Helenmm

My feeling is that once sexual union has taken place this is rightly considered to be marriage. It is capable of creating children and is therefore the nest that is provided in anticipation their arrival. If sexual union occurs without the permanent intention it is an abuse of the body and person for quick gratification only. Our fathers were perfectly reasonable to insist on their daughters "becoming married" to a person who so treated them (the old shot-gun weddings), because to do otherwise would be total emotional abuse of the daughter, and because no other man would want to baggage of a wife already emotionally and physically connected to another living man. (Actually, neither would she want unity with a man with similar baggage). I believe this is pretty much understood by many societies in history, and why relationship breakups are so traumatic for at least one of the parties. Sexual unions for women without the protection of marriage involve the fear of pregnancy and all the terrible decisions that involves, and is a total abuse of their vulnerability. (Even tubal ligation and other methods of pregnancy prevention do not change the basic psychological construction of the couple and the trauma that can be inflicted by casual sex.) Any man who can do this (and any women who can invite it) are desensitised to real love and over-sensitised to self-gratification and ****. We may compromise this truth with our humanitarian rulings, but anything else is just that - a compromise. Such compromise can be forgiven by God, but we Christians had better not make too many assumptions about God's mercy. It is better to play it safe and have one's treasure in Heaven, than knowingly take chances on earth. Of those who have entered into a first marriage I believe 100% have been joined together by God. He created sexual union, and that is what sexual union does - it joins people together. That first sexual union sets up pathways in the neurological system that can never be undone. This is why the first sexual experience is so defining. If it is an inappropriate experience it establishes permanent damage in the neurology of the participant. This creates wrong thinking, disordered reasoning, and some psychological blindness to reality (truth). Hence the church needs to do very strong teaching, because to get this right from the very start is the greatest adventure life has to offer outside of knowing Jesus intimately! Christian marriage is a beautiful way in which to enter the state of marriage, and Father will certainly abundantly bless the commitments made and kept. This, of course, will enrich the marriage gloriously.

Q1. (Matthew 5:3-11) Each Beatitude consists of two parts. What are these parts? Why do you think Jesus made each Beatitude a paradox? What is the relationship of the Beatitudes to the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)? Part 1 identifies categorieof people who are favoured by God with blessing Part 2 describes the particular blessing to be given to those so identified. We need a jolt to our thinking in order to appreciate the things God wants to show us, things that have remained hidden for ages but which are now revealed. They remained hidden precisely because they opposed everyday standard thinking. Occasionally individual men and women like King David and Mordecai were privy to God's thinking, but by and large it was an unknown quantity, and even a persecuted quantity eg n the days when Jeremiah was put down a well for revealing what God was wanting to tell Israel. Those who truly seek God must contend with an entirely new way of thinking. A good example is Nicodemus and his question about being born again, and Peter when for the first time he stood up and preached, unafraid, on the day of Pentecost. I think one needs to experience (be a producer of) the fruit of the Spirit (ie the results of the infilling of the Holy Spirit of the Living God) before one can truly begin to comprehend what Jesus is saying in the beatitudes. They are as much laws of the Spirit as the law of gravity is a natural law. Deep Christian experience will observe them as incontrovertible laws in exactly the same way as the laws of nature are not controversial.

Q2. (Psalm 69:30-32) Why does this lament (and nearly all laments in the Psalms) end with an upswing of hope and praise? What does this teach us about our own laments and prayers? Why is praise, the language of faith, so important in our prayers, especially prayers of desperate pleas for help? My experience of praising God is that it entirely changes my day, my personality on that day, my functioning also. Hebrews 4 tells us clearlyto make sure that we enter God's rest. We do this in praise. His response is to rest our tormented spirit - and we function on another level. When we consign our fears to God, He takes our circumstance and give sus, in its place, His shalom. This lament exhibits that. Praise acknowledges that God is greater than circumstance or anything else that bothers us. It puts our faith squarely where it belongs - in God. It takes our point of reference (ourselves) away and puts the Almighty in its place, expanding our vision beyond the immediate. It gives God precedence, not only over circumstances, but over our response to them. That is extreme power! Praise, the language of Faiith When a new piece of technology comes out that excites people, they talk incessantly about it and very soon everybody has one. Someone discovers a good product, puts their faith in it by purchasing it, finds it praiseworthy and tells everyone, and soon everyone is buying it also. When we find something great we talk it up - both to ourselves and to others. Praise of God is no less a weaponl The more we talk in terms of HIs praise, the more we are implanted in Him and His ways of dealing with things. It changes our whole mindset from self-orientation to orientation around Jesus. This is then the sign for Him to operate in our lives.

