48 sermon' topics for church growth
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There was, of course, a way out. If he renounced Christ and returned to Judaism, he would be spared further persecution. Between the lines of this Epistle we read of some of the arguments that were used to persuade the "renegade" to return to Judaism:
– rich traditions of the prophets;
– the outstanding ministry of angels in the history of the ancient people of God;
– closeness with the famous legislator Moses;
– national ties that connect the Jew with the brilliant military leader Jesus Navin;
– the glory of the Aaronic priesthood;
– The Holy of Holies, the place chosen by God to dwell among His people;
– the covenant of law given by God through Moses; – the divinely ordained structure of the sanctuary and the magnificent curtain;
– services in the sanctuary and especially the ritual on the great Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur is the most important day in the Jewish calendar).
We vividly see before our eyes the image of a Jew who lived at the dawn of our era, describing all the glory of his ancient, ritual-rich religion, and then asking with a contemptuous grin: “And what do you Christians have? We have all this. What do you have? Nothing but a humble upper room and a table with bread and wine on it! Do you really mean to say that you have left all that for this?”
If the letter was sent to Italy, then due to the bloody persecutions unleashed by Nero (64 AD), the date of writing of the Epistle moves to the middle of 64 AD at the latest.
Perhaps no New Testament book places the Old Testament more at the center of attention than Hebrews, which has the Levitical priesthood as its foundation. Its author continually compares the shortcomings of the Old Testament sacrifices with the perfection in Christ. Where the Old Testament required continual sacrifices and an annual atonement for sin by human priests, the New Testament offers one single sacrifice through Christ (Hebrews 10:10) and direct access to the throne of God for all who are in Him.
This message belongs to the epistolary genre – it is a letter.
Outline of the Epistle to the Hebrews
1. Christ is higher than the prophets and angels (chapter 1, 2)
2. Christ is greater than Moses (3:1 – 4:13)
3. Christ is greater than Aaron (4:14 – 7:28)
4. Christ's Sacrifice is Superior to the Levitical Sacrifices (8:1 – 10:18)
5. A call to strengthen your faith (10:19 – 12:29)
1. Conclusion (Chapter 13)
Detailed plan of section 5:
V. Warning and Exhortation (10:19 – 13:17)
A. Warning Not to Despise Christ (10:19-39)
B. Exhortation to Faith from Old Testament Examples (Chapter 11)
B. Exhortation to Hope in Christ (Chapter 12)
D. Exhortation concerning various Christian virtues (13:1-17)
The fifth section is an affirmation of the necessity of holding on to saving faith and not denying Jesus Christ.
That is, Scripture says that there is such a danger and temptation – to fall away from Christ because of persecution in our life and even under the threat of losing it.
Our passage speaks directly about the need to remain faithful to Him in all situations of life.
19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way,
20 which He opened again for us through the veil, that is, His flesh,
21 And having a high priest over the house of God,
22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water,
23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.
24 Let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds.
25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
26 For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,
27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.
28 If anyone who rejects the law of Moses is put to death without mercy on the witness stand of two or three witnesses,
29 Of how much worse punishment, do you think, will he be thought worthy who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has treated the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified as an unholy thing, and has insulted the Spirit of grace?
30 We know him who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge his people.”
31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God!
32 Remember your former days, in which, after you were enlightened, you endured a great fight of sufferings,
33 sometimes being made a spectacle for others in reproaches and tribulations, sometimes taking part in others who were in the same situation;
34 For you had compassion on me in my bonds, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have in heaven a better and more lasting possession.
35 Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward.
36 For you have need of patience, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise;
37 For yet a little while, a very little while, and He who is coming will come and will not delay.
38 The just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
39 But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.
(Heb.10:19-39)
The plan of our passage
I The Blood of Jesus Christ opened the way to God for us
But we have boldness, but not audacity, to enter.
B He opened the way for us through the veil (his flesh)
C He is a priest in the house of God
II There are conditions for our entry to God
A It is necessary to come with a sincere heart
B With full faith
C with sprinkling – through confession of sins before God
D having undergone the sacrament of baptism
E keeping the law faithfully, because God is faithful
F it is necessary to love each other and do good deeds
G can't leave meetings
H it is necessary to exhort one another
III If, having known Christ, we sin voluntarily, then the sacrifice does not work
A There is no sacrifice for sins
B There remains the expectation of the Last Judgment
With the fury of fire and the wrath of God
IV We need to remember past trials
A If we have gone through suffering
B helped others going through suffering
C lost their property because of their faith in Christ
D must remain faithful today
And we need patience and loyalty
V Righteousness can be preserved through faith
And we must not hesitate
B we must stand in faith
C we must achieve and maintain the salvation of the soul
Those who declared their allegiance to the Lord Jesus were met with fierce fanatical opposition. In view of this, true believers were in danger of losing heart and falling into despair. Therefore, they had to be encouraged, encouraged not to lose faith in the promises of God. They must endure everything patiently in view of the coming reward.
