Read
Hebrews 1:1–2:4
Consider
This Sunday a seven-week series of sermons begins based on Hebrews chapters one through nine. This series is called “Jesus is Greater”. The idea for this series came from a suggestion made last year by Pastor Derek Li as we were thinking through some ideas for the preaching calendar for the SCBC English Ministry. Pastor Derek suggested we begin with a series that came together under the theme of Growth in Faith. Thinking about faith took me to Hebrews 11, the Faith Hall of Fame, which was the series just past dealing with examples of faith: Abraham, Moses, Rahab and then Jesus, who is called the perfecter of faith. And that focus on Jesus led me back to the beginning of what most scholars think began as a sermon about the supremacy of Jesus and why believers should hold on to their faith in the face of threatened persecution. That’s the series we will begin this Sunday. It concludes April 17, Easter Sunday.
bibleproject.com has a wonderful introduction to Hebrews. The clip is only eight minutes and seventeen seconds. I invite you to take a look and get an overview of our journey together so far and in the weeks to come. Watch it HERE
More great news…in-person worship begins this Sunday, March 6th, for the English Ministry congregation. I know some of you will be there and some will be watching from home. I look forward to seeing all of you in person or virtually at 9:30 a.m.
The Rev. Dr. Bill Norman
Pray
Gracious God, our Heavenly Father, with all the sisters and brothers in the faith, I thank you for my Saviour, Jesus. Thank you for his example, for the courage to do your will and to live according to your purposes. Thank you for his mission, to seek and to save those who are lost, that I and all those who have faith may find their place in your family. Thank you for the strength he showed in coming not to be served but to serve. Thank you for the sacrifice of his death and the victory of his resurrection in which I share through faith.
Because I am thankful, O God, help me to be a credible and faithful disciple in my world. Give me grace; give me courage; help me to honour Jesus each day both in the church and in the world. I pray in his name. Amen.
Diving Deeper
Do you think you have ever had an encounter with an angel? When was this? What happened?
How is Jesus superior to the prophets? How is he superior to angels?
Make a list of everything this preacher/author says about Jesus in Hebrews 1. What do these attributes teach you about Jesus?
Do you think it is easy for Christians to drift away from the truth that God has revealed in Jesus? (Hebrews 2:1–3) What helps you to stay anchored to the good news of salvation? How could you help someone you think might be drifting away from this message?
How can we live closer WITH GOD in our lives?
How are we being TRANSFORMED to be more like Christ?
How is the Holy Spirit empowering us to imitate Christ in what we DO this week?