Hebrews Bible Study Chapter 4. Chapter 4 of Hebrews reverts to the theme of Chapter 3, the Promise of entering a Coming Rest. Paul writes, v1, ‘Let us fear therefore lest, a promise being left us of entering into His Rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.’ In v4, you see that Paul is linking this Rest to the Seventh Day of Creation. For six days God created – and on the seventh day, He rested from His Work. This is a picture of the 1000-year Rest, the Millennial reign of Christ on earth which still to come!
The faithfulness of Jesus!
The superiority of Jesus
Hebrews Bible Study Chapter 1. The first chapter of Hebrews describes in detail how Jesus Christ fulfils the prophecies of the Old Testament. In the past God spoke to His people by various means: Isaiah, in visions; Jacob, in dreams; whilst to Abraham and Moses, God spoke personally. But now God speaks through Jesus. Jesus is the fulfilment and culmination of God’s revelation. When we know Jesus, we have all we need to be saved and have a perfect relationship with God.
Sons and daughters of God
People ask me, who is your successor? My answer is, I have no successor! I haven’t finished my job yet, and I won’t quit until the job is finished! But more and more young pastors and leaders are coming to me for help and advice; I want to encourage others to follow in my steps, and do as I have done for the last 73 years in full-time ministry. That’s why I have chosen Paul’s first letter to Timothy - whom he describes as his ‘true son in the faith’ - because I want to talk to you as MY true sons and daughters in the faith.
The Power of Prayer
Trust God's timing
We need to trust God's timing. As I look back over my life I can see that God always had a specific purpose, and a specific time. In Habakkuk 1:2, the prophet cries out, 'O Lord, how long shall I cry, and You will not hear?' We all have times when we are unable to pray. The need is so great, the pain is more than we can bear. But I want you to trust God's timing.
God your deliverer
We must expect God to move in Power today. In Exodus 3:2 the Angel of the Lord appeared to Moses in a flame of fire in the middle of a bush. Moses was not expecting to meet with God, and he did not see Him, he simply saw a BUSH ON FIRE. If you were walking along the street, and you saw a tree on fire, you would go and look. But when Moses looked, it was not normal, the fire was in the tree, but the tree was not burnt! It was the evidence of the presence of God like burning fire!
Your words contain miracles
There are miracles in the words you speak. If you really believe what you say, you will speak – and the mountain will move! Whatever you say, if you speak with faith and authority, and don’t doubt, you will be healed, your family will be blessed, your financial burden will move – even if these things are mountains in your life! But let this be a warning – watch your tongue – the miracle is in your mouth!!
The Gift of Perseverance
Perseverance: this is a major issue for us; our faith has to face a test. James is not talking about a gift of faith, but the very faith in God which is the foundation of our salvation; we are saved by faith. James is talking about the testing of the very essence of our salvation. This is the whole theme of this first chapter. The testing of our faith in the very promises of God.
Faithful to the Calling
“Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving” (Colossians 4:2). This theme runs right through Scripture, watching, praying – with thanksgiving – faithfulness in prayer! There is a big responsibility for us in this. Paul says here in v3, “Pray for us that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ for which I am in chains.” There must be constant prayer from me and from you – pray! Just like Paul, I need prayer that God will open doors.