Author: Jon Mitchell

Hebrews: Strive To Enter The Eternal Rest Of Heaven

Moses had shared the good news of God’s promised land of rest across the Jordan to them just as the good news of Jesus has been preached to Christians today.  Yet that gospel message ultimately will be of no benefit if one does not truly believe it.  True faith is always proved by works of obedience (James 2:14-26).  Hebrews promises that those “who have believed enter that rest,” unlike those who rebelliously lack faith to whom the author refers by citing God’s promise in Psalm 95:11: “As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter my rest’” (Hebrews 4:3).… Read More Hebrews: Strive To Enter The Eternal Rest Of Heaven

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Hebrews: Take Care That You Do Not Fall Away

Pleading with the Hebrew Christians of the early church to not abandon Christianity due to pressure from Jewish persecution, the Hebrew writer reminds them that they are the house of Christ…but on one condition:  “if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope” (Hebrews 3:6).  Despite what Calvinism promises, Christianity has never been a religion promising unconditional salvation under the doctrine of “once saved, always saved no matter what.”  On the contrary, these Hebrew Christians had, by virtue of obeying the gospel and becoming Christians, received salvation and forgiveness of sins.  Yet all of that was now in jeopardy should they give into Satan’s machinations and “fall away from the living God” by going back into Judaism.… Read More Hebrews: Take Care That You Do Not Fall Away

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Hebrews: Jesus’ Superiority Over Moses

The Hebrew Christians to whom the book of Hebrews was initially addressed were being tempted to abandon Christianity and go back to Judaism to avoid persecution.  Thus, Hebrews is basically a reasoned argument showing that Christianity is superior to Judaism.  After having shown Christ’s superiority to angels and the Old Testament prophets who had spoken to their ancestors (Hebrews 1-2), the inspired author now turns his attention to comparing Jesus to the prophet for whom the Hebrews justifiably had the most respect: Moses. … Read More Hebrews: Jesus’ Superiority Over Moses

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Hebrews: Christians Need Encouragement Just As Much As Correction

Christians, especially those among you who preach and teach God’s Word, take note of the example set by the Hebrew writer and Paul.  Satan targets all of us every day.  We need to be exhorted to stay on the right path and admonished when we unrepentantly give into sin.  Yet we also need to be reminded that God loves us, there is good in us, and we are part of something wonderful and much bigger and grander than anything we could imagine!  That, taken alongside any teaching and admonishment which we equally need, will motivate those of us with honest hearts to stay the course and keep the faith!… Read More Hebrews: Christians Need Encouragement Just As Much As Correction

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