Podcasts about high priests

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What does atonement mean—and why is it essential to truly knowing Jesus? In this episode, we move beyond simply talking about Jesus to understanding who He is, what He accomplished, and why it changes everything. Beginning in Genesis and tracing the story through the tabernacle, the priesthood, the Day of Atonement, and the book of Hebrews, we see how the Old Testament continually points toward the cross. We'll explore the meaning of atonement, the role of the high priest, the significance of the Holy of Holies, the sacrificial offerings, and how Jesus fulfills it all. He is our perfect High Priest, our spotless sacrifice, and the mediator of the new covenant—the One who offered Himself once for all to cleanse us, reconcile us to God, and restore us to fellowship with Him. God came wrapped in flesh to pay the price for our rebellion. Jesus is both the One who offers and the offering itself. Through His blood, believers can now approach God's throne of grace with confidence and become dwelling places for His presence. Before we can rightly understand Christian teachings such as submission or modesty, we need a solid foundation in the person and work of Christ. We must know who we are following—and understand the cost, beauty, and grace of belonging to Him. Key Scriptures: Genesis 3; Exodus 25; Psalm 110:4; Zechariah; John 1; Hebrews 1:1–4, 4:14–16, 5:5–10, 7:23–28, and 9:11–15.

Hebrews 5 details the Definition of a High Priest; the Qualifications of Jesus to be one; and the great need for maturity on our part.

Old Testament Passover lambs contrast with Jesus Christ, because while ancient sacrifices were provided by imperfect people, God Himself provided His own Son as the perfect sacrifice for sin. Jesus' played a unique role as both the High Priest and the offering! He willingly laid down His life rather than having it taken by force. Our sins were laid upon Him to secure eternal redemption for believers. Scripture describes Jesus' divine awareness of His mission from eternity past, and His human growth in understanding this burden, that He would be sacrificed as God's Lamb to take away our sins. Christ's sacrifice is superior over all animal offerings. Believers ought to view the Lord's Supper as a memorial of this completed work.

Old Testament Passover lambs contrast with Jesus Christ, because while ancient sacrifices were provided by imperfect people, God Himself provided His own Son as the perfect sacrifice for sin. Jesus' played a unique role as both the High Priest and the offering! He willingly laid down His life rather than having it taken by force. Our sins were laid upon Him to secure eternal redemption for believers. Scripture describes Jesus' divine awareness of His mission from eternity past, and His human growth in understanding this burden, that He would be sacrificed as God's Lamb to take away our sins. Christ's sacrifice is superior over all animal offerings. Believers ought to view the Lord's Supper as a memorial of this completed work.

Bible News Prophecy with Dr Bob Thiel and Steve Dupuie Do End-Time Prophecies Require a Rebuilt Jewish Temple? Dr. Bob Thiel joins Steve Dupuie on Bible News Prophecy to examine the Temple Institute, the history of the first and second temples, New Testament uses of the Greek words naos and hieron, Christians as the temple of God, end-time animal sacrifices, the abomination of desolation, and his conclusion that a physical Jewish temple is not required for biblical prophecy to be fulfilled. The Temple Institute and the Desire to Rebuild Steve Dupuie opens by asking whether Jewish groups currently want to build a temple. Dr. Bob Thiel identifies the Temple Institute as one such organization and discusses a newsletter that cites Deuteronomy 12:5–7 and asks supporters to help rebuild the temple. Thiel notes, however, that the quoted passage speaks about a chosen place of worship and sacrifice without explicitly requiring a temple building. The First and Second Temples in Biblical History Thiel reviews the history of Solomon's temple, its destruction by Babylon, the construction of the second temple after Cyrus's decree, Herod's later expansion, and the temple's destruction by Roman forces in AD 70. He connects the latter event with Jesus' prophecy in Matthew 24 that not one stone would remain upon another. The transcript itself cautions that these historical dates are preserved as stated by the speakers and should be independently verified when used as formal historical citations. Christians as the Temple of God When Steve asks whether a holy Jewish temple can be built in the present age, Thiel answers no. He turns to passages in 1 Corinthians and 2 Corinthians that describe believers as the temple of the Holy Spirit and the temple of the living God. In his interpretation, the New Testament identifies Spirit-filled Christians, including Christian Jews, as God's holy temple rather than a future Jewish building. Naos and Hieron: Two Greek Words for Temple Thiel distinguishes between two Greek words translated as “temple.” He says hieron usually refers to a physical temple complex, while naos may refer to the inner sanctuary, Christ's body, or the community of believers. He points to John 2, where Jesus says, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up,” and the passage explains that He was speaking of His body. Thiel uses this distinction to support his view that prophetic references to God's temple need not describe a rebuilt Jewish structure. A Spiritual Building With Christ as the Cornerstone The discussion continues with Ephesians 2, where Christians are described as a building founded on the apostles and prophets, with Jesus Christ as the chief cornerstone. Thiel interprets the growing “holy temple in the Lord” as the church collectively rather than a physical sanctuary. He also draws on 1 Peter to describe Christians as a chosen generation, royal priesthood, holy nation, and special people. Christ's Sacrifice and the Question of Holiness Thiel argues that New Testament teaching about Christ's sacrifice makes a restored system of temple sacrifices unnecessary for Christians. Referring to Hebrews 9, he describes Christ as High Priest of a greater tabernacle not made with human hands. From this, he concludes that a Jewish religious building may be constructed, but it would not constitute God's holy temple in the New Testament sense. Animal Sacrifices Without a Temple Steve asks whether Daniel's end-time prophecies concerning sacrifices require a temple. Thiel says they do not. He cites biblical examples of sacrifices offered before Solomon's temple existed and after the first temple was destroyed but before the second temple was completed. According to Thiel, an altar, priestly leadership, religious implements, willingness, and government permission would be sufficient for sacrifices to resume. The Abomination of Desolation and the “Holy Place” The final discussion concerns Jesus' warning in Matthew 24 about the abomination of desolation standing in the holy place. Thiel emphasizes that Jesus said “holy place,” not “holy temple.” He refers to the Greek terms topos for “place” and hagios for “holy,” arguing that the phrase may describe a location rather than a particular building. He therefore rejects the assumption that this prophecy requires a rebuilt Jewish temple. Living as God's Holy People Thiel closes by urging Christians not to wait for a temple that, in his view, God would recognize as holy in this age. Instead, he says Christians themselves are called to be God's holy people and should live accordingly. The episode concludes with a reference to the Bible News Prophecy website and the Continuing Church of God's free literature.

