Summit View Church - Sermon Podcasts

As Jesus was beginning His ministry there was a man who was paralyzed. He had no way to get to Jesus, he was helpless and hopeless. Yet, this man's friends were unwilling to give up on him. They took their paralyzed friend to Jesus and instead of being stopped by the crowd and the religious leaders they did whatever it took for their friend to see Jesus. By cutting a hole in the roof they lowered their friend down to be healed and encounter Christ. Are we willing to go to the same great lengths for those who are helpless and hopeless? Are you willing to do whatever it takes for people to meet with Jesus?

As we see God's good character displayed throughout history, He strengthens our faith and motivates us to live for Him.

The Language of Lament: Learning to pray for God's Kingdom to come into broken situations.

Coming together for the sake of the Gospel - Today is the day of salvation!

As we conclude our study in the book of Hebrews, there are two things we hope have been true about our experience. First, that we would understand that the Old Testament is filled with markers pointing us to the salvation that is found in Christ Jesus. That we have learned not to be intimidated by the Old Testament but to see that it offers a richer view of angels, Moses, the temple and tabernacle, the sacrificial system, the Levitical priesthood, and what they are all in service to. Second, that our hope and confidence in our salvation would be strengthened despite the various trials and hardships we may face, just like the original recipients of Hebrews. That we would be a people who persevere, pressing on into holiness, and not being enticed to stray. As we study these last few practical exhortations in how to relate to one another and to leaders in the church, may we receive the prayer the author left with his original recipients: “May the God of peace equip you to do his will.”

As we conclude our study in the book of Hebrews, there are two things we hope have been true about our experience. First, that we would understand that the Old Testament is filled with markers pointing us to the salvation that is found in Christ Jesus. That we have learned not to be intimidated by the Old Testament but to see that it offers a richer view of angels, Moses, the temple and tabernacle, the sacrificial system, the Levitical priesthood, and what they are all in service to. Second, that our hope and confidence in our salvation would be strengthened despite the various trials and hardships we may face, just like the original recipients of Hebrews. That we would be a people who persevere, pressing on into holiness, and not being enticed to stray. As we study these last few practical exhortations in how to relate to one another and to leaders in the church, may we receive the prayer the author left with his original recipients: “May the God of peace equip you to do his will.”

As we conclude our study in the book of Hebrews, there are two things we hope have been true about our experience. First, that we would understand that the Old Testament is filled with markers pointing us to the salvation that is found in Christ Jesus. That we have learned not to be intimidated by the Old Testament but to see that it offers a richer view of angels, Moses, the temple and tabernacle, the sacrificial system, the Levitical priesthood, and what they are all in service to. Second, that our hope and confidence in our salvation would be strengthened despite the various trials and hardships we may face, just like the original recipients of Hebrews. That we would be a people who persevere, pressing on into holiness, and not being enticed to stray. As we study these last few practical exhortations in how to relate to one another and to leaders in the church, may we receive the prayer the author left with his original recipients: “May the God of peace equip you to do his will.”

When it comes to understanding what God wants for our lives, the problem usually isn't that God wasn't clear enough. The problem often lies in our willingness to listen and obey. Thus far in the book of Hebrews, our minds have been stretched to better understand God's will, make more biblical connections, and establish a proper view of who Jesus is and what He has done for us. As the book nears its conclusion, we find that the author lists some extremely practical exhortations for our daily lives and community. The premise is this: if all that has been discussed before is true, it demands certain changes in our lives. The most powerful love we can ever experience is the love of God which is freely given to us by Jesus and has eternal implications. Therefore, this love should impact the way we love those who God has placed around us. The question is, are we functioning as a conduit of His great love, or simply serving ourselves in a closed circuit?

When it comes to understanding what God wants for our lives, the problem usually isn't that God wasn't clear enough. The problem often lies in our willingness to listen and obey. Thus far in the book of Hebrews, our minds have been stretched to better understand God's will, make more biblical connections, and establish a proper view of who Jesus is and what He has done for us. As the book nears its conclusion, we find that the author lists some extremely practical exhortations for our daily lives and community. The premise is this: if all that has been discussed before is true, it demands certain changes in our lives. The most powerful love we can ever experience is the love of God which is freely given to us by Jesus and has eternal implications. Therefore, this love should impact the way we love those who God has placed around us. The question is, are we functioning as a conduit of His great love, or simply serving ourselves in a closed circuit?

