The Letter to the Hebrews - Chapter 7

Pastor Marshall Ochs | February 12, 2023

In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from Hebrews 7. This chapter expands on the author’s argument that Jesus is a high priest from a greater order than the Levites. The superiority of Christ means the church no longer needs to return to the old priesthood and covenant to achieve covering for their sin. Christ is enough. Believers in Jesus can rest in the work of Christ and the blessing that comes from giving our lives to Him.

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1. As we read Hebrews 7, we see that Melchizedek is a shadow of something greater to come - Jesus. We see Abraham affirming this by giving his tithe to Melchizedek and giving God the glory for his victory in war. In what ways do we show God that we know and believe that Jesus is the great high priest in our lives?

2. The author of Hebrews is appealing to the early church to not go backwards to old habits or rituals because it’s what was done in the past. Pray and ask the Lord to reveal any areas of your life where you are practicing old habits or rituals because it is comfortable or feels familiar.

3. Jesus was the ultimate and perfect sacrifice for the forgiveness of all sin. We can’t work our way to God. In what ways are you trying to earn God’s love and forgiveness? Friend, Jesus is enough! All you need is Jesus!

4. We see in Hebrews 7:7 that Abraham was blessed for his faithfulness. He gave to God and God blessed him. When we give to God, He always gives back with a blessing. We will never be able to out-give God. Pray and ask the Lord to reveal areas of your life that need to be given to Him – money, time, talents, relationships, etc. Give Him EVERYTHING! Watch and see what the Lord does! He will bless you beyond what you can think or imagine!

The Letter to the Hebrews - Chapter 6

Pastor Lyell Walker | February 5th, 2023

In this message, Pastor Lyell Walker teaches on Hebrews Chapter 6. This message discusses the importance of moving from immaturity to maturity and the implication of staying still spiritually. The writer of Hebrews is warning his listeners that if the anchor of you soul isn’t Jesus and Jesus alone, we run the risk of falling away and returning to our pre-enlightened self.

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Monday: Read Hebrews 6

In what ways are you pressing on to maturity to a deeper understanding of Christ and how to live effectively for Him?

Tuesday: Read Hebrews 6

Are there any ways you are pushing Jesus back to a secondary place in your life? Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal if there is anything that Jesus is not King over in your life.

Wednesday: Read Hebrews 6

The author of the letter of Hebrews uses an analogy from agriculture to describe Christian lives that result in the fruit of the Spirit. Are you a land that drinks in the rain? A shallow faith opens the doors for doubt and disobedience.

Thursday: Read Hebrews 6

Will you read through Hebrews 6 and take note of every instruction given? I like to highlight these in my Bible; some like to make a list; whatever way you choose, will you let these instructions seep deep into your mind? The first is to leave the elementary teaching of Christ and press on to maturity.

Friday: Read Hebrews 6

One of the instructions in verse 12 is to show diligence to the end, not be lazy, but to imitate those who, through faith and patience, inherit what has been promised (Hebrews 11). Does your life provide an example of faithfulness for others?

The Letter to the Hebrews - Chapter 5

Pastor Marshall Ochs | January 29, 2023

In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from Hebrews 5. This chapter begins a new appeal to view Jesus as a superior high priest to Aaron and the Levites. The author argues that Jesus is a high priest from the order of Melchizedek and reveals that he could elaborate on this truth, but he is hindered by their lack of hearing. The church has been slow to learn, practice, and share their faith. This has left them functioning as spiritual babies and they need to grow up. This message was powerful and convicting for the early church as well as us today.

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Monday: Read Hebrews 5 & Exodus 28

• Will you ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes to the majesty and awe of our Heavenly Father? As you study His Word, may it fill you with a reverent fear of God, may it enlighten your mind to know God deeper, and may it create a wonder to understand the mysteries of God.

• In Exodus 28, God is teaching His people how to worship Him; we see Him call the skilled workers to whom He had given the wisdom to make garments for Aaron. God wants to fill us with His wisdom and Holy Spirit to enable us to do the good works He has created us for. Will you spend time in prayer meditating on these passages, asking God to give you a deeper understanding of who He is and how He wants to use you for His Kingdom?

