November 22, 2013
YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO IT ON YOUR OWN
Hebrews 4
Ashley Lauderdale
Central Truth
Christ is our perfect example and has led the way for us to be victorious over sin and temptation in our lives. God never intended us to live this life on our own, but has given us everything we need through our relationship with Christ, His Word, and community.
Key Verse | Hebrews 4:15
For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. (Hebrews 4:15)
Hebrews 4
1 Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it. 2 For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened. 1 4:2 Some manuscripts it did not meet with faith in the hearers 3 For we who have believed enter that rest, as he has said,
“As I swore in my wrath,
‘They shall not enter my rest,’”
although his works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For he has somewhere spoken of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works.” 5 And again in this passage he said,
“They shall not enter my rest.”
6 Since therefore it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news failed to enter because of disobedience, 7 again he appoints a certain day, “Today,” saying through David so long afterward, in the words already quoted,
“Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts.”
8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God 2 4:8 Greek he would not have spoken of another day later on. 9 So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, 10 for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his.
11 Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. 12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
Jesus the Great High Priest
14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Dive Deeper | Hebrews 4
Growing up the youngest, I was very independent. Anything my brothers were doing, I was convinced I could do it! That led me to have many bumps and bruises from trying to keep up with them. Independence can help us accomplish a lot, but trying to do everything on our own can be bad. As I get older (and hopefully wiser), I appreciate having others to lean on.
It's not about doing it all on our own. We should rely on God and utilize everything He's given us. These things are Christ, His Word, and community.
Hebrews 4:15 says that Jesus cares about us, understands us, and He experienced temptation in every area of His life. He overcame temptation and is our example. We have "everything we need for life and godliness" (2 Peter 1:3, NIV 1984) and should approach the throne boldly to receive grace and mercy to help us (Hebrews 4:16). That's the power of Christ in us. With mercy (not receiving punishment we deserve) and grace (receiving gifts we don't deserve), how can we not overcome any temptation?
In our Equipped Disciple class, we teach that hiding God's Word in our hearts through Scripture memorization (Psalm 119:11) is a tool/weapon (Ephesians 6:17) to equip us to live victorious over sin. Our "assurance of victory" verse states that, when we face temptation, God "will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it" (1 Corinthians 10:13). Jesus quoted Scripture in defeating Satan (Matthew 4), and we should, too.
Community is important. God gives us others with whom to share life for encouragement, accountability, and discipleship. Proverbs 27:17 explains that one person sharpens another as "iron sharpens iron." And Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 emphasizes the benefits of companionship and warns against having no one to "lift" us up when we fall. We need others.
Matt Redman's "Never Once" praise song looks back at life's battleground and remembers, "[E]very victory was Your power in us. . . . Never once did we ever walk alone. Never once did You leave us on our own."
Our victory over sin is through Jesus' power in us, and God is faithful. That's why we don't have to do it on our own.
Discussion Questions
1. Are you victorious when you are faced with temptation? Why or why not?
2. In which area -- relationship with Christ, Scripture reading/memorization, and community -- do you feel you are strongest? Weakest?
3. How can you strengthen your weak areas?
4. How can you help others in your strong areas?