Join us on the International Gospel Hour as we explore the integral aspects of Christian faith, focusing on the concept of better things promised in the scriptures. Jeff Archie unpacks the book of Hebrews, highlighting the important role of salvation, growth, and sound doctrine for Christians. The episode offers a rich discussion on how a firm grasp of faith can lead to a fulfilling spiritual journey while providing free resources to aid in your biblical studies.
Friends, in the spirit of Hebrews 12, 24, let’s speak of better things today from the International Gospel Hour. Please stay with us.
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Hi, this is Jay Webb for International Gospel Hour.
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For 90 years, churches of Christ have proclaimed God’s word through International Gospel Hour. You are about to listen to another Bible-based lesson with Jeff Archie of International Gospel Hour, starting now.
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Well, thank you to our J-Web for his kind words. And greetings and hello, everyone. It’s great having you with us here on the International Gospel Hour. Do you know we’ve been on the air since 1934? Can you find that amazing? We can. I had one individual with a radio station tell me, he is a general manager, a program director rather, and he said, man, that is some kind of record. And actually, it is. And we’re honored, and the reason that we are able to be on the air this long is because of the interest of listeners just like you. So I’ll tell you what I want to do as we begin this broadcast. I want to share with you a free book giveaway. That’s right, friends. We don’t want your money. We will not ask our listeners for their funds for a gift or anything of that nature. We are blessed to be able to share this material absolutely free. Here’s what we want to do. Through our friends at Apologetics Press, we want to send you a free book titled, Why People Suffer. Now, this book is written by Dave Miller, and it deals with suffering and heartache and hurt. And I know that a lot of us are walking in that path. Friends, I’ve often said either we are about to enter into something, we are in the middle of something, or we’re coming out of something. And so, friends, we hope this tool will be of help to you. And here’s all you do. Just call us toll free at 855-444-6988. And leave your name, address, and just say, suffer. We’ll know what book you’re talking about. Again, that’s 855-444-6988. And leave your name and address and just say, suffer. Now, you can also go to our website at internationalgospelhour.com. Click on the Contact tab and leave us the same information. Name, address, and just type SUFFER in the message box. Again, 855-444-6988 or send us a message through our website at internationalgospelhour.com. Thank you and we are honored to share this gift with you. Now, let’s talk about better things. Consider the following text. Hebrews 6 and verse 9 says, But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner. Now, when I look at Hebrews 6 and verse 9, let me look at context. Let me go up a few verses to chapter 5, verses 12 through 14, that states they should have been teachers at that time in their spiritual growth, but they needed taught again the first principles. things they should have known, taken to heart, and applied to do, as chapter 6 and verse 1 says, to go on unto perfection or maturity. Now when you look at chapter 6 and verse 6 of Hebrews, it notes the word if, seeing the possibility of falling away from their faith. This they were warned of in chapter 3 and verse 12 says, When the Bible says, take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God. Now when I look at verses 7 and 8 of chapter 6, that’s a great parallel. For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God. But if it bears thorns and briars, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned. There’s where he comes in in verse 9 and speaks of the things that accompany salvation. These individuals were saved. He called them beloved. He said things that accompany salvation. So they had heard the gospel of Christ as commanded in Matthew 15, 10 and Romans 10, 17. What they heard, they believed. For faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God, Romans 10 and verse 17. They understood that without faith it is impossible to please God, Hebrews 11, 6. And the faith that is in Jesus Christ, John 3, 16. They repented of their sins as Jesus commanded in Luke 13, 3 and 5. They confessed the name of Christ as we note from Philippians 2, 11. And as the eunuch confessed his faith in Acts 2, or rather Acts 8 and verse 37. And these individuals were baptized just like they were on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2 and verse 38. For the remission of sins. Not before, but for the remission of sins. And also respecting and obeying the command of Jesus in Mark 16, 16. He that believes and is baptized shall be saved. So friends, they were saved individuals who obeyed the gospel. May I ask you a question for quick thought today? Does the church where you attend teach that plan of salvation as the Bible does? Or, friends, do you not attend anywhere and you need to think on these things further? We hope that you will. Now, let’s consider another text, and I mentioned this earlier, Hebrews 12, 24. To Jesus, the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel. Jesus is the mediator, the new covenant, the blood that purchased. He’s the mediator, 1 Timothy 2 and verse 4. And we understand that under the new covenant, things are better. Let’s consider some better things. We’re going to look at a couple of them shortly. But first, here is another free resource from our friends at ApologeticExpress.org.