Tuesday: Read Hebrews 5 & Genesis 14:18-20

• Through obedience and suffering, Christ became our High Priest for all eternity. Yet, Jesus cried to God, asking to be spared what was to come. But He didn’t stop there, He submitted to God’s plan, and because of Jesus, we have a High Priest who can sympathize with our weaknesses. Will you let Jesus’ example of obedience encourage you in the face of trials? He promises never to leave us or forsake us. Whatever you are facing today, will you turn to Jesus?

Wednesday: Read Hebrews 5 & Psalm 2

• How does Hebrews 5 challenge you in your spiritual maturity? One of my Study Bibles poses a challenge in evaluating your maturity level by looking at your choices. Do you find yourself as the one consistently being taught, not teaching others, desiring entertainment over spiritual challenges, complacent or alert and active in your faith? Wherever you are, will you commit to a deeper walk with Jesus through studying His Word and being engaged with the community of believers?

Thursday: Read Hebrews 5 & Psalm 110

• According to verses 12-13 of Hebrews 5, these Christians were immature and lazy. They should have been teaching others but were struggling with the basics of God’s truths. How is God moving you to grow in the knowledge of Him and put into practice what He is teaching?

Friday: Read Hebrews 5 and 6

• How can you impart wisdom on those around you today?

The Letter to the Hebrews - Chapter 4

Pastor Marshall Ochs | January 22, 2023

In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from Hebrews 4. This chapter continues the author’s appeal from Psalm 95 to respond to God with worship rather than hardness of heart. This invitation is available each day that is called today. How we respond to this invitation determines where we spend eternity. Those who trust Jesus will enter rest, but those who harden their heart will enter judgment. This creates a tension that must be resolved, and the author relieves the tension with an invitation to pursue Jesus.

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1. In Psalm 95, we are invited to worship our God today! Every moment of every day is a “today” moment. We can choose to worship God or harden our hearts to Him. Pray and ask the Lord to reveal any area of your heart that has become hardened to His voice.

2. If we harden our hearts to God, we cannot enter into His rest. This rest is not a temporal rest (like taking a nap.) This is an eternal rest which is the assurance of eternal life in Heaven when we die because of our believing faith in Christ Jesus. How confident are you that you have eternal rest as your inheritance? If you are not confident of this, please reach out to someone on our staff to help you find out how to have this assurance.

3. Hebrews 4:1 tells us that we should fear. This fear is not a debilitating fear, but rather a healthy awareness of who God is. This is the kind of fear that motivates us to be spiritually prepared for whatever comes our way. Do you have a reverential fear of God?

4. The writer of Hebrews is exhorting us to not just hear the good news of Christ, but to truly listen, believe and obey. We cannot listen and cling to the things of this world and ignore what God’s word teaches us. We either trust in Jesus and listen to His teachings or we harden our hearts and enter into His judgement. It’s one or the other – you can’t have both.

5. Hebrews is pleading with us to run to Jesus and confess freely. He already knows your every desire and thoughts, and He desires to transform you into His likeness. Take comfort in knowing that you have a God who loves you, wants relationship with you and to give you the inheritance of His eternal rest.

The Letter to the Hebrews - Chapter 3

Pastor Marshall Ochs | January 15, 2023

In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from Hebrews 3. This chapter expands the supremacy of Jesus, with an appeal from Numbers, that Christ is greater than Moses. The author of Hebrews describes the unbelief in Israel, under Moses, and how it resulted in Israel forfeiting their rest in Canaan. This becomes the basis for the author’s appeal to believers to avoid hardness of heart today, because it can also lead to a forfeiting of entering rest. This chapter is a powerful exhortation to grow in faith.

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Monday: Read Hebrews 3:1-6 and Numbers 12

Hebrews 3:1 says, "we who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus...."

Will you meditate on this truth and ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you through His Word? First, we have a heavenly calling; as Pastor Marshall said, we are not here to become our "best self"; although culture tells us that should be our focus.

Second, the writer tells us to consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, who was faithful to Him who appointed Him...." Will you fix your eyes and hearts on Jesus? Will you spend considerable time at the feet of Jesus, the One who gives us access to the Father, and meditate on His superiority and sovereignty?