When it comes to understanding what God wants for our lives, the problem usually isn't that God wasn't clear enough. The problem often lies in our willingness to listen and obey. Thus far in the book of Hebrews, our minds have been stretched to better understand God's will, make more biblical connections, and establish a proper view of who Jesus is and what He has done for us. As the book nears its conclusion, we find that the author lists some extremely practical exhortations for our daily lives and community. The premise is this: if all that has been discussed before is true, it demands certain changes in our lives. The most powerful love we can ever experience is the love of God which is freely given to us by Jesus and has eternal implications. Therefore, this love should impact the way we love those who God has placed around us. The question is, are we functioning as a conduit of His great love, or simply serving ourselves in a closed circuit?

There are certain environments in our everyday lives that come with reasonable expectations of what might happen. When we go to school, we expect to learn. When we go to the grocery store, there is an expectation that we will leave with food or whatever household items we might need. When we go to the gas station, we expect to leave with enough fuel to take us to the next destination. However, there is one place that we may frequent that can inspire varying expectations as to what might happen, or we might leave with: the church. Whatever objectives we bring with us will impact our experience on a Sunday and in a group setting. Our personal purposes and expectations when we enter this space act as a filter for our affections, feelings, and even our own contributions to the atmosphere. What do you expect when you come to church? The writer of Hebrews brings this to our attention by contrasting two places in which God's presence has been found. When God spoke to His people at Mount Sinai, the people trembled and begged him to be silent. When God speaks to us now, through His Word, we can find grace and long to hear more.

There are certain environments in our everyday lives that come with reasonable expectations of what might happen. When we go to school, we expect to learn. When we go to the grocery store, there is an expectation that we will leave with food or whatever household items we might need. When we go to the gas station, we expect to leave with enough fuel to take us to the next destination. However, there is one place that we may frequent that can inspire varying expectations as to what might happen, or we might leave with: the church. Whatever objectives we bring with us will impact our experience on a Sunday and in a group setting. Our personal purposes and expectations when we enter this space act as a filter for our affections, feelings, and even our own contributions to the atmosphere. What do you expect when you come to church? The writer of Hebrews brings this to our attention by contrasting two places in which God's presence has been found. When God spoke to His people at Mount Sinai, the people trembled and begged him to be silent. When God speaks to us now, through His Word, we can find grace and long to hear more.

There are certain environments in our everyday lives that come with reasonable expectations of what might happen. When we go to school, we expect to learn. When we go to the grocery store, there is an expectation that we will leave with food or whatever household items we might need. When we go to the gas station, we expect to leave with enough fuel to take us to the next destination. However, there is one place that we may frequent that can inspire varying expectations as to what might happen, or we might leave with: the church. Whatever objectives we bring with us will impact our experience on a Sunday and in a group setting. Our personal purposes and expectations when we enter this space act as a filter for our affections, feelings, and even our own contributions to the atmosphere. What do you expect when you come to church? The writer of Hebrews brings this to our attention by contrasting two places in which God's presence has been found. When God spoke to His people at Mount Sinai, the people trembled and begged him to be silent. When God speaks to us now, through His Word, we can find grace and long to hear more.

Living a life with Jesus requires us to go through many things that, if we're being honest, we'd rather skip. Following Jesus means we may be led to do things were never thought possible or places we never imagined we'd go. As Hebrews begins to make its way to a close, the author includes three different images about the experience of living as a Christian: walking a straight path in pursuit of righteousness, running a race that will require endurance, and accepting loving correction from our Heavenly Father when we stray or slow down. All of these provide an honest, fuller picture that tempers our expectations of what it will be like to be a Christian before Jesus returns or calls us home. We may not enjoy life's difficulties, but when we look back, we will likely find that the seasons that kept us up or brought us to tears are often the seasons in which we experience great spiritual growth. We know this to be true anecdotally, but this truth is perfectly modeled in the example of our Savior, Jesus Christ. May we keep that in mind for whatever lies ahead.

Living a life with Jesus requires us to go through many things that, if we're being honest, we'd rather skip. Following Jesus means we may be led to do things were never thought possible or places we never imagined we'd go. As Hebrews begins to make its way to a close, the author includes three different images about the experience of living as a Christian: walking a straight path in pursuit of righteousness, running a race that will require endurance, and accepting loving correction from our Heavenly Father when we stray or slow down. All of these provide an honest, fuller picture that tempers our expectations of what it will be like to be a Christian before Jesus returns or calls us home. We may not enjoy life's difficulties, but when we look back, we will likely find that the seasons that kept us up or brought us to tears are often the seasons in which we experience great spiritual growth. We know this to be true anecdotally, but this truth is perfectly modeled in the example of our Savior, Jesus Christ. May we keep that in mind for whatever lies ahead.