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Courtesy of our friends at apologeticspress.org, we at International Gospel Hour have a limited supply of Valor and Virtue, a Christian apologetics magazine for teens. It is a great resource for any age, but especially for the challenging teen years. Get your free copy today by calling toll-free at 855-444-6988. Leave your name and address and just say, Valor. That’s it. Again, that’s 855-444-6988. Leave your name and address and just say, Valor. You can also request it through our website at internationalgospelhour.com. Click on the contact tab and leave us your name and address and put Valor in the message box. We will send you a copy while supplies last. So get yours quickly.
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Friends, as we speak of better things, let’s talk now about better growth. Now, as the book of Hebrews was written to the Christian, let’s notice some other text within the book of Hebrews. When you look at Hebrews 3, verses 1, 6, and 14, you see a word, partakers, and a phrase, hold fast. As a partaker of the things that accompany salvation, and we hold fast to the things of which we partake, we hold out to the end. In other words, it begins and it ends when we leave this earth. We stand before God on the day of judgment. Let’s go to chapter 4 verses 13 and 14 that speaks of holding fast one’s profession. Or we will cling to it with a tenacity. It means more to us than anything. Our salvation in Christ should mean more to us than anything. And we are partakers to eat to have more. And again, I would submit Matthew 5 and verse 6, that we hunger and thirst after righteousness and will be filled. One more text from the book of Hebrews, chapter 10 and verse 23, tells us again to hold fast, to be active, to put forth the effort that we do in our faith. Not works that will save us, but works that a saved man does expressing his faith, James chapter 2. So it is evident that the Hebrews were taught to exceed what they had. Their enthusiasm, the blessing of being a child of God, there are better things resulting in better growth. You see, as a Christian grows, it should become more and more difficult to move away from the hope that is in Christ. You see, as the Christian grows, he is aiming in the right direction. In Colossians 1, verse 23, If you continue in the faith, grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which you have heard and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven, whereof I, Paul, am made a minister. So with better things, there’s better growth. Let’s submit to you a second one quickly. Where there’s better things, there’s better doctrine. Hebrews 2 and verse 1 says, Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. Now it’s interesting to see the word doctrine that is worded singular is after Christ or a sound doctrine. Now the exception are the two doctrines listed in Revelation 2, 14 and 15. But in reality there is no exception for they are false, thus multiple doctrines. The word doctrine means sound, after Christ, or pure. Multiple doctrines, always plural. The commandments of men are doctrines, Matthew 15 and verse 9. The doctrines of devils, 1 Timothy 4 verse 1. Different and strange doctrines, Hebrews 13 and verse 9. And Paul speaks of those doctrines that individuals would follow, Colossians 2, 20 through 22. And how they do not need to regulate their lives with the things of the world. Friends, how many have left a church because of erroneous doctrine? How many individuals did I know that leave man-made denominationalism for the simplicity of the church we read of in the New Testament? And you can find that church within the Bible. Tell you what, we’re about to wrap up our studies today, so I’m going to defer to our Jay Webb, who has a special Bible study just for you.
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How about an online study of the Bible? That’s right. The World Bible School has a free online Bible study available. Just go to worldbibleschool.org and register. A study helper will assist you in answering questions and provide feedback for your lessons. That’s the free online study at worldbibleschool.org. Sign up today. Tell them the International Gospel Hour sent you.
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Yes, friends, there are better things ahead. Let us help you in your pursuit of better things with better doctrine, and we’ll continue our studies together at another time. Thank you for joining me today on the International Gospel Hour broadcast. I’m Jeff Archie, and friends, as always, keep listening.
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God be with you till we meet again. Thank you for listening today. May this study prompt your search of God’s Word for His will in your life. To assist you in your study or to listen to our other programs, please visit our website at internationalgospelhour.com. To God be the glory.
