Daily Bread Pastor Mike Anderson

God Disciplines His Sons 1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Observation: The author now encourages the believers to persevere even in the midst of persecution and suffering. He reminds them that even as they go through painful trials nothing is outside of God’s purview. God allows believers to suffer to enable them to grow more disciplined in their faith and trust. As they suffer or undergo hardship for their faith, they should fix their eyes on Jesus the author and perfector of his faith! If the believers migh

Daily Bread Hebrews 11 By Faith 1Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. 2This is what the ancients were commended for. 3By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. 4By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead. 5By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. 6And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Observation: This is as fine of an explanation of the word “faith” as you will find in the bible. V.1 is a great summary of what faith is all

Daily Bread Hebrews 10 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Observation: The writer continues to compare the relationship with God through what Jesus had done for us as opposed to being made right by the Law. We need no longer to offer sacrifices, and we can have confidence to enter God’s p

Daily Bread Hebrews 9 23It was necessary, then, for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24For Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God's presence. 25Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. 26Then Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, 28so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. Observation: The writer continues to compare the old c

Daily Bread Hebrews 8 3Every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices, and so it was necessary for this one also to have something to offer. 4If he were on earth, he would not be a priest, for there are already men who offer the gifts prescribed by the law. 5They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: "See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain." 6But the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, and it is founded on better promises. Observation: The writer of Hebrews goes on to describe the new covenant God has made with his people that is superior to the old one. And the new priest (Jesus), who is superior to the old priest (a mere human being). When God showed Moses the pattern for the tabernacle, or place of worship, and how the

Hebrews 7 Melchizedek the Priest 1This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, 2and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, his name means "king of righteousness"; then also, "king of Salem" means "king of peace." 3Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God he remains a priest forever. 4Just think how great he was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder! 5Now the law requires the descendants of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, their brothers—even though their brothers are descended from Abraham. 6This man, however, did not trace his descent from Levi, yet he collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. 7And without doubt the lesser person is blessed by the greater. 8In the one case, the tenth is collected by men who di

Hebrews 6 1Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, 2instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3And God permitting, we will do so. 4It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, 6if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace. Observation: The writer of Hebrews challenges the believers to continue on to maturity in their faith. He then gives several aspects of what he would call the “elementary teachings about Christ”. They include: repentance from sinful behavior, faith, baptism, receiving the Holy Spirit

Daily Bread Warning Against Falling Away 11We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. 12In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. Observation: The author of Hebrews concludes chapter 5 with this exhortation to grow in the knowledge of God’s word by obedience to it. The first part of the passage teaches us that Jesus is a high priest in the order of Melchizedek. Melchizedek is a unique figure in the Old Testament mentioned in Genesis 14, as the King of Salem and also a priest. This was a foreshadowing of Jesus who would both be a merciful “high priest”, who mediates between God and man. Jesus

Hebrews 4 8For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. 9There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; 10for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his. 11Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience. O bservation: As the writer of Hebrews recalls the rest that Joshua longed to bring the people of Israel, he relates it to rest from their enemies around them. But then he talks about the Sabbath-rest, which is patterned after God, who on the seventh day rested from His work. There is also the rest from work that the Israelites were commanded to do in the wilderness. The wilderness was already scary enough, but then they were also asked to trust in God for His provision by not working on the Seventh day, or harvesting crops on the Sabbath. It was a day to trust God and rest in His promises. Finally, there is

Daily Bread – Hebrews 3 12See to it, brothers(and sisters), that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. 13But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. 14We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first. 15As has just been said: "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion." Observation: The author of the book of Hebrews uses “familial” language (brothers and sisters) as he encourages the church to fix their thoughts on Jesus. As he encourages the early church in this chapter, he focuses in on how the believers might encourage one another. He uses the example of the Israelites, who rebelled against God in the desert and angered God. They faced the consequences for their rebellion (ie. 40 years of wandering). To prevent this kind of apostasy (falling away

Hebrews 2 For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. Observation: Though Jesus was powerful and present at the Creation of the world, we see also that when he came to earth, one of the key aspects of the incarnation was his identification with us as humans. Jesus was not aloof to suffering, but was made perfect (or complete) through suffering with us on earth. Unlike some heresies that were circulating in the day, Jesus didn’t just appear to be human, he really was. He was a spirit being that appeared to be in a human body. And as a human, he was subjected to the limits of human nature. What was important about this is that Jesus not only can make atonement (or cover) our sins, but he can identify with us in our weakness

Hebrews 1 The Son Superior to Angels 1In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. 3The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. 4So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs. Observation: We now move on to the epistle (letter) to the Hebrews. Early in church history some have maintained that the apostle Paul was the author of this letter, but as time has gone by most scholars believe it was not Paul, because the style of the Greek writing is unlike any of Paul’s other letters. This book is clearly written to the Jewish community, as many of the Old Testament (Psalms) r

Paul's Plea for Onesimus 8Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, 9yet I appeal to you on the basis of love. I then, as Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus— 10I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. 11Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me. 12I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you. 13I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel. 14But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do will be spontaneous and not forced. 15Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back for good— 16no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord. 17So if you consider me a partner, wel

