We finished Hebrews 13 tonight looking at the author’s dealing with several important issues in the Church of God. We were exhorted to let brotherly love continue and to be hospitable to strangers in the Church. Pastor Brett talked about the important of healthy marriage, particularly with the marriage bed and physical intimacy as God reveals to us in His Word the way he designed marriage and sexuality to work. We closed the chapter talking about several issues in the Church, from food, to corporate worship, to being submitted to the leadership of our local church.

In this study Pastor Brett took us through Hebrews 12:5-11 where we looked at the Biblical example of correction, spanking and discipline. We saw that the earthly example of parents disciplining their children is used by the Lord to talk about the way that He corrects us in love. With the Lord, we are never punished for our sins but are disciplined with the purpose of correction, growth and greater intimacy with God.

The writer of Hebrews exhorted us in Chapter 12 to run the race of the Christian faith with our eyes fixed on Jesus, leaving behind the weight that holds us back. We were challenged by Pastor Brett to endure God’s discipline as His children and to stand firm in His strength through the trials of life. Closing out the study we were reminded that our God is a consuming fire; that his judgment is real, but that we have an eternal inheritance in Christ as we receive a kingdom that cannot be shaken.

We continued in the Hall of Faith looming at the example of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and their “even-if” faith. They along with the “others” of verses 36-40 showed us that choosing to trust God through suffering is great faith. We also saw that even-if faith looks to the ultimate reward of being united to Christ eternally and is willing to accept whatever He has planned in this life.

Tonight Pastor Brett took us through the end of Hebrews 11 and the Hall of Faith. We looked at Joshua and his victory at Jericho as it modeled for us how the Lord wants to bring about completion of His work in our lives. We also saw some unexpected examples of faith in the lives of Joshua, Rahab, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, and David. The study ended with examples of Old Testament believers who suffered and left us with examples of faith that trust God even in the face of death.

As we continue studying through the Hall of Faith in Hebrews 11, Pastor Brett gave us an in-depth look at Moses as a model of faith. We looked at six ways that Moses rejected the the world and its offer of sinful desires and compromise and saw how he chose to trust God and His plan instead of the world. Even Moses’ example of stepping out in faith at the Red Sea was an encouragement for us to look to the Lord and trust Him, even in the face of affliction and danger.

As we continued to study through Hebrews 11 and the Hall of Faith, Pastor Brett talked about the importance of family in the life of faith. We saw that Noah was commended for preparing a safe place for his family and also saw through the examples of Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph how God’s blessings flowed through the families of broken people that trusted God. Finally we saw that Isaac and Jacob were commended by the Lord for blessing their children and that Joseph had faith that God would deliver his people from Egypt.

In this study we saw that this oft-quoted passage of Scripture may actually be talking more about the effects of true faith more than its actual substance. Pastor Brett contrasted our initial saving faith with a faith that endures and continues, producing good fruit.

We were challenged with the questions of whether we actually believe God today and whether we are truly living our daily lives walking by faith.

Then we were pressed to examine our faith to see how it stands up. We looked at the substance of our faith, to see if our faith lines up with God’s word and has evidence of God’s fingerprint. Then we looked at the size of faith and saw that even a mustard seed (Matthew 17:20) is enough with Jesus to accomplish great work. Finally we ended looking at the strength of our faith seeing that the strength of our faith is related to faith’s object: Jesus Christ.

Tonight we looked at the first 6 verses of Hebrews 11. We saw the often overlooked truth that in verse 3 we are the first people mentioned in the Hall of Faith as we believe that God spoke the worlds into existence.

Then we looked at the examples of faith in Abel and Enoch. We saw that Abel offered a more pleasing sacrifice to God, a sacrifice that followed God’s word. Then we examined Enoch and his testimony that he walked with God and pleased God.

We were challenged by Pastor Brett to be a people that desire to bring God pleasure with the whole of our lives (Revelation 4:11).

This morning, we study Hebrews 10:19-25, where we see three “Let Us” statements given by the author. We are told to draw near, to hold fast, and to consider one another.

The Old Covenant was put in place as a shadow of this reality: humanity has a need to have our sin covered and completely done away with. As we continue our study through Hebrews, we see that Jesus is the solution for our sin, once and for all.

Today, Pastor Brett takes a closer look at the latter half of Hebrews 8. We see the author of Hebrews quote the prophet Jeremiah concerning the Mosaic covenant and the law.

Tonight, we see Jesus is better than the prophets, the angels, the law, and Aaron the high priest. Jesus is the Old Testament promise that there is something better than the law: the new covenant. We learn that Christ is the fulfillment of the Old Testament law and Jewish tradition.

In Hebrews 6:11-20, the author of Hebrews talks about hope, God’s promise, and the fact that God is our anchor. Without Him, we’ll drift away.

Tonight, we continue our study through Hebrews and learn that Jesus is…better! He is the anchor and hope for our soul, and our eternal High Priest who ever lives to make intercession for us.

This morning, we take a look at the many benefits that come from spending time in the Word. Rather than sticking to the basic, elementary truths about salvation, our lives are greatly enriched as we grow deeper in our understanding of scripture.

Tonight, we take a verse-by-verse look at Hebrews 5. We continue to see that Jesus is superior, specifically, to the priesthood. We see several foundational principles that every believer should understand.

Today, Pastor Brett takes a closer look at Hebrews 4:14-16, where we see Jesus Christ as our great high priest. Pastor Brett gives us six examples that illustrate how God can be our great high priest.

So far, in our study through Hebrews, we’ve seen that Christ is better than the angels, the prophets, the law, and any high priest. Tonight, we learn that Christ is better than the sabbath. We look at God’s sabbath, Israel’s rest in Canaan, and a future rest for all believers.

Hebrews 3:7-13 focuses on the condition of the human heart, as it relates to the soul. Many of the issues we deal with today are the result of heart problems. Today, Pastor Brett talks about how the Lord can change our hearts.

Tonight, we continue our through-the-Bible study and take a closer look at Hebrews 2. The author of Hebrews reminds us to heed the Word of God, and emphasizes the incredible gift of salvation that Christ gave us.

Hebrews 2:1 explains the importance of being attentive to the Word of God. Today, Pastor Brett talks about how every word in the Bible is precious, and we shouldn’t drift away from it. We’re all vessels, and we mustn’t spring any leaks.

This evening we begin the Book of Hebrews. We begin to see some of the themes of the book, including that Jesus is the complete answer to the Old Testament law, and the final word of God to mankind. Brett also taught about Jesus’ power in creating the world and upholding everything in it by His power.