Hebrews 3:7-18: Warning against an unbelieving heart...

TVCC Students,
We love getting to spend time with you all worshipping Jesus every Wednesday night. Seeing you all devoted to fellowship, the Word, worship and prayer blesses us so much. This week we finished up Hebrews 3 and were reminded by the writer of Hebrews to be on guard against a hard and unbelieving heart. Here is a recap...

Hebrews 3:7-18:

~3:7: The writer is appealing to the readers to remember what the Holy Spirit has warned in the past (in Psalm 95 and so many other places). It is important that the Hebrews reading this (and all of us today) realize that the writer was not giving them new commands against hard hearts. The Spirit has been warning His people about this since the beginning of time. The writer was talking in this section to people that were around the things of God but still had a rebellious heart and didn't believe in Jesus as their only source of salvation.

Q: Are you someone who has genuine faith in the Lord Jesus as your only hope for salvation or are you someone who is just around the things of God but are still trying to gain a right standing with the Lord by your own works?

~3:8-10: God's warning to us shows us so much about His character. The Lord could just destroy us in an instant because of our unbelieving, hard hearts but instead He appeals to us to come to Him for change. He has always wanted a relationship with His people and continues to pursue us despite our rebellion. We also see in Ezekiel 33:11 that the Lord does not take pleasure in the destruction of mankind but His heart is for us to have repent, having soft hearts and a humbly, needy spirit asking for His healing through the blood of Christ. Our God is slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness (Nehemiah 9:31, Exodus 34:6, Number 14:18, Psalm 86:5, Psalm 86:15, Joel 2:13)! Let us not continue in our rebellion but respond TODAY to His calling! Let us repent and return to our creator appealing to Him on the basis of what Christ has done on our behalf. Let us also remember that what the Lord cares about is our hearts. He is not concerned with how moral we appear on the outside but He is wholly concerned with whether or not our hearts are fully surrendered to Him.

Q: Do you realize the patience the Lord has displayed towards you? We have all been rebellious since birth and He graciously puts up with us and even extends His salvation to us through Jesus. Through Jesus, He pursues a relationship with us... despite us. How should this truth affect your daily life and your interactions with others?

~3:11: It is so important that we continually be people who learn from the mistakes and victories of others. Here, the writer of Hebrews is appealing to the Hebrews to remember the Israelites in Deuteronomy and how their rebellion led to lives lived in the wilderness. If we jump over to Deuteronomy 1:1-3, we see something astounding.... the Israelites took 40 YEARS to make a journey that should have only taken 11 DAYS! Oh my! What can we learn from this? Because of their unbelief and rebellion, one whole generation of Israelites were Their disobedience cost them so much. They could have been resting in the promised land but instead they spent their lives wandering in the desert. Our disobedience is costly too. We can either come to the Lord in humble surrender and give our lives fully to Him, enjoying the rest of His presence, or we can continue in our rebellion and wander aimlessly in the desert of this life without any eternal hope. Let us come to Him today and be used for His glory!

Q: Are you resting in the peace of the Lord's presence through faith in Christ or are you aimlessly wandering in the desert of life trying to fulfill and sustain yourself through things of the world that will never fully satisfy you?

~3:12: Here the writer does not call the Hebrews "holy brethren" as He did in 3:1. Now He is talking to the Jewish people who were around the Lord's truth but still hadn't trusted in Him. There are 2 kinds of people in the world- those who have placed their whole trust in Jesus and those who have not. Those who haven't are destined for eternal destruction and those who have trusted in Jesus have an eternal inheritance reserved for them with Christ.

~3:13-15: The people in the church are called to encourage and exhort one another daily to be on guard against an evil and unbelieving heart. This word for "exhort" and "encourage" is the same word used for the "Holy Spirit" as our Helper and the same word used for "Eve," given to Adam as his helper. What a strong word used to describe how the church should be acting towards one another. We should continually be helping those around us to see the glory of Jesus and to live lives of faithful obedience through the power of the Spirit. We are not called to be just "seat warmers" in the church. We are called to play an active role in the lives of those around us. Our lives matter. How we live matters. We were not meant to do life alone or to try and overcome sin on our own; we need each other! Sin is deceitful and we need to continually be coming to the aid of each other so that we are not overcome by the world and satan's schemes.

Q: Are you playing your part in the body of Christ or are you just being a "seat warmer?" How are you encouraging those around you on a daily basis? What changes do you feel the Lord calling you to so that you can be someone who is encouraging the body of Christ day after day?

