The document provides an overview of the book of Hebrews and the New Testament. It discusses how Hebrews was an enigma due to uncertainties around its authorship, date, and audience. The document then summarizes the key themes and structure of Hebrews, showing how Jesus is superior to prophets like Moses and priests like Aaron. It analyzes some of the interpretive challenges in Hebrews and provides summaries of the five warnings in the book about the danger of falling away from Christianity.

1. Foundations (Year Two)
“Encountering the New Testament”
Session #7. Encountering
HEBREWS & JAMES.

2. Written earlier:
The NT Writings Letter of James (40’s/50’s)
Letters of Paul: Written later:
Galatians (48/49 CE) Letters of Peter (64-66)
1 & 2 Thessalonians (51-52) Mark (68-70 )
1 & 2 Corinthians (53-57) Matthew (70-80)
Romans (56-57) Luke-Acts (70-80)
Prison letters (61-62):
Hebrews (50’s/60’s?)
(Colossians, Ephesians,
Philemon & Philippians) Letter of Jude (50’s ?)
Pastoral letters (64-66): Writings of John:
(1, 2 Timothy & Titus)
Gospel, Letters &
Revelation (90-96)

3. “To the Hebrews”
An enigma
Who wrote it?
When was it written?
To whom was it written?
Why was it written (the circumstances)?
Where was it written from…to?
 Why did it take so long to be accepted?

4. Robert Jewett
“Although the letter to the Hebrews is ranked as the
most sophisticated writing in all the NT…and
despite the fact that it contains several eloquent
texts for sermons, the message of Hebrews as a
whole has never played a decisive role for the
Christian community throughout history.”
Why?

5. Interpretative problems
Who was the author?
It requires a thorough knowledge and familiarity
with OT history, religion & culture
Cryptic references (angels, heavenly sanctuaries,
cloud of witnesses, Melchizedek, Mt. Zion)
What was the danger facing the readers & were
they even Christians?
Why the emphasis on the superiority (& humanity)
of Jesus?
Major question: has Christianity replaced
Judaism?

6. Authorship?
The favorites:
Paul
Barnabas
Luke
Apollos
Priscilla
Others: Silas, Epaphras, Clement

7. “To the Hebrews”?
“Jewish Christians” (cf. James 1:1; 1 Peter 1:1)
In Jerusalem (Mt Zion), Alexandria, Rome, in general?
“Those from Italy greet you” (13:24)
“This covenant…will soon disappear” (8:13)
Are the Temple services still going on? Pre. 70 CE?
Nero’s persecution 64 CE (cf. 10:32-34; 12:4)
 The danger:
Falling back into Judaism, not going on to maturity.

8. Hebrews
A sermon…not a letter!
“my word of exhortation” (13:22 cf. Acts 13:15)
Themes: Discipleship (“go on to maturity”)
Persecution (10:32; 12:4)
Christianity vs Judaism
Who is Jesus Christ for us today?

9. Hebrews – A sermon outline
THEOLOGICAL: Intro: Jesus Christ = God’s final revelation
1. Christ – superior messenger to angels 1:4-2:18
 First warning (2:1-4)
2. Christ – superior deliverer to Moses & Joshua 3:1-4:13
 Second warning (3:7-19)
3. Christ – superior priesthood to Aaron 4:14-7:28
 Third warning (5:11-6:8)
4. Christ – superior covenant (old vs. new) 8:1-10:39
 Fourth warning (10:26-31)
PRACTICAL: A faithful life 11:1-40
A disciplined life 12:1-29
 Fifth warning (12:14-29)
Conc: A holy life 13:1-25

10. Hebrews
1-2 3-4:13 4:14-7 8-9 10 11-13
Jesus is always better…
Than
Than As a Providing a Offering
Moses As a way
the High better a better
or of Living
angels Priest Covenant sacrifice
Joshua
How to
Hold to Jesus… live as a
Warning #1. Don’t ignore him! result of
Warning #2. Don’t harden your heart! holding
Warning #3. Don’t turn away! to Jesus
Warning #4. Don’t reject him!
Warning #5. Don’t refuse his offer!