Titus 3 3At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. 8This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone Observation: Titus 3 reminds us of the “main thing”. Someone once said, “Remember the main thing is to remember to keep the main thing, the main thing.” Redundant but true! Here Paul reminds Titus of t

What Must Be Taught to Various Groups 1You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine. 2Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. 3Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. 4Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. 6Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. 7In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness 8and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us. Observation: Paul continues to counsel Titus on how to lead the early church, and in this case, focuses on teachi

Titus' Task on Crete 5The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. 6An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. 7Since an overseer is entrusted with God's work, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. 8Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. 9He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it. Observation: Paul is again giving instruction to another one of his mentees, Titus, who apparently was an overseer (also the word for bishop) for many different churches. Paul specifically identifies several types of traits that shoul

2 Timothy 4 1In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 3For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. Observation: Again we get a “bird’s eye” view of the personal mentoring Paul gives young Timothy. In the verses following verse 5, we see that Paul is not asking Timothy to do anything he himself was not prepared to do. Anytime we want to lead/mentor someone we can never take them

2 Timothy 3 Godlessness in the Last Days 1But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them. Observation: There is always a lot of speculation if we are in the “last days” or not. As we look over this description, we might be able to recognize these traits on our “tv shows”, movies and the latest People magazine. But in fact these traits have been with us since the beginning of man’s original rebellion from God. Whether it is worse now, than say 30 years ago, is certainly up for debate. But there does seem to be an increasing amount of godlessness that we see in our culture today. What I see

2 Timothy 2 1You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. 3Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer. 5Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules. 6The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. Observation: As Paul continues to instruct his young disciple Timothy he urges him to be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. That is an interesting phrase, how can you be strong in grace? If grace is a free gift in what sense can we be strong in it. As Paul goes on to describe what this looks like, he uses several analogies such as a soldier, athlete and farmer. In each case though in or

Encouragement to Be Faithful 3I thank God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. 4Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. 5I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. 6For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. Observation: In his second letter to his protégé “Timothy”, Paul encourages him to be faithful to the calling he has received and to fan into flames the gift of God, which he received through the laying on of hands. Apparently Timothy’s mother and grandmother successfully passed on the faith to their son/grandson. My first question is: what about his dad/granddad? Maybe this is

Paul's Charge to Timothy 11But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you 14to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen. Observation: As Paul concludes this letter guiding his young mentor Timothy, he gives him this final charge. He realized that as Timothy sought to carry out his calling, there would be plen

Advice About Widows, Elders and Slaves 1Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, 2older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity. 3Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. 4But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God. 5The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help. 6But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives. 7Give the people these instructions, too, so that no one may be open to blame. 8If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. Observation: As Paul ends his letter to Timothy, he close

1 Timothy 4 7Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. 8For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. Observation: We all know how to train to run a race. We run a certain amount of miles to prepare each week. We vary the intensity. We try to eat better and watch the amount of alcohol and caffeine intake. Or, we know if we want to lose weight how many calories we need to consume and how much exercise will burn the right amount of calories or fat to get to our optimal level. And if we do these things we are likely to see good results. But Paul counsels Timothy to also train himself to be godly. Paul recognizes the value of physical training, but sees a much higher value in spiritual training. Importantly as we train or learn to be godly we see the benefits both now and in the life to come. As we read in the first few verses th

Daily Bread 1 Timothy 3 Overseers and Deacons 1Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task. 2Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. 5(If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?) 6He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. 7He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap. 8Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. 9They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscienc

Daily Bread 1 Timothy 2 1I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— 2for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.3This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. Observation: Paul shows his heart for lost people, including those in authority. He urges the believers to not just pray for themselves, but for all people, especially those with maximum influence. Before we would to lead anyone to Christ, the ground must be softened by prayers and intercession on behalf those whom Jesus died for. Importantly, we don’t have to convince God to be motivated to save people. God desires all people to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth. As they discover the truth it will set them free from everything that would destroy their lives. There are some who think God is arbitrary or capricious about

1 Timothy 1 The Lord's Grace to Pau l 12I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. 13Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 14The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Observation: As Paul begins his encouragement for his son in the faith, Timothy, he shows where his true strength comes from. Paul says that Jesus has given him strength and considered him faithful. It is out of Paul’s experience of grace that saved him from his past life where he finds strength to be faithful. As Timothy faces persecution and purveyors of bad doctrine, it will be this same grace and strength that will help Timothy to be faithful to the call of God on his life. Apparently it was prophesied that Timothy would be a leader in the church, and Paul recalls that for

2 Thessalonians 3 Warning Against Idleness 6In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. 7For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, 8nor did we eat anyone's food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. 9We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow. 10For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat." 11We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. 12Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat. 13And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right. 14If anyone does not obey ou

11For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie 12and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness. Stand Firm 13But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. 14He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter. 16May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, 17encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. Observation: Paul spends time talking about the lawless one who is at work deceiving people in the world. Before Jesus comes back a second time, this lawless one will be a