Epistle for April 18, 2003
Posted by: info <info@...>
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Dr. Curt Scarborough, President FreeWay Foundation April 18, 2003
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During this quarter (April-June) Dr. Scarborough will be presenting teachings
on all 13 chapters of Hebrews and Nehemiah
In This Issue:
"House and Home" - Hebrews 3:1-19
"Laborers Together" - Nehemiah 3:1-32
PIAC Announcement
House and Home
(Hebrews 3:1-19)
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 God's 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" are not buildings, but groups
of people.
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 circumstance. (See Matthew 11:28-30.)
Laborers Together
(Nehemiah 3:1-32)
I. Concentration: on the people who worked to rebuild the city walls
1. The first group to begin construction were the priests, led by the high
priest, Eliashib, v. 1.
2. Over 40 groups worked simultaneously: on the eastern and southeastern
sides, a whole new wall had to be constructed; on the northwest and southwest,
the older wall needed to be repaired.
3. Not everyone cooperated: the Tekoite nobles refused to work, probably out of
resentment against Nehemiah's leadership, v. 5.
4. Even some of the women (daughters of Shallum) worked to repair the wall
. . . very unusual for that day and age, v. 12.
II. Meditation: on the nine gates which were erected
1. Sheep Gate, vv. 1, 32 6. Fountain Gate, v. 15
2. Fish Gate, v. 3 7. Water Gate, v. 26
3. Old Gate, v. 6 8. Horse Gate, v. 28
4. Valley Gate, v. 13 9. Miphkad (Inspection or Recruiting Gate, v. 31
5. Refuse Gate, v. 14
Meditate on the lists of "nine" in the Bible; is there any connection?
1. Gates of the city of Jerusalem, Nehemiah 3:1-32
2. Spiritual gifts, I Corinthians 12:7-10
3. God-appointed spiritual ministries, I Corinthians 12:28-30
4. Fruit of the Spirit, Galatians 5:22-23
III. Revelation: on the spiritual significance of "gates"
1. A gate is an entrance into a place of safety and refuge; it is a symbol of
protection and security. Jesus is that gate.
2. A gate was the site of commerce and trade. It is the place where we
transact "spiritual business" with the Lord.
3. A gate was the judicial court, where legal decisions were made and justice
administered by wise elders. Jesus is our Counselor and Judge.
4. A gate is the throne where the ruler sat, the seat of authority and power.
Jesus is King of Kings.
IV. Applications: as a Chrisitan leader, I need to . . .
1. Set the good example of rendering faithful service unto the Lord.
2. Encourage everyone to participate and cooperate in building the Lord's kingdom.
3. Expect that some people will be resentful of my leadership and will refuse to
follow me . . . I must love them, but continue working!
4. Allow every individual the privilege of participating in the kingdom's enterprises:
male and female, young and old, rich and poor.
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"The rung of a ladder was never meant to rest upon,
but only to hold a man's foot long enough to enable
him to put the other somewhat higher."
Quote from Thomas Henry Huxley
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