Q5. (Hebrews 13:16, 20-21) What are the actual requests being made of God in this great benediction? What "pleases" God according to verses 16 and 20? Why should we "make it our aim to please him" (2 Corinthians 5:9, NRSV)? We are required to do good and share, to obey those who rule over us, be submissive (I believe that means actively co-operative and contributing positively to the programs they have established) in order to bring the pastors joy, and to pray for pastors as Paul asked the Hebrews to pray for him. We make it our aim to please Him because He has built our real home (Not made with hands) in Heaven with Him, and that's where we want to be eventually! Also, and more so, because He is totally worthy of all our praise and worship and adoration.

Q4. (Hebrews 13:15-16) Though the sacrifice for atonement have been completed in Christ, what kinds of sacrifices or offerings are Christians called upon to make? What effect do these offerings have on God? Christians can offer a sacrifice of praise (worship in spirit and in truth, with the whole heart, mind, soul and strength, passionately and adoringly), but this sacrifice must be backed up by a daily life filled with kindness and good works, great communication, love and care, a renewed mind, a clean life and full co-operation with those set over us (giving them joy intheir task). Not only this but we need a long vision, seeing the coming of the Heavenly Kingdom on earth and looking to that rather than the material present, and "putting all our eggs in that basket". We need to be content also that our love for Jesus may put us "outside the gate" of our natural community to some extent, for so suffered Jesus. This way God can work in us what pleases Him (His purpose for us), bringing us closer to perfection in every good work which will glorify Him. The joy of the Lord will be our strength!

Q3. (Hebrews 13:8) What is the significance of this verse for the original readers? For you? For understanding just who Jesus is? For believing in the power of God for today? The significance of this verse for Jews must be that Jesus is always new (Paul was fighting against their returning to the old Jewish faith which didn't fit Jesus). They couldn't go back to old Jewish systems because the Holy Spirit is always doing something new and they must keep up with Him. As He was on the day of Pentecost, so He would continue to be, and in Him would their knowledge of Jesus lie. For me the significance of this verse has to do with the consistency of God's appearing to men in the Old Testament, the presence of Jesus on earth and later in Heaven, and the presenceof the Holy Spirit our counsellor, teacher and resident, all of whom are one and have been forever, who will not change and on whom therefore I can depend permanently. For understanding just Who Jesus is it announces Jesus in eternity as well as yesterday and forever in the future. He is part of an eternal permanent establishment which cannot be changed. For believing the power of God for today, this verse indicates that what is true of the days when Jesus walked the earth is true today, because he doesn't change. The church, therefore, should be operating just as He did, or as it was in the first days of operation in Jerusalem - in miraculous power. Old and New Testament wisdom doesn't change over the centuries, and we need to claim all of it as ours.

Q2. (Hebrews 13:5-6) How can we recognize greed in ourselves? What will be the signs? What is the antidote for greed in our lives? What would be the earmarks of a greed-free life? If not money, what should be the basis of our security for the future? What promises do you find in verses 5 and 6? There should always be a delightin giving - to church, to worthy causes etc, because it is ann opportunity to bless. I think when this joy subsides we have a problem with greed. When all our weekly budget begins to be spent on us with no room for helping others,then we areon the edge of greedy. The 10% tithe is a basic essential, but not the end of giving Then there are offerings and opportunities to bless which should be received with delight. To do less is to be thoroughly greedy. To cease to delight in giving to the need of another is pure greed and selfishness in our advanced (technologically) society. The antidote for greed is probably dose of poverty, and being temporarily unable to accommodate all one's wants. In this way we see what other people struggle through all their days. However, some canreact to povertyby becoming very greedy, so the anti dotefor greed is more likelytobe vision of whatcan be achieved withmoney A greed-free life would be simple, not involve frequent shopping trips, and buying bits and pieces. Jesus is the basis of our security for the future. I think we should make all reasonable provision, and finally after that, trust Jesus. (We were encouraged to do all possible and then stand) Jesus takes over Promises include The promise of wisdom, God will neer abandon us. The promise that man cannot do more than kill me. All else I can do for myself. The Lord is my Helper!

