Yesterday we looked at some of Paul's writings about the Ministry of Reconciliation that Christ began and invites us to partner with him in. Today, we're going to dwell on one of the significant ways that reconciliation plays out for us- we are forgiven.
Take a few moments just to catch up with the Living God and share any thoughts or fears you have from the opening week of school.
Check out 2 Cortinthians 5:17; Revelation 21:5; and Hebrews 10
- What promise is made in both 2 Corinthians 5:17 and Revelation 21:5? In other words, does anything change when we accept the Living God's forgiveness and grace? What changes?
- What does Hebrews 10 say about the sacrifices that humans offered, even in the Jewish system (check out verses 1-4 especially)?
- If the sacrifices didn't take away sins, what did they do for the people according to the second half of verse 3?
- Take a moment to reflect on Hebrews 10:5-18. How does this passage compare what Christ did to the Old Testament, Jewish priests?
- Throughout history, man has wrestled with how to appease "the gods." Knowing that has often involved sacrificing animals (and sometimes humans), crops, religious ceremonies, etc, what stands out to you about the Living God's solution to humanity's guilt?
- In light of what Christ has done, how should we react in regards to how we relate to the Living God? Check out Hebrews 10:19-25 especially.
- Based on Hebrews 10:26-31, should we keep on sinning and doing whatever we want in light of the Living God's grace? Afterall, if he likes forgiving and I like sinning, it seems like a win-win. Why do you think we should or shouldn't change (or can we change)?
- If we're supposed to change the way we live, how do we do that?
- What advice does the author of Hebrews offer us in Hebrews 10:32-39 when we're facing doubts and persecution (people treating us badly because of our faith in Jesus)?
If you never have, this might be a good time for you to confess that you're a sinner. The Living God already knows that but it's important for us to acknowledge it too. But don't stop there! Thank the Living God for his grace and forgiveness that he offers us in the resurrection life of Jesus Christ! Praise God that you are a new creation in the life of Jesus and that you don't have to remain in the chains of your sin.
In fact, you're not even a sinner after you accept Jesus' grace and mercy- you're a saint that sometimes sins. How does that change the way you think about the Living God and yourself?
Peace,
Richard
2 comments:
1) The old is gone and the new has come.
2) The sacrifices have to be offered over and over because the they don't take away sins.
3) They are an annual reminder that they sinned.
4) God is not pleased with the scarfice and offerings but we have been made holy only with the scarfices of Christ.
5) Sacrifices are not what takes away sin.
6) We should react by drawing near to God with our cleansed hearts.
7) No. We should change because we need to use good judgement so we don't make mistakes or sin and then we wouldnt need to be forgiven.
8) By praying and reading the bible.
9) The righteous one lives through faith and does not shrink back. They believe so they can be saved.
1. God is making everything new.
2. It says that sacrifices are not needed because the followers who already had their sins cleared, they don't need to be making sacrifices.
3. They just reminded people of the sins they committed.
4. Those priests believed people should make sacrifices and Jesus said that God didn't want them because Jesus made one once and for all.
5. What stands out to me is that it can all be done with just one person, but that person was God in human form. Yeah the human sacrifice thing... I think it was the Aztecs who made live human sacrifices by breaking a person's ribs, ripping out their heart and eating it. Ewww...
6. We should encourage eachother to worship God because it leads to a clean life.
7. No we shouldn't. We should change because we want to make God proud of what he has done instead of trashing it because some pretty important stuff happened for every one of us.
8. One way it said in the Hebrews passage is to be patient.
9. Keep on being brave and be patient.
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