~3:16-18: We are not different from the people of Israel. We continually disobey the Lord and struggle to have faith in Him. We need to be warned through the lives of the Israelites to be on guard against an unbelieving and hard heart. This is something we need the Lord to do in us. Just as the man in Mark 9:24 states "I believe... help my unbelief..." so we too need to come to Jesus with honesty declaring "we believe... help our unbelief!" Jesus is the Author and Perfecter of our faith. We need Him to sustain our faith. Let us come to Him in humility daily asking for fresh faith. We need Him everyday!

Q: Are you in the habit of daily coming to Him asking for Him to give you faith and strength for the trials of the day? What changes do you feel the Lord calling you to in order to live a life that is more dependent on Him?

Dear students,
We love you all very much and are so thankful for the opportunity to worship the Lord alongside of you all. We pray that this week you will seek His Spirit to have a soft and believing heart. We pray that you will surround yourself with the things of God and that you will find encouragement from the body of Christ that surrounds you. Meditate on His Word this week and continually ask the Lord to be changing you.

With hope,
~Sonny and Casi

Hebrews 3:1-6: Consider Jesus

TVCC Students,
We hope you guys have enjoyed spring break and hopefully you were able to get some rest and enjoy time with Jesus, family and friends. We enjoyed getting to spend last night worshipping Jesus with you guys! Last night we took a look at Hebrews 3:1-6 and all of the wonderful truths that are ours in Christ. Here is a recap...

Hebrews 3:1-6:
~3:1: The writer starts off this chapter with the word "therefore." In order to understand what he is talking about, we must go back to what was just previously talked about. The writer had been talking about how Christ is so much better than the law. Where the law failed to offer complete cleansing and access to the Lord, Christ was perfect. His sacrifice on our behalf has made us fully acceptable to the Father. The law was a tutor that was only supposed to lead us to Christ not something we were ever supposed to cling to as our method for obtaining righteousness.

Q: Have you meditated lately on how complete your salvation is in Christ? You were once wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked (Revelation 3). Christ has completely cleansed and spiritually healed you! Meditate on this truth!

~3:1: The writer calls the believers "holy brethren." What an underserved title that believers are given in Christ. To be called "holy." This is not something that we did or can do on our own. 2 Corinthians 5:21 says that Christ became sin on our behalf so that we could become the righteousness of God in Him. Christ's righteousness was imputed to us through faith. Amazing.

Q: Do you realize that you are called "holy" because of the work of Christ? He lived and died so that you could be seen as pure and spotless before the Lord.

~3:1: After calling us "holy," believers are called "brethren" by the writer of Hebrews. What implications does this have? Those who trust in Jesus' death and resurrection on their behalf have been adopted into the family of God. We are co-heirs with Christ! Our Father is the One who created this whole earth and keeps every molecule in place so that it doesn't unravel in mass chaos. Our Father created galaxies beyond the comprehension of the human mind. This is our Father through Christ. If He is for us, who can be against us (Romans 8:31)!!?

~3:1: Once telling the believers who they are in Christ, the writer calls them to remember that they are "partakers of a heavenly calling." What does this mean? This life isn't what we should be living for. Hebrews 11 gives us a clear look into the lives of people who live this out to the fullest. Those that live their lives for the Lord make it clear that they are seeking an eternal country that is beyond this world. The Lord wants us to remember that this life is fading fast and what really matters are the things that we do that are of eternal significance. Matthew 6:19 calls us to store up treasures in heaven where they will be preserved and not fade away. Living for this life alone is futile and will ultimately leave us disappointed.

Q: Do you find yourself partaking of the "heavenly calling" that is yours in Christ or do you find yourself storing up treasures for this life... treasures that will eventually fade away? What changes do you feel called to make to live for the "heavenly calling" of one who is a child of the Lord through faith in Christ?

~3:1: The writer now gives Christians a secret into partaking of the heavenly calling. Consider Jesus.  So much of the Word talks about this. Colossians 3:2 and Hebrews 12:2 call us to fix our eyes on Jesus and seek the things that are above where Christ is. This is what the Lord wants from us. He does not want our endless striving to be "holy" and "moral" on our own. If our focus is on Christ and enjoying Him, we will find ourselves partaking of the "heavenly calling" without even realizing it. Matthew 11:28 calls believers to come to Jesus. He gives us rest. We are called to come to Him and learn from Him. How can one learn from Jesus if we never interact with Him? It wold be virtually impossible. In order to learn from Him we must continually be looking at Him and His life through His Word, prayer, and fellowship. He is our eternal source of satisfaction and joy. We were made to enjoy Him.

Q: Are you in the habit of "considering Jesus" on a daily basis? What does it look like to "consider Jesus" often and learn from Him? Are there any changes that you feel called to make in light of the call to "consider Jesus?"

