E-pistle for June 22, 2012
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E-pistle
FreeWay Foundation June 22, 2012
House and home
(Hebrews 3:1-19)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on the contents of this chapter
1. Moses was faithful in his house as a servant; Christ is faithful over His own house
as a Son, vv. 1-6.
2. The author quoted Psalm 95:7-11, not attributing it to David but to the Holy Spirit,
vv. 7-11.
3. Believers were urged to beware of doubt and to exhort one another daily to
faithfulness, vv. 12-15.
4. Believers were warned not to disobey God as the Jews did during their 40 years
of wilderness wandering, vv. 16-19.
II. Meditation: on the word "house"
("House" is both a dwelling place and a family)
1. Jesus was faithful to God the Father who appointed Him, v. 2, and Moses also was
faithful in all his house, Numbers 12:7.
2. Christ is worthy of more glory than Moses because Christ built the house (God's
family) which included Moses, vv. 3-4.
3. Moses was a faithful servant in all his house, v. 5, but Christ was a Son ruling over
His own house, v. 6.
4. We believers are Christ's "house" v. 6 . . . if we remain faithful, rejoicing in hope,
firm to the end, v. 6.
III. Observations: on some important ideas seen here
1. "Church is not a building, but people; likewise "school" and "house."
2. Oddly, house can mean a building or people, but home almost always refers to a place.
3. House is better understood here as "household."
4. The Creator is higher than the creation; the Son is higher than a servant.
IV. Revelation: on who we are as Christians
1. We are holy brethren (spiritual family members), v. 1.
2. We are partakers of the heavenly calling, v. 1.
3. We are persons who confess that Jesus is the Christ, v. 1.
4. We are persons who daily exhort one another to right living, v. 13.
V. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Think about (consider and meditate upon) the Apostle and High Priest, Jesus Christ,
focusing my attention upon Him and His mission, v. 1.
2. Realize my blessed position as a member of God's household; of God's spiritual family.
3. Beware of unbelief! God's delivered people in Moses' day did not enter into the Promised
Land (rest) due to their sin of unbelief, vv. 7-19.
4. "Rest" . . . not in the sense of being in heaven, but rest in the spiritual state of confidence,
Peace, joy, and hope . . . regardless of situation and circumstances. (See Matthew 11:28-30)
Jesus, our great high priest
(Hebrews 4:1-16)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on the contents of this chapter
1. Believers are promised divine rest, but they must be careful to receive the promise
by faith and to enter God's rest by faith, vv. 1-3.
2. Doubt and disobedience will cause persons to miss God's promised rest; as God
rested from His creative work, so also his people may rest from their labors on earth,
vv. 4-10.
3. God's word reveals man's spiritual condition, for it is "living and powerful and sharper
than any two-edged sword . . . a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart," vv. 11-13.
4. Jesus is our great High Priest, Who understands by personal experience our weaknesses;
Believers are invited to come boldly to God's throne of grace to find mercy and help, vv. 14-16.
II. Meditation: on Jesus, our great High Priest
1. He has passed through the heavens (ascension), v. 14.
2. He is the Son of God, v. 14.
3. He sympathizes with our weaknesses, v. 15.
4. He was tempted in all points as we are, yet without sin, v. 15.
III. Observations: on our proper responses to Him (vv. 14-16)
1. Hold fast our confession; remain faithful in our commitment.
2. Come boldly to God's throne; we're welcome there.
3. Obtain mercy – taking away the penalty of sin that we do deserve.
4. Find grace – receiving a gift/blessing that we do not deserve.
IV. Revelation: on the finished work of Christ
1. The ascended Christ deserves our faithfulness.
2. Jesus, our brother, welcomes us to God's throne, Hebrews 2:11.
3. Jesus knows our weaknesses, and He sympathizes by offering mercy . . . forgiveness to
to remove the penalty of sin.
4. His sinless life is imputed to believers, and we receive eternal life (salvation) through grace.
V. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Live righteously and serve faithfully the risen, ascended Christ.
2. Pray boldly, knowing the God welcomes me and my concerns.
3. Confess my weaknesses and sins to Christ, and receive mercy (forgiveness) . . . removal
of the spiritual penalty.
4. Ask for and receive by faith God's grace and blessings.
"How well we communicate is determined not by how well we
say things but by how well we are understood."
--Andrew S. Grove
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