Jesus Is Better Than All of These Things

In one paragraph

Pastor Mark opened the last Sunday of the year in Hebrews 13, reading verses 1 through 16 and focusing his preaching on verses 9 through 16. The sermon sits inside the church's series through Hebrews, whose running argument is that Jesus is better than everything that came before him. With that foundation laid, the practical counsel of chapter 13 becomes the natural place to end the year. The...

Read together

1. Hebrews 13:1-16 primary passage preached through for practical Christian living
2. Matthew 24 warning from Jesus that many will come claiming to be the Christ and will deceive many
3. Acts 20 Paul's warning that after his departure savage wolves will come in and distort the truth
4. Romans 16 urging believers to keep watch on those who cause dissensions contrary to sound teaching
5. 2 Corinthians 11 warning about false apostles who disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, with Satan disguising himself as an angel of light
6. Galatians 1 Paul's rebuke of those deserting the gospel of grace for a distorted gospel, pronouncing anathema on any who preach otherwise
7. Ephesians warning against being tossed by every wind of doctrine and the trickery of deceitful scheming
8. Colossians warning against being taken captive through philosophy and empty deception according to traditions of men
9. 2 Thessalonians 2 urging believers not to be shaken in composure or deceived about the day of the Lord
10. 1 Timothy 4 warning that in later times some will fall away, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons
11. 1 Timothy 6 warning against those who advocate different doctrine and have morbid interest in controversial questions
12. 1 John command to test the spirits because many false prophets have gone out into the world
13. Jude appeal to contend for the faith against ungodly persons who turn grace into licentiousness
14. Psalm 50 God saying he does not need animal sacrifices but calls for a sacrifice of thanksgiving and to call upon him in the day of trouble
15. Hebrews 11 reference to Abraham looking for the city whose architect and builder is God

Talk about it

1. Pastor John worked through a long list of New Testament warnings about false and strange teachings. Which of those warnings stood out to you most, and why do you think that one landed?
2. He described two ditches people fall into: legalism on one side and licentiousness on the other. Which ditch do you think is more of a temptation for people in our church culture, and what does it look like in practice?
3. Pastor John talked about the Greek behind 'I will never leave you nor forsake you' being a quintuple negative, meaning the strongest possible statement of commitment. How does that change the way you hear that promise?
4. The sermon pointed to going 'outside the camp' with Jesus, bearing his reproach, as the response to being saved by grace. What does going outside the camp look like for someone in Jackson right now?
5. Pastor John described the sacrifice God is looking for as the fruit of lips that give thanks, along with doing good and sharing with one another. Where do you find it hardest to keep those two things, praise and practical care, connected in your own life?