Podcasts about in hebrews

Where does your attention go? In Hebrews 1:5–2:1, we see angels, the most impressive created beings in Scripture, worshiping and serving God the Son. If they give Him their closest attention, how much more should we? In a world where we crown ourselves the highest authority, this passage invites us to stop drifting and start paying attention to the Son.

Where does your attention go? In Hebrews 1:5–2:1, we see angels, the most impressive created beings in Scripture, worshiping and serving God the Son. If they give Him their closest attention, how much more should we? In a world where we crown ourselves the highest authority, this passage invites us to stop drifting and start paying attention to the Son.

In Hebrews 7, we see Abraham honor God by giving a tenth. In this message, we look at what Scripture teaches about generosity, sowing and reaping, and trusting God with what He's placed in our hands.

We were made to worship and we were made to worship together. In Hebrews 10, we are reminded that Jesus opened the way for us to draw near to God and has gathered us into a community where we help one another hold onto hope. Sometimes simply showing up to worship is an act of faith, and our presence, prayers, and voices can remind the people around us that they are not alone and that the God who promised is faithful.

Throughout his letter the author of Hebrews has been contrasting in detail the ineffectual Old Testament sacrificial system with the superiority of Christ. In Hebrews 13:10 presents Christ as the altar from which those who believe on him "eat" and are nourished in the same way that the priests under the old covenant ate from the meats offered on the first altar which has been abolished by the altar which is Christ.

Sometimes life brings storms we never planned for and aren't sure we can handle. A relationship falls apart. A career changes unexpectedly. A diagnosis comes out of nowhere. In Hebrews 6:19, we're given a powerful picture of hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. Today we'll explore what it means to make God our anchor when circumstances feel anything but steady. When the storms of life come, what are you trusting to hold you?Pursuing God with Gene Appel is designed to help you pursue God, build community, and unleash compassion. Grounded in Scripture and shaped by Eastside's conviction that God's grace is for everyone, each episode invites you to discover God's presence and activity in your life.

What part do we play in our salvation? In Hebrews 10, we learn that salvation comes entirely by God's grace, not by our effort. Christ did it all for us. So Jesus alone is our Savior. 

Send me a Text Message!In Mark 11, we hear Jesus say, (or maybe Jesus yell) "My house shall be called a House of Prayer." He could have also said, "My people will be called a people of prayer." Is worship important? Yes, but he didn't say my house will be a house of music. Is preaching and teaching important?  Yes, but he didn't say my house will be called a house of teaching. My house will be called a house of prayer.In Hebrews 4:16, the Bible says, "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Not, let us come to the sermon, so that we can find teaching in our time of need. We have made the sermon the centerpiece of our gatherings, it is not.God is looking for a house of prayer, filled with people and prayer and when He finds it...amazing stuff will happen!

Date: Sunday, July 26, 2026Teacher: Mike LewisScripture: Hebrews 12:1-2Message: The Prophet Elijah (Week 5)Series: The CloudThe Scriptures are full of imperfect people who imperfectly point us to Jesus. In Hebrews 12, they're called “witnesses”, and they're cheering us on as we run our race, bearing witness that God really can be trusted, and that Jesus is greater than anything else the world has to offer.  In this series, we'll hear the story of one of these witnesses in 'the cloud' and consider how they encourage us to persevere.#Gospel #Hebrews #Perseverance #Faith #Grace #Witnesses #Testimony #Jesus #JesusChrist #Elijah #Baal #Prophets #OldTestament

Date: Sunday, August 23, 2026Teacher: Hemal GandhiScripture: Hebrews 12:1-2Message: Mordechai: Faith When God seems Distant (Week 9)Series: The CloudThe Scriptures are full of imperfect people who imperfectly point us to Jesus. In Hebrews 12, they're called “witnesses”, and they're cheering us on as we run our race, bearing witness that God really can be trusted, and that Jesus is greater than anything else the world has to offer.  In this series, we'll hear the story of one of these witnesses in 'the cloud' and consider how they encourage us to persevere.#Gospel #Hebrews #Perseverance #Faith #Grace #Witnesses #Testimony #Jesus #JesusChrist #Esther #OldTestament