11. Intro. An amazing proposition
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the
prophets at many times and in various ways, but
in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son,
whom he appointed heir of all things, and
through whom also he made the universe…
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!
(now take a breath)

12. What’s so special about Jesus?
He’s the final revelation of God
He’s the creator & sustainer of the universe
He is the exact representation of God
He has provided salvation for our sins
He sits at the right hand of God in heaven
“There is no greater one” SUPERIOR

13. Sermon #1: Jesus is superior to angels
Jesus is the Son of God
Jesus is worshipped & served by angels
Jesus is king/ ruler in God’s kingdom
Jesus is the creator (& redeemer) of heaven and earth
Jesus is Lord
Angels are ministering spirits sent to serve us!

14. What has Jesus ever done for me?
1. Was made a little lower than angels (incarnation)
2. Subjected himself willingly to God
3. Became like one of us/shared in our humanity
4. Shared in our suffering
5. Suffered death (“tasted it for everyone”)
6. Made atonement for our sins
7. Has defeated & will destroy the devil
8. Sets us free from slavery, fear & death
9. Helps us when we are tempted

15. Warning #1. NEGLECT
Therefore we must pay the most careful attention
(guard/ hold on to), to what we have heard, so
that we do not drift (slip) away.
How shall we escape if we ignore/ neglect so great
a salvation (cf. Matt. 22:5)?
This salvation, which was first announced by the
Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard
him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders
and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy
Spirit distributed according to his will.

16. Sermon #2: Jesus is superior to Moses
& Joshua
God’s former house God’s current house
MOSES JESUS
Builder Builder
Faithful as a servant Faithful as a son

17. Salvation (saved from…saved to…)
MOSES JOSHUA
Deliverer Warrior
Led them out of Egypt Led them into Canaan
Exodus from slavery (Sabbath) rest from war
KEY: Delivered from the world…
Entered into the kingdom!

18. Warning #2. UNBELIEF
“Today, if you hear his voice, (3:7-8)
do not harden your hearts
as you did in the rebellion,
during the time of testing in the wilderness.”
“Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts
as you did in the rebellion.” (3:15)
“Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts.” (4:7)
cf. Numbers 13-14; Psalm 95:8-11

19. Antidote to unbelief
Faith in who God is, trust in what he has done and
obedience to what his word says:
“For the word of God is living (filled with breath) and
active (energes), sharper than any double-edged sword:
...it penetrates (pierces) even to dividing soul and spirit,
joints and marrow;
...it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight.
Everything is uncovered (naked) and laid bare (seized by
the throat) before the eyes of him to whom we must give
account.”

20. Sermon #3. Jesus is a superior priest
Summary: Jesus our great, high priest. (4:14-16)
Has gone through the heavens (ie. the tabernacle)
Was tempted in every way
Was without sin
Is able to sympathize with our weakness
Is ready to dispense mercy & grace
 Offered himself as the perfect sacrifice (7:27; 6:19-20)
 Offers eternal salvation as the permanent priest
(5:9; 7:4, 17, 21, 24-25)
“Let us approach (draw near) the throne of grace with
confidence (boldness, assurance)…”

21. Jesus the superior priest
Better than AARON Compared to
MELCHIZEDEK
Chosen by God (Levi)
Selected from among men Priest/ King (Judah)
(but…) Without genealogy
Suffering servant/ son Blessed Abraham
 Abraham (& Levi) paid him
Source of eternal
a tenth
salvation (7:23ff)
Permanent priesthood
Offered the perfect
Always makes intercession
sacrifice (7:26ff)
“You are a priest forever…”

