Epistle to the Hebrews Study #13A (Hebrews 11:1-22)

In this episode (Villa Scriptura Podcast Episode #13A), we will begin by reviewing the warnings and encouragement the author has presented to his readers in his letter of exhortation, particularly toward the end of Hebrews 10.  In our previous podcast study in Hebrews 10, we witnessed how the author held before the holy brethren their own steadfast commitment to Christ under adverse circumstances in the past in order to encourage the same courageous stance in the present.  As the political winds of the mid-60’s A.D. in Rome began to shift, the men and women of the house-church suddenly found themselves weary with the necessity of sustaining the high level of commitment they had brought to Christ in those earlier years.

As our author moves forward in Chapter 11, he urges his readers not to throw away their boldness and to keep looking to the reward of the inheritance in the age to come.  Endurance is what is needed at such an hour, along with a continued assurance in things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen. We hope you are as encouraged and challenged as we were, as we considered the lives of the “men of old” who “gained approval” by exhibiting faith in God’s unchangeable promises.  Indeed, God is utterly reliable, and His faithfulness to his promises guarantees that the reward for doing the will of God—as righteous ones who live by faith--will be reception of what He has promised!

Notes for both parts of Episode 13--covering material in Hebrews 11:1-12:3--can be accessed here:  Study Notes for Lesson 13 (Parts A & B)

Epistle to the Hebrews Study #12B

In this episode (Villa Scriptura Podcast Episode #12B), we are picking up where we left off in Hebrews 10. In our previous podcast, we discussed the first eighteen verses of this chapter, as the author brought to a close his well-crafted exposition concerning Christ’s priestly office.  As we approach verses 19-39, we are challenged and encouraged by very practical and sobering implications for Christian life and worship which flow out of the recognition that Jesus is currently in the holy tabernacle making propitiation for God’s redeemed people as the great high priest.  

Notes for both parts of Episode 12 can be accessed here: Study Notes of Lesson #12 (Parts A & B).

Epistle to the Hebrews Study #12A

In this episode (Villa Scriptura Podcast Episode #12A), we are covering the first section of Hebrews 10.  We will be discussing the first eighteen verses of this chapter, as the author wraps up his exposition concerning Christ’s priestly office.  Once again, he will direct our attention to the themes of priesthood, sacrifice, and covenant.  Later in the chapter--which we will include in a subsequent podcast in Part B of this particular study--the author will lay out very practical and sobering implications for Christian life and worship which flow out of the recognition that Jesus is our priest and sacrifice. 

Before we began our study, we reviewed the “solid food” section of the epistle, which is covered in Hebrews 7-10.  Before listening to this podcast, I would encourage you to do the same, as it will enrich your understanding of how the author concludes his discussion and help you to see how things work together contextually.  We will begin this podcast episode with a reading of Hebrews 9:11-10:39.  Notes for  Parts A and B of Study #12 can be found here: Study Notes for Lesson #12 (Parts A & B)

Epistle to the Hebrews Study #11

In this episode (Villa Scriptura Podcast Episode #11), we are covering Chapter 9 of the epistle. As the author of Hebrews continues to take us through the “solid food” section of his message concerning the superior priesthood of the resurrected, exalted, and seated Son of God, he expands the discussion he started earlier in Chapter 8, which concerned the new covenant now mediated by our indestructible great high priest. He continues to develop very sharp contrasts between the first covenant and the associated Levitical system of continuous blood sacrifices conducted in the symbolic tabernacle. "In speaking of a new covenant," the author noted in 8:13, God "makes the first one obsolete." That first covenant--"growing old and ready to vanish away"--has been replaced with a superior covenant, inaugurated by the “once for all” sacrifice provided by the Lamb and Great High Priest, who has offered up his own vastly superior conscience-cleansing blood, securing an eternal redemption for God’s people. In so doing, He has provided unfettered access to God’s holy presence, provided we draw near with a sincere heart through Him, the great high priest and mediator of this new covenant.

Notes for this podcast episode can be accessed here: Study notes for Lesson #11.

This is something I recently came across that relates well to this section of Hebrews.  It is a video clip of a gentleman--Ryan Ferguson--providing a dramatic recitation of Hebrews 9-10: 

A Song Inspired by Hebrews 11: "By Faith"

I know we are a few chapters away from Hebrews 11 and the famous "Hall of Faith," but I thought I'd upload a song I recently sang entitled "By Faith". This is NOT any fancy music mix by any stretch of the imagination, but my desire was to simply bring before you all a great song written by singer/songwriter Michael Card from his fantastic "Soul Anchor" album, which was released several years ago and entirely centered on the Epistle to the Hebrews. If you listen carefully to the lyrics, you will notice many references from the eleventh chapter of Hebrews, as well as other themes and truths brought out in the epistle. I hope you enjoy it! By the way, our next podcast--covering Hebrews 9--will take place in about two weeks.

1Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2)

Epistle to the Hebrews Study #10

In this episode (Villa Scriptura Podcast Episode #10), we are covering Chapter 8 of the epistle.  As the author of Hebrews continues to take us through the “solid food” of his message concerning the superior priesthood of the resurrected, exalted, and seated Son of God, he reminds us--in no uncertain terms--that we have NOW, in the present tense, a high priest serving as a minister in the true tabernacle, one who serves as a mediator of a new covenant which has been enacted on better promises.

Notes for this podcast episode can be accessed here: Study notes for Lesson #10.

Epistle to the Hebrews Study #9

In this episode (Villa Scriptura Podcast Episode #9), we are wrapping up Chapter 7, where the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews continues to develop the superiority of the great high priesthood of Christ Jesus, which had been foreshadowed through the intriguing and sudden appearance we saw last time of the Canaanite priest/king Melchizedek, as he met Abraham in Genesis 14 after the slaughter of the kings.  The author now begins to argue that this new priesthood--under the resurrected and seated Christ Jesus and secured with the great oath of Psalm 110:4 which states: "The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, 'You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.'"--is vastly superior to that of the Levitical priesthood. 

Our study this time focuses on Hebrews 7:11-28. Notes for this podcast episode can be accessed here:Study notes for Lesson #9.