Date: Sunday, August 16, 2026Teacher: Ephraim DanielsScripture: Hebrews 12:1-2Message: Joshua, Witness of Courageous Faith (Week 8)Series: The CloudThe Scriptures are full of imperfect people who imperfectly point us to Jesus. In Hebrews 12, they're called “witnesses”, and they're cheering us on as we run our race, bearing witness that God really can be trusted, and that Jesus is greater than anything else the world has to offer.  In this series, we'll hear the story of one of these witnesses in 'the cloud' and consider how they encourage us to persevere.#Gospel #Hebrews #Perseverance #Faith #Grace #Witnesses #Testimony #Jesus #JesusChrist #Joshua #Canaan #Conquest #Courage #Faith

Date: Sunday, August 9, 2026Teacher: Dr. John HilberScripture: Hebrews 12:1-2Message: Job, the Suffering Witness (Week 7)Series: The CloudThe Scriptures are full of imperfect people who imperfectly point us to Jesus. In Hebrews 12, they're called “witnesses”, and they're cheering us on as we run our race, bearing witness that God really can be trusted, and that Jesus is greater than anything else the world has to offer.  In this series, we'll hear the story of one of these witnesses in 'the cloud' and consider how they encourage us to persevere.#Gospel #Hebrews #Perseverance #Faith #Grace #Witnesses #Testimony #Jesus #JesusChrist

Date: Sunday, August 2, 2026Teacher: Alice KaganScripture: Hebrews 12:1-2Message: The Witness of Peter (Week 6)Series: The CloudThe Scriptures are full of imperfect people who imperfectly point us to Jesus. In Hebrews 12, they're called “witnesses”, and they're cheering us on as we run our race, bearing witness that God really can be trusted, and that Jesus is greater than anything else the world has to offer.  In this series, we'll hear the story of one of these witnesses in 'the cloud' and consider how they encourage us to persevere.#Gospel #Hebrews #Perseverance #Faith #Grace #Witnesses #Testimony #Jesus #JesusChrist

Date: Sunday, July 5, 2026Teacher: Dr. John GarnerScripture: Hebrews 12:1-2Message: The Witness of Paul (Week 2)Series: The CloudThe Scriptures are full of imperfect people who imperfectly point us to Jesus. In Hebrews 12, they're called “witnesses”, and they're cheering us on as we run our race, bearing witness that God really can be trusted, and that Jesus is greater than anything else the world has to offer.  In this series, we'll hear the story of one of these witnesses in 'the cloud' and consider how they encourage us to persevere.#Gospel #Hebrews #Perseverance #Faith #Grace #Witnesses #Testimony #Jesus #JesusChrist #Paul

Date: Sunday, July 19, 2026Teacher: Miriam VanderkrukScripture: Hebrews 12:1-2Message: Ruth, Witness of Christ (Week 4)Series: The CloudThe Scriptures are full of imperfect people who imperfectly point us to Jesus. In Hebrews 12, they're called “witnesses”, and they're cheering us on as we run our race, bearing witness that God really can be trusted, and that Jesus is greater than anything else the world has to offer.  In this series, we'll hear the story of one of these witnesses in 'the cloud' and consider how they encourage us to persevere.#Gospel #Hebrews #Perseverance #Faith #Grace #Witnesses #Testimony #Jesus #JesusChrist #Ruth #Boaz #Grace

Date: Sunday, July 12, 2026Teacher: Danielle VisserScripture: Hebrews 12:1-2Message: Hannah: Mother of Samuel (Week 3)Series: The CloudThe Scriptures are full of imperfect people who imperfectly point us to Jesus. In Hebrews 12, they're called “witnesses”, and they're cheering us on as we run our race, bearing witness that God really can be trusted, and that Jesus is greater than anything else the world has to offer.  In this series, we'll hear the story of one of these witnesses in 'the cloud' and consider how they encourage us to persevere.#Gospel #Hebrews #Perseverance #Faith #Grace #Witnesses #Testimony #Jesus #JesusChrist #Hannah #Prophet #OldTestament

Date: Sunday, August 30, 2026Teacher: Rolf NanningaScripture: Hebrews 12:1-2Message: Daniel: Faithful in Exile (Week 10)Series: The CloudThe Scriptures are full of imperfect people who imperfectly point us to Jesus. In Hebrews 12, they're called “witnesses”, and they're cheering us on as we run our race, bearing witness that God really can be trusted, and that Jesus is greater than anything else the world has to offer.  In this series, we'll hear the story of one of these witnesses in 'the cloud' and consider how they encourage us to persevere.#Gospel #Hebrews #Perseverance #Faith #Grace #Witnesses #Testimony #Jesus #JesusChrist

Nobody likes to lose their valuables. So we keep important things in safe places. But what about your eternal destiny? Who do you trust for your salvation? In Hebrews 9, we see that Christ's true and final sacrifice is the only security for your eternal salvation.

