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HEBREWS – LESSON 8

I. THE PERFECT (COMPLETE) AND FINAL FAITH OF THE CHRISTIAN DISPENSATION (12:1-29)

A. Jesus  is the Author and Perfector of our faith (v. 1-3)

1. The examples of people living by faith witness to us as we walk by faith today (v.1 a)

2. Run the race before us – laying aside the weight and sin which hinders us (v.1b)

            3. Look to Jesus for our example in how we should run our race (v. 2-3)

    

B. Perils threatening the life of faith (v. 4-17)

1. Failure to respond to the chastening of the Lord (v. 4-13)

2. Falling short of the grace of God – like Esau (v. 14-17)

 

C. The nature of the old covenant in contrast with that of the new covenant             (v. 18-24)

1. The terror of the old (v. 18-21)

2. The mercy of the new (v. 22-24)

D. God’s sobering warning (v. 25-29)

            1. Do not refuse God’s warning from heaven- you will not escape (v.25)

2. God will make heaven and earth shake as those things not eternal shall pass (v. 26-27).

3. Receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken let us offer service to our God who is a consuming fire (v. 28-29)

QUESTIONS:

1. What physical picture of the life of the Christian is conveyed in verses 1-3?

2. Who are the “cloud of witnesses” and how do they witness to us today?

3. What is “the sin which doth so easily beset us”?

4. What quality do we need as we journey toward heaven?

5. Why must we look to Jesus as we journey?

6. Was Jesus’ suffering at Calvary merely suffering the physical pain of crucifixion?  Explain.

7. To what extent of suffering had the readers of this Epistle not experienced yet?

8. What was the “chastening of the Lord” the readers were receiving?

9. Should we expect to gain heaven without some chastening?

10. In verses 6-11, give three results of God’s chastening that those who had forgotten (v.5) need to remember?

  

11. Does verse 9 say anything about the nature of man?  What does it say?

12. In verses 12-13, what “picture”  do you see?

13. Where was the healing to be found?  

         

14. What two characteristics were the people of God to have in such difficult times?

15. Why should the readers look diligently or carefully?

16. Describe the type of person who was apparently among the readers that Esau exemplifies?

17. What was the tragic event in Esau’s life that exemplifies what some of the readers will experience?

18. In verses 18-29, what “two mounts” are under consideration?

19. To what mount had the readers come?

20. Is the church connected with this mount?

21. Is “the church of the firstborn” referring to Christ or the saints that comprise the assembly?

22. Have the things mentioned as connected with this mount played an important part in developing the theme of this Epistle? Explain.

23. In verses 25-27, identify the two “shakings”.

24. Do we have a greater responsibility to listen to God today than the Jews did in their  day under the first covenant? Explain.

25. What is the significance of the “second shaking”?

 

26. Give “two reasons”  why it is important to be in God’s kingdom today?

27. Is the church identified with the kingdom in Scripture? Explain.

28. In summing up this chapter, what two things must occur in everyone’s life if we are to reach heaven?