Living a life with Jesus requires us to go through many things that, if we're being honest, we'd rather skip. Following Jesus means we may be led to do things were never thought possible or places we never imagined we'd go. As Hebrews begins to make its way to a close, the author includes three different images about the experience of living as a Christian: walking a straight path in pursuit of righteousness, running a race that will require endurance, and accepting loving correction from our Heavenly Father when we stray or slow down. All of these provide an honest, fuller picture that tempers our expectations of what it will be like to be a Christian before Jesus returns or calls us home. We may not enjoy life's difficulties, but when we look back, we will likely find that the seasons that kept us up or brought us to tears are often the seasons in which we experience great spiritual growth. We know this to be true anecdotally, but this truth is perfectly modeled in the example of our Savior, Jesus Christ. May we keep that in mind for whatever lies ahead.

As humans, we are captivated by a good story—even more so when it's a true one. At any given time in the year, at the top of the New York Times best-sellers list, there will be an autobiography of an important person telling their story. The Hollywood Box office will be dominated by a biopic documenting someone's triumph over tragedy and how it made them who they are today. These stories can give us a sense of hope, a source of motivation, and an example to follow. We've reached the point in Hebrews that many are familiar with, referred to as the Hall of Faith. Within this section, the author walks through example upon example of individuals from the Old Testament who exhibited a life of faith despite the obstacles they faced. By reminding us of these individuals, we are encouraged to hold tightly to Jesus. When we do so, we too will be able to persevere through whatever lies ahead. May this reminder of God's faithfulness encourage us to confidently hold on to God, just like the saints before us.

As humans, we are captivated by a good story—even more so when it's a true one. At any given time in the year, at the top of the New York Times best-sellers list, there will be an autobiography of an important person telling their story. The Hollywood Box office will be dominated by a biopic documenting someone's triumph over tragedy and how it made them who they are today. These stories can give us a sense of hope, a source of motivation, and an example to follow. We've reached the point in Hebrews that many are familiar with, referred to as the Hall of Faith. Within this section, the author walks through example upon example of individuals from the Old Testament who exhibited a life of faith despite the obstacles they faced. By reminding us of these individuals, we are encouraged to hold tightly to Jesus. When we do so, we too will be able to persevere through whatever lies ahead. May this reminder of God's faithfulness encourage us to confidently hold on to God, just like the saints before us.

As humans, we are captivated by a good story—even more so when it's a true one. At any given time in the year, at the top of the New York Times best-sellers list, there will be an autobiography of an important person telling their story. The Hollywood Box office will be dominated by a biopic documenting someone's triumph over tragedy and how it made them who they are today. These stories can give us a sense of hope, a source of motivation, and an example to follow. We've reached the point in Hebrews that many are familiar with, referred to as the Hall of Faith. Within this section, the author walks through example upon example of individuals from the Old Testament who exhibited a life of faith despite the obstacles they faced. By reminding us of these individuals, we are encouraged to hold tightly to Jesus. When we do so, we too will be able to persevere through whatever lies ahead. May this reminder of God's faithfulness encourage us to confidently hold on to God, just like the saints before us.

Mike Veley graciously shared with us this past weekend just a small part of his miraculous journey of transformation and healing during his time in Italy in 2018. If his story of God's faithfulness was meaningful to you and you would like to read the unabridged version, we invite you to check out To Venice With Love, Mike's full account captured in text. https://amzn.to/3Q3OUYG

A good pastor or spiritual leader will always express care and concern for the wellbeing of their people. Sometimes this care will come across in a word of encouragement or exhortation. Other times it may appear in a word of warning. For the spiritual leader, nothing is more exciting than seeing someone step fully into what God has for them, and nothing can be more heart breaking than watching someone stray. In this section of Hebrews, the author provides all of the above. The writer desires for us to have great confidence in our salvation and ability to connect with God. We are encouraged to use that access to remain faithful, avoid rebellion, and to not take advantage of what great privilege that rests in our possession. While the world around us may guide us towards immediacy and things that are temporal, followers of Jesus will continually look forward to the day of His return, all the while living as if each day may be the last.

