This is going to be a hard lesson but I hope you will take God’s teachings to heart as we go through this portion of scripture. In the first two verses of chapter 12, the writer of Hebrews taught us to fix our eyes on Jesus. We need to look to him as our leader of faith. We are to follow the example of the cloud of witnesses that have walked the path of faith before us by laying aside every weight that is slowing us down from righteousness and get rid of the sin that clings so closely to us. The writer now returns to the theme of the sermon which is to encourage these Christians to not give up.
Compare Your Life To Jesus (3-4)
Previously we were told to fix our eyes on Jesus. Now the writer asks for some reflection. “Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted†(12:3). Think about what Jesus endured. Think about what Jesus suffered. Particularly, think about the hostility Jesus endured from sinners. Think about his mistreatment that he endured from his own creation. Why should we think about the suffering of Jesus and how he endured mistreatment? The writer says we are think about this so that we do not grow weary or discouraged. The instructions that follow are to encourage us to not give up or grow weary.
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Tags: hebrews 12, Hebrews Bible Study
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Hebrews Bible Study (The Superior Christ)
Peter is still writing hope and encouragement to those who are suffering as Christians. Peter repeatedly relies upon the example of Jesus’ suffering. Jesus suffered for doing right. Jesus suffered as a just person for the world who was unjust and unrighteous. When Jesus suffered, he still acted righteously. He did not retaliate and return evil for evil. Knowing that Jesus suffered in the flesh in this way, we need to prepare our minds for the same way of thinking.
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Tags: 1 peter 4, A Study of 1 Peter, christian life, glory of god
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1 Peter Bible Study (Hope In Hard Times)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, we must get rid of every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and run with endurance the race set out for us, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. (NET)
In chapter 11, the writer of Hebrews showed us what faith looks like. Faith is being certain in the unseen things, particularly, that God exists and that God rewards those who diligently seek him. The writer has shown us that these heroes had that kind of faith. They endured great tragedy, trials, and loss knowing that their faith was in the better country that God promised. They did not have their eyes and hearts in this world, but desired things better than what we can have here.
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Tags: christian life, hebrews 12, Hebrews Bible Study
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Hebrews Bible Study (The Superior Christ)
1 Peter 3:18-22 is considered by many to be the most difficult passage to interpret. There are numbers of different interpretations that have been given about these verses. As we study the text, it is important that we make sure we do not come out of the context. These verses have been lifted from their context which brings about many of the different interpretations we encounter. Let us look at the verses surrounding this controversial text and see if it gives us some clarity about where Peter is going.
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Tags: 1 peter 3, death of jesus, jesus, redemption
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1 Peter Bible Study (Hope In Hard Times)