What if following Jesus was never meant to be something we do alone? In Hebrews, we're reminded that because of Christ, we can draw near to God with confidence, hold firmly to the hope we have in Him, and encourage one another toward love and good works. Don Pearson explores what it means to live out our faith together and why building up and caring for one another is everyone's business.

Pastor Troy Dobbs begins the book of Hebrews by inviting believers to see Jesus more clearly and majestically. In Hebrews 1:1-3, Jesus is revealed as God's final Word, the heir and creator of all things, the radiance of God's glory, the exact imprint of His nature, and the One who sustains the universe. He is also the perfect High Priest and sacrifice who purified sin once for all and now reigns at God's right hand. Because Jesus is fully God, believers can give Him their complete allegiance and confidence. His finished work secures forgiveness, removes condemnation, and offers peace in the middle of chaos. Pastor Troy encourages believers to rest in Christ and grow in their vision of Him, trusting that the One who holds the universe together can hold their lives together too.

Pastor Troy Dobbs begins the book of Hebrews by inviting believers to see Jesus more clearly and majestically. In Hebrews 1:1-3, Jesus is revealed as God's final Word, the heir and creator of all things, the radiance of God's glory, the exact imprint of His nature, and the One who sustains the universe. He is also the perfect High Priest and sacrifice who purified sin once for all and now reigns at God's right hand. Because Jesus is fully God, believers can give Him their complete allegiance and confidence. His finished work secures forgiveness, removes condemnation, and offers peace in the middle of chaos. Pastor Troy encourages believers to rest in Christ and grow in their vision of Him, trusting that the One who holds the universe together can hold their lives together too.

What does a real walk of faith look like? In Hebrews 10:22-25, Pastor Ed Decker challenges believers to examine whether their faith is merely something they profess, or something they are actually living. Are we drawing near to God? Are we holding fast? Are we encouraging one another? Are we faithful to assemble? Faith should leave footprints. Watch this message from Arnold Baptist Tabernacle and ask yourself: Faith walk or fake walk? Scripture: Hebrews 10:22-25 Speaker: Pastor Ed Decker Church: Arnold Baptist Tabernacle

In Hebrews 10:24-25, we learn that we grow as disciples when we love and stir up one another towards agape love and good works. The isolated believer is an easy target for attacks from the enemy. Christ's second coming should create urgency in our discipleship.

In Hebrews 2, we're warned not to drift away from the Truth we've heard. In this episode, we explore what spiritual drifting looks like, why it happens, and how we can stay anchored in Christ.

In Hebrews 5–7, we move deeper into the revelation of Jesus Christ as our eternal High Priest and the significance of the Melchizedek order. This session examines why a change in priesthood was necessary, what that change means for believers, and how Christ fulfills what the Levitical system could never complete. We also look at Abraham's encounter with Melchizedek, the meaning of the tenth, and the shift from temporary priestly service to an eternal priesthood established in Christ. This is not simply a study of ancient religious structure. It is a study of **identity, covenant, access, and responsibility**. **You Can't Live Out What You Don't Understand.** **The Logos Fellowship — Where THE WORD Makes Sense!** 

Why do Christians gather together each week? In Hebrews 10:19–25, we see that the church is not a religious product we consume, but a people to whom we belong. Because Christ has brought us near to God, we gather to encourage one another, hold fast to our hope, and help one another persevere until Jesus comes again.Mission Church — www.missionlasvegas.com

What if some of the things making life harder aren't necessarily sinful—they're just heavy?In Hebrews 12:1–2, we're told to “lay aside every weight” and run with endurance the race God has set before us. In Week 1 of Detox, Pastor Kai explores the difference between sin and unnecessary weight, and challenges us to examine the things consuming our attention, time, energy, and affection. From busyness and overcommitment to social media, entertainment, news, smartphones, and AI, even good and permissible things can begin to dominate us and distract us from what matters most. The question isn't only, “Is this wrong?” but “Is this helping me run the race?” and “Is this mastering me?”This message offers practical steps for identifying unnecessary weight, resetting unhealthy digital habits, and building intentional rhythms—a Rule of Life—that help keep Jesus, relationships, and God's calling in their proper place. Because the goal of detox isn't simply to become less distracted or more productive. The prize is Jesus.

