Climbing Higher

The Hebrew believers are feeling tired and discouraged about their discipleship.  They are tempted to give up.  But the author encourages them.  He doesn't tell them that it will be easy, but he reminds them of the resources they have that will help them to continue following Christ with renewed energy.

Life With Christ

Those who put their faith in Christ are described in the Bible as "new creatures in Christ" and "alive from the dead."  We have been rescued from the dominion of darkness and transferred into the kingdom of God's dear son. We have been identified with the death of Christ for our sins and now we are to live with Christ in "newness of life."

What does that look like?  Is it complicated?  What should we do?

Hebrews 13:1-6 reveals that our life with Christ shows up particularly in our relationships.

God Has Spoken

There is no doubt that God has spoken. The question is, what will you do about it?

Our Path Forward

What should Christians do when the going gets tough?  Should they sit down and quit?  Should they go back to their old life?  How should they respond to the discouragement they feel and the persecution they fear?

Divine Discipline

Discipline is not a pleasant thing to endure, but it produces good results in our lives.  We are constantly faced with encouragement to be disciplined in getting exercise and in controlling our diet.  At the same time many people in our culture think disciplining children is generally a bad thing.

God thinks parents should discipline their children and he sets the example by disciplining his spiritual children.

Looking Unto Jesus

The author of Hebrews was writing to Christians who had come out of Judaism.  Now they were tempted to give up on Christianity and go back to Judaism because they were discouraged and persecution was heating up.

But the author says - "Look at Jesus."  He is the founder and perfecter of our faith.  When we consider who Jesus is and what he has done for us, how could we consider going back to any other religious system?

In The Long Run

The Hebrew Christians were discouraged and tempted to drop out... but the author of Hebrews says that is inconsistent with a life of faith.  We are not called to run a sprint.  We are in a marathon race - onward and upward for the glory of God.