Lord, wake me up

Lord, how is it that we continue to think we can live each day without going to You for guidance? Lord, I've settled for what I think is best without giving you the opportunity to author my life. I run around life, from task to task, moment by moment, thinking that the answer to a problem is around the next corner and me and my brilliant mind is on the cusp of figuring it out. And all the while, You wait for me to come to You and say, "God, ask me." 

I remember thinking yesterday Lord that there are two main things in my life that I've struggled with over the years and one is praying and the other is celebrations. Lord, I need to go to my knees. There are so many people and circumstances that I've agreed to pray for; there are so many circumstances in my life that are occurring that need prayer; there are so many future situations that need prayer; there are big decisions to be made in the future and you need to be there. Lord, drive me to my knees. I'm tired of living this inconsistent spiritual life where I'm on one day and off the next.

Lord, Bobby said something the other day that really hit me hard. We were talking about other people in my life and the thinking that they felt like, because of their hard work, because of their devotion, they deserved your blessing in their life. Lord, how quickly I am this person. How quickly I am this person that thinks, because of a few things I work hard on, my wife should be showering me with every kind of sexual blessing my dream world can think up. I seem to be able, for the most part, to put aside other things in life, but that I can't put aside. I want her to want me. Lord, wake me up. Re-train me and re-train my thinking.

Lord, the list of prayer requests in my life seems a little overwhelming. Lord, you know me and how I made grandiose lists, set out to arise every morning at 4am and think that, this point forward, my life will be marked by prayer. Sure it's possible, but Lord, I just want to change habits. It's like, spending time in your Word each day. I've been moving to reading 3 chapters a day. And yet, over the last month this has careened downward. I don't make time for You. I hope that in those moments of life when things don't need my full attention, that I can fit reading and prayer into life. Lord, re-train me.

As I begin to put my time and effort into preparing for this evangelism class at church, Lord, help me to not focus on the unknowns and the things I can't control (how many people will show up), but instead, may I focus on the things that matter most. May I be about prayer. That time needs prayer. Whether I have 5, 10 or 1 person arrive, train me to be a teacher. And help me to know what to say. Make me authentic. May your name be glorified, above all. I want to be challenged.

Ephesians 2:17-19

10/28/12 Message by Erik Christensen

And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,
(Ephesians 2:17-19 ESV)

There is a uniqueness in us. We are His representatives.
1. The proclamation of the Gospel
2. The position of the believers
3. The privilege of the saved

1. The proclamation of the Gospel

• Preach = tell something good
• In verse 17, the word is "Preach" - evangelize; to proclaim or to tell; to tell something good, more specifically to tell the Gospel
• to those who are far off (Gentiles) and to those who are near (Jews)
• What are we preaching? Peace rather than conflict; reconciliation "I have peace because of grace."

"Peace, peace, to the far and to the near,” says the LORD,
“and I will heal him."
(Isaiah 57:19b ESV)

• Peace provides healing (reconciliation = right relationship with God)

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
(Romans 5:1 ESV)

• Peace provides justification; (justified = as if you had never sinned)

For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known.
(John 1:17-18 ESV)

At the incarnation Jesus preached peace; Jesus explained God

• The Gospel message comes from Jesus

But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone;
(Galatians 1:15-16 ESV)

But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.
For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.
For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man's gospel. For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.
(Galatians 1:8-12 ESV)

The Gospel cannot be changed; he didn't receive it from someone else giving it... (Not Joseph Smith)

but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
(1 Peter 3:15 ESV)

[What an incredible verse; this verse has it all]
Be ready to give an accurate reason

2. The position of the believers

• Our access to royalty

Example - Erik gave an example of places he couldn't go by himself, like KAFB. But, when he is in the same car with someone, he can go right in. [Also sunport landside vs airside]

• Jews and Greeks have the same access
• We are one body

For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.
(1 Corinthians 12:12-13 ESV)

3. The privilege of the saved

• "No longer strangers" -  [Once saved, always saved; We are brought near]
• "Fellow citizens" [Bound together with another in terms of their political identity]

We are of God's household; of His family

• Our citizenship is in heaven

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
(Philippians 3:20 ESV)

Hebrews 3:1

Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession,

(Hebrews 3:1 ESV)

Once again, it is emphasized again that Jesus is fully man. He took on our nature. And because of this he should be strongly considered by us.

Holy - set apart to God; being sanctified
Brothers - of one family; Author also considered those he was writing to as his brothers
Heavenly calling - pertaining to heaven, not earth; called from above
Consider - Jesus is worthy to be considered
Apostle - only place where it is applied to Jesus; sent from God; as Moses was the great apostle of God, but Jesus is superior in dignity and authority
High Priest - Jesus fulfills this office in every way as it is abolished in the fulfillment of Jesus
Profess - Of that belief which we profess; confess

We are set apart to God as we are of one family. Our calling is from heaven. Jesus is of great rank and value to be considered by all. Jesus, the apostle and the completed High priest. We confess Him.

Hebrews 2:18

For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
(Hebrews 2:18 ESV)

The word tempted takes on more of the meaning as put to the proof to see whether a person has sincere piety and love to God. We also see that Jesus showed he had a strength of virtue where no matter what came his way he could bear it. Jesus is qualified to sympathize with us because he has endured like trials. But, he suffered more than we could ever suffer. For that he is our brother and is never ashamed to call us brethren, we can rest our burdens on him.

Hebrews 2:17

Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.
(Hebrews 2:17 ESV)

Jesus became like man in every respect. This was essential. Nothing was to be left out. As such, the descendants of Abraham are his brothers. Mercy is not giving someone what they deserve. With a nature like ours, his compassion extends to us all the more because he knows and understands the trials we experience. Yet, his service (unlike ours) was always marked by faithfulness and this means we are safe. He surpasses the Jewish High Priest. "The Son of God became a man, that he might so fully enter into the feelings of the people as to be faithful, and that he might be qualified, as a high priest, to perform the great work of rendering God propitious in regard to sins." Before God, we now have favor and success.