All men are made in the image of God. We are all brothers and sisters and should respect each other whatever our status in life. According to the parable of the Good Samaritan we are to treat each other with love and concern regardless of status etc. We don't know who a stranger may be and, while using wisdom, we should treat the stranger as a brother or sister, with high regard (until proved unsafe) and worthy of our attention and hospitality. This is largely how the gospel will be spread, because Jesus said we would be known by our love for one another - and how may a stranger taste that love if we do not offer it to him? Hospitality is a fact of life if one is serious about spreading the gospel. The stranger and the prisoner are much in need of attention - so we offer it. It could be oneself in prison, or in need of hospitality, therefore I offer it. The wonderful rule for everything Christian is "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you". If I were a prisoner, I would like ..... If I were a stranger in town I would like ....... I'm strong in brotherly love with regard for people in need until I find my interest abused and assumed. I've trained in counselling skills etc. I'm weak where I sense possible rejection, because that was so much part of my youth. It's difficult to overcome.

Q1. (Hebrews 12:3-4) Spiritual warfare can be lost by weariness. Why is spiritual warfare so wearying? Why must we continue to resist, on and on? Have you ever been overcome by Satan because of weariness? Yes. I have been overcome by weariness and it cost me very dearly. Not only me, but it cost other people as well. I think one of the reasons spiritual warfare is so wearying is that it comes on top of all the world requires of us that wearies us, like normal day to day requirements which can be very demanding. We must resist because the cost of giving in is far too high. This is the battle of life with death and must be won at all costs! I praise Father that He takes back prodigals like me with such infinite grace. I am most determined never to grow weary again!

Q5. (Hebrews 12:1-2) Who are the "great cloud of witnesses" mentioned in 12:1? What analogy to the life of faith is offered in 12:1? In what way is Jesus the "author" or "pioneer" of our faith? How did he live by faith? In what way is he the "finisher" or "perfecter" of our faith? The great cloud of witnesses are thosse who have completed the race and barrack for us these days! Laying aside every weight makes me think of a jockey who loses weight before a race. We too have to lose the weight of anything that sets us back, even though it cost us something.! Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith in that (a) He was there at creation, (2) He completed the task set for Him at the Cross, showing us that we too will have battles

Q4. (Hebrews 11:8-31) What was the powerful motivating factor behind the actions taken by the people mentioned in these verses? What was this faith based on? At the Red Sea, how did the Israelites' faith differ from that of the Egyptian army? Did Rahab have real faith or was she a shrewd opportunist -- or is there a difference? I think this is one of the most impoprtant questions I ever answered, because it excites me that God always wanted "all men" to be saved. It was always possible for anyone to join the Israelites (or Noah, or Moses as did his Ethiopian wife,) and receive the full blessing of God, subject only to taking the circumcision. It is the same now - Jesus saves all who will incise sin and receive His power and grace. All that is required is that they actually believe that God is God - the great "I AM", the Creator and Redeemer through the blood of Jesus Christ. The great motivating factor is simply that they can see "the way the land lies" and act in accordance with the evidence, which is their faith. Intelligence is always opportunistic, and faith is just a form of intelligence that has integrity! They could see who God was, and wanted the blessing of being among His people. This was more important to them than other distracting goings on. To a major degree it's a function of integrity, acuity of insight with a response from the heart (which is probably deeper and more all-encompassing than the intelligence!). Their faith was based on the evidence of their own ears. At the Red Sea the Israelites operated in accordance with the instructions given to Moses by the Living God, while the Egyptian army operated under the orders of a totally in-your-face, God-defiant Pharaoh. I love the Rahab story. Yes, she was an opportunist, as we all are (unless we have a broken spirit which is the result of major trauma and terribly sad). Hopefully our opportunism is tempered by integrity, but God never put opportunity in our way for us to ignore it! And yes, Rahab had faith. Faith is not complicated. It's just a matter of meeting the evidence with a positive response - opportunism again, if you like. She knew very well (through a wide range of "connections") that the Israelites were protected by Jehovah, and that no-one had a show against them, so she decided, right in the face of her own death, to assist them in the hopes of consideration. She judged rightly! No-one else in Jericho did. She was willing to give up her lifestyle and live as a Jewish woman of integrity (she'd probably never had the chance to live with that kind of integrity before!) What an incredible decision! Together with Noah, Ruth, Job, Abraham and Moses she elected to believe God and come out of "the world" into the presence of the Most High! Not very many people do it. But in Revelation 18:4 God says "Come out of her, My people." He is saying it today, but many Christians don't really come out of her (the ungodly world of unbelief or lack of acknowledgement of God before people). Nevertheless it is God's plea with us all, "Come out of her, My people". Is there a difference between having faith and being a shrewd opportunist? Didn't Jesus say "be as cunning as a fox and harmless as a dove? Piercing discernment, for better or for worse, is shrewdness, and shouldn't be confused with judgement which means doing God's job of condemning a person to hell or misery. We have to have sharp discernment (perception, understanding), yet leave judgement to God because that's His area! If we have keen understanding, then how foolish we'd be not to act on the opportunities we see because of it!