Life and faith are a race—and every race comes with obstacles, setbacks, and moments when quitting feels completely justified. We all face different hindrances, but they often have the same goal: to wear us down until we stop moving forward. In Hebrews 12:1–3, we're reminded that having a reason to quit doesn't mean we have to quit. When we're tired, discouraged, or struggling to see how we can keep going, Jesus gives us the perfect example of endurance. In “Too Far to Quit,” we'll discover how to lay aside what's weighing us down, fix our eyes on Jesus, and find the strength to keep running the race God has placed before us. You may be weary, but your race isn't over. You've come too far to quit now.

What does it take to set a church on fire—not with flames, but with faith, love, zeal, and good works? In Hebrews 10:24, Christians are commanded to “consider one another in order to stir up love and good works.” The idea behind “stir up” is powerful: to provoke, stimulate, incite—to put a fire under someone. In this lesson, Jim Murrell explores “The Spark That Set the Church on Fire” and considers how one Christian's faithfulness can ignite another. Using the apostle Paul as a powerful example, we examine the qualities that made his influence so effective and ask a personal question: What kind of spark are you producing in the lives of others? Hebrews 10:24–25 also reminds us why being together matters. Like coals in a fire, Christians strengthen, encourage, and warm one another when they remain connected. Text: Hebrews 10:24–25 Speaker: Jim Murrell “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works.” — Hebrews 10:24

Pastor Dru continues our FaithFULL series, exploring the story of Jesus and what His coming means for us. In Hebrews 2, we see the depth of His love, the lengths He went to rescue us, and the hope we have because of Him.

In Hebrews 8, the writer explains why the New Covenant was necessary. Jesus is not merely another priest in the old system—He is our superior High Priest, ministering in the true heavenly sanctuary and mediating a better covenant established on better promises.The Mosaic covenant could expose sin and regulate Israel's worship, but it could not bring final perfection or transform the human heart. Through Christ, God established the covenant Jeremiah had promised: one marked by inward transformation, true knowledge of God, and complete forgiveness.In this lesson, we examine Hebrews 8:1–13 and ask the central question of the chapter: Why Was a New Covenant Needed?Read the complete lesson here!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

“He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.” (Psalm 103:12 NLT) Often, people’s reputations precede them. Sometimes that’s a good thing. Sports heroes and other celebrities are welcomed and celebrated in most places. Sometimes, however, it’s not such a good thing. If you’ve ever been in a social setting in which everyone suddenly got quiet when a certain person walked in, you know what I’m talking about. Some people are doomed to be remembered for the lowest point in their lives or for the worst decision they ever made or for the time they didn’t come through for someone else. That can be a tough pill to swallow. What makes it even tougher is when the person doing the remembering is the person whose reputation was ruined. The reality is that many people find it hard to forgive themselves. But that attitude runs counter to the message of Scripture, where forgiveness is found in abundance. The story of the paralyzed man whose friends brought him to Jesus for healing is well-known as an illustration of friendship, determination, and faith. When the friends couldn’t get to Jesus because of the crowd, they cut a hole in the roof and lowered the paralyzed man to Him. Jesus did indeed heal the man’s physical paralysis. But first He did something more amazing and more profoundly important. “Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the man, ‘Young man, your sins are forgiven’” (Luke 5:20 NLT). The word forgiven, in this context, has the basic meaning of sending or driving something away. “Your sins are driven away from you” is what Jesus essentially said. Genuine confession involves more than simply saying, “Oops, my bad”; it also involves repentance, a turning away from the sin. Likewise, genuine forgiveness involves more than simply saying, “No problem”; it also involves a cleansing, a removal of the sin from our lives. King David wrote, “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:12 AMPC). You can’t get much farther apart than that. As we saw in an earlier devotion, David had very personal reasons to celebrate God’s complete removal of sin. In Hebrews 8:12, God says, “And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins” (NLT). If God wipes our sins from His memory, who are we to hold on to guilt and shame over our wrongdoing? There’s no reason for us to have a longer memory than God when it comes to our failings. If you’re guilty of sin, confess it and repent of it. Turn away from your wrongdoing and ask God to forgive you. Then embrace His gracious forgiveness. Release any grudge you may be holding against yourself. Ask God to help you see yourself as He sees you—covered by the righteousness of Christ, spotless before Him. Reflection question: Where do you need to be reminded that you’ve been forgiven? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why does God's discipline sometimes feel like punishment when the Bible says it is an expression of His love?In Hebrews 12, we're challenged to lay aside every weight and sin that holds us back, run with endurance, and keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. But what does it actually look like to live a disciplined Christian life?In this message, Pastor Mike Shamburg explores God's discipline, spiritual growth, Christian discipleship, and the things that can keep us from moving forward in our walk with Christ.Hebrews teaches that God's discipline is not rejection or punishment—it is training and education from a Father who loves His children. Although discipline may not feel good in the moment, it produces the peaceful fruit of righteousness in those who allow themselves to be trained by it.But discipline isn't only about what God is doing to us. It's also about how we intentionally choose to walk with Christ.Work. Family. Sports. Responsibilities. Social media. Exhaustion. Even good things can become distractions when they take Jesus out of first place.How often do we tell Jesus, “You must wait”?For more on LifePoint Church go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠lifepointaz.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out our merch store ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://lifepointaz-shop.fourthwall.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Find all our links in one easy spot ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/lifepointaz ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Facebook ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/lifepointaz ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/lifepointchurchaz/