22. Melchi-zedek?
“king of righteousness”
Then Melchizedek, king of Salem (peace), brought
out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most
High (el elyon), and he blessed Abram, saying:
"Blessed be Abram by God Most High,
Creator of heaven and earth.
And praise be to God Most High,
who delivered your enemies into your hand."
Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.
(Gen. 14:18-20; Psalm 110:4)

23. Warning #3. APOSTASY
 Falling away  Going on (to maturity)
It is impossible for those who Therefore let us move beyond
have (1) once been the elementary teachings
enlightened, who have (2) (lit. beginning/ first words)
tasted the heavenly gift, who about Christ and be carried
have (3) shared in the Holy forward to maturity, not laying
Spirit, who have (4) tasted again the foundation of:
the goodness of the word of (1) repentance from acts that
God and the powers of the lead to death,
coming age - and who have
fallen away, to be renewed and of (2) faith in God,
to repentance. (3) instruction about baptisms,
To their loss they are crucifying the (4) laying on of hands,
the Son of God all over again the (5) resurrection of the dead
and subjecting him to public and (6) eternal judgment.
disgrace. (6:4-6)
(6:1-2)

24. Evidences of a genuine faith
“Land that drinks in the rain...produces a crop...is
blessed by God.” (ie. evidences of salvation) – 5:7-12
 Your work (deeds)
& Your love...unto his name
 Your ongoing support (for others)
 Your perseverance
 Your imitation (mimites) of the faithful
“We are confident (have been persuaded) of better
things in your case, things that accompany (lit. are
belonging, holding to) salvation.”

25. Sermon #4. Jesus has made a superior covenant
Jesus, the mediator of a new
covenant (9:15, 12:24)/ guar- "This is the covenant I will make
antee of a better covenant with the house of Israel after that
(7:22). time," declares the LORD.
The promise: "I will put my law in their minds
"The days are coming," declares and write it on their hearts.
the LORD, "when I will make I will be their God,
a new covenant and they will be my people."
with the house of Israel "No longer will they teach their
and with the house of Judah. neighbors, or say to one another,
It will not be like the covenant 'Know the LORD,’…
I made with their ancestors because they will all know me,
when I took them by the hand from the least of them to the
to lead them out of Egypt, greatest," declares the LORD.
because they broke my "For I will forgive their wickedness
covenant, though I was a
husband to them," and will remember their sins no
declares the LORD. more."
(Jeremiah 31:31-34)

26. The new covenant, through Jesus
Last supper/ Lord’s supper (Matt. 27/ Mark 14/ Luke 22)
“This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for
many – Mark (...for the forgiveness of sins” – Matt.)
“This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured
out for you.” – Luke
“In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying,
‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this,
whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ For
whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you
proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.” (1 Cor. 11:25-26)

27. These things may be taken figuratively, for the women represent
two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears
children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar (& Ishmael). Now
Hagar stands for Mount Sinai...and corresponds to the
present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her
children. But the Jerusalem that is above (Sarah & Isaac) is
free, and she is our mother. (Gal. 4:24-26)
Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God. Not
that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for
ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made
us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter
but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives
life...for to this day the same veil remains when the old
covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in
Christ is it taken away. Even to this day when Moses is read, a
veil covers their hearts. But whenever anyone turns to the
Lord, the veil is taken away. (2 Cor. 3:4-6, 14-16)

28. A better covenant (7:22)
Old covenant (Jer. 31) New covenant (9:15)
Broken & obsolete Established & relevant
A shadow The reality
Earthly sanctuary Heavenly sanctuary
High Priest only Christ (Messiah & King)
Once a year Once, for all time
Blood of animals His own blood
Covered sins Forgave/ removed sins
Temporal Eternal
Guilty consciences Cleansed consciences
“He has made the first one obsolete...it will soon disappear.” (8:13)