*Listen to the Show notes and podcast transcript with this multi-language player. Summary This conversation focuses on the importance of returning to the Jewish roots of the Christian faith and rejecting the anti-Semitism that has developed throughout much of church history. The Family emphasizes that the Jewish people were chosen by God to bring forth His Word, His covenants, and ultimately the Messiah. Because of this, Christians should honor the Jewish people rather than speak against them. The Family also examines how Christianity has incorporated traditions that are not rooted in Scripture while becoming disconnected from the biblical feasts, the Sabbath, and the Hebrew foundations of faith. Returning to these roots is not presented as adopting a religious system, but as seeking greater truth, maturity, and understanding of God's purpose. The discussion points to Paul's teaching in Romans concerning Israel and the Gentiles. Although many Jewish people have not yet recognized Jesus as the Messiah, God has not rejected or forgotten them. His promises to Abraham remain, and His plan includes bringing Jewish and Gentile believers together as one people under Christ, the great High Priest. Ultimately, the Family shares a common desire to see God's Kingdom established on the earth. This unity will not come through compromise, prejudice, or human traditions, but through a shared hunger for God, a love for His Word, and the recognition that His purposes for Israel and the nations will be fulfilled. Show Notes Honoring the Jewish People The Jewish people have endured increasing persecution and anti-Semitism throughout the world. The Family emphasizes the need for Christians to understand why Israel and the Jewish people should be loved and honored. Through them came the Scriptures, the covenants, the promises, and the Messiah. Recognizing the Roots of Christianity Many Christians have little understanding of the Hebrew foundations of their faith. The conversation encourages believers to study those roots and examine traditions that may have developed outside of biblical truth. Rejecting Anti-Semitism Anti-Semitic beliefs have existed within Christianity for centuries. The Family warns that believers must reject teachings that accuse, dishonor, or dismiss the Jewish people. Such attitudes ignore God's continuing covenant purpose. Learning from the Jewish People The Jewish longing for the coming of the Messiah can challenge Christians to examine their own desire for Christ's return. Their dedication to Scripture, worship, and the expectation of God's Kingdom can inspire believers to pursue the Lord more deeply. Israel and the Gentiles Romans 9–11 reveals that God has not rejected Israel. Gentile believers have been grafted into the promises of God, but they must not become arrogant toward the original branches. God's purpose is to bring restoration and fulfillment to both Israel and the nations. The Promise Given to Abraham God's covenant with Abraham was the beginning of a purpose that would ultimately bless all nations. His choice of Abraham and his descendants did not mean that God had forgotten the rest of humanity. His desire has always been to receive everyone who turns toward Him in faith. Coming Together Under Christ The Family believes that Jewish and Gentile believers will increasingly come together through a shared desire to see God's Kingdom established. This unity is centered in Christ, the Messiah and great High Priest. Returning to Biblical Truth The conversation challenges believers to examine religious traditions and compromises that may have replaced the truth of Scripture. Returning to the roots of faith means seeking what God originally intended rather than simply continuing inherited customs. Worship and the Biblical Feasts The Feast of Tabernacles is mentioned as a picture of God dwelling among His people. The biblical feasts can help believers understand God's presence, His redemptive plan, and His desire to be glorified among His people. Key Quotes “We need to lay a foundation of why we love the Jews.”“Would we have the Word of God today without the Jews?”“We need to realize our roots.”“Our older brothers, the Jews, help drive us to pursue after God and His Word.”“How driven are we for the Lord's return?”“I was there to learn of them. I admitted, ‘You're my elder brother.'”“God is sorting it out.”“He's bringing the Jews and the Christians together.”“All of this goes back to Abraham.”“God never forgot any of us.”“We come together because we have the same drive, the same desire, and the same heart to see God's Kingdom come forth on this earth.”“We need to get back to our roots and the reality and the truth.” Scriptural References God's Covenant With Abraham Genesis 12 (1–3) God promises to bless Abraham and make him a blessing through whom all the families of the earth will be blessed. Genesis 15 (7–18) God confirms His covenant with Abraham through the divided sacrifices and passes between the pieces as a sign of His commitment. Genesis 17 (7–8) God declares His covenant with Abraham and his descendants to be an everlasting covenant. Israel and the Gentiles Romans 9 (4–5) Paul describes the covenants, promises, worship, law, and Messiah that came through Israel. Romans 11 (1–2) Paul makes it clear that God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew. Romans 11 (11–12) Israel's stumbling opened a door of salvation to the Gentiles, but Paul also anticipates Israel's future fullness. Romans 11 (17–21) Gentile believers are described as wild olive branches grafted into Israel's cultivated olive tree and are warned not to become arrogant. Romans 11 (25–29) Paul speaks of a partial hardening of Israel and affirms that God's gifts and calling are irrevocable.

Hebrews reveals Christ as God's appointed eternal High Priest, perfected through suffering, whose obedient sacrifice brings salvation after the enduring order of Melchizedek for us.

This Week at Genesis | Prayer This week in our Strengthening the Stakes series, we turned our attention to Prayer—exploring what it looks like to become a people who keep showing up before God and refuse to lose heart. Through Jesus' parable of the persistent widow in Luke 18, we were reminded that persistence in prayer is an expression of enduring trust in the character of God, especially when we face delay, opposition, or disappointment. Chris was joined by Mattie for an honest conversation about prayer, personal dissatisfaction, and the ways God has shaped her through seasons of contemplative prayer, fasting, and breakthrough. We were challenged to embrace a deeper, even costly kind of prayer—travailing prayer that longs to see renewal in the church, revival among the lost, and ultimately the restoration of all things. Because when the Son of Man returns, will He find faith on the earth? Scripture & Themes

Growing In God Podcast Program Number: GIG #314 Title: He Has Committed to Us Reconciliation   Web Description: When we are reconciled to God through Christ, we are brought into God's plan for the earth. And God's plan is that all the people of the earth will be reconciled to Him. That is why He gives us the ministry of reconciliation. Our personal salvation makes us part of God's holy Kingdom of priests who minister to others the reconciliation that He provided for all by the sacrifice of His Son.   Show Notes: We can see God's heart for the world in His relationship with Israel. When God brought them forth as a nation, He told them to be a kingdom of priests. And what is the purpose of being a kingdom of priests? It is to minister to all the nations of the earth. As Christians who have been grafted into the covenant and promises of Israel, we share in this same purpose to be a kingdom of priests. As our High Priest, Christ reconciled us to God by His blood. This ministry of reconciliation is how a priest functions. And when we receive Christ, we also receive the ministry of reconciliation.   We miss this aspect when we focus only on our personal salvation. God commanded Israel to be a kingdom of priests, but He also told them to be a holy nation. You cannot have one without the other. God wanted Israel to be holy so that they could serve as His priesthood that would minister to the nations. The same is true of our salvation. When God saves us, He forgives our sins. But that does not mean we are supposed to do nothing except sit around and be forgiven. We are forgiven and cleansed of our sins so that we can be the priests who serve Him in His presence.   If we truly are concerned about what is going on in the world today, then it must be real to us that God wants salvation for all mankind. We are not here to be caught up in the hostility of this age that pits one nation or people or individual against another. We must be those who stand in the presence of the Father and contend with Him, by the sacrifice of His Son for all the world, that everyone in this age will be reconciled to Him. If we are Christians, then we have become His royal priesthood. We have become His priests with the ministry of reconciliation for the nations.   Key Verses:   •       Exodus 19:5–6. "You shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation." •       Revelation 1:4–6. "He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father." •       Revelation 5:9–10. "You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God." •       Romans 11:17. "You … were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the rich root of the olive tree." •       Genesis 12:3. "In you all the families of the earth will be blessed." •       2 Corinthians 5:18–20. "God … reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation." •       1 Timothy 2:1–6. "God our Savior … desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." •       2 Peter 3:9. "The Lord is … patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance." •       Isaiah 60:10–12. "Foreigners will build up your walls, and their kings will minister to you." •       John 3:15–17. "God did not send the Son … to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him."   Quotes:   •       "There's a fulfillment of the promise to Abraham in that all the nations now are being included. And you know what? God has made you also, like Israel, to be a kingdom and priests unto God." •       "The purpose of the Church is that it become the priesthood of God ministering in the earth." •       "For people to die in judgment means that they became part of satan's kingdom. I don't like that. I don't want him to have anybody in his kingdom. I want all to come to the understanding and the knowledge of the salvation that the Father has given us through His Son."   Takeaways:   1.    Our personal salvation is not an end in itself. It is what enables us to stand in His presence so that we can function as His priests. 2.    We have been reconciled to God in order to enter His Kingdom as the priests who will minister His reconciliation to all the nations. 3.    Let us contend with God that He exercise His true heart for the world that all people come to Him, be saved, and be part of His Kingdom.

Hebrews 7:23–28 contrasts the Aaronic priests with Jesus Christ. The former priests were many because death prevented them from continuing in their ministry. Their priesthood was temporary, and each priest eventually had to be replaced.Christ is different. He remains forever and holds an unchangeable priesthood. He always lives to intercede for those who draw near to God through Him.The Aaronic priests were also sinful men. Before they could minister on behalf of the people, they had to offer sacrifice for themselves. But Jesus is holy, innocent, undefiled, and separate from sinners. He needed no offering for Himself; He offered Himself once as the perfect sacrifice.The law appointed weak men as priests, but God's oath appoints the Son, perfected forever. In Christ, we have the sinless High Priest who lives forever.Read the full lesson on Let's Talk Scripture: Let's Talk ScriptureAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Rabbi Jacobson will discuss the following topics: What should be our focus during these days as we transition from Av to Elul? Why is Elul a special month?  How do we maximize its opportunities? What is our main work this month? What is its personal relevance in our lives? What lessons do we learn from living with the times, with this week's Torah parsha? What is the connection between Shoftim and Elul? Why does the Torah prohibit sorcery and witchcraft? How is it different from a doctor? Can this be applied to going to shamans today for plant medicine ceremonies? Why were those exiled to the cities of refuge freed upon the passing of the High Priest? What does this teach us about current leaders? What lessons do we learn from the Eglah Arufah? Why is a king prohibited from buying many horses? How does this apply today? Why did the Shaloh ask his son not to build a house more opulent than his needs?  Why did the Rebbe reject a new car?Should we pray based on our merits or asking for G-d's favor? Follow-up Shoftim Vaetchanan Who named it Camp Gan Israel? What was the relationship between Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz and the Rebbe?  Are we allowed to take off our yarmulkas for any reason?   How can I encourage my spouse to stop speaking negatively about one of our children to another child? 

