SundaySermon - Lawrence - Better with Jesus

 Better with Jesus

The book of Hebrews is one that is addressed to the Jews. And the writer when reaching out to the Jewish community makes reference to the old.  

Verse: Hebrews 1:1-2

1 In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 

2 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 

God spoke and still speaks. He speaks through Jesus because Jesus who came down to us, is the fullness of God. 

Verse: Colossians 2:9

9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form,

The revelation of Jesus brought life and strength. And often times, it took a time for the people to see this truth. People viewed everything in the light of traditions. But the woman at the well saw past traditions and recognized this revelation. The people of the town saw the revelation for themselves as well 

Revelation of Jesus makes it better. Here are some thoughts

  • Pay attention to the revelation
  • Angels didn't have access to the benefits of the revelations
  • Choose Jesus (Word of God) deliberately
  • Choose Jesus for your growth
  • Pressing forward

Pay attention to the revelation

The revelation of Jesus is precious. What is precious needs attention.

Verse: Hebrews 2:1

1 We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away

Angels didn't have access to the benefits of the revelations

The forgiveness that came with the revelations was not offered to angels. This was only given to mankind.

Verse: Hebrews 2:5

5 It is not to angels that he has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking

We don't know why this was not offered to angels. But God's ways are higher

Verse: Isaiah 55:8

8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.

And since this is uniquely offered to mankind, we need to take this seriously. We need to "Repent....". And to repent means that we change our ways. And to be able to change our ways, we need to change our thoughts.

And Jesus addressed the way of thinking..... and stood opposed to traditions that clouded the truth of the Word of God

Verse: Mark 7:8

8 You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.” 

Choose Jesus (Word of God) delibrately

Jesus means grace so let us choose to approach Jesus 

Hebrews 4:15-16

16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

But Jesus also means..... it pierces our soul.... for our own good

Verse: Hebrews 4:12

12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Do not turn away from Jesus. Do not turn away.... because it is for our own good.

Verse: Hebrews 3:7-8

7 So, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you hear his voice,

8 do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the wilderness,

Choose Jesus for your growth

God wants us to mature. And maturity means that you need to feed on good food (Word of God)

Verse: Hebrew 5:12

12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!

This maturity can be known when you have progressed from one level to the next.... "move beyond"

Verse: Hebrews 6:1

Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death,[a] and of faith in God

Pressing forward

There is real danger of stagnation or a place where we know it all, tasting the goodness of God. If you are at this place, then know that it means you are falling back.

Verse: Hebrews 6:5-6

5 who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age 

6 and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.

Let us make every effort to move forward.

Popular posts from this blog

Financial Awareness Day 2025

Financial Awareness Day 2025 Financial Awareness Day, observed annually on August 14th. Financial awareness is important because we navigate through life using money/finance as one of the tools. As part of the awareness, there is one practice, we all need to stay clear off - Financial Impropriety. The term Financial Impropriety encompasses a range of unethical behaviour related to handling money. And this was the first sin of the church and is something that is most overlooked. We see this story in Acts 5  Ananias and Sapphira The story of Ananias and Sapphira is told and interpreted where the couple paid for their lies (related to money). While this is true, most people don't investigate why this came about. This didn't originate with this couple. The church violated a principle, which is the root of this problem But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing (Matthew 6:3) The church decided acknowledge Barnabas' contribution ...
Read more

Happy Men's Day!

Happy Men's Day! Celebrating people is important because it builds community, strengthens relationships, and creates a culture of gratitude and appreciation. We all celebrate Women's Day. However, men often are not excited about any kind of celebration meant for them. That is because we are already having such a good time.... and every day!!! We don't need a special day. Here are some examples Men can call upon higher powers to validate their claims.  With Christ as my witness, I speak with utter truthfulness. My conscience and the Holy Spirit confirm it."  (Romans 9:1) This is very helpful in situations where our plans fail. So we compare our word, to unwavering Word of Jesus himself 18 As surely as God is faithful, our word to you does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” 19 For Jesus Christ, the Son of God, does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” He is the one whom Silas, Timothy, and I preached to you, and as God’s ultimate “Yes,” he always does what he says.  (1 Corin...
Read more

Kill the Babies!!!

Morality Standards A picture is painted of a potter fashioning clay to his liking. And this animated picture brings life to the clay, with the clay protesting the Potters's design. This surprised Potter asks "Can I not do with you, Israel, as this potter does?" Jeremiah 18:5 NIV It seems completely reasonable and moral that the Potter is allowed to shape the clay to his design and liking. Conversely it is unreasonable and immoral for the clay to protest the Potter's design.   "You turn things upside down, as if the potter were thought to be like the clay!" Isaiah 29:16 NIV And yet, we continue in our unreasonability and turn things upside down. Why does mere clay (or humankind), protest the Potter (or God) on morality. There is no rational position we can take, that justifies our objections. And it is funny that our objections always start with  "If there were a God, He would not have ordered.... Destruction of all living things in the land of Cannan ...
Read more