Fr. Dan continues - Hebrews 10.

The questions for the Hebrews study are available here.

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Lofty Endeavors

It was frightening news to hear about a young boy adrift in a balloon. I prayed for him, didn’t you? Of course, we now know that his launch was a hoax, but I can’t help wondering if little Falcon will always bear the name “Balloon Boy”.

Hebrews has taken us on a lofty journey, even into the eternal Tabernacle, the Holy of Holies, where Jesus opened a way for us into the presence of the living God. But now in Chapter 10, the author gets very practical and tells us how to avoid drift.

Hold fast without wavering the hope we confess and our acknowledgement of it…the Creed we confess every Sunday.

Give attentive, continuous care to watching over one another, studying how we may stir up to love and helpful deeds and noble activities [The Amplified Bible on Hebrews 10:24]. Hmm. What do noble activities look like?

Retain the habit of assembling together as believers, for worship, and for encouraging and warning one another…and all the more faithfully as you see the Day approaching.

Confident in Christ,

Roberta

The Rev. Roberta Schneider

Deacon

Fr. Christopher preaches on Hebrews 9

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NEW

It would be hard to count how many times the word “new” has been used to sell you a product or service.  Advertisers know there is something in our human make-up that is attracted to what is new.

Likewise, the human heart yearns for a new approach to God.  Our humanity is beaten down by the law and attempts by religions and philosophies that “help us” to try harder.

 

Newness is what being a Christian is all about.  Jesus came to inaugurate a new kingdom for the people of God which could be entered through a new covenant or new testament with Him.  Jesus himself said “Behold, I make all things new!”  [Rev. 21:5], which is not difficult to believe if you accept that He is risen from the dead.  Those who believe in Christ are told in II Corinthians 5:17, “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;  the old has gone, the new has come!”

 The book of Hebrews has been our study together this Autumn.  This book is all about the new and better approach to God through Jesus Christ.  In fact, the words “new”, “better”, and “superior” are used of Jesus Christ over and over.  Today we hear read in Hebrews 9:15, “For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance – now that He has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.”

Thank God for newness and the new life we receive in His Son Jesus!

 

Christopher

The Rev. Christopher P. Leighton

Rector

Fr. Christopher continues this week with Hebrews 8

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Breaking Free

For many, these are difficult days of suffering and bondage.  How fortunate we are as Christians to have the love and salvation of Jesus.  There is such hope and healing with our precious Lord.  Yet at times He seems far away and elusive – but it is not Jesus who moves!  You can be struggling or blocked and longing for help, but can’t seem to reach that wonderful place of really “being with Him”.  Do you ever feel that way?

 

There are steps to take – a pathway to help achieve that intimacy, peace and healing – no matter what the outer circumstances seem to be.  The saints of St. Paul’s are prayerful, wonderful people of God.  But I am often made aware that personal struggles are part of our human life and that sometimes in the busy-ness and overwhelm of living life, we feel stuck or lost.    Well, the way out is to get right with God.  To get right with God means taking action to join with Him in intimacy – to be wholly dependent on Him and to look at the process that will help you to clear out and change those things that may be holding you back.

 

I recently read a wonderful article in Charisma magazine on breaking free from captivity and not letting the past paralyze you.  Our cell groups are studying Neil Anderson’s Bondage Breaker.   No matter where you are in your spiritual life, I hope you will join the 5-week Inner Healing course so we can explore together the process that will help you to move forward with greater wholeness and in your healing walk with God – beyond your wildest dreams!

 

“For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose.”   Philippians 2:13

 

Blessings,

Gail

The Rev. Gail Paige-Bowman

Fr. Christopher - Hebrews 7

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New is Better

One of the key themes of the Epistle to the Hebrews is that Jesus is different than what came before, even that which was good.  Our lesson today in Hebrews 7 describes Jesus’ priesthood as better than that of Aaron.  In fullness, truth and perfection, Jesus as the Divine Son is a priest after the order of Melchizedek, superseding all others.

 

It is worthwhile to consider the way of contrasting Jesus with what came before Him in our lives.  Of course, we often do this exercise with evil thoughts, words, and behaviors which leads to repentance and faith.  I urge you to consider reflecting even on the good in your life apart from Christ and then to see Him replacing it.

 

An example would be to think about the goodness of our families of origin and then to contrast with them our new life in Christ as member of His Body the Church.  In Mark 10:29-30, Jesus says, “I tell you the truth, no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the Gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields – and with them persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life.”

 

Lord Jesus, You are Best and your ways are best for us.  Indeed with You the New is Better!  Thank you, Lord!

Christopher

The Rev. Christopher P. Leighton

Rector