Skip to content
logo horizontal
logo tree only
logo tree only
  • about
      • Sermon Series
        • Comp 01b w Kaleidoscope
        • Up Next:
      • Times & Directions
        • Generic Sunday Service times 2021 169hd
      • About us
        • Vision Feature art grey 2022 169
      • Getting Connected
        • Newsletter,Email,Icon,Isolated,On,Special,Blue,Banner,Background,Abstract
      • Meet With A Pastor
        • Living,Room,With,Two,Yellow,Armchair,mockup,Concrete,Wall.3d,Rendering
      • New Believers
        • Care,Of,New,Life,-,Watering,Young,Plant,-,Vintage
      • Worship
        • Worship-arts-169HD-sm2
      • Baptism
        • Interested in Baptism 169HD
      • Baby Dedications
        • Baby dedication2 169HD
      • Communion
        • Communion 169HD
      • Membership
        • mbc membership
      • COVID 19 Campus Info
        • COVID-19 UPdates
      • Staff & Leadership
        • Team Web Rotator
  • ministries
      • Internships
        • Internships
      • Family Ministries
        • Happy,Family,In,The,Park,Evening,Light.,The,Lights,Of
      • Kids
        • MBC KIDS Postcard 169HD
      • Teens
        • Summer Schedule 2022 169
        • Wednesdays the Rush
        • blog menu
      • Adults
        • Feet,In,Leather,Sneaker,On,Pavement,Background,,Top,View
        • small groups 2018 HD16
        • womens Feature Image 2018 Web 16.9HD
        • Adult-Sunday-School 2018 169HD
        • Young Adult SundayWeekly22 16.9HD
        • senior-luncheon-master-16.9HD
        • Mens Ministries 2018 169HD
        • Men,Supporting,Men,,Introduction,To,A,Men’s,Therapy,Group
      • Underground Sessions
        • 1.28.23 Underground Promo
      • Care
        • Care team 2015 169hd
      • Stephen Ministry
        • Stephen Ministry 2017 169HD
      • Missions – World Partners
        • Missions Logo new page2 169HD
        • Senegal Missions banner 169HD 2021
        • 1st Choice 169HD
        • city relief 169HD-MBC-COMMS-LAPTOP2020
        • market Street Mission 169HD
        • Feedng Hands
      • MBC Unhindered
        • Unhindered 169hd
      • Little Footprints Learning Center
        • LFLC Postcard 2017 V2
  • media
      • Pastors Weekly Video
        • Weekly Pastors Video
      • Pastor’s Table Blog
        • Pastor’s Table 169hd
      • Sunday Service Live Stream
        • Live Stream 169HD 2020 9am no time
      • YouTube Channel
        • Subscribe to MBC UNHINDERED Congregation 169
      • Facebook Live
      • Sermon Archive
        • Sermon Archive Banner
  • events
  • prayer
  • give
      • MBC Giving
        • MBC Giving Slides_template 10 digit 2021b
      • Year-End Giving for 2023
        • MBC VISION 2022 building blocks
      • Give Your Time & Efforts
        • Serving page alt 2 169
      • Give Help, Get Help
        • Give Get 169hd 2021
      • Support Ukraine
        • Support Ukraine 169
  • connect
      • Getting Connected
        • Newsletter,Email,Icon,Isolated,On,Special,Blue,Banner,Background,Abstract
      • Shared Interest Groups
        • Shared Interest Groups 169
      • Share your Gifts
        • Serving page alt With Webpage URL 169
  • log in
PrevPrevious EntryHoly Week Devotions: Day Eight – Resurrection Sunday
Next EntryAren’t Christianity and Science Incompatible?Next

BACK TO THE PASTOR’S TABLE

Top Five Lessons from the Book of Hebrews

Almost 2,000 years ago, God inspired an amazing letter to be written, known today as the “Letter to the Hebrews.” We just concluded a sermon series through the book of Hebrews this Spring, and before we move on I want to share the top five lessons I’ve taken away from this amazing letter, this time around:

Lesson 1 – You can rest, because it is finished.