Q3. (Hebrews 11:23-28) How did Moses' faith affect his willingness to suffer? What kind of vision did faith create for Moses? What kind of vision does faith create for us? Moses was who Moses was! In spite of his privileged Egyptian youth, somehow (perhaps because his mother was his wet nurse and taught him though he was too young to remember) he was aware that he was not Egyptian but Hebrew, and that these slaves were his people. Possibly they, the slaves, had let him know that they knew it, as his mother was one of them and he had a brother and sister who would have known who he was. Whatever it was, the Truth got to him, and he identified with his people, wanting to protect them or bring justice, and in that way got himself in trouble with Egypt. I think Moses got a vision of truth and justice. Possibly he felt insecure in Egypt anyway as an Israelite (it would possibly have been fairly obvious to the Egyptians that he was not of their DNA) Maybe he had 'adopted child syndrome', and wanted to know his roots! When truth and justice gets to you it grabs you really strongly! Truth is a very strong drawcard for me as is justice. From even a young child I fought justice battles within the family and community. Living in the truth is very important for me. It excites me and I consider it a great privilege that I partly know the truth which sets us free!. The other side of the coin is love.

Q2. (Hebrews 11:13b) In practical terms, what would be the characteristics of a believer who lived his life as an "alien" and "stranger" here on earth? What is the balance between "in" the world but not "of" it? (John 15:19; 17:13-16; 1 John 4:4-6). In Australia we have a huge group of retired people called "Grey Nomads". They leave home for a few years, and take off in a caravan or some such form of mobile home and wander the country. Eventually they will return home again, but for the while they have this wonderful time of just wandering wherever they please, knowing that it is only for a term. They travel through all sorts of countryside, just looking,enjoying, but never taking root and probably never getting too involved in a particular community. I thing a believer who lives his life as an alien would be a bit like this - never too attached to the things of the world, always able to leave a situation behind and move on to the next, interacting vigorously with all the locals and offering his understanding, but not being bound to them. I think that like travellers everywhere they will love to meet up with fellow countrymen in strangeplaces, because they will feel the strong bonds of nationality (in the Kingdom of God). Like the ones that "still call Australia 'home'", they know their origins and look forward to returning there eventually, having retained their citizenship and connections by mail and phone. If I travel to France I will be "In Paris, but not of it". My French won't be crack hot, and my habits and lifestyle will still be Aussie. My communication with Frenchmen will be nothing like the communication I have with other Australians and my major connections will still be in Australia. However, I will enjoy France immensely, knowing all the time that my time there is limited. I will be in France, but not French! The French will think me a little peculiar, and probably not invite me to all their social gatherings. When I return home I will understand something more than I did before of the French, but I will never be a Frenchman. I think my travel down here on earth is much like that. I actually belong elsewhere and find it difficult to explain Australia to the French (Heaven to the unrepentant). However, if one of them decided to migrate to Australia and become Australian, then I would have a great deal in common with this man and in many ways be in a position to help him, especially when he arrived here. This is directly similar to being in the world but not of it, being ,instead, a citizen of Heaven.

Q1. (Hebrews 11:8-19) Abraham was on a faith-quest, looking for a city (verse 10) and a country (verses 14-16). How does his faith-journey encourage yours? In Scriptural typology, what is the final "city" which we shall see? (12:22) What is the final country of which we are citizens? (12:28) Like Abraham, I am a citizen of Heaven, and looking forward to my inheritance there. That is my permanent home, so it is of much greater importance than whatever happens down here. I'm here for now but the major thing is to reach the ultimate goal and Heaven by pleasing the Father. Abraham pleased God just because he loved and trusted Him, which was why he left the city of his birth and relatives to go wherever God sent him. It was all a matter of love and trust. Seeing what Abraham did encourages me to love and trust God exactly as Abraham did, to know that God is my friend who will always watch over me and never let me down. The final city which I shall see is the Heavenly city which is full of the angels of God - and saints past and present, and martyrs etc. The final country is the Kingdom of God. and I want to succeed in getting there, so I humbly serve God and trust in the blood of Jesus.

