A Letter to the HEBREWS - Chapter One

HEBREWS

Overview

(The Bible Project)

God’s final word: his Son

1 In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. 3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. 4 So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.

The Son superior to angels

5 For to which of the angels did God ever say,

‘You are my Son;

    today I have become your Father’?

Or again,

‘I will be his Father,

    and he will be my Son’?

6 And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says,

‘Let all God’s angels worship him.’

7 In speaking of the angels he says,

‘He makes his angels spirits,

    and his servants flames of fire.’

8 But about the Son he says,

‘Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever;

    a sceptre of justice will be the sceptre of your kingdom.

9 

You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;

    therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions

    by anointing you with the oil of joy.’

10 He also says,

‘In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth,

    and the heavens are the work of your hands.

11 

They will perish, but you remain;

    they will all wear out like a garment.

12 

You will roll them up like a robe;

    like a garment they will be changed.

But you remain the same,

    and your years will never end.’

13 To which of the angels did God ever say,

‘Sit at my right hand

    until I make your enemies

    a footstool for your feet’?

14 Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?

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Word by Word Meditations 

by Fred Ursell

Hebrews 1: “forefathers” (v.1)

The author was Jewish, writing to Jews, because he writes about “our forefathers” (v.1). He says that God, who had spoken to their ancestors “through the prophets at many times and in  various ways” (v.1), communicated much more recently “by his Son” (v.2). 

He exalts Jesus repeatedly with several statements and Old Testament quotes (e.g. “the radiance of God’s glory … provided purification for sins … superior to the angels (v.4) … about the Son he says ‘your throne, O God, will last forever” (v.8, Psalm 45 v.6). No wonder he adds “let all … worship him!” (v.6

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READING 

A Letter to the HEBREWS

Chapter One

Read by David Suchet

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OVERVIEW 

A Letter to the HEBREWS

Overview

(The Bible Project)

https://youtu.be/1fNWTZZwgbs

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STUDIES

A Letter to the HEBREWS

Part 1

Study by David Pawson

https://youtu.be/kmUXH0_rQuQ

A letter to the HEBREWS

Part 2

Study by David Pawson

https://youtu.be/NrW4pWjUzRQ

SERMONS

The Final word

Timothy Keller 

HEBREWS 1:1-4 and 2:1-4

https://youtu.be/UZehei9m-Z0

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NOVEMBER - READINGS

NOVEMBER -  READINGS

from the New International Version (UK)

 

The First Letter of PAUL to TIMOTHY - Chapter Six

 

1 All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God’s name and our teaching may not be slandered. 2 Those who have believing masters should not show them disrespect just because they are fellow believers. Instead, they should serve them even better because their masters are dear to them as fellow believers and are devoted to the welfare of their slaves.

False teachers and the love of money

These are the things you are to teach and insist on. 3 If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 4 they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions 5 and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

Final charge to Timothy

11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you 

14 to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which God will bring about in his own time – God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honour and might for ever. Amen.

17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 

18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

20 Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, 21 which some have professed and in so doing have departed from the faith.

     Grace be with you all.

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Word by Word Meditations 

by Fred Ursell

1st Timothy 6: “respect” (vv.1-2) 

We don’t have slavery any more; the modern equivalent is the much fairer relationship of employees and their bosses. So we are better off today. Paul insisted “all [i.e. not just whether some felt willing] ... should [i.e. as a moral duty] consider [i.e. have the correct attitude] their masters [i.e. whether they were kind or not] worthy of full respect [i.e. no ifs or buts], so that ...” (v.1). “So ...” for what? “God’s name ... may not be slandered.” Paul adds that, if they have “believing masters” (v.2), their “respect” should be “not ... less.” 

Be grateful if your boss is nice! Work more conscientiously – “not ... less”! 

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READING 

First letter of PAUL to TIMOTHY 

Chapter Six

Read by David Suchet

===

OVERVIEW 

The First letter of PAUL to TIMOTHY 

Overview

(The Bible Project)

https://youtu.be/7RoqnGcEjcs

===

STUDY

Letters of PAUL to Timothy 

Study by David Pawson

https://youtu.be/0j0ovlLp4SU

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The First Letter of PAUL to TIMOTHY - Chapter Five

Widows, elders and slaves

1 Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.

3 Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. 4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God. 5 The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help. 6 But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives. 7 Give the people these instructions, so that no one may be open to blame. 8 Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

9 No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband, 10 and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the Lord’s people, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds.

11 As for younger widows, do not put them on such a list. For when their sensual desires overcome their dedication to Christ, they want to marry. 

12 Thus they bring judgment on themselves, because they have broken their first pledge. 13 Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also busybodies who talk nonsense, saying things they ought not to. 14 So I counsel younger widows to marry, to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander. 15 Some have in fact already turned away to follow Satan.

16 If any woman who is a believer has widows in her care, she should continue to help them and not let the church be burdened with them, so that the church can help those widows who are really in need.

17 The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honour, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. 18 For Scripture says, ‘Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,’ and ‘The worker deserves his wages.’ 19 Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. 20 But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning. 21 I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favouritism.

22 Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.

23 Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.

24 The sins of some are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them. 25 In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden for ever.

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Word by Word Meditations 

by Fred Ursell

1st Timothy 5: “drinking” (v.23) 

Reading the first words of this verse (“stop drinking ...”), many a total abstainer Christian would give a loud ‘Amen’, but be taken aback by the next words (“... only water”)! What? And even more shocked by what follows (“... use a little wine”)! Alcoholism has ruined many a life, and so an uncompromising opposition is understandable. Just “a little wine” is like ‘the thin edge of the wedge’. Timothy had his reservations, and asked Paul’s advice. The water there was impure and causing “frequent illnesses” to his “stomach” (v.23); Paul’s practical approach was eminently sensible. Look after your health! 

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READING 

First letter of PAUL to TIMOTHY 

Chapter Five

Read by David Suchet

===

OVERVIEW

The First letter of PAUL to TIMOTHY 

Overview

(The Bible Project)

https://youtu.be/7RoqnGcEjcs

===

STUDY

Letters of PAUL to Timothy 

Study by David Pawson

https://youtu.be/0j0ovlLp4SU

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The First Letter of PAUL to TIMOTHY - Chapter Four

 

1 The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. 3 They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. 4 For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 

5 because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.

6 If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. 7 Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. 8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 9 This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. 10 That is why we labour and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Saviour of all people, and especially of those who believe.

11 Command and teach these things. 12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. 13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. 14 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.

15 Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

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Word by Word Meditations 

by Fred Ursell

1st Timothy 4: “clearly” (v.1) 

The opening 3 verses are not Paul’s prediction, but a vivid revelation: “the Spirit clearly says that in later times ...” (v.1). So take clear note: 

[A] it is not contemporary, but still future (“in later times”); 

[B] the dual indicators are [i] “they forbid people to marry” and also [ii] “order them to abstain from certain foods” (v.3); 

[C] “such teachings come from hypocritical liars” (v.2) from some who “abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons” (v.1). 

Strong stuff! Nearly 2000 years on, have these things been fulfilled? Is anyone “clearly” advocating celibacy and banning food? 

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READING 

First letter of PAUL to TIMOTHY 

Chapter Four 

Read by David Suchet

===

OVERVIEW

The First letter of PAUL to TIMOTHY 

Overview

(The Bible Project)

https://youtu.be/7RoqnGcEjcs

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STUDY

Letters of PAUL to Timothy 

Study by David Pawson

https://youtu.be/0j0ovlLp4SU

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