And Others

Posted on August 11, 2021 by paulwlane

Hebrews 11:35 – 12:1

Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented—of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us. And others were tortured, not accepting deliverance that they might obtain a better resurrection.

Still others – mockings, scourgings, chains and imprisonment.
Great people – the super giants of the faith – poverty, destitute. The world was not worthy of them.
All these, having obtained a good testimony through faith – did not receive the promise – YET WERE FAITHFUL!

Hebrews 12:1 – Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.

Those who were faithful in the midst of trials
Those who went through difficult situations
Those who endured to the end

They are looking over the balcony of heaven cheering us on.

Hebrews 12:1 – Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls. (The Message)

Hebrews 11:40 – God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.

God has provided something better for us? What about them? They were not any different from us.

They were not always successful.
They were not always delivered
They were not always victorious

Or were they?

In their weakness they were made strong
They were the real heroes

They failed in their battle – Or did they?

Not always successful in the eyes of man – but a great success in the eyes of God
Faithfulness counts for everything
Being faithful in adverse conditions will cause one to triumph in God!

Waiting

Posted on August 9, 2021 by paulwlane

Hebrews 9:22-28

And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission. Therefore it was necessary that the copies of the things in the heavens should be purified with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another—He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.

Waiting is not to be passive – but active – while drawing near to Him. When God moves, we move if we have waited on Him. Waiting times are times of drawing near to God.

Waiting for someone who said they would meet you at a certain time.
Waiting in the restaurant for someone to take your order.
Waiting for good or bad news.
Waiting in line.
Waiting at an intersection when the light is red.
Waiting on road construction.
Waiting for the elevator.

Isaiah 49:23 – …Then you will know that I am the Lord, for they shall not be ashamed who wait for Me.

Lamentations 3:25 – The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him.

Isaiah 40:31 – But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles,
they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.

Psalm 37:7 – Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.

Psalm 40:1 – I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry.

Psalm 62:5 – My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him.

Psalm 25:5 – Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; on You I wait all the day.

Psalm 27:14 – Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord!

Psalm 130:5 – I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I do hope.

Psalm 37:9 – …those who wait on the Lord, they shall inherit the earth.

The Shedding of Bloog

Posted on August 6, 2021 by paulwlane

Hebrews 9:16-28

For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives. Therefore not even the first covenant was dedicated without blood. For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, saying, “This is the blood of the covenant which God has commanded you.” Then likewise he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry. ²²And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission. Therefore it was necessary that the copies of the things in the heavens should be purified with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another— He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.

Exodus 24:6-8 – And Moses took half the blood and put it in basins, and half the blood he sprinkled on the altar. Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read in the hearing of the people. And they said, “All that the Lord has said we will do, and be obedient.” And Moses took the blood, sprinkled it on the people, and said, “This is the blood of the covenant which the Lord has made with you according to all these words.”

For fulfillment of the Law – A covenant relationship – Circumcision/Victory over the flesh

Genesis 17:10-14 – This is My covenant which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you: Every male child among you shall be circumcised; and you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between Me and you. He who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised, every male child in your generations, he who is born in your house or bought with money from any foreigner who is not your descendant. He who is born in your house and he who is bought with your money must be circumcised, and My covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant. And the uncircumcised male child, who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that person shall be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant.”

Leviticus 12:3 – And on the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.

For the church
In Gethsemane – Victory over the mind (thoughts, temptations, self-will)

Luke 22:44 – And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

Hebrews 4:15 – For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.

James 1:12-15 – Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.

1 Peter 5:6-9 – Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.

Scourging by Pilate – Victory over hurt by others

Matthew 27:26 – Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified.

Matthew 5:39 – But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.

Matthew 6:12 – And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

Matthew 5:10-11 – Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.

Ephesians 4:26-32 – Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil. Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

The crown of thorns – Victory over different beliefs or opinions of others

Matthew 27:27-30 – Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole garrison around Him. And they stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand. And they bowed the knee before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” Then they spat on Him, and took the reed and struck Him on the head.

Carrying the cross – Victory over demands and/or burdens placed upon us

Matthew 27:32 – Now as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. Him they compelled to bear His cross.

