Mark Hunnicutt

Hebrews 4:6-12 Work then rest daily until you rest from work eternally…

Scripture

¹⁰ For all who have entered into God's rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world. ¹¹ So let us do our best to enter that rest. But if we disobey God, as the people of Israel did, we will fall.

¹² For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.

 

Observations

 

• God's rest is an eternal rest
• We rest AFTER work
• God modeled this type of rest
• This is the right rhythm of life
• We can't rest in disobedience
• How I respond and react to God's word is a HUGE sign of my direction

 

Applications

 

• Rest after working for God
• Tune up this rhythm in my life
• Unrest equals disobedience
• Use God's Word as direction

 

Prayer

 

Lord, as I follow You there is a pace and rhythm to life. My desire is not to be before You or after You. Work then rest daily until I rest from my work eternally. I also thank You for Your Word, my course map, that corrects and directs the path You have for me.

Hebrews 3:18-4:5 Real rest comes from hearing and heeding God’s voice…

Scripture

² God's promise of entering his rest still stands, so we ought to tremble with fear that some of you might fail to experience it. ² For this good news—that God has prepared this rest—has been announced to us just as it was to them. But it did them no good because they didn't share the faith of those who listened to God.

 

Observations

 

• God's promise doesn't have an out of date stamp
• Paul's fear was that others would miss this rest
• This rest is an experience
• The good news equals rest
• Rest comes after hearing and heeding God's voice

 

Applications

 

• Redeem God's promises TODAY
• Ask God for a concern that people be calm in Him
• Meditate today on how to verbalize rest
• Right with God and others = rest. Check up!
• Delete the noise in my life to better hear God

 

Prayer

 

God, I don't think I've ever asked you to burden me with the unrest in those in whom I have a relationship. Lord I pray today that I have a compassion for their rest that only comes from You. I lift up the shaken to You today and ask that You speak to them. I ask that whatever is keeping them from hearing and heading Your Word be torn down.

 

Hebrews 3:11-17 I need to mute social distractions and selfish desires…

Scripture

11      So in my anger I took an oath:

'They will never enter my place of rest.' "

12 Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God. 13 You must warn each other every day, while it is still "today," so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God. 14 For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ…

19 So we see that because of their unbelief they were not able to enter his rest.

Observations

• God got angry
• No rest in disobedience
• Be careful, consider, take a look, visualize the two choices
• My heart will pull my eyes away from God
• Fellowship is huge
• Desires of the heart can be deceptive
• Stay on the course of faithfulness
• Unbelief may fulfill my selfish desires but not salvations destiny

Applications

• View God's total character including justified anger
• No peace means my pace is off
• Really take a look at my rhythm and where it leads
• Thank those that are warning me
• Kill my selfish desires
• Keep moving forward daily with a fresh devoted faith

Prayers

God, when you saved me I was looking to You with excitement and anticipation. It was so fresh. I ask that social distractions and selfish desires be revealed in my life to keep me on the path of faithfulness. I don't want to be dead in the desert when rest is a few steps away. I love You and ask for Your blessing and guidance.

Hebrews 3:4-10 Give me the courage and confidence to live out daily lessons You teach me…

Scripture

4 For every house has a builder, but the one who built everything is God.

5 Moses was certainly faithful in God's house as a servant. His work was an illustration of the truths God would reveal later. 6 But Christ, as the Son, is in charge of God's entire house. And we are God's house, if we keep our courage and remain confident in our hope in Christ.

7 That is why the Holy Spirit says,

"Today when you hear his voice,

8      don't harden your hearts

as Israel did when they rebelled,

when they tested me in the wilderness.

9      There your ancestors tested and tried my patience,

even though they saw my miracles for forty years.

10      So I was angry with them, and I said,

'Their hearts always turn away from me.

They refuse to do what I tell them.'

Observations

• God is ultimate creator
• OT is pictures and the NT is principles
• Christ is in charge and should be large in the house
• Courage and confidences is key to faithfulness
• TODAY when you hear His voice our response should not be rebellion
• Israel was the ultimate hard heart house

Applications

• Listen TODAY for God's instructions and directions
• Rest in the process because I know the purpose
• Make Jesus and his Word big in my houses
• Be involved in God sized task that take courage and confidence
• Don't refuse to listen and learn

Prayer

God, how can a people so close to You, in a tangible way, not listen and learn. I ask you in the houses that I build that they meet Your code and that I'm in communion and communication with You. Speak to me TODAY. Give me the courage and confidence to live out the lesson You teach me.

