Foundational Truths: Embracing Our Need for Jesus

 

Summary

In our journey of faith, it is crucial to grasp the foundational principles of the Oracles of God, as outlined in Hebrews. These principles are not complex theological concepts but basic truths that every believer should have settled in their hearts and minds. The writer of Hebrews emphasizes the need to move beyond elementary teachings and mature in our faith. This maturity is not about leaving Jesus behind but understanding why we need Him and embracing all that He offers.

The basic principles mentioned in Hebrews 6 include repentance from dead works, faith toward God, instructions about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. These are not a summary of the Christian faith but rather foundational truths that prepare us to understand our need for Jesus. They highlight the inadequacy of our efforts, the defilement of sin, and the reality of eternal life and judgment.

Repentance from dead works is about turning away from relying on our best efforts to earn God's favor. Our good deeds, no matter how noble, are insufficient to save us. Instead, we must place our faith in God, recognizing our spiritual poverty and relying on His provision. This is the essence of the Old Testament teachings, pointing us to our need for a Savior.

The instructions about washings and the laying on of hands remind us of the defilement of sin and the need for cleansing. Sin separates us from God, and the Old Testament rituals were a constant reminder of this truth. The laying on of hands, particularly in the context of the Day of Atonement, symbolizes the transfer of sin and the need for a substitute to bear our guilt.

Finally, the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment underscore the eternal nature of our lives and the reality of standing before God. Every person will face judgment, and our only hope is in Jesus, who stands as our advocate. Understanding these principles helps us see why we need Jesus and why we must cling to Him.

Key Takeaways:

- Repentance from Dead Works: Our best efforts are insufficient to earn God's favor. We must turn from relying on our deeds and place our faith in God, recognizing our spiritual poverty and need for His provision. This foundational truth prepares us to embrace Jesus as our Savior. [26:34]

- The Defilement of Sin: Sin defiles us and separates us from God. The Old Testament rituals of washings remind us of our need for cleansing. Understanding this helps us see the necessity of Jesus' sacrifice for our sins. [33:34]

- The Reality of Eternal Life and Judgment: Our lives are eternal, and we will all face judgment. This truth highlights the importance of having Jesus as our advocate, who stands beside us and claims us as His own. [38:58]

- The Importance of a Firm Foundation: Having a clear understanding of why we need Jesus is crucial for a lasting faith. When these basic principles are settled in our hearts, we will cling to Jesus and mature in our faith. [42:44]

- The Role of the Old Testament: The Old Testament prepares us to understand our need for Jesus. It is not a summary of the Christian faith but a foundational statement of why we need a Savior. [20:18]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [14:52] - Basic Principles of the Oracles of God
- [15:47] - Settling Basic Principles
- [16:24] - Six Foundational Elements
- [19:57] - Old Testament Preparation
- [21:01] - Beginning of the Word of Christ
- [22:10] - Moving to Maturity
- [23:37] - Milk vs. Solid Food
- [25:03] - Three Compelling Reasons
- [26:34] - Repentance from Dead Works
- [30:19] - Faith Toward God
- [33:34] - Instructions About Washings
- [38:58] - Resurrection and Eternal Judgment
- [42:44] - Importance of a Firm Foundation
- [44:24] - Clinging to Christ

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Hebrews 6:1-2
- Hebrews 9:14
- Revelation 21:27

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Observation Questions:

1. What are the six foundational elements mentioned in Hebrews 6:1-2, and how do they relate to the basic principles of the Oracles of God? [16:24]

2. According to the sermon, why are our best efforts considered "dead works," and what does this imply about our need for Jesus? [26:34]

3. How does the Old Testament concept of washings and the laying on of hands illustrate the defilement of sin and the need for cleansing? [33:34]

4. What does the sermon say about the eternal nature of our lives and the reality of judgment? How does this underscore the importance of having Jesus as our advocate? [38:58]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of repentance from dead works challenge common assumptions about earning God's favor through good deeds? [29:09]

2. In what ways do the Old Testament rituals of washings and the laying on of hands point to the necessity of Jesus' sacrifice for our sins? [33:34]

3. How does understanding the reality of eternal life and judgment influence a believer's perspective on their need for Jesus? [38:58]

4. What role does the Old Testament play in preparing believers to understand their need for Jesus, according to the sermon? [20:18]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you might be relying on "dead works" to earn God's favor? How can you shift your focus to faith in God instead? [26:34]

2. The sermon emphasizes the defilement of sin and the need for cleansing. How can you regularly remind yourself of the significance of Jesus' sacrifice in your daily life? [33:34]

3. Considering the reality of eternal life and judgment, how does this perspective affect your priorities and decisions? What changes might you need to make to align more closely with this truth? [38:58]

4. How can you deepen your understanding of the Old Testament to better appreciate its role in highlighting the need for Jesus? Are there specific books or passages you feel led to study? [20:18]

5. The sermon discusses the importance of having a firm foundation in faith. What steps can you take to ensure that your faith is deeply rooted and able to withstand challenges? [42:44]

6. Think about a time when you faced a difficult situation. How did your understanding of Jesus as your advocate influence your response? How might you approach similar situations differently in the future? [41:26]

7. Identify one area in your life where you feel spiritually immature. What practical steps can you take to grow and mature in your faith in that area? [22:10]

Devotional

Day 1: Turning from Self-Reliance to Faith in God
Our best efforts, no matter how noble, are insufficient to earn God's favor. The principle of repentance from dead works calls us to turn away from relying on our deeds and place our faith in God. This involves recognizing our spiritual poverty and need for His provision. By understanding this foundational truth, we are prepared to embrace Jesus as our Savior, acknowledging that our salvation is not based on our works but on His grace. [26:34]

Hebrews 9:14 (ESV): "How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God."