29. Warning #4. REJECTION
Let us… If we deliberately keep on
sinning after we have received
Draw near to God the knowledge of the truth, no
Hold on to our hope sacrifice for sins is left, but
Spur one another on only a fearful expectation of
judgment and of raging fire
10:19-25 that will consume the enemies
of God……How much more
severely do you think those
deserve to be punished who
Remember the former days have trampled the Son of God
Persevere to better days
underfoot, who have treated as
an unholy thing the blood of
10:32-39 the covenant that sanctified
them, and who have insulted
the Spirit of grace?
(10:26-31)

30. Practical application (of the sermon)
The Call:
To a life of faith 11:1-40
…in Christ
To a disciplined life 12:1-29
…focused on Christ
To a holy life 13:1-25
…out of love for Christ & others

31. The gallery of faith (Ch.11)
The definition…(v.1) 9. Moses (Part 1 & 2)
1. The universe 10. (Joshua)
2. Abel 11. Rahab
3. Enoch 12. (Judges) Gideon,
4. Noah Barak, Samson &
5. Abraham (Part 1, 2 & 3) Jephthah
6. Isaac 13. David
7. Jacob 14. Samuel
8. Joseph 15. The Prophets
“The world was not worthy of them…these were all
commended for their faith.” (vv.38-39)

32. The disciplined life
Self-discipline: God disciplines us:
Let us throw off everything…  Because we are his true
Let us run with children
perseverance…  As a loving father who
Let us focus on Jesus only wants our good
 That we may share in his
(Let us) endure suffering
holiness (cf. v.14)
 So that we enjoy
(12:1-5)
righteousness & peace
(12:7-12)
“The LORD disciplines those whom he loves.”

33. Warning #5. REFUSING
Make every effort to: Illus: Mt Sinai vs Mt Zion
Live in peace (God thru Moses vs God
Be holy (mandatory) thru Jesus - 12:18-24)
Not miss the grace of God
 Do not refuse when he
Not allow bitterness to take
speaks
root (& defile us)
 Do not refuse what he
Avoid sexual immorality
offers (a kingdom)
Be like God (not godless)
(12:25-29)
(12:14-17)

34. The holy (& happy) life – Ch.13
12 golden rules:
1. Keep on loving one another 8. Hold on to sound
2. Entertain strangers teaching
3. Remember the captives 9. Suffer disgrace for
Jesus Christ
4. Honour marriage
10. Don’t put your roots
5. Don’t love money
down too deeply
6. Be content with God
11. Life a life of worship
7. Remember, imitate & obey
12. Pray for others
your leaders
& may God bless you!

35. Brothers and sisters, I urge you to
bear with my word of
exhortation, for in fact I have
written you only a short letter!
Grace be with you all.

36. JAMES

37. The Message of James
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,
whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you
know that the testing of your faith produces
perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so
that you may become mature and complete.”
(James 1:2-4)

38. A faith that is real
(lessons from the book of James)
Who was James?
A brother (of Jesus)
A leader (in the Church)
A servant (of God)
“old camel
knees”

39. “James”
The next Sabbath he began teaching in the synagogue, and many who
heard him were amazed. They asked, “Where did he get all this wisdom
and the power to perform such miracles?” Then they scoffed, “He’s just
a carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas,
and Simon. And his sisters live right here among us.” They were deeply
offended and refused to believe in him. Then Jesus told them, “A
prophet is honoured everywhere except in his own hometown and
among his relatives and his own family.” (Mark 6:2-4)
After this, Jesus went around in Galilee, purposely staying away from
Judea because the Jews there were waiting to take his life. But when
the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles was near, Jesus' brothers said to him
"You ought to leave here and go to Judea, so that your disciples may see
the miracles you do. No one who wants to become a public figure acts
in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world."
For even his own brothers did not believe in him (John 7:1-5)

40. Now Jesus' mother and brothers came to see him, but they
were not able to get near him because of the crowd. Someone
told him, "Your mother and brothers are standing outside,
wanting to see you." He replied, "My mother and brothers
are those who hear God's word and put it into practice."
(Luke 8:19-21/ Matt. 12/ Mark 3)
After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the
brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living,
though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James,
then to all the apostles...(1 Corinthians 15:6-7)
Meanwhile, Peter continued knocking. When they finally
opened the door and saw him, they were amazed. He
motioned for them to quiet down and told them how the
Lord had led him out of prison. “Tell James and the other
brothers what happened,” he said. (Acts 12:16-18)

41. Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with
Peter and stayed with him fifteen days. I saw none of the other
apostles—only James, the Lord's brother. (Galatians 1:18-19)
When they had finished, James stood and said, “Brothers, listen to
me. Peter has told you about the time God first visited the Gentiles
to take from them a people for himself. And this conversion of
Gentiles is exactly what the prophets predicted. (Acts 15:13-14)
When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he
was clearly in the wrong. Before certain men came from James, he
used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to
draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was
afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group.
(Galatians 2:11-13)
The next day Paul went with us to meet with James, and all the elders
of the Jerusalem church were present. (Acts 21:18)
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve
tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings. (James 1:1)

42. JAMES: An Outline
A LIVING FAITH
……revealed in the face of trials and temptations (1:1-18)
……revealed by its response to the word of God (1:19-27)
……revealed in its reaction to social distinctions (2:1-13)
……revealed by its production of good works (2:14-26)
……revealed in the control of one’s tongue (3:1-12)
……revealed in the demonstration of true wisdom (3:13-18)
……revealed by its reaction to the world (4:1-5:12)
……revealed by resorting to faithful, persistent prayer (5:13-18)

43. FAITH revealed…
…in the face of
trials & temptations (1:1-18)
peirasmos = trial or temptation
“Consider it joy “When tempted,
when you face trials of no one should say
many kinds” God is tempting me”

44. Embracing trials/ resisting temptation
Trials: Temptations:
 What are they like?  Step 1…
 How do I cope? Recognise the source
 Step 2…
 What do I need?
 Is it really worth it? Stop the process
 Step 3…
Use the escape exit

45. The process of temptation
(Genesis 3/ Matthew 4)

46. “No temptation has come to you which
everyone else has not faced. But you
can trust God who will not let you be
tempted more than you can stand.
When you are tempted, he will show
you a way of escape.”
1 Corinthians 10:13

47. FAITH revealed…
…by its response to the word
of God. (1: 19-27)
• Receive the word
• Obey the word
• Apply the word

48. Responses to the word
1. Receive it…
2. Obey it…
Open your ears
 Look!
Shut your mouth
 Remember!
Control your anger  Do!
Prepare your heart
3. Apply it…
 …in speech
 …in compassion (for those in need)
 …in purity

49. The person of a genuine faith will…
Look intently into the word of God
Listen readily to the word of God
Live fully by the word of God

50. FAITH revealed…
…by its reaction to social distinctions (2:1-13)
Favouritism = contrary to faith in Christ
contrary to the ways of God
contrary to the word of God

51. “Rich man – poor man”
 Contrary to faith in Jesus Christ
The command
The illustration
The application
 Contrary to the ways of God
What God thinks vs. What we think
Chosen Oppress
Rich Condemn
Heirs Blaspheme
 Contrary to the word of God
Love God with all your heart – love others made in the
image of God. (Deut. 6:4-5; 10:12-13, 17-19; 15:7ff.)

52. FAITH revealed…
…in its production of good works
(2:14-26)
 Faith without works is powerless!
 Faith without works is empty!
 Faith without works is dead!

