Have you been there?

It is in the area of Tabgha.  I have a dish that I purchased from there sitting on my desk presently.  I pulled it off a nearby shelf, and I am staring at a mosaic pattern of two fish and a basket of bread (Scroll down on this site for a pic). 

This Sunday morning, we will be looking at John 21:1-11.  The biblical text is open in front of me, tonight.

I just finished reading Gary Burge in the  “contemporary significance” commentary (pp. 595-596) of this text in The NIV Application Commentary.  He shares the very musings of my heart.

I don’t know what to say tonight except this . . .

I feel reborn with gospel joy.

I am at a loss of words.

Questions for Hebrews 8

Observation

1.  What is the main point?
2. Where is our high priest seated?
3. What if Jesus were on the earth? (v. 4)
4. What was the warning by God to Moses?
5. The author of Hebrews took its readers 600 years back to the words of what prophet?
6. The New Covenant is made with whom?
7. Where will the laws be put?
8. Why is there no need for teaching in the New Covenant?
9. What will happen to the sins?
10. What happens to the old covenant?  Is it a bad covenant?

Interpretation

1. What is the true tabernacle?
2. How is the priesthood of Jesus far superior to that of Aaron?
3. Who fulfills the new covenant? 
4. Has the church replaced Israel as the participant in the new covenant?  Is the new covenant only with the nation of Israel?  Are there two new covenants – one for Israel and one for the New Testament (Covenant) Church?  Or is it that the Church participates only soteriologically and Israel participates eschatologically?
5. Have we seen the full fulfillment of the New Covenant?

Application

1.  If Jesus is seated, how does that relate to your sin problem?
2. If Jesus is our high priest in heaven, should you feel disadvantage by not having an earthly priest?
3. Are you under the old covenant or new covenant?
4. What does the new covenant guarantee for you?
5. As Hebrews 8 declares the true tabernacle, why do people in S.E. Idaho spend so much time focusing on earthly tabernacles today?

Hebrews 7 is a very theological, rich chapter  . . .  a lot of food for thought.  Read it, friends.

1.  Prophet, Priest, Seer – How come it isn’t Prophet, Priest, King?

2.  Are you without father, without mother, without genealogy?  Then who is?

3.  If you are at the elevated status of a preexistent Son of God, how come the devil doesn’t come to you and ask, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”

4.  To whom ultimately do you pay your tithe?  Why?

5.  Do the sons of Levi come to your house and collect a tenth from you?  Is this Christ’s law?

6.  What need is there for a contemporary Aaronic priesthood in S.E. Idaho?  If the Melchizedek priesthood shares the better hope, why continue the Aaronic priesthood?

7.  The Melchizedek Priest perfects people.  Right?

8.  No priest abides forever except one.  Right?

9.  No priest saves forever except one.  Right?

10.  Do you think the “Melchizedek priests” in Idaho Falls fulfill Psalm 110:4?

This is interesting news (HT: SI).

Is this the prelude to a Mitt Romney and Sarah Palin speaking engagement? (chuckling)

It has been a good night.

Tonight, at Grace Baptist Church in Salt Lake City, I listened to a sermon, a theological overview, and an exhortation by Dr. Kevin Bauder on the issue of biblical inerrancy.

I agree with Kevin.  Inerrancy is a watershed issue and a fundamental to my Christian faith.

One third of American evangelicals don’t believe in biblical inerrancy.  Another third of American evangelicals don’t believe that it is a heart issue to get upset over.  And then there is the last third who consider the doctrine of biblical inerrancy to be foundational.

Are you curious to hear about a key biblical text shared on this issue and then the four stages of development surrounding this debate in the last four decades in America?

Hebrews Questions for Chapter 6

(This is what we are delving into here tonight in Ammon, Idaho.)

Observation

1.  What is the elementary teaching about the Christ?
2. Who “have” what (vv. 4-6)?  List the five haves about them.
3. What is it impossible for them to do?
4. Why?
5. What is the concluding point in verses 7-8 to illustrate this?
6. Provide a summary statement of verses 1-8.
7. What is the “but” in verse 9 contrasting?
8. What is God’s promise?
9. What two things are unchangeable?
10. What is the anchor of the soul?

Interpretation

1.  What is the “instruction about washings”?
2. What is the “laying on of hands”?
3. Can a man lose his salvation?
4. Do you think that the ones who have fallen away in verse 6 and the “beloved” in verse 9 are separate groups?
5. Do we become high priests forever like Jesus in the order of Melchizedek?

Application

1.  What hope is there for those who apostasize?
2. Will God forget your work of love?
3. Will you be diligent to the very end?
4. Who can you imitate?
5. In what area of your life, have you been tempted to quit running in the race?

It is an unbiblical question to ask in Southeastern Idaho in light of the scriptures that you have in your possession.

Hebrews 6:13 shares with us:  “For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself.”

And here are two more truths about God.

• God is not unrighteous (Hebrews 6:10)
• It’s impossible for God to lie (Hebrews 6:18 – you really can trust His Word in these days of apostasy.)

He is the source of salvation to those who obey Him (Heb. 5:9).

Now what is involved in obeying Him so that one might experience eternal salvation?

That is a fundamental question in Idaho Falls.

Certainly, if you are not obeying Jesus Christ, you are in big danger.

What do you think of this guy?

Would you agree with these propositions maintained by him (HT: Alister McGrath)?

1. Adam’s sin harmed only himself, not the human race as a whole.
2. Children are born in the same state as Adam before his fall.
3. The Law of Moses is just as good at leading us to heaven as the gospel of Christ.

Jumping ahead in Hebrews in my own personal study, I am thinking of the question posed in Hebrews 7:11,

Now if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the people received the Law), what further need was there for another priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be designated according to the order of Aaron? (NASB)

Does the extensive organizational structure of the LDS Aaronic and Melchizedek priesthood permeating every aspect of our religious culture follow closely the line of authoritative reasoning set forth by the author of Hebrews?