“Atonement” is defined as “reparation for an offense” and it repairs a broken relationship between two parties by offering a payment to make right that which is wrong. In the Old Testament, God's people offered sacrifices to God through the rituals of Passover, the sin offering, and the Day of Atonement. These observances were prophetic, pointing towards Jesus Christ who offered his life as the ultimate atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world (1 John 2:2). 1 John 2:2 – “Atonement” is defined as “reparation for an offense or injury.” Atonement repairs a broken relationship between two parties by offering a payment to make right that which is wrong. Exodus 12:3-13 – The blood of the Passover lamb saved God's people from death. Leviticus 4:27-31 – Requiring sacrifice helped deter people from sinning. When a person did sin, God graciously accepted a “sin offering” so the sinner would not die. Leviticus 16:1-10 – Only the High Priest could enter the Most Holy Place where God's presence dwelled, and only on the Day of Atonement. He would confess the sins of the people and cast a goat out into the wilderness. This “scapegoat” symbolically carried away the sins of the people. Isaiah 52:13-53:10 – The prophets foretold of a Messiah who would offer his life as an atoning sacrifice for sin. Like the Passover lamb (v. 7) he would save God's people from death. Like the scapegoat, he would “carry” our sins in his body (v. 4). Like the sin offering (v. 10), he would be “pierced for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities” (v. 5). Matthew 27:11-26, 39-44 – Barabbas (“son of the Father”) deserved to die but Jesus died in his place. Jesus died to bring sinners into a right relationship with God. The veil in the temple tearing symbolizes that, through Christ, we can enter God's presence. Hebrews 9:24-28 – Old Testament sacrifices had to be offered over and over again. Christ offered himself as a better sacrifice – one sacrifice for all the sins of the world (1 John 2:2). Matthew uses the Bible version REVThe post The Gospel 5: Jesus Died for Your Sins first appeared on Living Hope.

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He was numbered among the Seventy. Then, when Judas who betrayed Christ had taken his own life, the disciples (120 men and women) convened to choose one who would take his place among the Twelve. They nominated two, Joseph (called Barsabas or Justus) and Matthias, then cast lots. The lot fell to Matthais, who henceforth was numbered among the Twelve (See Acts ch. 1). Accounts of his Apostolate after this vary. According to some, he preached the Gospel in Ethiopia and met his martyrdom there. According to others, after visiting Ethiopia he returned to Judea, where he was tried and condemned by Ananias the High Priest, and stoned to death, then beheaded.

Luke 19:41–48 | Does Actually God Want the Temple Rebuilt?In this sermon for the Tenth Sunday after Trinity, Pastor Rojas asks a question at the heart of modern Christian Zionism: Does God actually want the Temple in Jerusalem rebuilt?Jesus' answer is no. The Temple, sacrifices, priesthood, and altar all pointed to Christ. Jesus is the true Temple, the Lamb of God, and our great High Priest. The shadows have given way to the reality.Jerusalem's deeper problem was that when God visited them, they didn't recognize Him. They wanted political victory and earthly glory. God gave them a King on a donkey and a Savior on a cross. We make the same mistake whenever we decide what God must fix before we'll believe He is with us.But you don't have to wait for something to happen in Jerusalem. God has already come to you in Christ. He forgives you, dwells with you, and gives Himself to you. Even when your health, strength, and life are taken away, Christ is still yours.The Sacrifice has been made. The curtain is torn. Your sins are forgiven. God dwells with you. And because Christ lives, you will live also.Subscribe & Share if this sermon strengthened your faith.

At Jesus' Crucifixion and Death, the “Temple Veil” Was Torn; After Jesus Easter Resurrection, You Now Pray Directly with God MESSAGE SUMMARY:  Think about the magnitude of your direct and personal access to God that your prayers give you, through Jesus, if you will only pray. Before Jesus, ordinary people did not have direct access to God, through the Throne Room of God, with a direct personal relationship with God. In Old Testament times, people would come to the priests; and the priest would offer up a sacrifice on behalf of the people. The priests, and not the people, were communing directly with God. On Good Friday and at Jesus death on the cross, the “Temple Veil” was torn from top to bottom (i.e. “Temple Vail” was a large, very thick, and very heavy barrier that divided that portion of the Temple accessible by those wishing to sacrifice for prayer and the “Holy of Holies” where the only the High Priest could meet with God and pray on behalf of the people of God.). At Jesus Resurrection, no longer was an intermediary (e.g., a Priest) required for direct prayer with God by the people in Christ (i.e. Jesus Followers).  Because Jesus created a New Covenant relationship with His followers, now your prayers are in direct communion with God, the Creator of the Universe. Everyone, who is in Christ, may have access to the Throne Room of God in the name of Jesus. What a privilege this direct access to God is for those who are in Christ. The author of Hebrews, in Hebrews 4:16, tells Jesus Followers that, because of the Gospel, you have direct access to God's “throne of Grace” for your needs: “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.".   TODAY'S PRAYER: Keeping the Sabbath, Lord, will require a lot of changes in the way I am living life. Teach me, Lord, how to take the next step with this in a way that fits my unique personality and situation. Help me to trust you with all that will remain unfinished and to enjoy my humble place in your very large world. In Jesus' name, amen. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 129). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT. If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him! Luke 11:13 SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Philippians 4:1-13; John 15:9-10; Revelation 4:1-2; Psalms 69c:25-36. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “Stop Making Excuses for Not Following Jesus and Follow Him Without Reservations” at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/    DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

In Joshua 20, God gives instruction to Joshua and the people of Israel about the establishment of cities of refuge: places where a person in Israel would go if they had killed someone without malicious intent. Living in a city of refuge protected that person from capital punishment, but it came with very strict rules, which highlighted the weight of shedding blood and infringing on the image of God displayed in another person's life, even by accident. In the New Testament, Jesus shows that this weight is even greater than we suppose--even to hate another person is commit murder in your heart. In today's message, Larry High teaches us that the answer to this problem is found in the forgiveness of our High Priest, Jesus.

The prophet receives specific promises about the Millennial period, Joshua the High Priest, Zerubbabel, the "Branch" Jesus, Elijah and Enoch, the rebuilding of Babylon, and more...

Have you ever wondered if God truly understands what you're going through? In this Sunday message, Pastor Donnie McClurkin draws a clear distinction between an encounter and a real relationship, and how that truth points us straight to Christ. Rooted in Hebrews 4:12-16, the message reminds us that Jesus did not come to earth simply to observe humanity. He came to relate to it, to experience hunger, temptation, grief, and struggle firsthand so that He could fully understand what we carry. The message walks through the incarnation and the ministry of Jesus, from His birth in Bethlehem to the storm on the sea, showing how every moment of Christ's life on earth deepened His connection to us. Because He went through it, He understands it. The message closes with a personal and vulnerable moment, reminding the church that no one has to carry their struggles in silence. Whatever you are facing, you have a High Priest who understands and invites you to cast every care upon Him. This is a message for anyone who needs to be reminded that they are not alone. Sermon Scripture: Hebrews 4:12-16    We stream live every Sunday at 11 am and every Wednesday at 8 pm. Visit our website: https://perfectingfaithchurch.com  Connect with us on social media!  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PerfectingFaithChurch/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perfectingfaithchurch/ Threads: https://www.threads.com/@perfectingfaithchurch  X: https://x.com/PFCNY   Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@perfectingfaithchurch  

Send us Fan Mail“They shall never perish.” That sentence forces a decision: either Jesus is giving a firm promise to real people, or He's offering a fragile hope that collapses the moment we stumble. We open with John 10 and keep asking the same question from every angle, because it's the question underneath the eternal security debate: what is “eternal life” if it can end, and what does it say about Christ if His sheep can be lost?We then connect perseverance of the saints to something many Christians rarely consider day to day: Jesus' present-tense ministry as our great High Priest. Hebrews says He lives to make intercession, and we take that seriously. If Christ's intercession is effectual, then salvation is not a cooperative project where we “finish the job” by our own strength. It's a new covenant reality secured by the Son's blood, upheld by the Father's unchanging purpose, and sealed by the Holy Spirit who does not abandon His temple.We also tackle the passages people bring up when they fear their name can be erased from the Book of Life. We walk through key texts and argue that Revelation 3:5 reads as an emphatic promise, while other warning passages address covenant realities and outward profession rather than the revocation of eternal election. The goal is not to dodge hard verses, but to read them with the whole testimony of Scripture, so assurance of salvation rests where it belongs: on the immutable faithfulness of the triune God.If you've ever asked “Can I lose my salvation?” or if someone has used that question to unsettle your peace, this conversation is for you. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs steadiness, and leave a review with the verse you most want us to unpack next.Support the showBE PROVOKED AND BE PERSUADED!

