You Need to Persevere

Hebrews 8:1-10:39

Key Verse 10:36

This passage says that since Jesus died once for all and rose again to administer God’s grace of salvation and is going to come again to bring salvation to those who wait for his return, all who believe in the Lord must persevere through all difficulties, doing God’s will, so that what God has promised would come true for them. 

1. Read 8:1-2. What does this passage tell us about Jesus’ on-going ministry (after his death, resurrection, and ascension)? 

** He works as the high priest (or go between/mediator between God and all who believe in the Lord), to ensure that their position as God’s children would be secured in God’s presence.

2. Read verses 3-13. What does “that first covenant” in verse 7 refer to? (9) Why did God choose to make a “new” covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah (8-9) Under the new covenant what did the Lord promise to do? (9,11,12) What does the word “new” [in the new covenant] indicate about “that first” (or old) covenant? (13)

** That first covenant refers to the one the Lord God entered into with the Israelites when the Lord brought them out of Egypt to himself through Moses. This covenant relationship is found in Exodus 19. The terms and conditions of this relationship are set forth in the law of Moses. 

** It turned out that although God was faithful to the Israelites they were unfaithful to God, and thereby worshiped idol gods, deserting their Lord. 

** God’s will for the new covenant is found in many places of the Old Testament Scriptures such as Jeremiah 31:31. Eventually when Jesus came he fulfilled this promise. Luke 22:20

** The promise to build a “knowing” relationship between God and his children. Jesus came to fulfill this promise. As the Shepherd Jesus knew his sheep and his sheep knew Jesus. Through sending the Holy Spirit to those who believe in the Lord, the Lord made this vision come true. 

** The old or first covenant became obsolete. 

3. Read 9:1-10. What shows that the gifts and sacrifices being offered in the “earthly sanctuary” under the “first covenant” were unable to clear the conscience of the worshiper? Why? (10) 

** Vs. 6- 8: the barrier between God and men still remained; the way had not yet been disclosed [the way = from the holy place to the Most Holy place]

** V. 10

4. Read verses 11-26. What shows that the sacrifice Jesus made is able to cleanse the conscience of the worshipper?

** Vs. 11-26 (consider particularly the phrase “once for all” (12, 26) esp. the word “all”; all refers to all including both the Jewish believers and the Gentile believers.) Jesus offered himself as the atoning sacrifice for all who believe in Him. 

[Substantively for all who believe in the Lord God, He sends His Spirit who in turn cleans up, cleansing all sinners of their sins, so that they would become righteous before God.]

5. Read verses 27-28. Who does the word “many” refer to in this passage? What does this passage tell us about the difference between the purpose of Jesus’ first coming and his “second” coming? To whom alone will he bring “salvation” when he appears a second time?

** “Many” refers to those who believe in the Lord.

** Jesus came first to bear the sins of the world and thereby open the way for his believers to come to God the Father. Jesus will come the second time to bring salvation to those who wait for him 

** Those who wait for his return.

6. Read 10:1-18. How many times is the word “holy” repeated? What does the word “holy” mean? Who are “his enemies”? (10:26-30) What does this passage tell us about the purpose for which Jesus chose to come into this world (10)

** 3

** Set apart for God’s purpose

** His enemies refer to those who reject Jesus and try to justify themselves relying on their own merits. 

** Jesus came to do God’s will, that is, to restore people to himself, so that his children would serve God’s purpose, that is, to love God and obey Him. 

7. Read verses 19-39 and think about the exhortations followed by such expressions as: 1) “Let us…”; 2) “Remember”; 3) “Do not throw away your confidence”; 4) “You need to persevere”. What does “persevere” mean? Why are we called to persevere? How can we persevere? (38a)

** Persevere:  to persist in a state, enterprise, or undertaking in spite of counterinfluences, opposition, or discouragement.

** It is because Jesus is going to come back to bring salvation to those who wait for him. 

** We can persevere not on our own, but by faith in God who is all powerful. 

The end

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