The House You're Building

Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you will everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.  Hebrews 13:20-21 (ESV) We’ve come to it at last, the final chapter Hebrews.  Jesus is better.  He is a better priest of a better covenant that God had given the Israelites because it depends on the work of Christ, not the ability of the people to follow the law.  It is grace personified, eternal, unconditional favor and secure relationship for God’s people.  As we close Hebrews, chapter 13 reads like a heavenly to-do list. It’s tempting to read these passages and think, if I act this way, God will be pleased with me. If my life is marked by these habits, I will be able to show God I’m good.  It’s possible that as we read the passage, a false ...

  During advent season, many pastors retell the Christmas story to their congregants.  It is a blessing to hear afresh the narrative of how our Lord came to earth, answering the long-awaited hopes of His people.  After 400 years of silence, the angels sang praise of His immanent arrival to shepherds.  One my favorite decorations I set up is the nativity.  I’ve collected pieces over the years that visually express how the story unfolds in the synoptic gospels.   This year, I’m reflecting on a more distant part of the Christmas story, the one that started in Genesis 3, where our ancestors ate of a tree in disobedience and sin entered the world.  The curse was upon the earth and humanity has suffered in sin ever since.  Genesis 3:15 predicts the enmity between humankind and its oppressor to end when the Offspring will come who will crush his head, rendering the snake, one symbol of Satan found in scripture, ineffective....

What an encouragement this book is!   So much truth about who and what Christ is to us and my prayer is that this week’s study will give you even more to lean on…   The first chapter tells about who Christ is and the work He has done on our behalf.   In chapter 2 we read about our identity-who we are in Him.   Chapter 3 is very practical and essential for day to day living; in verse 4 it calls Christ “our life.”   The first part of chapter 3 describes how you can live as a new man, one saved and changed forever by the transforming work of Jesus.     This week we will cover the first 17 verses of Colossians chapter 3.     1.        There are two selves described in this passage.   One being the old man, one being the new.   The old man was your self before Jesus resided in you through the presence of the Holy Spirit on the basis of faith.   Cross reference the word self (which ...