FAITH IN CHRIST HEBREWS 1:1-3

Leaving Christ and His words of salvation. Warned about having an evil heart of unbelief. Willfully sinning and turning their backs on Christ. The book of Hebrews was written to create faith in the hearts of its readers and to keep them faithful. The writer does this in part by showing that Christ is greater than: The prophetsMoses The book of Hebrews was written to people who were:

Christ Is A Greater Spokesman Than The Prophets The Old Testament prophets spoke for God. Acts 3:21 Which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began. They spoke at different times. The prophets had a particular message for a given period. The prophets spoke in various ways. The prophets were men with human limitations.

God’s message through Christ is final and compete Christ was and still is Deity, with no limitations Hebrews 1:2-3 Has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, John 1:1-3 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. Christ is the one who can create new people out of sinful people. He created all things and sustains all things.

In Christ we are a new creation II Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. He has purified us from our sins by sacrificing Himself Hebrews 1:3 When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, Hebrews 7:25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He ever lives to make intercession for them. He is able to save those who come to God through Him. Notice Hebrews 9:22-28

Christ Is A Greater Law-Giver Than Moses Moses had: Spoke with GodSpoke for GodRevealed the law This law was given to the Jews, Deuteronomy 5:1-5. This law was fulfilled by Christ. Matthew 5:17-18 Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. The law of Moses was given as a temporary rule. Galatians 3:19 What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator.

The law was nailed to the cross. Colossians 2:14 Having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. Jesus is the Mediator of a new covenant. Christ’s Law is for everyone John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Hebrews 12:24 To Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel. Notice Hebrews 8:7-13

The perfect law of liberty James 1:25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does. It is under this law we are WashedSanctifiedJustified I Corinthians 6:9-11 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.

Why Is Faith So Important? We are justified by faith Romans 3:23-26 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth to be a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.

Hearts are purified by faith Acts 15:8-9 "So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as He did to us, and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.” Acts 10:34-35 Then Peter opened his mouth and said: "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. This is done by working righteousness It is also done by obeying the truth. I Peter 1:22-23 Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever,

We are children of God by faith. Galatians 3:26-29 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. Romans 8:16-18 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed to us.

You cannot please God without faith. Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. ARE YOU PLEASING GOD WITH YOUR FAITH?

Given by David Hamlin on July 18, 2010 am Hollister, Missouri church of Christ