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
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