This week's message from 1 Samuel 2 exposes the scandal at Shiloh, where Eli's sons abused their authority through entitlement, while Eli's passivity allowed their sin to continue unchecked. The passage challenges us to examine our own hearts, asking where we choose comfort, self-preservation, or personal desires over obedience to God. While Samuel stands as a faithful contrast, the sermon reminds us that even he is only a sign pointing to someone greater. Our true hope is found in Jesus Christ—the perfect and eternal High Priest who doesn't take from His people but gives Himself for them, offering forgiveness, and the power to live faithfully for God.

Associate Pastor Adam Baird's sermon, "New Approach, Same Throne," centered on Hebrews 4:14–16, emphasizing that because of Jesus Christ, believers no longer have to approach God with fear, shame, or a performance mindset. Instead, Jesus, our compassionate High Priest, understands our weaknesses, invites us into God's presence with confidence, and offers mercy for our past, grace for our future, and help for our present needs. Through personal testimony and biblical teaching, Baird encouraged those burdened by sin, failure, addiction, or discouragement to stop believing they must "clean themselves up" before coming to God, and instead boldly enter the throne of grace just as they are, trusting in Christ's finished work rather than their own efforts.

At Jesus' Crucifixion and Death, the “Temple Veil” Was Torn; After Jesus Easter Resurrection, You Now Pray Directly with God MESSAGE SUMMARY:  Think about the magnitude of your direct and personal access to God that your prayers give you, through Jesus, if you will only pray. Before Jesus, ordinary people did not have direct access to God, through the Throne Room of God, with a direct personal relationship with God. In Old Testament times, people would come to the priests; and the priest would offer up a sacrifice on behalf of the people. The priests, and not the people, were communing directly with God. On Good Friday and at Jesus death on the cross, the “Temple Veil” was torn from top to bottom (i.e. “Temple Vail” was a large, very thick, and very heavy barrier that divided that portion of the Temple accessible by those wishing to sacrifice for prayer and the “Holy of Holies” where the only the High Priest could meet with God and pray on behalf of the people of God.). At Jesus Resurrection, no longer was an intermediary (e.g., a Priest) required for direct prayer with God by the people in Christ (i.e. Jesus Followers).  Because Jesus created a New Covenant relationship with His followers, now your prayers are in direct communion with God, the Creator of the Universe. Everyone, who is in Christ, may have access to the Throne Room of God in the name of Jesus. What a privilege this direct access to God is for those who are in Christ. The author of Hebrews, in Hebrews 4:16, tells Jesus Followers that, because of the Gospel, you have direct access to God's “throne of Grace” for your needs: “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.".   TODAY'S PRAYER: Keeping the Sabbath, Lord, will require a lot of changes in the way I am living life. Teach me, Lord, how to take the next step with this in a way that fits my unique personality and situation. Help me to trust you with all that will remain unfinished and to enjoy my humble place in your very large world. In Jesus' name, amen. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 129). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT. If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him! Luke 11:13 SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Philippians 4:1-13; John 15:9-10; Revelation 4:1-2; Psalms 69c:25-36. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “Christians in the Church Must Become Christians in the Marketplace of Unbelievers” , at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/    DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

Hebrews 4:14-16, Hebrews 7:23-28 | Harrison Guetzko

Teaching by Josh Clark Week 7: Serving in the Land (Ch 22-24)Structure of Joshua:Joshua 1-5 - Preparation for entry, "cross"Joshua 6-12 - Entry into Canaan, "take"Joshua 13-21 - Allocating Canaan, "divide"Joshua 22-24 - Keeping Canaan/covenant, "serve"Chapters 22-24 each start with Joshua summoning the people of Israel (22:1; 23:2; 24:1)1. Potential Civil War (Ch 22)V 1-9 Joshua's Charge to Eastern Tribes- V 2-3 The people have obeyed Moses' and Joshua's commands- V 4 "the Lord your God has given rest to your brothers" fulfills the condition of Joshua's command in Josh 1:15- V 5 Joshua commands the people to continue in complete obedience. Gives them 7 things to do  - "observe" the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you  - "love" the Lord your God  - "walk" in all his ways  - "keep" his commandments  - "cling" to the Lord  - "serve" him with all your heart and with all your soul- V 6-9 The 2 1/2 tribes are blessed and sent to their tents.V 10-34 The Altar of Witness- V 10-11 The conflict: the western tribes hear that the eastern tribes have set up an altar of imposing size on the west side of the Jordan river. (Deut 12:5)- V 12-14 Western Tribes response: Prepare for war & send delegation  - Delegation consisted of:    - Phinehas, son of Eleazar the High Priest; see Num 25    - 10 chiefs, each one the head of a tribe  - V 15-20 Delegation's message to Eastern tribes:    - Why are you rebelling?    - Remember the sin at Baal Peor?    - If dwelling on the East will cause you to rebel, claim an allotment of the West. Don't rebel or cause us to rebel.    - Remember Achan?- V 21-29 Eastern Tribes Response: We are being faithful and unifying the nation  - V 22 "The Mighty One, God, The LORD!" They start their oath with an appeal to God in his supreme authority and incomparable power.  - V 22-23 If they are lying and created the altar for unauthorized use, they ask that the Israelites or God put them to death.  - Reason for building the altar:    - That the descendants of the Western tribes wouldn't look at the descendants of the Eastern tribes and say they aren't a part of Israel    - That their descendants don't hear that they have no portion in Israel and worship other gods (V 25)- V 30-34 The Resolution  - The Western tribes accept the oath, and worship the Lord because there was no sin.  - They return home bringing good news and relief that there won't be a civil war because the Eastern tribes have remained faithful.  - We hear that the Altar is named Witness by the Eastern tribes because it serves as a witness to the whole nation of Israel that there are no other gods but Yahweh.2. Joshua's Charge to Israel (Ch 23)V 1-5 God's Deeds for Israel- Joshua reminds the people how they have been firsthand witnesses to the fulfillment of God's promises.V 6-11 A Charge to Respond in Obedience- V 6, 11 Obedience and love are inseparable.V 12-16 Warning Against Future Disobedience3. Covenant Renewal and Conclusion (Ch 24)V 1-13 Retelling of God's Faithfulness Throughout the Generations- V 1 Shechem - Joshua calls them back to the land where they had previously renewed the covenant in Josh 8:30-35.  - Fitting that it starts with Abraham because this is where Abraham receives the promise of the land (Gen 12:6-7).  - Shechem is also where Jacob's household buries their foreign gods (Gen 35:1-4).- V 2-13 Notice the "I" statements from God.V 14-28 The Final Charge- "Serve" appears 20 times throughout chapters 22-24. 15 of those 20 times appear in these 15 verses.- V 14-15 Joshua's final charge to the people: Put away the idols and serve Yahweh. Serve the true God or serve the gods of the people that Yahweh is driving out.- V 16-18 The people's response: after all that we have seen Yahweh do we will also serve Yahweh.- V 19-20 Joshua: You are not able to serve the LORD. He is holy. He is jealous and he doesn't take idolatry lightly.- V 21 The people: No we will do it!- V 22-23 Joshua: You are witnesses against yourself. They say we are.  - Joshua: "Then put away the foreign gods that are among you, and incline your heart to the Lord, the God of Israel."  - Gen 35:2 "Put away the foreign gods that are among you and purify yourselves and change your garments."- V 24 The people: We will serve and obey Yahweh.- V 25-28 Joshua cuts a covenant with the people, writes the words of the covenant in the Book of the Law of God, and sets up a stone under a terebinth tree at Shechem as a witness against them if they don't keep their word.  - Deut 23:21, also see Ecc 5:1-7V 29-33 Three Burials- V 29-30 Joshua  - "servant of the Lord"  - Died at 110 years of age which is the same age Joseph died at- V 32 Joseph  - Gen 50:25; Ex 13:19; Heb 12:22  - Buried at Shechem- V 33 Eleazar the High Priest4. Christ Connection- 2 Cor 1:20- All of the promises of God find their fulfillment in Jesus.