~3:1: In calling us to consider Jesus, the writer reminds us of who Jesus is. He is the "Apostle" and "High Priest" of our confession. In being the "Apostle," Jesus is the ONE sent from God to speak to us the truth of God and teach us, like no one else can, who the Father is (as He is the exact representation of the Father). In being our "High Priest," Jesus is the ONE who takes our cares and concerns to the Father. He is the ONE who made atonement for us once and for all through His death and resurrection on our behalf.

Q: Have you meditated lately on how Christ is both your "Apostle" and "High Priest?" How should this truth affect your daily life? Does it?

~3:2-6: Christ was faithful when all of mankind failed and we are now part of God's house through faith in what Christ has done. Genuine believers might have times of rebellion but they will be brought back through conviction from the Spirit that lives within them. This is not an act of human will but of the God who initiates salvation in His children. God gives believers the grace to believer and He is the one that sustains that belief. We cannot keep ourselves faithful to Christ on our own. We must continually come to Jesus- the Author and Perfecter of our faith. 1 Corinthians 1:8 reminds us that the Lord sustains our faith until the end. Jesus saves and sanctifies us. Believers are called to fix our eyes on Jesus alone and He will sustain and grow our faith.

Q: What does it look like for you to fix your eyes on Jesus?

Dear Students,
We are continually humbled by the opportunity to get to serve the Lord alongside of you guys. We are so thankful to get to see you all growing in love for the Lord Jesus and for one another. We pray that this week you would "cease striving" and "know that He is God." Enjoy Him. Spend time "considering Jesus" and asking Him to grow you as you enjoy His presence. We love you all!

With hope,
~Sonny and Casi

Hebrews 2:10-18: We have access through Jesus!

TVCC Students,
We hope that you are enjoying your spring break! We love getting to have time with you guys diving into the Word and spending time in worship. This week we looked at the end of Hebrews 2 and how Jesus became like us in order to be our perfect substitute. Here is a recap...

Hebrews 2:10-18
~2:10: It was fitting for Jesus to suffer for His people because it revealed His character and brought Him glory. Jesus coming to dwell among His creation and sacrifice Himself for us was the ultimate demonstration of how the Lord goes to the most extreme measures to have a relationship with His people. How amazing that the One who created galaxies beyond our imagination would come down as a baby to grow up and eventually be crucified in our place so that we could be with Him in eternity!!

Q: Do you realize what great lengths the Lord has gone through to bring you back to a right relationship with Him?

~2:11-13: We see here as in Hebrews 10:10 that through Christ we have been sanctified and our position before the Lord is now beautiful and spotless. Because of Christ's death and resurrection, we are now called children of God and have been completely cleansed- once and for all. Because of this, we have access to the Father and need not be ashamed to approach Him. We do not need to be timid in approaching the Lord- Christ has made us worthy! This is grace! We need to cling to this truth at all times. When we are feeling full of guilt and shame we must remember that Christ has purified us. Let us approach the Lord on the basis of what Christ has done and ask Him for the help that we need to walk in His truth (Luke 11)

Q: Do you realize your position before the Lord now that you are in Christ? He calls you His brethren and makes you qualified to share in His inheritance! What keeps you from approaching Him boldly on a daily basis?

~2:14-15: The power of God conquered the power of Satan. Satan's hold over creation was death and Christ conquered that. He left heaven and came to die on our behalf. Then He rose again, defeating death and rendering Satan powerless! Jesus took our penalty so that we could escape the from the death that we deserved. Death has no hold over those that are in Christ! Christ is more powerful than any hold of Satan and those that are in Christ can now agree with Paul and say "to live is Christ and to die is gain."(Philippians 1:21)

Q: Do you now realize that when you are in Christ, the fear of death no longer has a hold on you? Are you living in such a way that your life says "to live is Christ and to die is gain?" What does it look like to live your life that way?

~2:16-17: A priest was someone appointed by God to present the people of God as pure through sacrifices on their behalf. In the Old Testament, the priests would offer sacrifices of spotless lambs and bulls in order to make the people holy before the Lord. Christ came as our High Priest once and for all to shed His own pure and sinless blood on our behalf so that the people of God would be completely cleansed and would no longer need the blood of bulls and goats. Christ finished His work of our redemption and through faith in Him we are completely cleansed!

Q: Do you realize that there is no condemnation for those that are in Christ? What changes would take place in your life if you were really living in the freedom and forgiveness that are yours in Christ?

