight with?
• Ask this question every time you get in an argument?
• Who is real struggle against?
• The evil one

Take hold of eternal life to which you were called and about which you have made a good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

• Paul was encouraging Timothy to fight through his timidity.

13 In the presence of God, who gives life to all, and of Christ Jesus, who gave a good confession before Pontius Pilate, I charge you 14 to keep this command without fault or failure until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.

• Like a commander in the military giving orders.

15 God will bring this about in his own time. He is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings, and the Lord of lords, 16 who alone is immortal (not subject to death) and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see, to him be honor and eternal power. Amen.

• Exodus 33:18-23 - 18 Then Moses said, “Please, let me see your glory.”
• He said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim the name ‘the Lord’ before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.” 20 But he added, “You cannot see my face, for humans cannot see me and live.” 21 The Lord said, “Here is a place near me. You are to stand on the rock, 22 and when my glory passes by, I will put you in the crevice of the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. 23 Then I will take my hand away, and you will see my back, but my face will not be seen.” [9]
• Colossians 1:27 – 27 God wanted to make known among the Gentiles the glorious wealth of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.[10]

 
INSTRUCTIONS TO THE RICH
17 Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be arrogant or to set their hope on the uncertainty of wealth, but on God, who richly provides us with all things to enjoy. 18 Instruct them to do what is good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and willing to share, 19 storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of what is truly life.
 

• Paul closes his letter to Timothy with this…

GUARD THE HERITAGE
20 Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding irreverent and empty speech and contradictions from what is falsely called knowledge. 21 By professing it, some people have departed from the faith.

• This is a great week for us to be reminded of our conversations and in who we put our trust.

 
Grace be with you all.[11]

• It is with us.
• Receive it and share it.

[1] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, pp. 233–234). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[2] Christian Standard Bible (Is 8:20). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] Lea, T. D., & Griffin, H. P. (1992). 1, 2 Timothy, Titus (Vol. 34, p. 167). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[4] Christian Standard Bible (Ec 1:18). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[5] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 235). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[6] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 235). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[7] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, pp. 235–236). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[8] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 236). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[9] Christian Standard Bible (Ex 33:18–23). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[10] Christian Standard Bible (Col 1:27). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[11] Christian Standard Bible (1 Ti 6:1–21). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.