Those who were Christians in name only were in danger of apostasy. Having once professed to accept Christ, they could now categorically deny Him and return to ritualistic religion. This was tantamount to trampling underfoot the Son of God, defiling His blood, and insulting the Holy Spirit. There was no repentance or forgiveness for such a deliberate sin. The book of Hebrews warns against this sin again and again. In 2:1 it says that he who commits this sin falls away from the message of Christ; in 3:7-19 it says that he rebels against God, or hardens his heart.
In 6:6 it is called a backslider, or apostate. In 10:25 it is called the sin of forsaking the assembly; in 10:26 it is called willful or deliberate. In 12:16 it is spoken of as selling one's birthright for one meal. Finally, in 12:25 it is called refusing to hear Him who speaks from heaven. But all these warnings are directed against different aspects of the same sin—the sin of apostasy.
The Epistle to the Hebrews is as relevant today as it was at the dawn of the Church.
We need to be continually reminded of the eternal privileges and blessings that are ours in Christ. We need to be exhorted to endure all things patiently, no matter what difficulties or oppositions we may encounter. All professed Christians need to be warned not to return to ceremonial religion after you have tasted and seen that the Lord is good.
It is important for theology to explain complex concepts in simple terms. So how do we not lose our salvation? Let's imagine that we are standing on the seashore and our task is not to drown in it, what should we do?
1. Don't go too deep. The swimming areas are marked with buoys, and we mustn't swim beyond them – that would be breaking the law.
2. We must put on a life jacket – accept Jesus Christ as our savior and put on His clean clothes, which He gives us after repentance and baptism. This is a picture of keeping the commandments and keeping ourselves clean. If we have sinned, we must confess our sin and sin no more.
3. We must be attentive to the signals given by the lifeguard on the seashore. There may be a black ball – swimming is prohibited. Or he may say to us: “Don’t go in, the water is cold today!” That is, we must be attentive to the Bible and to the voice of Jesus Christ, which we hear when we read the Bible, pray, and are in a meeting.
4. We must be considerate of others so that they do not drown.
May the Almighty bless you in your search for Truth.
With God's love, respect and prayers for you
Rustam Nasyrov.
Obedience to Jesus Christ as the main criterion of Christian faith
We think we know what Christianity is. We see the external manifestations: buildings with crosses on the roof, we see people wearing cross-shaped jewelry, we hear words telling us about Jesus Christ and His life and death for the atonement of every person’s sins. But what is Christianity really? What is its true manifestation and what should it be in the Divine plan, according to His will? Let us turn to the Holy Scriptures of the Bible for this.
12 Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them likewise: for this is the Law and the Prophets.
13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many are there that go in at it.
14 For strait is the gate and narrow is the way that leads to life, and few there are who find it.
15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.
16 By their fruits ye shall know them. Do men gather grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles?
17 So every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.
19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
20 So by their fruits you will know them.
21 Not everyone who says to Me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name? and in your name cast out devils? and in your name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
24 Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and does them will be likened to a wise man who built his house on the rock.
25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house; but it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.
26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.
27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house; and it fell; and great was the fall of it. (Matt. 7:12-27)
Following Christ implies unconditional love for people, i.e. unconditional good attitude towards each person, regardless of their previous actions. At this moment, a person faces a moral choice – according to justice and the law, they should have applied cruel punishment to him, but they applied mercy, and how should I act further? A moral choice appears in a person – the law or mercy.
Jesus transfers the Law into the realm of desired relationships, where the motivation of fear is replaced by the motivation of love.
A man is known by his fruits
You can build on two foundations: to fulfill or not to fulfill the Word.
A person goes through the following stages of establishing a relationship with Jesus Christ
– learns the requirements of the Law and the consequences of its violation,
– receives grace and forgiveness instead of punishment, faces a moral choice;
– how to live on your own;
– to take revenge or show mercy, if the choice is correct;
– a birth from above occurs – of a new moral person.
Why is being born again connected with an internal moral choice? Can a sinful person make the right moral choice and follow the commandments of Jesus Christ?