The Old Testament Passover contrasts with the New Testament reality of Jesus Christ as our eternal Paschal Lamb. Unlike the animals provided by the people, God Himself provided His Son as a sin offering, fulfilling the prophecy Abraham spoke at Mount Moriah. Who slew the Lamb? The people sacrificed their own Passover lambs in olden days. But as for Christ, while wicked men carried out the physical execution, it was ultimately Christ's own will and authority as High Priest that laid down His life. This voluntary sacrifice, offered once for all, accomplishes our eternal redemption, and sanctifies believers forever. Only Christ can present His perfect sacrifice to God, excluding any human priest from mediating the atonement, or "presenting" Christ to God as a propitiatory sacrifice for sin.

Clicking here will take you to our webpageClick here to contact usJosh Creel - Talks about Truths You Can Stand On- Jesus is your High Priest 

Why do we still need Jesus as our High Priest if everything is finished? Andrew explains the difference between Old and New Covenant priesthood—revealing a seated Savior whose once-for-all sacrifice secured complete, unchanging forgiveness forever.

What would it be like to see Jesus not as He walked in Galilee, but robed as heaven's great High Priest? Jim Scudder examines the dazzling portrait of Revelation 1—hair white as snow, eyes of flame—and what those golden lampstands demand of the church today.

In this sermon from Exodus 25–31, Pastor Jared Richard opens with a memorable story about a pop quiz designed not to test knowledge, but to form students into the kind of people who slow down and follow directions. In the same way, he argues, God's exhaustive instructions for building the tabernacle were never merely architectural — they were formational. God wasn't just building a tent; He was building a people. Every act of sacrifice, service, and submission called for in these chapters was designed to both express something true about God's worth and press that truth deeper into the hearts of His worshipers. Yet Pastor Jared is careful to surface a tension in the text: sinful people cannot draw near to a holy God simply by doing the right things. Even Israel's most faithful worship was compromised by their sin, and they needed a High Priest to carry them into God's presence and make their offerings acceptable. This points unmistakably forward to Jesus — the true and better High Priest — whose spotless blood, offered once and for all, tears the curtain, cleanses the conscience, and brings us with Him into the presence of the Father. As Hebrews 9:14 declares, "How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God?" Finally, Pastor Jared draws attention to the Sabbath command that closes this section in Exodus 31:13, arguing that rest — not work — was always the destination. The tabernacle was built so God's people could dwell with Him and rest in His presence, a foretaste of the eternal rest still to come. The call to the congregation is clear: stop striving, find your rest in Christ alone, and live as faithful worshipers not to earn that rest, but from that rest — with hearts set on the day when God's people will dwell fully and freely in His glory. WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU! Take a moment to fill out our digital connection card here: https://www.bayleaf.org/connect We hope you enjoy this programming and please let us know if there is anything we can do to be of service to you. ONE CHURCH. TWO LOCATIONS. ONE MISSION. Bay Leaf at Falls Lake: 12200 Bayleaf Church Road, Raleigh, North Carolina 27614 Bay Leaf at 540: 10921 Leesville Rd, Raleigh, NC 27613 SERVICE TIMES Come join us on Sundays at Bay Leaf at Falls Lake (8:30 AM or 11:00 AM) or at Bay Leaf at 540 (10:00 AM) CONTACT www.bayleaf.org (919) 847-4477 #BayLeafLife #Worship #Inspiration

When life gets hard, why keep following Jesus?In Jesus in the Suffering, we explore Hebrews 2–5 and discover how the identity and work of Jesus give us strength to endure hardship without losing faith.The book of Hebrews was written to weary believers whose faith was costing them something. Rather than minimizing their suffering, the author gives them a greater vision of Jesus—because the bigger our view of Jesus becomes, the stronger our endurance will be.Through this message, we are reminded that:Jesus became one of us and can identify with our suffering.We must guard our hearts from becoming hardened through hardship.Because Jesus is our great High Priest, we can confidently approach God's throne of grace and receive mercy and help in our time of need.Suffering is not less painful for the Christian, but it is more hopeful. Jesus is not distant from our pain. He has experienced suffering, He is present with us within it, and He is interceding for us through it.What hardship, burden, or suffering do you need to bring before the throne of God today?

It's easy to get lost in the details when it comes to what the high priest was supposed to wear, but when you look closer it's a beautiful picture that points to Jesus. God shoulders the weight of our sin, He keeps us close to His heart. And our Great High Priest paid the debt for our sin once and for all! When the work was finished He sat down at the right hand of the Father, praise be to God!

Jesus warns against practicing righteousness in order to be seen by others. Whether we are giving, praying, or fasting, the praise of the world can feel like a reward. But it is an incredibly small one. It doesn't last, it can't save us, and it can't hold us together when life falls apart. Again and again, Jesus points us to something greater: “your Father.” The greatest reward is not simply what the Father gives, but the Father Himself. And through Jesus, our great High Priest, we are invited to draw near to Him with confidence. In Christ, the Father gives us not only daily bread, but the Bread of Life. Not only clothing, but the righteousness of Jesus. Not only His gifts, but Himself. Isaiah 58:1–12 Hebrews 4:14–16 Matthew 6:1–18

From Sunday 7/12, CrossLife elder Andy DeBoer brings our next message in the Hebrews series. The passage today studies Jesus as the great High Priest. Andy explains how Jesus is the perfect representative to a holy God.

The Day of Atonement, known in Hebrew as Yom Kippur, is one of the most profound pictures in all of Scripture of what Jesus Christ would accomplish on the cross. Positioned at the center of Leviticus, which itself sits at the center of the Torah, this ancient ceremony was never merely a Jewish ritual. It was a carefully designed preview of the gospel. Once a year, the high priest of Israel would enter the Holy of Holies, the most sacred space in the tabernacle, as the sole representative of the people before God. He came not in ornate robes but in simple linen, because linen does not cause sweat. The message embedded in that detail is striking: you do not earn your way into God's presence. You receive it. This same pattern finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, one man, one sacrifice, one way to the Father.The ceremony also involved two goats, each representing a different dimension of what atonement accomplishes. The first goat was sacrificed, its blood shed as payment for sin. The second, known as the scapegoat, had the sins of the people symbolically placed upon it before being sent into the wilderness, never to return. Together, these two goats illustrate what Jesus does for every person who trusts in Him. He pays the penalty for sin and removes it entirely, as far as the east is from the west. The book of Hebrews makes clear that Jesus is the ultimate High Priest who entered the true Holy of Holies, not with the blood of animals repeated year after year, but with His own blood, once for all time, securing eternal redemption.The practical implications of this truth are life-changing. When Jesus died on the cross, the veil separating the Holy of Holies from the rest of the temple was torn from top to bottom, a declaration that the barrier between God and humanity had been permanently removed. Because of Jesus, every believer has direct access to God at any moment, not because of personal merit or religious effort, but because of what Christ has done. Approaching God with intentional humility, coming to receive rather than to achieve, is the posture that reflects a true understanding of atonement. The message has not changed in thousands of years. Sin is real, but Jesus is better, and through Him, anyone can be made at one with God again.

