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.

Epistle to the Hebrews Study #8

In this episode, we have arrived at the section in the epistle where the author is set to expound on the significance of the oath given to the Lord by the LORD in Psalm 110:4, which stated the following: “The LORD has sworn and will not change His mind, ‘You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.’”  Today’s podcast will cover the first ten verses of Hebrews 7, where the author brings out ten intriguing observations concerning the first priest mentioned in the Scriptures—the priest/king Melchizedek of Genesis 14—and shows us how this somewhat mysterious Canaanite ruler and contemporary of Abram was made like the Son of God.  In subsequent podcasts, we will come to understand the superior, perpetual, and incorruptible nature of this priesthood in the order of Melchizedek, to which Christ Jesus has been raised and is now seated as great High Priest in the heavenly tabernacle.

You can access this podcast by clicking on this link:Villa Scriptura Podcast Episode #8  Notes for this lesson can be found here: Study notes for Lesson #8

Epistle to the Hebrews Study #7

In this episode, we are following the author’s exposition--coming on the heels of his exhortation in 5:11-6:12--concerning the certainty of the promises given to Abraham by God and backed up with His confirming oath.  As imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises, we are called upon to reflect on the unchangeable character of God’s purpose and endeavor to hold fast to the hope set before us, an anchored hope that is secured by a faithful forerunner—Christ Jesus—on our behalf.  The podcast for this lesson can be found here for streaming or download (please note the iTunes sync icon on bottom right of  this site): Villa Scriptura Podcast Episode #7 .

Study notes for this study are found here: Study notes for Lesson #7 (Hebrews 6:13-20). Another excellent related resource recently put together by Bill and Steve Ramey can be found here: The Basics: The Gospel (The LORD'S Three Oaths)  I am also adding in this great song from one of my favorite singer/songwriters, Michael Card, which ties in so well to this week's lesson: 

Epistle to the Hebrews Study #6

We had the privilege and delight of being joined by our Labor Day Weekend guests from Canada, Iain and Anne MacMillan and their son Iain Jr., as we picked up in Hebrews 5:11-6:12. Today’s lesson and discussion led us to one of the most challenging sections in the epistle, as the author pauses--just as he is about to get into what he terms the “solid food for the mature” concerning the begotten Son of God’s designation as a “high priest in the order of Melchizedek”--and strongly exhorts the “holy brethren” to not continue to grow dull of hearing, to move beyond the milk of the ABC’s, to avoid slipping into sluggish discipleship, and earnestly strive to be imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. The podcast for this lesson can be found here for streaming or download (note iTunes sync icon on bottom right of this site): Villa Scriptura Podcast Episode #6

We encourage you to listen to the earlier podcast episodes in Hebrews if you haven't done so and to download this week's study notes found here:Study notes for lesson #6 (Heb. 5:11-6:12)