Genesis 4:16-5:32 :: Walk With Jesus

Reader:

We are presented with the genealogies of two men.

Cain’s line describes what seems to be city life – great technological advancements and moral decline.

Seth’s line describes death as the result of the reign of sin.

Nevertheless, we see two other men whose faith in God, whose walk with God, pleased God. As a result, Enoch never experienced death and Noah received grace and was saved from God’s judgment.

And, we hear another declaration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ buried in the definitions of the names in the Messianic line of Genesis 5.

(Heb 11:5-6; Ex 3:13-15, 6:3-4; Luke 3:38; Rom 5:18-21; John 1:1-18; Gen 6:9; Jude 14, 15 [1 En 1:9]; Jos 1:7-9)

Genesis 4:1-15 :: True Worship

Reader:

How do you approach God?

There are only two options available.

The first is the way of Cain. Cain chose to worship God according to pride. He chose to worship God according to his desire. His choice was called evil.

The second is the way of Able. Able chose to worship God according to faith. He chose to worship God according to God’s desire. His choice was called righteous.

The way of Cain, in all its variety, hates the singular way of Able.

The way of Cain is the root of all religious violence.

The way of Able is the root of true worship

Worship God in truth. Choose faith in Jesus Christ.

(Heb 11:4, 12:24; Jude 11; Rom 6:12; 1 John 3:12; Mat t 23:35; Luke 11:51; James 5:4; Ex 13:12; Lev 2; Num 18:17; Ps 51:17; 1 Sam 2:17; Rev 3:20)

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Here are the slides of Pamela Martinez's artwork that she describes in the first part of this message. (pdmartinez.com)

Luke 19:1-10 :: Nick Della Valle as Zacchaeus

http://christwalk.us/

Genesis 3 :: Another Voice

Reader:

Something went terribly wrong in Eden.

The Voice that created the heavens and the earth, the Voice that created man, male and female, in the image of God, took second place to another voice – a cunning and deceiving voice; a questioning and contradicting voice.

The voice of God was rejected. The voice of the devil was accepted. Sound familiar?

Where there was only order, there was now disorder.

Where there was only blessing, there was now cursing.

Where there was only life, there was now death.

Where there was only good, there was now evil.

But faith, hope, and love remain. The LORD God clothed the shame of Adam and Eve’s nakedness with the skin of an animal, thereby giving man the image of a substitutionary, atoning sacrifice. The image points to the reality of the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. The proof is His resurrection from the dead. The result is the remission of sin through faith in Him.

In Him a full restoration is coming!

( Job 1 & 2; Mat t 4:1-11; Isa 14:12-15; Eze 28:12-19; John 8:44; Jude 9; Rev 12:9; Luke 10:18; 1 John 2:16; Jam 3:15; Deut 4:10; Pr 1:7; 2 Cor 4:4; Rom 16:20; Isa 7:14; John 16:21; Gal 3:13; Isa 53:3, 5; Mark 15:17; Luke 22:44; Ps 22:15; Rev 2:7, 22:2, 14)

Genesis 2:4-25 :: Life & Death

Reader:

Life can only come from life.

The self-existent One, the LORD, gave of His life to form man and to build woman in His image.

He gave them blessings.

He gave them paradise.

He gave them food.

He gave them commands.

He gave them warnings.

He gave them each other.

All that He gave was very good.

All that He gave was for relationship.

(Ex 6:3, 18:4; Gen 6:17, 7:4, 22; Mat t 19:1-15; Mark 10:1-16; Eph 5:21-6:4; 1 Cor 15:45, 47; Rev 2:7, 22:2, 14, 19; Rom 5:12; 1 Cor 6:16, 11:8-9; 2 Cor 11:2)

Hebrews 11:1-3 // Genesis 1:1-2:3 :: Jesus Did It

Reader:

The main exhortation of this letter is to live by faith in Jesus.

Faith in Jesus is not an invisible vapor, but a solid foundation.

Faith in Jesus is not a wish, but a hope filled with confident expectation.

Faith in Jesus does not lack evidence, but abounds with convicting proof.

Faith in Jesus is not idle, but active.

By faith in Jesus we live.

By faith in Jesus we perceive that He created the heavens and the earth as described in Genesis.

Jesus did it.