Teaching by Josh Clark Week 6: From Refuge to Rest (Ch 20-21)1. Cities of Refuge (20:1-9)- See Num 35:9-34, Deut 19:1-13- Cities of refuge were set up to:  - Protect anyone who committed an accidental murder    - Provide a punishment for the murder - exile from the land  - Prevent unnecessary violence or revenge from the avenger of blood    - This highlights the sanctity of life for the victim & accidental murderer- How did it work?  - If there was an accidental murder, the murderer would flee to the city of refuge and plead their case.    - If they were guilty, the avenger of blood could kill them (Num 35:16-21).    - If they were innocent they had to live in the city  - Vs 9 The city for anyone in the land- How long did they have to live there?  - Until the High Priest died- Bigger problem found in Num 35:33-34  - Innocent blood shed pollutes the land- Land can only be cleansed through death of the murderer (Num 35:33) or death of the high priest (Josh 1:6, Num 35:32)2. Levi's Allotment (21:1-42)V 1-3- Num 35:1-8V 4-40- Levitical Allotment:  Kohathites (Aaron's descendants) - Judah, Simeon, Benjamin - 13 cities  Remaining Kohathites - Ephraim, Dan, Half-Tribe of Manasseh (West) - 10 cities  Gershonites - Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, Half-Tribe of Manasseh (East/Bashan) - 13 cities  Merarites - Reuben, Gad, Zebulun - 12 cities  Total - Throughout Israel - 48 cities- No portion was given to the Levites in the land (13:14, 33; 14:3-4, 18:7)- Their inheritance was:  - The tithes that support the Levites (13:14)  - The Lord (13:33; 18:7)3. Promise Fulfilled, Possession Ongoing (21:43-45)These verses are a great summary of the book of Joshua- 43 summarizes the land given in ch 13-21- 44 summarizes the conquest in ch 1-12- 45 summarizes the book as the theological ideal - God is faithful to his promises.- Complete or Partial Conquest?  - 13:1 Now Joshua was old and advanced in years, and the Lord said to him, "You are old and advanced in years, and there remains yet very much land to possess."  - On the east side of the Jordan they failed to drive out the Geshurites and Maacathite (13:13)  - On the west side they failed to drive out the Jebusites (15:63), the Canaanites in Gezer (16:10), Canaanites in the cities of Manasseh (17:12)- V 44 "Rest"  - 2 kinds of rest in the book of Joshua - rest from war, rest of a settled life    - There are still enemies to drive out but the enemy has been definitively defeated    - The settling will depend on their faithfulness to God's command to drive out the people. In order to experience the blessings of Eden the people need to obey the God of Eden.      - Num 33:55-564. Christ Connection- The rest that we find in Joshua was never intended to be the final rest, but always pointed to the greater rest found in Jesus.  - Heb 3:7-4:13- As long as it is called "today" (in other words everyday) trust and believe in the Lord. Let faith propel you to act in hope and obedience until you enter his rest.

Continue the series with “Most Quoted Psalm,” a Christ-centered sermon from Psalm 110. Pastor Ricky Smith unpacks one of the most quoted Old Testament passages in the New Testament, revealing Jesus as our Lord, our King, and our eternal High Priest. This message challenges us to move beyond admiring Jesus to fully surrendering every area of life to His authority and reign.Find sermon resources and more at calvaryga.com

The sermon exhorts believers to remain steadfast in their faith amidst trials by drawing near to God with boldness. It emphasizes that direct access to the Holy of Holies is secured through Jesus Christ, who serves as the ultimate High Priest and sacrifice. This divine provision demands a response of unwavering confidence and sincere devotion rather than self-effort. Furthermore, the message stresses the critical importance of corporate fellowship, urging Christians to encourage one another in love and good works as they await Christ's return. Ultimately, the Christian life is anchored in the sufficiency of Christ, requiring both personal steadfastness and active community engagement.

In this episode of The Leader's Notebook (Ep. 322), I take you into the powerful message of the Book of Hebrews and its connection to Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. Hebrews was written to believers who were tempted to look back, but its message is clear: Jesus is better. Better than the angels, better than Moses, better than Aaron, better than the old covenant, and better than every sacrifice that was ever offered. What the Law, the Tabernacle, and the priesthood could only foreshadow, Jesus fulfilled completely through His death, resurrection, and eternal ministry as our High Priest. From Hebrews 1, Hebrews 8–10, and Leviticus 16, we discover that Jesus is both the perfect sacrifice and the fulfillment of the scapegoat who carried away the sins of the people. His atonement is not annual but eternal. If you have ever wondered whether God's forgiveness is sufficient, whether Christ is enough, or how the Old Testament points directly to the cross, this message will strengthen your faith and deepen your understanding of the finished work of Jesus Christ. No matter what you face, this truth remains: Jesus is better.– Dr. Mark Rutland Chapters (00:00:03) - The Leaders Notebook(00:00:25) - The Day of Atonement(00:01:33) - Hebrews(00:03:19) - The Book of Hebrews(00:11:45) - Paul on Melchizedek and the New Covenant(00:15:48) - The Tabernacle of Jesus(00:21:31) - Comparatives in the Book of Hebrews(00:26:25) - The Book of Hebrews(00:30:32) - Yom Kippur(00:38:28) - Jesus is Better Than Moses

In this message from our The Names of Jesus series, we explore what it means for Jesus to be our Great High Priest. Because He has experienced our humanity, won the victory over sin, and now intercedes for us, we can persevere with renewed hope. Discover how Jesus invites us to draw near to Him with confidence, trusting that He understands our struggles and faithfully leads us forward.⚫CONNECT WITH US:

We walk through John 17 as Pastor Rusty Nelson opens the longest recorded prayer of Jesus and shows what is burning in his heart on the eve of the cross. We hear seven anchors for real discipleship: knowing God, being kept, being sanctified, being sent, pursuing unity, longing to be with Jesus, and living in the Father's love. • Prayer as an exchange with God, including silence and wordless longing • Jesus as our great High Priest who intercedes for us • Eternal life defined as knowing the Father through Jesus • “Keep them” as protection in the world, not escape from it • God's name as identity, authority, character, presence, and covenant faithfulness • Sanctification by truth rather than pressure from culture • Being sent as image-bearers on mission in everyday life • Unity as a credible witness, not denominational uniformity • Heaven as the goal of salvation, being with Jesus forever • The Father's love as the mark we carry into the world 

Leviticus is one of the most overlooked books in the Bible, yet it carries a profound answer to one of the most important questions anyone can ask: how does an unholy person connect with a holy God? Built around the concept of holiness, the book moves through sacrifices, priestly ordination, and purity laws, all building toward one goal: bringing God's people from outside the tent of meeting to inside it. At the very center of Leviticus is the Day of Atonement, the moment when sins are forgiven. This is no coincidence. Atonement is the heartbeat of the Old Testament, and it points directly forward to Jesus Christ.In Leviticus 8, God instructs Moses to ordain Aaron as the high priest. Aaron was called by God, cleansed through sacrifice, and clothed in holy garments that identified his role as a mediator between the people and a holy God. Blood was placed on his right earlobe, his right thumb, and his right big toe, symbolizing a life devoted to hearing God, serving God, and walking with God. He wore a breastplate bearing the names of the twelve tribes of Israel, carrying the people over his heart every time he entered God's presence. Yet for all of this, Aaron was still a flawed man. He led the people into idolatry with the golden calf, proving that no human high priest could ever truly save anyone. He was an imperfect picture pointing toward something far greater.Jesus is the greater High Priest that Aaron could only foreshadow. He was chosen by the Father, lived without sin, and gave Himself as a ransom for all of humanity. Through Him, believers are no longer standing outside the tent but have become the very dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. First Peter 2:9 declares that every believer is part of a royal priesthood, called to proclaim the excellencies of God and invite others into His presence. Just as the high priest carried the names of God's people over his heart, believers today are called to carry the names of those around them in prayer and look for every opportunity to bring them closer to God.

