Heart Stirring
On Fathers day we get to think about our fathers and about how we are glorifying God through our role as fathers. We also get to think about how our relationship is with our Heavenly Father, and think about His love for us. Hebrews 10:19-25 gives a summary of the content we’ve covered in the last couple of chapters and comes just before one of Hebrews’ several warnings. It also sums up Christian doctrine in three words, faith hope and love. We can journey through our relationship with our earthy father, our Heavenly Father and the purpose for which He created us in this short and powerful passage.
Scripture
Hebrews 10:19-25 ESV Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, [20] by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, [21] and since we have a great priest over the house of God, [22] let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. [23] Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. [24] And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, [25] not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Bible Study Questions
In today’s reading, the Holy Spirit, through the author of Hebrews, shows a relationship between three critical gifts. Each gift is introduced with the phrase “Let us”. What three gifts are we encouraged to put into action? (1 Corinthians 13:13)
The High Priest would enter the Holy place in by the blood of an animal sacrifice. We’re told we can draw near to God by a new and living way. What is the new and living way, and how does our faith relate to this new and living way? (Hebrews 10:19-22)
In today’s reading we’re encouraged to “hold fast the confession of our hope”. What are we encouraged to hope in? (Hebrews 10:23)
What is one of the primary reasons for meeting together as the family of God? What can we do when we meet together that we can’t do when we’re isolated? (Hebrews 10:24)
What Day is drawing near, and should serve as motivation for us to keeping meeting together? (Hebrews 10:25, 1 Corinthians 3:12-15)
Paul, by the Holy Spirit, repeats the lessons of this Hebrews passage a number of times in his letters. What parallels are there between today’s Scripture and Galatians 5:5-6?
How do Colossians 1:4-5 and 1 Peter 1:21-22 and our Hebrews Scripture expand and add to our understanding of the relationship between faith, hope and love?
We would expect love to endure for all eternity, but how do faith and hope endure throughout eternity? (1 Corinthians 13:13)
Prayer
Our Father, beloved and faithful Who is in Heaven. We praise Your Holy Name and thank You for all that You do for us. Thank You for making a way for us to be with You, and thank You for Your great promises. Please help us to hold on to our faith, our hope in You and Your word, and help us to encourage others with the same love with which You encourage us. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Worship
How deep the Father's love for us : Stuart Townsend
How deep the Father's love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He would give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure
How great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One
Bring many sons to glory
Behold the Man upon a cross
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished
I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no powr, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom
Service
Meeting together is a command of our God and Saviour. We meet to honour and adore Him and also to encourage each other and motivate one another to works of love ans service. We serve each other by meeting together. How can we be obedient to this instruction in times like these and the unusual complications of a pandemic and especially a third wave of infections?