A good pastor or spiritual leader will always express care and concern for the wellbeing of their people. Sometimes this care will come across in a word of encouragement or exhortation. Other times it may appear in a word of warning. For the spiritual leader, nothing is more exciting than seeing someone step fully into what God has for them, and nothing can be more heart breaking than watching someone stray. In this section of Hebrews, the author provides all of the above. The writer desires for us to have great confidence in our salvation and ability to connect with God. We are encouraged to use that access to remain faithful, avoid rebellion, and to not take advantage of what great privilege that rests in our possession. While the world around us may guide us towards immediacy and things that are temporal, followers of Jesus will continually look forward to the day of His return, all the while living as if each day may be the last.

A good pastor or spiritual leader will always express care and concern for the wellbeing of their people. Sometimes this care will come across in a word of encouragement or exhortation. Other times it may appear in a word of warning. For the spiritual leader, nothing is more exciting than seeing someone step fully into what God has for them, and nothing can be more heart breaking than watching someone stray. In this section of Hebrews, the author provides all of the above. The writer desires for us to have great confidence in our salvation and ability to connect with God. We are encouraged to use that access to remain faithful, avoid rebellion, and to not take advantage of what great privilege that rests in our possession. While the world around us may guide us towards immediacy and things that are temporal, followers of Jesus will continually look forward to the day of His return, all the while living as if each day may be the last.

Truly believing that God has forgiven all our sins can be one of the biggest struggles we face as believers. Deep down inside each of us fear, doubt, and uncertainty plague us, challenging our confidence that God has truly forgiven all our faults and failures. It is so easy to find ourselves picturing God as sitting in wait, just looking for the opportunity to pounce on our long list of wrongs and unfulfilled rights. Yet this could not be further from the truth! As we delve into this week's passage of Hebrews, we are reminded of the final words of Jesus on the cross: It is finished.” Our salvation is secure, and our relationship with God restored! We have been gently guided back to the good graces of God. And there is nothing that you or I can do to negate that. How can we be so sure? We're told upon the completion of His work, Jesus sat down; there is no more work to be done. We're reminded that God will remember our sins no more. Do you believe this? Or does it feel just too good to be true?

Truly believing that God has forgiven all our sins can be one of the biggest struggles we face as believers. Deep down inside each of us fear, doubt, and uncertainty plague us, challenging our confidence that God has truly forgiven all our faults and failures. It is so easy to find ourselves picturing God as sitting in wait, just looking for the opportunity to pounce on our long list of wrongs and unfulfilled rights. Yet this could not be further from the truth! As we delve into this week's passage of Hebrews, we are reminded of the final words of Jesus on the cross: It is finished.” Our salvation is secure, and our relationship with God restored! We have been gently guided back to the good graces of God. And there is nothing that you or I can do to negate that. How can we be so sure? We're told upon the completion of His work, Jesus sat down; there is no more work to be done. We're reminded that God will remember our sins no more. Do you believe this? Or does it feel just too good to be true?

Truly believing that God has forgiven all our sins can be one of the biggest struggles we face as believers. Deep down inside each of us fear, doubt, and uncertainty plague us, challenging our confidence that God has truly forgiven all our faults and failures. It is so easy to find ourselves picturing God as sitting in wait, just looking for the opportunity to pounce on our long list of wrongs and unfulfilled rights. Yet this could not be further from the truth! As we delve into this week's passage of Hebrews, we are reminded of the final words of Jesus on the cross: It is finished.” Our salvation is secure, and our relationship with God restored! We have been gently guided back to the good graces of God. And there is nothing that you or I can do to negate that. How can we be so sure? We're told upon the completion of His work, Jesus sat down; there is no more work to be done. We're reminded that God will remember our sins no more. Do you believe this? Or does it feel just too good to be true?

At times, The Bible may use language or imagery that cause discomfort for the squeamish or faint of heart. Even those less sensitive might find the sacrifices and blood of the Old Covenant to be uncomfortable—or perhaps simply irrelevant—and therefore warranting exclusion from the text. Whether it causes discomfort, confusion, or is simply deemed archaic, it can be easy to avoid a deeper engagement with these passages of Scripture. In the Old Testament, blood was recognized as a symbol of life and death and served as a sacred substance in various sacrificial rituals for purification (cleansing), consecration (setting aside), and atonement (reconciliation). In this week's passage, the writer of Hebrews seeks to clarify that, beyond symbolism, there is no comparison between the blood of Jesus and the blood of sacrificial animals. Only Jesus' blood can remove sin and guilt. Only His blood can cleanse our conscience and empower us to serve God. The sacrificial system for God's people in the Old Testament, including its location, all served to point us to the coming better way for man to be purified, consecrated, and atoned for: through the blood of Jesus.