There are probably things you do every day without really knowing why you do them. Think about it. When we meet someone new, we shake hands. But why? The original purpose was to show that your weapon hand was empty and that you came in peace. Most of us aren’t checking each other for concealed swords anymore, yet the handshake remains. We do it because it’s what we’ve always done. Or take Daylight Saving Time. Twice a year, many of us change our clocks and grumble about losing an hour of sleep or it getting dark too early. Ask the average person why we still do it, and most aren’t quite sure. We just know it’s time to change the clocks again. Even the phrases we use have outlived their original purpose. We still say, “Hang up the phone,” even though most people haven’t hung a phone on anything in decades. And let’s be honest—tapping the “End Call” button just doesn’t have the same satisfaction as slamming down a receiver! One of my favorite examples comes from a friend of mine. Every holiday, she cut the end off the ham before putting it in the oven. One day I asked her why. “Because that’s how you’re supposed to do it,” she said. I told her that’s not the way I do it. Unsatisfied with that answer, she asked her grandmother why she taught her to cut the end off the ham. Her grandmother laughed and said, “Because my baking pan was too small.” For 50 years, a tradition had been passed down from generation to generation, long after the too small baking pan no longer existed. It got me thinking: How many things am I doing simply because I’ve always done them? How many things have I been taught that I’ve never really stopped to examine? And then one practice came to mind. Prayer. More specifically, ending a prayer with the words, “In Jesus’ name, amen.” Do you do that? I do. Since I learned to pray as a teenager, I have ended my prayers that way because that’s what I was taught to do. It’s what I heard in church. So I said it too. “In Jesus’ name, amen.” But have you ever stopped and asked yourself why? Why do we pray in Jesus’ name? Is it simply a religious phrase we attach to the end of our prayers? Like a Christian version of saying “goodbye”? Or is there something deeper happening? What authority are we invoking when we pray in Jesus’ name? What did Jesus mean when He taught His followers to ask in His name? And what difference does it make when we truly understand it? Girls, let’s dig deeper together. Because when you understand what you’re saying, why you’re saying it, and whose authority you’re standing in, prayer becomes far more than a routine. It becomes powerful. And when understanding meets faith, prayer changes. The simple answer of why we pray in Jesus’ name is because Jesus told us to. John 14: 13-14, “You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!” As Jesus is explaining to his disciples that he is about to die and no longer be with them in physical form, he says in John 16: 23-24, “At that time you won’t need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name. You haven’t done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.” Yes, Jesus told us to pray in His name. But if that’s all we understand, we’ve missed the deeper meaning.” This isn’t like cutting the end off your ham because your grandma’s old baking pan was too short 50 years ago. This isn’t continuing something that no longer really applies to our lives today. This is of paramount importance still today – we pray in the name of Jesus. We ask the Father in the name of Jesus. But has it become nothing more than words you add to the end of your prayer – or are you REALLY approaching the Father through Jesus? 1 Timothy 2:5, “There is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity – the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone.” Jesus is our mediator. A mediator is someone who stands between 2 parties and brings them together. Think of a negotiator helping 2 people who are separated by conflict find reconciliation. Here’s the truth – we’ve screwed up. Every single one of us have fallen so short of the glory of God. We could never stand in his holy presence. Sin caused Adam and Eve to be kicked out of the garden, and we’ve been separated since. No matter how good we may try to be, in our own human effort, we simply cannot bridge that gap. The distance between us and our holy, perfect God is massive. Only the cross could bridge it and make a way for us to God. Jesus literally stepped into the middle for us. Because Jesus is both fully God and fully man, He represents both sides. His life sacrificed and blood shed for us then makes a way for us to come into God’s presence. We are for real coming to God in the name of Jesus. Our name isn’t good enough. Only the name of Jesus grants us access to God. But, I must admit, I’ve treated Jesus more like my heavenly mail carrier at time than my savior. Here’s my prayer request, Jesus, deliver this to God for me. Put your stamp of approval on this and maybe God will move for me. Is that what Jesus has become to you? You pray in his name because he’s the stamp for your letter to be delivered to God? Oh Jesus, please forgive us. JESUS IS THE REASON WE HAVE ACCESS TO GOD AT ALL!!!!!! When we pray “in Jesus’ name” we’re acknowledging this important fact – I’m not coming to God based on my goodness, my worthiness, or my achievements – I’m coming to God because Jesus has made a way for me! This is NOT a magic phrase that unlocks heaven – although we have sometimes treated it that way. The power is not in just saying the words, “In Jesus’ name”. The power is the holy One behind the name. Jesus himself has said, “She’s with me – she has access.” So now we show up in God’s presence through prayer and we acknowledge, “I’m only here because Jesus says I can be.” Hebrews 4:16 tells us to “Come boldly to the throne of our gracious God.” There’s only one way you can do that – back up a verse and you’ll see – it’s because Jesus is our High Priest. In the Old Testament, the high priest was the one person appointed to represent all the people before God. This one person stood in the gap between a holy God and sinful humanity. Once a year, the high priest would enter into the presence of God and offer sacrifices for their sin. If an ordinary person went into the place within the temple where God’s presence was, they would be struck dead. Only the high priest could enter. Now, we are told WE (yes me and you) can come boldly to the throne of God. We have access. We can talk to God directly. How? Because we have a High Priest who is Jesus. When you come to God in the name of Jesus, you’re remembering Jesus has already gone before you making it possible for you. As our High Priest, Jesus continually represents us before God. And knowing this can transform your prayers. We don’t have to end our prayers with a phrase we repeat out of habit – we can say it with understanding. I’m praying under the authority of Jesus. I’m approaching the Father through Jesus. I am accepted by God because of Jesus. “In the name of Jesus” isn’t a closing phrase – it’s a declaration of faith. It’s a reminder that every prayer reaches the Father because Jesus stands in the gap and makes a way for us to come near. JESUS IS THE REASON WE HAVE ACCESS TO GOD AT ALL!!!!!! The miracle isn’t that God answers our prayers. The miracle is that we are invited to pray at all. Have you ever prayed a prayer, even ended it with “in Jesus’ name,” and it didn’t get answered? That really causes us to struggle, doesn’t it? It’s easy to take Jesus’ words, “Ask anything in My name, and I will do it,” and twist them to mean that as long as we add His name to our request, it’s guaranteed to happen. What a dangerous little game we can play there. We must always remember that God sees what we do not see. He holds ETERNITY while we are stuck in the right here and now, wanting immediate answers, immediate relief, and immediate results. We see today. God sees forever. We see the request. God sees the outcome. We see the closed door. God sees what is standing behind it. Sometimes the most loving answer God can give is “yes.” Sometimes it is “wait.” And sometimes it is “no.” Not because He isn’t listening. Not because Jesus’ name lacks power. Not because our faith is too small. But because a wise Father is answering from an eternal perspective while we are praying from a temporary one. Praying in Jesus’ name is not giving God our agenda and expecting His signature at the bottom. It is bringing our requests under His authority, His character, His wisdom, and His will. When I pray in Jesus’ name, I am essentially saying: “Lord, this is what I desire. This is what I hope for. But more than anything, I want what You want. If this request honors You, advances Your purposes, and aligns with Your will, then let it be so.” That kind of prayer requires trust. It means trusting that when God says yes, He is good. When God says wait, He is good. And even when God says no, He is still good. The power of praying in Jesus’ name was never found in getting everything we ask for. The power is found in knowing that the One who hears us sees the whole picture—and we can trust Him with the answer. So why do we pray “In Jesus’ name”? Why do we end our prayers in this way? Well maybe we didn’t know before, but we know now! John 14:6, Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. NO ONE can come to the Father except through ME.” He’s not the mailman of heavenly requests – he is the reason for our access at all. He is the only way to our Father God. If we don’t come to God in the name of Jesus, we simply don’t get there! The next time you pray and say, “In Jesus’ name,” don’t let it be empty words. Remember what you’re really saying: “Father, I am not standing before You because of my goodness. I am not approaching You in my own authority. I am here because of Jesus. I belong to Him. He made a way for me. And I’m only here because Jesus says I can be.” Follow Pamela on Instagram – https://instagram.com/headmamapamela Or Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pamela.crim Find out more about BIG Life – http://biglifehq.com

