1 Peter 2:1-25
The Living Stone and chosen people.
The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone.
The stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall. They stumble because they disobey the message.
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God.
1 Peter 1:1-25
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.
Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”
You were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.
Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart. For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.
“All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever.”
Why?
Peter described the truth of our Gospel and the meaning to all who are reborn from Jesus in faith.
Because the Lord is Holy, I should do everything to be Holy too.
Only God's word endures forever. So be strong in faith and pray that the Lord help us walk with the Holy Spirit.
How?
The actions are to love one another deeply from the heart.
James 5:1-20
Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you.
You have condemned and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing you.
Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!
As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise, you will be condemned.
Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
Why?
Be patient until the Lord's coming and don't grumble against one another, the judge is standing at the door! The Lord knows what we said.
Don't worry, perseverance comes. such as Job suffered, for the Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
Action to us: trouble, len them pray. Happy sing songs of praise, sick: call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord/ confess our sins to each other and pray for each other so that we may be healed.
How?
Continue to pray for my family, for brothers and sisters in my church. Keep myself a righteous person, so my prayer may be powerful and effective.
James 4:1-16
You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.
Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us?
God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?
“If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”
Why?
People can speak much more than they really can do. So submit myself to God and resist the devil.
Everyone desires a better life and enjoys a comfortable life. We like to choose to be friends with the world. But James reminds us that it is dangerous and could become an enemy of the Lord.
More important is our motivation. What did I want? For us? For the Lord? Or for someone else?
How?
May the Lord clean my heart, clean my way, clean my mind, and help me walk on the way of the Lord.
James 3:1-17
Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.
Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
But no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
Why?
No human being can tame the tongue, because of the inner sins that invoke it.
Even now, don't be a teacher, for there are so many people who look themself more important than any others.
Tongues are a small part of the body, but they make great boasts. Troubles are usually caused by our tongue.
The wisdom that comes from heaven is all pure.
How?
Pray to the Lord, may my wisdom lead me pure heart, peace-loving and condiderate submission, full of mercy.
James 1:1-27
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower.
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
But each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.
Why?
Wisdom, Humble, Tempted by evil desire, quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger are our behaviors as Christians.
Keeping a tight rein on our own tongues is needed for everyone.
Don't just listen to a good speech or message, but do it as we listened.
How?
I have much work to do and listen, and practise it to be a good servant of the Lord.
Heberews 13:1-25
Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.
Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.
“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?"
And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood.
Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore. For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.
And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.
Why?
Do our work in the world, have confidence in my leaders, and submit to their authority. Do this so that my work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to me.
Love each other, show hospitality to others, and respect our marriage. All these are to honor the Lord, for God loves us.
Go to the Lord outside the camp, for here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come, in heaven.
How?
Do my best to honor the Lord and give thanks to Jesus for all.
Heberews 12:1-29
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, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm;
But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.”
Why?
Out jubs and duties: Let us 1) throw off everything that hinders and the sin, 2) run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 3) fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.
In the Old Testament, there was Mount Zion, it is a Holy Mountain but terrible. Now, Jesus the mediator gives us a new covenant, and sprinkled blood that is better than the blood of Abel.
All of the created things will be removed one day, but only those chosen by the Lord cannot be shaken may remain.
How?
What is the foundation of my faith and love, hope? It is the word of the Lord and the blood of Jesus Christ, through faith in Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 11:1-19
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.
By 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.
By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did
By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death
By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith.
By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.
All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth.
By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.
By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the army had marched around them for seven days.
By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.
These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.
Why?
Paul showed that many people died with faith, even though they did not see it, and it has come true. It is proven that the word our Lord promised or said will never fail.
All this history and so many events in the Bible are good witnesses to us.
The Lord had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect. Only the Lord can make perfect. Don't worry!
How?
How about my faith in the Lord? in the mission in my work? And my daily life, what am I living for?
Hebrews 10:1-39
The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship.The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship.
“Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased. Then I said, ‘Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll— I have come to do your will, my God.’ Psalm 40:6-8
We have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says: “This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds. “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more. And where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary.
let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge his people.” It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.
Why?
Jesus knows what we are suffering in the world; Jesus knows our pain and situation. But God is our savior. No matter what happens, we know we will be with the Lord in the time of the Lord.
Do our best toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together.
How?
Draw myself toward God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings
Heberews 9:1-28
Now the first covenant had regulations for worship and also an earthly sanctuary. A tabernacle was set up. In its first room were the lampstand and the table with its consecrated bread; this was called the Holy Place.
When everything had been arranged like this, the priests entered regularly into the outer room to carry on their ministry. But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance.
This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper.
But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption.
For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.
For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence.
So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.
Why?
Jesus offered his life as a sacrifice like before, but did not enter by means of the blood which were made by human hands, but he offered himself to erase the sins of many.
Jesus is the mediator of a new covenant. Jesus died as a ransom to set us free from sin.
Jesus died and rose from the dead, breaking the chain of sins. Everyone in the world is under the sin of death. Through Jesus, we may have a new way to get the eternal life, escape from the chain of sins.
How great if the sacrifice for us gives us a new way to get eternal life.
How?
Thanks the Lord, and od my best to honor the Holy Name of the Lord, witness the good behavior before many, and attrack others come to close Jesus.
Heberews 8:1-13
Now the main point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heavenand who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by a mere human being.
They 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.
But in fact the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, since the new covenant is established on better promises
The days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they did not remain faithful to my covenant,
I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.
By calling this covenant “new,” he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear.
Why?