Q4. (Hebrews 11:11). Which part of faith is related to (1) the depth of Abraham's confidence in God? Which part of faith is related to (2) the real existence and power of such a God? How would you describe a faith that lacks either element? Based on verse 11 (not on verses 1-2), formulate in your own words a definition of faith. If God didn't really exist with power there'd be no point in having faith in Him. One might as well have faith in some lucky charm for all the good it would do. Praise His Name that is not the fact. God exists, and everything in creation is testimony to that fact so that all can clearly see the evidence of His being. Not only that but Jesus came to demonstrate clearly the nature of God and His love towards us so that we are without excuse. That part of faith is not at all the problem. Concerning the depth of Abraham's faith: it was based on Abraham's experiences with God over many years. I think there was a fearful respect of the Almighty as well as a thankful love for the God who called him out and went with him to new lands, protected him and won battles for and with him. He had begun with a relationship which could not be denied, and this relationship grew with continued communication and many experiences over many long years. Abraham may have been puzzled over the promise of children, but the rest of the relationship was all in order, so that enigmatic part had to be waited for. Abraham knew God as his friend, and that long-tem relationship could never be denied with integrity. Eventually he did receive God's promise of course, and after Sarah's death, remarried and had many children. But Isaac remained the child of promise. My definition of faith in terms of Abraham's experiences would be that it is a growing relationship in which mutual trust is the powerful element. Abraham put his trust in God, and God put a great deal of faith in His friend Abraham. Together they blossomed a beautiful thing on the earth.

Q3. Every religion has its own kind of faith. What is the content of the Judeo-Christian type of faith that sets it apart from any other? What is the basis of Noah's faith (11:7)? What is the basis of our faith? How does faith grow (see Romans 10:17)? I believe God put faith in all of us. Some people put their faith in their intellect, some in the theory of evolution, some in buddha etc, but I put my faith in the Lord Jesus Christ because the evidence points me to Him as the author and finisher of all things including faith (and not only the evidences these days, but my spirit witnesses with His Spirit, praise HIs glorious Name). We have faith, and we have to put is somewhere. The content of the Judeo Christian faith is the Truth from eternity to eternity, from the beginnings to the end. We have evidence of the Truth, Who in fact walked the earth with us, and is with us to this day, Who loves us and never leaves us alone. The basis of Noah's faith was a relationship with God which included fear and obedience. He must have sought God and found Him, and thereafter both feared and trusted Him. The basis of our faith is the fact of Jesus Christ who walked, died and rose again on this earth in order to represent us to His Father, Jehovah, if we will accept His redemption as Noah did. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. Everything was done in the beginning through the Word, and faith comes also through the Word. We are made in the image of God andour words are the single most potent part of our lives - for good or evil. Through study and application of the Word of God we grow spiritually and communally. Speaking His Word puts divine power in our lives. Hallelujah! Thank you Father!

Q2. (Hebrews 11:6) The first element of faith is belief in God's existence. Why is the second element just as essential to true faith? What does it mean to "seek" God? What difference does it make whether or not you believe God will reward seekers? The second element - knowing that He rewards those who seek Him - is important because if He would never respond to us, what would be the point? But He does! And we can experience this at any time in our lives that we come to Him. This is the beginning of relationship, which is what God is all about. Hallelujah! To realise that the world could never just happen, but that it had a creator, raises the curiousity of diligent men to find out more. Proverbs says "it is for a man to seek out hidden things" and that is what God has put in us, so we'll seek him out. Abraham sought Him out and became the "friend of God". God was so delighted with him that He promised and gave him everything. If a man really wants to discover truth, he will, in Jesus. If he is half-hearted about it he probably won't, because God can't respond to off-handed games. It makes all the difference whether you understand that God rewards seekers because it's no good going after something if there's going to be no hope of interaction. However, this is not true of our Father. He waits there for us to approach Him, and welcomes us warmly. This idea that you can't know God is the basis of agnosticism. It's a lie from satan himself to stop people searching Him out. They can agree that there might be a cause of creation out there, but they insist that you can't know or interact with Him. Therefore they won't try. How sad! Also, how arrogant to "know" this about God and thus shut Him out, and preclude all possibility of interaction! When you look at Christ, this situation becomes an impossible one to maintain for a person of integrity. Once you look at the historical facts surrounding Jesus there is no way you can maintain a stance that God does not interact with humanity. Therefore agnosticism has no integrity!

