1 John 2:15-17

Do Not Love the World ~

A short reading, but oh so practical. The word "world" is "kosmos" in Greek. It's meaning here is: "ethically, morally, or spiritually, the present world-order or system of life in its condition of self-reliance and independence from God along with its apostate beliefs, values, ethics, attitudes, and practices. It is a philosophy or world-view which in its crasser forms is marked by selfishness, greed, power-lust, ambition, violence, self-glory, and other vices which reflect the man-centered spirit of this world."

That pretty much sums up the world in which we live. A world where we are told, "It's all about YOU!" "Do what makes YOU happy!" "Seek out whatever brings YOU pleasure!" Sounds pretty good. Unfortunately, this life-style leads to loneliness, bitterness, and depression. We were created to be in relationships. We were created to love. And you can't have either when your focus is on YOU alone. You alone cannot sustain your own pleasure and happiness. You need others.

So - ignore the world. It's message is fleeting. Stay away from worshiping YOU & start worshiping God. Live for others, live for God & you will find love, peace, and a relationship that lasts for all eternity.

1 John 1:5-2:14

How can you tell if you are in fellowship with Jesus?

- are your actions lining up with the expectations of Christ? Do you walk in light or dark?
- are you honest & humble about your actions?
- do you seek forgiveness for your sins?
- do you obey His instructions?
- are you living as Jesus would?

Does this mean we are doomed if we aren't perfect? No! Jesus was the only one able to never sin. You will mess up, you will fall down, you will make wrong choices. But how will you respond to those choices? Will you get an attitude, make excuses, point the finger at someone else? Or will you admit your fault and stand humbly before the Lord? Relationships are all about the other person. So, ask yourself, who are you in a relationship with - God or yourself?

1 John 1:1-4

This letter was written around AD 85-90 by the apostle John. It is assumed that he was the last living apostle. This letter reassures a new generation of Christians concerning their faith & warns them about false teachings.

It's a quick reading today, but John starts his letter by stating who Jesus is - He is our beginning, He is eternal, & He appeared here on earth with us. John witnessed Jesus' ministry first hand - Jesus was his friend. Therefore, John speaks with confidence & authority regarding the teaching of Jesus Christ.

We might not have spent time physically with Jesus while He was here on earth. But we have been given the Bible and the Holy Spirit. We are able to communicate with Jesus through prayer. Given these gifts, can you speak confidently about who Jesus is? Are you strong in your faith? Do you share it with others?

Hebrews 13:1-25

As the author of Hebrews ends his letter, he gives us a few key pieces of advice:

- treat everyone like you would a good friend
- Think of others, especially those in dire circumstances. Does this mean just remember them? No! Make an effort to lighten their load. The people in prison spoken of here have been imprisoned for their faith. Remember those who are being persecuted & help them out!
- Stay pure in your marriage. This starts before you even meet your spouse! Stay pure!
- Put money in it's place & be content with what you have!
- Think of your leaders - pray for them & be of good assistance, be obedient & respectful
- Don't be persuaded into believing teachings that oppose the Bible.
- Always, always put God first! Praise Him, Thank Him, & talk to Him!

Hebrews 12:14-29

Once again it's not about what you do, it's about your intentions behind what you do. As Christians, we are called to live a life of peace that points to God. Are you fighting with someone over a silly issue? If so, how are you showing the love of God? There is a difference between pointing out an injustice or problematic issue & fighting. For example, I recently had an issue with the track team practicing on the field during a high school soccer game. I send an e-mail asking why this was allowed when it seemed disrespectful & distracting to the soccer players & unsafe for the track members who may get hit with a soccer ball. The administration replied that this was policy since we have limited practice space. Now, I can get into a war of words, get angry, & start spewing back - or I can respectfully accept the response. I have already stated my concerns, and the administration of our school sees no harm in this issue & in fact can show that other small schools have the same policy. So, who am I to continue to argue? What benefit comes from my continued arguing? Will my witness as a Christian benefit or be harmed by my determination to get my way?

The author of Hebrews points out two other examples. The first was Esau. Isaac's son & Jacob's twin brother. Esau acted out of emotion. He sold his birthright - his inheritance as the first born - to his brother simply because he was too lazy to get himself his own dinner. Later on, he tried to get it back through manipulation of his father's sympathy. Second, the Israelites arrived at Mt. Sinai about three months after they left slavery in Egypt. During this three months, they complained - a lot! They had witnessed God's power in Egypt with the plagues and at the Red Sea when it parted. God lead them through the desert with a pillar of cloud during the day & a pillar of fire at night. They were thirsty, He provided water. They were hungry, He provided manna. They wanted meat, He provided quail. He protected them from harm & met their every need. Yet, they still responded to Him in fear when He spoke to them from the mountain. After all He had done for them, they still didn't know Him.