For the world
The cross – Victory over sin

John 3:16 – For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

The tomb – Victory over death, hell and the grave

Matthew 27:50-54 – And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many. So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God!”

Be Faithful

Posted on August 4, 2021 by paulwlane

Hebrews 3:12-15

Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end, while it is said: “Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”

Believer

Believe, do not doubt.

Praise the Lord. Do not pout.

In Him Trust. It’s a must.

Exhort
- Lift up
- Console, strengthen
- Admonish
- Beseech, to urge, comfort
- To call out to a person and offer aid
- To speak of, recommend, advise
- Urge forward
- Call to one’s side

Romans 15:4 – For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.

Exhort one another DAILY while it is called today. In other words, do not delay….do it NOW.

Why today? Because now is the day of salvation. The present time because we have no guarantee of tomorrow.

Be an encourager today because disappointment, discouragement, temptations are all there, ready to deceive.

Be an encourager today because Satan strikes at the Christian to deceive, kill and destroy when they are at their weakest point. Therefore, always be ready to be an encourager NOW.

Endure to the end. It is not enough to just confess Christ, just to say the sinner’s prayer. But today, NOW, this hour, this time we must determine in our heart to serve God.

Today, if you will hear His voice

Do not turn away
- Do not delay
- Do not look back
- Do not stray

Revelation 2:10 – …Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Don’t Listen to the Devil’s Tricks

Posted on August 2, 2021 by paulwlane

Hebrews 2:1-4

Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?

Don’t Disregard His Word

Hebrews 2:1-4 – Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?

Don’t Doubt His Word

Hebrews 3:12-15 – Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God;but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end, while it is said: “Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”

Hebrews 4:13 – And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

Don’t Depart From His Word

Hebrews 6:4-6 – Once people have seen the light, gotten a taste of heaven and been part of the work of the Holy Spirit, once they’ve personally experienced the sheer goodness of God’s Word and the powers breaking in on us—if then they turn their backs on it, washing their hands of the whole thing, well, they can’t start over as if nothing happened. That’s impossible. Why, they’ve re-crucified Jesus! They’ve repudiated him in public! Parched ground that soaks up the rain and then produces an abundance of carrots and corn for its gardener gets God’s “Well done!” But if it produces weeds and thistles, it’s more likely to get destroyed. Fields like that are burned, not harvested.

Don’t Despise His Word

Hebrews 10:26-29 – For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?

Don’t Disagree With His Word

Hebrews 12:25 – See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven.

Revelation 3:20 – Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.

Listen Up!

Posted on July 30, 2021 by paulwlane

Hebrews 2:1-4

Since all this is true, we ought to pay much closer attention than ever to the truths that we have heard, lest in any way we drift past [them] and slip away. For if the message given through angels [the Law spoken by them to Moses] was authentic and proved sure, and every violation and disobedience received an appropriate (just and adequate) penalty, how shall we escape [appropriate retribution] if we neglect and refuse to pay attention to such a great salvation [as is now offered to us, letting it drift past us forever]? For it was declared at first by the Lord [Himself], and it was confirmed to us and proved to be real and genuine by those who personally heard [Him speak]. [Besides this evidence] it was also established and plainly endorsed by God, Who showed His approval of it by signs and wonders and various miraculous manifestations of [His] power and by imparting the gifts of the Holy Spirit [to the believers] according to His own will.

Listen, pay attention, take note, as well as other similar admonitions, are warning signs of possible danger. Salvation is free to all of us, but it was not free for Christ. A great price was paid for all. Therefore, we must pay attention to all we have heard, read and know about the things of God.

Lest we drift away
Lest we miss out on His blessings
Lest we fall back into great sin.

Be sure you are on the right road. Get out your map…the Word of God. Watch the warning signs…the signs of the time and your own reckless conduct, and be aware of danger.

Have you ever been day dreaming and missed your turn –

While playing a game
A chance to own your own home
A great job possibility
The spouse of your dreams

all while your mind was somewhere else?

That can and does happen in regard to your spiritual life also.