Reading this book makes you want to breathe out a sigh of relief. In terms of your salvation, you can rest by faith in the finished work of Christ on your behalf. Dr. Lewis Sperry Chafer used to say to his students, “Men, God is satisfied…Men, God is satisfied.” The work is done. The fact that Jesus sat down (Heb 10:12) means that His redemptive work for your sake was completed on the cross. In the Old Testament sacrificial system, there were no chairs in the temple because the high priest’s work was never finished. Today the High Priest of God, Jesus Christ, has completed the work at salvation by declaring that “it is finished” (John 19:30) Are you resting in His finished work? “Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest.” (Heb 4:11)

Lesson 2 – You should work hard, because the warnings are serious.  

Reading this book also motivates you to get moving! This may sound like a contradiction with the first lesson, but it’s not. Let me explain. There are five major warning sections in the book of Hebrews (2:1-4, 3:7-4:13, 5:11-6:20, 10:26-39, 12:14-29) and they are all meant to spur you on toward greater maturity, love and good deeds. There are consequences for those who shrink back and look elsewhere for their security and significance in this life. It’s not that we earn favor with God through our good works, it’s that our works display our true allegiance. They are the fruit of our salvation, not the root of our salvation. The warnings are serious in nature, meaning, if you are a true follower of Jesus, your life should bear good fruit and display the authenticity of your commitment. If you do not display these qualities, there is reason to be greatly concerned both here and in the life to come. Are you striving toward maturity? “Let us go on!” (Heb 6:1)

Lesson 3 – You can trust, because God calls you to live by faith.

Reading this book makes you want to step out into the unknown. Following God is easy when everything makes sense and life seems easy. But you and I both know it’s not always like that. Have you ever read Hebrews 11? What do you do when life doesn’t make sense? Will you follow Jesus then? Will you be faithful then? That’s the test. Biblical faith not only believes that God exists (Heb 11:6), biblical faith also says “I have something real that I do not have right now.” (Heb 11:1) Biblical faith sometimes sees God do wonderful things (Heb 11:7-8), but it also allows God’s people to endure terrible things. (11:35b-40) The key here is that Biblical faith is not in our agenda for God, but in God’s agenda for us. (Heb 11:35-40) Do you live by faith? Remember, “Without faith, it is impossible to please Him.” (Heb 11:6)

Lesson 4 – You can endure, because this world is not your home. 

Reading this book makes you able to patiently wait. The book of Hebrews was originally written as a strong source of encouragement to first century believers to press on through difficulties because of the reward which was to come (Heb 10:34-35, 11:6, 40, 12:1-3). It encourages the readers to patiently endure suffering and prepares them for persecution (Heb 2:1, 4:14, 6:1-3, 10:23, 10:36 12:1-2), by exhorting them to live by faith in God’s promises of a better city, as the saints of God always had to do. We are all looking for the reward (Heb 11:26). This reward is pictured as a “city which is to come.” (Heb 13:14). This life is short. Eternity is long. Persevere and live for what’s in store in the next life. As C.T. Studd said, “Only one life, twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.” Are you going through a hard time? Live for that reward. “You have need of endurance.” (Heb 10:34-35)

Lesson 5 – You can be satisfied in Christ, because Jesus is Greater than all.

Reading this book makes you stand in awe and wonder of the second person of the Trinity. The book of Hebrews teaches about the absolute Supremacy of Jesus Christ. The adjective “better” is used 13 times, along with a cluster of words “more,” and “greater” appearing a combined total of 25 times. He is better than Angels (Ch. 1), Moses (Ch. 3), and Aaron (Ch. 4-7) His covenant is better (Ch. 8), His sacrifice is better (Ch. 9), and His temple is better (Ch. 10). The book of Hebrews encourages the worship of Christ for His person and work as the Heir, Creator, Sustainer, and our Prophet, Priest, and King. He is the climax of God’s revelation (Heb 1:1-3) He is worth your every effort! Whatever you are facing today, “Fix your eyes on Jesus.” (Heb 12:1-2) I concluded my final sermon with a collection of all we have learned about Jesus in this amazing letter, compiled by John Piper here.