Paul explained the New Covenant real meaning. Because of the Old testment was rejected by Israel, So the Lord made a New covernant through Jesus Christ, and give a new way to God's people. And do not limited to Israel, but more wider to everyone who trust in Jesus and the Lord. No regulation sacrifice not limit on seremoney, but in our heats and our mind with our behavior.
]How?
Who can turn to the Lord is depends on the grace of the Lord, No because who I am but because He is God, no because what I have done, but because of what He has don4 for us.
Hebrews 7:1-28
First, the name Melchizedek means “king of righteousness”; then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.” Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.
Just think how great he was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder!
One might even say that Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham, because when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the body of his ancestor.
Why was there still need for another priest to come, one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron?
For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed also.
For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life.
The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.
Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantor of a better covenant.
Why?
The Lord makes Jesus as our savior, a priest forever, not by the laws, but by the Melchizedek from heaven. No one knows where Melchizedek comes from.
So Jesus is beyond the priests, beyond every priest from the Law.
How?
Jesus is the savior, and Jesus is a priest forever for us.
Hebrews 6:1-20
To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace. Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned.
God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.
When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.” And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.
God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.
Why?
In the order of Melchizedek is the promise of the Lord, the Lord is the great God, we can not say anything but go forward with faith, love, and hope through Jesus Christ.
Abraham has faith in the Lord, and God's word came true, so we can follow the way of Jesus Christ and many apostles.
Paul reminds us not to go back to the beginning step of faith. If it does, it's worse than the beginning.
How?
Keep forward with faith, love, and hope to live out every day on earth until we meet our Lord
Hebrew 5:1-14
This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people. And no one takes this honor on himself, but he receives it when called by God, just as Aaron was.
In the same way, Christ did not take on himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him, You are my Son; today I have become your Father.“You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.”
Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.
Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.
Why?
Jesus was declared by the Lord You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.
Jesus learned obedience from what he suffered and made perfect. Jesus became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God.
This salvation is different from this world; no one can escape from his own sins. But Jesus suffered and obeyed the word of the Lord, offered himself as a sacrifice, and raised from the dead. Jesus conquered sin and death.
How?
Keep obey the word of the Lord and live out Jesus in our lives to honor the Holy Name of the Lord.
Hebrews 4:1-16
Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it.
But the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed. Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said, “So I declared on oath in my anger, ‘They shall never enter my rest.’”
Therefore since it still remains for some to enter that rest, and since those who formerly had the good news proclaimed to them did not go in because of their disobedience.
“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.”
For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.
Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Why?
This what is the best gospel, Jesus perpare for us more than we can do and we can bear, all of us are sinners, and perish in God's judgment. but Jesus Christ gave us a new way, through the salvation of Jesus and our faith to the Lord, we may have the grace of the Lord. Find grace to help us in our time of need.
How?
Keep this precious grace from Jesus Christ and preach this Gospel to my relatives in mainland China
Hebrews 3:1-18
Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest. He was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses was faithful in all God’s house. Jesus has been found worthy of. For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything. Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house,”[a] bearing witness to what would be spoken by God in the future. But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house. And we are his house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory.
Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the wilderness,
But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.
Who were they who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt? And with whom was he angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies perished in the wilderness? And to whom did God swear that they would never enter his rest if not to those who disobeyed? So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief.
Why?
Here, Paul emphasized their failure in faith because of their unbelief. They had followed Moses out of Egypt, but only because of their unbelief.
Fix our thoughts on Jesus, who is our apostle and high priest.Every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything so God is beyond than any others.
How?
Praise the Lord and trust in Jesus Christ.
Henrews2 2:1-18
We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. For since the message spoken through angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.
God left nothing that is not subject to them.[e] Yet at present we do not see everything subject to them.
So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters. He says,
“I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters; in the assembly I will sing your praises.”
“Here am I, and the children God has given me.”
Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.
For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human 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.
Why?
God's plan is through Jesus Christ to break the sins in human beings. The Lord did not rescue angels but chose the descendants of Abraham, Jesus Christ, faithful high priest in service to God, and made atonement for the sins of the people.
God's plan is higher and fuller than we can imagine.
How?
Thanks the Lord and Jesus Christ, I may have this salvation with joy, peace, and love in my life.
Hebrews 1:1-14
But in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The 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. So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.
And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.
But about the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.”
“In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment.
12 You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end.
Why?
Here, Paul mentions that Jesus Christ is the son of the Lord, and that his throne will last forever and ever.
Jesus is superior to all angels. Jesus is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being.
Once more, confirm the position and identity of Jesus as the Son of the Lord.
How?
Praise to the Lord, worship the Lord, and come closer to Jesus Christ, for Jesus knows our pain and suffering. How great to be a son of the Lord.
Philiemon 1;1-23
To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker— also to Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier—and to the church that meets in your home:
I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus. I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ. Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.
I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me. But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do would not seem forced but would be voluntary.
So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me.
Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.
Why?
Paul knew Philmon had faith in Christ, and Paul hoped Onesimus might stay with him when he was in Jail. But Paul respected Philemon, and without his consent, Paul did not want him to stay to serve him. But because Paul and Onesimus were coworkers in the Gospel, Paul appeals to Philmon to treat Onesimus better, as he serves Paul.
Paul is a good servant of the Lord, not only preaching the Gospel but also witnessing the faith and love and wisdom and keeping good relationships among brothers.
How?
What can I do? learning from Paul with more love, faith, and hope to do everything and treat everyone.
Titus 3:1-15
Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.
But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he 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, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless.
But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless.
Why?
To be a Christian, we should learn and imitate Paul; his instruction is the best reminder. 1) subject to rulers and authorities. 2) avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law.
How?
Let me be a real Christian, a follower of Jesus, love others, and love my family and my colleagues, help others as I can. May the Holy Spirit remind me, guide my way every day.
