BTR Weekly eNewsletter: Give In, Give Out, Give Up, or Go On to Greater Height

Issue #717 ~ May 16, 2022

Dear Friends,

Thank you for your encouragement and support. We pray you will be blessed daily through the Word. Please freely share this email with others.

Christ is All and in All,

Bible Teaching Resources

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Give In, Give Out, Give Up, or Go On to Greater Heights: Introduction to the Book of Hebrews

The Book of Hebrews

The message of the book is loud and clear. There is no other alternative. We must forget those things which are behind and press toward those things which are in front. We must persevere and press on.

Growth in our Christian lives does not come by service. It comes by learning how to fellowship with the heavenly Father, who wants to bring about His designs in our lives.

The book of Hebrews is a book written to Christians, inspired by a loving Father who issues a number of warnings and desires, with loving restraint, that His children manifest those 2 qualities that He delights to see above all others. Those qualities are submission and obedience.

It would be well this morning for us to pause for a few moments and reflect on some introductory matters that will clarify our own understanding of the book of Hebrews.

There are 3 things that will help us greatly in our comprehension of the message of the book of Hebrews: (1) The folks who are receiving this letter are of Jewish nationality. This explains much of the content and the many references to the Old Testament and the sacrificial system throughout the book. (2) The book is written to genuine believers so the message is for Christians. (3) The group that is receiving the letter is contemplating the possibility of going back to Judaism, away from Christ, because of the persecution and suffering they have experienced.

The writer to the book of Hebrews is pointing out the fact there is no way for man to undo what God has already done and is doing in their lives. Their personal neglect of growing in grace and the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ will be met with some serious consequences at the judgment seat of Christ.

Let's reflect further on these challenges: (1) Don't even think of quitting; (2) It is impossible to stop growth and start over; (3) We will be held accountable at the judgment seat of Christ; (4) Life abundant comes when we are cooperating with the circumstances in our lives designed by our heavenly Father for growth; and (5) Growth involves discipline, desire, determination, and dedication.

Our attitude should be displayed in adopting what Paul says to the Philippians in Philippians 3:14: "I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (NASB).

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Praises & Prayer Requests

1. Praise: And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins. He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. Hebrews 1:3 (NASB)

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2. Pray: What we actually see is Jesus, after being made temporarily inferior to the angels (and so subject to pain and death), in order that he should, in God's grace, taste death for every man, now crowned with glory and honor.

Hebrews 2:9 (J.B. Phillips)

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3. Pray: For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. Hebrews 5:13 (NASB)

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4. Praise: Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Hebrews 13:8 (NASB)

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5. Pray: For the Prison Ministry of BTR. Requests from inmates for Bibles and related study material continues to grow. If you would like to provide a gift to this ministry please note on your gift.

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My heart is welling up in worship as we launch into these new studies, singing that great hymn "Higher Ground":

I'm pressing on the upward way, New heights I'm gaining eve'ry day;

Still praying as I'm onward bound, "Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.

My heart has no desire to stay Where doubts arise and fears dismay;

Tho' some may dwell where these abound, My prayer, my aim is higher ground.

I want to live above the world, Tho' Satan's darts at me are hurled;

For faith has caught the joyful sound, The song of saints on higher ground.

I want to scale the utmost height And catch a gleam of glory bright;

But still I'll pray till Heav'n I've found, "Lord, lead me on to higher ground."

Lord, lift me up and let me stand, By faith, on Heaven's tableland,

A higher plane that I have found; Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.