He is:

  • God’s final revelation (1:2).
  • The heir of all things (1:2).
  • The creator of the world (1:2).
  • The radiance of God’s glory (1:3).
  • The exact imprint of God’s nature (1:3).
  • He upholds the universe by the word of his power (1:3).
  • He made purification for sins (1:3).
  • He sits at the right hand of the Majesty on High (1:4).
  • He is God, enthroned forever, with a scepter of uprightness (1:8).
  • He is worshipped by angels (1:6).
  • His rule will have no end (1:8).
  • His joy is above all other beings in the universe (1:9).
  • He took on human flesh (2:14).
  • He was crowned with glory and honor because of his suffering (2:9).
  • He was the founder of our salvation (2:10).
  • He was made perfect in all his obedience by his suffering (2:10).
  • He destroyed the one who has the power of death, the devil (2:15).
  • He delivered us from the bondage of fear (2:15).
  • He is a merciful and faithful high priest (2:17)
  • He made propitiation for sins (2:17).
  • He is sympathetic because of his own trials (4:15).
  • He never sinned (4:15).
  • He offered up loud cries and tears with reverent fear, and God heard him (5:7).
  • He became the source of eternal salvation (5:8)
  • He holds his priesthood by virtue of an indestructible life (7:16).
  • He appears in the presence of God on our behalf (9:24).
  • He will come a second time to save us who are eagerly waiting for him (9:28).
  • He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (13:8)

All of this supremacy of Christ is poured into the word “him” in Hebrews 13:13: “Therefore let us go to him!”

To learn more about the book of Hebrews, or watch one of the messages, visit our sermon series page here.

Dave Hentschel

Dave Hentschel

David Hentschel serves as Lead Pastor: Preaching, Spiritual Formation and Care at Millington Baptist Church in Basking Ridge, NJ. He is a graduate of Philadelphia Biblical University and Dallas Theological Seminary. He and his wife Juli enjoy three children.
PrevPrevious EntryHoly Week Devotions: Day Eight – Resurrection Sunday
Next EntryAren’t Christianity and Science Incompatible?Next

BACK TO THE PASTOR’S TABLE

Like what you see? Sign up to receive notifications from The Pastor's Table!
Loading
Like what you see? Sign up to receive notifications from The Pastor's Table!
Loading

Recent Entries

Loading...

Fruit of the Spirit: Patience

September 21, 2022
/
Noah Graves
Patience. When many of us think of patience we may have different ideas that come to mind. For some, they may think of patiently waiting on the phone with a slow customer service experience with a company. For others, they may think of being patient with a difficult student in...
Read More

Roe v. Wade is Overturned: How should Christians respond?

June 26, 2022
/
Dave Hentschel
This week the U.S. Supreme Court has issued a ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade, effectively ending the nation's constitutional right to abortion and sending the issue back to the states. How should we as Christians make sense of this monumental news? Here at MBC, we are passionate about life...
Read More

Aren’t Christianity and Science Incompatible?

July 15, 2021
/
Dave Hentschel
We are going through a sermon series at church discussing different worldviews. Many people in our culture believe that faith and science are opposed to one another. They see them as either mutually exclusive or even incompatible. I want to argue that that they are not only compatible, but they...
Read More

Holy Week Devotions: Day Eight – Resurrection Sunday

April 4, 2021
/
Dave Hentschel
Day Eight: Resurrection Sunday Texts: (Matthew 28:1–20, Mark 16:1–8, Luke 24:1–53, John 20:1–21:25.) Christ is Risen! He is risen indeed! O Happy Day! As we come to the end of our Holy Week devotional series, we truly have saved the best for last. We actually have come to the beginning. A...
Read More

Holy Week Devotions: Day Seven – Holy Saturday

April 3, 2021
/
Dave Hentschel
Day Seven - Holy Saturday Text: (Matthew 27:62–66) The Saturday of Easter weekend is a "forgotten day." It is often overlooked compared to the rest of what is a very eventful week. Saturday is a day we don’t talk about much. It’s the day in between the darkest day in...
Read More

Holy Week Devotions: Day Six – Good Friday

April 2, 2021
/
Dave Hentschel
Day Six: Good Friday Texts: (Matthew 27:1–61, Mark 15:1–47, Luke 23:1–56, John 18:28–19:42.) The theme of today's devotional is the word "Love." Do you believe God loves you? Perhaps you've struggled receiving love in your life. Maybe even those closest to you have not been very loving. Maybe others have...
Read More
1 2 … 7 Next »

Fruit of the Spirit: Patience

Patience. When many of us think of patience we may have different ideas that come to mind. For some, they may think of patiently waiting on the phone with a slow customer service experience with a company. For others, they may think of being patient with a difficult student in class. And for some people,

Read More
Noah Graves September 21, 2022

Roe v. Wade is Overturned: How should Christians respond?

