Hebrews: The Nature of the Son

 

STOP - Hebrews 1:1-4

Summarize

God speaks to His people. In the past God spoke through prophets, but now He has spoken through His Son. The Son represents God perfectly and He sustains all things and made possible the purification for sin. In this He has proven to be greater than the angels.

Truth

Jesus is the perfect representation of God. To know Jesus is to know God.

Observations

1. God speaks to His people. He has communicated His word and will to them. In the past this mostly done through other people: Prophets.

2. At the right time, when there was a people who were familiar with God’s word, Jesus came as the perfect representation of God.

3. Jesus is the Creator and Heir of the universe. It belongs to Him.

4. Jesus continues to work at sustaining the universe and He made purification sin possible.

5. Jesus reigns with God in Heaven. 

6. All these things prove that Jesus is greater than the angels. He is not just another heavenly spiritual being.

Prayer

Lord, thank You for Jesus. I may not understand everything about the incarnation, I do trust that Jesus is the Eternal Son who secured forgiveness of sins for your people.

Asking for a Friend: Do I Need to Choose Between Faith and Science?

 

Everyone has questions. Some questions we can find the answer with a quick search on Google. Other questions are more intimidating. Questions that surround our faith can be scary because we worry about what the answer might be and whether or not those answer will affect our faith. What ends up happening is that we ignore the question, but that question still lingers in the back of our mind.

In Asking for a Friend we want to look at a few of these questions and see if there is a way to provide an answer to them that will not only strengthen our faith, but also help us see the world through a more Christian perspective.

Too often our culture makes us believe that science and faith are at odds with one another, and therefore we need to choose between them as we pursue what is true. The reality is that science and faith are not in conflict, rather, they should be viewed as tools we use to arrive at an accurate and true view of our world. 

Text: Psalm 19

Big Idea: Science and religion are tools that we use to gain a better understanding of God and the world we live in. 

Challenge: Read through Psalm 19 each day this week and ask God to reveal Himself to you through nature and the Bible.

Philippians: Appreciation of Support

 

STOP — Philippians 4:10-23

Summarize

Paul expressed his thanks for the Philippians support. He has learned to be thankful in all circumstances because God is with him providing him with what he needs. The Philippians have generously supported Paul through the years, ever since he left Philippi, so Paul prayed that God would supply their needs.  

Truth

We need to be grateful, knowing that God will provide for our needs.

Observations

1. The Philippians have been generous in their support for Paul. Not only has Paul been appreciative of their generosity, but he also worshipped God because of them. Paul knew that God provided for his needs through the actions of the Philippians church.
2. Paul had a roller coaster life. Sometimes he had enough to live on and other times he did not. Whatever he is situation Paul was grateful to God and that allowed him to be content.
3. Paul gained his strength to do ministry, whether well fed or hungry, through the strength God gave him. Without God’s provision he would not be able to keep going.
4. The Philippians had a heart for Paul’s ministry, and they wanted to partner with him in it. This led them to generously support Paul whenever they had the opportunity to send him gifts.

Prayer

Lord, I want to be like Paul who trusted you for the provisions he had in his life.

Philippians: Practical Counsel

 

STOP — Philippians 4:2-9

Summarize

Unity is crucial to a healthy church. Paul asked two women, Euodia and Syntyche, to work out their difference and to continue to work together for the Kingdom. 

Worshipping with joy and living with grace are to characterize the Philippians lives. Rather than worrying they are to pray and through their prayer God will give them confidence and peace so they will be able to stand strong with Jesus.

To live with joy, grace, and confidence they need focus on what is true and good, things that are morally excellency and praiseworthy, because that will shape their thinking. They are to continue to follow Paul’s example and teaching.

Truth

Pay attention to your thoughts because your thoughts shape your attitudes and actions.

Observations

1. Unity is crucial. Euodia and Syntyche were helpful in the mission of proclaiming the Gospel. Their disagreement was a hinderance, so Paul that it was important to address the issue. It is crucial that we do our part to work through the disagreements we might have, because they can be hindering the mission of the church to make disciples.
2. Worshipping with joy is an important spiritual discipline for us to have. It reminds us of the good things God is doing and takes our minds off the difficulties. Rejoicing helps us to remember that God is working all things for good for His people.
3. When we aren’t joyful it is easy to worry. There are plenty of things to worry about, but when we have joy it is easier for us to turn those worries over to God, because we are confident that He will provide for our needs. If we are not praying we are missing out on a huge blessing of what it means to follow Jesus.
4. The biggest blessing of prayer is the peace, the confidence, that resides is our our hearts, helping us in times of doubt, worry, and discouragement.
5. Our thought life is extremely important. We need to be intentional about what we allow our minds to dwell on. This is why all forms of media need to be consumed moderately and wisely. We want our thoughts shaped by the things of Heaven and not the things of this world.
6. In our spiritual formation, having someone who can serve as an example for us is hugely impactful. Paul told the Philippians to follow his example and teaching. Even if we haven’t had a good mentor whom we can follow, we need to be aware that we are examples for our children, friends, and others around us to follow.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, may I be intentional about my worship of You. I want the focus of my life to be on You and not the things of this world so I can continue to grow into the person you created me to be.

Tomorrow: Philippians 4:10-23