Picture a Triangle.  Now divide it in three horizontally.

The base represents–THEOLOGY–This is How we approach life.  This is the foundation of our life.

The middle section represents–PHILOSOPHY–This is our approach to life.  What we think about family, school, friends, …

The top of the triangle represents–APPLICATION–What we choose to do.

What is GRACE–gifts that God gives

What is MERCY–what you really deserve but do not get (punishment for your sins)

With this foundation of information we can now move on to the next section.

We will be looking at verses 1-18–This represents the bottom or base of the triangle.

–Christ’s work on the cross is SUFFICIENT.  No payment is due.  (v 10: 4)  also see Romans 3:21-25  which reads:  But now, apart from law, the righteousness of God has been disclosed, and is attested by the law and the prophets, the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe, For there is no distinction, since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a sacrifice of atonement by his blood, effective through faith.  He did this to show his righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over the sins previously committed:————-comment:  Christ had to come as we could not live up to the Law in the Old Testament.  He came and was the last sacrificial lamb to pay the price once and for all for all of mankinds sins from begining to end.

–Christ’s work on the cross is SUSTAINING–nothing new is needed. (10:10,12,14)  In verse 10:10 it says –And it is by God’s will that we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.  verse 12 goes on to say–But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, “he sat down at the right hand of God,”  and in verse 14 it says–For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.————-comment:  Once Christ came and did the Father’s will, died on the cross and said it was finished; it was finished.  There is nothing new or different needed.  We walk and live by faith in Him.

–Christ’s work on the cross is SANCTIFIED–believeing in him sets up apart from the unbeliever–Christ was the PERFECT sacrifice.  In verses 16 the Lord says: I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds, he also adds, I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.

As I listened to this message and then sat to write it here, I am awestruck.  I think about the fact that I believe that Christ is God’s only son who came here to save the humanity that He loves and created, and I am humbled.  He has chosen to quicken my heart and many others of you out there so we can spend all of eternity with Him.  Why?  …Why  me?  I know in pondering this that He truely is Sufficient–there is nothing that I can add or do to make it more worthy.  That is is Sustaining–I know that He is the begining and the end.  The creator of all things.  I am His.  Because of this I am set apart.

So, I have to sit and ask myself…Because I believe and now the Holy Spirit dwells in me, does my life reflect my Amazing Lord?  Do I share, encourage and grow in Christ?

This is the middle section of the triangle.  This is how we approace life.  It reflects the decisions we make about what we think about things.  (family, friends, school, action choices…)  This is a reflection of our Foundation.  Which is what we believe about Christ.

So, there are three responses of the Confident believer.

–Upward-Draw near to God. (see Heb 4:16)  Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.  (ver 10:19,22) Therefore, my friends, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, …let us approace with a true heart in full assurance of faith with our heart sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.  comment–this is amazing.  now we can go before our Lord with confidence, we can receive grace, help, comfort and much more.  In this world of constant desires that do not satisfy, we can now go and be totally filled up with everything we truely need.  How blessed we are.

–Inward-Hold fast (seize)  the confession.  (ver 10:23)  Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful.–comment–This is were we can help each other I think.  Times can be hard, the devil will try with all his might to trip us up.  He will plant doubt, anger, and anything else he can use to get us to turn away.  I feel an urgency to hang on with all my might.  To never let go of that loving life line to the Lord.  What more can be said.  HANG ON WITH ALL THAT IS WITHIN YOU!!

–Outward-Stir one another-I believe that is God’s wish, that we encourage and stimulate each other to stay the course.  We need to help push each other toward the Lord.  (ver 10:24)  And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, ————-

Our walk with the Lord is a daily path of growth.  We need each other.  I am amazed at this chapter of Hebrews.  I hope you will spend time in it reading and seeing all the verses that the Lord shows you that I did not mention here.

We are doing a study with our High Schoolers this year.  We are going through the book of Hebrews.  I am enjoying it so much I want to share it with you.  I will also be adding some info from other resourses.  I will name them as I go.  Hope you enjoy and the Lord opens your eyes and mine to new understanding of his word.  Please feel free to write and share what you have learned.  We should all comfort, encourage and support each other in our Christian walk.