At times, The Bible may use language or imagery that cause discomfort for the squeamish or faint of heart. Even those less sensitive might find the sacrifices and blood of the Old Covenant to be uncomfortable—or perhaps simply irrelevant—and therefore warranting exclusion from the text. Whether it causes discomfort, confusion, or is simply deemed archaic, it can be easy to avoid a deeper engagement with these passages of Scripture. In the Old Testament, blood was recognized as a symbol of life and death and served as a sacred substance in various sacrificial rituals for purification (cleansing), consecration (setting aside), and atonement (reconciliation). In this week's passage, the writer of Hebrews seeks to clarify that, beyond symbolism, there is no comparison between the blood of Jesus and the blood of sacrificial animals. Only Jesus' blood can remove sin and guilt. Only His blood can cleanse our conscience and empower us to serve God. The sacrificial system for God's people in the Old Testament, including its location, all served to point us to the coming better way for man to be purified, consecrated, and atoned for: through the blood of Jesus.

At times, The Bible may use language or imagery that cause discomfort for the squeamish or faint of heart. Even those less sensitive might find the sacrifices and blood of the Old Covenant to be uncomfortable—or perhaps simply irrelevant—and therefore warranting exclusion from the text. Whether it causes discomfort, confusion, or is simply deemed archaic, it can be easy to avoid a deeper engagement with these passages of Scripture. In the Old Testament, blood was recognized as a symbol of life and death and served as a sacred substance in various sacrificial rituals for purification (cleansing), consecration (setting aside), and atonement (reconciliation). In this week's passage, the writer of Hebrews seeks to clarify that, beyond symbolism, there is no comparison between the blood of Jesus and the blood of sacrificial animals. Only Jesus' blood can remove sin and guilt. Only His blood can cleanse our conscience and empower us to serve God. The sacrificial system for God's people in the Old Testament, including its location, all served to point us to the coming better way for man to be purified, consecrated, and atoned for: through the blood of Jesus.

A covenant, not a term frequenting conversation today, is a legally binding agreement between individuals. Despite its infrequent use, understanding the definition, what covenants are and are not is vital to grasping the over-arching story of the Bible. Unlike covenants made between humans, when God enters into a covenantal relationship with humans, it is one-sided. Only God can initiate and establish a covenant with Himself. All throughout the Old Testament, we find God choosing people—Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, etc.—for covenantal relationship, each established with the promise of blessing for the faithful, and curses for those who failed. Time and time again we see humans fail to keep their side of the covenant, experiencing hardships and consequences for their choices. Yet God is merciful and to the reader, it is clear that the covenants offered by God throughout history still far outweigh the alternative, an existence apart from God. And yet God had more for us. This week's passage in Hebrews illustrates a better covenant between God and humanity, one that is mediated and fulfilled perfectly by Jesus on our behalf.

A covenant, not a term frequenting conversation today, is a legally binding agreement between individuals. Despite its infrequent use, understanding the definition, what covenants are and are not is vital to grasping the over-arching story of the Bible. Unlike covenants made between humans, when God enters into a covenantal relationship with humans, it is one-sided. Only God can initiate and establish a covenant with Himself. All throughout the Old Testament, we find God choosing people—Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, etc.—for covenantal relationship, each established with the promise of blessing for the faithful, and curses for those who failed. Time and time again we see humans fail to keep their side of the covenant, experiencing hardships and consequences for their choices. Yet God is merciful and to the reader, it is clear that the covenants offered by God throughout history still far outweigh the alternative, an existence apart from God. And yet God had more for us. This week's passage in Hebrews illustrates a better covenant between God and humanity, one that is mediated and fulfilled perfectly by Jesus on our behalf.

A covenant, not a term frequenting conversation today, is a legally binding agreement between individuals. Despite its infrequent use, understanding the definition, what covenants are and are not is vital to grasping the over-arching story of the Bible. Unlike covenants made between humans, when God enters into a covenantal relationship with humans, it is one-sided. Only God can initiate and establish a covenant with Himself. All throughout the Old Testament, we find God choosing people—Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, etc.—for covenantal relationship, each established with the promise of blessing for the faithful, and curses for those who failed. Time and time again we see humans fail to keep their side of the covenant, experiencing hardships and consequences for their choices. Yet God is merciful and to the reader, it is clear that the covenants offered by God throughout history still far outweigh the alternative, an existence apart from God. And yet God had more for us. This week's passage in Hebrews illustrates a better covenant between God and humanity, one that is mediated and fulfilled perfectly by Jesus on our behalf.