Welcome to Day 2906 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. Day 2906 – Theology Thursday – Prayer as Communion, Petition, and Covenant: From Ancient Near East to Modern Faith Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2906 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps!   I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2906 of our Trek.   The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. Our current series of Theology Thursday lessons is written by theologian and teacher John Daniels. I have found that his lessons are short, easy to understand, doctrinally sound, and applicable to all who desire to learn more of God's Word. John's lessons can be found on his website   theologyinfive.com.   Today's lesson is titled PRAYER AS COMMUNION, PETITION, AND COVENANT: FROM THE ANCIENT NEAR EAST TO MODERN FAITH. In the religious systems of the ancient Near East, prayer was a vital function, though its framework was drastically different from what later developed in Israelite and Christian thought. Prayer was primarily a method of maintaining the cosmic order through appeasement and transaction. Gods in Mesopotamia, Canaan, and Egypt were seen as powerful but unpredictable, often requiring elaborate rituals, sacrifices, and formulas to grant favor or avert wrath. These cultures did not operate under a theology of relational covenant but rather through a pattern of reciprocity: offerings and words were meant to provoke a specific divine response. Babylonian prayer texts like the “Shurpu” and “Maqlu” series reflect a deep concern with curses, omens, and unseen transgressions. The supplicant might not even know which god was offended or what sin was committed. In such cases, prayers became generalized pleas for forgiveness from all deities. Egyptian prayers often took the form of hymns to the gods, extolling their attributes and requesting protection or intervention, especially concerning the afterlife. Canaanite prayer and sacrifice, while less preserved in textual form, mirrored these transactional patterns. Ultimately, prayer in the ANE was primarily about control, using proper language and rites to maintain divine favor and personal or national survival. The first segment is: The Distinctive Voice of Ancient Israel: Relational and Covenant-Based. The emergence of Israel as a people devoted to Yahweh introduced a significant break from the ANE paradigm. While early Israelite religion still bore some cultural similarities to its surroundings, the theology of Yahweh as a covenantal, relational deity revolutionized the nature of prayer. No longer was prayer simply a means of magical manipulation or guesswork. It became a medium through which a person engaged with a God who had revealed His name, His character, and His promises. The earliest biblical prayers, such as those found in Genesis, reflect this relational nature. Abraham argues with God over the fate of Sodom, appealing not to ritual but to God's justice. Moses intercedes for Israel after the golden calf incident, reminding Yahweh of His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. These prayers do not treat Yahweh as distant or unknowable but rather as a God who can be reasoned with, challenged, and persuaded because of His own covenant loyalty. The Book of Psalms shows the breadth of human emotion brought before God: joy, fear, doubt, anger, and praise. Lament becomes a central form of worship, as seen in the cries of David or the national laments after Jerusalem's destruction. These are not sterile performances but passionate expressions of faith. Prayer becomes an act of courage, a wrestling with God, a protest against silence, and a clinging to hope when the world falls apart. The second segment is: From Temple to Synagogue: Formalization in Second Temple and Rabbinic Judaism. As the Hebrew Bible gave way to the practices of Second Temple Judaism, especially after the exile, prayer began to evolve in response to historical necessity. With the destruction of the First Temple and the loss of the sacrificial system, the Jewish people turned increasingly to prayer and study as their central forms of worship. What was once spontaneous became structured. What was once private became communal. During this period, daily prayer rhythms began to emerge. Fixed times of prayer, morning, afternoon, and evening, mirrored the times of temple sacrifice and were eventually institutionalized. The Amidah, or “Standing Prayer,” developed into a core liturgical centerpiece. It offered a framework of blessings praising God, requesting needs, and praying for national restoration. The Shema, a declaration of God's unity and Israel's devotion, became part of daily prayer and identity. After the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE, Rabbinic Judaism restructured prayer life around the synagogue. Prayer was no longer centered on the priesthood and sacrificial rites but on the Torah, communal liturgy, and ethical action. This shift preserved Jewish identity during centuries of diaspora. Though formalized, prayer retained its relational element. It became the heartbeat of Jewish life, binding communities together and anchoring them to God's enduring promises. The Third Segment is: Prayer Reimagined in Early Christianity: Access through Christ. The earliest Christians, being Jews themselves, inherited this rich tradition of covenantal and liturgical prayer. Yet their belief in Jesus as the risen Messiah transformed their approach to prayer in significant ways. Central to this transformation was the idea of direct access to God through Christ. Jesus's own prayers, such as the Lord's Prayer, serve as both instruction and theological statement. The address “Our Father” reflects unprecedented intimacy. It reaffirms the covenantal relationship while highlighting the nearness and care of God. The prayer also orients the believer toward God's will, God's kingdom, and daily dependence, not merely petition. The Apostle Paul builds on this foundation by portraying prayer as a Spirit-driven communion. Believers are said to cry out “Abba, Father” by the Spirit. Paul claims that even when words fail, the Spirit intercedes with groanings too deep for speech. This understanding of prayer shifts it away from set ritual toward a continual, personal interaction with the divine. In Christian theology, Jesus becomes the eternal High Priest, interceding on behalf of believers. This transforms the act of prayer from an attempt to reach an uncertain deity into an assurance of access to a loving Father through a faithful Son. Whether corporate or private, spontaneous or formal, prayer is understood as the believer's participation in the divine relationship secured by Christ. The Fourth Segment is: Boundaries and Prohibitions: When Prayer Becomes Misuse. While prayer is central to both testaments, not all prayer is accepted. The Bible gives several warnings about misguided or forbidden types of prayer. Chief among these is prayer to other gods. The First Commandment is clear: Israel was not to call on or serve any deity but Yahweh. This was not a cultural preference but a matter of covenant loyalty. Invoking Baal, Molech, or Asherah was not neutral. It was spiritual adultery. Another prohibited form was manipulative or theatrical prayer, often seen in paganism. The prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel danced and cut themselves, trying to compel their god to act. Elijah mocks this as futile. Jesus echoes this in the New Testament when He warns against “vain repetitions” and showy public displays. The goal of biblical prayer is not to impress people or mechanically control God. It is relational. Also forbidden were necromancy and communication with the dead, practices common in surrounding cultures. Deuteronomy 18 lists these among the detestable practices of the nations that Israel was not to imitate. Prayer was not to be blended with conjuring or attempts to access hidden knowledge through forbidden means. Later rabbinic tradition added safeguards to ensure prayer was done with the right heart. One was not to pray while intoxicated, or in moments of ritual impurity, or without focus. Christian writers like James and Peter also warn against praying from selfish motives or while harboring unresolved sin. The Fifth segment is: Rhythm and Repetition: Between Discipline and Pagan Imitation Repetitious or rhythmic prayer is sometimes misunderstood. Scripture does not forbid repetition outright, but it sharply distinguishes between reverent repetition and pagan-style incantations. Psalm 136 repeats the phrase “His steadfast love endures forever” 26 times as an act of worship, not manipulation. Many psalms and prayers use repetition as a poetic or liturgical feature, meant to reinforce covenant truths and lead the heart toward trust. The Shema and priestly blessing were repeated regularly in Jewish worship. Jesus's warning in Matthew 6 verse seven, “Do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do,” targets the kind of mechanical babbling seen in magical or pagan rituals. It does not prohibit...

Are you tired of the devil's accusations—those reminders of past sins that leave you riddled with shame, guilt, and doubt? Hear an assuring message on Truth For Life as Alistair Begg points out the perfect antidote Jesus provided—and continues to provide! ----------------------------------------- • Click here and look for "FROM THE SERMON" to stream or read the full message. • This program is part of the series ‘To Know Christ' • Learn more about our current resource, request your copy with a donation of any amount. • Make a deep dive into what the Gospels reveal about Jesus the topic for your group's summer or fall Bible study. Download the free nine-week study guide and nine corresponding teaching messages from Alistair. Share the free download link with everyone in your study group! ‘Visit truthforlife.org/knowchrist.' Helpful Resources - Learn about God's salvation plan - Read our most recent articles - Subscribe to our daily devotional Follow Us YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | X This listener-funded program features the clear, relevant Bible teaching of Alistair Begg. Today's program and nearly 3,000 messages can be streamed and shared for free at tfl.org thanks to the generous giving from monthly donors called Truthpartners. Learn more about this Gospel-sharing team or become one today. Thanks for listening to Truth For Life!

What hope do sinners have before a holy God? Even on our best days we fall woefully short of His perfect standards. We'll explore this question together on Truth For Life as Alistair Begg explains the essential role of Jesus as our Great High Priest. ----------------------------------------- • Click here and look for "FROM THE SERMON" to stream or read the full message. • This program is part of the series ‘To Know Christ' • Learn more about our current resource, request your copy with a donation of any amount. • Make a deep dive into what the Gospels reveal about Jesus the topic for your group's summer or fall Bible study. Download the free nine-week study guide and nine corresponding teaching messages from Alistair. Share the free download link with everyone in your study group! ‘Visit truthforlife.org/knowchrist.' Helpful Resources - Learn about God's salvation plan - Read our most recent articles - Subscribe to our daily devotional Follow Us YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | X This listener-funded program features the clear, relevant Bible teaching of Alistair Begg. Today's program and nearly 3,000 messages can be streamed and shared for free at tfl.org thanks to the generous giving from monthly donors called Truthpartners. Learn more about this Gospel-sharing team or become one today. Thanks for listening to Truth For Life!