This week, we’re reading five whole books of the New Testament. I think you’ll appreciate this practice because it will help you get a sense of the argument of the whole book in one sitting. One common trend in these books is the relentless focus on Jesus and repeated exhortation toward faithfulness. These two aspects remain vital aspects of Christian encouragement today.
Philippians is Paul’s most positive and encouraging letter. The word “rejoice” or “joy” occurs at least thirteen times. When the gospel is rightly proclaimed and practiced, there is cause for great joy in the Lord. Paul exhorts the Philippians to continue looking to Christ, living by his example, and looking out for those who walk contrary to Christ. As they do these things, Paul encourages them to keep the finish line in mind – the day of Christ’s return or the day of their death, whichever comes first. Re-read Philippians 4:8.
This first letter to Timothy is the first of the “pastoral” epistles – where Paul encourages, mentors, and advises the young pastor Timothy about ministry issues in Ephesus. A close reading of the first few paragraphs will give you the lay of the land: heresy abounds as people are teaching different doctrines related to myths and genealogies. But Paul and Timothy aim for love that issues from a pure heart, good conscience, and sincere faith. From 1:12 to 4:5, Paul is setting before Timothy instructions for gathered worship and church structure. Then, from 4:6 to 6:21 Paul gives particular instruction to Timothy regarding how he should act and what he should teach.
Thee letter to Titus is also a pastoral epistle. This time, it’s written to Titus who’s pastoring on the island of Crete. Titus’s role is clearly to put the remaining house churches in order by establishing elders, teaching sound doctrine, and reminding them of Christlike conduct. I’m struck by Paul’s gentle and honest reminder in 3:3-8 that they were once foolish, disobedient, slaves to various passions but have now been redeemed by the goodness and loving kindness of God.
1 Peter is Peter’s communication with Jewish believers who have been pushed out from Jerusalem or who have come to know Christ through the preaching of the gospel begun in after the stoning of Stephen in Acts 8:1. Despite their troublesome locations, Peter reminds them of the inheritance laid up for them in heaven, the glorious wonder of Christ, the holiness in which they are to walk, and their unique identity as royal priesthood. This reminder of their identity transitions into how they live from such an identity. Specifically, it changes how they submit to government authorities, how they interact with their households, and how they endure suffering. All of these actions and the enduring through suffering are empowered by looking back to Christ’s suffering/ death and forward to his return. Peter concludes his letter with an exhortation to the elders in these churches to shepherd these congregations well as under-shepherds of Christ.
The whole point of the book of Hebrews is to exalt Jesus as superior and to exhort believers toward faithfulness. In the first two chapters, Hebrews establishes Jesus as God’s Son and further proves his superiority to angels in working our salvation. Indeed, salvation could not be accomplished by angels because they are not like us. Chapter 3 establishes Jesus’ superiority to Moses because Moses was only a servant in God’s house. Jesus, in his humanity, is the heir to the house and therefor superior to Moses. As a result, the rest Jesus gives is greater than the rest Moses gave upon entering the Promised Land. Chapter 4 is an exhortation for Jesus followers to enter into the rest of Christ. Chapter 5 establishes Jesus’ superiority to the priesthood and introduces the “better priesthood of Melchizedek” which he will return to momentarily. Before discussing the priesthood further, Hebrews offers another exhortation toward maturity so that believers do not walk away from Christ (If 6:4-6 makes you nervous, it should. But, 6:9 should be a comfort to you and take the edge off). Hebrews 6 concludes with a firm reason for holding fast to our hope: because God’s character and God’s word do not change, we can trust the person and work of Christ.
These four chapters of Hebrews all deal with Jesus’ superiority to the priesthood. Chapter 7 compares Jesus to Melchizedek – the mysterious priest-king from Genesis 14:17. The difference between the Melchizedekian priesthood and the Levitical/Aaronic priesthood is that Melchizedek’s priesthood lasts forever. Chapter 8 turns to compare the covenants of Levitical priests and Jesus. Jesus’ covenant is a better covenant after the order of Jeremiah 31:31-34. Chapter 9 makes the case that the location of Jesus’ sacrifice is superior to the Levitical priests since they entered into the Holy of holies, but Jesus entered into heaven itself. Chapter 10 further establishes that the sacrifice Jesus made is better because it was one sacrifice for all time compared to the repeated sacrifices of bulls and goats. Given all of this, Hebrews 10:19-39 exhorts believers to draw near to God in full assurance of faith.
The final three chapters takes the collective argument about the superiority of Jesus and brings it to bear on the conduct and thinking of believers. By looking to Jesus, believers join the great cloud of witnesses who also have walked by faith. By keeping our minds focused on Jesus, believers can endure suffering trusting that God disciplines us for our good. By resting in our great salvation, we grow in confidence knowing that we have a kingdom that cannot be shaken. As a result of all this, we offer our lives as a sacrifice of praise, which is specifically “lips that acknowledge his name.”