Where is your faith? In Hebrews 7:11-28, we learn that a relationship with God comes through the perfection of Jesus, not our good works. In Christ, we have a Better Priest and a Better Covenant. 

What does it mean that God is faithful? In Hebrews 10:15–23, we are reminded that because of Jesus, we can draw near to God with confidence and hold firmly to the hope we profess—because He who promised is faithful. Faithfulness means being stable, steady, firm, and true. People may change. Circumstances may shift. The world may constantly chase what is new. But God does not change, abandon His promises, or walk away from His people. In this sermon, we explore what Scripture reveals about the faithfulness of God: • God is Stable — He is our Rock, and His ways are trustworthy. • God is Steady — He does not change with circumstances or emotions. • God is Firm — He is completely committed to His promises and to His people. • God is True — His Word and His ways conform to reality and lead us toward life. • God is Faithful — His steadfast love never ceases, and His mercies are new every morning. When we know what God has promised, we can live differently in the present. Faith is knowing what God has promised and taking the next step based on that knowledge. The world may change, but God remains the same. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” — Hebrews 10:23 NIV Be encouraged today: God is faithful. You can trust Him. You can stand on His promises. And you can move forward in faith because He already knows the future. If this message encouraged you, like this video, subscribe to the channel, and share it with someone who needs to be reminded of God's faithfulness. #GodIsFaithful #Faith #Jesus #ChristianSermon #Hebrews10 #FaithfulnessOfGod #TrustGod #Christianity #HopeInJesus #GodsPromises #Sermon #BibleTeaching

Archie Mowatt - FOMO shapes so many of our decisions. But what if the bigger danger is missing out on God's future promises? In Hebrews 11:17–22, we'll see how faith helps us hold good things loosely, trust God when obedience is costly, and live with confidence that death is not the end.

John 17:25 "O righteous Father, although the world has not known You, yet I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me;” In Hebrews 1:8-9 we read, “But of the Son, He (God) says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, and the righteous scepter is the scepter of His kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness, therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness above your companions.” Why does the Son love righteousness? Because He knows the Father and knows that He loves righteousness. How did the disciples know God sent Jesus? Because He was anointed by God with the Holy Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit is love, which is what righteousness looks like in relationships. Let's tie this verse to the previous verses so we can get the line of reason in Jesus' mind. He has prayed that the world would know that God sent Him by the unifying power of the love of God dwelling in them as Jesus abides in them. In this verse, He again brings the unknowing, the ignorant world into the Father's view. In Jesus' mind is the heart of the Father to display to the world they have created His great love and glory. It all hinges on this small group of men and women whom the Father gave to Him. They know that God sent Jesus into the world. How did they know this? And more personally, do you know that God sent Jesus into the world? Tomorrow, in the last verse of John 17 we will see how they knew and believed in Jesus. If you can't wait, go on and look at John 17:26. However, if you like suspense. Wait for it! We will rejoice tomorrow in the amazing words of Jesus as He closes His prayer with His Father. Acknowledgment: Music from “Carried by the Father” by Eric Terlizzi. www.ericterlizzi.com

Life has a way of wearing us down. Bills pile up, relationships get strained, prayers seem unanswered, and it's easy to wonder, "How do I keep going?" In Hebrews 10:32–36, we're reminded that God doesn't simply tell us to persevere—He shows us how. The key isn't finding more strength within ourselves; it's remembering God's faithfulness through every season we've already survived. If you're feeling tired, discouraged, or tempted to give up, this message will encourage you to look back so you can keep moving forward. After all, whatever you're facing today... this isn't the first time God has brought you through.

