The book of Hebrews was written to answer a variety of questions that a 1st-century Jewish person may have had. The book is significant because, while Christianity emerges from Judaism, it also rejects key Jewish practices and assumptions. It answers many questions about God's Word and authority in a convincing way that harmonizes both the Old and New Testaments.

The author of Hebrews uses a variety of Old Testament quotations to support affirmations about Jesus. He points out that God has a unique son with a right to rule, that this son is higher than angels, and finally that he is divine. If God has spoken to us about these things, then what He says really matters for our lives.

According to the Bible, man was made with incredible value and purpose, yet has insurmountable guilt and corruption. While we could never save ourselves, God sent Jesus to identify with us as a man in order to serve as our substitute. Jesus' became man in order to enable us to have: 1) a new family; 2) victory over death; and 3) the assurance that God can relate to us.

The author of Hebrews offers a commentary on true spirituality; he presents the idea that God reveals Himself and His purpose as he calls on people to respond. In the Old Testament example of ancient Israel in the wilderness, the people hardened their hearts and experienced consequences. There is a call for modern Christians to respond with urgency to the voice of God.

Rest is a dynamic term, present in the pattern of history as receiving God's promise to blessing. Rest in the finished work of Christ means that we are prepared to receive and accept his sacrifice. To rest in an ongoing way means continuing to trust in God's provision and depend on Him in the whole of life. Dan Beech gave a testimony about the way that he learned to trust God.

The message of the Bible hinges on an understanding of sacrifice; that we need a priest, who intercedes for us through substitution. The Old Testament explains that the priesthood was held by the Levites, yet Jesus with from the tribe of Judah. The way to reconcile Jesus' kingship and priesthood lies in the character of Melchizedek, and has two important implications: 1) the old priesthood is over, and 2) the new priesthood means we have constant intercession with God.

The author of Hebrews gives a warning against "falling away" or to "go on sinning willfully" that might seem to threaten the idea of eternal security. In one case, the author is speaking of those who are convinced of spiritual truth but never choose to become believers. In the other case, the author is saying that those who keep on rejecting Jesus cannot be saved until they change their minds. Ultimately, faith for true believers has real content and is based on a concrete decision.

Each person desires an anchor for hope that is steadfast and unchanging. God's promises, which He swears by Himself, are the sort of foundation that we are looking for. Perseverance in acting on these truths with strengthen our hope. A woman named Teresa shared her testimony about learning real hope through suffering

The Old Covenant was good because it demonstrated God's moral character, prescribed a just society, and was a means of securing blessing for ancient Israel. Though the Law itself was good, sinful human beings could never keep it. The New Covenant is superior because it is unilateral, does away with sin, and results in an internal change of the heart. Believers today should seek to relate with God under the New Covenant, not the old.

Sometimes, before we will see spiritual reality, we need to hit rock bottom. Part of the purpose of the Old Testament Law was to show the problem that people have, and to point to the solution in Christ. Jesus was the ultimate fulfillment of the symbolism of the Old Covenant.

The Old Testament sacrificial system pointed towards the final sacrifice that Jesus would make on the cross to cover human sin. There are three responses that the author of Hebrews calls us to: 1) draw near to God; 2) hold fast the confession of our hope; and 3) consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds.

Many would define faith as believing in something regardless of the truth. However, the Bible defines faith as a confident assurance in our hope. Because of the strong evidence that the Bible is revelation from God, we can be sure that God has spoken. It is left for us to act on faith, in light of the things that we know but cannot see.

The author of Hebrews defines faith as counting on the fact that God is there and to trust in His goodness. Abraham illustrates what faith in action looks like in four ways: 1) his obedience to God; 2) his living as a foreigner in a hostile world; 3) in his walking in grace; and 4) in his willingness to put everything on the line.

Paul describes the Christian life with a multi-faceted comparison to a race. In one sense, the baton has been passed to us from those who have ran it before. In another sense, we are called to throw off hindrances as we run a marathon. The way we stay in the race is to keep our minds trained on Christ.

The author of Hebrews affirms the idea that love is the main focus of the Christian life, extending to insiders, outsiders, and even to the oppressed. Another crucial component of healthy spiritual love is striving for marriage and sexuality according to God's design. This teaching includes a video testimony from Brian Gardner about overcoming hidden sin in his marriage.

A life of faith is fundamentally a life of trust in God, rather than the opposing values of materialism. It also means a trust in and imitation of legitimate spiritual leaders: those who are faithful to God's Word, have godly character, and who are accountable.

The author of Hebrews stresses the fact that God was at work in the Old Testament through instituting a system of sacrifices that describe the human condition and prepare humanity for Christ. The author urges his audience not to fall into old ways of relating to God, but instead to see the fulfillment of the Old Covenant in Christ. Instead of offering literal sacrifices to God, Christians are instead called to follow God by choosing to give their whole lives for his purpose.