Epistle to the Hebrews Study #15 (Hebrews 13:1-25)

In this episode (Villa Scriptura Podcast Episode #15), we will examine chapter 13, the final chapter of this extraordinary letter of exhortation addressed to “holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling.”  Last time, we learned those who are to receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, are to “offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe,” for their God is a “consuming fire.”  In what follows then in Chapter 13, the author offers up some very specific and practical ways this admonition is to be lived out in the community, particularly in the face of the anticipated and serious persecution to come.  The holy brethren are also called upon to adhere to the apostolic, pure, and foundational teaching they had heard in the past and reject the “strange and diverse teachings” which are beginning to draw them away from their pilgrimage toward the city of the living God as new covenant disciples of Christ.

Notes for this podcast episode can be found here: Study Notes for Lesson #15

Epistle to the Hebrews Study #14 (Hebrews 12:4-12:29)

In this episode (Villa Scriptura Podcast Episode #14), we will complete our study of Hebrews 12.  As you may recall from our previous study, the author had presented us with a list of fellow pilgrims who had run the race of endurance--by faith--toward the city of the living God.  And as we concluded last time, we took note of how the author brought this list to a climax by exhorting us to “fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith” and to “consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself,” so that we “will not grow weary and lose heart.”

Before we resume our discussion, we will hear a reading of Hebrews 12 in its entirety.  We hope you will be as encouraged and challenged as we were by what the epistle’s author has to say, as we learn about the role God’s discipline plays in bringing many sons to glory, how committed faith finds expression as persevering faithfulness to God, and how what lies ahead under the New Covenant provides greater privileges and, at the same time,  sober responsibilities for God’s redeemed people.

Notes for this podcast episode can be found here: Study Notes for Lesson #14

Epistle to the Hebrews Study #13B (Hebrews 11:23-12:3)

In this episode (Villa Scriptura Podcast Episode #13B), we resume our examination of those in Hebrews 11 who lived out the kind of faith God commended, that which exhibited the “assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen.”  As we begin today’s study with an overview of where we’ve come so far in the epistle, we are reminded of how this definition of commendable faith relates back to the promised earthly kingdom of Christ Jesus and His present ongoing ministry as Great High Priest in the heavenly tabernacle.  As the list of those who refused to shrink back and kept looking faithfully to the One who made the promises heads toward its climax, we are provided with the ultimate and perfect example of the premier “endurance runner”: the Lord Jesus Christ himself, who--for the joy set before Him--endured the cross, despising the shame, and now is exalted at God’s right hand in the place of highest honor. 

Notes for both parts of podcast episode 13--covering material in Hebrews 11:1-12:3--can be found here: Study Notes for Lessons 13A and 13B

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: