2023/08/22 - Hebrews 5: Great High Priest & Warning Against Falling
Jerry Starling
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There will be no Tuesday Evening Book Club Tonight.
Reading: Hebrews 5: Great High Priest & Warning Against Falling
Verse for Today:
Although He was a son, He learned obedience through what He suffered. (Hebrews 5:8)
Daily Devo
“Every high priest chosen from among men is put in charge of things pertaining to God on their behalf, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.” These priests, who died, were able to deal gently with the ignorant and wayward. Each of them was also subject to weakness. Each had to offer sacrifice for his own sins and for the sins of the people.
On the day of atonement, before he offered the two goats, he offered a young bull for his own sins and for his house, the other priests who were serving. After this, he took the two goats. He cast lots over the goats. One was chosen for the slaughter; the other would have the sins of the people placed on him, and he would be released in the wilderness.
Blood from the slaughtered goat would be put on the mercy seat in the Most Holy Place, to atone for the people’s sins. No high priest would presume to take this honor but only when called by God as Aaron was. It was only on one day a year that this would transpire.
“So also, Christ did not glorify Himself in becoming a high priest, who was appointed by the one who said to him, ‘You are my Son, today I have begotten you,’ as He says also in another place, ‘You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.’” (Psalm 2:7 & 110:4)
In Gethsemane, Jesus offered prayer and supplication to the One who could save Him from death. His Father heard Him because of his reverent submission. He learned obedience through His suffering. “Having been made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him.” God thus designated Him to be the eternal High Priest after Melchizedek.”
The unknown writer said there is more to say about this that is hard to explain, for the people to whom he wrote had become dull in understanding.
“By this time, you ought to be teachers, but you need someone to teach you again the ABCs of the oracles of God.” You need milk because you cannot handle solid food. Those living on milk are like babies. Solid food is for mature people.
I was once asked by a young man who was leading a class of young people for guidance on what solid food is because his class wanted to dig into the meat of the word. I directed him to John 4:31-34. There, after the woman at the well ran to the village where His disciples had gone to buy food, Jesus said, “I have food to eat you do not know about.”
They said surely no one has brought him food, have they?
He said, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent me.” When we do what the Father wishes, we learn increasingly more of His will for us.
Chapter Six leads us deeper into God’s will for us. Are you ready to tackle this?
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Pray for Your Self:
Father, this chapter has some things I find difficult. Yet, I know I can trust You to guide me safely home. This is my prayer, in His precious name, AMEN!
My Prayer for You (and for me)
Father, I offer this prayer for all who read these words. I pray that each of us will be humble before You as we continue to seek Your will. This is my prayer, in His precious, holy name, AMEN!
Updates for Central
Our Next Potluck Fellowship will be next Sunday. Bring a dish to share, invite your family, friends, and neighbors, and have good fellowship, food, and camaraderie.
Son Quest is September 1-3. If you are going, get ready for three days of fun mixed with great Bible teaching. Come back fired up for Jesus!
The Wednesday morning Ladies’ Class will resume at 10:00 am on September 6. All ladies are invited to participate.
Our Eastern European Mission “Million Dollar Sunday” contribution will be on September 24. Our entire contribution that day will go to EEM to provide Bibles for the former Soviet bloc nations. Last year, EEM distributed almost two million Bibles, up 24% from 2021. They expect to have more this year. Ukraine also received $2 Million in benevolent help due to the war.
PRAYER NEEDS
Joan Berry, Joanna Turner’s Mother, needs our prayers.
Belinda Pate is at home and doing much better.
Carol Grandey, Brenda Schmidt’s sister, is doing well after surgery and a small bout of pneumonia.
Jesse Matthews, Sr. is in rehab. I talked with Ruth on Saturday. She also said their daughter is still recuperating from a broken ankle.
Kristi Holder was well enough to be at a mid-week study on the 16th. But it set her back a little. Jerry said she improves daily – bit by bit.
Joy Bland found she has a broken bone in her foot that requires a boot to help it heal. She will have it for about six weeks, with an MRI (hopefully) coming soon. She recently told me she really needs our prayers to help her through.
Gale Harnish is home, but not well. Keep her in your prayers.
Susan Allen’s sister Debi is not well at all. Please remember her in your prayers.
Please let us know when you have events to publicize, are in the hospital, or are sick and need prayers. If you request prayer for someone, let us know when to take them off the prayer list. You can contact me by text or phone at 407-453-5392.