Thursday, 30 July 2026   Then last of all he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.' Matthew 21:37    “Afterward, also, he sent to them the ‘son, his', saying, ‘They will be in-turned of the ‘son, mine'.'” (CG)   In the previous verse, Jesus continued the parable, noting that the housemaster sent other servants, greater than the first, and they treated those servants the same. With that noted, He next says, “Afterward, also, he sent to them the ‘son, his'.”   The meaning of the words, at least to us, should be plain and obvious, even if the leaders don't immediately get what Jesus is saying. A succession of servants has been sent to receive the fruit of the vineyard, and they have been treated shamefully.   These represented the messengers of God, the prophets and wise men, looking for fruit in the nation of Israel. Without success, God sent His Son into the nation, “saying, ‘They will be in-turned of the ‘son, mine'.'”   A new word is seen, entrepó. It is derived from en, a fixed position usually translated as “in”, and tropé, a noun signifying “a turning” which is only found in James 1:17. Together, they give the idea of “in a state of turning,” as in turning “one's attention to in a riveted (‘locked in') way” (HELPS Word Studies).   The word is used positively when turning in respect, but it is also used when feeling a state of shame. It is seen when there is no respect (as in Luke 18:2 and 18:4). In Hebrews 12:9, almost all translations say something like, “Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect [entrepó]” (NKJV). However, the verb is passive, and the word “them” is not in the text.   Having said that, because of the difficulty, most take this as a passive with a middle force. This is done to justify the reading as “respect.” However, Thayer's Greek Lexicon notes the word in classical Greek signifies “properly, to turn about, so in passive even in Homer; τινα, properly, to turn one upon himself, i. e. to shame one.” Thus, if the passive is retained, the word would indicate a sense of personal shame, not respect.   The entire paragraph in which Hebrews 12:9 exists is based on chastisement, either by God or by our fathers. As such, there is a sense of shame for wrongdoing, which is exactly what sin is and what it causes. We are chastised, and we are ashamed because of our actions.   Without that shame because of a lack of correction, we would be unashamed and unrestrained. Something common in the world when there is no correction. Hebrews 12:9 continues, We had fathers who were instructors “... and we were in-turned, not much, also, more we will be subject to the ‘Father, the spirits', and we will live?”   One can see the progression: 1) Earthly fathers discipline, 2) children respond, being in-turned (ashamed), 3) therefore, how much more should we be subject to God in humility? The same passive mood is found in the three synoptic gospels in regard to this parable.    Because translations reject the passive voice in Matthew 21:37, stating it is to be rendered in the middle voice, it then causes scholars a true dilemma. The Pulpit Commentary, reflective of others, says –   “God condescends to speak in human language, as hoping for a good result from this last effort for man's salvation. He, as it were, puts aside his foreknowledge, and gives scope to man's free will. Though the sad issue is known to him, he often acts towards men as if he had hope that they would still use the occasion profitably.”   This makes no sense. Why would the housemaster assume or even hope for those in the vineyard to act appropriately? Why would he assume they could be trusted when they have already killed his servants? Such a thought is not in line with what we would consider concerning Jesus' portrayal of the omnipotent God in a parable.    An in-turning concerning the son is much more fitting to the surrounding context. And it is exactly what happened to Jesus. Thus, Jesus is clearly saying that they will not accept the son. Rather, they will be ashamed of him. And this is what God the Father knew, in advance, concerning His Son. This is perfectly in line with what Jesus told the disciples just a few days before –   “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death, 19 and deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock and to scourge and to crucify. And the third day He will rise again.” Matthew 20:18, 19   It is a sentiment He had already stated to them twice before as well. The fact is that, despite knowing in advance, that Jesus would not be accepted, God sent His Son to Israel to offer them salvation. This demonstrates the immense love of God for those He created. It also shows the lengths God was willing to go to for those same creatures.   Life application: If the word discussed above is intended to be translated as “respect,” it would demonstrate a naivete in God that does not exist. The only way to get around that is to deal with the words in the way the Pulpit Commentary did. But parables are not merely an inexact representation of what is going on. Nor are they an accommodation for our sensibilities. Rather, they are a type of speaking intended to convey actual meaning, even if veiled.   Jesus was standing before the leaders, having just been hailed as the Messiah. If He is, then He is God's selected choice for that position. To say, “Maybe the leaders will respect Me” or “My Father thinks the leaders might respect Me” is completely out of the context of the situation in which He is speaking. The leaders were ashamed of Jesus, and He was rejected and crucified, just as God foreknew that He would be.   This analysis fits the surrounding narrative. As such, leaving the translation as literal as possible allows for a resolution to the otherwise nonsensical idea that God would not know that His Son would not be respected.   Lord God, what a wonderful delight it is to come to Your word and consider its contents. Help us to be diligent each day to pick it up and dive into it with enthusiasm and zeal. Thank You for this beautiful treasure that tells us of JESUS! Amen.  