Possible counter arguments
Living in obedience to the commandments of Jesus Christ may be seen as an ideal for many believers, but there are counterarguments that can be made against this approach. Here are a few:
1. Individual Freedom: Obedience to commandments can limit personal freedom and autonomy. People may feel forced to follow rules that do not always correspond to their personal beliefs or life circumstances.
2. Contextuality of the Commandments: The commandments were given in a specific historical and cultural context. Some critics argue that their application in the modern world may be inappropriate or outdated.
3. Diversity of Interpretations: Jesus' commands can be interpreted differently depending on one's denomination or personal beliefs. This leads to disagreements and conflicts among believers, which calls into question the universality of these commands.
4. Moral Relativity: Some argue that moral standards cannot be universal and must be based on specific circumstances and the consequences of actions rather than on fixed commandments.
5. Psychological pressure: The pressure to follow the commandments can make people feel guilty or afraid of punishment for non-compliance, which can have a negative impact on mental health.
6. The Need for Critical Thinking: Complete obedience to commandments can hinder the development of critical thinking and independent analysis of moral and ethical issues, which is important for personal growth.
Let's look at the historical context of our passage to better understand whether a person can follow the commandments of Jesus Christ and what reward awaits him along the way.
To do this, we will conduct a historical and cultural analysis of our passage.
To do this, we will examine the history of the writing of the book of the Gospel of Matthew.
1.1 Authorship
The Gospel of Matthew is traditionally attributed to the Apostle Matthew, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ. However, the question of who exactly wrote this gospel remains a subject of debate among scholars and theologians.
Here are some key points regarding the authorship of the Gospel of Matthew:
1.1.1 Tradition: From the early centuries of Christianity there was a tradition that the author of the Gospel was Matthew, who was a tax collector (publican) and one of the apostles. This view was supported by many early Christian writers.
1.2.2. Anonymity of the text: There is no clear indication of its author in the text of the Gospel itself. Matthew's name is mentioned only in later copies and commentaries.
1.2.3. Linguistic and stylistic features: Some scholars note that the style and language of the Gospel of Matthew differs from the other gospels, which may indicate that it was not written directly by Matthew. For example, some believe that the text may have been created based on oral traditions or other sources.
1.2. The Addressee of the Gospel of Matthew
The Gospel of Matthew is considered to have been written primarily for a Jewish audience. This is evident from several aspects:
1.2.1 Old Testament Quotations: The Gospel of Matthew contains many references to Old Testament prophecies that show Jesus as the fulfillment of Jewish expectations of the Messiah. This indicates that the author was seeking to convince Jewish readers that Jesus was the promised Messiah.
1.2.2 Discussion of the Law: This gospel places much emphasis on the Law of Moses and its fulfillment. Jesus is presented as the new Moses, who comes not to abolish the Law, but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17).
1.2.3. References to Jewish Customs: The text also contains references to Jewish customs and traditions, making it more understandable for readers familiar with Jewish culture.
1.2.4 Comparison with other Gospels: Unlike the Gospel of Luke, which is aimed at the wider Greek world and includes more universal themes, the Gospel of Matthew is more focused on the Jewish roots of Christianity.
Thus, the addressee of the Gospel of Matthew can be considered primarily the Jewish community, seeking to understand how the teachings of Jesus relate to their faith and traditions.
1.3. Date of writing
The exact date of the Gospel of Matthew's writing remains a matter of debate among scholars. It is generally assumed that it was written between 70 and 90 AD.
Some scholars believe that the Gospel may have been written after the destruction of Jerusalem in 70, when the Jewish community was facing new challenges and needed to rethink its faith in light of the events. However, the exact date remains uncertain, and different scholars may propose different time frames depending on their interpretations of the text and the historical context.
The purpose of writing the Gospel of Matthew is believed to have been for several key reasons:
1.4.1 Affirming Jesus' Messiahship: Matthew seeks to show that Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah predicted in the Old Testament. He frequently quotes prophecies and demonstrates how Jesus' life and ministry fulfill these predictions.
1.4.2. Appeal to a Jewish Audience: The gospel is written with an emphasis on Jewish traditions and laws. Matthew often uses Jewish terms and concepts to convince his readers that Jesus is the one who came to fulfill the law and the prophets.
1.4.3 Establishing the Authority of Jesus: Through Jesus' teachings and miracles, Matthew emphasizes his divine authority and power. This is important in shaping the faith of early Christians.
1.4.4 Ethics and Moral Teaching: The Gospel of Matthew contains many commandments and instructions, such as the Sermon on the Mount, which emphasize the importance of moral and ethical principles in the lives of believers.