But you - when you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you invite Him into your heart. You begin a personal relationship with the Perfect Mediator. You receive the Holy Spirit to help train you & guide you in this relationship. And you receive eternal life. This world will one day end, but not you. You will live with Jesus forever. So, don't live in fear. Don't let your emotions rule you. Trust in God and practice self-control. Live in peace.

Hebrews 12:1-13

If I were running headlong into oncoming traffic, would you stop me? What if your little brother or sister was playing with matches? Would you take them away & give them a good talking to? I hope you would! Getting involved and stopping someone from hurting themselves or others shows love. If you didn't care, why would you intervene?

God cares! He doesn't just stand by & let you keep hurting yourself & others over & over again. Instead He disciplines us to keep us safe, to help us stop making those same mistakes over & over. Unfortunately, many of us bristle at the word discipline. We want to be left alone, we don't want any consequences. Just let me live my life & leave me alone. I think this attitude comes from a misunderstanding of the word discipline. I think we liken it to punishment. BUT - these are two completely different concepts:

Discipline - 1. Training expected to produce a specific character or pattern of behavior,
especially training that produces moral or mental improvement. 2. Discipline means a field of study or is training to fix incorrect behavior or create better skills.

Punishment - 1. a punishing or being punished 2. a penalty imposed on an offender for a crime or wrongdoing 3. harsh or injurious treatment

Do you see the difference? Discipline is training that gives you good skills. Discipline is given out of love & relationship. It is a desire to see an improvement in the life of the disciplined. Punishment is a harsh penalty imposed on an offender. You did this, so now you're going to get this. It's given out by an impartial judge. It's not about relationship.

So, when you receive discipline, don't give up, don't get an attitude, & don't ignore it! Pay attention and receive it with grace so you become the person you are meant to be.

Hebrews 11:1-40

What is faith? It's "being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." At lot of the time, we think the Old Testament was all about how well someone could follow the rules and the New Testament is all about Jesus setting up a new system. Not true. It's always been about faith. The author goes on to list many people who followed God's directions by faith. It wasn't that they did what God said, it was that they believed what God said. That's true relationship! If you really believe that God is who He says He is, that He created the world & everything in it - including you, & that He's knows what's best for you - then you would follow Him where He leads you because you believe that He really will do what He says He will do.

Are you following God? Even if you don't see the results, are you willing to have faith that God will do what He said He would do in His perfect timing?

Hebrews 10:19-39

Therefore. I love "therefore" in the Bible. It means that the author has built his case & is now bringing it on home.

Therefore, since Jesus is superior to angels, Moses, and the priesthood. Since His covenant is superior to the old one - confidently live out your faith. Know that God is God & Jesus is your salvation. Don't second guess yourself. Meet with and encourage other believers.

Always remember not to let your confidence make you proud - thinking that you're doing it on your own or that it's ok to just spit in God's face because Jesus' blood covers you. Always respect Jesus for His sacrifice. God did not tolerate those who rejected the law in the Old Covenant & God will not tolerate those who reject Jesus in the New.

Hebrews 10:1-18

Why don't we still sacrifice according to the ceremonial law? The animal sacrifices were only an annual reminder of sin, they do not take away sin. Jesus came to do God's will - to offer a perfect sacrifice. As the scripture says, "He sets aside the first to establish the second." (vs. 9) Jesus completed in one sacrifice what could not be accomplished in the daily sacrifice. Through Christ's sacrifice, the law is now written in our hearts and our minds, our sins are remembered no more. Praise the Lord!

Since there has been forgiveness, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin. Jesus has already accomplished it!

Hebrews 9:11-28

The Blood of Christ:

The old covenant of sacrifice required something outwardly pure to die in place of your sins. For without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin, for the wages of sin is death. This made you outwardly clean & symbolized a cleansed heart. Jesus Christ was internally pure. His sacrifice makes us internally clean and provides us with eternal life.

Remember, the tabernacle and temple are earthly models of the real deal in heaven. When Christ died, His blood wasn't spilled on earthly models, He didn't enter the Most Holy Place with his offering. No, He entered heaven and appeared before God with His sacrifice. What has been done over and over as an act of remembrance has been completed once and for all by Jesus Christ. His blood is enough, it is all that is needed. Praise the Lord!

