Mount Pleasant Baptist Church

Daily Nugget: In understanding this difficult chapter, it is important to understand one thing. “Therefore” at the beginning of Hebrews 6 tells it is continuing what was discussed in Chapter 5. That chapter ended after addressing those that were not growing in the things of God. Those people discussed previously should have been teachers (Hebrews 5:12) but instead were in dire need of the basics. In this chapter, it is talking about those people that had spiritual growth problems. The group of people this letter addresses were not growing in “perfection” (Hebrews 6:1). “Perfection” here is not saying that we can be perfect, as none can. All can be forgiven, however. Those people were not moving on and understanding other spiritual things. They were not improving or “perfecting” themselves spiritually. They were “stuck” in believing and following teachings they had learned in Judaism. They were: Not turning from their “dead works” (Hebrews 6:1) — the traditions and Levitical rites t

Daily Nugget: During Old Testament times, there were priests who served as mediators between God and man, presenting their prayers and sacrifices to Him. Before Moses, the priests’ duties were often done by the head of a household, as did Job, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. During Moses’ day, God appointed priests from the Levite lineage. This practice was intended only to continue until the perfect priest came, Jesus Christ. The Old Testament priests were not perfect. Their limitations were because: They were ordained (“appointed by”) by men, although they were of an ancestry ordered by God (Hebrews 5:1). Not just any man could be a priest. They had to go to God with sacrifices and gifts (Hebrews 5:1, 3). The offerings were not a one-time gift. They had to be offered more than once. They were only temporary appeasements to a Holy God. The priests themselves were sinners. They also had to give an offering for themselves (Hebrews 5:2, 3). Soon the priesthood stopped. The sacrifices ha

Daily Nugget: Most know what it is like not to have rest. The constant working and daily activity can leave us tattered, harried, nervous, and without the peace, we normally would have. The nine “rests” mentioned throughout this chapter (found in Hebrews 4:1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11) speak of a similar feeling one can experience when one does without another type of rest. In most of the references, it refers to a spiritual rest one has when they have done what the Holy Spirit had shown them to do. They no longer feel convicted, guilty, or oppressed by their conscience. The rests referred to in this chapter are: the rest God took after He created all in our universe (Hebrews 4:4), the rest one has when they are saved and have peace within their spiritual hearts, and the eternal rest all believers will one day have when they spend eternity with Jesus (Hebrews 4:9, 10). Until a believer goes to his eternal rest, he is to work to please God. The “guidebook” to lead one through a life tha

Daily Nugget: One of the most dangerous conditions for anyone to have, Christian or non-Christian, is mentioned in this chapter. That condition is having one’s heart “hardened” (Hebrews 3:8). It is not a problem with one’s physical heart. It is the spiritual part of a person that has determined not to do what God had urged it to do. By refusing to do what God has shown it to do, it is directly disobeying God — a most serious situation! To make it clear to the Hebrews, Paul reminded them what hard-heartedness cost their forefathers in the wilderness. While in the wilderness, the Jews had a wonderful opportunity to follow God to a land He had reserved for them. By day, God led them in His direction by going before them in a column of cloud that stretched from Heaven to Earth. When it moved, they moved. When it stopped, they stopped. At night, it changed to a column of fire. Although they had many proofs of God’s helping them, they still doubted. Unbelief, the root cause of hard-heart

Daily Nugget: “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation: which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;” (vs. 3) Many have heard the plan of salvation again and again. It has been heard so often by many, that it has lost its power and importance to them. It has been, for multitudes, commonplace and taken for granted. Too many have lost the wonder they once had when they first heard God’s message to them and learned what it meant. However, it still is a GREAT salvation! Salvation is great because of what it does. It is the only way any person will avoid seeing Hell. Our good works and deeds, religious rituals, or clean living will not pluck us from hell’s everlasting torment. Only the salvation offered by God will save us from hell. Salvation is great because it has saved countless souls. Billions have trusted in Christ’s finished work on the cross to pay for their sins and have been saved! Salvation is great becaus

Daily Nugget: In Paul’s letter to the Hebrews, he started off telling them who Jesus is. There are at least thirteen points he made about the Saviour, including: In Paul’s letter to the Hebrews, the preacher told them who Jesus is. There are at least thirteen points he made about the Saviour, including: Jesus was there at creation with the Father (Hebrews 1:1, 10). He made the worlds (Hebrews 1:2, 10). God has spoken to people through His Son, Jesus (Hebrews 1:2). Jesus is the heir of all things (Hebrews 1:2, 4). Jesus is the brightness of God’s glory (Hebrews 1:3). Jesus is the express (to show by resemblance or copy) image of God (Hebrews 1:3). Jesus upholds (elevates) all things by His word (Hebrews 1:3). Jesus purged us of our sins (Hebrews 1:3). Jesus has finished what He was sent to do (Hebrews 1:3). Jesus is sitting at the right hand of His Father (Hebrews 1:3). God honors His son (Hebrews 1:9). Jesus is better than the angels (Hebrews 1:4, 5, 6, 13). Jesus’ throne