October 19, 2025
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Hebrews 11:23-40
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exposition
We live in a world that constantly bombards us with offers for immediate gratification— fleeting pleasures, temporary treasures, and the shallow status that money and influence can buy. These things distract us and actually weigh us down. For they only last for a moment and they never really satisfy.
That’s the tension we’re going to see in today’s Scripture. For the OT people of God had to choose between seeking worldly pleasure or by faith, seeking the greater reward of Christ.
In the book of Hebrews, the author encouraged Jewish background believers by reminding them how the saints of old faithfully looked beyond worldly success and suffering to the greater reward God promised and fulfilled in Christ Jesus. We can faithfully look beyond this life to the greater reward we have in Christ Jesus.
October 12, 2025
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Hebrews 11:8-22
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exposition
Since we were children, we have made a big deal about promises. Who hasn’t heard a child crying to a parent, “But you promised?” We all make promises and try to keep them. We promise to take our son fishing. We sign a promissory note at the bank to buy a car or obtain a mortgage. We promise “till death do us part.” We make a lot of promises and try to keep them, but a promise is only as good as our integrity and our ability to keep it.
But every human promise has a shelf life. Have you ever had someone break a promise to you? Maybe it was small — a promise to call, to help, to show up. Or maybe it was big — a promise that left a scar. We live in a world full of broken promises, so it’s easy to doubt anyone who says, “Trust me.” Yet, that’s exactly what God calls us to do in Christ Jesus.
In the book of Hebrews, the author taught believers that the promises of God, in which the patriarchs believed, pointed to greater promises in Christ Jesus.
October 5, 2025
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Hebrews 11:1-7
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exposition
You’ve probably heard someone say, “Keep the faith.” In our culture, that usually means, “Stay positive,” or “Don’t give up hope.” But notice what’s missing—it never defines the object of that faith. No wonder so many today are “deconstructing” their faith, pulling it apart piece by piece until nothing remains, because if faith is only a vague feeling or a cultural inheritance, why hold on to it?
But biblical faith is different. It’s not about how hard you believe—it’s about who you believe in. It’s not great faith in God that matters, but faith in a great God. And our faith is greater because its object—Jesus Christ—is greater.
In the epistle of Hebrews, the Jewish background believers were encouraged not to shrink back from believing because of trouble and persecution, but to live by a faith that is greater because it rests in Christ Jesus as its fulfillment as the believers of old had done.
November 24, 2024
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Hebrews 10:26-39
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exposition
Do you understand the great possession offered to in Christ Jesus? Perhaps you once did. But you’ve been feeling disheartened? Maybe you’ve been hurt by someone in the church and you’ve lost sight of the prize you have in Christ. Maybe you’ve wondered if staying faithful is worth the struggle. The early readers of Hebrews faced those same doubts. Some had suffered great loss for their faith. Others were tempted to return to the familiar rituals of their old life. They were at risk of turning away from their greatest treasure: their possession in Christ. Disappointment, suffering, or the busyness of life can distract us. The world promises possessions and comforts that seem tangible and immediate, but these things pale in comparison to the eternal and abiding possession we have in Christ. Hebrews reminds us of the surpassing worth of Jesus!
In Hebrews 10:26-39, the author warned believers to remember their greater possession in Christ. We can remember our greater possession in Christ.
November 17, 2024
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Hebrews 10:19-25
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exposition
How have you responded to Christ’s claim to be not only the greatest way, but the only way to come to God? To come to the Father? Many in our world today struggle with this claim. They try to reach God, or their idea of God, through human means, through religion or rule-following or some other way. But they all fall short. Others believe that Christ has opened the way to God, but they don’t feel assured that they are worthy of it or that they can be sure of it. While others are confident of their new position in Christ, but they aren’t taking full advantage of what Christ has accomplished in opening this new and living way to the Father.
Perhaps the author of Hebrews had all these responses to Christ in mind as he shifted from 10 chapters of propositional truth to prescription, from doctrine to deeds.
In Hebrews 10:19-25, the author told the Hebrew believers that they could confidently respond to the new and living way that Christ had opened up for them to God. We can confidently respond to the new and living way Christ has opened to God.
November 15, 2024
“and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.” (Hebrews 12:24 ESV). Not only is the new covenant sacrifice of Jesus “better” than the old one instituted under Moses, it is also “better” than the blood sacrifice offered by Abel.
November 14, 2024
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1 ESV). Who is this “great crowd of witnesses?” They are those who have already run
November 10, 2024
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Hebrews 10:1-18
Many people struggle with feelings of guilt. They can’t believe that God would forgiven all their sins in Christ Jesus. They struggle with shame over past sins. Others have received forgiveness and the joy that goes with it, but they struggle with perfectionism, thinking that God will love them more if they perform some great work for Him, or follow some list of rules and rituals more perfectly. But perfectionism leads to exhaustion, not rest. It leads to thinking of your relationship to God as one of earning favor, rather than being favored as His very own child.
The people of the old covenant needed a perfect sacrifice that could fully cleanse them, free them from the burden of sin, and restore them permanently to God. Like them, we need assurance that our sin is fully dealt with—that we don’t need to rely on our own strength or efforts to be right with God. We can trust that Christ’s perfect offering is sufficient.
In Hebrews 10:1-18, the author told the Hebrew believers that the offering of Christ is greater than the offerings of the old covenant. We can understand that the offering of Christ is greater than the offerings of the old covenant.
November 10, 2024
“For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified” (Hebrews 10:14 ESV). What the law with its repeated offerings was unable to do, Christ with His single perfect offering has done. What is this impossible thing that Christ has accomplished? He has made those who trust in Him
November 3, 2024
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Hebrews 9:15-28
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exposition
Are you put off by all the talk of blood and sacrifice that you see in the Bible? Does the idea of Christ’s crucifixion offend you and cause you to turn your eyes away? As one person said to me, “I just don’t get all the talk about blood and cross-carrying. I’m looking for a more positive spirituality.” Or perhaps you have heard the message of Christ’s sacrifice and it has moved you to repent of your sins and believe? You’ve understood the message of love that Christ’s great sacrifice has put on display?
His great love moved Him to make the greatest sacrifice in order to save those who believe in Him. For Jesus is greater and His sacrifice is greater. In Hebrews 9:15-28, the author told the Hebrew believers that the sacrifice of Christ is greater than the sacrifices of the old covenant. We can understand that the sacrifice of Christ is greater than the sacrifices of the old covenant.