It’s an adjective that has become more and more popular in recent years when describing any number of activities either in the church or in the lives of God’s people. And while this descriptor is helpful and often a necessary reminder, we usually don’t give credit where credit is due for this perspective in the Christian life.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, on this Reformation Sunday, Pastor Monty Simao takes some time to reflect on this term, because it’s one that involves the Reformers.
For as the Reformers returned to the authority of Scripture, they, also, began to see that Jesus, Himself, revealed Himself as the “scope” of all the Scriptures.
What this means is that the credit goes to Christ: for all of Scripture is “Christ-Centered” — it all points to Him, and therefore, Jesus is the target and the end of all revelation from God.
What does it mean that the righteous shall live by faith?
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Hebrews and explains that we often hear this phrase and immediately think it’s about the doctrine of justification… because Paul uses that expression to teach that we are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.
But there is another part to it: Not only are we justified by faith, but we live and hope by faith as well.
In the darkest of days, the believer should live by faith, meaning that the people of God continue to trust in Him and cling to His promises even when distress and disaster have come to them.
Knowing not only that God is faithful and will not let their soul come to destruction, but also that Christ is coming to bring an end to all calamity in a final judgment that is so complete, it will right every wrong.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Hebrews and explains that when we encounter difficult times, it’s natural for us to remind ourselves of former days that were better — probably because we feel that doing so will give us the needed courage to face our current challenge.
The writer of Hebrews takes the opposite approach, though. Instead of recalling former times of ease, he tells his readers to recall former times of hardship! … times of affliction and persecution.
Why?
Because when we remember God’s past faithfulness during trying times, we are encouraged to persevere…in the hope of our eternal reward.
WARNING: The only plan of salvation is hinged upon Jesus Christ.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Hebrews and reminds us that it is Christ’s perfect righteousness — and only His righteousness — that makes us acceptable to God.
Christ offered the perfect sacrifice of His own blood and it was through His blood that the New Covenant was established. There is no salvation in any other covenant nor is there any other way to God.
Therefore, the one who repudiates the New Covenant has no sacrifice that can be offered to God to make himself acceptable. He has repudiated the only basis of receiving forgiveness, mercy, and grace and will only find wrath apart from Christ, and it is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the Living God.
While the Gospel is good news about what Christ has done and not good news about what we have done, it does have ramifications on what we do.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Hebrews and explains that these changes in our life are the fruit of regeneration — brought about by God.
…And yet in a practical way we are encouraged to pursue this fruit by pursuing Christ and asking ourselves:
“How then shall I live in light of what Christ has done for me?”
SBC Host:You heard Him. The finality and decisiveness of the sacrifice of Jesus for our sins is such that God declares that, in Christ, our sins are as good as forgotten.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Hebrews and explains that because of this, there will never be a need for another sin atoning sacrifice.
Christ has done it all! …His words spoken at the cross, proven true: “It is finished.”
SBC Host: Pretend you’re an Israelite, and I ask you to make a drawing of “the law,” what would you draw? …What image would best represent it?
Avg Guy:I have no idea.
SBC Host: Exactly.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Hebrews and explains that while we — being in possession of the New Testament — certainly have a richer, more complete idea of what the shadows of the law of the Old Testament pointed toward… we would struggle knowing what to draw too!
For even with this additional knowledge, we can’t fully grasp the expanse of the multiple facets of what the law actually entails — until we begin to see the lines of the sketch take shape: revealing an image of obedience and sacrifice that foreshadows the fullness of the reality of the law which we will one day completely see and experience in all of its glory.
Description: It’s a subject that most would rather ignore, but all agree is certain: DEATH. And inextricably linked to this inevitability is an even more avoided topic: JUDGEMENT.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Hebrews and reminds us how the Scriptures necessarily tie death and judgment together. After all, death comes as the consequence of sin.
But we need to understand, death is NOT the end… rather, it’s the BEGINNING of eternity — an eternity where we either enter into the fullness of joy in the presence of our Heavenly Father, or an eternity filled with condemnation when we are cast into the lake of fire.
Because you see, which eternity becomes your destiny, hinges on that very topic most of us would rather not ponder: JUDGEMENT.
Description: Forgiveness of sins and shedding of blood. The two are tied together in Scripture and cannot be separated.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Hebrews and shows us that this truth was clearly seen in the Old Testament shadow and is perfectly fulfilled in the New Testament reality — the sacrifice of Christ.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Hebrews in which he addresses the question about the Bible’s focus on blood…
Avg Guy: Wait a minute! Blood, that’s an Old Covenant thing. I mean with all the goat sacrifices and such.
SBC Host: I understand. But that doesn’t mean the NEW Covenant is not without blood — Christ’s.
Avg Guy:Good point.
SBC Host: The question is not about whether there is blood, but rather, when it comes to the blood that God requires for us to be right in His eyes, how does the blood sacrifice of animals pale in comparison to the blood sacrifice of Jesus?
Avg Guy: If the new covenant is so much better, why is the old covenant still so attractive?
I mean, why would the book of Hebrews even need to be written, convincing people not to go back to the shadows of the Old Covenant?
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Hebrews and shares with us that the answer lies in the Old Covenant’s barrier to God’s presence.
…With the greatest of barriers not being the obvious veil in the temple or tabernacle, but rather man’s guilt and shame.
writer:We can stop pitching the tent, Eliakim, for the Lord has pitched the True Tent… our True Tabernacle of the Heavenly Realm!
