The Grace Message

Two covenants. Two priesthoods. Two ways to relate to God. Hebrews is a book of powerful contrasts, and I’m so excited to begin this series with you. If you’ve never studied Hebrews before (or if it’s been a while!), this is a great way to start. It’s a quick overview of the entire letter right here in a single message. I’ve never done it this way before, but so many have reported it helped them understand Hebrews better than ever. Here, you’ll discover the radical difference between law and grace, the stark contrast between partial and total forgiveness, and even receive an exciting invitation from God to go “outside the gate” of religion to be with Jesus. Discussion Questions: 1. Hebrews is a book of comparisons. What are some of the comparisons you remember Andrew discussing? 2. What does it mean to enter God’s rest? 3. Why does understanding the background and audience matter so much for interpreting the warnings in Hebrews? 4. What are the two types of forgiveness contrasted in the letter? 5. Who’s your favorite Old Testament person? What do you enjoy that is better than what they had? 6. Why does the author of Hebrews use the analogy of going “outside the gate”?

Does water baptism qualify a Christian for a deeper level of discipleship? Where does it say the Law was brought in by angels? Why does this matter? Did Moses really have the glory of God reflecting off his face? How do we live from the right motivation? Will we be able to see people in Hell once we are in Heaven? When exactly does a person become born again? Who are the 144,000 people in Revelation?

What kind of prophet was Agabus? How was he able to warn Paul about his future? What does "the power of life and death is in the tongue" really mean? Can we speak away sickness and poverty? Do we word-curse ourselves by speaking negatively? Where does the new heart fit in with spirit, soul, and body?

What is the book of Hebrews about? How does God speak to us today? I need you to confirm my dream or vision that I will have neuroscience technology implanted in me. My son had an affair and has now moved in with someone else. Should I still go see him and the grandkids? How should we interpret Mark 16 that says signs and wonders will follow those who believe?

How should we interpret God's warnings in the first three chapters of Revelation? Why don't we see all churches in the same area come together and worship?

Can an unbeliever truly love if love is a fruit of the Spirit? If God never changes, how can we have a new kind of relationship with Him today (versus the Old Testament)? My boyfriend is just recovering from a drug addiction. Should I proceed with the relationship? Is it okay for believers to be involved in politics? When does it become a distraction from the core message of Christianity?

The cross is the true dividing line of human history. Through His death, Jesus ushered in a new and liberating way of grace. The old way of the Law is now obsolete, and we believers have died to the Law. This means we are free, and God wants us to know the freedom He purchased for us through Christ. In this final part of the series, “God Says,” I argue passionately for our freedom from rule-based religion and explain why it’s so important that we stand firm in God’s grace. Discussion Questions: 1. In your own words, what is the New Covenant? How specifically is it better than the Old Covenant? 2. In what ways does the Sermon on the Mount expose the true standard of the Law? 3. How does the paperwork (passport) of Jesus play into the debate over Law and grace? 4. Why do you think so many people look at the Ten Commandments as an exception to our freedom from the Law? 5. How does an atmosphere of grace inspire the believer to live uprightly? 

What do the two debtors represent in Luke 7? Did people in the Old Testament have a new heart? How do we talk with Mormons about the gospel? Have I fallen out of God’s grace? Do we have to wait for heaven after we die? Do we have to wait for the new Earth? What can I do in the face of a tough decision? Why do so many people resist the message of God’s grace? How can I answer their questions?

Why did Jesus say that people who look back or not fit for the kingdom of God? Does Matthew 16 contradict salvation by grace? How did the things that Jesus did get recorded in the Bible? My niece has decided she wants to be a man. How should I react to this?