Being a Christian is not a walk in the park: in fact, it can feel like a real struggle — whether the opposition is within us or outside of us. This passage helps us to see our struggles in perspective, to help us understand them, and encourage us to carry on the straight and narrow path.
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A lot of people talk about “living by faith” — but what does it really mean? This passage from Hebrews is all about living by faith. It shows us how important it is, what it looks like, and encourages to carry on despite the fact that it’s hard.
The session I did on science and faith can be found on my website.
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Every preacher knows that they have to answer the question ‘so what’ — what relevance do these truths have to do with my life? The author of Hebrews is no exception, and in this passage we turn to how the teaching about Jesus’ sacrifice and ministry as high priest should make a difference to us. He focusses on drawing near to God, persevering despite sin and persecution, and the importance of meeting together.
You can find a free copy of John Owen’s book On the Mortification of Sin here (modernised edition).
Why did God give the Law, and why did God send Jesus? We can’t understand how Jesus fulfils the old covenant unless we understand what God wants from us in the first place. The answer is summed up in one word – holiness. In this sermon we think about holiness and how Jesus is the fulfilment of everything that God promised for us.
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If you’re new to Christian circles, you might wonder why there is a regular reference to blood — especially to the blood of Christ. What is it about his blood in particular which is important? In Hebrews chapter 9, we see why blood was so important to the Old Testament sacrifices, and how Jesus came to fulfil it.
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Is the Old Testament obsolete? Some people seem to think so! This passage helps us to understand the purpose of the Old Testament system of sacrifices and priests, and how we should understand it now as Christians. We need to understand that we have something far superior in Jesus to the old covenant.
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There are many things in life we need, and even more things we might think we need! But the truth is that only Christ can truly meet our needs. This passage draws on an obscure Old Testament character named Melchizedek to see how Jesus gives us something superior to anything else the world has to offer.
Sermons are also available on the podcast.
Church with UTB: This is part of Church with UTB. Please do have a look at that page for more information.
Hope is what can keep us going through hard times in life. But what kind of hope do we have as Christians? Is it something only for the future? Are there promises we can look to now? And how do we know God will keep them?
Sermons are also available on the podcast.
Church with UTB: This is part of Church with UTB. Please do have a look at that page for more information.
Some people just assume that Christians will grow, no matter what. But this passage from Hebrews warns us that spiritual growth is not a given, and warns us that it is in fact possible to go in the wrong direction. There is a solemn warning that those who fall away cannot be brought back to repentance. This should be an encouragement to us to keep going, no matter what.
Sermons are also available on the podcast.
Church with UTB: This is part of Church with UTB. Please do have a look at that page for more information.
This passage gives us confidence to approach God, because Jesus – our great high priest – can sympathise with our weaknesses. He experienced suffering and temptation, and yet he overcame, so he is able to help us in our time of need.
Sermons are also available on the podcast.
Church with UTB: This is part of Church with UTB. Please do have a look at that page for more information.