Q1. Using Hebrews 1:1-3 as your source, how would you put in your own words what faith is and does? I'm assuming that the reference is Heb 11:1-3. According to Romans 1:20, "The invisible things from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things which are made .... so that they are without excuse." Put this together with Hebrews 11:1 "Now, faith is the substance ofthings hoped for, the evidenceof things not seen." and you get a clear picture that there is plenty of evidence of God the Creator in the things He has made. No one can honestly suggest otherwise. You look at a power switch and think "electricity". It's not seen but the evidence that you can get it there is real. You look at creation and you think Creator. You have excellent reason for your deduction. In all of nature there is nothing that happens without a cause. You have faith in the evidence. Look at an iceberg and as a scientist you think about the nine-tenths invisible iceberg that lies hidden under the water. Hear a bark, think of a dog. It's a very normal process to deduct from things seen (or heard) facts about what you can't see. Faith is just this - a deduction that you make from your experience. God has given us this faith - ability to deduct from experience. We put it where we can perceive. The more experience of God we have, the more we can deduce (ie the more our faith can grow). Where it gets messed up is when we have a personal agenda to follow. This stops us acknowledging truth and starts us on fantasising about what we want truth to be, and getting concepts like "your truth", which have no meaning at all. This kind of fantasising (believing a lie) led Cain to offer an unacceptable sacrifice and then to murder his brother Abel. It also leads us into much mischief and suffering. However, if we honestly look at everything it is impossible to escape the conclusion that there is a Creator, and that He has made a very nice little nest for us down here. Abraham believed this and actually believed it strongly enough to develop a relationship with his creator, Jehovah. (You can also develop a relationship with the light switch by turning the light on!). That was the beginning of the Jewish nation. Abraham discovered (probably by thanking and praising his Creator) that Jehovah would actually communicate with him, and then everything escalated from there. Faith is a very simple thing, but taken to its proper conclusions (cf turning on the light switch) extremely powerful and deep. There is no end to where it can take you. The only requirement is total honesty and integrity, because without that everything gets misinterpreted! What faith does? Faith enlarges the realities in which you live and move and have your being. When you are certain of something because of your experience, then you are on very sound territory and become strong and invincible. If you are certain of a paycheque at the end of the week (from the evidence of past experience) you can plan accordingly. If you are not certain, then plans can be invalidated if you make them at all, and there is weakness, with all the frustration, depression, disappointment etc that goes with it. Those three things might be the opposite of faith. But as with the paycheque, so with faith, comes excitement, possibilities, a future, plans, vision, hope, intention, potential and joy. So, the more we know about Father, Jesus and Holy Spirit, the more excited we'll be about that knowledge, and the more faith we'll have, and the further we'll be able to go with God - so it's all about getting to know him, spending time with Him (as one does with the golf club, or the football). and faith can have no limits.

Q4. (Hebrews 10:35-36) Why is perseverance in faith hard sometimes? Why is perseverance so important? How is Christian fellowship important in perseverance? (3:12-14) What can we do to encourage other Christians in this sometimes difficult journey? Very many distractions millitate against our perseverance in faith. The most severe are probably connected with our carnal nature and addiction to the convenient. We need to develop and maintain focus through daily habits in order to retain the faith. If we have daily habits that run along with cleaning our teeth, then perhaps we'll last the distance. Nothing gets achieved without perseverance, and neither does a lifetime of service to the Most High God. It's a basic! Christian fellowship is essential, because it involves "provoking one another to good works". We need provocation. Everything we do is in a social context including the practice of our faith. If we dry up the social context it's like starving ourselves of food - we don't benefit but instead become thin and weak - and dead! Yes, yes, I know the real food is the Word of God, but don't we need to share the meal? We need to get into the positive side of the word of God. So many people view it as lack of negative - eg holiness is the lack of sin! No it's Not! Holiness is the presence of wholeness, spiritual health, love, generousity, patience, gentleness, service and the preference of others, worship and songs of praise, adoration etc. Why is marriage sacred? Because God wants holy children (untraumatised, happy, obedient, busy, learning, growing, grateful, competent, adjustable, prosperous children.) When marriage is profaned the children are traumatised and devastated. That is an unholy child - broken and less than the potential he was created for. We have adopted the world's view of Christianty as something that prohibits our fun. Yes, it prohibits that which damages, breaks and hurts, and promotes that which brings life, health, joy and peace, prosperity, truth. We need to show each other how our faith works vigorously, to listen to each other's testimonies and share them, to speak up when change is needed, to talk constantly of matters of faith (by the blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony). We need to be clear about the boundaries (what is and isn't sin, such as provocative dress). You say this is judging! No it's discernment, and when someone's been a Christian for a few years and still dressing immodestly, then we need to make it clear that they are attracting the wrong kind of attention so they can sort out how important their faith is to them. God wants us to be separated out from the world and we need to be prepared to do this. The Amish are a great example. I'm not saying we have to go that far, but we certainly have to "Come out of her, my people" (Rev 17). We won't encourage one another by building a tolerant, mutual approval society, but by clearly aiming to live holy lives and create holy communities."Don't do this and don't do that" are only the bottom line. The headlines are "Do it this way, and build it that way!"