In Hebrews 9:1-14, the author draws our attention to the ministry of the Tabernacle and priests and shows us how it is all a shadow pointing us to something greater, Jesus.

It's possible to know Jesus and still stop growing. In Hebrews 5, we're warned about the danger of spiritual immaturity and challenged to move beyond the basics of faith. God didn't save you just to forgive your past—He saved you to transform your future. Join us as we discover how to break free from spiritual stagnation, grow deeper in God's Word, and become the mature followers of Christ He has called us to be.

“For they {Earthly Parents} disciplined us for a short time . . . but he {God} disciplines us for our good, that we may share his {God's} holiness" (Hebrews 12:10) MESSAGE SUMMARY: The Lord disciplines his children; therefore, so should we. Our discipline can take many forms, for example: 1) teach children a lesson, even hard lessons; and 2) it is OK to take away children's privileges. The Lord's discipline is out of love; and our discipline, for our children, should, also, be out of our love. Nobody likes discipline -- we do not like it; our kids do not like it. However, discipline works to bring righteousness and peace, and discipline brings fruit to us and our children down the road. In Hebrews 12:7-10, the author of Hebrews succinctly describes the Biblical perspective regarding discipline: It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as {His} sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us, and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they {Earthly Parents} disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he {God} disciplines us for our good, that we may share his {God's} holiness.".   TODAY'S PRAYER: Lord, help me to be still and to wait patiently for you in silence. In Jesus' name, amen.      Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 125). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that, because I am in Jesus Christ, God is working His will in my life (Philippians 2:13). “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.”. (Philippians 4:14). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): 2 Samuel. 7.13-15; 1 Corinthians. 11:32; Ephesians. 6.1-4; Psalms 42:1-11. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “And They Asked Jesus to Leave”, at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

Rev. Dr. Abe Smith | Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. In Hebrews 12, we are invited to “throw off everything that hinders” and “run with perseverance the race marked out for us,” keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus. That's a powerful image because most of us know what it feels like to carry things we were never meant to carry: brokenness, regret, disconnection, wrongdoing, pride, or the weight of trying to hold life together on our own. The good news of the Gospel is that Christ meets us with grace, forgiveness, and unconditional love. When we receive that grace, we discover a joy that is deeper than happiness and stronger than our circumstances. Christ lived and died so that we could know the joy of reconciliation, forgiveness, love, and the joy of freedom.  Jesus does not simply call us to run harder; he invites us to lay down what binds us and receive the life only he can give.

Rev. Dr. Abe Smith | Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. In Hebrews 12, we are invited to “throw off everything that hinders” and “run with perseverance the race marked out for us,” keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus. That's a powerful image because most of us know what it feels like to carry things we were never meant to carry: brokenness, regret, disconnection, wrongdoing, pride, or the weight of trying to hold life together on our own. The good news of the Gospel is that Christ meets us with grace, forgiveness, and unconditional love. When we receive that grace, we discover a joy that is deeper than happiness and stronger than our circumstances. Christ lived and died so that we could know the joy of reconciliation, forgiveness, love, and the joy of freedom.  Jesus does not simply call us to run harder; he invites us to lay down what binds us and receive the life only he can give.

You can be sitting on a beach and still be exhausted. In Hebrews 4, we'll discover why so many of us struggle to slow down and how Jesus invites restless souls into a deeper kind of rest that no vacation can provide.

Dave Brisbin 6.28.26 Eucharist—usually called communion—is the essential Christian sacrament, the centerpiece of Christian worship. When a sacrament persists for millennia as a defining ritual, it's telling us something about how earliest followers understood their journey. It can also tell us what we've forgotten about ours. Eucharist means thanksgiving…because Jesus gave thanks over bread and wine at that last supper…because we should gratefully remember Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, the means by which sins are forgiven, and we are saved. Jesus said that the bread was his body and wine a new covenant in his blood, but how we understand the word covenant has everything to do with how we understand communion. In the West, we've understood covenant as a legal contract obligating both parties as contracts do. If we keep the terms of the contract, God is obligated to accept us, save us. But through the lens of original sin, there is nothing we can do to make ourselves worthy, so contractually, Jesus must do the heavy lifting. By believing in him theologically and not breaking the law, we are covered by his blood, but our side of the contract remains passive and vicarious. Salvation without transformation. In Hebrews 9, the same word Jesus used for covenant is described as a last will and testament, its primary meaning. Jesus is the mediator, we would say devisor, of a will that leaves his estate to his heirs. Such a testament only comes into effect with the death of the devisor, not while he lives. Jesus said it was to our advantage that he go--only then could we receive our inheritance. The new covenant is not a contract as was the old one. It is a handoff of the estate of Kingdom. We are heirs to all Jesus had, not passive legal obligation, the opportunity to actively engage the experience, the awakening of Pentecost, full authority to live and love as Jesus did. The earliest followers of Jesus called communion anamnesis, which means unforgetting. We would say remembrance. Unforgetting is better. To realize that Jesus willed Kingdom to us, that his Way of life has always been ours, is to unforget who we really are.

