Editor’s note: David has graciously allowed me to include a PDF version of the handout he mentions in this lesson. See the link under “Resource files for this lesson” above. Thanks, David! -MRW

Introduction

• Mark 14:22-25
• I Corinthians 11:20-34 – It’s possible to partake of the Lord’s Supper incorrectly! This was happening in Corinth. We need to make sure we partake correctly.

HORROR at His pain

• Matthew 26:27-28; 27:27-31; John 19:1

SORROW for my sin

• Isaiah 53:5-6 – This is because of us!

GRATITUDE for salvation

• Matthew 26:27-28
• I Corinthians 15:57

HONORED with fellowship

• Matthew 26:29
• I Corinthians 10:14-22 – We have fellowship with God and with each other when we partake of the Lord’s Supper.

HOPE for the future

• I Corinthians 11:26 – We will partake until the Lord comes again!
• Hebrews 9:28

• Hebrews 7:4-8:7
• Hebrews 7:9-10 – This illustrates the greatness of Melchizedek. Even in Abraham’s time, his priesthood was greater than the priesthood of Levi, given that Levi in a sense gave tithes to Melchizedek, being still in the loins of Abraham.
• Hebrews 7:11-12 – Perfection could not be found under the Law of Moses, so there must necessarily be a change of law and priesthood.
• Hebrews 7:13-14 – For Jesus to serve as high priest, he had to operate under a new law and a new priesthood. Jesus was from the tribe of Judah – not Levi.
• Hebrews 7:16 – Jesus was a high priest after the order of Melchizedek not based on family descent but based on His indestructible life. This may imply that Melchizedek was a heavenly being taking the form of a man on earth.
• Hebrews 7:23-25 – Unlike human priests under the Law of Moses, Jesus serves as a high priest permanently.
• Hebrews 7:26 – Jesus is the best possible high priest – holy, innocent, and exalted.
• Hebrews 8:1-2 – Jesus serves as a high priest and ministers in the new tabernacle – the saved relationship. See Exodus 20:24. God recorded His name in the tabernacle and then the temple. Today, He records His name in the saved relationship, which is the new temple.

The prophet Daniel

• Daniel obtained prominence and power – Daniel 1:3-6
  • Preeminence among the wise men of Babylon – Daniel 1:17-20
  • Power over all of Babylon – Daniel 2:48-49; 5:29
  • Power over Medo-Persian empire – Daniel 6:1-3, 28
• How could he do this as a Jew in a pagan kingdom?
  • Retaining his faith
  • Doing so without compromise

Four qualities of Daniel

A man of purpose

• “Daniel purposed in heart” – Daniel 1:8
  • Young boy in a strange land
  • Challenged to violate God’s law
  • His purpose was to remain faithful to God
    • God rewarded him with favor in sight of others – Daniel 1:9
    • Much like He did for Joseph – Genesis 39:1-4, 21
  • We all need to be people of purpose – Matthew 6:33
    • Seek God’s will and live it in our lives
    • We will have sufficiency in all things

A man of principle

• Refused to compromise his convictions
  • Young man – Daniel 1:8
    • Refused to eat king’s meat
    • Refused to drink his wine
  • Older man, refused Belshazzar’s gifts – Daniel 5:13-17
  • Refused to obey decree of Darius against God – Daniel 6:10
• Such people usually admired
  • Outwardly admire
  • Know who they can trust
  • God accepts such people – Psalms 15:1-5

A man of purity

• No fault found in him by his opponents
  • Looked at his governmental affairs
  • Found to be faithful, without negligence or corruption – Daniel 6:1-4
• Christians also must maintain purity of conduct
  • I Timothy 4:12; Titus 2:6-8
  • Young or old
  • Must be examples of believers
  • Regardless of status – Titus 2:9-10

A man of prayer

• Devotion was well known – Daniel 6:5
• Its hallmark was his continued praying – Daniel 6:10
  • Demonstrated humility – took to his knees
  • Gave thanks – in face of persecution
  • Was his custom over time
  • Continued along with his success
• Christians should follow his example
  • Always and with thanks – I Thessalonians 5:17-18
  • Devotedly with thanks – Colossians 4:2

Daniel – an example for us

• Do we live lives of:
  • Purpose
  • Principle
  • Purity
  • Prayer

Introduction

• The rich man and Lazarus: Luke 16:19-31

God expects us to take the opportunity to help others

• Romans 2:6-8; Matthew 22:37-40 – What was the rich man seeking? Was he loving his neighbor?
• Galatians 6:9-10 – Don’t grow weary doing good.
• Matthew 25:14-30 – Our reward will depend on our use of the talents God has given us.
• Matthew 25:31-46 – Helping others is helping Christ.

God expects us to have compassion

• Compassion is “suffering with one another.”
• Without compassion, it’s hard to see opportunities.
• Examples of God’s compassion: Psalms 86:15; 111:4; 145:8-9; 78:37-38
• Examples of Jesus’ compassion:
  • Spiritual needs: Matthew 9:36; James 5:19-20
  • Physical needs: Matthew 15:32; 20:34; I John 3:16-17; James 5:13-16

• Hebrews 6:4-7:4
• Hebrews 6:4-6 – The “goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come” may be referring to the gospel.
  • Hebrews 6:6 – Anyone who went back to the Law of Moses was going back to the law under which Christ was crucified. This is in effect crucifying Jesus again.
• Hebrews 6:7-8 – People who receive God’s word are blessed by it. Those who don’t (and return to Judaism in this case) will be worthless and cursed (see Luke 8).
• Hebrews 6:19 – Hope is the anchor of the soul. Our hope is tied to Jesus. Without Him, we would have no hope.
• Hebrews 7:1-3 – Some argue that this is talking about the priesthood of Melchizedek and not the man, but verse 4 makes it clear that this is referring to the man.
  • The man Melchizedek could have been a heavenly being in the form of a man (see Genesis 16; 22:1; 42:24-30; Exodus 3; Judges 14:9-10) or it could simply be that the man had no known genealogy. It’s possible that the writer of Hebrews was indicating that God had dealings with other nations (and thus other priests) that were outside the Law of Moses. These other priests necessarily operated under a different priesthood, just as Jesus operates now.