Tuesday: Read Hebrews 3:1-9 and Numbers 13

Moses was faithful in leading the Israelites and preparing the way for the Messiah. Throughout the Old Testament, God uses His people to accomplish His purposes. Will you ask the Holy Spirit to give you eyes to see Jesus throughout the Old and New Testament?

Wednesday: Read Hebrews 3:1-13 and Numbers 14

The Israelites are a warning to us today. Do not let your heart grow hard, or you will not enter Jesus' rest. A hardened heart does not happen suddenly; it results from choices to disregard God and drift away from God and His people. However, God is faithful and can give us new hearts and desires if we ask Him (Ezekiel 36:23-27).

Thursday: Read Hebrews 3:1-19 and Psalm 95

The Israelites did not receive the gift of God's promised land for them because of their unbelief and lack of trust in Him. The letter of Hebrews calls us to learn from them by caring for our hearts and encouraging one another every day. Will you commit to being in God's Word daily and living in community with other believers?

Friday: Read Hebrews 3:1-19

Will you spend time in prayer asking the Holy Spirit to give you a passionate desire to pursue Jesus over all other things? We are ambassadors for God's Kingdom, a light in a dark world. Are you living in a way that brings glory to Jesus?

The Letter to the Hebrews - Chapter 2

Pastor Marshall Ochs | January 8, 2023

In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from Hebrews 2. This chapter continues the argument from chapter one — Jesus is superior to angels. Building on that argument, the author describes the human nature of Jesus and what Christ accomplished in the flesh. Specific attention is given to Jesus’ victory over the fear of death and the implications that holds in daily life.

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1. Last week we studied Hebrews 1 and saw how believers were struggling with faithfulness to God. Due to social pressure, they were shrinking back and drifting in their faith. Today, as we study Hebrews 2, we are warned about the results from drifting away from our faith. In what ways have you drifted away from God?

2. We are encouraged to not merely hear the word of God, but to obey. We must examine everything in the light of Christ and take what He has said to us seriously. Pray and ask the Lord to show you what areas of your life need to be surrendered fully to Him.

3. If we do not hear and obey, we will drift away, like a boat that is not tied to the dock. This drifting isn’t an act of conscious disbelief, but rather happens due to neglect. If we neglect to study God’s word and pray – we drift. This drifting ultimately will lead to a spiritual life that is shipwrecked! Tie your boat to the dock!

4. Mankind was made a steward over creation, and then mankind sinned. This made us slaves. Jesus, through His suffering and death became the atonement for our sin and gave us the gift of freedom. The creator of mankind took on flesh, dwelt among us, experienced temptations, suffering and death in order to wash away our sins and satisfy the wrath of God! As you think on this, spend time thanking God for all that He has done for us through His Son, Jesus.

5. Jesus destroyed the devil and the power of sin! Jesus set the captives free from the fear of death and the grave! As believers in Jesus, we no longer have to live afraid anymore of anything or anyone! What have you been living in fear of? May today be the day that we lay down any fears we have been enslaved by and walk in freedom in and through Christ Jesus!

The Letter to the Hebrews - Chapter 1

Pastor Marshall Ochs | January 1, 2023

In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from Hebrews 1. The letter to the Hebrews is a powerful study in the supremacy of Jesus. The author uses Old Testament scripture to argue for the lordship of Jesus over all things in our life. Chapter 1 is an example of the sovereignty of Jesus over angels, but his argument extends far beyond God’s messengers.

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Monday: Read Hebrews 1:1-4 & Psalm 2

• What do these scriptures say about God and His Son, Jesus Christ?

• What should our response be, knowing God communicates to us by His Son?

• What is your response to knowing Jesus holds everything together?

• Is there anything that has been ruling your life other than Jesus?

Tuesday: Read Hebrews 1:1-6 & reflect on 1:5-6 & 2 Samuel 7:1-17

• Will you pray and ask God to reveal His Son’s superiority over all your struggles?

Wednesday: Read Hebrews 1:1-8 & reflect on 1:7-8 & Psalm 104 

• Will you meditate on the splendor and majesty of our King?