Eliakim:There you go again! You and your writings.
writer:Eliakim, listen to me!…. Don’t you see? Jesus is our Priest, now… our High Priest in heaven… And His work far surpasses what our priests here on earth could EVER do!
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Hebrews, where we learn right alongside them about a better ministry….
writer:Don’t you read Torah?
Eliakim:God warned Moses on the mountain. That’s all I need. Now we have a tabernacle to erect. Grab your hammer, and help me! Follow the plan.
writer:Yes, you are right. God warned Moses to follow the pattern because it had to be precise. This tent, and everything that our earthly priest do in here in it, is but a shadow — a hint — of what goes on in the True Sanctuary of Heaven.
And the work that has been given to our High Priest, Jesus, is much greater than the work of OUR priests.
…Eliakim, don’t you find it strange that this tent we erect, time and time again, has no chair for the priest in which to sit?
Eliakim:How can he! Have you seen all the offerings and sacrifices?? He has far too much work to do!
writer:That is my point, Eliakim. Jesus’ work is different. He has obtained a more excellent ministry than our priests, and the New Covenant which He brings is much greater than the Old… because it is based on better promises.
Eliakim, in the Heavenly Tabernacle there are places to sit. And Jesus, our High Priest, at the right hand of the throne of His Father… SAT DOWN!
SBC Host:What type of priest and sacrifice does God require to save men?
Avg Guy:Bulls and goats, right??
SBC Host:It is true that some have thought that the sacrificial shadows of bulls and goats sufficed; but that doesn’t take into consideration that the sacrifices themselves were offered by priests who were just as in need of a savior, as the people they represented.
Avg Guy:Good point! …Then I know, the answer must be Christ!
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Hebrews and shows us that to say Christ is a fitting high priest or was a fitting sacrifice is to say that Jesus perfectly fit God’s requirement, as well as man’s need.
The Levitical Priesthood could never do that.
But Christ’s perfect priesthood is able to perfect imperfect people and make them fit for heaven.
SBC Host: Assurance of salvation — all Christians struggle with it…
Avg Guy:You’re telling me.
SBC Host: And yet, we understand that Jesus is able to save.
Avg Guy:Exactly!
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Hebrews to show us that God understands and has given us a guarantee, or a surety, to secure our future — and it is Jesus Christ.
Jesus, Himself, is the assurance of our eternal salvation.
We may try to obtain assurance through other means… but such as it is with the Gospel of Grace: all of God’s blessings, including assurance, come to us in Christ.
SBC Host: “Weak and useless”… God’s description of the Levitical Priesthood.
The Levitical Priesthood had problems.
Avg Guy:Wait a minute! What was wrong?? Why couldn’t something be done to fix it?
SBC Host: There was. And He did.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Hebrews in which we see why a priesthood, that had once been ordained by God, was now needing to be replaced.
But then it all makes sense when viewed against the backdrop of the Gospel, where we see on display man’s great need and the perfect work of Christ.
Description: When it comes to Hebrew history and identity, how could anyone be greater than Abraham?
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues our study in the book of Hebrews and shows us how the author begins his argument for the superiority of Christ by showing us the superiority of Melchizedek over Abraham.
And in his argument lies the very representative principle of not only covenant headship but redemption as well.
We know so little about him, and yet, he and his legacy loom so large.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Hebrews and attempts to shed some light on this most mysterious character in the Bible.
And the mystery, in part, is not what we DON’T know about him… but what we DO: For he was “made like the Son of God” and is without a father and mother.
Descriptions like these leave us, at best, scratching our heads — and, at worst, dangerously trying to connect the dots… leading us to false conclusions and confusion.
Description: The high priest of the Old Testament could only enter the Holy of Holies on the Day of Atonement. And while representing others, he could bring no others with him, nor prepare the way for others to follow, nor could even stay himself… for on any other day, his entrance would mean his death.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Hebrews and shows us that Christ’s High Priesthood is different. Not only has He entered the true Holy of Holies — the very throne room of heaven — He goes as a forerunner to prepare others to follow… all the while, guaranteeing their future entrance to where He is seated and reigns.
Christ, in this way, is an anchor to our souls — our great and secure hope, and our forerunner Who has set the course that we should follow.
Bailiff:Do You solemnly swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help You… YOU???
God:I DO
…It wasn’t quite like that.
But it was a promise, and it was sealed with an oath.
It’s something God gave Abraham… and it’s a fact that the author of Hebrews ties into his teaching.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Hebrews and explains that in order for us to understand what the author is teaching in the New Testament, we must first understand the reference to which he teaches from the Old Testament.
Sermon Archives
Given New Life
in SBC Classic Edition
We’re in the process of digging through the colossal SBC Sermon Archive Library to bring forth the rich and timeless Biblical Truths found within the hundreds and hundreds of sermon cassettes from yesteryear, in our Tape to Podcast Project.
Currently on the workbench:
The Jim Allen Gospel of John Study (1997-1998) is now complete and in our SBC Classic Edition collection!
Watch our Steeple Study grow! … Great for a listen-study through a book or series.
Our Find-A-Sermon resource page helps you find what you’re looking for.
With the increased release of sermons from our archives, SBC Classic Edition is now podcasting on its own dedicated feed, separate from our current Sunday sermons.
Sermon Notes
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