(Ps 33:6, 9; Rom 1:20; Job 38:4-7, Ps 82; Heb 1:3; John 1; 2 Cor 4:4-6; 2 Pet 3:5; 1 Cor 15:38-39; Col 1:15, 3:10; Phil 2:7; Eph 4:24; Heb 4:4, 10)

Hebrews 10 :: Enter Boldly

Reader:

Jesus is not a shadow. He is the very image of all that is real.

The offering of His blood takes away sins. The offering of His body sets us apart as holy.

Through faith in Him, God does not remember our sins – in Him we abide in eternal remission.

Believe. Have faith.

Hold on. Have hope.

Stir up love and go to work in His will and in His way.

Do not cast Jesus away.

He is coming.

Jesus is better.

(2 Cor 7:1; Ps 40:6-8, 50:13, 51:16; 1 Sam 15:22-23; John 19:30; Ps 110:1; Jer 31:33, 34; 1 Cor 13:13; Matt 12:31-32; Deut 32:35-36; Hab 2:3-4; Rom 1:17; Gal 3:11)

Hebrews 9 :: Death & Life

Reader:

Jesus is better.

As our Great High Priest, Jesus is the Minister of a better sanctuary and the Mediator of a better covenant based on better promises.

He is also a better sacrifice. With His own blood He has made the way into the Holiest of All, into presence of God for us. With His own blood He has provided remission. With His own blood He has put away our sin. With His own blood He has obtained eternal redemption. With His own blood he has cleansed our consciences from dead works to serve the living God. With His own blood He has put into force the better covenant.

We are eagerly waiting for Jesus to return. The first time He appeared was for sin. The second time is for salvation.

(Ex 24-40; Lev 16-17; Rev 21:3)

Guest Speaker :: Pastor Michael Simati

Hebrews 8 :: Know the Lord

Reader:

Jesus is better. Therefore, know Jesus – know the Lord!

If you have already confessed with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believed in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, then you are already saved. You have no need of anyone to tell you, “Know the Lord,” for He has given you a new mind and a new heart. He is your God and you are His child. The Eternal Spirit dwells in you and He is the One who reveals the Lord to you continually. The LORD is merciful, He remembers your sins no more.

If you have not already confessed with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believed in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, then we implore you on Christ’s behalf, know the Lord, be reconciled to God.

Now is the time. Now is the day of salvation.

(Ps 110:1; Matt 26:64; Acts 7:56; Ex 25:40; 1 Tim 2:5; Jer 31:31-34; Gen 12:1-3; Ex 24:3-8; 2 Sam 7:1-16; Luke 22:20; Jer 17:1; Jam 2:8; John 13:31-35)

Hebrews 7 :: Indestructible Life

Reader:

Jesus is better because Jesus is our Great High Priest.

The implications of this statement are at the heart of this letter to the Hebrews.

As the Eternal Priest, Jesus is the only mediator we may go through to access the Eternal God.

The power of His indestructible life introduces us to the better hope, the better covenant, we have whereby we draw near to God.

His power saves to the uttermost those who come to God through Him.

“And the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.” (Rev 20:17)

(Gen 14:18-20; Ps 110:4; 1 Pet 2:5, 9; Rev 1:6; Gal 3:19-25; Rom 8:26, 31-39)

Ladies Spring Tea :: Donna Byrd

Guest Speaker :: Pastor John Cowan

John 19:5 :: Behold the Man!

Reader:

“Behold the Man!”

Pilate spoke these words as he presented Jesus – scourged, crowned with thorns, clothed in a purple robe – to the priests and crowd.

Their response: “Crucify Him!” believing Him to be nothing.

An alternative response: “Crown Him!” believing Him to be everything.

When you look at Jesus, who is it that you behold? A man who is nothing? Or, the Man who is everything?

(Zec 6:12; 1 Sam 9:17; Isa 53; Ps 22; Matt 11, 16; Num 25; 1 Kgs 18-19; Zec 1:14, 8:2; John 20:28; Acts 9; 2 Cor 11-12; Gal 1; Phil 3; Rev 3:19)

Hebrews 6:9-20 :: Heavy Attachment

Reader:

Because Jesus is better we are confident of better things, things that hold onto salvation through faith and patience.

God does not hide Himself from our lives – our deeds, desires, and diligence.

Rather, God gives us His sure promises which are to be continual sources of encouragement.