~2:18: Jesus walked the life that we walk so that He could come to our aid when we are tempted having been through our temptations without faltering. He has faced all of our temptations and we are able to come to Him for help when we face temptations! The Word tells us to come to Him when we are weary and heavy laden and He will give us rest (Matthew 11:28). 1 Corinthians 10 tells us that our temptations are all similar and that the Lord always provides a way out! How amazing that we have a God who desires to help in our weakness and is able to do so having been through all of our temptations Himself!

Q: Are you in the habit of coming to the Lord when you are being tempted and asking for Him to help you through the temptation? Do you realize that Christ has been through your temptations and is able to come to your help? What would it look like for you to come to Him often asking for help through your trials?

Dear students,
We are so thankful to get to worship and serve the Lord alongside of you. We pray that you will meditate this week on what Christ went through to bring you back to Him. We pray that you will make a practice of coming to the Lord when you are tempted and depend on Him to help you through your temptation. We are praying for you all this week!

With hope,
~Sonny and Casi

Hebrews 2:1-10: Pay Close Attention...

TVCC Students,
We know things are going to be a little "off" these next couple of weeks with spring breaks and other things but we are going to continue pushing through the book of Hebrews and see all that the Lord has for us. Last night we went through Hebrews 2 and saw the importance of paying close attention to what we have heard. Here is a recap...

Hebrews 2
~2:1-3: "For this reason..." we should pay attention to what we have heard. What reason is the writer talking about? If you look at verses 2-3 we see the answer. Because the Word of the Lord is sure and He is coming back to bring judgement on those that have rejected His salvation... we must be careful and pay attention to what we have heard in regards to heavenly things. If we look at 2 Peter 3:7-13 we see that the Lord is coming back with judgement towards unbelievers. This whole earth and everything that is in it will one day perish and only things that are of eternal value will last. We must remember this truth as we are living out our daily lives. Nothing here is worth our love and devotion if it is not connected with the glory of the Lord.

~2:1-3: Why must we pay attention to what we are listening to? Because if we are not careful we can drift from the truth. Just as a driver of a car must pay careful attention to the course he is on and must not let go of the steering wheel, so we too must not just let ourselves be taken over by the teaching of the world. We must be diligent to continually fix our eyes on Jesus (as the book of Colossians tells us) and continually be brought back to the grace and truth of the gospel.

Q: What does it look like for you to pay close attention to the teachings that you are surrounding yourself with? How are you doing at this?

~2:3: How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? At this point we must revisit our salvation and be reminded of how great it is. If we look at Romans 8 we see that the Lord came down to justify us and make us heirs with Christ. All things are ours in Christ. Through the death and resurrection on our behalf, we are no longer under the wrath and condemnation of our sin. We are justified in Christ. We are set free in Christ. Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ! Our salvation is truly great! To neglect this wonderful salvation for any other falsehood would be devastating. Let us cling to this salvation and the Lord who came down to die in our place that we might be reconciled to Him!

Q: Have you meditated lately on the great salvation of the Lord? What impact does it have on your life when you meditate on His salvation?

~2:4: God has continually been reaching down to His people to draw them to Himself. He has been, by His grace, speaking to His people since the beginning of time through signs, wonders, prophets, miracles and more. He is the one that pursues His people by His grace. His grace draws us to Him, giving us salvation, and His grace is what sanctifies us (Galatians 2).

Q: In what ways have you personally seen the Lord reach out to you to show you His salvation? Have you been thankful lately for the ways that He has been pursuing you in your life?

~2:5-8: Our salvation is so great and so is our future in Christ. All things are under the subjection of Christ (even if we do not realize it!). Jesus is the ruler of everything and is coming back soon to bring His family home with Him. Only things that bring Him glory really matter.

Q: Are you living for things that will one day perish or are you living for heavenly things?

~2:9-10: Jesus: our amazing Sacrifice. He became a man to become sin on our behalf so that we might become righteous through Him. Only He is worthy to be our sacrificial Lamb. Revelation 5 shows us a glimpse of how awesome our Lord is and that one day ever created thing will be falling before Him in praise. If we know that this day is coming, how should we be living? Is it not in our best interest to stop living for things that will perish and begin to worship Him with our lives since only things that pertain to Him will remain in eternity?

Q: What/who have you been worshipping lately? Do you feel the Lord calling you to make any changes in your life based on what you have been reading in Hebrews?

Dear Students,
We are so thankful for each one of you. We are continually refreshed by your faith and how you guys are living out your lives for the glory of Christ. We pray this week that you will pay close attention to the teachings that you surround yourself with and that you would continually be meditating on the gospel and God's great salvation that was extended to you through the death and resurrection of Christ. We love you guys and are praying for you!

With hope,
~Sonny & Casi

***Upcoming events:
~Paintball Party @Oil Ranch
~Mud Run @ Oil Ranch