Throughout Hebrews the author makes the argument that Jesus is superior to all who preceded Him—from the angels, to Moses, Aaron, The Law, Joshua, and the entire priesthood. This emphasis was due in part to a rise of Christian believers—formerly Jewish in faith—wrestling with the temptation to return to old patterns and traditions. The author attempts to reveal to readers Jesus' superiority in every aspect to the old covenant; that it would be foolish to turn back, for the former things were there in anticipation of a greater thing to come. The author continues his demonstration by drawing the reader's attention to Melchizedek, a priest mentioned in the Old Testament. To many, Melchizedek, whose name means “king of righteousness,” is a mysterious biblical figure. Despite what little is captured in writing, this priest-king serves as a poignant foreshadow, pointing us to an integral part of Jesus' eternal priestly ministry.

Throughout Hebrews the author makes the argument that Jesus is superior to all who preceded Him—from the angels, to Moses, Aaron, The Law, Joshua, and the entire priesthood. This emphasis was due in part to a rise of Christian believers—formerly Jewish in faith—wrestling with the temptation to return to old patterns and traditions. The author attempts to reveal to readers Jesus' superiority in every aspect to the old covenant; that it would be foolish to turn back, for the former things were there in anticipation of a greater thing to come. The author continues his demonstration by drawing the reader's attention to Melchizedek, a priest mentioned in the Old Testament. To many, Melchizedek, whose name means “king of righteousness,” is a mysterious biblical figure. Despite what little is captured in writing, this priest-king serves as a poignant foreshadow, pointing us to an integral part of Jesus' eternal priestly ministry.

Throughout Hebrews the author makes the argument that Jesus is superior to all who preceded Him—from the angels, to Moses, Aaron, The Law, Joshua, and the entire priesthood. This emphasis was due in part to a rise of Christian believers—formerly Jewish in faith—wrestling with the temptation to return to old patterns and traditions. The author attempts to reveal to readers Jesus' superiority in every aspect to the old covenant; that it would be foolish to turn back, for the former things were there in anticipation of a greater thing to come. The author continues his demonstration by drawing the reader's attention to Melchizedek, a priest mentioned in the Old Testament. To many, Melchizedek, whose name means “king of righteousness,” is a mysterious biblical figure. Despite what little is captured in writing, this priest-king serves as a poignant foreshadow, pointing us to an integral part of Jesus' eternal priestly ministry.

Trust is necessary in nearly all areas of our lives. You and I exhibit trust in someone—or something—every single day. From relying on map apps in our phones for directions, to the recipe we follow to cook dinner, we place a certain level of trust in a person or object to deliver an expected outcome. For a relationship to thrive, trust must be given. However, trust is hard to define, easy to lose, and not easily earned. It requires long-term faithfulness, reliability, and steadfastness to ensure trust is kept and maintained. In this section of Hebrews, the author appeals to the trustworthiness of God to inspire perseverance. God's trustworthy character alone should elicit our trust, but when we doubt, we can look to the stories of His faithfulness—the countless times in His Word we find Him delivering His people. The promises of God's Word offer a stable foundation for our lives.

Trust is necessary in nearly all areas of our lives. You and I exhibit trust in someone—or something—every single day. From relying on map apps in our phones for directions, to the recipe we follow to cook dinner, we place a certain level of trust in a person or object to deliver an expected outcome. For a relationship to thrive, trust must be given. However, trust is hard to define, easy to lose, and not easily earned. It requires long-term faithfulness, reliability, and steadfastness to ensure trust is kept and maintained. In this section of Hebrews, the author appeals to the trustworthiness of God to inspire perseverance. God's trustworthy character alone should elicit our trust, but when we doubt, we can look to the stories of His faithfulness—the countless times in His Word we find Him delivering His people. The promises of God's Word offer a stable foundation for our lives.