Q3. (Hebrews 10:26-31). (In your discussion, please resist the temptation to slam another Christian who might understand the security of the believer differently from you!) What kind of sin is expressed by the phrase, "deliberately keep on sinning" (10:26)? Is this talking about sins related to the weakness of our flesh or apostasy? What elements in 10:29 contribute to your understanding that this is indeed flagrant apostasy, not garden-variety sin? I spent five years in a charismatic church and later found the pastor was making babies outside his marriage in a long term sexual relationships over thirty years. His wife needed much psychiatric care for years. I fear for this man facing the living God because his behaviour flew right in the face of God. On the one hand he was teaching biblical principles and on the other ..... It is so clear what God thinks of this behaviour that you'd have to be very hard-hearted to continue in this vein. This is dangerously flying right in the face of God. He didn't disbelieve in God, but persisted in flagrant sin in his position of authority. It could be a weakness of the flesh type sin but it runs very close to apostasy. Sometimes God gives people up to their hardness of heart. It is terrifying.

Q2. According to Hebrews 3:13 and 10:24-25, what should be a prime motive for meeting together with other Christians? What is our usual motivation? Why do Christians so often get out of the habit of attending church or a small group? How can we help these individuals? The prime motive for meeting together as Christians is to stir up one another to love and good works, to spur each other on, to even go so far as to provoke one another to good works. Exhortation is not mild but energetic, dynamic, provocative, possibly demanding. Paul says "the more so as we see the day approaching". These days we can certainly see the day approaching, so the mutual provocation should be strong, selfless, led by example, urgent. Our usual motivation is to supplement our own lifestyles with quality friendship, mutual support and admiration. In other words it is extremely self-centred. If someone offends us we go off to another church where we think offence may be less and support may be stronger - it won't be. If we find that we are not honoured for al the wisdom that we have gained over the years (aren't given the status we think we deserve) that we become dis-satisfied and stop attending because we are not getting enough attention. I've seen this happen so many times. An elder in our church recently suffered some high level abuse and I thought it was too much and that she would leave. Imagine my joy, that with a bit of support she was able to consider the higher call of God on her life to remain there and continue to serve Jesus, because that was her calling. This is the stern stuff that is required in Christians today. We are here to honour our God first and foremost. In doing so He will be able to strengthen us to deal with whatever comes along and continue to glorify Him with our obedience. To help Christians who are failing to meet with others we need to remind them of God's commandment, and their need to obey it in spite of whatever has disapppointed them about the church and its people. Their strength is needed. They will find their ministry to others within the church body even if they lack the status they think they deserve. There are always people to whom they can minister. Tlhere are always ways in which they can serve and bring benefit to the community of saints and we are commanded to prefer others above ourselves, especially those of the faith. We need to confront them with the fact that they are in disobedience if not meeting for praise and worship, or constantly changing churches. It's the overcomers that receive rewards in Heaven, not the ones who found their rewards on earth. We need to speak the harder parts of the Gospel so that people might not fall away in ignorance, but choose Life. Truly Jesus offers lots of comfort, but He also calls us to carry our crosses. There are two sides to this coin! It's called tough love. Jesus was a tough man with no place to lay His head and a tough goal up front to accomplish. We are called to have the same tough qualities, while losing nothing of our loving kindness, patience and gentleness, speaking the Truth in Love! The Truth will survive, even if we don't! Let us cling to it.