Romans 12:1-2 – I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Did you hear the words “holy” and “acceptable to God?”

Ask yourself, “Am I presenting my body a living sacrifice?

In the Old Testament the lamb that was offered was to be spotless, without spot or blemish…pure… undefiled…not diseased or crippled.

When we dare to come into God’s presence with worship and praise, are we offering up a pure sacrifice?

We would not dare invite some important dignitary to our home for a great feast and prepare them a meal that was not properly cooked or was spoiled? In fact, we would not allow our families to eat of the same kind of meal. We would offer our best. The best that we could afford. We might even go out and buy new dishes, table linen, or silverware if our guest was really an important dignitary.

Have any of you ever left out a key ingredient, like baking powder, when baking a cake, or put twice the amount of one ingredient into the mix? How did it turn out? Terrible! I had a sister that baked a pumpkin pie using salt rather than sugar. The salt had been put in the wrong container and, needless to say, it was totally ruined.

Your Christian life gets messed up too if you leave out God, or if you put in too much of the world’s practices.

Or, maybe you were distracted by a member of your family, the phone, your own negligence and you missed your warning signs.

Should our offering of worship to God, or our lifestyle, be any less than our offering for man?

What is the good, the perfect, the acceptable will of God? His Word.

What about the term “permissive will” of God that we all have heard. What a copout! Permissive will is not in the Word of God nor is it even implied. Men have come up with that term to justify their own actions and behavior. God’s will is God’s will. What part of “Thou shalt not” did you not understand?

How can you hedge or change perfection? You just ignore what God wants and do what you want.

Is that right? NO!

God is not pleased with our doing our own thing. He wants us to do His thing! He wants you to live right and to live holy. Part of my prayer normally includes the words, “In all I think, say and do, let my life be pleasing to you.”

Praise God, there is hope for sinful man. He is not willing for any to perish.

Endure to the End – Enter into His Rest

Posted on July 10, 2021 by paulwlane

Hebrews 4:11-15

Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Be diligent, keep the faith, hold steady, keep on keeping on. The end is in sight, keep your eyes on the goal, the race is almost run. Hear what God is speaking to us through His Word. Note the signs of the times (but the real signs are as stated in God’s Word

Speculation is constantly going on about the end of the world.

Planets lining up – What does the Word say?
False prophets saying this and that – What does the Word say?
Apocalyptic (end time) teachers and groups and movies – What does the Word say?

Be diligent, careful, watch out, be on guard. The Bible is our sole source. Any other source must line up with the Word of God. “You know not the day nor the hour.”

Matthew 24 gives us Jesus words to His disciples about the end time.

Verses 3-14 – Signs of the time and the end of the Age.
Verses 15-28 – The Great Tribulation
Verses 29-31 – The Coming of the Son of Man
Verses 32-35 – Parable of the Fig Tree
Verses 36 – No one knows the day nor the hour
Verses 37 – As it was in the days of Noah (eating, drinking, marriage, violence)
Verse 44 – KEY – Be ready!!!

Many of the Scriptures telling about end times (Matthew 24, Daniel, Revelation) are difficult to understand. They are open to a lot of various interpretations. In all of the Scriptures we can read, it comes down to this final analysis.

Be watchful – Be careful what you get involved in that you are not totally consumed and lose sight of the time and lose your vision.
Be holy – “Be holy as I am holy.” No clothesline doctrine, no manmade rituals, no rules. Just ask yourself “Should I or would I do this, go there, say this if Jesus Christ Himself was with me. Well, he is.
Be ready – Be forgiving, be without sin, be like Christ.
Have the fruit of the Spirit in your life

Galatians 5:22-23 – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

Put on the whole armor of God.

Ephesians 6:10-14 – Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness

Note:

Ephesians 6:17 – And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Hebrews 4:12 – For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

The Word of the Spirit – the Word of God –

Divides, cuts away the truth from the lies (Beware of half-truths, you may have heard the wrong half)
Divides, cuts away the important from the trivial
Divides, cuts away the specific requirements from the optional
Divides, cuts away the “must do” from the “can do”

Thoughts of a Retired Pastor

Category Archives: Hebrews