Thursday: Read Hebrews 1:1-12 & reflect on 1:9-12 & Psalm 102

• Will you meditate on the truth that the Lord laid the foundation of the earth; the heavens are the work of His hands? Things of this world will perish, but He will remain. God is the same, and His years will have no end.

Friday: Read Hebrews 1:1-14 & reflect on 1:13-14 & Psalm 110

• Jesus is exalted at the right hand of God. Will you pray and ask God to reveal the power of His anointed Son to you?

• The author reminds the church that Jesus is above all things, including angels. Are there any “angels” in your life that hold the power or authority that belongs to Jesus?

• May the truth of who Jesus is, penetrate our hearts and lives. May our prayer this week be to see, know and feel the superiority of Jesus in our lives.

Advent 2022

Pastor Marshall Ochs | December 18, 2022

In this special Advent message, Pastor Marshall teaches on the wisdom of Christ. In Proverbs, wisdom and foolishness were personified by women. Paul teaches in 1 Corinthians 1:24 that Jesus was the wisdom of God. If Jesus was the ultimate fulfillment of wisdom personified, what can we glean from the wisdom of Proverbs and the parables of Jesus?

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Monday: Read Proverbs 8:1-11

• On the heights beside the way, at the crossroads she takes her stand; beside the gates in front of the town, at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud.

• O simple ones, learn prudence; O fools learn sense.

• Hear, for I will speak noble things, and from my lips will come what is right

• All my words are righteousness; they are all straight to him who understands, right to those who find knowledge.

• Take my instruction instead of silver and knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.

Will you spend time in prayer asking the Holy Spirit to reveal if you are treasuring the wrong things?

Tuesday: Read Proverbs 7:6-23

• The woman foolishness has perceived among the youths, a young man lacking sense, passing along the street near hercorner.

• And behold, the woman meets him, dressed as a prostitute, wily of heart, loud and wayward, her feet do not stay home.

• She lies in wait in the street, the market, at every corner. She seizes him and kisses him, and with a bold face, she says to him, I had to offer sacrifices, paid my vows, and now have come to meet you, to see you eagerly.

• Come, let us take our fill of love till morning; delight ourselves with love; my husband has gone on a long journey.

• With much seductive speech, she persuades him; with smooth talk, she compels him.

• He follows her all at once, as an ox goes to the slaughter, as a stag is caught fast, an arrow pierces its liver, and a bird rushes into a snare. He does not know it will cost him his life.

Will you choose wisdom over foolishness? Foolishness will cost you your life. Meditate on the imagery of verses 22-23. It is not just one image we are given.

Wednesday: Read Mathew 1:18-25

• Mary was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Joseph resolved to divorce her quietly.

• An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

• All of this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call His name Immanuel” (which means God with us).

• Joseph did as the angel of the Lord commanded him.

God gave us Jesus, Immanuel; God is with us. God gave us literal wisdom. Will you meditate on the gift God gave us?

Thursday: Read Proverbs 8:27-36

• When He established the heavens, I was there; when He drew a circle on the face of the deep, when He made firm the skies above, when He established fountains of the deep, when He assigned the sea its limit so that the waters might not transgress His command, when He marked out the foundations of the earth, I was beside Him like a master workman, I was daily his delight, rejoicing before Him always, rejoicing in His inhabited world, delighting in the children of man.

• And now, O sons, listen to Me: blessed are those who keep My ways. Hear instruction and be wise, do not neglect it.

• Blessed is the one who listens to Me, watching daily at My gates, waiting beside My doors. Whoever finds Me finds life and obtains favor from the LORD. But he who fails to find Me injures himself; all who hate Me love death.

Will you meditate on the ways of Jesus? Jesus was beside God like a master workman, daily His delight, rejoicing before Him always. Blessed are those who keep the ways of Jesus; Blessed are those who listen to Jesus, watching daily at His gates. Will you read scripture through the lens of an invitation to live wisely, not through the frame of right or wrong?

Friday: Read Romans 15:1-7

• We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, not to please ourselves.

• Christ did not please Himself.

• May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus.

• That you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Will you spend time in prayer, asking God to make you wise? Will you ask Him to empower you to live a life not pleasing yourself but to live in harmony with one another, in accord with Jesus Christ, for the purpose of glorifying our glorious Heavenly Father?