1.4.5. The Call to Mission: At the end of the Gospel is the Great Commandment (Matthew 28:19-20), in which Jesus calls his followers to go and preach the Gospel to all nations, indicating the universality of the Christian message.
Thus, the purpose of writing the Gospel of Matthew was to confirm faith in Jesus as the Messiah, to educate and strengthen the community of believers, and to prepare them for missionary work.
2. Historical moments of chapter 7 of the Gospel of Matthew
Matthew chapter 7 contains several key points and teachings that are important to both early Christians and modern readers. Here are the major historical and thematic points of the chapter:
2.1 Sermon on the Mount: Chapter seven is part of the Sermon on the Mount, which spans three chapters (5-7). This sermon is considered one of the main teachings of Jesus and deals with themes of morality, ethics, and spiritual life.
2.2 The Commandment of Judgment: In verses 1-5, Jesus says that one should not judge others if one has one’s own shortcomings (a beam in one’s own eye). This teaching emphasizes the importance of self-criticism and humility.
2.3 A Call to Prayer: In 7:7-11 Jesus teaches about prayer, calling people to ask, seek, and knock. He promises that God will answer sincere prayers. This passage emphasizes God’s closeness and care for his children.
2.4. The Golden Rule: 7:12 contains the famous commandment: "Whatever you want people to do to you, do that to them also." This rule is the basis of ethical behavior and is considered a universal principle of morality.
2.5. The Wide Gate and the Narrow Gate: In 7:13-14, Jesus compares the broad way that leads to destruction with the narrow way that leads to life. This metaphor highlights the difficulty of following Christ and the need to choose the right path.
2.6 Warning Against False Prophets: In 7:15-20 Jesus warns against false prophets and teachers using the image of the fruit of trees. This teaching emphasizes the need to distinguish between true and false teaching.
2.7 Conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount: The chapter ends in 7:21-29, where Jesus speaks of the importance of not only hearing His words, but also doing them. He compares a wise man building on a rock to a foolish man building on sand. This emphasizes the importance of putting faith into practice.
3. Geographical moments of the 7th chapter of the Gospel of Matthew
Matthew 7 does not contain explicit geographical references as seen in other parts of the Gospel. However, some points can be related to the context in which the events take place. Here are some geographical aspects that can be highlighted:
3.1 Sermon on the Mount: Chapter seven is part of the Sermon on the Mount, which is believed to have been delivered on a mountain in Galilee. This location symbolizes Jesus' teaching and his address to the people. It is important to note that Galilee was the region where Jesus spent most of his ministry.
3.2. Symbolism of Paths: In verses 13-14, where the wide and narrow gates are mentioned, a geographical metaphor can be seen. The wide and narrow paths can symbolize the choice between different paths in life, which can also imply different directions or regions that people can follow.
3.3 The Simile of Houses on Rock and Sand: In the final verses of the chapter (verses 24 to 27), Jesus uses the image of building a house on rock or sand. Although this is also a metaphor, it may reflect real geographical conditions, such as the presence of rocky areas or sandy shores, which may have been familiar to the listeners.
4. Cultural Moments of Matthew Chapter 7
Matthew 7 contains several key cultural points that reflect the context of the time and society in which Jesus lived. Here are some of them:
7.1 Sermon on the Mount: This chapter is part of the Sermon on the Mount, which includes important moral and ethical teachings. In Jewish culture, the teaching and interpretation of the Law (Torah) played a central role, and Jesus addresses this by offering a new understanding of the commandments.
7.2 Judgment and Forgiveness: In verses 1-5, Jesus talks about not judging others unless one is free from sin. This reflects the Jewish practice of self-criticism and the importance of inner purity before judging others. In the culture of the time, judging could be linked to social status and public opinion.
7.3 The Golden Rule: In verse 12, Jesus states the Golden Rule: "Whatever you want people to do to you, do that to them also." This expression reflects the values of mutual assistance and respect for others that were important in Jewish culture and remain relevant in modern society.
7.4 Imagery and Metaphors: Jesus uses various images, such as the narrow and wide gates (verses 13-14), to convey his ideas to his listeners. These metaphors were understandable to the people of his day and helped illustrate complex spiritual truths.
7.5 Building on Rock or Sand: The final verses of the chapter (24-27) use the image of building a house on a solid foundation. This may be related to the practical aspects of life in Palestine, where conditions could vary greatly. The image also symbolizes the importance of spiritual stability and wisdom.
7.6 Religious and Social Structure: The chapter deals with the issues of authority and leadership in the religious community. Jesus criticizes the hypocrisy of religious leaders and emphasizes the importance of sincerity in faith.