Playlist:

playlist Go to the Hebrews, Book of (topic) playlist

Why Hebrews Was Written (Part Seven)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

The epistle of Hebrews is so vital to Christians in the first century and now because it explains the unique place and power of Christianity's High Priest.


Why Hebrews Was Written (Part Twelve): The Son's Superiority Over Angels

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Some Jews among the early converts believed that Jesus Christ did not qualify to be the church's High Priest, considering angels to be greater and holier.


Why Hebrews Was Written (Part Two)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Jesus Christ perfectly fulfilled His spiritual responsibilities and can now aid us in fulfilling ours, which includes keeping God's commandments.


Why Hebrews Was Written (Part One)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

God inspired the book of Hebrews to answer the difficult questions church members were struggling with during the tumultuous first decades of the church.


Hebrews: Its Background (Part Nine)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The Book of Hebrews is a must-read for all members of God's church who seek the key for spiritual growth through a meaningful relationship with Jesus Christ.


Hebrews: Its Background (Part Eight)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Hebrews emphasizes that spiritual growth and glorification depends on an individual's relationship with Christ, the centerpiece of the Book of Hebrews.


Hebrews (Part Thirteen): Chapter 2, A Mind-Bending Purpose (Part Two)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

The Jewish converts to the Way, although having had the benefit of Messianic prophecies, did not recognize the powerful significance of Psalm 8.


Hebrews: Its Background (Part Six)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

The book of Hebrews' audience consisted of converts from Judaism, suffering estrangement from family and community, excommunicated from the temple.


Hebrews 10:9 - Sacrificial System or Old Covenant?

Sermonette by Charles Whitaker (1944-2021)

Hebrews 10:9 does not say that God's law or the Old Covenant has been done away, but that the system of animal sacrifices has been set aside for now.


Why Hebrews Was Written (Part Eight): Hebrews 1

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Hebrews 1 delivers a knock-out punch to skeptics like many first-century Jews who claimed He falls short in qualifying as our High Priest and Savior.


Why Hebrews Was Written (Part Ten): Christianity's Claims

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Here are twelve claims that the Father, the Son, and Their way of life make upon humanity, giving mankind no excuse for its failure to respond to God.


Hebrews (Part Eleven): A Simple Recap

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Most of the attrition from the truth stems from losing interest. Drifting away is rarely intentional, but the result of choosing to live carnally.


Hebrews (Part Ten): Chapters 1 and 2

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

God created angels as ministering spirits to take care of the heirs of salvation. The Bible is filled with examples of angels rescuing God's people from harm.


Hebrews (Part Eight): Greater Than Angels (cont.)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Hebrews 1:3-4 describes the dramatic transitional period in which God begot Christ, making Him the only human being who could qualify as our Messiah and Savior.


Hebrews (Part Four): Who Was Jesus?

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Jesus Christ was not just an extraordinary man, but also possessed the massive intellect needed to create, design and implementing all manner of life—He was God.


Hebrews (Part Twelve): Chapter 2, A Mind-Bending Purpose (Part One)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

To counteract complacency, Hebrews warns against neglecting God's invitation of salvation, which He does not guarantee until sanctification has run its course.


Hebrews (Part Seven): Greater than Angels

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

The book of Hebrews systematically proves Christ's superiority to patriarchs, prophets, the Levitical Priesthood, and angels, establishing His credentials.


A Feast Message From Hebrews

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The Bible shows a clear pattern of how people leave the faith: looking back, drawing back, looking elsewhere, and then going backward and refusing to hear.


Hebrews (Part Two): Who Was Jesus?

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

If we understand the function of the Old Covenant as explained in Leviticus, we will better understand the New Covenant and not reject the law of the Savior.


Hebrews (Part One): The Stage Is Set

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Early converts from Judaism claimed to accept the Law but had difficulty accepting the Lawgiver. Today, many claim to accept Christ, but will not accept His Law.


Hebrews: Its Background (Part One)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Although God never intended the Old Covenant to endure eternally, the spiritual law (shared by both the old and new covenants) lasts forever.


Why Hebrews Was Written (Part Three)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Hebrews was written to fulfill several needs of the first-century church. One of the most critical was to explain God's opening of eternal life to the Gentiles.


Hebrews (Part Five): Who Was Jesus?

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

In Hebrews, we learn that Jesus is the only- begotten Son, creator and heir of all things, the express image of God's person, and has purged our sins.