53. Putting faith into action
Faith without works is powerless
(illus.The poor & the demonic)
Faith without works is empty (lit. barren)
(illus. Abraham)
Faith without works is dead
(illus. Rahab)

54. Faith revealed…
…in the control of one’s tongue
(James 3: 1-12)
Importance of the tongue
Power of the tongue
Inconsistency of the tongue

55. Proverbs about the tongue
“The tongue has the power of life & death” (18:21)
“He who guards his lips guards his life” (13:3)
“The tongue of the righteous is as choice silver” (10:20)
“Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue
of the wise brings healing” (12:18)
“The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a
deceitful tongue crushes the spirit” (15:4)
“Whoever would love life and see (many) good days
must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from
deceitful speech.” (Ps. 34:12-13/ 1 Peter 3:10-11)

56. Importance of the tongue (vv.1-2)
For “the teacher”
…not many should be teachers
For us all
…no one is perfect
“If anyone considers themselves religious and yet
does not keep a tight rein on their tongue, they
deceive themselves and their religion is worthless.”
(James 1:26)

57. Power of the tongue (vv. 3-7)
Power to direct
…like a bit & a rudder
Power to destroy
…like a spark of fire
Untamable power
…like a wild animal, full of poison

58. Inconsistency of the tongue (vv. 9-12)
“Blessing God (our father)”
“Cursing others (made in God’s
image)”
Illus #1…salt water vs fresh water
Illus #2…a fig tree vs vine

59. Faith revealed…
...in the demonstration of true
wisdom (James 3:13 – 4:12)
Wisdom of God vs. Wisdom of man
James = the NT Proverbs!

60. WISDOM (3:13-18)
False wisdom True wisdom
1. Bitter envy 1. From heaven
2. Selfish ambition 2. Pure
3. Boastful (v. humility) 3. Peace-loving
4. Earthly (v. heavenly) 4. Considerate
5. Unspiritual (v. spiritual) 5. Submissive
6. Of the devil (v. God) 6. Full (of mercy & fruit)
7. Disorder (v. peace) 7. Empty (of partiality &
8. Evil (v. good) practices hypocrisy)
8. Righteous

61. WAR (4:1-12)
Why we fight? “God opposes the proud but
gives grace to the humble.”
You covet
Expressions of humility:
You commit adultery (by
Submit (to him)
being unfaithful to God)
Resist (the devil)
You fight
Draw near (to God)
You kill
Wash your hands
you do not ask God
Purify your hearts
you ignore God
Grieve, mourn & wail
you oppose God
Humble yourselves
Do not judge others

62. True wisdom False wisdom
Peace War
Peace with others War with others
God God

63. Faith revealed…
…by it’s reaction to the world
(James 4:13 – 5:6)
A wrong attitude to time
A wrong attitude to money

64. The antidote to discontentment
Having a right attitude to time (4:13-17)
Problem: self-confidence in our own plans
 Solution: recognize the will of God
Problem: boasting of what we possess
 Solution: recognize the nature of sin

65. The antidote to discontentment
Having a right attitude to money 5:1-6
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of
evil. Some people, eager for money, have
wandered from the faith and pierced
themselves with many griefs.” (1 Tim. 6:10)
The way we acquire wealth
The way we use wealth
The effect wealth can have on us

66. FAITH revealed…
…by resorting to patience & prayer
(5:7-20)
 Learning to be patient (vv.7-12)
 Learning how to pray (vv.13-20)

67. Learning to be patient
“Be patient brothers & sisters…
Until the Lord’s coming”
The example of the farmer
Warning: “Don’t grumble”

68. Learning to be patient
“Be patient then and stand firm…
Because the Lord’s coming is near”
The example of the prophets
The example of Job
Warning: Don’t swear

69. Learning to pray
4 Questions:
“Is anyone in trouble?”
“Is anyone happy?”
“Is anyone sick?”
“Is anyone wandering (from the truth)?”

70. Learning to pray
“Is anyone in trouble?”
They should pray
“Is anyone happy?”
They should sing songs of praise

71. Learning to pray
“Is anyone sick?”
 The directions (Call the elders, pray, anoint)
 The promise (sick…made well, sinned…forgiven
 The challenge (confess sins to one another & pray)
 The example (Elijah)
“the petition of a righteous person has great power,
being effective.”

72. Learning to pray
“Is anyone wandering?”
(You) pray for them - implied
(You) restore them - encouraged
“(you) will save (the wanderer) from death, and
cover over a multitude of sins”