2023/08/23 - Hebrews 6: On Towards Perfection & God’s Certain Promise
Jerry Starling
Online Activity Today
Daily Check-in at 8:30 a.m. I.D. 846 941 77976 Passcode: meet https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84694177976?pwd=eGF6/MVQvT3UvdjQ5NTVweEZzbzhXUT09
The Wednesday morning Ladies Class will resume on September 6 at 10:00 a.m.
Mid-Week Bible Study at 7:30 p.m. Live on Facebook.com/central.cofc
Reading: Hebrews 6: On Towards Perfection & God’s Certain Promise
Verse for Today:
Let us go on towards perfection, leaving behind the basic teaching about Christ. (Hebrews 6:1a)
Daily Devo
What Are the Basic Teachings About Christ?
Repentance from dead works.
Faith toward God.
Instructions about baptisms.
Laying on of hands.
The Resurrection of the Dead.
Eternal Judgment.
Sometimes we stumble over what is called basic. We do not teach a lot about repentance; sometimes we overlook faith in our rush to get to baptism – but what is this about ‘instructions about baptisms?’ And when was the last time you saw anyone with hands laid on a person? We are taught something about resurrection, but what about eternal judgment?
Aren’t we supposed to ‘die and go to heaven?’ Are you aware the Scripture never says you die and go to heaven? (There is an intermediate place called Paradise before Heaven comes down to earth. See Revelation 21:1-2.)
Maybe, we do not know as much about the teachings of Christ as we thought if we do not understand and teach these basics listed here in two verses.
When someone has been enlightened by these basics, the writer says, it is impossible to restore such a one to repentance. When you have “tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the Word of God and the powers of the age to come, and have fallen away since they are crucifying again the Son of God and are holding him up to contempt.”
You may stumble and fall without falling away. Our God is not willing that any should perish, but that all come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). He is longsuffering with us. He is just; He will not overlook your work and the love you showed for His sake in serving the saints.
God’s Promise to Abraham Is Immutable
When God made a promise to Abraham, He swore by Himself since He could swear by none greater than He. He said, “I will surely bless you and multiply you.” Men swear by someone greater than themselves. An oath given as confirmation ends all disputes.
When God wanted to show clearly to the heirs of His promise, He guaranteed it by two unchangeable things, “in which it is impossible that God would prove false,” His promise and His oath.
We Who Have Taken Refuge Are Encouraged to Seize the Hope Before Us
“We have this hope, a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters the inner shrine behind the curtain,” in the heavenly places where Jesus, a forerunner for us, has entered, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.
Abraham met Melchizedek when he came from rescuing Lot (Genesis 14:18-20). We will meet him tomorrow.
The first verse of Chapter Six said, “Let us go on toward perfection.” It does not say we reach perfection. Perfection is a goal we seek, not one that any of us reaches in this life. But we must begin with the basic teachings about Jesus laid out above.
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Pray for Your Self:
Father, again this chapter has things I find difficult. Yet, I know I can trust You to guide me safely home. Keep me safe in the shadow of Your wing, 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. Keep us from the sin of pride, thinking we know more than we really do, and bragging we have it all figured out. This is my prayer, in His 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 some 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 much improved of her pneumonia.
Jesse Matthews, Sr. Ruth said on Saturday that he is in rehab. Their daughter is also still recuperating from a broken ankle. She needs prayers as much as Jesse does.
Kristi Holder was well enough to be at a mid-week study on the 16th. 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.