Hebrews: Its Background (Part Five)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

When Hebrews was written, the newly converted Jew to the Way encountered persecution from the established religion and culture similar to what we experience.


Hebrews as a Sermon (Part One)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Even as Hebrews prepared the first century church for persecution, so it is also relevant to today's church as it faces an increasing assault on God's law.


Hebrews (Part Three): Who Was Jesus? (cont.)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

John identifies Christ as co-eternal with the Father, equal in character, but subordinate in authority. Christ's sonship was unique; He was the 'only Begotten Son.'


Hebrews: Its Background (Part Four)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

The frightful conditions during the 1st century are typical of the times ahead. To weather these circumstances, we need the encouragement of Hebrews.


Hebrews (Part Two)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Hebrews is addressed to a people living at the end of an era, who were drifting away, had lost their devotion, and were no longer motivated by zeal.


Hebrews 2: God Is Present

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

God's people must immerse themselves daily in the Scriptures. While sinning Israelites consider God to be absent, He is nevertheless present with His saints.


Hebrews (Part Six): God's Salvation Communication

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

God personally communicated with Adam, Eve, Abraham, Moses, the prophets, and to us through His Son. With the Scriptures, God teaches His faithful today.


Hebrews: A Message for Today

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The book of Hebrews provides reasons to recapture flagging zeal, focusing on the reason for our hope and faith, establishing Christ's credentials.


Hebrews (Part Eight)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Jesus Christ's priesthood is superior to the Aaronic priesthood because Christ tenure is eternal rather than temporal, guaranteeing both continuity and quality.


Hebrews (Part Fourteen): Chapter 2, A Mind Bending Purpose (Part Three)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Without a meaningful relationship with Christ, God's people cannot possibly bear fruit. Our responsibility is to yield to God's creative work in our lives.


Hebrews (Part Eleven)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Hebrews emphasizes the infinite superiority of Christ's priesthood and one-time sacrifice as contrasted to the repetitive Aaronic sacrifices.


Hebrews as a Sermon (Part Two)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

God designed the sermon of Hebrews to motivate God's people, who are going through the same turmoil as those living in 65 AD, facing persecution from society.


Hebrews: Its Background (Part Seven)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

The socio-cultural milieu before the writing of Hebrews created difficulties for the Jewish converts to the Gospel, who were deemed to be traitors.


Hebrews (Part Nine)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

After the change from the Aaronic to the Melchizedek priesthood, it was also necessary to change the Covenant. The flaw was not the law, but the heart.


Hebrews (Part Three)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Jesus blazed a trail, giving a pattern for qualifying (through suffering and resisting sin) for our responsibility as priests, reconnecting man and God.


Hebrews 12 and 13: Advice for the End Time

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

We must lay aside every weight, accept God's chastening, receive encouragement from those who have gone before, and get back into the spiritual race.


Hebrews (Part Twelve)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Hebrews 11 provides examples to bolster faith. The faith described is not blind, but is carefully developed from systematic analysis of available evidence.


Why Hebrews Was Written (Part Nine)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

God has communicated tirelessly with humanity through men and angels. The first chapters of Hebrews displays Christ's superiority over even the angels.


Hebrews: Its Background (Part Ten)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Parts of God's law are not presently required, yet not 'done away." Paul took a vow that required animal sacrifice. Ezekiel 34-48 shows the sacrificial law observed.


Hebrews: Its Background (Part Two)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Hebrews emphasizes that Jesus qualified as High Priest, teaching us about living by faith in the New Covenant, which mandates that we keep His commandments.


The Five Warnings of Hebrews

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The modern church stands in danger of allowing salvation to slip away. Hebrews gives warnings to help us turn our lives around so we do not fall short.


Hebrews (Part Ten)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Everything about the Priesthood of Christ is superior to the Levitical system, which only served as a type of the access to God that Jesus would fulfill.


Hebrews (Part Fifteen): Chapter 2, A Mind Bending Purpose (Part Four)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Even though we must cooperate in cultivating spiritual fruit, God alone creates character and takes responsibility for creating spiritual offspring.


Hebrews (Part Nine): Chapter 1: Jesus' Exultation and Christianity's Claims

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Hebrews 1:3 and Psalm 2 explain how Jesus becomes something He previously was not. Because of Christ's qualifications, Christianity has a claim on all mankind.