Attach yourself to hope. Not wishful hope, but the confident expectation that God will do exactly as He has promised.

This hope anchors, attaches, our souls to Him in a manner that withstands every storm of life.

(Heb 1:4, 4:1, 13, 5:11, 9:3, 10:20, 23, 11:1, 39; 12:2; Gen 22:17; Ex 32:13; Isa 45:23; Jer 22:5, 49:13; Num 35; Jos 20; 2 Cor 1:3-7)

Hebrews 5:1-6:8 :: Herbs & Thorns

Reader:

Hebrews 5 advances the topic of Jesus Christ as our great High Priest introduced in 2:17-18 and 4:14-16.

Similarities are drawn between Jesus and other priests, like Aaron.

Yet, in many ways, Jesus is unique to other priests, like Melchizedek.

But, before the writer can discuss this topic in depth, he had to address a heart issue in his readers – their dullness of hearing. Lack of obedience to what one has heard has a direct correlation to one’s immaturity in their relationship with Jesus.

This concept leads to one of the most challenging passages of the New Testament, Hebrews 6:4-6, which is reinforced by imagery about rain.

The rain falls on all land. The fruit the land produces is dependent upon the type of seed in the ground and how the ground is cultivated.

May His word produce herbs in your life, not thorns.

(Ex 28-29, 32; Ps 2 , 110, 22, 116; Pr v 28:9; 1 Cor 3:2; Gal 4:1-6; Eph 4:13-16; Heb 6:18, 10:4, 11:6; John 6:39-40; Phil 2:12; 1 John 3:9; Mat t 7:23; Gen 3:17-19)

Hebrews 4 :: Promises Possessed

Reader:

Jesus is better because Jesus is rest.

Rest is the possession of His promises.

Unbelief does not enter His rest. Hearing His voice and intermingling His Word with faith enters His rest.

Hiding from His Word does not enter His rest. Nakedness and openness before His eyes and His Word enters His rest.

Open your eyes towards Jesus the Son of God, our great High Priest, and our great Physician. Expose every area of your life to Him. He is compassionate with your sickness and need. He is gracious, merciful, and helpful.

Ask Him boldly and confidently with faith to remove that inanimate heart of stone from your chest and to give you a new heart and a new spirit, a living heart of flesh.

This is how we enter and abide in His rest.

(Mat t 11:28-30; Ps 95; Gen 2:2; Deut 3:20; Jos 23:1; John 5:17; Rev 14:13; John 1:1-18; Rom 10:17; Jos 5:13-15; Isa 55:11; Gen 2:25, 3:7; Isa 53; Lev 16; Phi l 2:5-11, 4:6-7; Jas 1:12-18; Ezek 36; Jer 31)

  i. God’s Word brings true health, fruitfulness, prosperity and success to what we do (Psalm 1:3).

  ii. The Word of God has healing power and the power to deliver from oppression (Psalm 107:20, Matthew 8:8, Matthew 8:16).

  iii. God’s Word cleans us. If we take heed according to God’s word, our way will be cleansed (Psalm 119:9, John 15:3, Ephesians 5:26).

  iv. The Word of God, hidden in our hearts, keeps us from sin (Psalm 119:11).

  v. God’s Word is a counselor. When we delight in God’s word, it becomes a rich source of counsel and guidance for us (Psalm 119:24).

  vi. God’s Word is a source of strength (Psalm 119:28).

  vii. God’s Word imparts life. It is a continual source of life (Psalm 119:93 and Matthew 4:4).

  viii. God’s Word is a source of illumination and guidance. When God’s word comes in, light comes in. It makes the simple wise and understanding (Psalm 119:105 and Psalm 119:130).

  ix. God’s Word gives peace to those who love it. They are secure, standing in a safe place (Psalm 119:165).

  x. When the Word of God is heard and understood, it bears fruit (Matthew 13:23).

  xi. The Word of God has inherent power and authority against demonic powers (Luke 4:36).

  xii. Jesus Himself—His eternal person—is described as the Word. When we are into the word of God, we are into Jesus (John 1:1).

  xiii. Hearing God’s Word is essential to eternal life. One cannot pass from death into life unless they hear the Word of God (John 5:24, James 1:21, 1 Peter 1:23).

  xiv. Abiding—living in—God’s Word is evidence of true discipleship (John 8:31).