Hebrews 2:8-14 Don’t let what you don’t know about Jesus affect what you do know…

Scripture

9 What we do see is Jesus, who was given a position "a little lower than the angels"; and because he suffered death for us, he is now "crowned with glory and honor." Yes, by God's grace, Jesus tasted death for everyone. 10 God, for whom and through whom everything was made, chose to bring many children into glory. And it was only right that he should make Jesus, through his suffering, a perfect leader, fit to bring them into their salvation.

14 Because God's children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death.

Observations

• Jesus is our reality
• Lowered Himself
• Through suffering & grace obtained honor
• God chose Jesus position and mine
• Jesus is the perfect leader
• Jesus knows me
• Jesus conquered the devil and death

Applications

• Don't let what you don't know about Jesus affect what you do know
• Bring "every" need to Jesus because He knows
• Give Jesus the honor He deserves by not competing with Him
• Celebrate hope through Jesus' conquering death

Prayer

God, it is such a comfort to know that you are more than a relic or a good idea. You are my conquering King and You can empathize with my needs and wants. The question is not, if you are a perfect leader it is if I'm a good follower? You are not my problem You are my solution and satisfaction!!!

Hebrews 2:1-7 It is not my design or destiny to drift from Truth…

Scripture

1 So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it. 2 For the message God delivered through angels has always stood firm, and every violation of the law and every act of disobedience was punished. 3 So what makes us think we can escape if we ignore this great salvation that was first announced by the Lord Jesus himself and then delivered to us by those who heard him speak? 4 And God confirmed the message by giving signs and wonders and various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit whenever he chose.

5 And furthermore, it is not angels who will control the future world we are talking about. 6 For in one place the Scriptures say,

"What are mere mortals that you should think about them,

or a son of man that you should care for him?

7      Yet you made them only a little lower than the angels

and crowned them with glory and honor.

Observations

• It is easy to drift if truth is just noise
• If God holds people accountable for what the angels said how much more is He going to hold us accountable for what Jesus said?
• The Apostles had authority
• God confirmed the message
• Jesus is constant
• My soul is constant

Applications

• Make truth more than just noise
• What truth I'm I not obeying?
• Match my soul to my Savior in every choice in life
• Concentrate on eternity

Prayer

God it is Your desire and my design to not drift from Your truth. I ask that I hold Your truth up above all the other noise in my life. Give me the strength and the resolve to fight flesh until my future destiny is complete. Thank You God that you are not working on my time scale. Give me the right perspective as I wait for You and Your Kingdom.

Hebrews 1:8-14 God’s Word never gives equality to anyone or anything when revealing Jesus…

Scripture

8 But to the Son he says,

"Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever.

You rule with a scepter of justice.

13 And God never said to any of the angels,

"Sit in the place of honor at my right hand

until I humble your enemies,

making them a footstool under your feet."

14 Therefore, angels are only servants—spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation.

Observations

• "But" – this is a contrast for the people comparing Jesus to good men or angels
• Jesus is eternal ruler
• Jesus is eternal judge
• God never gives equally billing to anyone or anything when it comes to Jesus
• Angels are servants and Jesus is the Savoir

Applications

• See Jesus through eternal lenses today
• When I stand before Jesus there will be nothing but me and Jesus, period. Live like it…
• Never give equal billing or time to anyone or anything but JESUS

Prayer

God, when all is said, done and sung it is going to be about Jesus and Your glory! I ask that you empower me today live a life of abandonment to Jesus and His commands and commission.

Hebrew 1:1-7 Simplify spirituality by grasping the supremacy of Jesus…

SOAP Hebrews

Background

• In a greater sense, though, the question of authorship doesn't really matter, for, truly, God is the author of Hebrews ultimately. In reality, the entire Bible is the autobiography of God…
• The Book of Hebrews was addressed to Jewish believers who were being pulled back into Judaism.
• That is why there are very sober warnings throughout the book, saying, "If you go back to the old religion and ritual, you nullify the work Christ did on the Cross for you. Don't complicate your faith. Keep it simple. Keep it focused. Keep it centered on Jesus."
• These Jewish Christians were probably undergoing fierce persecution, socially and physically, both from Jews and from Romans. Christ had not returned to establish his kingdom, and the people needed to be reassured that Christianity was true and that Jesus was indeed the Messiah.

Scripture

1 Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. 2 And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe. 3 The Son radiates God's own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven. 4 This shows that the Son is far greater than the angels, just as the name God gave him is greater than their names.

Observations

• Jesus is the final Word
• Jesus was/is God in the flesh
• If I want to know God I've got to know Jesus
• Jesus is spokesman, creator, radiator of glory, model, sustainer, cleanser and greater!
• Jesus is sitting at the right hand of the Father

Application

• God will give nothing more or less than Jesus! So, make my life about Him
• Simplify my spirituality by grasping the sufficiency of Jesus
• Make his name great!