Trust is necessary in nearly all areas of our lives. You and I exhibit trust in someone—or something—every single day. From relying on map apps in our phones for directions, to the recipe we follow to cook dinner, we place a certain level of trust in a person or object to deliver an expected outcome. For a relationship to thrive, trust must be given. However, trust is hard to define, easy to lose, and not easily earned. It requires long-term faithfulness, reliability, and steadfastness to ensure trust is kept and maintained. In this section of Hebrews, the author appeals to the trustworthiness of God to inspire perseverance. God's trustworthy character alone should elicit our trust, but when we doubt, we can look to the stories of His faithfulness—the countless times in His Word we find Him delivering His people. The promises of God's Word offer a stable foundation for our lives.

Progress or growth in any area of life can be difficult to achieve. It doesn't happen by chance but takes intentional devotion. In the same way, our pursuit of spiritual maturity requires an intentional decision, to seek the transformation that comes from the desire to be more like Jesus. For it is in our maturation that we see and experience more of God's goodness, love, and wisdom and are empowered to embody His love for others. Throughout the early chapters of Hebrews, we are met with a glorious revelation of the person of Jesus: who He is and what He has done for us. As we consider the original readers, we might expect to see such transformation taking place in their lives when faced with these truths, yet that is not what we find in this week's passage. In fact, quite the opposite! We find the author of Hebrews pleading with and confronting his readers in light of their reluctance to pursue maturity. The text soberly warns its readers that staying in spiritual infancy is problematic in its own right, but also cautions that this lack of development could potentially lead to a point of leaving the faith all together. This brings the question to us: are we lazy in our faith or are we pursuing all that God has for us?

It's not uncommon at various points in life to hear someone describe a feeling of detachment and disconnection. It can feel as if there is a large distance, a great gulf in which we are shouting across in hopes to be heard, seen, or even acknowledged. This feeling can present itself within our earthy relationships, but more often these emotions are used to describe our connection, or lack thereof, with God. What's miraculous about the Gospel is that we are invited and called to freely run to God in the midst of it all. What waits for us is not a cranky or uninterested being, but a God who eagerly seeks to greet us with grace and mercy. Whatever state we may find ourselves in, whatever temptations, trials, or difficulties bog us down, we have a great High Priest who is able to sympathize with us in our time of need and give us what we need most.

It's not uncommon at various points in life to hear someone describe a feeling of detachment and disconnection. It can feel as if there is a large distance, a great gulf in which we are shouting across in hopes to be heard, seen, or even acknowledged. This feeling can present itself within our earthy relationships, but more often these emotions are used to describe our connection, or lack thereof, with God. What's miraculous about the Gospel is that we are invited and called to freely run to God in the midst of it all. What waits for us is not a cranky or uninterested being, but a God who eagerly seeks to greet us with grace and mercy. Whatever state we may find ourselves in, whatever temptations, trials, or difficulties bog us down, we have a great High Priest who is able to sympathize with us in our time of need and give us what we need most.

It's not uncommon at various points in life to hear someone describe a feeling of detachment and disconnection. It can feel as if there is a large distance, a great gulf in which we are shouting across in hopes to be heard, seen, or even acknowledged. This feeling can present itself within our earthy relationships, but more often these emotions are used to describe our connection, or lack thereof, with God. What's miraculous about the Gospel is that we are invited and called to freely run to God in the midst of it all. What waits for us is not a cranky or uninterested being, but a God who eagerly seeks to greet us with grace and mercy. Whatever state we may find ourselves in, whatever temptations, trials, or difficulties bog us down, we have a great High Priest who is able to sympathize with us in our time of need and give us what we need most.

The author of Hebrews captivates its readers as it draws from the history and stories of the Old Testament, illustrating their foreshadowing of Jesus. We see this greater overarching narrative culminating in the person of Jesus, greater than all that preceded Him. In this week's passage, we are drawn to a connection between Moses, God's chosen leader for His people of old, and Jesus, the ultimate and final leader to which God's people look. While Moses led the Israelites in a physical exodus out of Egypt, Jesus leads us to a spiritual exodus out of death into life. Moses was tasked with leading the Israelites into the Promise Land, but Jesus came to bring us into a place of rest for our souls. As the Israelites wrestled with the temptation to distrust the heart of God, we face the same temptation to harden our hearts, and much like the Israelites, often reject His commands, rationalizing our disobedience. The writer of Hebrews pleads with us to enter God's rest, but will we listen to his words?