Hebrews (Part Seven)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

With godly hope, we need to envision the successful accomplishment of God's purpose for us, realizing that God has bound that promise with an oath.


Hebrews, Love, and the Ephesian Church

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Like the Ephesians, the weary veterans in Hebrews were becoming apathetic through outside pressures, losing their former zeal and devotion to Christ.


Hebrews (Part Fifteen)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

We dare not allow a root of bitterness to spring up in us as a result of trials - those burdens intended by God to strengthen us and perfect us.


Hebrews (Part One)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

In terms of spiritual insight, Hebrews is a pivotal book, whose function is to bridge the purposes and themes of the Old and New Testaments.


Why Was Hebrews Written? (Part Eleven): God Is Not Silent

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Christians must seek God Himself and truly listen to what He says in His Word. Only then will they have the heart of wisdom to deal with today's challenges.


Why Hebrews Was Written (Part Four)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

We often spend so much time engaged in our present-day trials that we fail to understand and learn from the experiences of Christians of the past.


Hebrews: Its Background (Part Three)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

The book of Hebrews clarifies that the persecution on the early church did not come directly from God, but He did stir the pot that caused the persecution.


Hebrews (Part Six)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Jesus experienced the same temptations and suffering we do, qualifying Him for the role of High Priest, the bridge-builder between man and God.


Hebrews (Part Four)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

We must emulate Christ, who learned through suffering, preparing Himself for His role as High Priest. Giving in alienates us from the fellowship with God.


Hebrews (Part Five)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

The ancient Israelites resisted the gospel, refusing to mix it with actual obedience. What they heard never became a part of their lives; Egypt never left them.


Why Hebrews Was Written (Part Five)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

If church members are to grow in grace and knowledge and be zealous in producing fruit to God's glory, they need to have their priorities in the right place.


The 'Rest' of Hebrews 4

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

If we patiently endure, trusting in God's faithfulness to bring us to completion, there will be a time when we will attain the rest we desperately yearn for.


Hebrews (Part Fourteen)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Like Jesus and other heroes of faith, we need to look beyond the present to the long term effects of the trials and tests we go though, seeing their value.


Hebrews (Part Thirteen)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Abraham, the father of the faithful, did not have a blind faith; it was based upon observation of God's proven track record of faithfulness.


Each Other

Sermonette by David C. Grabbe

If we stick together, allowing ourselves the benefit of exhortation, consolation, and encouragement, we will less likely commit willful sin.


Jesus Christ: First Savior, Second High Priest, Third King

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The book of Hebrews teaches that our relationship to Christ as our Savior, High Priest, and King is the key to salvation. He shows us the way to the Father.


Each Other (Part One)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

Because of the confusion in the church of God, many have withdrawn from fellowship, implying they need fellowship only with the Head and not the Body.


Snapshots (Part Three)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

Among the greatest challenges we face is not to let a bad snapshot—or even a whole progression of them—convince us that the journey is not worth continuing.


Contend Earnestly

Article by John O. Reid

All the signs point to Christ's imminent return, yet the Bible warns us not to let down. Hebrews 10 exhorts us to strive to please God and finish our course.


Creator, Sustainer, Head (Part One)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

The book of Hebrews resonates for the church of God at this time due to the strong parallels between our circumstances and those of the first century church.


The Angel and the Apostle

Sermonette by David C. Grabbe

Hebrews 1-2 establish Christ's superiority over angels, but notably do not mention the Angel of the Lord. Instead, the author handles the Angel differently.


Creator, Sustainer, Head (Part Two)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

Despite being perhaps the oldest text in the canon, Job contains many detailed, even scientific, insights into the creative and sustaining power of Christ.


God's Power: Our Shield Against Apostasy

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

God is not only powerful, but He is the source of all power. We can tap into God's power to avoid slipping into apostasy.


The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Eighteen)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Paul never taught any Jew to forsake the Law of Moses, but he did warn against Pharisaical additions for the expressed purpose of attaining justification.


Going on to Perfection

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John O. Reid

We are bombarded by technology, competing for our attention, causing us to drift from our spiritual quest. God expects us to continue to mature spiritually.


Faith and the Christian Fight (Part Ten)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Like with the heroes of faith, our testing will be commensurate with the job God has prepared for us. We must make our relationship with God our top priority.


Harden Not Your Heart

Sermon by John O. Reid

We are warned in Hebrews not to harden our hearts, not to let the precious truth of God drift away, realizing that we have been called with a high calling.