Prayer

Lord, I have seasons of doubt and disappointment in my life and ministry. I thank you for the supremacy of Jesus! I ask that you help me to lift my head high by looking to Him! My life should be summed up with on word, Jesus. Thank You for revealing to me this transforming reminder.

SOAP Spiritual Exercise Plan? An 8 Week Invitation Through The Book Of Hebrews…

This is an invitation to walk together through Hebrews for eight weeks.  I pray that as you commit and concentrate on God's Word that your life would be more consecrated to Christ. 

 

Monday, April 19, 2010	Hebrews 1:1-7
Tuesday, April 20, 2010	Hebrews 1:8-14
Wednesday, April 21, 2010	Hebrews 2:1-7
Thursday, April 22, 2010	Hebrews 2:8-14
Friday, April 23, 2010	Hebrews 2:15-3:3
Monday, April 26, 2010	Hebrews 3:4-10
Tuesday, April 27, 2010	Hebrews 3:11-17
Wednesday, April 28, 2010	Hebrews 3:18-4:5
Thursday, April 29, 2010	Hebrews 4:6-12
Friday, April 30, 2010	Hebrews 4:13-5:3
Monday, May 3, 2010	Hebrews 5:4-10
Tuesday, May 4, 2010	Hebrews 5:11-6:3
Wednesday, May 5, 2010	Hebrews 6:4-10
Thursday, May 6, 2010	Hebrews 6:11-17
Friday, May 7, 2010	Hebrews 6:18-7:4
Monday, May 10, 2010	Hebrews 7:5-11
Tuesday, May 11, 2010	Hebrews 7:12-18
Wednesday, May 12, 2010	Hebrews 7:19-25
Thursday, May 13, 2010	Hebrews 7:26-8:4
Friday, May 14, 2010	Hebrews 8:5-11
Monday, May 17, 2010	Hebrews 8:12-9:5
Tuesday, May 18, 2010	Hebrews 9:6-12
Wednesday, May 19, 2010	Hebrews 9:13-18
Thursday, May 20, 2010	Hebrews 9:19-25
Friday, May 21, 2010	Hebrews 9:26-10:3
Monday, May 24, 2010	Hebrews 10:4-10
Tuesday, May 25, 2010	Hebrews 10:11-16
Wednesday, May 26, 2010	Hebrews 10:17-23
Thursday, May 27, 2010	Hebrews 10:24-29
Friday, May 28, 2010	Hebrews 10:30-36
Monday, May 31, 2010	Hebrews 10:37-11:3
Tuesday, June 1, 2010	Hebrews 11:4-10
Wednesday, June 2, 2010	Hebrews 11:11-16
Thursday, June 3, 2010	Hebrews 11:17-23
Friday, June 4, 2010	Hebrews 11:24-29
Monday, June 7, 2010	Hebrews 11:30-36
Tuesday, June 8, 2010	Hebrews 11:37-12:2
Wednesday, June 9, 2010	Hebrews 12:3-9
Thursday, June 10, 2010	Hebrews 12:10-15
Friday, June 11, 2010	Hebrews 12:16-22
Monday, June 14, 2010	Hebrews 12:23-28
Tuesday, June 15, 2010	Hebrews 12:29-13:6
Wednesday, June 16, 2010	Hebrews 13:7-12
Thursday, June 17, 2010	Hebrews 13:13-19
Friday, June 18, 2010	Hebrews 13:20-25

 

Background

 

By way of introduction, I would like you to note three things about this fabulous Book of Hebrews: its author, its audience, its argument.…

 

Author

Debates have raged for almost two thousand years concerning the author of this book. Many scholars believe it has the fingerprints of Dr. Luke all over it. Others insist the eloquence of the Book of Hebrews argues for the orator Apollos, the powerful speaker mentioned in the Book of Acts, and also alluded to in the first Corinthian Epistle. It could be Apollos; it could be Luke. One thing, however, is certain: Whoever penned this epistle had an intense understanding of theology combined with an immense Greek vocabulary. And these two factors point me personally to the apostle Paul. Not only did Paul's brilliant mind give him a greater grasp of the Greek language than any other man throughout history, but his understanding of Old Testament theology was unrivaled as well.

In a greater sense, though, the question of authorship doesn't really matter, for, truly, God is the author of Hebrews ultimately. In reality, the entire Bible is the autobiography of God—all the way from Genesis to Revelation. And when a person writes an autobiography, he doesn't try to prove his authorship or existence. Therefore, those who engage in endless debates trying to prove the existence of God do something that God felt no need to do—for from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21, the underlying premise is that God is, and that He Himself wrote His Autobiography, His Word.