Hebrews 2:16

For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham.
(Hebrews 2:16 ESV)

To help means to take hold of one as by the hand. Mr 8:23 ("he took the blind man by the hand"), Ac 23:19 ("the tribune took him by the hand"), Lu 9:47 ("Jesus took a child and put him by his side") all give the picture of the actual person taking someone by the hand, to aid them, to come alongside. Jesus comes to our aid, not to the aid of angels. To redeem man, it was necessary for him to be a man. Yes, he is speaking to descendants of Abraham, but he is not excluding the entire human race; he is at this moment speaking to one of his children, but that doesn't mean he excludes the others.

Hebrews 2:15

and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.
(Hebrews 2:15 ESV)

Jesus frees us from the fear of death, from death, from a lifelong fear of not knowing freedom, not knowing comfort, not knowing peace. Why? Because God is our friend and our protector. And everywhere we are under the protection of our Savior.

Hebrews 2:14

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,
(Hebrews 2:14 ESV)

Just as those who are to become the adopted children of God have the nature of man, Jesus took on the same nature as them, that by dying he might bring into subjection the devil, who has dominion over death. Death marks an end, but Jesus changed that by rising from the dead to rescue man; to restore him to life; death is now unknown to man; his redemption introduces a state in which not another one would ever die.

Hebrews 2:13; (Isaiah 8:17-18)

And again,
“I will put my trust in him.”
And again,
“Behold, I and the children God has given me.”
(Hebrews 2:13 ESV)

This is a reference to the Messiah speaking, as a man, placing his hope, his only hope in God. Jesus identifies himself with the people--fully man. "I will look to him; I will put my confidence in him." And this relationship Jesus has with His people is the same closeness a father has with his children. They were of one family; one nature. He identifies with man.

Hebrews 2:12; (Psalm 22:22)

saying,
“I will tell of your name to my brothers;
in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.”
(Hebrews 2:12 ESV)

This quote from Psalm refers to the Messiah in the psalm. Jesus is declaring that he will make know to his brothers (us) the character of God. He is with them. He is united with his disciples.

Hebrews 2:11

For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers,

(Hebrews 2:11 ESV)

There is a special union between Jesus and man, so much so that Jesus became a man and took on sufferings of man, and took lowly man and made him holy as He is. We have a oneness with Him. And we are part of His family.

Hebrews 2:10

For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering.
(Hebrews 2:10 ESV)

Jesus was the perfect fit from God. God, the author and sovereign One, provided a perfect salvation. And this was a plan to save many to heaven. Jesus is not just the one that carries it out, but he is called the founder, the author, the source. Jesus did not become perfect through suffering nor was his exaltation a reward for suffering, but he is complete and fully qualified through suffering.

Hebrews 2:9

But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
(Hebrews 2:9 ESV)

The dominion given to man was instead completely fulfilled in Jesus. How could someone who suffered and died be considered higher than angels? His position to man was one of submission and following his death he was immediately crowned with glory and honor and this crowning or exalting was because He suffered. God's grace (His favor, His benevolence) was given for everyone, by Jesus dying, experiencing death, tasting that which is most unpleasant.

Hebrews 2:8

putting everything in subjection under his feet.”
Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him.
(Hebrews 2:8 ESV)

Everything has been put under man's leadership.Yet, his dominion over the lower world was temporarily removed when Adam/Eve sinned. Jesus has completely fulfilled this role.

Hebrews 2:7; Psalm 8:5

You made him for a little while lower than the angels;
you have crowned him with glory and honor,
(Hebrews 2:7 ESV)

God made man inferior in rank to the angels, but exalted him almost to their rank. God has bestowed honor on man's nature. Elevated honor conferred on human nature. The author later applies to Jesus. Jesus took exaltation to a greater level.

Hebrews 2:6; Psalm 8:4

It has been testified somewhere,
“What is man, that you are mindful of him,
or the son of man, that you care for him?
(Hebrews 2:6 ESV)

When I look at man today it seems a mystery that man would have been chosen by God. He is so sinful. He is so unlike God. Why would God give dominion to a person that will abuse it? With everything in the universe, God still takes notice of man. And man has been united with the Divine One.

Hebrews Outline

Hebrews 2
1-4 -- Pay close attention. Don't drift away. This salvation, declared by Jesus, this is it.
5 -- the angels in fact had no dominion given them over the world;
6-8 -- supremacy over the world given to man;
9 -- supremacy exercised by Jesus;
10-17 -- proper for Jesus to be a man; proper for Jesus to suffer.

The main object of this chapter is to show that we should attend diligently to the things which were spoken by the Lord Jesus. Don't drift away. The Old Testament is not worth more of our attention. Jesus has a supremacy that has conferred on Him, superior to any angelic being, or anyone else in the world. So, there is superiority in this gospel because Jesus outranks the angels.

We need to be diligent in attending to the words and life of Christ. Be very careful with what He has said and done.

Jesus has received honor in a special way. He is the incarnate one. He took on the form of God on earth.

He became a man to be a man and suffer the same things as man suffers and yet stand up over them, without sin.

Hebrews 3
This chapter continues the superiority theme to show that Jesus is superior to Moses. Christ, as High Priest, was superior, by far, to the high priest of the Jews.

1-6 -- Moses was faithful as a servant. Christ was faithful as a Son. His rank was higher.
-- There is danger in apostasizing from the Christian faith
7-11 - Don't harden your hearts
12 - be on the guard against unbelief
13 - exhort and stimulate one another constantly
14-19 to be steadfast until the end