Reflection: What is one area in your life where you are still relying on your own efforts to earn God's favor? How can you begin to shift your trust to God's provision today?


Day 2: The Cleansing Power of Jesus' Sacrifice
Sin defiles us and separates us from God, and the Old Testament rituals of washings remind us of our need for cleansing. These rituals point to the necessity of Jesus' sacrifice for our sins. Understanding the defilement of sin helps us appreciate the cleansing power of Jesus' blood, which purifies us and restores our relationship with God. This truth invites us to continually seek His forgiveness and cleansing. [33:34]

1 John 1:7 (ESV): "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin."

Reflection: Is there a sin in your life that you need to confess and seek cleansing for today? How can you embrace the cleansing power of Jesus' sacrifice in your daily walk with Him?


Day 3: Embracing the Reality of Eternal Life and Judgment
Our lives are eternal, and we will all face judgment. This truth underscores the importance of having Jesus as our advocate, who stands beside us and claims us as His own. Understanding the reality of eternal life and judgment helps us live with an eternal perspective, prioritizing our relationship with Jesus and the things that truly matter. It reminds us of the hope we have in Him and the assurance of eternal life. [38:58]

2 Corinthians 5:10 (ESV): "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil."

Reflection: How does the reality of eternal life and judgment influence your daily decisions and priorities? What changes can you make to live with a more eternal perspective?


Day 4: Building a Firm Foundation in Christ
Having a clear understanding of why we need Jesus is crucial for a lasting faith. When these basic principles are settled in our hearts, we will cling to Jesus and mature in our faith. A firm foundation in Christ enables us to withstand the challenges of life and grow in our relationship with Him. It involves continually seeking to know Him more and allowing His truth to shape our lives. [42:44]

Colossians 2:6-7 (ESV): "Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving."

Reflection: What steps can you take to strengthen your foundation in Christ today? How can you ensure that your faith is deeply rooted in Him?


Day 5: Understanding the Old Testament's Role in Revealing Our Need for a Savior
The Old Testament prepares us to understand our need for Jesus. It is not a summary of the Christian faith but a foundational statement of why we need a Savior. By studying the Old Testament, we gain insight into God's character, His promises, and the foreshadowing of Christ's redemptive work. This understanding deepens our appreciation for Jesus and the salvation He offers, encouraging us to cling to Him as our Savior. [20:18]

Galatians 3:24 (ESV): "So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith."

Reflection: How can you incorporate the study of the Old Testament into your spiritual journey? What insights from the Old Testament have helped you understand your need for Jesus?

Quotes


There are basic principles of the Oracles of God that every Christian needs to grasp clearly and firmly and we need to have them settled in our minds and in our hearts. Basic principles, basic principles of the word of God, the Oracles of God, and we all need to grasp them and unless we grasp them, we're not really going to make progress in the Christian life. [00:14:35]

The writer lists, as you will see in chapter 6, six things that at first, when you look at them, seem a very strange list indeed. A foundation, so that's how basic this is, of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the Dead, and eternal judgment. [00:16:30]

It is not a description for us here about who Jesus is and all that he has done. It is rather a plain, vital, and compelling foundational basic statement of why it is that we need Jesus. And that's what needs to be absolutely clear, undisputed, and settled in the mind of every person who professes faith in Jesus Christ. [00:20:00]

We're talking here then about the basic principles of the Word of God, that is, the Oracles of God, chapter 5 and verse 12, or to put it another way, the elementary doctrine of Christ, literally that translated, that is the beginning of the word of Christ. [00:21:01]

The milk is why we need Jesus as revealed in the Old Testament. The solid food or the meat is who Jesus is and what he has done that's revealed for us in the new. And every Christian needs the milk. We need to be clear about why we need Jesus. That's basic, that's foundational to all faith and especially faith that lasts. [00:23:37]

Our best efforts are dead works, and we rely completely on the provision of God. That is the first basic principle of the Oracles of God, the first reason why we need Jesus, as it is laid out by the writer to the Hebrews. And he puts it this way, he says there's a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith towards God. [00:26:34]

Our best efforts to live a good life, our best works that we could ever hope of offering to God with the thought that perhaps when he looks at what I've done in this regard, he'll be impressed and pleased and I'll win his favor, that our best works are dead works and have absolutely no saving value at all. [00:27:49]

Our sins defile us and exclude us from the presence of God. Now notice what he says here about a foundation of instructions about washings and laying on of hands. I mean, you think now how can that be foundational? And this is where it seems to me that commentators who want to see this as a description of the Christian faith get into all kinds of problems. [00:31:49]

The Old Testament is full of ritual washings, and remember this is the letter to the Hebrews. They would have been very, very familiar with all of that world. And why was the Old Testament full of washings? Washing cups, washing bodies, washing hands, endless washings. Another reason that all these washings were prescribed in the law of God was as a constant reminder to people that sin defiles us. [00:33:34]

Our lives are eternal, and we will all face the judgment of God. Our lives are eternal, and we all face the judgment of God. He speaks about the resurrection of the Dead and the eternal judgment. Again, these truths are so basic to the Word of God. Look, your life is eternal. There was a time when you were not, but there never will be a time when you will not be. [00:38:58]

The ultimate thing that we must face, it is appointed for a man, for a woman, once to die, and after that comes the judgment. That's straight out of Hebrews 9 verse 27, and the writer says it is a fearful thing to fall into the hand of the Living God. [00:39:31]

If these basic principles are clear, if they are established, if they are settled in your life, you will not only come to Christ, but you will cling to Christ. You go on to maturity in Christ, and your faith will be a faith that lasts. [00:44:24]

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Transcript
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