 

Audience

The Book of Hebrews was addressed to Jewish believers who were being pulled back into Judaism. Living in Jerusalem, no doubt each time they heard the trumpets sounding from the courtyard of the temple, reminded of their heritage and history, they found themselves drawn back into the religion and rituals of the Levitical system. Jesus came to establish a New Covenant, the New Testament. That is why there are very sober warnings throughout the book, saying, "If you go back to the old religion and ritual, you nullify the work Christ did on the Cross for you. Don't complicate your faith. Keep it simple. Keep it focused. Keep it centered on Jesus."

 

Argument

The argument of the Book of Hebrews is that Jesus Christ is superior to the old way of religion. He is superior in His majesty because, as the Son of God, He is superior to angels, to Moses, to Joshua, and to the entire Levitical system. And He is superior in ministry because, as the Son of Man, He died for us. He relates to us. He works with us.

I think we're going to be blessed greatly in the study of this book because the theme and message is to point out the sufficiency and beauty of Jesus—always a grand endeavor. - Jon Courson's Application Bible

 

Purpose: To present the superiority of Christ over Judaism.

 

Author: Unknown. Paul, Luke, Barnabas, Apollos, Silas, Priscilla, and others have been suggested because the name of the author is not given in the biblical text itself. Whoever it was speaks of Timothy as a "brother" (13:23).

 

To whom written: Hebrew Christians (perhaps second-generation Christians, see 2:3) who may have been considering a return to Judaism, perhaps because of immaturity stemming from a lack of understanding of biblical truths; and all believers in Christ.

 

Date written: Probably before the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem in a.d. 70, because the religious sacrifices and ceremonies are referred to in the book, but no mention is made of the temple's destruction.

 

Setting: These Jewish Christians were probably undergoing fierce persecution, socially and physically, both from Jews and from Romans. Christ had not returned to establish his kingdom, and the people needed to be reassured that Christianity was true and that Jesus was indeed the Messiah.

 

Key verse: "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" 1:3

 

Key people: Old Testament men and women of faith (chapter 11).

Special features: Although Hebrews is called a "letter" (13:22), it has the form and the content of a sermon.

 

Outline:

I.     THE SUPERIORITY OF CHRIST (1:1–10:18)

A.     Christ is greater than the angels

B.     Christ is greater than Moses

C.     Christ is greater than the Old Testament priesthood

D.     The new covenant is greater than the old

II.     THE SUPERIORITY OF FAITH (10:19–13:25)

 

(Adapted from – Life Application Bible Commentary)

 

Tools:  S.O.A.P. Bible Study Method

 

http://www.divinementor.com

 

Click on the link and watch intro video and steps to the S.O.A.P. method.  Pay careful attention to the "how to" S.O.A.P. Sample you can also see my examples at www.markhunnicutt.com

 

S = Scripture
Type out the verse or verses that stood out to you. 

O = Observation
What is that verse saying?

A = Application
How does that verse apply to you today?

P = Prayer
Type out a prayer that expresses your heart to God

 

Set a goal to SOAP it up weekly 5 out of 7 days.  Use the other 2 days to review, catch up and personally journal the 4 D questions. 

 

• What spiritual disciplines did I practice this week?
• What is God doing in me?
• What is God doing around me?
• What is God doing through me?

 

I'm excited about what God is going to do in your life and I want to encourage you to partner with someone for this journey.  Email your daily S.O.A.P. journal and weekend 4D journal to your accountability partner/s. If you don't have a partner I would love to read your insights. mark@mudcreekchurch.org

 

2 Thess 3:1-5 – Empower me to practice biblical application and model Kingdom anticipation…

Scripture

1Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we ask you to pray for us. Pray that the Lord's message will spread rapidly and be honored wherever it goes, just as when it came to you. 2 Pray, too, that we will be rescued from wicked and evil people, for not everyone is a believer. 3 But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. 4 And we are confident in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we commanded you. 5 May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ.

Observations

• Paul loved this people
• Asked for self last
• Prayer – message would be quick and honored
• Prayer – protection from evil, not everyone is believer
• His desire is for them to stay in the context of Lordship
• He wanted them to practice what they knew and wait for the Kingdom

Applications

• Love people today!
• Give and live
• Thank the people that pray for me
• Ask more people to pray for me
• Push people towards Lordship
• Preach application and anticipation

Prayer

God, I want to thank you for allowing me to walk with Paul through this incredible letter. I desire to love people today more than myself. Bless the people that pray for other ministers and ministries. Bring me into a deeper understanding of Lordship so it draws people to that context. Empower me to practice biblical application and model Kingdom anticipation.