Hebrews 9:1-10

The Old Covenant Worship -

The tabernacle was built by the Israelites in the desert according to the detailed plans God gave them. It consisted of a large tent divided into two rooms. The first room was the Holy Place. Priests served here. The second room was called the Most Holy Place. Only the chief priest was able to enter this room. When he entered, he had to go through an external purification process to show that he was cleansing himself from sin because the Most Holy Place was place where God's presence resided.

Yet, our author's tell us that this place was all external - shadows and illustrations for what was to come. It taught the people to respect and honor God. It also taught them that their sins separate them from God. But things were about to change. We'll read about that tomorrow.

Hebrews 8:1-13

The Old Covenant of sacrifice & the temple was built on constant renewal. Once again, man is imperfect, so he constantly needed to atone for his sins. The Temple was designed by God, but since man was in charge of it, it slowly became a place of corruption and greed. Many priests became prideful of their positions, authority, and power. They focused on selfish ambition rather than humble service. This left the people with an external faith. A knowledge of the laws and necessities of worship, without ever knowing God. Most served out of duty and obligation.

God formed a new covenant that made faith internal. The laws are no longer held in a building, they are now written on our hearts. Our mediator isn't an imperfect man, He is a perfect king. Our mediator isn't slowly dying, He is alive forevermore. We don't have to go to a building, or go through an imperfect person anymore. We simply need to listen to the Holy Spirit that now resides in our hearts & speak directly to God. Our renewal was completed on the cross - there is no need to keep going back for more. Our relationship with God has become just that - our relationship. It is strengthened through our own choices. Do you want to get closer to God? Your pastor, youth leader, parents, and friends won't bring you closer. Only you can do that now. So, read your Bible, spend time in prayer, & start living out your faith.

Hebrews 7:11-28

Judaism relies on a high priest to intercede on their behalf with God. The wages of sin is death, so the priest offers an animal in your place. But a high priest is just a man. He is not perfect. Nor does the law offer perfection. It is simply there to point us in the right direction. A system run by flawed man will always be flawed.

However, Jesus is perfect. His system is perfect. He is eternally alive, allowing Him to eternally intercede for us. He has no need to continue to offer sacrifices in our place, because He has already offered the perfect sacrifice - Himself.

The author is saying - stop relying on the old, flawed ways & start trusting in the New Covenant. Are you relying on something broken to get you by? Are you putting your trust in flawed man? Look to Jesus - He is the only way that offers true salvation.

Hebrews 1:1-10

The author is setting up an arguments here. Remember, this book was written to Jewish people who were thinking of leaving Christianity & going back to Judaism. The author reminds them of Melchizedek. He was the first person spoken of as a high priest of God Most High. This event in Genesis happened 400+ years before God told the Jewish people about the Tabernacle. This man wasn't a Jew, yet he was honored as an authority by Abraham.

So, how does that apply to us? Realize that it's not about your genealogy, your ethnicity, your family connections. It's about your heart. Melchizedek knew God. That's what's important. Do you know God?

Hebrews 6:13-20

The author is telling us that God is THE highest authority. When He says something, it happens. God told Abraham that he would have many descendants, even though his wife was barren. Abraham trusted God. The promise didn't happen immediately, but his wife became pregnant at 90 years of age. Abraham is also the great-great-great-great-(& so on & so forth) of King David, Solomon, and Jesus Christ.

We should display the same faith. If God says it, it's going to happen. God does not lie. Are you trusting Him? I love verse 19 - write this on your mirror so you see it every morning & evening: "We have this hope as an anchor for our soul, firm and secure."

Hebrews 5:11-6:12

Where are you at in your Christian walk? Let's compare it to reading. As we begin our lives, letters have no meaning to us. As we become toddlers, we start to understand that letters have meaning, but we are still dependent on others to teach us. As we start elementary school, we are starting to understand letter sounds and combinations enabling us to read small, simple words. As we progress through elementary school, our word knowledge grows. We become proficient at reading and begin to move on to comprehension and spelling. In middle and high school, the words get longer, the spelling gets harder, and our vocabulary expands.

Faith in Christ follows the same pattern. When you become a Christian, you are just beginning to understand who God is and what it's all about. You know that God is good, that you are a sinner, and that Jesus died for your sins. As you move into the elementary portion of your Christianity, you learn the basics of faith:

• the importance of faith
• the foolishness of trying to be saved by good deeds
• the meaning of baptism & spiritual gifts
• the facts of resurrection and eternal life

Many people never go beyond a basic understanding of these tenants of faith. They stick with a preschool understanding of God, relying on someone else to continually feed them simple helpings of the Scripture. The author of Hebrews urges us to move beyond this preschool faith. Read your Bible, spend time in prayer, get to know Jesus. As you move deeper in your faith, life becomes easier. Your confidence grows, you gain the ability to correctly judge right from wrong & avoid falling into the traps of temptation. And you learn to discern good teaching from bad. Preschoolers are easy to lead, easy to fool. Don't be a preschooler.