Dave Brisbin 6.28.26 Eucharist—usually called communion—is the essential Christian sacrament, the centerpiece of Christian worship. When a sacrament persists for millennia as a defining ritual, it's telling us something about how earliest followers understood their journey. It can also tell us what we've forgotten about ours. Eucharist means thanksgiving…because Jesus gave thanks over bread and wine at that last supper…because we should gratefully remember Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, the means by which sins are forgiven, and we are saved. Jesus said that the bread was his body and wine a new covenant in his blood, but how we understand the word covenant has everything to do with how we understand communion. In the West, we've understood covenant as a legal contract obligating both parties as contracts do. If we keep the terms of the contract, God is obligated to accept us, save us. But through the lens of original sin, there is nothing we can do to make ourselves worthy, so contractually, Jesus must do the heavy lifting. By believing in him theologically and not breaking the law, we are covered by his blood, but our side of the contract remains passive and vicarious. Salvation without transformation. In Hebrews 9, the same word Jesus used for covenant is described as a last will and testament, its primary meaning. Jesus is the mediator, we would say devisor, of a will that leaves his estate to his heirs. Such a testament only comes into effect with the death of the devisor, not while he lives. Jesus said it was to our advantage that he go--only then could we receive our inheritance. The new covenant is not a contract as was the old one. It is a handoff of the estate of Kingdom. We are heirs to all Jesus had, not passive legal obligation, the opportunity to actively engage the experience, the awakening of Pentecost, full authority to live and love as Jesus did. The earliest followers of Jesus called communion anamnesis, which means unforgetting. We would say remembrance. Unforgetting is better. To realize that Jesus willed Kingdom to us, that his Way of life has always been ours, is to unforget who we really are.

Spiritual growth doesn't happen by accident, and it was never meant to happen alone. While many people desire to grow in their relationship with Jesus, that pursuit often gets redirected by the pressures and pace of life. In Hebrews 10, we see that God's design for growth is shared pursuit: people who help one another hold on, stay encouraged, and keep moving forward. Biblical community isn't just about connection; it's about transformation and mission. As we pursue Jesus together, we create space for others to do the same, multiplying disciples and advancing the mission of the church. Passage: Hebrews 10:23-25 Speaker: Kevin Stiles

Jesus offered rest to those who come to Him (Matthew 11:28-30). This is a rest that comes from trusting in Him rather than the works of Law. In Hebrews 3:1-4:16, the author also speaks about rest. He is not talking about salvation but the reward in the coming Kingdom that faithful believers can enjoy. But the author of Hebrews seems to make rest something that can also be enjoyed today by faithful Christians as a foretaste of their future reward. This happens when the believer stops trying to earn God's favor by doing good works instead of trusting or resting in Christ's finished work. The example of this in the Old Testament is Israel in the wilderness. They hardened their hearts in unbelief in God's promise and did not have rest then and never fully received God's rest in their future. One day, faithful Israel and Christians will rest fully as they enjoy their reward in the Kingdom. This message will encourage you to live by faith and continue to grow as Christians until we receive our final reward of rest.

Charity is more than giving—it's a lifestyle of compassion, generosity, and seeing people the way Jesus sees them. In a world that often focuses on what we can get, God calls His people to focus on what we can give.In Matthew 25:37, Jesus teaches that when we serve those in need, we are serving Him. In Hebrews 13:2, we're reminded to show hospitality and kindness, never knowing how God may be working through those encounters. And in Matthew 19:27, Peter reminds Jesus of the sacrifices made to follow Him, revealing that a life devoted to Christ is one marked by selflessness and eternal purpose.This message, “Practicing Charity,” explores how generosity isn't just something we do occasionally—it's a spiritual practice that shapes our hearts to become more like Jesus.