HEBREWS
Lesson 1Hebrews 1:1
Hebrews 1:1 (KJV) 1 God [the supreme Divinity], who at sundry (piecemeal) times and in diverse manners(in manyways)spoke [to talk] in time past unto the [Hebrew] fathers by the prophets [a foreteller, by analogy an inspired speaker].
1.A. God “theos” {the supreme Divinity} SPOKE. If the supreme Divinity has spoken, whathigher voice or opinion is greater? ______
B. Does that automatically mean that everyone will listen? Y ___ N ___obviously not ___
C. What is to keep the “Supreme Divinity’s Word” not to be fulfilled? ______
D. Does mankind’s rebellion? Y_ N _ Does Satan’s rebellion? Y __ N __ don’t know __
E. Read Psalm 2:1-4. What does God think about the “heathen’s” range and/or vanity? ____ Psalm 2:1-4 (KJV) why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? 2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, 3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. 4 He that sits in the heavens shall laugh: The Lord shall have them in derision.
F. What does that say to me personally as a human being? ______
G. What does that say to the world at large? ______
H. Why is this important? ______
2.There has to be a beginning “something”. Some say it was a conglomeration of gases. Where did the gas come from? Some say there was a “big bang”, what two obstacles clashed to create noise? If all that is emerged from one single cell, from whence came the cell? Before the cell there had to be “something”. This something had to have life within itself. There had to be life before life could spring forth. This “life” the Bible calls “the supreme Divinity”.
When this supreme Divinity SPEAKS, what happens? See Gen. 1: 1-2 ______
Genesis 1:1-2 (KJV) In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. 2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
3.Before something is spoken, does there have to be a being to speak? Y ___ N ___
4. A. What does God say about His Word in Isaiah 55:11? ______
Isaiah 55:11 (KJV) so shall my word be that goes forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
B. What does that mean? ______
5.A. What would be the purpose for speech if there was not a response? ______
B. The dictionary defines “reciprocation” as an alternating back-and-forth movement. In Genesis 1:3. How did ‘creation’ talk back to God? ______
Genesis 1:3 (KJV) And God said, let there be light: and there was light.
C. How did creations response to God’s spoken Word, speak of God’s Glory? ______
D. Does this “back and forth” between spoken Word and response imply fellowship? Y N
E. Why would God do this? See Revelation 4:11. ______
Revelation 4:11 (KJV) Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
F. Does this suggest fellowship? Y ___ N ___
G. Does this also suggest that God considers the one He addresses as capable of fellowship with him? Y ___ N ___
6.A) How does a seed fellowship with God? ______
B) How does a mountain stream fellowship with God? ______
C) How does a sunset or sunrise fellowship with God? ______
D) How does the agnostic fellowship with God? ______
E) How does a Jew fellowship with God?______
F) How does a Christian fellowship with God? ______
G) How does a Hindu or Muslim or Satanist fellowship with God? ______
7.Does fellowship always have to be pleasant? Y __ N ___ Does it always have to be reciprocal? Y __ N __
8.Does God deal with all alike? Y ___ N ___ in some ways ___
Sin separated man from God and put a curse upon the ground man walks on. Fellowship in its purest form was broken, leaving a heathenish fellowship at best.
9.According to Hebrews 1:1, God has given two ‘revelations’ to man, first to the Jews through the prophetsand secondly through His [God’s] Son, Jesus Christ. We have all fallen short of the Glory of God. Jesuscame to bring us back into rightful fellowship with God. A. Why must we first believe that God IS, andHe SPEAKES TO US before we can conscientiously believe He has a Son to speak to us through? ______
B. Personal Do we? More importantly: do you? If so, how do we demonstrate it? ____
HEBREWS
Syllabus 1
Genesis 1:1 begins by saying “In the beginning God”. In the beginning, God said. Let there be….
Genesis also goes on to proclaim, that man [Adam], was created in the image and likeness of God. Why? As we saw in our discussion, it was for God’s pleasure through fellowship with Him. Inanimate objects fellowship with Him through its very existence, to beautify God’s creation, to serve man, ie: stones to build shelters. To fulfill one’s purpose for having been created in the first place is in the broad sense to fellowship with God. Plants and animals “fellowship” with God likewise, by fulfilling their life cycles. Man, created in the image and likeness of God [who speaks] fellowship with God through speech and actions. Mankind is the only creature who struggles with an identity crisis. Why? Because our fellowship with God has been broken with the advent of sin. Jesus came to restore that broken fellowship.
The Bible never puts forth a measurable, scientific, exposé of God’s existence, the Bible merely declares “in the beginning God”. In the beginning, God said…. And it came to pass. Creation itself by its very existence declares the glory of God. Because it is—something or Someone had to come before. Common sense tells us that because of the intricate design and perfect harmony and diversity of life and life forms on this earth is evidence of a Divine Designer. The universe as we know it did not come into being by accident. Since we are created in the image and likeness of the Divine Designer, it is impossible to fully understand who we are and our purpose for being. If we have an erroneous view of God we then have an erroneous view of ourselves. The Bible teaches Hebrews 11:6 (KJV) 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. He can be sought out and found! Since we cannot touch Him or see Him [God is spirit], we must accept Him by faith in His revelation of Himself through His written Word, and personal revelation of His character.
Hebrews teaches that God first revealed Himself through the prophets, these were chosen, inspired men of God. Secondly God sent His greater revelation through His Son Jesus Christ—the topic of next lesson. God wants us to know and understand who we are, and how we may be restored to perfect fellowship with Him. I know we rely on the fact that He “understands our weaknesses” but we can be restored as close to perfect fellowship and we choose to become.
Hebrews was written to Christians whose religious state was far from right or satisfactory. Some had grown “slothful” (Hebrews 6:12); they were not giving “earnest heed” (Hebrews 2:1); and were neglecting their “great salvation” (Hebrews 2:3). They were no longer “holding fast” to their profession (Hebrews 4:14; 10:23). Their confidence was shaken (Hebrews 3:6). The Christian life was feeble and ready to die. Others had “gone back” and were in danger of coming short of the promises (4:1); and yielding to willful sin (10:39). Others were in danger of refusing Him who speaks from heaven (10:25), and giving up their faith in Jesus. There had been much backsliding and the church was in need of some solemn warnings.
What do we do when we become discouraged or begin to image that prophecies and promises appears to fail us?
The book of Hebrews helps us meet these difficulties and opens up the true glory of Jesus Christ.
The book of Hebrews warns us of the danger of backsliding and shores up our grip on our great salvation. The writer to the Hebrews shows us how wonderfully, and divinely, all the prophecies and types of the Old Testament have had their fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Hebrews places our weaknesses and Christ’s person side by side, the truth be known, if we truly know Christ, all will be well.
The epistle is divided into two parts. Hebrews 1:1 - 10:18 spells out for us the glory and person and work of Christ. Hebrews 10:19 - 13:25, the life that the knowledge of Christ and His salvation will enable us to live. Restored to the image and likeness of God!
In a world of unrest, there is a rest for us, the book of Hebrews helps us find it.
Hebrews is also a mirror in which we can see the glory of Jesus on the throne of heaven, in the power that can make our heart and life heavenly, too. To see Him, to consider Him, and to look to Him as He lives in heaven, will bring healing and the longed-for fellowship for which were designed.
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