the covenant has been changed

Hebrews 8

v7

For if that first [covenant] had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.

This chapter Hebrews 8 makes it very clear that the old ways of the human priests offering gifts and sacrifices according to the law, and the creation and building of the tabernacle, is old, faulty, decayed, and ready to vanish away.

v13

In that he saith, A new [covenant], he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old [is] ready to vanish away.

Instead, the old covenant has been replaced by the new covenant of Christ our high priest, a heavenly sanctuary, and the Lord's new law, written on our hearts. We should no longer try to live under the antiquated ways, but we should rejoice in the liberty of forgiven life in the merciful Christ.

v12

For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.

the priesthood has been changed

Hebrews 7

v12

For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.

In Hebrews 7 we see that God's people are no longer supposed to have a line of human priests. The human priests were fallible, and would have to offer sacrifices for their own sins. Also, there would come a day when the priests would have to die and be replaced.

Like the amazing Melchisedec, of whom we hear in this chapter, who God made without any human parents, or any certain time when he started being there, and never died like other people do, God sent Jesus. Jesus is eternal, was with God in the beginning, and lives forever. He is also the only person who is perfect and infallible, and never needs to offer sacrifices for His own sins because He has never done anything wrong.

Now we see that we're not supposed to have a line of human priests any more, because the Lord has changed the priesthood to Jesus. Now, instead, Christ is the only one who is our priest, and we are supposed to look to Him alone for that.

the Lord doesn't forget

Hebrews 6

v10

For God [is] not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

If we get discouraged because it seems like we are doing so much hard work, but it doesn't seem to be getting anywhere, then we can take encouragement in the promise that the Lord doesn't forget it.

v18

That by two immutable things, in which [it was] impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

Let's just be diligent and keep having patience, because we can have faith for a great blessing and hope in Him.

1 Thessalonians 2 - Key

v9

For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.

We should work diligently on the good things that the Lord has given us to do. That goes along with preaching the gospel, so that some of us can provide for our own needs to preach the gospel instead of being a burden to other people who would have to support us.

Application

Romans 12:11

Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

I'll be diligent to get my work done and spend time with the Lord before having fun instead of being lazy and wasting time.

• Printer-Friendly Version

get into the habit of listening

Hebrews 5

v11

Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.

We should sharpen our spiritual senses to the Lord, but practicing putting His Word, that we hear, into action in our lives. Otherwise, if we keep hearing it without obeying it, we will get into the bad habit of not really listening.

v13,14

For every one that useth milk [is] unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.

But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, [even] those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

We should grow and become mature: exercising our consciences by deciding to listen to God's Word and to do what it teaches is right.

1 Thessalonians 2 - Outline

v1-6a

Paul's pure and honest approach in bringing the Thessalonians the gospel

v6b-12

Paul behaved with love, hard work, and holiness

v13-14

the Thessalonians received Word, with action, believing it was from God

v15-16

the sinful people persecuted the brethren

v17-20

Paul's desire for the good of the brethren

the servants of our God

Revelation 7

v3

Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.

There were awesome rewards to the 144,000 who were sealed, and to the multitude in white robes in this chapter. We shouldn't take for granted that we would be sealed or clothed in white robes. Those who were sealed were called the servants of our God. If we want these rewards, we need to be diligent to faithfully serve the Lord.