The author of Hebrews captivates its readers as it draws from the history and stories of the Old Testament, illustrating their foreshadowing of Jesus. We see this greater overarching narrative culminating in the person of Jesus, greater than all that preceded Him. In this week's passage, we are drawn to a connection between Moses, God's chosen leader for His people of old, and Jesus, the ultimate and final leader to which God's people look. While Moses led the Israelites in a physical exodus out of Egypt, Jesus leads us to a spiritual exodus out of death into life. Moses was tasked with leading the Israelites into the Promise Land, but Jesus came to bring us into a place of rest for our souls. As the Israelites wrestled with the temptation to distrust the heart of God, we face the same temptation to harden our hearts, and much like the Israelites, often reject His commands, rationalizing our disobedience. The writer of Hebrews pleads with us to enter God's rest, but will we listen to his words?

The author of Hebrews captivates its readers as it draws from the history and stories of the Old Testament, illustrating their foreshadowing of Jesus. We see this greater overarching narrative culminating in the person of Jesus, greater than all that preceded Him. In this week's passage, we are drawn to a connection between Moses, God's chosen leader for His people of old, and Jesus, the ultimate and final leader to which God's people look. While Moses led the Israelites in a physical exodus out of Egypt, Jesus leads us to a spiritual exodus out of death into life. Moses was tasked with leading the Israelites into the Promise Land, but Jesus came to bring us into a place of rest for our souls. As the Israelites wrestled with the temptation to distrust the heart of God, we face the same temptation to harden our hearts, and much like the Israelites, often reject His commands, rationalizing our disobedience. The writer of Hebrews pleads with us to enter God's rest, but will we listen to his words?

Every year for Christmas we gather to celebrate the birth of our Savior. One of the greatest mysteries of the Christian faith is the fact that God became man; when we look at Jesus we find someone who is 100% God and 100% man. This concept is referred to as the “hypostatic union.” The unity of the God-Man is one topic that has been highly debated, studied, and examined since the formation of the early church. We can often find ourselves in error when we over emphasize either His deity—status as God—or overemphasize His humanity—status as man. While it is appropriate to take time and energy to understand all this entails, the author of Hebrews appeals to this truth as a source of comfort and encouragement to a group of believers who needed it. For we have a Savior who has experienced all that it is to be human—everything we experience. As a result, Jesus is able to serve as a perfect high priest, deeply attuned to the need of His adopted brothers and sisters.

Every year for Christmas we gather to celebrate the birth of our Savior. One of the greatest mysteries of the Christian faith is the fact that God became man; when we look at Jesus we find someone who is 100% God and 100% man. This concept is referred to as the “hypostatic union.” The unity of the God-Man is one topic that has been highly debated, studied, and examined since the formation of the early church. We can often find ourselves in error when we over emphasize either His deity—status as God—or overemphasize His humanity—status as man. While it is appropriate to take time and energy to understand all this entails, the author of Hebrews appeals to this truth as a source of comfort and encouragement to a group of believers who needed it. For we have a Savior who has experienced all that it is to be human—everything we experience. As a result, Jesus is able to serve as a perfect high priest, deeply attuned to the need of His adopted brothers and sisters.

Every year for Christmas we gather to celebrate the birth of our Savior. One of the greatest mysteries of the Christian faith is the fact that God became man; when we look at Jesus we find someone who is 100% God and 100% man. This concept is referred to as the “hypostatic union.” The unity of the God-Man is one topic that has been highly debated, studied, and examined since the formation of the early church. We can often find ourselves in error when we over emphasize either His deity—status as God—or overemphasize His humanity—status as man. While it is appropriate to take time and energy to understand all this entails, the author of Hebrews appeals to this truth as a source of comfort and encouragement to a group of believers who needed it. For we have a Savior who has experienced all that it is to be human—everything we experience. As a result, Jesus is able to serve as a perfect high priest, deeply attuned to the need of His adopted brothers and sisters.

If you've ever found yourself floating in the middle of a body of water, you know just how quickly and easy it is to be carried away by the wind and tide. Without being properly anchored, we can easily drift from where we need to be. Throughout the book of Hebrews, we find stern warnings against spiritual drift. The first warning found in this week's passage addresses the influence and impact that other sources can have on our lives; do the voices we listen to and the worldviews we adhere to come from the irrefutable source of Scripture? We are reminded here that the Gospel message comes from the most reliable source of all—the Lord himself. Not only does this good news come from Him but it originated in Him and continues to be sustained by Him to this day. Comfort and confidence are available to us through the storms of life when we place our anchor and hope in Jesus.