The Journey: Chronological Bible Study

Today we conclude John's written sermon and look at the two (maybe) cover letters that were to go with it.

John continues his sermon on true and false and how to tell who to trust.

Older mature John has learned some ways to know who's telling you the truth about the Gospel and who just wants to exploit you. He also wants to remind us that he's walked with Jesus personally, seen him die and come to life, so he feels (and I agree) that that earns him some credibility this area.

Now it's Peters turn to give much the same warnings that Jude did, only slightly more extensively and with slightly fewer strange (to our ears) references). The main point for both Jude and 2 Peter? Don't let anyone move you from the foundation of the Gospel. Nothing else is better. Nothing else is needed for life and Godliness.

A strange and wonderful book, ultimately reminding us to stay grounded on the Gospel.

Stay alert and Focused. This world is not what it will always be. Soon enough we'll be in a new world with no suffering. For now stay focused.

The beautiful hope of God's judgment. Peter understand the hope in something we often think of as only scary. But the promise that God will make everything right in the final analysis is one that we should take great encouragement from.

As chosen Exiles, how then should we live. How do we respect those around us while living differently from them?

Chosen exiles: A really interesting phrase and the most important point Peter is making in this first chapter.

The author(s) of Hebrews wraps up with the conclusions we would expect: Faith, faith, and faith.

The author of Hebrews continues to drive home the point that Jesus is priest of a better covenant. The old was never bad, but its purpose was to foreshadow the greater covenant to come. It's great for its intended purpose, but woefully inadequate for the purpose they are trying to give it.

What is the deal with Melchizedek? How is this priestly order better than the levitical order and what does it have to do with Jesus?

The authors wants to get deep, but has to back up to catch up those who "aren't even really trying to listen." The good news fo run is that the Gospel is the deep, not the shallow. We do not need to look for something more advanced. We are living in the final chapters and Jesus is more than enough for all we need.

The author of Hebrews keeps hammering on his one main point: That Jesus is better...than anyone, or anything. His message is better, His redemption is better, He is more than a faithful servant and yet thanks to His human experience, able to uniquely empathize with our weakness.

Jesus is better. than. everything. He's better at being God, he's better at being man, he's better at being the Messiah because he's both.

Who wrote the book of Hebrews? Who are the Hebrews to whom it's written?

The last words of Paul to one of his most promising protege's. What would he leave him with? How amazingly relevant for church leader's today as well!

Paul is nearing the end of his life and he knows it. What will his final words to his best friend and protege be?

Paul mentors his proteges (and us) in solid leadership development and discipleship.

Paul's instructs Timothy on the process and wisdom in appointing Elders and who to put on the Widows list.

It would be great if we could just hear what kinds of things Paul said to the elders he coached. What a gift that would be to anyone in Christian Leadership (and therefore to the church) today!...oh, wait.

Maybe we don't even need to read 1 Timothy anymore. I mean we certainly don't struggle in the church with conspiracy theories, meaningless talk, unnecessary controversy, or any other indication that we've become distracted from the Gospel itself!

What is the reason for the quarrels among you? Guess, what, it's not them!

Faith, works, and speech .

What's the deal with faith and works?