Q1. (Hebrews 10:19-21) How did the veil of the Tabernacle function in Old Testament worship? What is the significance of the veil being ripped in two at Jesus' crucifixion? Why is our access to God called a "new and living way"? In what sense is it new? In what sense is it living? It was impossible for anyone to penetrate the veil of the Holy of Holies into the presence of God and live. The high priest, once a year, dutifully cleansed in ritual fashion, was permitted entry just one time each year, and even he went in prepared to die and be brought out by rope in that condition. Thle fact was that the animal blood they brought in was never satisfactory as the removal of their personal sins. It had nothing to do with their entry into a world of sin, and would nave nothing to do with their exit. The veil represented their carnal, fleshly nature, which covered their eyes from seeing God, and, reluctantly, inhibited communion. When Jesus died - His flesh was killed - then, for the first time since Adam sinned, a completej, unblemished, holy human being had not given in to fleshly desire. Satan was beaten by a human being, and the curtain representing flesh was no longer needed, for Christ could proceed on into the Presence of the most High God without fear of failure or death. He could take us in with Him if we are willing.This creates the new and living way - namely that Christ has done all that is needed, and we are to appropriate it for ourselves. This is a new and living way, because there is total depencence on access to the Life within Jesus who lives even today. It was new at the time of pentecostcost. It was a revelation of the Holy Spirit that they received on that day, and in whom they operated ever after that day. Revelation is new every day, as is God's message and plan for the day. It lives, because of the victorious life of Jesus on which it is totally dependent.

Q4. (Hebrews 10:4) Why can't the blood of bulls and goats actually take away sin? What happened then to the sins the Old Testament saints thought were atoned for under the Old Covenant? The original sinful agreement between satan and adam was satan with a man,not an animal. The animal cannot satisfy that position, and argue with satan on behalf of the man. But the man, Jesus, can. I believe the sins of Old Testament saints were redeemed by Christ on the Cross, which is an event for all time, past, present and future. I believe His death and resurrection in victory availed the redemption of Old Testament people just as if they were new testament people, in exactly the same way as He redeems us. that death was once and for ALL time, not just subsequent time. God looks from outside of history and ordained Jesus' death before the days of history began. It covers all the days of history. The death of animals was indeed only a thumbprint of what was to be accomplished.

Q3. (Hebrews 9:28) How did the purpose of Christ's First Coming differ from his Second Coming? Which did the Jews expect? How does the mission of the Suffering Servant of Isaiah 53 fit here? Jesus came the first time to be our example and to suffer and die as the perfect sacrifice for our sin. He will come the second time to take dominion over the earth, to rule it with a rod of iron, and to save those who look for Him in eagerness and joyful anticipation. The Jews expected salvation in the first instance. The marvellous Isaiah 53 passage is there to identify the Christ for us, so that we can be sure when He arrived that He is indeed the Christ. He fulfilled every part of this prophecy (and many others besides) so that we are without doubt as to who He is and why He has come the first time. So many individual incidents are outlined here, and Jesus exactly fulfilled every single one. We'd have to be liars not to believe the He is the Christ (to put it bluntly!) It simply is not possible that anyone who was not the Christ could positively complete all these indications. Yet, according to Isaiah 53:1 we still only recognise Him by revelation - as Peter did, and Jesus said, "On this rock Iwill build my church". This is the amazing truth! We cannot recognise Jesus except by revelation, even though He satisfies all the written criteria for being the coming Messiah! Logic, reason and academia cannot, in their own right, recognise Him. He is recognised by revelation alone! This really changes my understanding! No wonder arguments cannot win people to the Cross! They are won by seeking and therefore finding - matters of the heart! And even then it's God who does most of the seeking (and drawing)!

Q2. (Hebrews 9:15). Read also 1 Timothy 2:5. In what sense does Jesus serve as a mediator? In what sense is Jesus a ransom from sin? Adam brought in death when he sinned, and death became our heritage instead of the Life God had intended. The death principle was inculcated in mankind and manifested first when Cain Killed his brother, Abel, and has been manifesting ever since. Our deceitful hearts promulgate death more naturally than they do life, and this is what Jesus had to deal with as a human being. He had to present Himself undefiled to the tormentors, go right through the death pirnciple and overcome its power for us, for we could not. This meant death on the cross (a tree, as was the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil in the Garden of Eden - to that tree Adam and we should have been nailed!) so that in purity and holiness He could rise above death and overpower the evil one. Then His blood appeases God's justice for the blood of mankind spilt in murder and hate since Adam's day, and becomes our doorway back into Life with the Father. Jesus is the very word of creation, and has taken to life as a created being to re-install the Life of the Spirit of God (Called the breath of God in Genesis2:7) into as many of the created human beings who should wish to become Children of God.) Jesus has done all this, and has thus created a pathway back to God through His own blood. He came to pay the price of sin on our behalf, since man, having put himself in the power of satan, could not achieve such a thing. It had to be done by a man who was not under the power of satan. Jesus was that man, and He paid a debt that was not his but ours, taht we might be set free from the sabotage and slavery that our agreement with the snake had brought about.