Hebrews Bible Study Chapter 8. ‘This is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel on that day, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their minds, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.’ (Hebrews 8.10, NLT)
Jesus ever lives to intercede
Hebrews Bible Study Chapter 7. 'Jesus has become the guarantor of a better covenant. Jesus lives for ever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.' (Hebrews 7.22-25, NIV.) The Old Testament high priest entered the presence of God once a year to plead for the forgiveness of the nation's sins; whereas Christ makes perpetual intercession before God for us. Christ's continuous presence in Heaven with the Father assures us that our sins have been paid for and forgiven. This wonderful assurance frees us from guilt and fear.
The certainty of God's promise
Jesus our Great High Priest
Hebrews Bible Study Chapter 5. Prayer is our approach to God, and we are to come 'boldly'. Some Christians approach God meekly with heads hung low, afraid to ask Him to meet their needs. Others pray flippantly, giving little thought to what they say. Come with reverence because He is our King. But also come with bold assurance because He is your Friend and Counsellor.
Entering the rest of God
Hebrews Bible Study Chapter 4. Chapter 4 of Hebrews reverts to the theme of Chapter 3, the Promise of entering a Coming Rest. Paul writes, v1, ‘Let us fear therefore lest, a promise being left us of entering into His Rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.’ In v4, you see that Paul is linking this Rest to the Seventh Day of Creation. For six days God created – and on the seventh day, He rested from His Work. This is a picture of the 1000-year Rest, the Millennial reign of Christ on earth which still to come!
The faithfulness of Jesus!
The superiority of Jesus
Hebrews Bible Study Chapter 1. The first chapter of Hebrews describes in detail how Jesus Christ fulfils the prophecies of the Old Testament. In the past God spoke to His people by various means: Isaiah, in visions; Jacob, in dreams; whilst to Abraham and Moses, God spoke personally. But now God speaks through Jesus. Jesus is the fulfilment and culmination of God’s revelation. When we know Jesus, we have all we need to be saved and have a perfect relationship with God.
Sons and daughters of God
People ask me, who is your successor? My answer is, I have no successor! I haven’t finished my job yet, and I won’t quit until the job is finished! But more and more young pastors and leaders are coming to me for help and advice; I want to encourage others to follow in my steps, and do as I have done for the last 73 years in full-time ministry. That’s why I have chosen Paul’s first letter to Timothy - whom he describes as his ‘true son in the faith’ - because I want to talk to you as MY true sons and daughters in the faith.
The Power of Prayer
Trust God's timing
We need to trust God's timing. As I look back over my life I can see that God always had a specific purpose, and a specific time. In Habakkuk 1:2, the prophet cries out, 'O Lord, how long shall I cry, and You will not hear?' We all have times when we are unable to pray. The need is so great, the pain is more than we can bear. But I want you to trust God's timing.