This week the U.S. Supreme Court has issued a ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade, effectively ending the nation’s constitutional right to abortion and sending the issue back to the states. How should we as Christians make sense of this monumental news? Here at MBC, we are passionate about life and we have prayerfully considered

Read More
Dave Hentschel June 26, 2022

Aren’t Christianity and Science Incompatible?

We are going through a sermon series at church discussing different worldviews. Many people in our culture believe that faith and science are opposed to one another. They see them as either mutually exclusive or even incompatible. I want to argue that that they are not only compatible, but they are locked together in a

Read More
Dave Hentschel July 15, 2021
Page1 Page2 Page3 Page4 Page5
  • www.millingtonbaptist.org
  • mbc@millingtonbaptist.org
  • /millingtonchurch
  • /MBCNewJersey
  • www.millingtonbaptist.org
  • mbc@millingtonbaptist.org
  • facebook.com/millingtonchurch
  • twitter.com/MBCNewJersey
  • 520 King George Road | Basking Ridge, NJ 07920 | 908-647-0594
  • about
    • Back
    • Sermon Series
      • Back
      • Back
    • Times & Directions
      • Back
      • Back
    • About us
      • Back
      • Back
    • Getting Connected
      • Back
      • Getting Connected
      • Back
    • Meet With A Pastor
      • Back
      • Meet With A Pastor
      • Back
    • New Believers
      • Back
      • New Believers
      • Back
    • Worship
      • Back
      • Back
    • Baptism
      • Back
      • Back
    • Baby Dedications
      • Back
      • Baby Dedications
      • Back
    • Communion
      • Back
      • Communion
      • Back
    • Membership
      • Back
      • Back
    • COVID 19 Campus Info
      • Back
      • MBC Indoor Gathering Plan, 9am & 10:15am
      • Back
    • Staff & Leadership
      • Back
      • Back
    • Back
  • ministries
    • Back
    • Internships
      • Back
      • Internships
      • Back
    • Family Ministries
      • Back
      • Family Ministries
      • Back
    • Kids
      • Back
      • MBC Kids
      • Back
    • Teens
      • Back
      • Teens
      • The Break
      • Rush Blog
      • Back
    • Adults
      • Back
      • Alpha Groups Initiative
      • Small Groups
      • Women
      • Adult Education
      • Young Adults
      • Senior Luncheon
      • Men
      • Radical Mentoring
      • Back
    • Underground Sessions
      • Back
      • Underground Sessions
      • Back
    • Care
      • Back
      • Back
    • Stephen Ministry
      • Back
      • Back
    • Missions – World Partners
      • Back
      • MBC Missions – World Partners
      • Senegal
      • First Choice
      • The Relief Bus
      • Market Street
      • Feeding Hands
      • Back
    • MBC Unhindered
      • Back
      • MBC Unhindered
      • Back
    • Little Footprints Learning Center
      • Back
      • Back
    • Back
  • media
    • Back
    • Pastors Weekly Video
      • Back
      • Updates & Connection Opportunities
      • Back
    • Pastor’s Table Blog
      • Back
      • Pastor’s Table Blog
      • Back
    • Sunday Service Live Stream
      • Back
      • MBC Live
      • Back
    • YouTube Channel
      • Back
      • YouTube
      • Back
    • Facebook Live
    • Sermon Archive
      • Back
      • Sermon Archive
      • Back
    • Back
  • events
  • prayer
  • give
    • Back
    • MBC Giving
      • Back
      • give
      • Back
    • Year-End Giving for 2023
      • Back
      • Year-End Giving for 2023
      • Back
    • Give Your Time & Efforts
      • Back
      • Share your Gifts
      • Back
    • Give Help, Get Help
      • Back
      • Give Help, Get Help
      • Back
    • Support Ukraine
      • Back
      • Support Ukraine
      • Back
    • Back
  • connect
    • Back
    • Getting Connected
      • Back
      • getting connected
      • Back
    • Shared Interest Groups
      • Back
      • Shared Interest Groups
      • Back
    • Share your Gifts
      • Back
      • Share your Gifts
      • Back
    • Back
  • log in