The final verses 4-8 speak of superficial believers. Those who talk the talk, but never walk the walk. They have a preschool understanding of God & investigate who He is for a while, but then they turn back to their old ways. These people have tasted a little of what God has to offer & then they harden their hearts, reject the Bible, and return to the place in which they started.

So, be diligent in your faith. Dig deeper, learn more, grow in your relationship with your Heavenly Father.

Hebrews 4:14-5:10

Jesus is greater than the Old Testament priesthood.

First of all, we need to understand the role of a high priest. God provided very detailed instructions to the Israelites concerning where & how to worship Him. These instructions can be found in Exodus & Leviticus. He told them how to build the tabernacle (a church that could be moved as the Israelites wandered in the desert); how, what, and when to sacrifice; and how to call and train priests. A high priest was to be appointed to oversee everything pertaining to the worship of God - the tabernacle, the sacrifices, the priests. The first high priest was Aaron, Moses' brother. In first century Jerusalem, the high priest oversaw the Temple and all that went on there. He was the mediator between man and God. Think of him as the president of the United States. He was in charge of everything, because everything in Jewish culture was centered around the Temple.

We learn about Melchizedek in Genesis 14:7-20. He was the "king of peace" who came into contact with Abram. He ruled Salem, which eventually became Jerusalem, and was a priest of the God Most High. What is interesting about Melchizedek is that he was not a Jew. From his life, we learn that anyone, Jew or Gentile, can be a follower of God. It's about your heart, not your genetics.

Finally, the author tells us that Jesus Christ is superior to the high priest. In fact, He is now THE High Priest - our mediator to God. He lived a human life, experienced pain, suffering, and temptation - yet He never sinned. He was the perfect High Priest and He offered a perfect sacrifice - Himself.

Hebrews 4:1-13

The sabbath rest spoken of here begins when we put our trust in Jesus Christ. It is perfected, or completed, in heaven. The Israelites missed out on this rest because they knew all about God, but they didn't put their trust in Him. They had no relationship with Him.

How do you know if you have a relationship or just a knowledge of God? Think of it in terms of the people in your life. You know who President Obama is - he's in the news, you've read about him, you've even heard him speak. But do you know really know him? No. How about an actor, actress, or music group? I like to watch "The Voice." I see the judges, I can read about their lives, listen to them talk. But I don't know them. They aren't friends. Now, think about your friends and your family. Do you know their favorite color? If they like snow or sun? What their favorite food is? Do you share your heart with them? Do you tell them your secrets? How about God? Is He just someone you've read about, been taught about? Or is He your friend? Do you talk to Him? Do you trust Him?

The last part of this chapter tells us that God knows us - everything about us. His Word, the Bible tells us all about Him. It's living & breathing. So, get into the Word and start talking to God. Get that friendship moving!

Hebrews 3:7-19

Oh, those stubborn Israelites in the desert. This passage is referring to the books Exodus through Deuteronomy. The Israelites were slaves in Egypt. They cried out to God to save them & guess what - He did. He raised up a leader, Moses, who confronted pharaoh. God sent the 10 plagues to convince pharaoh to let the Israelites go. Once the Israelites were free, God parted the Red Sea & they walked right through it on dry ground! He lead them by day with a pillar of cloud and by night with a pillar of fire. And yet, they whined. Oh, how they whined. There wasn't enough water, so God produced water from a rock. There wasn't enough food, so God sent manna every morning to feed them. They got tired of manna every day, so God sent quail too. Then they whined again about water. God lead them to a Mt. Sinai and audibly spoke to them & they cowered in fear. They didn't want to hear the words of the Lord, so they sent Moses up the mountain to speak with God in private. While he was gone, they whined some more, made their own god, and had a great party to honor & celebrate their new god made of gold. On and on and on these people continued to turn away from God. He was RIGHT THERE in front of them day & night. He met their every need. Enemies attempted to harm them & God defeated them. They saw great miracles and yet they choose to live in fear & distrust. When I read these books, I think what dummies they were. Why didn't they believe in all that they had seen? And then I remember - I whine an awful lot. I complain. I mistrust. And God has always been right there protecting me.

Listen to this author's words and put away your distrust. Don't harden your heart to all the good things God does for you each day. Hold firmly to your confidence in the goodness of God and encourage those around you to open their eyes & see God. It doesn't matter how many miracles you witness. Remember, it's all about your relationship. You may see His power, but until you enter into a relationship, you will never know the depth of His love.