  xv. God’s Word is the means to sanctification (John 17:17).

  xvi. The Holy Spirit can work with great power as the Word of God is preached (Acts 10:44).

  xvii. Hearing God’s Word builds faith (Romans 10:17).

  xviii. Holding fast to the Word of God gives assurance of salvation (1 Corinthians 15:2).

  xix. The faithful handling of the Word of God gives the ministers of the word a clear conscience. They know that they did all they could before God (2 Corinthians 4:2 and Philippians 2:16).

  xx. The Word of God is the sword of the Spirit. It is equipment for spiritual battle, especially in the idea of an offensive weapon (Ephesians 6:17).

  xxi. The Word of God comes with the power of the Holy Spirit, with “much assurance” (1 Thessalonians 1:5).

  xxii. The Word of God works effectively in those who believe (1 Thessalonians 2:13).

  xxiii. The Word of God sanctifies the very food we eat! (1 Timothy 4:5).

  xxiv. The Word of God is not dead; it is living and active and sharper than any two edged sword. The Word of God can probe us like a surgeon’s expert scalpel, cutting away what needs to be cut and keeping what needs to be kept (Hebrews 4:12).

  xxv. The Word of God is the Christian’s source of spiritual growth (1 Peter 2:2 and 1 Corinthians 2:1–5).

Guzik, D. (2013). Hebrews (Heb 4:12–13). Santa Barbara, CA: David Guzik.

Hebrews 3 :: Heavenward Pilgrimage

Reader:

Jesus is better because Jesus is faithful.

There are many others, like Moses, who have been faithful servants in the house of God. But Christ as a faithful Son built God’s house – which are those who hold fast to Jesus. The faithfulness of Jesus outshines all others.

This is where the letter’s second exhortation and warning are introduced.

“Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts…”

A heart becomes hard – stubborn and obstinate – through the seduction and delusion of sin. A hard heart rebels. A hard heart is unwilling. A hard heart refuses. A hard heart opposes. A hard heart produces unbelief, not faithfulness. A hard heart does not enter His house. A hard heart does not enter His rest.

Today, right now, choose to hear and obey His voice.

(Num 12:7, 20:12; Eph 2:19ff ; Ps 95; Phil l 1:6; Acts 20:24; Ex 17; Num 13-14; Matt 12:31, 13:58, 17:20; Gen 3:13; Rev 20:3, 7, 10; 2 Cor 11:3; 1 Tim 2:14)

Hebrews 2 :: We See Jesus

Reader:

Jesus is better because Jesus is fully God.

Hebrews 2 begins with the letter’s first exhortation and warning. Since Jesus is better, we must pay special and specific attention to what He has said. Otherwise, amid our lack of care we will slip away from Him.

The writer’s argument as to why Jesus is better continues…

Jesus is better because Jesus is fully Man.

Jesus is better because Jesus is fully Savior.

Our God, the creator of the heavens and the earth, created man, male and female, in His image. Because of sin, we lost the privilege to bear His image – we lost life and were put under the bondage of death. Our God ran to our aid by making Himself in our image to experience death for everyone. Through faith in Him, in His death and resurrection, we have been released from death and have been restored to eternal life.

That’s why Jesus – fully God, fully Man, fully Savior – is better.

(Heb 6:19; Ps 8:4-6; Gen 1:26-28; Heb 1:3; Isa 52:13-53:12; Isa 60:19; Jos 5:14-15; Ps 22:22; Isa 8:17, 18; Heb 4:14-16; Matt 4:1-11, 26:39-44, 27:46)

Hebrews 1 :: Have You Heard?

Reader:

Have you heard? Jesus is better.

Better than what? He is better than whatever you have and whatever you want.

Hebrews begins by establishing that Jesus is better than the Old Testament prophets and He is better than the angels God created.

Jesus is better because He is a Son. What father does not like to talk about his son?

Listen to all that God the Father has spoken about God the Son.

(the video at the beginning of this recording is from TheBibleProject.com)

(Matt 17:5; Rev 2:7, 3:21, 5:14; Deut 33:2; Seven OT Quotes: Ps 2:7; 2 Sam 7:14; Deut 32:43 [Sept.][Ps 97:7]; Ps 104:4; Ps 45:6-7; Ps 102:25-27; Ps 110:1)